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The Not So Quiet Library
A hilarious story that celebrates the power of books and libraries in the vein of It's a Book
It’s Saturday, which means Oskar and Theodore get to go to the library with their dad! It means donuts for breakfast! And it means endless quiet hours lost in stories.
But on this not so quiet Saturday, Oskar and Teddy get a rude surprise when they're interrupted by a five-headed, hangry monster! Will Oskar ever get to finish his book in peace? Will Teddy ever get to gorge on his donuts? Or might both of them hold the secret weapons to taming the beast?
OHora brings his signature humor and quirkiness to a story with evergreen appeal. This laugh-out-loud picture book is perfect for story time.
It’s Saturday, which means Oskar and Theodore get to go to the library with their dad! It means donuts for breakfast! And it means endless quiet hours lost in stories.
But on this not so quiet Saturday, Oskar and Teddy get a rude surprise when they're interrupted by a five-headed, hangry monster! Will Oskar ever get to finish his book in peace? Will Teddy ever get to gorge on his donuts? Or might both of them hold the secret weapons to taming the beast?
OHora brings his signature humor and quirkiness to a story with evergreen appeal. This laugh-out-loud picture book is perfect for story time.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published July 19, 2016
About the author
Zachariah OHora
31 books73 followersZachariah OHora is the illustrator of the New York Times best seller Wolfie the Bunny. His debut as an author, Stop Snoring Bernard! won the 2011 Society of Illustrators Founders Award and was the 2012 State of PA Dept of Ed One book. His follow up, Not Fits Nilson! was named the Huffington Post Best Children's Book of 2013, a Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2013, a New York Public Library Book for Reading and Sharing and was given the PALA Carolyn W. Field Award. His book My Cousin Momo! was named by the Boston Globe a Best Picture Book of 2015 and was a Junior Library Guild Selection. His latest book The Not So Quiet Library hits shelves July 19th. He lives and works in Narberth, PA with his wife, two sons and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
September 16, 2017
I so wanted to love this. The slightly scruffy hipster dad taking his kid to the library on a Saturday--I know those dads. The pre-library donuts. The friendly, non-shushing librarian. I thought this book was going to be a celebration of families spending time at the library together sharing stories. But that's not what happens.
As soon as they get to the library, dad leaves the (young!) child to his own devices while he goes and takes a nap. On another floor! Okay, maybe this family is all about free range parenting and empowering your child to be independent. I can appreciate that. But what happens when the child is threatened and needs assistance from an adult? Is dad anywhere to be seen when his child is almost eaten by a monster? No. Who comes to the rescue? The librarian. And as much as I enjoy seeing the librarian as a trusted adult, the idea that she is monitoring every interaction in the library is just wrong.
Basically, this book shows that if you leave your unattended children in the library, the librarian will babysit them. Enough people already think this. We don't need another example of this very inaccurate idea of libraries. And even more than the child being alone, I was bothered by the idea that a special father and child ritual involved dad being...absent. I wanted dad to be present, not so much for safety issues, but because I wanted him to want to spend time with his kid.
*end librarian rant
As soon as they get to the library, dad leaves the (young!) child to his own devices while he goes and takes a nap. On another floor! Okay, maybe this family is all about free range parenting and empowering your child to be independent. I can appreciate that. But what happens when the child is threatened and needs assistance from an adult? Is dad anywhere to be seen when his child is almost eaten by a monster? No. Who comes to the rescue? The librarian. And as much as I enjoy seeing the librarian as a trusted adult, the idea that she is monitoring every interaction in the library is just wrong.
Basically, this book shows that if you leave your unattended children in the library, the librarian will babysit them. Enough people already think this. We don't need another example of this very inaccurate idea of libraries. And even more than the child being alone, I was bothered by the idea that a special father and child ritual involved dad being...absent. I wanted dad to be present, not so much for safety issues, but because I wanted him to want to spend time with his kid.
*end librarian rant
July 19, 2016
This is the second book I've read in as many days where monsters are grumpy because of low blood sugar. And "the nap department"? As a librarian myself, I say to that dad, "OH HELL NO." You go read to your son, sir.
August 10, 2016
Before I even finished reading this I just *knew* people would be wringing their hands over the poor child abandoned in the library while dad goes off to sleep in the "nap section". I work in a library YET somehow I also have a pretty good grasp of the fact that picture books are not required to hold hands with reality. Sometimes they are just about making kids and parents giggle together. Rest assured super librarians, I'm pretty sure no adult is going to read this and get the genius idea of using the library as a daycare.
And really, why is no one concerned about the talking bear eating trans fats!?!
#crymeariver
And really, why is no one concerned about the talking bear eating trans fats!?!
#crymeariver
August 22, 2016
Read this with my little boy last night. He really liked it and we make semi regular trips to the library. He thought some parts were funny and he likes monsters as well. It was imaginative and he would ask me to keep reading it over and over.
December 29, 2023
The Not so Quiet Library
I have always loved going to the library. Theodore and Oskar go every Saturday with their Dad. One Saturday they had quite an adventure with a hungry monster in the library. Great drawings and story.
I have always loved going to the library. Theodore and Oskar go every Saturday with their Dad. One Saturday they had quite an adventure with a hungry monster in the library. Great drawings and story.
May 16, 2018
This is super cute! It's just a touch long for preschoolers or is the kind of book you'd want to do first in storytime. I think this would be great for a group of kindergarteners, especially if you're doing a library tour.
Note that this could also work in a monster storytime.
Note that this could also work in a monster storytime.
December 2, 2016
Darling book about the joy of reading and libraries!
February 14, 2019
For the record, the library I work at isn't quiet either, but it's because we're constantly hosting programs and families and patrons who have all manner of questions and not because we're plagued with monsters. At least not this month.
March 9, 2017
Librarians are not babysitters. One donut a week is plenty, don't buy more for later and put them under your hat. How are these two brothers? Why does Dad go off to the 'nap floor?'
I've enjoyed other books by Ohara, but this seems more like something he thought he could sell to librarians because Ms Watson gets to be a hero. Um, no.
I've enjoyed other books by Ohara, but this seems more like something he thought he could sell to librarians because Ms Watson gets to be a hero. Um, no.
August 12, 2016
THE NOT SO QUIET LIBRARY
Written and Illustrated bu Zachariah OHora
July 2016; 40 Pages
Dial Books
Genre: library, books, reading, picture book, children's
4 Stars
On a Saturday afternoon, Oskar and Theodore go to the library with their dad. First, they get donuts for breakfast and then it's off for some quiet reading. Dad lets them go to the children section where they are confronted by a five-headed monster that is hungry. Instead of eating their donuts and reading they must now stop monster from eating them!
A very cute book taking place in the best place in the world - the library. A fun adventure story for any bookworm.
k (MY Novelesque Life)
Written and Illustrated bu Zachariah OHora
July 2016; 40 Pages
Dial Books
Genre: library, books, reading, picture book, children's
4 Stars
On a Saturday afternoon, Oskar and Theodore go to the library with their dad. First, they get donuts for breakfast and then it's off for some quiet reading. Dad lets them go to the children section where they are confronted by a five-headed monster that is hungry. Instead of eating their donuts and reading they must now stop monster from eating them!
A very cute book taking place in the best place in the world - the library. A fun adventure story for any bookworm.
k (MY Novelesque Life)
September 8, 2016
I adored the illustrations (and the matte paper), but the story didn't really pan out for me. It is has library stereotypes like the cute, young, and NICE librarian, versus the stodgy, old, cranky librarian, and also showcases misconceptions about what happens at the library. Hopelessly hipster dad leaves the two kiddos by themselves in the kids' room while he goes up to the "napping section" (NO) and also lets them bring donuts to the library. The monster is also a bit scary, as are the methods for making him quiet that fail before story time ultimately calms him down.
Sort of fun, but not my fav.
Sort of fun, but not my fav.
March 4, 2024
Just didn't do much for me, which wasn't helped by the fact that they brought doughnuts into the library. We have way too many kids trying to bring food into the library as it is.
August 8, 2016
super fun story with lots of great details, but the dad dropping off his kids in the children's room so he can go to the "nap department" ?? just no.
August 29, 2016
Oskar and Theodore love to go to the library each Saturday to read in the quiet space. But on this particular Saturday things take a turn for the loud, when a five-headed monster shows up looking for things to eat. Despite their best efforts, Oskar and Theodore are unable to avoid the monster and must come up with a strategy to avoid becoming the monster's lunch. I love the fact that the librarian is the one who comes to the rescue. ;) The banter between the boy, bear, and the monster heads provides plenty of humor along with the theme of storytelling being a powerful tool along with donuts. A cute book that I plan to use with my students to encourage book check out and using quiet voices in the library.
October 19, 2016
This was a cute enough book. I think it will make a good lap read, but probably not a good group readaloud because there are a lot of speech bubbles with small type. The idea is fun (monsters in the library can only be soothed by a good story time) and I really enjoyed the illustrations, but something about it just didn't work for me.
July 23, 2016
I am a sucker for books that have books and libraries in them.
My favorite part of this story is the number of checked out library books and the car!
My favorite part of this story is the number of checked out library books and the car!
September 17, 2016
Great illustrations! The tribute to Greg P's The Watermelon Seed was awesome!
June 5, 2021
This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For an explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.
Strong color palette, a casual feel to the art, bold black lines. Umm, good looking bakery display of donuts. Theodore is fun in his plaid pants and red stocking hat. Love the book titles, many of which appear to be shout outs to friends and favorite writers, but some such as Miniature Squirrel Paintings of the 14th Century are just funny, as is the creative use of staplers. The monster is not very scary despite its enormous size what with never seeing it altogether and the use of sprinkles. Most heart-warming of all is the crazy load of books they're returning and the next load they're taking home.
Library copy
Strong color palette, a casual feel to the art, bold black lines. Umm, good looking bakery display of donuts. Theodore is fun in his plaid pants and red stocking hat. Love the book titles, many of which appear to be shout outs to friends and favorite writers, but some such as Miniature Squirrel Paintings of the 14th Century are just funny, as is the creative use of staplers. The monster is not very scary despite its enormous size what with never seeing it altogether and the use of sprinkles. Most heart-warming of all is the crazy load of books they're returning and the next load they're taking home.
Library copy
January 16, 2020
While this book had some beautiful themes: the library as a treasured space for brothers and their dad, the librarian as hero, the idea of storytime being a magical thing, and books sounding better than they taste, there's just too much wrong in it for me to use it in story time with preschoolers. I may use it with elementary kids in a library tour, they are old enough to discuss the issues, but not with the littles. Besides the idea of Dad leaving the kids alone and heading to another floor of the library (called the Napping Area), one brother keeping donuts on his head under his hat to eat later in the library, and one brother being a bear instead of a boy, the biggest issue I have is that the celebrated "special day with Dad" consists of Dad abandoning them. ??? What the heck? Sorry, I know fiction requires a suspension of belief, and picture books even more so, but I just can't get past that.
October 15, 2019
1: in this story, a dad takes his sons to the library every weekend. What a concept: dads modeling good reading behavior to their kids.
2: Zachariah Ohora, if you ever write something that isn't amazing, I probably won't realize it because everything you write is the best thing, and now I've been conditioned to love all your work.
2: Zachariah Ohora, if you ever write something that isn't amazing, I probably won't realize it because everything you write is the best thing, and now I've been conditioned to love all your work.
January 9, 2020
Wow, librarians are (not surprisingly) salty about this book! Like, I get it, parents suck sometimes but it's just a silly storytime book that I don't see being any more harmful than the "Dinosaur vs." series. I gave a joking aside to the parents at my monster storytime to please not be this dad & about how I wish we had a nap department here too....oh libraryland, I gotta love you sometimes.
August 28, 2017
It's going to be fun sharing this book with little people.
November 20, 2018
lololol
Libraries aren't quiet anymore anyway.
Libraries aren't quiet anymore anyway.
Read
August 1, 2020Very cute.
September 7, 2023
Second graders apparently love the idea of pre-library donuts, are baffled by dads who nap in the library, and find the concept of various condiments on books hilarious.
They’re not wrong!
They’re not wrong!
February 4, 2022
Please don’t eat in the library
September 8, 2018
I like anything that is pro-library, so I am going to give The Not So Quiet Library one extra star! The story is fairly amusing and does a fine job of introducing the library to young readers as a safe and fun place to be.
March 8, 2017
I love everything about this book- the librarian stereotype & the modern librarian, story time, reading books, great illustrations, public libraries, reviewing parts of the books, different types of books, everything! My one caveat is that the dad takes his kids to the library and then just disappears to a different floor- WHAT? You just abandon them in a busy, public place? There are signs in my public library that remind you to keep your kids in eye line and arm's reach, and they're right. Besides that, just wonderful!
September 25, 2019
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is The Not So Quiet Library by Zachariah OHora, a delightfully offbeat tale about the joys of libraries and books.
In the home of brothers Theodore (a little boy) and Oskar (a bear), Saturdays are the best day of the week. After all, Dad starts the day by bringing them to the bakery for fresh donuts, and then it’s off to the library! Theodore and Oskar head straight for the kid’s section (Dad heads straight for the “Nap” section), and happily settle in for some quality storytime. That is until a five-headed monster named Seymour/Chuck/Winston/Pat/Bob interrupts by making a racket. And doing what, you ask? Why, EATING BOOKS! Unfortunately, they find the taste rather displeasing, even after loading the texts with condiments. When Theodore explains that books are for reading and not eating, the cranky monster decides that they will eat the brothers instead! It’s going to take some quick thinking and some leftover donuts to get out of this one! Or perhaps a storytime may do the trick instead…
Silly, quirky fun. OHora has a knack for creating stories that are filled with simple, original plots and the type of oddball humor that kids love. This tale is no different, somehow managing to capture the joy of spending a quiet day at the library in a story about monster(s) who pour sprinkles and mustard on books to improve their taste. And not to worry, SeChWiPaBo (my own abbreviation) does come to realize their bad manners(they blame low blood sugar), and become ardent library helpers and new friends. OHora’s signature block-color and heavy-lined illustrations are a treat as always, the length is fine, and JJ had plenty of giggles throughout. A treat, and Baby Bookworm approved!
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
October 6, 2016
I really like the hipster dad who stops at the donut shop on the way to the library. I like how Theodore is an actual bear who also seems to be a brother. I adore "old pickled onion Mr. Tasker" - that one guy who works at the library that scares the pants off of you. I have been that person with books up past the windows and tied to the roof after a visit to the library (well almost!) There's a clear problem- 5 headed monster eating the books at the library at a satisfying ending any librarian could appreciate.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews