Good Night, Little Bookstore

July 11, 2022
“Good night, little bookstore.// Time to close! // Good night, picture books,// face-out in rows.” With engaging simplicity, the creators combine the intimate world of an independent bookstore with the rhythmic verse of a bedtime read. As the shop, called Little Bookstore, shuts up for the night, Goodale’s (Also) mixed-media artwork portrays people of varying body types and skin tones making last purchases, interacting with leashed dogs and the bookstore cat, and closing up shop. Restrained images both evoke the sensibility of and hint at picture books past, employing warm, layered textures, sure black lines, and saturated colors. One spread captures the moment when a bookseller turns off the lights; on the left, human and room are lit; on the right, the room goes dark, illuminated only by a streetlight beam. Even the stuffed-to-bursting recycling bags are drawn with care. At last, Cherrix (Animal Architects) bids good night to all the world’s bookstores, each imagined with a sign in a different language, in an inclusive volume that celebrates the bookstore as a cozy, comfortable—and crucial—corner of community. Ages 2–5. Author’s agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Lori Kilkelly, LK Literary.

June 15, 2022
An independent bookstore closes for the evening. At the Little Bookstore, on Little Street, a tiny customer reaches for a picture book, while another snuggles a large teddy bear. The door chimes, and the register rings. Visiting dogs, the bookstore cat, and a forgotten hat and pair of glasses all get wished a good night as readers get a peek behind the scenes at the work booksellers do to prepare for opening the next day. New titles in boxes to be put out for display, stacks of books that were perused and need to be reshelved, and bags of recycling all receive a good night, too, as the evening's duties are completed and the door locked. One of the final spreads makes it clear it's "good night" not just to the Little Bookstore on Little Street, but to little bookstores all over the world as various stores are pictured with their names in different languages. The artwork has beautifully established details. From the titles of the many, many books showcased on shelves, in boxes, and in the hands of readers to the textured hair of the diverse characters throughout the story, there are little bits of nuanced representation that show that bookstores are for every person and every interest--though, with its basic rhyme structure, the book doesn't build on its Goodnight Moon muse. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A sweet but formulaic ode to indie bookstores. (Picture book. 4-8)

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January 1, 2023

K-Gr 3-Book lovers of all ages and nationalities are highlighted in this tribute to reading, books, bookstore clerks, and our favorite local literature retailers. Written in an alternating rhyme pattern, the text has a songlike quality for readers to chant aloud while simultaneously surveying the activities shown in the vibrantly illustrated spreads. Readers are plunked down in a variety of locations across the world, invited to imagine the stories of the customers and their reading habits, and "find themselves on the shelves" of their local bookshop. Humans and furry friends alike find literal and figurative comfort on the shelves as the bookstore cat snoozes and a dog receives a treat while humans arrive to find theirs. The multitude of book genres and subjects that can be found inside are underscored as well as evidence of shelf-browsing through forgotten items (hat, glasses, coffee cup, etc.). The work of bookstore clerks (unpacking new materials, cleaning the store, reshelving, greeting customers, and more) is lovingly spotlighted for their role in delivering "bookjoy" to all who enter. VERDICT A beautifully illustrated ode to bookstores and the people who work there and frequent them. Recommended for school and public libraries.-Tamela Chambers

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