Orson and the World’s Loudest Library is a gentle, thoughtful story about finding calm in chaos and learning to share space. Orson’s love for quiet is challenged when his favorite library becomes lively and loud—but instead of pushing a fix, the book lets him feel, reflect, and slowly open up. The book invites different perspective without dismissing the existing order. A lovely read about sensory sensitivity, change, and empathy, with soft, expressive illustrations that speak as much as the words. Perfect for kids navigating big feelings in shared spaces.

This book was adorable. I can see children really loving this book and the pretty illustrations/images. I can't wait to see all the children love this book as much as I did.

This is a sweet book for all book and library lovers! I love how this book encourages a love of books that can express itself in many different ways. The illustrations are lovely looks at a world where everyone can love books and join together. I really appreciated how this book shares all of the different ways a library can serve readers and the community as a whole. Would recommend this book to share with kids and adults too!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Orson loves his library just like us. It is the perfect quiet place to read. Orson becomes upset when the library changes. Now the library has activities going on like book-clubs and read alouds for the kids. Orson doesn't like all the changes going on and decides to let everyone know it. But after some quiet time alone he realizes that change may not be so bad. He soon sees for himself what else the library has to offer.
This book was great for so many reasons, especially for a book loving family. Our family shares a love for reading and the library just like Orson. And like Orson we all experience big feelings. This book is a great way for little ones to see that we can get through big emotions and look for the good in all situations. A great book to share with your family.

A book that is needed in every school and public library and needs to be shared with parents and grandparents. The 21st. Century library is so diffferent than what many are used to, and Orson’s desire for quiet reading never goes away, but he gets. Chance to learn about all of the amazing ways to connect with others in a library space. A boy main character who does not read white as well as the diverse characters add even more importance to idea of libraries as a reflection of our communities. An important and must buy title.

Love this story because our library at school may be loud at time too. I like how he needs quiet to read but the quiet also took something away from his experience too. I can wait tot share this one in our school library.

I received an electronic ARC from Astra Publishing House through NetGalley.
Orson learns a valuable lesson about sharing space with others. He prefers quiet when reading so shushes everyone else using the new library space. He discovers that making himself happy ruins everyone else's experience. So, he sets out to fix this and learns how much he enjoys interacting with others who love reading. The illustrations are highly detailed and capture the atmosphere as well as the characters' expressions. I love the way Gehl shows Orson acting, reacting, pondering and changing. Readers will connect with how he thinks about his actions and makes needed changes just as they do in a variety of situations. A fun read aloud that can lead to discussion on what each listener needs to feel comfortable.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There’s still this idea that Library should be quiet and a stereotype that Librarians shush. But in modern times a quiet library is usually a dead library. Libraries need activity and people to thrive. They need open discussions and chances to learn new things. This book celebrates a modern library and it’s about time more books about libraries made this the new stereotype.

I can really identify with Orson and how he just wants a quiet place to read. But this wonderful picture book shows how libraries are so much more than quiet places to read, and Orson learns to appreciate everything they offer, making wonderful friends at the same time. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

This cute little story features a charming boy named Orson, whose favorite quiet spot gets a bit noisy with other kids joining in. It’s great how it highlights all the interesting nooks in a library while also sharing important lessons about sharing and working things out together. I would love more stories and adventures featuring Orson and what he is learning.

I loved this story. This does very well in Supoort classes for library where we’re reviewing rules and expectations. They did exceptionally well.

As a librarian, I appreciate Orson and his noisy adventures in the library! The library is a wonderful place, were anyone may go to enjoy it. I agree with the statement, "It's time to un-shush the library!" - there is so much to be learned in that one sentence. It is powerful to young readers, but a great reminder for adults and library professionals too. I will definitely be adding "Orson and the World's Loudest Library" to my library's bookshelves. Thank you for the ARC!

This is a very cute story following a little library patron who likes to read, but especially when it's quiet. So how does Orson do when other library users aren't being quiet? Not so good- he thinks they're loud and annoying. But after everyone get quiet he realizes... maybe the library shouldn't be a silent place after all. This book is great for kids ages 4+ that frequent the library. It shows that not everyone uses the library the same and that the days of quiet libraries with librarians that "shhh" you are long gone. #NetGalley #NetGalleyARC #ARC

What a fun book that briefly touches on Libraries of yester-years. When libraries were quiet places where you only came to read and do research.

Libraries have wildly changed!

This book peeks at kids learning to read aloud in the library, group social clubs, and enjoying a book that makes you react. In helping the young main character realize how Libraries are for everyone, he learns to use it according. The only thing I have a hard time believing is that the young MC has ever experienced the libraries of yester-years! Surely he's been to a story time and witnessed the chaos afterwards!

This will make for a great storytime book for families, schools, and libraries with a nice discussion of "can you believe libraries used to he quiet places?!" as well as pointing out other resources that your library offers for free.

Now we need an adult version of this book.

5/5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, and Laura Gehl for allowing me to read and review this book.

This is such a cute book about a kid learning that libraries do not necessarily have to be quiet to be enjoyable.

As a librarian who works at a non-hush library, I love reading about libraries that are similar. Libraries are stereotyped for being quiet and kids being hushed, but I think this book shows kids and parents that this is not quite so true anymore.

Libraries are an amazing resource and fun place to be for kids, teens, and adults. I think this is such a cute book for any parents to read with their kids when visiting a library.

Orson, our young protagonist, believes libraries should be quiet. He goes there to read, not to listen to others chatting and laughing. There is too much noise!

He asks the librarian to tell other kids to SHHHH! Instead of helping him, she encourages Orson to join the other children. But he doesn’t want to join them… he wants them to be quiet, so he tells the children to SHHHH himself. That doesn’t go over well, and Orson starts to feel quite badly about himself.

The best part about this story is when Orson begins to pay attention to what the other kids are doing and realizes it looks like fun. Some are learning to read, some are discussing books, and others are laughing. They all look happy! Orson decides to apologize to the children he shushed and asks if he can join them.

Orson discovers that the library is a community, a place to gather, to learn, and more. It’s heartwarming to see Orson fall in love with those not-so-quiet activities and experience the library in a new light.

This wonderfully illustrated book is a great way for children to learn about all the wonderful things that libraries have to offer.

Thank you @netgalley and Astra Publishing House for an eARC of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Librarians will love reading this ! A sweet book about the different ways children enjoy the Library and how sometimes it’s LOUD!

Thanks to Astra Publishing House and #NetGalley for this ARC. Opinions are my own.

Orson and the World's Loudest Library by Laura Gehl is about a boy named Orson and how the library is one of his favorite places to read. However, on a particular day, it's super noisy.

NetGalley and Astra Publishing House approved my request to read this book, which I am extremely thankful about. They provided me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Orson and the World's Loudest Library for free in exchange for my honest review.

I love that Laura Gehl used this book to teach a lesson that libraries are used for more than reading and research. They now are more of a community center that offers all sorts of activities including book clubs. The story was well written along with being beautifully illustrated.

This children's book is geared towards kids between the ages of four and eight and grade levels of preschool through third grade. The expected publication date is April 15, 2025 and is thirty-two pages in length.

Five out of five stars is what I rated Orson and the World's Loudest Library by Laura Gehl. This picture book would be a great addition to a child's book collection, schools, and libraries.

"Orson and the World's Loudest Library" by Laura Gehl has an important message with great illustrations! The Library has space for everyone. "It's time to un-shush the Library"! Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

We absolutely adored this book! My bookworm Orson thought it was so fun to see his name in a book, and I thought the story was just precious. In Orson and the World's Loudest Library, Orson is a young boy who enjoys books and reading in silence. When the library re-opens, Orson is unhappy to discover that it is no longer the silent haven he is used to. Mrs. Lana, the librarian, helps Orson work through his feelings of unease by explaining all of the different things going on in the library and how he can join in if he would like or she can find him a quiet space to read by himself if he would prefer.

I love that this book displays some of the different ways that we engage in reading and how books can build a community. The illustrations are beautiful, and I appreciate that there is so much diversity amongst the characters. I can see this book being a great tool for helping children adjust to changes or new experiences and learn that sometimes change can be a great thing. Different doesn't mean wrong.