posted on 23 Apr 2023

This is a Story by John Schu, illustrated by Lauren Castillo

This fabulously illustrated and beautifully designed paean of praise to the power of stories and books is a lyrical delight from beginning to end. U.S. based author, part-time lecturer and former school librarian, John Schu is, perhaps unsurprisingly, a champion of the value of the school library and the worlds of imagination they can reveal to children. 

The story he puts on the page seems, at first sight, minimal but it takes us on a journey from the discovery of the power of a single word, through to the story book on the shelf and onto the treasures of a whole library where children come in and open the books. Then the magic happens. Each child has their book and it transports them to places they create in their mind’s eye and opens up truths about the world they live in.

But I’m sure the author would be the first to acknowledge that this wonderful picture book is very much a collaborative project with the illustrator, Lauren Castillo. Also based in the U.S., Castillo is an award-winning artist and author in her own right and says of this project:

“The setting is a city near and dear to both of our hearts, New York City, where we find ourselves with a young reader inside her neighbourhood library. The public library is where I could showcase the freedom and diversity accessible to each of us on the shelves.”

Lauren also lets us into a little secret: the librarian shown in these drawings is actually based on John Schu himself!

This is a generous book in every way. It’s a generous size, bursting with colour and with drawings that bring even more depth and generosity to the text. 

Given that The Letterpress Project was established to showcase and celebrate just how special the printed book can be and how the physical experience of holding beautiful books is precious and formative, I can honestly say that This is a Story could have been written for us. The lovely front cover showing a young child hugging a book to their chest and smiling in anticipation of the pleasure that will come from reading it, also carries a strapline that says it all:

“There is magic in choosing just the right book”.

Available this month in hardback from Walker Books, you will be able to get this book from your local independent bookseller. If they don’t have it on the shelf, they will be happy to order it for you. £12.99 worth of pure joy.

 

Terry Potter

April 2023