Join us for a new regular feature: Kindermusik Reviews. We’ll be looking at various books, but most importantly, children’s books and books on parenting. First up, Zachariah Ohora’s delightful romp through the neighborhood book repository, The Not So Quiet Library. There’s a monster in the library! Kids will love Ohora’s humorous tale of Oskar and his furry brother, Theodore, and their trip to the local library. Frankly, there’s lots to love about this book if you are an adult, too. The book reinforces many things parents teach their children: brushing your teeth is a great way to start the day, the importance of reading itself, and understanding that there’s a time and a place for just about every behavior (even hungry monsters have to learn self-regulation!) Ohoro’s illustrations are a delight to the eye – colorful and full of whimsy, with a great sense of scale. The five-headed, book-eating monster (each head possessing a comically un-monster-like name, like Winston and Seymour) towers over our protagonists at the outset, which quickly shifts as Oskar and Theodore may headway in explaining that books are not, in fact, for eating – but for reading. They had an appetite for books – just the wrong kind. After this news, the head named Chuck decides that they’ll just have to eat Oskar and Theodore – with sprinkles!

But don’t worry. The librarian comes to the rescue.Bob is surprised when Oskar calmly informs him that “books are for reading,” while Theodore assesses the situation from a safe distance.

Why We Like This Book

Well – who doesn’t like a book that promotes reading? We’ve said it before: kids who are exposed to music at a young age tend to be better readers as they get older. And Ohoro’s diverse characters are refreshing.

The Not So Quiet Library presents string kids who go out with their Dad, read on their own, deal directly with a book-hungry monster (who eventually promises to clean up the mess in the library), and come out smiling.

The story gives us lots to talk about with our kids, too…visiting the library, facing our fears, self and situational awareness…and donuts. We can’t forget the donuts.

Ohoro is an active, award-winning author and illustrator. The Not So Quiet Library is his newest book. Check him out over at FuzzyTown!