Jumping Off Library Shelves

Lee Bennett Hopkins was a poet and anthologist who was honored with the Christopher Award, the University of Southern Mississippi's Medallion for "lasting contributions to children's literature," and the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. Jane Manning is the illustrator of dozens of children's books, including the I Can Read Book Baa-Choo! by Sarah Weeks and the New York Times bestselling The Witch Who Was Afraid of Witches by Alice Low. She lives in Deep River, Connecticut.

"The title of this book of 15 poems will immediately grab the attention of teachers and librarians. All together, the listing of titles in the table of contents forges a lyrical look at what libraries mean to individuals. Many of the poets are well-known in children's literature, and the poems are personal and heartfelt.... The page composition and text placement add playfulness, while the gouache-and-pencil illustrations are buoyant and imaginative. Wispy backgrounds and splotches of color add ebullience. Hopkins, a master anthologist, has compiled an excellent collection... The overall effect is an endearing accolade for fellow book and library mavens." — Kirkus Reviews "This delightful illustrated collection celebrates libraries and their diverse offerings and opportunities... (e)nchanting gouache-and-pencil illustrations range from whimsical... to sweet, like cozily sharing a book à deux, snow falling outside. Honoring libraries as places and resources that can inspire joy, learning, and imagination, this is charming all around." — Booklist"Fifteen poems by writers including Nikki Grimes, J. Patrick Lewis, Alice Schertle, and Jane Yolen sing the praises of libraries and reading.... [A] quiet, focused collection, one that will certainly find a home in libraries and in the homes of those who love them." — Publishers Weekly