Reviews

The Tiny Hero of Ferny Creek Library by Linda Bailey, Victoria Jamieson

spiffysarahruby's review against another edition

4.0

Duuuuude my favorite word got some serious play here (discombobulated)! This was a sweet book.

novelesque_life's review against another edition

3.0

RATING: 3 STARS
2017; Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins
(Review Not on Blog)

Linda Bailey is one of my favourites since her mystery series for kids, Stevie Diamond. Bailey is Canadian which only makes me want to support her work more. I have read a few of her picture books, and they are amazing. There was so much to like about this book, it takes place in a library and it's an adventure-like story. I don't know if it was my mood, or my age, but I wasn't as enchanted with this one. Nothing bad about it just didn't resonate with me.

***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***

linyarai's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

sasbybelle's review against another edition

3.0

A fun adventure about a beetle who helps to save the library. It has a Stuart Little and Charolette’s Web feel. I loved that it referred readers to so many other books.

froydis's review against another edition

4.0

Thanks to Edelweiss and Greenwillow Books for early access to this title.
4 1/2 stars -
Very cute! I thoroughly enjoyed this little book about a very tiny hero and his tiny aunt who love to read. The referencing of so many children's classics is fantastic, and I like that the authors included a full bibliography at the back so kids can find and read these books themselves. This is a fun, sometimes a bit scary, sometimes a bit funny, story of a grand adventure played out with the tiniest of creatures. Kids will love this book! Parents and grown-ups will also enjoy this tale. Highly Recommended!

happyglowlucky's review against another edition

5.0

This is a very sweet book. Well-written, and written in a style that entertains middle-grade kids, but doesn't talk down to them (as I find some kids books often do). Think of it as Charlotte's Web, but for the next generation. :-) Also, I like the issues it brings up (library funding). It's a nice way to educate kids, without preaching to them. Love, and sweet; if you have middle-grade kids (or just think you might like to read it yourself), go for it!

amelialovesbooks's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

scostner's review against another edition

4.0

Book lovers of the world, unite! Eddie is a bug on a mission. He leaves the safety of his family's crack in the classroom wall and heads down the long, echoing hallway of Ferny Creek to reach the library. Why? Because his beloved Aunt Min went to the library and hasn't returned. But when he reaches her, he finds out there is an even bigger problem - the library is in danger. So what can one tiny bug do to prevent the library from being converted into a computerized testing center? Using everything he's learned from books he has read or that Aunt Min has told him about, Eddie comes up with a plan. He will leave a message for the "squishers" (humans). Min has an idea of what to say, "Those children are hungry for stories - I've seen that day after day! - and what are you thinking, robbing them of stories and giving them tests instead." Eddie agrees with the sentiment, but thinks of a more concise way to state it. If he can only get the squishers to pay attention, the library just might have a chance.

This book has everything a reader and library lover could want. There are wonderful references to other books and Eddie often finds inspiration from his favorite characters. The tradition of reading within his family is a wonderful example for youngsters; they can see how the habit was passed from his grandfather, to Aunt Min, to Eddie, and then on to his younger brother Alfie. Having a "tiny hero" that can live within the school and come out when the students go home allows readers to see the school setting from a completely different perspective. And they can also see that size doesn't matter because "A writer's a writer, no matter how small," as Aunt Min says.

Highly recommended for middle grades and up. Perfect for a read-aloud. The "Bugliography" in the back is great for readers whose interest is piqued by all the references to other stories.

I read an advance copy supplied by the publisher for review purposes.

nainwbqs's review

adventurous funny inspiring relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

wordnerd153's review against another edition

4.0

A sweet and inspiring story about a brave bug and the power of books.