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Magnolia says DON'T!
If You Ever Want to Bring a Circus to the Library, Don't!
The third book in the bestselling Magnolia Says Don't! series, which started with If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't! , is another loud and cautionary tale of what not to do--this time, at the library!
If you see a poster that says "You Can Do Anything at the Library!", it is NOT giving you permission to put on a circus! But Magnolia doesn't see any problem with setting up her own big top. She's got a lot of gusto and one mean human cannonball routine. So what if her greatest show on Earth won't fit between the bookshelves? Elise Parsley's boldly expressive illustrations perfectly complement this mostly- librarian-approved guide on how to be everything BUT quiet in the library!
If you see a poster that says "You Can Do Anything at the Library!", it is NOT giving you permission to put on a circus! But Magnolia doesn't see any problem with setting up her own big top. She's got a lot of gusto and one mean human cannonball routine. So what if her greatest show on Earth won't fit between the bookshelves? Elise Parsley's boldly expressive illustrations perfectly complement this mostly- librarian-approved guide on how to be everything BUT quiet in the library!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2017
4 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
October 17, 2018
This is a cute book that teaches kids why big energy can be a bad thing in a library. The art is good and the story made me chuckle. My favorite part was seeing the librarian's different faces throughout the pages, especially when things get out of hand. I would recommend this for ages 4 to 8.
September 11, 2017
Have you ever wondered what might happen if you got the inkling to bring a circus to your local library? Wonder no more, as this book tells all and interprets what is REALLY meant by "you can do anything at the library". From tightrope walking and cannon blasting, every child ought to be aware of how to get around some of those library rules and what to do if ever put in the predicament of finding yourself in the middle of the Big Top beside your pile of Big Books. Neo laughed so much in this book, as he knows you CANNOT have a circus at the library and that all of these antics would surely get you kicked out.
May 4, 2017
Oh hey, a book about a library by someone who apparently hasn't been in one in about thirty years and still thinks they are quiet places full of nothing but books.
April 6, 2021
I couldn't believe how anal some of the reviewers were about this.Yes there are programs that people can talk and laugh and sing about in the library,however this was just Elise Parsley having fun. Someone should explain to the sourpusses the concept of fiction. Enough with the outrage.
September 29, 2019
The first of the Magnolia Says, "Don't!" series that I did not fully enjoy. While it has some good moments, Magnolia is just too obnoxious to the people around her and violates the sanctity of a library. Too far, Magnolia, too far!
June 30, 2017
I wanted to like this book. It seemed cute and fun, but I didn't really enjoy that I kept wanting to contradict it. You CAN be noisy in the library. You CAN clap and cheer. Plus, some of our programs are akin to having a circus in the library and only fun came of it.
July 6, 2017
This is the latest in this cute series I recently discovered from Elise Parsley (Magnolia DON'T) and most likely the reason (new release) that the previous ones were all nicely displayed for the taking! For that reason, I'm very thankful for this release because I've missed out on this cute new take that connects imagination, silliness, and simple connections. Magnolia sees a sign that says "You can do anything at the library." I love spending times at libraries - a favorite hobby - but Magnolia interprets this to mean "anything." Well, silliness and problems ensue when a circus actually comes to the circus. These are cute, easy reads that I'm counting on primary students to enjoy!
July 21, 2024
این جلد در قالب یک داستان، قوانین کتابخانه و رعایت سکوت رو به بچه ها آموزش میده.
همینطور به نظرم با نتیجه گیری نهاییش، میتونه بچه ها رو مشتاق به کتابخوانی کنه!
به طور کلی این مجموعه، راجع به لجبازی بچه هاست و اینکه در نهایت با آزمون و خطا، به اشتباه خودشون پی ببرن..
تصویر سازی های هر سه تا جلد قشنگ و رنگی پنگی بودن و
کتابها هم، برای گروه سنی ۳-۷ سال آموزنده و مناسب هستن!!!
June 10, 2018
Magnolia has noticed that sign at her local library proclaiming that “You can do anything at the library.” She takes that as an invitation to put on a circus for the kids in the library. Of course, they all need to be quiet – this is a library after all. But really, what could possibly go wrong?
This is another delightfully silly picture book as Magnolia shows us just why the library and the circus shouldn’t mix. Adults and kids alike will enjoy the story, and the pictures by Elisa Parsley add to the fun. The climax is definitely the best part of the book. Even though Magnolia is the one causing the problems, the book is narrated in second person, which actually works to add to the fun here.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
This is another delightfully silly picture book as Magnolia shows us just why the library and the circus shouldn’t mix. Adults and kids alike will enjoy the story, and the pictures by Elisa Parsley add to the fun. The climax is definitely the best part of the book. Even though Magnolia is the one causing the problems, the book is narrated in second person, which actually works to add to the fun here.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
May 28, 2017
3.5 If You Ever Want to Bring a Circus to the Library, Don't! is the third book in the 'Magnolia' series by Elise Parsley. Parsley is both the author and illustrator.
Magnolia has previously brought an alligator to school and a piano to the beach. So is a circus in the library a good idea? Well, the poster says...."You Can Do Anything at the Library!"
I work in a public library and have a small grandson who adores being read to as well as visiting the library so this newest book was a great fit for us.
He was interested in the book right away - the cover caught his eye - and it held his interest 'til the last page.
He started to remember the 'chorus' line with repeated readings...."You can do anything at the library - except......" and shouted the lines as they came up. There's a wonderful rhythm to reading this book out loud and so many opportunities to be vocally expressive. I do wonder if another word could have been found for 'concessions' (used in the food sense) as I ended up paraphrasing. There's a countdown moment that he loved as well.
Subsequent readings had us stopping to look at the pictures more closely (Library Gramma quite enjoyed the posters!) to see details more closely. There's lots of opportunity for discussion based on the book - talking about what his library looked like and what he does at the library and what he might like to do - both 'approved' and over the top like Magnolia. I do want to say as a library employee that things have changed over the years. Things do get 'loud' at the library sometimes and we do bring in 'events'. Not a circus so far though....
Magnolia as a lead character is wonderful - she is full of life, enthusiasm and imagination. The illustrations are colourful and quirky. The facial expressions allow a little one to interpret what the characters might be thinking or feeling.
Gramma and Little Guy both enjoyed this book.
Magnolia has previously brought an alligator to school and a piano to the beach. So is a circus in the library a good idea? Well, the poster says...."You Can Do Anything at the Library!"
I work in a public library and have a small grandson who adores being read to as well as visiting the library so this newest book was a great fit for us.
He was interested in the book right away - the cover caught his eye - and it held his interest 'til the last page.
He started to remember the 'chorus' line with repeated readings...."You can do anything at the library - except......" and shouted the lines as they came up. There's a wonderful rhythm to reading this book out loud and so many opportunities to be vocally expressive. I do wonder if another word could have been found for 'concessions' (used in the food sense) as I ended up paraphrasing. There's a countdown moment that he loved as well.
Subsequent readings had us stopping to look at the pictures more closely (Library Gramma quite enjoyed the posters!) to see details more closely. There's lots of opportunity for discussion based on the book - talking about what his library looked like and what he does at the library and what he might like to do - both 'approved' and over the top like Magnolia. I do want to say as a library employee that things have changed over the years. Things do get 'loud' at the library sometimes and we do bring in 'events'. Not a circus so far though....
Magnolia as a lead character is wonderful - she is full of life, enthusiasm and imagination. The illustrations are colourful and quirky. The facial expressions allow a little one to interpret what the characters might be thinking or feeling.
Gramma and Little Guy both enjoyed this book.
July 1, 2019
Δεν ενθουσίασε ούτε παιδιά, ούτε γονείς- δεν έχει ιδιαίτερο νόημα θα έλεγα..
June 30, 2017
Meh. I get what she's doing here, but the stereotypical "quiet in the library" joke is tired, IMHO.
March 17, 2017
"If you see a poster that says 'You Can Do ANYTHING At The Library!' it means you can sit and read a book and use your imagination. It does NOT mean you can bring in a whole circus."
Love the opening line.
Love the opening line.
September 7, 2018
Library behavior is addressed. This is a little confusing, because our young heroine seems to be getting away with some pretty rowdy behavior. But it does have an actual plot, and I'm sure kids love the humor. The posters that say "You can do anything at your library" do indeed need to be re-written.
In response to a one-star review: Yes, I know we don't say 'shh' anymore nor do we just read dtbs. But neither do we do high-wire acts or send shelves toppling like dominoes....
In response to a one-star review: Yes, I know we don't say 'shh' anymore nor do we just read dtbs. But neither do we do high-wire acts or send shelves toppling like dominoes....
May 31, 2017
This is the third book in the Magnolia says DON'T! series by Elise Parsley. I'd read the second book, If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano to the Beach, Don't!, but did not realize it was part of a series until now. I will have to see if I can find If You Ever Want To Bring An Alligator To School, Don't! next.
The storyline has a circular argument that is quite reminiscent of the classic tale, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (and the subsequent series it spawned) by Laura Joffe Numeroff.
The book is slightly larger than 'typical' library books and the cartoonish digitally created illustrations are very vibrantly colorful. The narrative has lots of fun dialogue and onomatopoeia, with a handwritten font that is large and would work well for reading with a group (at the library, perhaps?!)
Overall, it's a very fun book to read and I really enjoyed it. I think it would be a big hit with children, too.
The storyline has a circular argument that is quite reminiscent of the classic tale, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (and the subsequent series it spawned) by Laura Joffe Numeroff.
The book is slightly larger than 'typical' library books and the cartoonish digitally created illustrations are very vibrantly colorful. The narrative has lots of fun dialogue and onomatopoeia, with a handwritten font that is large and would work well for reading with a group (at the library, perhaps?!)
Overall, it's a very fun book to read and I really enjoyed it. I think it would be a big hit with children, too.
October 14, 2019
I somehow missed the first two books in this series of cautionary tales, so I'll have to hunt them down. But that doesn't mean I couldn't appreciate book #3. Magnolia is determined to start her own circus in the library after reading a sign that says, "You can do ANYTHING at the library." But time after time, she runs into problems with various components of her circus. Young children will enjoy the catastrophes and can discuss what the sign actually means in the context of the library. The illustrations for this book were digitally drawn in Adobe Photoshop and then painted in Corel Painter using a Monoprice tablet.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
August 24, 2018
A-DOR-A-BLE. And as someone who has worked in the Children's Department, it's also a little terrifying. It's a fun, silly read that subtly promotes proper library behavior. I love the illustrations and the font; each page is entertaining, from the text to the pictures. Highly recommended, particularly for library story times.
June 16, 2017
Funny!!!
August 25, 2017
Maybe I'm just too close to my library being a circus, but I didn't care for this.
March 14, 2018
Read with Kindergarten and THEY ALL LOVED IT!! I don't think this have ever happened before. BABOOMBA!
February 24, 2019
A story about the things that go wrong when you hold a circus at the library.
June 1, 2022
Eh. I mostly read it because it took place in a library. I'm too easy to woo.
March 11, 2024
This book is incredibly hilarious and so adorable. All 3 of my children laughed out loud while I read! Elise Parsley’s books are must-reads.
June 14, 2017
So much fun!!!
May 2, 2017
A little girl sees she can do anything at the library, particularly bring a circus to the library! But when she explores this brilliant idea things get a bit dicey!
September 6, 2017
Will be a fun one to use to review library expectations at the start of the year.
May 10, 2017
This is a GREAT book! Funny story and drawings about the library and it is so cute that you don't realize at first that you are reading about the rules in the library. I loved it! Great read aloud book for teachers and librarians and parents who want to teach their kids how to behave in the library.
August 7, 2017
Wow, this author hasn't been in a children's section recently or probably a library for that matter. Most libraries that I've visited run more on the Community Center model than on the "sacred spaces full of shh-ing" model.
October 4, 2016
Really fun but also hit a little too close to home with library insanity lol
October 19, 2017
Parsely, Elise. If You Ever Want to Bring a Circus to the Library, Don’t! Little, Brown and Company, 2017. $17.99. Content: G. PICTURE BOOK.
The poster read, “You Can Do Anything at the Library” and Magnolia did just that. She brought a circus. She twirled and leaped, but asked the audience to hold the applause, because you need to be quiet in a library. She dressed up like a clown and got a pie in the face and tried to hand out concessions. But she learned that you can’t clap, cheer, or hand out concessions in the library. Magnolia tried to boom from her canon, but it didn’t work. Luckily there were some great books handy and she kept her audience spellbound by reading to them. Then her canon went kaboom and she learned that circuses are just too noisy for libraries.
Magnolia has other books that tell you what NOT to do. Such as, If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t and If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano to the Beach, Don’t. Magnolia is a sparkling and energetic main character that you can’t help but root for, even though you know that what she’s doing is going to end in disaster. The author manages to portray the vivid imagination of childhood by the story and the bright, charming artwork. The male librarian is portrayed in a positive light and it’s actually another patron who does all the shushing. This book would be a great choice for a circus storytime.
Pre-K, EL-ADVISABLE. Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
The poster read, “You Can Do Anything at the Library” and Magnolia did just that. She brought a circus. She twirled and leaped, but asked the audience to hold the applause, because you need to be quiet in a library. She dressed up like a clown and got a pie in the face and tried to hand out concessions. But she learned that you can’t clap, cheer, or hand out concessions in the library. Magnolia tried to boom from her canon, but it didn’t work. Luckily there were some great books handy and she kept her audience spellbound by reading to them. Then her canon went kaboom and she learned that circuses are just too noisy for libraries.
Magnolia has other books that tell you what NOT to do. Such as, If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t and If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano to the Beach, Don’t. Magnolia is a sparkling and energetic main character that you can’t help but root for, even though you know that what she’s doing is going to end in disaster. The author manages to portray the vivid imagination of childhood by the story and the bright, charming artwork. The male librarian is portrayed in a positive light and it’s actually another patron who does all the shushing. This book would be a great choice for a circus storytime.
Pre-K, EL-ADVISABLE. Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews