Have you heard of mobile libraries? What about a library carried on the back of a donkey? In the late 1990s Luis Soriano began lending books to remote villages in Columbia, using his two burros, Alfa and Beto. I came across two picture books about the Biblioburro at my local library. Here are my brief reviews.
Biblioburro: A True Story from Columbia by Jeanette Winter (Beach Lane Books, 2010)
The short, simple text of this picture book describes how Luis had too many books to fit in his house, so he bought two burros to help him take books to people who had none. It focuses on his idea and one trip to a remote village. As you can see from the cover, the illustrations are simple and vivid with lots of plants and animals. The author’s note gives Luis’ full name and home town and explains that his library of 70 books has now grown to 4,800 and serves 300 people. Recommended for ages 4 to 7.
Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown, illustrated by John Parra (Tricycle Press, 2011)
This book, which is slightly longer than the first one, is told from the perspective of Ana, a little girl who longs for books to read. When the Biblioburro arrives at her village she excitedly picks out books to borrow. In the following weeks she writes her own book about the Biblioburro while she waits for it to return. The illustrations are very imaginative. The author’s note mentions travelling libraries around the world and there is a glossary of about 20 Spanish words. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.
This came up as a related post under your most recent blog…how did I miss something as funny and cool as a Biblioburro!?
And it’s such a great word, too!