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Romina Galotta
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Dear Librarian Hardcover – Picture Book, June 1, 2021

by Lydia M. Sigwarth (Author), Romina Galotta (Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 112 ratings
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When Lydia was five years old, she and her family had to leave their home. They hopped from Grandma's house to Aunt Linda's house to Cousin Alice's house, but no place was permanent. Then one day, everything changed. Lydia's mom took her to a new place ― not a house, but a big building with stone columns, and tall, tall steps. The library.

In the library, Lydia found her special spot across from the sunny window, at a round desk. For behind that desk was her new friend, the librarian. Together, Lydia and the librarian discovered a world beyond their walls, one that sparkled with spectacular joy.

Paired with warm art by newcomer Romina Galotta and a foreword by Ira Glass, Dear Librarian is a "thank you" to anyone who has offered a child love and support during a difficult time.

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  1. Reading age
    4 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool and up
  5. Lexile measure
    AD530L
  6. Dimensions
    8.88 x 0.25 x 11.19 inches
  7. Publisher
    Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
  8. Publication date
    June 1, 2021
  9. ISBN-10
    0374313903
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0374313906
  11. See all details
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From the Publisher

Author Photo

Author Q&A

Dear Librarian is inspired by your own life. What was it like adapting your own story into a picture book?

I always wanted Dear Librarian to be a picture book because I love doing storytime with my own library kids and picture books have a very special place in my heart. The story in Dear Librarian happened when I was 5 years old so I’m hoping that little ones will relate to Dear Librarian when they see my story on the page. I’ve always been fascinated by books that talk about complicated subjects from the perspective of a child and I wanted to talk about something hard (and even a bit taboo for kids) at a level that they would understand and empathize with. It was a blast to go back and look at old pictures for my illustrator. Watching the book take shape brought on an odd sense of deja vu because it felt like I was reliving my memories through the pages of a book!

Do you have a favorite spread or illustration included in the book?

It’s so hard to pick a favorite! Romina Galotta is an absolute star. I love her so much and am so lucky to have been able to form a deep friendship with her while we were working on Dear Librarian. I loved seeing my family as illustrations as well as my childhood library and current library presented so magically on the page.

As revealed at the end of the book, you’re a librarian yourself. What do libraries mean to you?

Being a librarian is such an honor. Something I try to remember in my work is that not only can you not know what battle another person is fighting - but that they might not even know they’re fighting either. As a kid I didn’t understand my family’s situation fully. I try to approach each family I meet with the same compassion and care I found in my childhood librarian.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3—In a love letter to all librarians, but one in particular, the author tells the story of a difficult period in her family's life. For her, a young white female narrator, finding a place she feels safe has been elusive. Her large family moves to a new state and stays with relatives while her father searches for a new job and a new home. One day, she and her family visit the public library, and she recognizes her special place. She also finds a new friend, the librarian, who is attentive to the homesick child. This experience motivates the child, when she's grown, to make a deliberate career choice. In a picture book based loosely on the author's own life, and first told on the radio show, This American Life host Ira Glass provides the foreword. Galotta uses an array of media, including watercolors and colored pencils, to lovingly reflect the heroine's inner emotions and thoughts in the details and background on each page. Nearly all the characters are white, although in school scenes or more contemporary scenes of the library, some diversity is introduced. VERDICT This touching story celebrates the joys of friendship, finding a home, and the power of libraries. Pair with similar picture books such as Sam McBratney's Will You Be My Friend? and James Dean's Pete the Cat Checks Out the Library by James Dean.—Monica Fleche, Rochester P. L., Rochester, NY

Review

"Galotta uses an array of media, including watercolors and colored pencils, to lovingly reflect the heroine’s inner emotions and thoughts in the details and background on each page . . . This touching story celebrates the joys of friendship, finding a home, and the power of libraries. Pair with similar picture books such as Sam ­McBratney’s Will You Be My Friend? and James Dean’s Pete the Cat Checks Out the Library." ―School Library Journal, starred review

"A gentle ode to the effect one person can have on another, and what a library can offer a community." ―Publishers Weekly

"Galotta enriches the nostalgic undertones with glimpses of lush flowers, tiny robots, a dragon, and other imaginary elements . . . A cogent, warming reminder that public libraries have always been more than just repositories for books." ―Kirkus Reviews

""A heartfelt tribute to the power of libraries, and the power of kindness." ―Mara Wilson, actress and author

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); Illustrated edition (June 1, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0374313903
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0374313906
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 8 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD530L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.88 x 0.25 x 11.19 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 112 ratings

About the author

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Romina Galotta

Romina Galotta

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
112 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

DeLong
5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable book!
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
I bought this to give as a gift to my boss at the library I work for. I had our patrons sign it as a going away present and she seemed happy to get it. It's such a great story about the impact that someone can have on another person. You never know whose life you may be affecting and this was a very touching story about that.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written story of transition in a young life
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2021
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Warm story of a young girl going through major transitions in her life and finding warmth and a grounding force through a librarian and the books in it. A great tale with so many kids on social media these days. Well written. Lovely art work also. Highly recommended for young kids. Great picture book that would hold their interest.
Not exactly homelessness like living in a tent under a bridge, but major transitions for a family involving housing and employment which many kids and their classmates are now facing.
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wiretap
5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet book
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
I gave this book to my son's very special school librarian he grew close to in kindergarten. It was part of her gift from him for teacher appreciation week and she LOVED it! She said it brought her to tears and she's keeping it. I'm glad I found a special book to express how much we appreciate her and how her kindness has made a difference in his life. She greets him every morning with a smile and a hug and made his transition to kindergarten so much easier. He's a confident 1st grader now, but still runs to her every morning for a hug and a quick chat. Perfect book for gifting.
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Emily Hixon
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended picture book
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2021
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Dear Librarian has become a favorite addition to our home collection; our two-year-old requested it as a bedtime book no less than 13 nights in a row!

In it, Ms. Sigwarth deftly tells a story with homelessless as the context without wielding it as an object lesson. Rather, she emphasizes the role of the library— and the librarians at their heart— as a place of connection and community, an anchor during a time of displacement.

The warmth of the text is matched by the warmth of the illustrations.

11/10 recommend for readers of all ages.
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Laura
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for a Librarian gift
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2023
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My son gave this to his teacher who was switching jobs to a librarian. It was the sweetest gift.
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Casey/Jordan
5.0 out of 5 stars A Charming Real Life Story
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2021
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A little girl without a house to call home finds a home in a very unexpected place: The local library. She befriends a librarian who inspires her to become a librarian herself. My 3 year old daughter is captivated by this gentle story, and the whimsical illustrations truly could not be any better!
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erin marie gibison
4.0 out of 5 stars A must read for your little readers.
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2023
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Such a sweet story exploring the world of libraries and the wonderful people who keep them open and running for us!
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Stories by Storie
5.0 out of 5 stars For Those Who Love the Library
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2021
Verified Purchase
When you think about the library, what feelings come to mind? For me, I most often feel joy and excitement about what treasures we will find. But for some people, the library feels like home - a safe space to read, explore, and dream.

Dear Librarian follows a young girl whose family must leave their home. As they bounce between the houses of different family members, the little girl longs for a place that feels like home. When she visits the library one day, she finds a new friend in the librarian, and the two discover a whole new world together. Over time, this friendship inspires the young girl to become a librarian and create a space where people both with and without homes can share and visit.

This story is based on the author’s own experience as a child, which makes me love this story even more.
2 people found this helpful
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