Saving Eli’s Library
Author: Ruth Horowitz
Illustrator: Brittany Jackson
1 October 2020
Albert Whitman & Company
32 pages

As with most writers, I’m a book fan. In fact, some of the stacks of books in my office have now grown taller than me. I suspect Eli would appreciate that fact.

Book description from Goodreads: “Eli loves going to the library for Story Circle, but, one stormy day, the nearby river threatens to flood it. Eli and his dad must brave the storm to help save the books, and, when the storm is over, the whole town must come together to rebuild the library. Inspired by the residents of Lincoln, Vermont, who rebuilt their library on three separate occasions, Saving Eli’s Library showcases one community’s bigheartedness, and the power of water and nature.”

Need some reviews of Saving Eli’s Library?

• Goodreads
• Youth Services Book Review

Educational Activities inspired by Ruth Horowitz’s Saving Eli’s Library:

• Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
  • What do you think of when you think of libraries?
  • Where and when does this story seem to take place?
  • What’s going on outside the window?
  • Where did Eli just come from?
  • If you could ask the author any one question before you read the book, what would it be?
• After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
  • What kind of person is Eli?
  • Why did the library need saving?
  • Can you think of another way the library might have been saved?
  • Could this situation really happen?
  • If you marched with Eli in the book parade, would you wear a special costume?
  • Is there something you don’t understand about the story?
  • What other story does Saving Eli’s Library remind you of?
• Writing–Now that Eli has saved his library, what happens next for him?  Imagine whatever you want, and then write down what you think of in as much detail as you choose. 
  • What new challenge does Eli–or the library–face?
    • Perhaps the library needs a fundraiser to buy new books? Or there’s a book-​eating alien that arrives? Or…
  • How does Eli overcome the challenge?
  • What does Eli see/​smell/​taste/​touch? Details help make a story come to life!
  • Feel free to draw pictures to accompany your continuation of Eli’s story.
  • Perhaps share your results with a friend or adult?
• Activities–Try some of the following book-​themed crafts. Get a library-​loving adult to help: 
  • The Cat in the Hat Printable Hat–Yep. It’s wearable. Feel free to draw on the stripes versus use strips of craft paper.
  • Class Pancake Book–This requires a few other youngsters to make it work, so invite friends, family, or classmates to help out!
  • Funny Face Flipbook–This will stop the “I’m bored!” complaints. So much fun!
  • Paper Plate Caterpillar–For fans of Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar. This one’s really easy to make, folks!
• Further Reading–Which of these other picture books about libraries have you read? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)