Have you noticed how much kids love screens today? They almost always seem to be using some sort of technology. Even books come on screens. However, there is something magical about reading a paper book. Today we are sharing a magical book that shares the magic of reading an actual book and how much fun it can be versus technology! The book is Luella's Library by Tara Lala and illustrated by Francesca Pesci. There is a giveaway after my review!
About the Book:
Ages: 8-10 | 38 Pages | Publisher: Mascot Kids (2025) | ISBN: 979-8891384798
Publisher’s Book Summary: Luella loves to read books, but her best friend, Lino, doesn’t.
What Lino soon discovers is that the books in Luella’s library are magical! When one of her books transports them to an enchanted land, they have to face unexpected obstacles and help new friends.
Will Luella and Lino complete their journeys along the way? Will they be able to help their new friend find his way back home? Or will Lino choose his phone over the adventures Luella’s library has in store?
Purchase Links:
About the Author
Tara Lala lives in Los Angeles, California. She has enjoyed writing since she was five years old, and is now attending the University of Southern California. She wrote Luella’s Library when she was twenty, and hopes that her readers will be inspired to put down their phones and pick up an exciting new book to read. You can check out her other books: Twincesses, Tails from Down Under, An Alani Adventure, and Minty the Mischievous Elf. Follow her on Instagram at @taralalaofficial for more!
From Me:
Luella loves reading books. She understands how magical they are. Her best friend, Lino, finds them boring and would rather being play a video game. But when Luella brings him to her library and they jump into a magical book and explore it Lino discovers the sense of adventure a book can give. The story they jump into is a magical and the first character they meet is a leprechaun who is lost. They decide to help the leprechaun find his way to his pot of gold. In each location they go to they have to get to the portal to get to the next location/page. Sometimes this is fun and sometimes it is a challenge for them. The three work together and discover all sorts of interesting places. They also find some meaning to friendship.
I love that the kids jump into a book and explore the story like they are on an adventure. The magical book brings adventure to a book about books. It is fun and interesting and will hold kids' interest. The kids will want to see where Luella and friends end up next and what they have to do to get to the next page. The story is fun, and the artwork is beautiful. It reminds us that books are truly magical. It also can be used to teach sequencing. Luella, Lino and the leprechaun must do something to get to the portal to turn the page and go to the next location. A lesson could be what has to happen first or what do they have to accomplish first. It opens so many discussions but also just shows kids how fun books can be. I can see this becoming a favorite with its magic. It is perfect for any story time--classroom, at home or at the library. It is about learning to love books and find the adventure each brings a reader on. It is something I think many kids today are not always learning but should be. According to a recent study many Gen Z parents do not like reading to their children and are not doing it as much. This of course could cause some issues as science has proven that reading to young children helps create a love for reading and improves vocabulary. (Source) I feel like this book helps kids and readers remember the fun that reading can be and that it shouldn't be a chore or task. I know I always loved story time when Hazel was young!
Giveaway:
