Review: The Library in the Woods

Written by Calvin Alexander Ramsey

Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

Minneapolis, MN : Carolrhoda Books, 2025. Picture Book.

I am always intrigued by picture books that tell stories from the past in beautiful and meaningful ways, leaving the reader educated, and also hopeful and inspired. This book definitely did that for me! The cover is a beautiful peek into the story waiting on the pages.

Junior and his family have lived on a farm that is having a hard time producing what it needs to for the family to survive economically. The parents make the hard decision to move away from the farm and into the city. Junior misses a lot of things about his life in the country. However, when Junior's friends tell him about a library in the woods, things change for him in the best way! He is amazed by the seemingly endless collection of books, and is eager to check some out for his family.

Junior excitedly borrows a few books, including one about a farmer for his dad to read. He gets worried when it is almost time to return the books, because he doesn't think his dad has finished the one Junior got for him Through a kind exchange between mother and son, Junior he learns for the first time that his dad does not know how to read. Junior and his mom spend time talking about how families help each other with love and tenderness, and a beautiful moment follows with father and son. I am so glad that I read this book, and I hope that you will, too!

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