Our Incredible Library Book (and the Wonderful Journeys It Took)

A library volume grows worn and weathered as it circulates through a metropolitan community in this picture book, its journey captured with jaunty rhymes: “It grew dog-eared and dirty, and taped here and there./ But those marks told the tale of a book made to share.” Crowe opens with the book’s first day, when it’s checked out by Nia, who devours it while eating broccoli. Next comes Luis, who reads it to Abuela, and the list continues as others enjoy, and leave marks of use on, the work. Joseph’s sunny illustrations incorporate readers of varied abilities and skin tones, and as the volume changes hands, the pages begin to show evidence of previous readers, including a cup ring from Nia’s cocoa, paw prints from Hanna’s cat, and crayon marks from Minnie and Vince. The overall effect whimsically celebrates the adventure that is reading—for reader and book alike. Ages 4–8. (Apr.)