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When the Library Lights Go Out
CLOSED may mean "closed" to you. But for three story-hour puppets, CLOSED means "open for adventure."
At first there are only Rabbit and Lion. Hermit Crab is missing. Where can she be in the library darkness?
Find out for yourself when - magically - only puppets are up and about.
At first there are only Rabbit and Lion. Hermit Crab is missing. Where can she be in the library darkness?
Find out for yourself when - magically - only puppets are up and about.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 20, 2005
4 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Megan McDonald
325 books729 followers"Sometimes I think I am Judy Moody," says Megan McDonald, author of the Judy Moody series, the Stink series, and THE SISTERS CLUB. "I'm certainly moody, like she is. Judy has a strong voice and always speaks up for herself. I like that."
For Megan McDonald, being able to speak up for herself wasn't always easy. She grew up as the youngest of five sisters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her father, an ironworker, was known to his coworkers as "Little Johnny the Storyteller." Every evening at dinner the McDonalds would gather to talk and tell stories, but Megan McDonald was barely able to get a word in edgewise. "I'm told I began to stutter," she says, leading her mother to give her a notebook so she could start "writing things down."
Critically acclaimed, the Judy Moody books have won numerous awards, ranging from a PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book of the Year to an International Reading Association Children's Choice. "Judy has taken on a life of her own," the author notes, with nearly 3 million Judy Moody books in print. Interestingly, the feisty third-grader is highly popular with boys and girls, making for a strong base of fans who are among Megan McDonald's strongest incentives to keep writing, along with "too many ideas and a little chocolate." And now -- by popular demand -- Judy Moody's little brother, Stink, gets his chance to star in his own adventures! Beginning with STINK: THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING KID, three more stories, and his own encyclopedia, STINK-O-PEDIA, Stink's special style comes through loud and strong -- enhanced by a series of comic strips, drawn by Stink himself, which are sprinkled throughout the first book. About the need for a book all about Stink, Megan McDonald says, "Once, while I was visiting a class full of Judy Moody readers, the kids, many with spiked hair à la Judy's little brother, chanted, 'Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink!' as I entered the room. In that moment, I knew that Stink had to have a book all his own."
More recently, Megan McDonald has recalled some of her own childhood with the warmth, humor -- and squabbles -- of three spunky sisters in THE SISTERS CLUB.
Megan McDonald and her husband live in Sebastopol, California, with two dogs, two adopted horses, and fifteen wild turkeys that like to hang out on their back porch.
For Megan McDonald, being able to speak up for herself wasn't always easy. She grew up as the youngest of five sisters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her father, an ironworker, was known to his coworkers as "Little Johnny the Storyteller." Every evening at dinner the McDonalds would gather to talk and tell stories, but Megan McDonald was barely able to get a word in edgewise. "I'm told I began to stutter," she says, leading her mother to give her a notebook so she could start "writing things down."
Critically acclaimed, the Judy Moody books have won numerous awards, ranging from a PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book of the Year to an International Reading Association Children's Choice. "Judy has taken on a life of her own," the author notes, with nearly 3 million Judy Moody books in print. Interestingly, the feisty third-grader is highly popular with boys and girls, making for a strong base of fans who are among Megan McDonald's strongest incentives to keep writing, along with "too many ideas and a little chocolate." And now -- by popular demand -- Judy Moody's little brother, Stink, gets his chance to star in his own adventures! Beginning with STINK: THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING KID, three more stories, and his own encyclopedia, STINK-O-PEDIA, Stink's special style comes through loud and strong -- enhanced by a series of comic strips, drawn by Stink himself, which are sprinkled throughout the first book. About the need for a book all about Stink, Megan McDonald says, "Once, while I was visiting a class full of Judy Moody readers, the kids, many with spiked hair à la Judy's little brother, chanted, 'Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink!' as I entered the room. In that moment, I knew that Stink had to have a book all his own."
More recently, Megan McDonald has recalled some of her own childhood with the warmth, humor -- and squabbles -- of three spunky sisters in THE SISTERS CLUB.
Megan McDonald and her husband live in Sebastopol, California, with two dogs, two adopted horses, and fifteen wild turkeys that like to hang out on their back porch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
August 30, 2012
What an adorable little book this is. Whenever I find a book that has to do with a library or books in general, I always get really excited and must read it right away! So when my mother went to the library with me and found this on the shelf, she knew she had to show me. She thought I would really love to read this and she was not wrong. I am quite glad she showed me this book because it was such a cute story. After all, who wouldn't want to read a story about two friends going on an adventure in search of another friend? What I really like about this book is not only does it encourage little kids to read, but it also encourages to use their imagination. Since I was a child, I have always been a big dreamer. I always played by myself which lead me to use my imagination a lot. It was very stimulating and I think this book did an amazing job in teaching children that it's a good thing to imagine everything and anything that is possible. For that, this book deserves a lot of credit.
I did have a few problems with the writing however. I am not saying that the writers did a terrible job in capturing the reader's interest. I'm just saying a few of the writing methods seemed a bit too juvenile... even in a book like this. I was not a fan of the "rhymey words" they used. "Icky-sticky," "ucky-blucky," and "noisy-boisy" to name a few. These words are words you would use to a newborn baby, not toddlers. It just... ruined the experience for me a little bit. These rest of the writing was fine and the plot was adorable as well. But what I think really stood out to me were the illustrations. They are absolutely gorgeous! I love the art style. It seems so simple but you can tell that, once you get a closer look, it has a lot of details put into it. Love the shadowing! Oh, I just love everything about it!
Personally, I think this is a great book to have your child read. It's sweet, it adventurous, it promotes imagination, and it can teach a child how to be a good friend. It's not the best children's book out there. I don't think anyone could ever beat Dr. Seuss or Roald Dahl, but it still holds its own. Check this book out from the library and give it a try! Your child might end up enjoying it a whole lot. I know I did! My mother really knows how to choose books for me. Ah, mommy~ I need to go to the library again with you soon~ <3333
I did have a few problems with the writing however. I am not saying that the writers did a terrible job in capturing the reader's interest. I'm just saying a few of the writing methods seemed a bit too juvenile... even in a book like this. I was not a fan of the "rhymey words" they used. "Icky-sticky," "ucky-blucky," and "noisy-boisy" to name a few. These words are words you would use to a newborn baby, not toddlers. It just... ruined the experience for me a little bit. These rest of the writing was fine and the plot was adorable as well. But what I think really stood out to me were the illustrations. They are absolutely gorgeous! I love the art style. It seems so simple but you can tell that, once you get a closer look, it has a lot of details put into it. Love the shadowing! Oh, I just love everything about it!
Personally, I think this is a great book to have your child read. It's sweet, it adventurous, it promotes imagination, and it can teach a child how to be a good friend. It's not the best children's book out there. I don't think anyone could ever beat Dr. Seuss or Roald Dahl, but it still holds its own. Check this book out from the library and give it a try! Your child might end up enjoying it a whole lot. I know I did! My mother really knows how to choose books for me. Ah, mommy~ I need to go to the library again with you soon~ <3333
August 26, 2010
3.5 - I really like books about the library and/or reading. Julia has never seemed especially partial to them but she's always humored me. This may have changed that.
The illustrations are very fun which made Julia really get into each page. We even had to backtrack more time than I remember for her to check out pictures on a page we already had read.
She absolutely adores the thought that after the library closes these toys come to life. This has been done in others areas, other books, movies, etc. and she's always loved it no matter how it's done.
In this story Rabbit and Lion go searching for their friend Hermit Crab.
The only thing I didn't like, and it's so minor I almost didn't mention it, was the "chapter" titles. I guess maybe the author wanted to do something different? It's just not needed in a book of this length.
Besides that little pet peeve of mine we both enjoyed reading the book a lot and will probably read it again sometime.
The illustrations are very fun which made Julia really get into each page. We even had to backtrack more time than I remember for her to check out pictures on a page we already had read.
She absolutely adores the thought that after the library closes these toys come to life. This has been done in others areas, other books, movies, etc. and she's always loved it no matter how it's done.
In this story Rabbit and Lion go searching for their friend Hermit Crab.
The only thing I didn't like, and it's so minor I almost didn't mention it, was the "chapter" titles. I guess maybe the author wanted to do something different? It's just not needed in a book of this length.
Besides that little pet peeve of mine we both enjoyed reading the book a lot and will probably read it again sometime.
March 5, 2010
I love this book. I love the characters, the pictures, the story, and (of course!) the setting! What is not so great as that this book is too long for any storytime except perhaps school-age. No school-age ones in mind until at least summer (if that), so I'll have to set this aside. But it is really cute.
August 16, 2011
As a retired librarian, I like to read books about libraries. This story was nothing special, although the illustrations were excellent. It's the story of three storytime puppets who come alive after the library is closed. Lion and Rabbit go on an adventure to find the missing Hermit Crab. They find a map of the library, pack a picnic, and use their imaginations to reunite with their friend.
September 15, 2014
This book has a promising premise that unfortunately does not deliver. I gave it two stars because the pictures are whimsical and sweet, however they are not enough to make up for the poorly written story. If you are looking for a book about after hours in a library, you'd be much better off with Bats at the Library by Brian Lies.
April 26, 2019
Two puppets, Lion and Rabbit, go searching for their friend, Hermit Crab, after the library closes and the lights go out. They pack a picnic, find a map, and make an adventure of the search. Soon the three friends are united and they have their picnic.
The illustrations are what make this picture book stand out. I read it with a first grader and he referred the longer paragraphs to me to read. I feel the story held his attention. Some of the rhyming words were difficult for him to sound out. I feel the story could have been read all the way through without the chapter headings. Because of these points, I feel this book is for second graders and up.
The illustrations are what make this picture book stand out. I read it with a first grader and he referred the longer paragraphs to me to read. I feel the story held his attention. Some of the rhyming words were difficult for him to sound out. I feel the story could have been read all the way through without the chapter headings. Because of these points, I feel this book is for second graders and up.
February 13, 2018
This book was a hot mess.
February 15, 2020
This review was published on Lost in a Good Book
From the cover it had the promise of a cute little adventure in the library after hours and while there is a semblance of adventure, it doesn’t quite hit the mark. First of all, it’s a long book. Not overly wordy on each page but it is a long story. This is perpetuated by the fact that it’s a while before anything happens.
I found I couldn’t engage with the story of Rabbit and Lion looking for their friend. It was either meant to be adventurous or have the emotional pull of finding a lost friend which I could see on the surface but nothing deeper. The ending obviously is meant to be heartfelt and maybe even magical in its own way but I didn’t care that much.
What the story lacks is made up for in the illustrations. They are well done and I got the feeling of the library and the toys’ place within it, and I liked the depiction of the toys, their scruffy style makes them look like the much loved scruffy toys they are meant to be. Tillotson has made a great visual representation of the story with lots of strong colours, dark shadows and wonderful techniques to capture the night environment.
It was sweet at the end but overall uneventful. I think this could have been a better story if it was a bit different but the current story failed to capture my attention.
From the cover it had the promise of a cute little adventure in the library after hours and while there is a semblance of adventure, it doesn’t quite hit the mark. First of all, it’s a long book. Not overly wordy on each page but it is a long story. This is perpetuated by the fact that it’s a while before anything happens.
I found I couldn’t engage with the story of Rabbit and Lion looking for their friend. It was either meant to be adventurous or have the emotional pull of finding a lost friend which I could see on the surface but nothing deeper. The ending obviously is meant to be heartfelt and maybe even magical in its own way but I didn’t care that much.
What the story lacks is made up for in the illustrations. They are well done and I got the feeling of the library and the toys’ place within it, and I liked the depiction of the toys, their scruffy style makes them look like the much loved scruffy toys they are meant to be. Tillotson has made a great visual representation of the story with lots of strong colours, dark shadows and wonderful techniques to capture the night environment.
It was sweet at the end but overall uneventful. I think this could have been a better story if it was a bit different but the current story failed to capture my attention.
May 1, 2014
A very cute idea for a book that unfortunately that does not deliver much to the reader.
I really wish I could have liked it better but it quite frankly did not hold my little one's attention or my own, for that matter.
I really wish I could have liked it better but it quite frankly did not hold my little one's attention or my own, for that matter.
March 24, 2016
loved the art
April 5, 2019
It’s night time at the library. All the people have gone home, and it’s very, very quite. Well, except for Lion’s snoring.
Rabbit can’t sleep; he wants to go an adventure! Lion won’t wake up. He digs deeper in puppet box, looking for Hermit Crab. He wants Hermit Crab to tell him a “get-sleepy story.” But he can’t find Hermit Crab.
Rabbit looks all over the Library, but he can’t find Hermit Crab. He makes enough noise to wake up Lion. By now, Rabbit knows that Hermit Crab is G-O-N-E or L-O-S-T! Lion and Rabbit begin to explore the library in search of their friend.
A cute little story, I was attracted to it because of Rabbit, who is just adorable, and I work in a library. I think it could have been a little deeper, therefore “When the Library Lights Go Out” receives 3 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.
Rabbit can’t sleep; he wants to go an adventure! Lion won’t wake up. He digs deeper in puppet box, looking for Hermit Crab. He wants Hermit Crab to tell him a “get-sleepy story.” But he can’t find Hermit Crab.
Rabbit looks all over the Library, but he can’t find Hermit Crab. He makes enough noise to wake up Lion. By now, Rabbit knows that Hermit Crab is G-O-N-E or L-O-S-T! Lion and Rabbit begin to explore the library in search of their friend.
A cute little story, I was attracted to it because of Rabbit, who is just adorable, and I work in a library. I think it could have been a little deeper, therefore “When the Library Lights Go Out” receives 3 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.
August 24, 2018
At night, when the library is closed, a pair of puppets sneak out of their toy box and go searching for their missing puppet friend. It's an adventure! What wonders await them?
I could see this story being a lovely pick for a lower elementary school storytime. I would need to edit it down to use it with my pre-k group. However, I think it's the perfect title to adapt to a puppet show, since it's about puppets anyway.
I could see this story being a lovely pick for a lower elementary school storytime. I would need to edit it down to use it with my pre-k group. However, I think it's the perfect title to adapt to a puppet show, since it's about puppets anyway.
July 26, 2021
This homage to some of the unsung heroes of storytime is an imaginative adventure through the library after dark. While McDonald's writing is occasionally hard to follow and some of the humor may not click with young readers, the shortcomings aren't enough to derail the cleverly whimsical journey. Tillotson's vibrant artwork shows her love for libraries, making use of subtle details such as spine labeling and furniture designs to expertly capture the atmosphere.
December 28, 2017
Too long and convoluted for the audience. Too saccharine. And boring for me. Not even sure what the library setting had to do with anything, except to get librarians to buy the book. And since when do plushies eat food? (And for that matter, why is the trash not emptied?)
February 16, 2018
Fun book about puppets in the library after hours, I wish it had a better meter for reading out loud, it moves to a poetry style in a couple spots but doesn't hold to it. This makes it a little awkward reading to my kid but otherwise it's good.
July 10, 2021
A simple story of stuffed animals exploring a library after hours. Would be a cute basis for a stuffed animal sleepover at the library, including such scenes as a bunny self-portrait and a lion wearing a map as a pirate hat.
April 13, 2023
This book is about a group of friends, a rabbit, lion, and hermit crab, come out and play when the library is closed and all of the people go home. It is a good read a long book for kindergarten or first graders.
June 11, 2017
Cute.
Rabbit can't sleep after the library closed, but when she notices that Hermit Crab is missing, she gets Lion to come with her to find their friend.
Rabbit can't sleep after the library closed, but when she notices that Hermit Crab is missing, she gets Lion to come with her to find their friend.
December 24, 2017
My preschoolers didn’t think much of it, but I thought it was pretty cute.
February 5, 2018
What happens when everyone leaves the library and the puppets and animals are left alone? Read this to Northside Key kids today for a stuffed animal sleepover at the library.
June 29, 2018
I didn't read this one to baby, but husband did. He said it was a bit weird and odd to read.
May 30, 2019
A little long for preschoolers and kindergarten....
not a bad story
creative
well illustrated
not a bad story
creative
well illustrated
November 22, 2019
Sweetly whimsical.
October 2, 2020
I always feel like there is so much to explore in this book that it really needs a lap time read to dive into all of the pieces of the story.
April 13, 2022
A pretty cute adventure picture book about library storytime puppets. The art is reminiscent of classic picture books, making it an indispensable addition to any child's library.
March 30, 2024
Hilarious!!
May 28, 2015
Booklist November 1, 2005 (Vol. 102, No. 5)
PreS-Gr. 2. After the library closes for the evening, story hour puppets Rabbit and Lion search for their puppet-friend Hermit Crab. Armed with a map, a flashlight, and a picnic salvaged from the "ucky-blucky"trash can, they explore the dark library, afraid that giants may have eaten their friend. When they become lost, Lion makes a paper boat, and they sail across the library--into a rock that talks, which turns out to be Hermit Crab, on his own adventure. Then the three friends share a late-night snack "and read themselves to sleep under the stars."Softly colored illustrations show the puppets enjoying their after-hours freedom but apprehensive about what might be hiding in the library's dark corners. A charming story, with special appeal for children who are convinced their own toys come to life in their absence.
Horn Book Guide Spring 2006
After the library closes, story-hour puppets Rabbit and Lion climb out of their box and search for Hermit Crab, who is missing. Tillotson gets the shadowy, quasi-creepy after-hours ambiance just right, but the promising premise is neutered by excessive onomatopoeia and other cutesy indulgences ("Icky-sticky gum"; "way down to the bottomy-bottom"; "Stop all that noisy-boisy racket!").
Kirkus Reviews October 1, 2005
After-hours in a library transforms into a magical time as the story puppets become animated. When Rabbit discovers Hermit Crab missing from their communal box, he coaxes sleepy Lion to help find him. The duo searches the library with the aid of maps, skirts dastardly giants and enjoys a "found" picnic harvested from the garbage bins. As Lion and Rabbit explore, ordinary objects become extraordinary pathways to adventure. There is a fluid interplay between the text and artwork. Tillotson's oil paintings expand upon the imaginative flights of fancy; everyday items cast appropriately eerie shadows through clever manipulations of their placement. She also reveals the practical origins of Rabbit and Lion's grandiose imaginings; a starry night sky turns out to be children's names written on suspended star cut-outs, etc. While obviously the size and format of a traditional picture book, the story is broken into titled segments and reads more like a truncated first-chapter book. Slightly challenging as a read-aloud for younger preschoolers, the tale is ideally suited for shared story time with an older audience. (Picture book. 4-8)
School Library Journal November 1, 2005
PreS-Gr 3-Three puppets enjoy a nighttime adventure in a library after hours. Amiable and amusing full-page illustrations, done in oils on paper, capture a sense of being alone in a big space and convey the warmth of wood tables and shelves full of books, but the text provides only an impressionistic and sketchy plot. Hermit Crab is missing from the puppet box after the librarian leaves, and Rabbit, who has been steeped in fairy tales, decides that she has been taken by a giant. Lion, more stolid and practical, finds a map that seems to point to landmarks within the building, but it tears as the friends pull at it. Lion folds the pieces into a boat, a sail, a captain's hat. Endearing as these puppets are to look at, they are frustrating to read about. The story reads, even aloud, like one improvised with puppets in hand: long on action and dialogue but with too many moments that pull against the center. Some of the magical elements seem inconsistent as well: Lion and Rabbit can sail the paper boat across the floor in the moonlight (the clock), but then dine on the remains of a real baloney sandwich and toast marshmallows over a lit match (in the library!!!). Overall, an appealing concept that doesn't quite live up to its magical promise.-Kathie Meizner, Montgomery County Public Libraries, Chevy Chase, MD Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information
PreS-Gr. 2. After the library closes for the evening, story hour puppets Rabbit and Lion search for their puppet-friend Hermit Crab. Armed with a map, a flashlight, and a picnic salvaged from the "ucky-blucky"trash can, they explore the dark library, afraid that giants may have eaten their friend. When they become lost, Lion makes a paper boat, and they sail across the library--into a rock that talks, which turns out to be Hermit Crab, on his own adventure. Then the three friends share a late-night snack "and read themselves to sleep under the stars."Softly colored illustrations show the puppets enjoying their after-hours freedom but apprehensive about what might be hiding in the library's dark corners. A charming story, with special appeal for children who are convinced their own toys come to life in their absence.
Horn Book Guide Spring 2006
After the library closes, story-hour puppets Rabbit and Lion climb out of their box and search for Hermit Crab, who is missing. Tillotson gets the shadowy, quasi-creepy after-hours ambiance just right, but the promising premise is neutered by excessive onomatopoeia and other cutesy indulgences ("Icky-sticky gum"; "way down to the bottomy-bottom"; "Stop all that noisy-boisy racket!").
Kirkus Reviews October 1, 2005
After-hours in a library transforms into a magical time as the story puppets become animated. When Rabbit discovers Hermit Crab missing from their communal box, he coaxes sleepy Lion to help find him. The duo searches the library with the aid of maps, skirts dastardly giants and enjoys a "found" picnic harvested from the garbage bins. As Lion and Rabbit explore, ordinary objects become extraordinary pathways to adventure. There is a fluid interplay between the text and artwork. Tillotson's oil paintings expand upon the imaginative flights of fancy; everyday items cast appropriately eerie shadows through clever manipulations of their placement. She also reveals the practical origins of Rabbit and Lion's grandiose imaginings; a starry night sky turns out to be children's names written on suspended star cut-outs, etc. While obviously the size and format of a traditional picture book, the story is broken into titled segments and reads more like a truncated first-chapter book. Slightly challenging as a read-aloud for younger preschoolers, the tale is ideally suited for shared story time with an older audience. (Picture book. 4-8)
School Library Journal November 1, 2005
PreS-Gr 3-Three puppets enjoy a nighttime adventure in a library after hours. Amiable and amusing full-page illustrations, done in oils on paper, capture a sense of being alone in a big space and convey the warmth of wood tables and shelves full of books, but the text provides only an impressionistic and sketchy plot. Hermit Crab is missing from the puppet box after the librarian leaves, and Rabbit, who has been steeped in fairy tales, decides that she has been taken by a giant. Lion, more stolid and practical, finds a map that seems to point to landmarks within the building, but it tears as the friends pull at it. Lion folds the pieces into a boat, a sail, a captain's hat. Endearing as these puppets are to look at, they are frustrating to read about. The story reads, even aloud, like one improvised with puppets in hand: long on action and dialogue but with too many moments that pull against the center. Some of the magical elements seem inconsistent as well: Lion and Rabbit can sail the paper boat across the floor in the moonlight (the clock), but then dine on the remains of a real baloney sandwich and toast marshmallows over a lit match (in the library!!!). Overall, an appealing concept that doesn't quite live up to its magical promise.-Kathie Meizner, Montgomery County Public Libraries, Chevy Chase, MD Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2017
Interesting story.
October 18, 2015
I just didn't really like this book. My kids seemed to, which is why it gets a three, but it just didn't click for me--I think the imaginary world of the book didn't match up with what I thought it would be based on the title. The title seemed to promise a world where life is regularly exciting inside the library after all the people leave, but instead it was a one-time foray out of the puppet box for three puppets. Cute enough, but just not for me.
We'll see if it gets requested for multiple rereads this week, though.
We'll see if it gets requested for multiple rereads this week, though.
February 5, 2025
This is a wonderful story with beautiful illustrations and is divided into three chapters: Giants; The Map; Lost and Found. When the library lights go out for the night, rabbit puppet wakes up lion puppet, and they go searching the library for hermit crab puppet. They fear there is a giant and find giant things. When they find a map, which they fight over, it is repurposed for sailing. This is such a cute story with a sweet ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews