{"id":42342,"date":"2023-03-26T22:28:30","date_gmt":"2023-03-27T02:28:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=42342"},"modified":"2023-03-26T22:28:30","modified_gmt":"2023-03-27T02:28:30","slug":"review-of-this-is-a-story-words-by-john-schu-illustrations-by-lauren-castillo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=42342","title":{"rendered":"Review of This Is a Story, words by John Schu, illustrations by Lauren Castillo"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>This Is a Story<\/em><\/p>\n

words by John Schu
\nillustrations by Lauren Castillo<\/p>\n

Candlewick Press, 2023. 40 pages.
\nReview written March 20, 2023, from a library book.
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

Yes, I was predisposed to like this book. John Schu is a librarian I met online before meeting him at library conferences and even being on an ALSC committee with him briefly. But I’m confident I’d love this book whether I knew the author or not.<\/p>\n

The story of this picture book is a celebration of reading. It goes well with Mr. Schu’s earlier book, This Is a School<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n

This Is a Story<\/em> begins with a word, then a word on a page, a page in a book, and a book on a shelf. But then it shows us the library where the book is waiting on a shelf.<\/p>\n

Next we zoom out to a world full of humans. We see a little girl and her family go into the library.<\/p>\n

Sometimes humans need help . . .<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Then we see a librarian who looks an awful lot like Mr. Schu showing the girl a book that matches the sea horse kite she’s holding. The text simply says, “connecting.”<\/p>\n

Then we get:<\/p>\n

This is a book.
\nThis is a reader.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And we zoom out to more readers looking at books for answers to questions, ideas to explore, and for sparking hope. All taking place in a busy, happy library setting.<\/p>\n

I do love that among her adorable pictures, the illustrator used covers of actual books for the illustrations. My second time through, I looked for ones I could recognize. (There are lots!)<\/p>\n

This is a joyful and simple celebration of stories, books, reading, children, and libraries. If I were still working in a branch, I’d immediately set it aside for preschool library tours. The words are short and sweet, so it will work well even for very young kids. But there’s a whole lot for kids to notice in the illustrations.<\/p>\n

This lovely book warmed my heart.<\/p>\n

This is a story.
\nAnd it helps us understand . . .<\/p>\n

everything!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

JohnSchu.com<\/a>
\nlaurencastillo.com<\/a>
\ncandlewick.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Picture_Books\/this_is_a_story.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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