CLIP Review: The Boy who was Raised by Librarians

Author: Carla Morris
Illustrator: Brad Sneed
Ages: 5-8

                   "A library is a wonderful place to be if a person is curious."

Melvin is curious.  Melvin loves libraries.  But most of all, Melvin loves the librarians.  No matter where his interests lie, they took an interest in it also.  That's how librarians are. They just can't help it. And that's why Melvin loves them.  Even when he bursts into the library with a Mason jar filled with bugs and in his excitement races towards them and T R I P S...  Within minutes, Marge, Betty and Leeola have retrieved, identified, classified and cataloged all 87 specimens of Melvins creepy crawlies!  Then they hand Melvin a copy of  A Field Guide to Insects. They just can't help it. That's just how librarians are.

The book takes you through Melvin's years of school and how Marge, Betty and Leeola quizzed him for his Spelling Bee, guided him in finding information for his Science Fair project, helped him price his baseball cards using the internet.  They couldn't help it. That's how librarians are.

Many years later another little boy comes into the library, carrying a container of bugs. He is greeted by the library's newest librarian - can you guess who? Yes, it's Melvin!

Sneed's illustrations of the librarians will capture your heart, but be prepared for the last picture. Melvin is the perfect librarian, he just can't help it. That's just how librarians are.

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