THE LOUD LIBRARIAN by Jenna Beatrice

Review by Kristi Mahoney

​The Loud Librarian (Atheneum 2023), written and illustrated by two debut creatives, Jenna Beatrice and Erika Lynne Jones, is an uproariously funny and sweet story. It features Penelope, a LOUD and boisterous girl, who is thrilled when she’s picked as class librarian. But unfortunately, LOUD does not mix well with libraries. When Penelope’s booming voice brings disaster to the library, Penelope must find a way to keep her dream job while still staying true to herself. The Loud Librarian is a delightful read with an extremely endearing main character, lots of giggle-worthy moments, and a unique ending filled with both heart and humor. Add to that the incredible and vibrant illustrations of Erika Lynne Jones and you may just feel like shouting from the rooftops about this book — the LOUDER the better. Penelope would approve. 

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On Writing:
This book is an interesting mentor text for its truly unique ending. As is the case in many picture books, author Jenna Beatrice has made sure the main character has a clear goal – Penelope wants to be the student librarian. Jenna also has made the problem clear upfront – Penelope is LOUD and libraries are for quiet voices. In addition to these important elements, Jenna effectively uses the rule of three several times and sets up Penelope for a deep dark moment. But, when the time comes for Penelope to change in the end, Jenna makes the bold and admirable choice to keep that from happening.

Sometimes with stories featuring flat arc characters (characters that don’t change and remain true to their original convictions), the writer will opt for someone else changing, such as the attitudes of those around the main character in order to produce a satisfying ending. Yet, in The Loud Librarian, this also doesn’t happen and it works anyway.

Does Penelope still want to be a librarian in the end? Yes, very much so.

Is Penelope still LOUD in the end? Yes, absolutely.

Do others still think it’s a bad idea to be super LOUD in the library in the end? Yes, indeed they do.

With all this being true, how then, does Penelope get to keep her job as student librarian and also remain true to herself?  
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Without spoiling the ending, Jenna ultimately finds the perfect solution to this quandary and it’s this lesson that makes The Loud Librarian an excellent mentor text. Picasso is attributed with saying, “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” Perhaps as writers we need a reminder that it’s not only okay to listen to this advice, but sometimes it’s exactly what our story needs. 

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To learn more about author Jenna Beatrice visit her website or find her @jbeatricebooks. 
To learn more about illustrator Erika Lynne Jones visit her website or find her @ErikaLynneJones. 
To purchase a copy of The Loud Librarian click here.