Biblioburro: a true story from Columbia written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter. Beach Lane Books, 2010. ISBN 978-1-4169-9778-8
Summary: In the heart of the Colombian jungle lives a man named Luis who loves books so much that he fills his house with them. He decides to share his books with people who have none, and that the best way to reach these isolated people is with burros. Luis buys two strong little burros and names them Alfa and Beto, and builds special crates for them to carry that will be filled with books. He paints the word, "Biblioburro" on the side of the crates, which means "The Burro Library".
Every week Luis and his burros travel to remote villages on lonely, sometimes even dangerous trails, but once they reach the people of the village, they are far from lonely. The children that run to meet him are thrilled to see him again, and Luis reads them a story before they choose a book to borrow. Luis and his burros then make the long trek back home, back to dinner, and rest, and reading late into the night. Winter concludes with an illustration that demonstrates the impact that this one kind man has made on the people of the hills of Colombia.
In the Author's Note, Winter explains that the story of Luis and his book burros is true, and provides a more detailed account of his life, as well as the growth of the burro library program.
Critical Evaluation: In an interview on the website PaperTigers.org, Winter states, "I am drawn to true-life stories, and true stories that relate to world events. Stories about brave and courageous individuals are personally so inspiring to me, and I want children to know about these people. I feel that children have the capacity to understand the big issues of our lives, if in a simplified way." Winter's excels at taking an inspiring life story and adapting it for children without losing any of the important details that show the effect that each person can have on other people and wider society as a whole.
In telling Luis Soriano's story, Winter also highlights how valuable books truly are, which is something that children who grow up in an affluent country may not realize. To share the risks Luis takes, and the trouble he goes to to get books to the people of Columbia, Winter provides a perspective on reading that may not have been considered before reading her work.
Winter's illustrations are vibrant and jewel-toned, and her folk art style of drawing is ideal for telling the story of Luis and his burros. She includes plenty of native flora and fauna in her art, and her portraits of Luis contain a quiet dignity and sense of purpose.
Age or Interest Level: Ages 3 to 6
Lexile Level: 640L
Awards: Americas Award Commended Title; CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council); NCTE Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts
Why Included? This is a story worth sharing with every child in your life. Luis Soriano has criss-crossed a region which has been severely impacted by a guerrilla war, even putting his life in danger, so that he can get books into the hands of isolated children. Reading is powerful, and so is what Luis has accomplished with his traveling library.