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pacifickle's review
4.0
I liked this nonfiction picture book detailing Jefferson's love of reading and collecting books to build libraries, and how some of his volumes were the original Library of Congress. Illustrations weren't my cup of tea but the story & resources in the back were. I also like how it addressed the hypocrisy of Jefferson fighting for abolishment while owning slaves, presented in a way kids can understand.
susiejo124's review
4.0
I have read many books about Thomas Jefferson but I really liked the emphasis on his love of reading of this juvenile biography. It was easy to read and focused on his lifelong reading, purchasing books and donating them to various people and places. It even shows my favorite thing about Monticello-his revolving bookstand so he could read 5 books at once!
mjfmjfmjf's review
4.0
A children's picture book all about the madness of a renowned individual's love of books. A different perspective on history. A bit wordy for a picture book but definitely not too wordy. And not the view of Jefferson I'm used to seeing. Probably not for everyone, but good for any bibliophile.
misspentdays's review
Award winning author, Barb Rosenstock specializes in biographies for children. She uses her considerable skill to create an entertaining look at the way Thomas Jefferson' love of reading and book collecting benefitted the nation.
Thomas Jefferson loved to read from the moment he learned how to do it. Once he started reading, he didn't stop. Because of his fortunate socio-economic status, Jefferson was able to build a library at his childhood home, his adult home, and again in retirement. This book adds historical tidbits to the basic story of Thomas Jefferson's book collecting, which keeps it interesting. From attending college to his professional life as author of Declaration of Independence, diplomat, and President to his family life as a husband, widower, and father. Rosenstock includes quotes from Jefferson and his contemporaries. This book provides a different angle on this much discussed American and interesting look at life at the time.
While Rosenstock includes a fair amount of text with a rich vocabulary, a good deal of the information is in break outs that can be read (or not!) depending on the audience level, while maintaining the flow of the narrative. The illustrations are colorful pen and ink with great detail thanks to the texture O'Brien layers in with color. This book is a fun one for book lovers and those who enjoy biographies or history. What starts as the seemingly simple story of book collecting includes the building of the Library of Congress.
Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library has an extensive bibliography for further research, as well as a note on Jefferson's status as a slaveholder, which allowed him time and resources to build his collection and spend hours upon hours reading. This book would be useful in social studies classes and library classes for elementary school students in third grade and up.
Thomas Jefferson loved to read from the moment he learned how to do it. Once he started reading, he didn't stop. Because of his fortunate socio-economic status, Jefferson was able to build a library at his childhood home, his adult home, and again in retirement. This book adds historical tidbits to the basic story of Thomas Jefferson's book collecting, which keeps it interesting. From attending college to his professional life as author of Declaration of Independence, diplomat, and President to his family life as a husband, widower, and father. Rosenstock includes quotes from Jefferson and his contemporaries. This book provides a different angle on this much discussed American and interesting look at life at the time.
While Rosenstock includes a fair amount of text with a rich vocabulary, a good deal of the information is in break outs that can be read (or not!) depending on the audience level, while maintaining the flow of the narrative. The illustrations are colorful pen and ink with great detail thanks to the texture O'Brien layers in with color. This book is a fun one for book lovers and those who enjoy biographies or history. What starts as the seemingly simple story of book collecting includes the building of the Library of Congress.
Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library has an extensive bibliography for further research, as well as a note on Jefferson's status as a slaveholder, which allowed him time and resources to build his collection and spend hours upon hours reading. This book would be useful in social studies classes and library classes for elementary school students in third grade and up.
muddypuddle's review
5.0
4.5 The only reason I rated down .5 was because the wonderfully interesting facts and quotes, written in little books placed on different parts of the page, were written in such teeny, tiny font that you almost didn't read them. They were great, and read well along with the text of the story. The Author's Note at the end DID address Thomas Jefferson as a slaveholder, which was another positive. A truly fascinating look at history, and the life and obsession of a favorite politician and historical figure.
libraryrobin's review
4.0
Love the story of the Presidential bibliophile! Excellent text presented in an interesting manner throughout the illustrations.
calistareads's review
4.0
This is a lovely nonfiction book on Thomas Jefferson’s library with little boxes shaped like books all over the pages with interesting little facts. Did you know that Thomas read his father’s entire library of 49 books (a lot back in colonial times) by the time he was age 6 and these were adult books about history and law. That impressed me. He spent his life reading.
He did help our country get it’s library started. I don’t know if you have seen this building, but it’s one of the most beautiful buildings in DC. The artwork is worthy of anywhere in the world. I have seen the display they set up of the books that he did donate to the library after the original building burned down. It is an impressive collection from one person and there really is a lot in there. I think they have scanned it in to an online program and since it’s old, I would guess the public can read it on goggle now.
His whole family were readers. He and Martha read together and spent time writing out their favorite passages. His children and grandchildren loved to read as well and that’s what you did in that household. He collected more than 2 books a day on average at one point. He spent about 15,000$ on books which is equivalent to 250,000$ by today’s money. That’s a nice little sum on books.
My dad had his own little library of about 1,000+ books in his study. It is a wall to wall room of bookshelves with his desk. I always loved that room. I didn’t read his books like Jefferson did, but I heard the call of books and I love them too. There is never enough time to read all the books that I want.
The nephew thought this was a bit dry. He does like books though. He gave this 2 stars. The niece loves little fact books like this and she thought this was interesting. She is now interested in seeing the Jefferson Library in DC and I would love to take her someday. It is a wonderful place. She gave this 4 stars.
He did help our country get it’s library started. I don’t know if you have seen this building, but it’s one of the most beautiful buildings in DC. The artwork is worthy of anywhere in the world. I have seen the display they set up of the books that he did donate to the library after the original building burned down. It is an impressive collection from one person and there really is a lot in there. I think they have scanned it in to an online program and since it’s old, I would guess the public can read it on goggle now.
His whole family were readers. He and Martha read together and spent time writing out their favorite passages. His children and grandchildren loved to read as well and that’s what you did in that household. He collected more than 2 books a day on average at one point. He spent about 15,000$ on books which is equivalent to 250,000$ by today’s money. That’s a nice little sum on books.
My dad had his own little library of about 1,000+ books in his study. It is a wall to wall room of bookshelves with his desk. I always loved that room. I didn’t read his books like Jefferson did, but I heard the call of books and I love them too. There is never enough time to read all the books that I want.
The nephew thought this was a bit dry. He does like books though. He gave this 2 stars. The niece loves little fact books like this and she thought this was interesting. She is now interested in seeing the Jefferson Library in DC and I would love to take her someday. It is a wonderful place. She gave this 4 stars.
libraryjen's review
4.0
I picked this up off the shelf hoping to use it for a book-themed story time. Sadly, it's way too in-depth for that. But, it is a fascinating look into Jefferson and his relationship to books and reading. The story is fairly straight-forward, but each page has multiple side bar sections with extra information. It includes an author's note on Jefferson's life as well as a short bibliography and source notes. This would be perfect for an elementary school report on Jefferson.