Inspired by a real-life traveling librarian (also depicted in Jeanette Winter's Biblioburro, 2010), this is the fictionalized story of a child visited by a humble Columbian biblioburro. Ana's life consists of helping her parents and reading the one book she received from a teacher who has since departed, leaving her rural community without a school. For stories, Ana draws upon her rich imagination until the arrival of the librarian and his two book-toting donkeys. On his next long-awaited visit, when the librarian is presented with his own story written by Ana, we see that it is the same story as the book we're reading. The charming, primitive-style acrylic illustrations in muted tones on textured board have a folk-art quality and convey the rustic lifestyle of Ana and her community. The final page includes a brief afterword and a glossary of Spanish terms, which are sprinkled throughout the text. Heather Henson's That Book Woman (2008) and Gloria Houston's Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile (2011) provide interesting contrasts and comparisons.

Inspired by Colombian librarian Luis Soriano Bohórquez, Brown's latest tells of a little girl whose wish comes true when a librarian and two book-laden burros visit her remote village. Ana loves to read and spends all of her free time either reading alone or to her younger brother. She knows every word of the one book she owns. Although she uses her imagination to create fantastical bedtime tales for her brother, she really wants new books to read. Everything changes when a traveling librarian and his two donkeys, Alfa and Beto, arrive in the village. Besides loaning books to the children until his next visit, the unnamed man also reads them stories and teaches the younger children the alphabet. When Ana suggests that someone write a book about the traveling library, he encourages her to complete this task herself. After she reads her library books, Ana writes her own story for the librarian and gives it to him upon his reappearance—and he makes it part of his biblioburro collection. Parra's colorful folk-style illustrations of acrylics on board bring Ana's real and imaginary worlds to life. This is a child-centered complement to Jeanette Winter's Biblioburro (2010), which focuses on Soriano. The book is perfect for read-alouds, with occasional, often onomatopoeic Spanish words such as "quiquiriquí," "tacatac" and "iii-aah" adding to the fun. (author's note, glossary of Spanish terms) (Picture book. 4-8)

PreS-K The pleasure and love of reading are joyfully brought forth in this simple, happily rendered tale. Inspired by the work of real-life librarian Luis Soriano Boh&3;rquez, who takes his mobile library into the small villages and rural countryside of Colombia, this story features young Ana. She loves to read, but because her teacher moved away some time ago, she has just one book. Nevertheless, she enjoys it again and again, reading it to her younger brother while also entertaining him with fantastical stories of her own making. Then one exciting day, the Biblioburro stops in her village. The traveling librarian, carrying books on his burros Alfa and Beto, not only leaves books for her but also encourages her to use her vivid imagination to create tales of her own. When he returns some weeks later, Ana presents him with her finished book, which features the two burros. That night she sinks into bed knowing her story will be shared with other children when the Biblioburro arrives in their villages. Brown's tale flows well, and Parra's folkloric-style illustrations are nicely in tune with the book's setting, adding appropriate flavor to the storytelling. Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

Inspired by Colombian librarian Luis Soriano Bohórquez, Brown's latest tells of a little girl whose wish comes true when a librarian and two book-laden burros visit her remote village. Ana loves to read and spends all of her free time either reading alone or to her younger brother. She knows every word of the one book she owns. Although she uses her imagination to create fantastical bedtime tales for her brother, she really wants new books to read. Everything changes when a traveling librarian and his two donkeys, Alfa and Beto, arrive in the village. Besides loaning books to the children until his next visit, the unnamed man also reads them stories and teaches the younger children the alphabet. When Ana suggests that someone write a book about the traveling library, he encourages her to complete this task herself. After she reads her library books, Ana writes her own story for the librarian and gives it to him upon his reappearance—and he makes it part of his biblioburro collection. Parra's colorful folk-style illustrations of acrylics on board bring Ana's real and imaginary worlds to life. This is a child-centered complement to Jeanette Winter's Biblioburro (2010), which focuses on Soriano. The book is perfect for read-alouds, with occasional, often onomatopoeic Spanish words such as "quiquiriquí," "tacatac" and "iii-aah" adding to the fun. (author's note, glossary of Spanish terms) (Picture book. 4-8)

For Ana, the arrival of a burro-riding librarian in her remote village is a joyful event. Impatiently awaiting the bibliotecario's next visit, Ana reads avidly, writes, and creates her own book. Parra's acrylics portray a sunny village with cheerful children engaged in imaginative play. Spanish words (defined in context and in a glossary) add a useful dimension, as does an author's note.