Joseph Coelho, Fiona Lumbers (illus)
Andersen Press
Age 3-5
Luna really looks forward to library day, she meets her dad there and it is a day to build shared memories; full of stories, adventure and love. They explore the shelves together finding books about magic, mysteries and monsters and choosing books to check out. Luna finds out that dad isn’t keen on bugs and also about his childhood when he shows her a history book with black and white pictures. They curl up together to share a fairy story about a troll king who decides to leave his mermaid queen but even so retains a deep love for his princess daughter, just like Luna and her dad.
This is a sensitive and exuberant story about the love parents have for their children even if they separate. The story within a story reflecting this theme makes this book extra special. The illustrations are delightful adding lots of detail and touches of humour, look out for what happens when Luna opens a book about bugs! This story also celebrates libraries, the treasures to be found there, the pleasure of sharing this experience with a loved one and the delight in taking home your chosen books to enjoy again.
Share the story
Read aloud
Read the story aloud, allowing time to talk about what is happening in the story or pictures when your child wants to. Children will notice different things when they share the book again with you and may enjoy looking at the book on their own too.
Join in
When you read it again children might like to join in with parts for example the repeated ‘check’ for books chosen. It would be fun to make faces just like dad does about the books about bugs.
Talk about the story
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Share and talk about your favourite pages.
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Talk about all the things Luna loved about library day, when she feels happy and what makes her sad
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Look at the pictures on the end papers at the back of the book – what are the children reading?
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What special things do you and your child like sharing together? ( whether they live together or apart).
Watch the story
The author and illustrator read the story together.
Seven Stories The National Centre for Children’s Books