This would have been a great book to read when I was a child. I enjoyed reading the Little House on the Prairie series and the rural southern series, Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry and as I read this book, I thought of those books that I devoured as a child. This is a great historical read about learning how libraries were and are still needed and how magical books can be.

The Library in the Woods

In the days before integration, Black people were not allowed to use public libraries. This picture book tells the touching story of a family who needed to move into the city from a farm. The young boy in the family finds a library for Black people in an out of the way place. He checks out books, takes them home, and learns that he has something to teach his father, who has many abilities and much practical knowledge.

This is an inspiring book I recommend for any school or public library.

In segregated North Carolina of 1959, after one door closes, another opens...
A terrible storm forces Junior's parents to give up on their farm and move to town, where Daddy will work in the lumberyard and Momma will wash and iron white people's laundry. Junior misses the country and playing baseball with old friends, until he meets some neighborhood boys who also like ball... and books. Their homes are full of books read for pleasure! And they were borrowed, as they show Junior, from the Library in the Woods. Junior brings books home for himself and Momma, and Daddy, and—I don't want to spoil the ending. It's lovely and for you to discover for yourself.

Such a cute and some what emotional story. Both a little sad and happy. It shows how change may be hard but good can come from it. And even parents need help from their kids at times.

Powerful in its simplicity.

While based on the author's own memories, this book speaks to us all. The illustrations are also strong in their stark simplicity, conveying first the isolation and devastation after a hard hail storm, then the magic of friendships and of the library in the woods. Segregation denied access to libraries to Black Americans. The library opens up a whole new world of possibilities to Junior, the young main character. In the process, he grows closer to his father through the power of words.

I won't belabor this review as the book stands wonderfully strong on its own. Make sure you read the Author's Note at the end as it fills in some spaces that adults might wonder about. Children, too, for that matter. Readers can learn that change can bring turmoil but also good things and growth, too. I want to thank #LernerPublishingGroup for allowing me an early look at this book. As an avid reader from the time I could hold up a book -- lucky me, my family were readers -- I cannot imagine a life without books and can fully appreciate how much this tiny cabin in the woods full of books meant to those who were denied access.

Lovely story of a young boy who shares his love for reading with his family.
Set during segregation, this story is important to share with young readers to help navigate the difficult times in our past and see moments of hope in the midst of those times.

Enjoyable picture book to share with your children.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to preview this book.

“Library in the Woods” is a touching story based on the author’s real life experience using a library when he was growing up. During the time of segregation, non-white people were not permitted into the city libraries to use the facilities or even browse the books. This book touches on several issues, including adult illiteracy, segregation, and the importance of reading. This story is very touching, and because of the issues it touches on this book can be shared during Black History Month and Library appreciation week.

The illustrations are classy and realistic while still just whimsy enough to remind the reader this isn’t entirely fiction. I appreciated how realistic the illustrations were because it served as a great reminder that similar situations did indeed happen in real life to real people.

Books written about libraries are so important! And they remind us why reading is such a treasure. This is one such book that can easily transcend being a read aloud and drive that point home.

This book was very interesting and unique! The main thing I appreciated about this book was how many ideas/topics were packed into one story. There's a big move, history, kindness/compassion, exploration, and inspiration all wrapped into this one book. This is very impressive because I understood and followed the author's train of thought the entire time I read, and nothing got confusing or lost. Another thing that allowed this book to be cohesive and well-rounded was the plot style. The author had a clear idea and made a complete and structured story with it, with a beginning, middle, and end. This book was also not too long or short. Lastly, the illustrations had a distinct style to them, and the tone of the visuals flawlessly matched the story being told. Bravo!!

The story begins with a storm that forever changes the lives of the family causing them to move from the country to the city. Once in the city, the young boy discovers a library for the black community. He checks out a book for each member of his family and goes home and learns that his father has never learned to read. Prompted by his mother to read to his father, the bonds of parent and child are strengthened. Although the acrylic on canvas illustrations are inviting, some of the text feels out of place or like it was added as an afterthought. the story ends abruptly without an adequate wrap-up. The inclusion of back matter on the community represented in the text is appreciated.

A wonderful story! It brought tears to my eyes and offered an incredibly insightful window into the lives of African American families in Roxboro during the segregation times. Deeply moving and beautifully written, this book is both emotional and educational. I would highly recommend it to everyone! The illustrations are magical! I spent a lot of time looking at them on each page!

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC

The Library in the Woods is a reflective look at the past while giving an excellent example of the power of reading. Through hardship and change, Junior is shown a light in the darkness at the neighborhood library. This book will spark many meaningful conversations about history and hope. And the illustrations are beautiful.

A beautiful, rich story of family, love, literacy, and the era of segregation, this book should be read by children and adults. I couldn't get over the fact that this book was based on the author's town and rural library, and really appreciated the afterword that told more about his childhood, rural life, and the various kinds of intelligence that don't rely on reading.

I think this is so important because it captures the power that reading has, and the importance of libraries. I highly recommend this book for schools and libraries.

It was in the latter 20th century in farm country in the segregated South of the US when the farmers crops let him down again and he had to move his family to town. The boy loved to read, couldn't afford to buy books, and was restricted from the "whites only" library. Some good friends showed him where there was a Library In The Woods where Black people could go to borrow books and a son could bring them home to read to his father.
The illustrations by artist R. Gregory Christie are imaginative and reinforce the story in simple art and comforting colors.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age, including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, waiting room, or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital Galley on Thorium PDF from Lerner Publishing Group | Carolrhoda Books ® via NetGalley. Pub Date Aug 05, 2025
#TheLibraryintheWoods by @calvinalexanderramseysr1 and @rgregorychristie @lernerbooks #carolrhodabooks #AmericanHistory #BlackHistory #LibrariesAndCulture #HistoryMatters #LibrariesMatter #ReadingIsFUNdamental #NoBannedBooks @literacyforall_ #illustrated
#childrensbooks #imagination #rurallibraries @littlefreelibrary #ruralilliteracy

The Library in the Woods is a wonderful read. The illustrations make me feel like I'm standing inside inside a painting. The story is sweet and uplifting. I very much enjoyed reading this lovely picture book.

I received an ARC of this children's book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderful book. It 's based on a beautiful, true story and would make such a wonderful book to read to the child in your life!

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

What an uplifting and heartwarming story about a library for blacks in the south! I'm so happy to know that this is based on a real library. It is a love letter to all a good library and librarians can do for a community.

I received an electronic ARC from Lerner Publishing Group through NetGalley.
A realistic look at life in North Carolina when segragation was enforced. Told in first person so we never learn the main character's name but we see the hardships his family endured when they had to give up their farm and move to town. His dad got a job and they had a small home. After he meets some new friends, he is thrilled to go to the library with them. He discovers all sorts of books and the world opens for him. The author tenderly reveals that his father can't read. His mother challenges him to read the book with his dad and the book ends with this beatuiful scene on the porch. The artwork captures the story's mood and the love comes through both the text and the illustrations. A definite addition to libraries.

This book was breathtakingly beautiful. This gave me flashbacks to children books with beautiful black artwork that my parents would buy me.

Most find history dull and boring, even in the childrens books. This book was beautifully done and gave a little picture into what life was like back then. I had no idea of these libraries set back in the woods back then. An interesting part of history that is hidden away, yet shoudl be brought to the forefront. What really got me was mom gently helping her son through a teaching moment with his father. Who knew that you could find family moments anywhere?