The Sublime Ms. Stacks

by Robb Pearlman, Dani Jones (Illustrations)

Miss Nelson is Missing meets Drag Race in this vibrant picture book about a drag queen librarian from #1 New York Times bestselling author Robb Pearlman.

Librarian Mr. Stephen is great at helping people find their books. But when it comes to crafts and storytime . . . well, he tries his best. Luckily, there's a substitute librarian to liven up things-the sublime Ms. Stacks!

Ms. Stacks makes everything fun! And with a penchant for performing and a flair for the fabulous, she reminds everyone to be themselves and unleash their creativity. When Ms. Stacks is around, time in the library is never a drag! The kids only wish that Mr. Stephen could see this legendary librarian in action for himself . . . but maybe he did?

Bestselling author Robb Pearlman and illustrator Dani Jones offer a joyful celebration of reading, creating, and expressing your truest self.

Genres: Picture Books, LGBT, Childrens, Fiction, Books About Books, Queer, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

Published June 7, 2022

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won't give it away, but storytime will never be the same as with Ms. Stacks!

I'll be honest, I would have loved to have been a kid and had spent my library time with Ms. Stacks. She's....
OH just read it, trust me, you'll love it!

If you work in a school or library that offers a similar storytime or are looking for a good title, try this one!

Thank you to Robb Pearlman for making this book a reality!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Energetic, inclusive and so much fun.

[Archer Trip · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this children's book. Everyone who loves to read and values the importance of a library and all the resources it provides, needs to read this book. Not only does it showcase the familiarity and helpfulness of a library, but it also shows the intersection of how important drag queens are when they are in that space as well. This story shows how queerness is needed in the library and how helpful and powerful it is!

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read during intermission at SLJ Day of Dialog provided ARC by Bloomsbury Children via Edelweiss

Stunningly vivid art by Dani Jones
The story is MAGNIFICENT!
I love Ms. Stacks and her vibrancy.

I can't say too much. I will tell you to read it, buy it and give copies away to everyone you love. This book is contagious. You will catch good feels and wide smiles!

LOVED IT!!

[Sara (A Gingerly Review) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much fun. This will be great for young children.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

An updated and woke version of the classic Miss Nelson Is Missing!. Instead of Miss Nelson, we have Mr. Stephens and Ms. Stacks instead of Viola Swamp. Grownups who came of age in the 1980s will enjoy this as much as the younger ones they share it with.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only beef with this book is that Mr. Stephen, the librarian, is pretty stereotypical, including the drab cardigan and frequent shushing. I wish kids had more representation of ACTUAL librarians - I've never shushed a kid in my life and have no intention of doing so, and neither do my coworkers. However, Ms Stacks IS in fact sublime, and I just adored Bibli O'Teca and Alma Nack ("I'm all about that database!"). And it is awesome to see representation of all the fun things that happen in the library besides discovering books!

[Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter chose this one randomly (just from the cover, I think), so I didn't really have a look at it until we were home and sat down to read. Ms Stacks is super fun to read, especially if you like to ham it up and really act out the characters. (And I do.) All of the librarians are presented without judgment or explanation, simply as people existing and doing things they enjoy. My child is just six and beginning to examine gender roles/expectations, so the quiet male librarian turning into the sublime Ms Stacks was genuinely a surprise to her! She enjoyed being in on the secret by the end of the story; apart from that she just loves Ms Stacks' enthusiasm and upbeat personality. She was also amazed that her mom knew every song mentioned in the story LOL.

[LeeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This bold and boisterous book explodes with colorful joy, celebrating the love of libraries and librarians! A perfect read for story time, reminding kids that libraries are a place to celebrate, to discover our wide diversities, and that stories can allow you to be whoever you want to be! (And a reminder to adults that libraries are for EVERYONE!)

"Well, my darlings, what have I taught you?"
"I learned to stand up for myself!"
"I learned to stand out!"

I think my favorite is the picture of so many kids and their families at the end of the story. Applause to the illustrator for such glorious work!

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no doubt that there are kids and families who will enjoy this book. It didn't really do it for me, though. I love a drag show, but describing it as dancing and moving their mouths, pretending to sing along to the music, made it sound kind of sad. It felt very much like it was written for adults who love drag and want to share it with kids- which is fine, but doesn't necessarily make for a book I wish to read.

[Chantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Librarian Mr. Stephen is great but he is a tad bit boring for the kids. When Ms. Sublime shows up, she is fabulous. She is great at crafts and storytelling and teaching the kids things. She loves to lip sync and with her two other librarian sisters they put on a show. Too bad Mr. Stephen missed it all. LOL Such a great book!

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another picture book that isn't actually for kids...unless you can convince me that kids will get 80's pop references.

Apparently, in order for a man to be able to lead story time and crafts he must dress as a woman.

Bonus points for the number one pet peeve of just about every librarian --- the librarian shushing cliché.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I wasn't to sure about this library story - I was feeling for Mr Stephen, who was admired and yet. . .

This emphasises the reason for making sure you read a book from cover to cover. Many books have a tag that makes the story. Often it is told within the illustrations.

Turns out this is one of them.

[Bekah Hubstenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read to add to the growing selection of drag queen story books like Auntie Uncle, Big Wig and The Hips on the Drag Queen. A sweet message but some of the references may get more laughs from adults.

[Emily✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute idea, poor execution.

The "shushing librarian" trope needs to die, and it doesn't make any sense that Mr. Stephens is terrible at storytime but Ms. Stacks fantastic.

A whole star is just for Alma Nack, who is "all about that database."

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, sweet story about the quiet librarian who helps the young readers, and the Sublime Ms. Stacks who dazzles them with glitter, crafts, music, and stories…

Highly recommend for all ages. Grownups will especially enjoy the story.

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sparkly Ms. Stacks proves a positive and educational presence for the patrons – what a shame buttoned-up Mr. Stephen always misses seeing her in action.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars - I had the pleasure of hearing the author read aloud this sublime book that celebrates fabulous library staff that engage kids and teach them to love libraries and books

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a FANTASTIC book about storytime with Ms. Stacks--the most fabulous sublime librarian!

Thanks to School Library Journal for access to this amazing new children's title.

[Shannonmde]

updated, queer Miss Nelson is Missing set in a library.

[Lizanne Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun! I look forward to reading this to high school students. I’m sure it will be a hit.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

The puns! The costumes, the digs at people who were alive in the 80's, it's so funny

[SamSamSam · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! A version of Miss Nelson is Missing for the current generation and their parents.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cute art. I found the story a little stilted, but still fun and the reveal at the end is what it's all about.

[Chuck Ledger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations. Good story.

[maddie kizer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this so much! As someone who wants to be a librarian this is such a cute and fun children's book that introduces its audience to queer adults! Amazing! I love it!

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A librarian with a drag persona shows the two sides of children's librarianship. The quiet educator and stereotypical librarian, and the performer.

[Jaye Latts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, with gorgeous illustrations, and a great story!

[Susan Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that we need right now. There is no agenda here. It is just a lovely book that showcases the joy of characters who give their all for story hour.