My Librarian is a Camel:
how books are brought to children around the world
By Margriet Ruurs
Boyds Mills Press. 2015
ISBN: 9781590780930
Grades K-12
I went into my local
public library and borrowed a copy of this book.
In My Librarian is a
Camel, author Margriet
Ruurs contacted librarians around the world and asked them to share their
stories about their efforts to connect books with people. Whether it is at a refugee camp or a street corner, these mobile libraries are often the only way books can be transported.
When we think of a
library, we picture a building on a street or perhaps a room in a school. Some
move from place to place in the most remarkable of ways: by bus, by boat, by
elephant, by donkey, by train, even by wheelbarrow.
From Azerbaijan to
Zimbabwe, we learn just how inventive librarians will go to be sure everyone has books. In England, the Blackpool
Beach Library brings books to folks who are enjoying their summer holidays at
the beach using a wheelbarrow. One librarian states, “Libraries are services,
not buildings.” These librarians are passionate and believe that, as one librarian states, “the mobile library is as important as air or water.”
Organized alphabetically by country,
each two-page spread gives a brief explanation on how books are transported and
includes color photos taken by the librarians in that country showing children
laughing and enjoying books! In addition, an insert with map displays where the
country is located, its flag, name of the capital, estimated population and
country facts.
My Librarian is a Camel is a wonderful book to share with students studying other cultures. Pair it with Material World by Peter
Menzel.
Watch the book trailer.
