Book comes home

Sanders and Player explore book banning from the perspective of a dog-eared library volume. With a periwinkle cover, an upturned nose, and a gold award sticker, wide-eyed Book (written "by A. Person") exudes contentment in opening scenes. But one day, when "her best reader friend" places her in the return bin, a shadowy figure moves Book to a shelf in a darkened space that several sorrowful peers identify as "the Banned Book Closet." As Book learns more about banning, her pride shrivels: "The darkness of the room matched the sadness Book felt." Luckily, Book's beloved patron and others eventually spring the space's denizens. With thick black digital outlines, figures have a clean crispness that distinctly contrasts with the fuzzy, unformed shadows of the Banned Book Closet--a meaningful visual echo of the work's themes. Characters are portrayed with various abilities and skin tones. An author's note concludes. Ages 5--8. (Mar.)

A library book loves being checked out by readers, until one day she finds herself unceremoniously banished. Book enjoys an idyllic life, bringing joy to countless children. Then, a sinister unnamed someone, concealed by dark shadows, sends her to the Banned Book Closet to languish without readers--a thought that sends "shivers up Book's spine." But a group of dedicated readers organize (and presumably protest), and Book is brought back out to the light of the library. Written by "A. Person," Book has a lavender-gray cover and a perky nose and proudly displays a book award seal. The illustrations use light and shadow to great effect: The opening pages are full of vibrant colors, while the Banned Book Closet is drawn in a wash of dark-blue grays. With an appropriately light hand, Sanders shows the power of organizing and the value of the freedom to read, though readers may emerge with questions about why books are censored; adults should be prepared to offer context. The author's note provides a brief history of book censorship. In addition, Sanders includes a glossary of related words (though not all appear in the book) and a list of resources. Human characters are diverse in terms of age, skin tone, and size. A simple, child-friendly exploration of book banning.(Picture book. 5-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.