As someone who works in the world's first Carnegie library, in Andrew Carnegie's home town of Dunfermline, I simply had to read this book! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Owlkids Books for letting me have an ARC of The Man Who Loved Libraries.

This is a really good short introduction to Andrew Carnegie, and to ideas of sharing and philanthropy, for school-children. I am surprised to see Dunfermline described as a village (it was a Royal Burgh; a birth and burial-place of Scottish royalty, eg. St Margaret and Robert the Bruce are buried at Dunfermline Abbey; and the 1841 census records the Dunfermline parish population as 19,778). Aside from this I found the book to be highly readable and full of accurate information. The book is brief so there is no mention of the Peace Palace, funding of swimming baths and church organs etc but I am glad that there is reference to Carnegie's attitude and actions with regard to workers' unions, as this is important, and gives children a more complex view of Carnegie.

The illustrations within the book are attractive and suit the subject matter well.

I will be recommending this book far and wide!

A picture book biography of Andrew Carnegie, who worked his way up from an immigrant bobbin boy to one of the wealthiest men in America. He invested much of his wealth in philanthropic interests, such as building libraries. This book focuses on how a library was important to Carnegie growing up and how that inspired him to build more libraries. Further information on Carnegie, his philanthropic endeavors, and how he went about deciding where to build libraries can be found in the back of the book.

A great introduction for kids to a man who has an enduring legacy in the arenas of arts and education. The story is told in an engaging way, the illustrations are eye-catching, and I’m sure there are many kids who will read this and be inspired to try and emulate Carnegie’s hard work and wise investments. I also like the way it highlights the importance of libraries for the public and knowledge in general. I’ve always admired the way that Carnegie didn’t just build libraries any old place, the town had to commit to investing in it and ensuring that it stayed open and a free public library. It was a great model of getting local buy in for a philanthropic endeavor and you can ask kids how to apply this in their own philanthropic endeavors. You might be surprised by what they come up with. Definitely getting a copy of this book for our elementary library.

Note quiet what I was expecting with this novel. But overall it was an enjoyably read.

I love biographies and this one will not disappoint. Andrew Carnegie is even now known throughout the world for his spectacular libraries which enable people to borrow books for free thus promoting the love of reading and learning in their lives.

In 1848 Andrew and his family immigrate to America. His dad, a weaver by trade in their hometown in Scotland, is becoming obsolete so he moves his growing family across the ocean to start a brand new life.

They arrive in the USA at the peek of the Industrial Revolution and are able to carve out a wonderful life for themselves. Young Andrew works very hard mastering tasks set before him in factories and telegraphy. He continues to learn and better himself, investing in railroads and the steel industry and becomes a very wealthy man.

His fortune enables him to bless others as he had been blessed. He "used his own money to build public libraries so others could have the same opportunity." These libraries are constructed all around the world and are still functioning today. In fact he builds over 25,000 of them. He sets up the Carnegie Corporation which promotes peace and education worldwide and even helps to put Sesame Street on television.

Even though he died a long time ago, Andrew Carnegie's money is still helping people today. His story is one of giving, sharing and being grateful for the opportunities that have been given to you. It is inspirational and shows us that helping others is very important and that everyone can make a difference when they decide to give back out of their abundance.

The illustrations perfectly reflect the time-period and the language of the text is simple and easy to understand. I especially like how the author includes actual information at the end of the book and doesn't shy away from Carnegie's authoritative (and crushing) stand he takes against his workers when they try to unionize. Definitely a book to consider. History is always a wonderful thing to share with your kids.

The Man Who Loved Libraries by Andrew Larsen was a great synopsis of Andrew Carnegie's life. I appreciated reading about an immigrant that loved his new country, thrived there and believed it was his responsibility to give back. The story of his love for libraries could have been expounded on further but it was a wonderful tale of a wildly successful man who believed in giving back.

The story and unique illustrations of The Man Who Loved Libraries create a wonderful way for elementary aged children to learn about Andrew Carnegie. The overriding message of how he always gave back because of that kindness was given to him, really makes this book stick with a young reader. After the story, there is a section describing Andrew Carnegie's legacy and some of the structures he built.

In a nearby village where I live there is what is known as a Carnegie library dating from 1904 which was opened by the former British Prime Minister, Lord Rosebery. What the story behind its inception was I found out by reading this delightful childrens story by Andrew Larsen. This is very much a rags to riches story that begins in a working class upbringing in industrial Scotland and then via emigration to the United States ends in the untold wealth as a life of a leading industrialist.

The excellent illustrations provide an interesting accompaniment to the narrative and can be easily followed by children and details Carnegie's journey through life with emphasis on Carnegie's philanthropy concentrating on the building of public libraries which were rare at this time.

No less then 2,500 public libraries around the world can be attributed to him. But implied criticism is also to be found with mention of the crushing of labour unions in the factories.

Certainly for a child and indeed a curious adult a read of this book is certainly worthwhile and educational.

This is exactly the type of story I love to share with my children. Andrew Carnegie's life of hard work then generous giving, especially to libraries, makes for a lovely picture book. The story is well-told, the illustrations are very nice and I love the message of the story.

As other reviewers have pointed out, this title emphasizes the philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie, primarily the libraries he built around the world. This is a very significant message. So is the book's message of the power of reading and learning. What is downplayed are the terrible working conditions in factories and Carnegie's harsh treatment of his own employees. Illustrations also soften the conditions in Pittsburgh and in factories. I would use this book as one among many when discussing Carnegie. His actions of giving back to society are important to recognize.

This picture book is full of beautiful illustrations and shares Andrew Carnegie's life story and love for libraries. I appreciate that the factual information in the back of the book after the story briefly addressees the Homestead Strike; while Carnegie did much good with his libraries, as the book says, his relationship with his workers was complicated (to say the least).

This is a brief non-fiction account of classic 'rags to riches' life story of Andrew Carnegie, however, the focus is on his love for acquiring an education for himself and reading as well as his philanthropic work. The main reason I adored this little book was because of the fact that you hardly get books about libraries and people who made precious gems like books available to the general public; learning about Carnegie's struggles in life and the fact that this story features an era without public libraries made me appreciate public libraries and books definitely more.

Apart from that, the story is filled with so many important themes - themes that children could benefit from, such as the power of determination and the will to achieve your goals as well as the significance of helping other people and giving back to the community that contributed into making you who you are. A book for children that encourages them to chase their dreams, share and give charity to a cause that can make education available to a wide range of people is so important and this book does just that. It's also crucial for children to admire the philanthropic work of a significant historical figure rather than his affluent lifestyle and by focusing on different aspects of Carnegie's life this book effortlessly manages to do that. The story also highlights the changes in people's lives resulting from the Industrial Revolution and can be used to make children understand the differences that came about e.g. solo workers like weavers who produced products from their home losing their job and worth to mills.

In addition to this, the book criticised Carnegie for his immoral practices in crushing the unions the workers in his factory tried to create which is great because instead of sugarcoating or just showing the good, most evident side of a figure, they don't shy away from highlighting the wrongs that he committed. Also the fact that he was an immigrant and gave back so much to his country, might teach children an important lesson of respecting people from different origins and celebrate the diversity that resides in their country.

The simple language and the aesthetically pleasing illustrations make this book accessible and welcoming as well as the fact that it is a quick read covering amazing content - definitely check this one out!

The thing we forget about the Industrial/Guilded age was that when people got rich, as so many people did, that they gave back. I know it is odd to think there was a time that millionaires and billionaires gave back to the community, but it did happen.

This book is the story of the man responsible for the Carnegie libraries around the US and around the world, as well as Carnegie Hall. When he made his money, he gave it back so that the common people had something real, real libraries to read books for free. It is kind of amazing to think that something so many of us take for granted was not around until Carnegie started them.

This is a great picture book, which explains simply, the life history of Andrew Carnegie. It also explains in the back, about while he was good to the common people, he was not to his workers, which is also important to know.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

A wonderful, wonderful story about Andrew Carnegie’s legacy. How he grew up and wanted an education, so he sought one in books. When he made his fortune, he gave back buy building libraries that were to remain free to the people who use them. I also really like the real life pictures of things Carnegie built, as well as showing one of his steel mills. They didn’t shy away from saying that some perceived him as a bad man for his work practices either. A well done book for any library, not just Carnegie libraries.

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A history book for children. Written in an unpretentious, matter-of-fact way, with words and pictures that respect the intellect of kids while promoting a love for books and reading. Andrew Carnegie did much to help the disadvantaged and is responsible for many libraries throughout our country. The book also is honest about what a ruthless businessman Carnegie was and how he sometimes mistreated his workers. But the book does so much to further social awareness and offers hope to all who desire to lift themselves up and succeed. Acquiring a love for reading cannot possibly hurt in establishing one's place in the world, and is a fine place to begin a life journey.

An entertaining and lovely tale about a young boy who feel in love with knowledge and containers of truth.

This is a very brief introduction to Andrew Carnegie's "rags to riches" story and how reading helped him succeed and how the generosity of people made him want to give back to others. This book could be easily tied to units on the Industrial Revolution, investments and stocks, and the importance of reading.

There is a lot to learn while reading this book: about humility, and hard work, and the love for books but also about giving back to the community while you overcome obstacles. However, I was not impressed by the illustrations and somehow I felt the story relatively plain, maybe too pedagogical. Otherwise it is a recommended book for smart curious children that will learn the value of books and perseverance.

I couldn't resist downloading this from NetGalley. Andrew Carnegie's life had its controversies of course with his union busting actions, but you cannot deny the legacy he left building libraries all over the world. As someone who grew up right outside of Pittsburgh, in a town named Carnegie, those libraries were places where I could dream and they formed me into who I am today. This is wonderful book for children (and adults) to learn about this great man's work and legacy.

As a librarian, I appreciated the subject and the accessible information presented. The illustrations reminded me of paintings of the past which I thought worked well with the historical subject matter. The only thing preventing me from giving it five stars is I am not sure how wide an audience there would be for the book among young people.