Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia

by Jeanette Winter

Other authorsJeanette Winter (Illustrator)

Hardcover, 2010

Status

Available

Call number

020.92

Collections

Geography and Social Studies, Picture Books

Publication

Beach Lane Books (2010), Edition: Illustrated, 32 pages

Description

"After amassing piles of books, Luis, a voracious reader, dreams up a way to share his collection with 'faraway villages.' He starts with two burros--one for himself, one for books--and heads off. Tough terrain and menacing bandits challenge him along the way, but at last he reaches a remote town, where he holds a story hour and loans titles to eager kids before returning home to his wife and reading late into the night."--Amazon.com.

User reviews

LibraryThing member edtech5

Winter, Jeanette. (2010). Biblioburro. New York, NY: Beach Lane Books.
This biography, written for beginning readers, tells the story of Luis Soriana and how his love of books inspired him to use two burros to deliver books to some remote villages in Columbia. The subject of this book is an

excellent choice for children to read about as is the subject of the author's other book, "The Librarian of Basra." The topic can help a child to understand and appreciate the importance of books. Since this is a book geared toward beginning readers, the illustrations are colorful, and only the main ideas of his story are highlighted. The amount of fictionalization in this book is just enough to make it interesting to younger children. The author devotes the last page for a brief but more in depth bio of Luis Soriana and Biblioburro, but there is no formal bibliography or list of other resources used.

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LibraryThing member Dportnoy

This is a wonderful story to share with kids while they are just starting to read. It expresses ones love and passion for reading and passing it along to other children. This book also addresses Columbian culture which will be a great addition to a read aloud in the classroom. I also find it

inspiring that it is based on true life stories.

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LibraryThing member lmbenji

This story is really fun since it is actually a true story and the readers can connect with the story. In addition, the story promotes a love for reading and how the main character loves reading so much that he creates a traveling library to save room in his home. The illustrations are really fun

and colorful. They really add to the story!

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LibraryThing member bplma

Based on a true story--Luis loves books and finds a way to bring his own personal library to people in small isolated towns in Colombia-- he creates a biblioburro-- a low tech book mobile-- the perfect solution. Jeanette Winter's lovely illustrations mirror latin american textile folk art and serve

to enhance the story. The lengths to which people go to have access to books and libraries is inspiring. Combine with That Book Woman/Henson; Librarian of Basra/Winter;
.

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LibraryThing member pataustin

"Deep in the jungles of Colombia, there lives a man who loves books." Bright folk art accompanies the tale of a man who ended up getting a pair of burros in order to bring books to the people of the jungles. This inspirational tale will be a librarian's favorite read aloud to start off the year.

LibraryThing member lquilter

A man who loves to read decides to share his books with villagers over the mountain. A lovely story about becoming an activist -- librarian-style.

LibraryThing member thornton37814

I loved this picture book that tells the story of Luis, a Colombian man, who takes books to remote villages via his two burros. The illustrations are delightful and have a tropical flavor.

LibraryThing member sweetiegherkin

Biblioburro is the story of Luis Soriana, a former school teacher turned mobile librarian. What makes Soriana's story unique though is that he is not driving a bus or van full of books around an urban or suburban landscape. Soriana goes from rural village to rural village with two burros carrying

crates of books. This picture book celebrates his love of reading and how he shares it with the children of Colombia. Thus, the book's underlying messages are about the power of story telling, the benefits of sharing, and the creativity that can solve any problem. The bright and colorful illustrations, made through a combination of acrylic paint and pen and ink, make for a delightful addition to an already wonderful story. Children, especially those that are avid readers themselves, will enjoy this book wholeheartedly.

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LibraryThing member Sullywriter

A story about a man who takes joy in sharing with others his love of books. What's not to love?

LibraryThing member michelleannlib

Cute story, I think it would have been better with a different illustrator.

LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26

Jeanette Winter, whose non-fiction picture-books about extraordinary people from around the world include such titles as The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq and Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa, turns to the tale of book-lover and volunteer librarian Luis Soriano in

Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia. A true reader and book collector (and a primary school teacher), Luis longed to share the blessing of his personal library with the people of the isolated villages in his region of Colombia: people who didn't have access to books. And so he purchased two burros, Alfa and Beto, loaded up his volumes, and set out to bring the printed word to his fellow citizens.

This tale of a mobile library and librarian in Colombia reminded me of other, similar stories, from Down Cut Shin Creek: The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky, which relates the history of the pioneer mobile library services offered in the Appalachian region during the Great Depression, to My Librarian Is a Camel: How Books Are Brought to Children Around the World, which profiles traveling libraries in thirteen countries. I enjoyed Winter's simple narrative, and her colorful acrylic and ink illustrations, but I did find myself wishing for a little more. I wanted to know more about Luis, and the communities he served: other than the brief episode with the bandit, what other challenges did Luis face? The afterword mentions donations having greatly swelled Luis's library - how does he transport the additional books, or does he have to pick and choose?

Leaving that aside, this was still an engaging story, simply told and suitable for younger readers - a story that might, potentially, make them appreciate some of the blessings (like books!) that they themselves enjoy.

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LibraryThing member dukefan86

This ia a cute book-related story for kids! Nice lesson about giving too. The illustrations are nice and colorful, to boot.

LibraryThing member alyson

Okay librarians, if you are looking for a little reminder of why you choose this job, look no further. Very nice story, charming illustrations and a tribute to the importance of getting books into the hands of children.

LibraryThing member niccory

I liked the bright colors for the illustrations and how the pictures emphasized the tone of the story.

LibraryThing member NMiller22

Based on a true story, Luis has so many books in his little house in Colombia that he buys two donkeys and travels throughout the land bringing the joy of reading to children.

LibraryThing member adaq

A man who loves to read decides to share his books with villagers over the mountain. A lovely story about becoming an activist -- librarian-style.

LibraryThing member sloth852

A story of a Colombian man who innovates to share his love of books with kids in remote villages.

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