I'M SO HAPPY YOU'RE HERE

The author—a social media influencer, former librarian, and host of the revival of PBS’ Reading Rainbow—celebrates the familiar pleasures of a library visit.

Threets, who has promoted libraries and reading online, follows his positive message to its logical conclusion: a picture book that seeks to cultivate “library joy.” As the book begins, Threets, sporting his signature soft, fuzzy Afro hairstyle, opens the library’s doors wide to a crowd of kids and grown-ups. Patrons pour in. A Black mom with cornrows lifts a toddler to a bookshelf, a pale-skinned blond child cuddles her dads while perusing a book about butterflies, and a tan-skinned girl watches her abuela mend a teddy bear. At the reference desk, a bespectacled, pale-skinned child asks Mychal for animal books and is soon deep in study behind a tall stack. Of course, the library isn’t just for books—kids garden and play board games, and a parent checks out a set of cymbals. Finally, the book reaches a gleeful moment—storytime! Offering a simple script for the essential experience of a family library day and positioning librarians as friendly guides, Threets provides a perfect read-aloud for before, during, or after a library visit. Nam’s bright, solid-colored illustrations are simple yet involving, following a visually specific cast closely through relatable moments, with characters grinning at and embracing one another easily.

In this well-considered tale, library joy is simple, and library joy is real.