Please, Louise

"Louise, pictured as a small girl wrapped in a raincoat and armed with an umbrella, enters what she considers a strange and scary world. But at the library, she finds shelter from the storm and safe worlds to explore. The authors’ rhyming text, though reflective of a child’s fears (junkyard monsters, dogs, neglected buildings), does not always flow naturally, but the message is loud and clear. This is a testament to the value of reading and the imagination as ways to understand feelings and the world. Strickland’s illustrations bring Louise’s world to life; the objects of fear, in dark colors and threatening profiles, dominate the pages until the world of the library embraces her. Off comes her hooded coat, the sun comes out, and she now dominates her environment. We even see a close-up of her face, totally absorbed in a book, a friendly dog by her side. A cozy way to address the subject of fears--and to get children to the library." – Booklist

"The easy rhythm of the text of this book will soon lend itself to becoming a favorite read-aloud for elementary teachers and librarians. The story starts as Louise is walking to the library on a rainy day. The day is gloomy and she easily becomes frightened by the loud sounds on her path. Once she reaches the library, she begins to read and imagine a better place where she can be safe and happy. The illustrations are colorful and blend with the text to help tell the story." – Library Media Connection, October 2014