A Few Words from Natalie About the Story

Lucy’s Book is my love song to libraries and the printed word; a lifelong obsession that you can read more about in this blog post. It’s about the special relationship between a little girl, her friends, and her very favourite library book, the one she borrows over and over again. On another level, iIt’s also a story about the life of a library book. Many years ago, I spent about five years working as a librarian in a public library, which for a compulsive reader like myself was a fascinating experience. I came out of that time with a healthy respect for the reading habits of the general public, a lot of stereotypes smashed, and a a renewed understanding of how important books are in the lives of many people.

Like anyone who’s ever worked on a circulation desk, I’d always wonder what happened to the books when they went out the door. (Sometimes, as when they came back with toilet-paper bookmarks, one wished one didn’t know.) So, this is where the inspiration for Lucy’s Book came from: it follows the adventures of a single book as it circulates through a community, being passed from child to child, family to family, yet returning, over and over again, to Lucy.

Cheryl Orsini has done some truly exquisite work for this title. Look at the illustration of the child reading upside down, and ask yourself if you have ever seen a more joyous expression of what it is to be a reader. Or what about this little boy:

or Lucy, being flower girl at her aunt’s wedding, but still unable to take her nose out of her book (boy, would I have got in trouble from my mother if I’d tried that!):

If I had to choose a favourite, however, it would be this beautiful illustration of Li-Ya (who’s based on my beloved niece, Leah Mei Prior) taking the book on holiday with her to China. (I think Leah is likely to get fed up of being put into her aunt’s books: she was the basis for Emma in The Fairy Dancers as well.)

Every page yields new delight. One librarian friend recently told me reading it made her come out in gooseflesh. Let’s hope all the other booklovers out there feel the same.

A Few Reviews

You know when you see a book and you really want to read it even before you know anything about it?  It captured your eye and instantly you knew it was special? This was how I felt about Lucy’s Book. I knew before I even opened it that I was going to love it, when I opened the package it came in I was beyond excited….I recommend this book for all ages and would love to see this book on the shelves of children all over the world. Little Big Reads

…my new favourite picture book and also my new favourite teaching tool for Kindy-Year Four/Five students, for when I am talking about what a library is, why they are important and how they work. This week alone I’ve read Lucy’s Book to every.single.class who has walked through the door….Lucy’s Book is a book for anyone who adores books, wonders about the journey a book takes in its lifetime and has a fondness for libraries and librarians.  Children’s Books Daily

This is bound to be adored by booklovers the world over. 100 Percent Rock Magazine

As a reader and librarian it might be obvious that I would have an affinity with this story. I love how it promotes reading. I love how it promotes the importance of librarians and their special gift of being able to handpick a book and say “I think you’ll enjoy this one”. I love how it promotes the sharing of a special book between friends. But most of all, I love how it demonstrates that special relationship between book and reader…Lucy’s Book perfectly captures everything that is so special about books and reading. Madison’s Library

Pick of the Week This is a heartwarming picture book about a little girl who borrows a book from the library and falls in love with it….The great illustrations move this tale along. Lucy’s Book is a wonderful bedtime story. Manly Daily 

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