This humorous tale of a curious young boy and his single-minded quest for knowledge is a heartfelt and affectionate tribute to librarians everywhere. Full color. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

K-Gr 3 Little Melvin loves his library, and his librarians Marge, Leeola, and Betty are his very favorite people. As he grows up, they help him learn about his world and explore all kinds of things. And when Melvin finishes college, he chooses to join the noble ranks of their profession and help other children learn wonderful things just like he did. Morris is you guessed it a children's librarian herself, and her enthusiasm for the field permeates her narrative. But it's Sneed's animated, startlingly accurate depictions of contemporary libraries that make the story engaging. Librarians will also recognize other, less prominent details incorporated into the background, like the covers of several Caldecott Award-winning picture books, successfully rendered in miniature with just a few deft brushstrokes of watercolor. Morris delivers a quaint story, but Sneed makes it possible for readers to smell the very bindings of the books and hear the shuffle of feet across the carpeted floor. This title will be a surefire hit with librarians; whether or not it will also appeal to children is more difficult to predict. Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Young Melvin spends his free time at the library. Three librarians, Marge, Leeola, and Betty, become his family-always happy to see him, help with his homework, and share his interests, even when it means Melvin's bugs escape their jar, and creepy crawlers invade the Livingston Public Library. Time passes, and the librarians help Melvin win a spelling bee; in high school, he takes a job as a page. When he goes to college, he misses his friends. In a heartwarming ending, another little boy comes to the library with questions, and Melvin is the new librarian, ready to help. Morris, a librarian herself, has clearly seen kids whose real home is the library, but it is rather unsettling that neither parents nor caretakers are ever mentioned. That said, this effectively shows the solid bond that can develop between librarians and their young patrons. Sneed's artwork, full of interesting perspectives, neatly personalizes the women, even if Melvin does look a bit nerdy. Overall, this paean to librarians will be nice to have on hand. Cooper, Ilene. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.