Karen Casale

This is a direct message from the Library Secret Service (LSS) about their 16 Very Official Guidelines (V.O.G.s) for taking care of your library book. The guidelines include things such don't let your dog eat your library book (or your parents); don't let the baby drool on your library book (or monsters or ogres because their drool is stinky); and so forth. It provides a lot of obvious things (don't take your book in the bathtub), but some maybe not so obvious (don't eat or drink around your book). The illustrations look like paper cutouts and their is a recurring ghost on most pages.

I read this with kindergarten and first graders this week and they liked it, but definitely seemed a little confused at times. I think the mixing of real (don't let the dog eat your book) and silly (don't let your parents eat your book), left many of the kids a little unsure. After a comment in the book about vampires, one child even asked me, "Is this a real book?" I had to explain that it's a mix of real guidelines for book care and silliness for fun. Because of that, I think this book would be better suited for the 2nd-4th grade ages, however by then most kids know how to take care of a library book so although the style better suits the older kids, the content is more appropriate for younger ones. That's why I gave it four stars instead of five.… (meer)

This a clever book filled with humorous anecdotes about properly caring for library books. The premise of the book is that there is a Library Secret Service that is constantly watching you. Theyhave you V.O.G's, very official guidelines for using libray books. This book would be great for any grade level. It is humorous, the illustrations are current and age approrpiate for middle, elementary or even high schoolers. It would be important initial knowledge for younger elementary students and review for older students. It covers book care, storage and return policies. It even encourages borrowers to thanks the librarians. It would be great for a librarian or classroom teacher to read to students prior to the first library check out of each year. It is a fun way to present what could be dry information. Well written and through. I highly recommend this book.… (meer)