Leilong the Library Bus

A library-loving dinosaur reminds us how it feels to be transported by story in this picture book for young children.

Leilong’s friends are taking him to story time at the library. But it’s difficult for a large, clumsy brontosaurus without a library card to follow all the rules. Especially when enthusiastic Leilong gets caught up in the story and joins in, threatening to flatten the library. Is Leilong too big for the library, or is the library too small?

With vibrant and vintage-like illustrations, children of all ages will love this enthusiastic, bumbling dinosaur who just wants, like all of us, to hear a good story. Perfect to read aloud or together with younger dino fans and book-lovers, or for readers aged 5-7.

Other books by Julia Liu:

Leilong's Too Long!

“"Sauropod Leilong loves books and stories, especially about dinosaurs. Leilong and his friends Maggie, Mo, and Max are headed to the library for storytime, traveling on Leilong's very large back. There are hints that dinosaurs are not entirely unusual in this city. There is a refueling station that's specifically for dinosaurs. When he moves too fast, police warn him to slow down. But Leilong is denied entrance to the library because he cannot fit through the door and doesn't have a library card. So he pokes his head in a window to hear the story. The children enjoy 'Little Red Riding Hood,' shouting responses as the librarian reads. Leilong becomes so involved that his shouts shake the entire building, and he is banished for breaking the rules. When all the children leave with him in solidarity, the librarians reconsider and come up with an ingenious plan to share books with everyone. Text and illustrations are perfectly matched here. Via Wang's smooth translation from Chinese, Liu employs simple, direct third-person narration, enhanced by intriguing dialogue and winning characters. Lynn's intricate cartoons provide scope and setting and much of the fun as well as thought-provoking details. Humans all have pale skin, and Leilong is gloriously green. Leilong is met variously with laughter, amazement, and quite a few frowns, and the initial reactions at the library indicate that sauropods are not always welcome. Young readers will come to understand an underlying gentle message of recognizing and embracing differences. Yay for Leilong."--Kirkus Reviews”

"The what-next is magical. The ending is genius. The book is a heart-moving CELEBRATION of why stories matter so very much, and why some of us can’t stop reading them, listening to them, or writing them."

"Text and illustrations are perfectly matched here. Via Wang’s smooth translation from Chinese, Liu employs simple, direct third-person narration, enhanced by intriguing dialogue and winning characters. Lynn’s intricate cartoons provide scope and setting and much of the fun as well as thought-provoking details."

"A fun way to look at big or small, half full or half empty scenarios and thinking outside the box. Problem solving at its best!"

"Leilong is a cheerful, bright-green standout among bustling cityscapes and quiet interiors with dark line art and crayon-like smears of rose and dusty blue."

About the author Julia Liu has worked as an editor of children's fiction at several of Taiwan's biggest and most prestigious publishers, and has published picture books, illustrated biographies of Einstein and Archimedes and a collection of fairy tales.

About the illustrator Bei Lynn is an award-winning Taiwanese illustrator who has written and illustrated over 20 picture books, magazines and comics.

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