Books Aren't for Eating

How can Leopold, goat and bookstore owner, find the perfect book for a fellow goat—one the visitor will enjoy reading, not munching?

Leopold the goat owns a delightful bookstore, and he has a talent for matching his customers with the ideal book—an adventure story for the girl in the rain boots, a novel about gnomes for the man who loves to laugh, and a book of birds for the woman in the feathered hat. But one day, another goat arrives and proceeds to eat every book Leopold offers. Can Leopold find just the right one to tempt this reluctant reader? This funny, charming tale of the transformative power of books is a celebration of that first special story that sparks a child’s love of reading.

The text and illustrations both have a lovely balance of coziness and humor; Leopold’s deep and genuine love for books and reading, and the comfort he gets from entering others’ stories and living in their worlds, will resonate with readers of all ages. Charming touches, such as a little white mouse who appears on several pages, and endpapers that show books with bites taken out of them, show care and attention to detail. . . . This book could turn anyone into a reader! School Library Journal (starred review)
Amusing in a vaguely Wes Anderson style. . . Quaint. Kirkus Reviews
Montoya’s gouache art has a soft geometry in the rows of books on shelves and Leopold’s winter apparel, and the slightly dappled textures of falling snow suit the vibe of the story just as well as Leopold’s selections suit his customers. An endearing ode to shared reading, this would make a sweet addition to a reading appreciation display, but it will also be a cozy bedtime escape on a cold winter night. The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Manu Montoya’s whimsical illustrations provide the perfect tone for this simple story about the joys of reading. School Library Connection
A caprine bookseller communicates literature’s creative and conceptual value to a book-hungry shopper in this playful tale for bibliophiles. . . . Employing gouache and digital techniques, Montoya uses earthy tones to craft warm scenes of various creatures browsing the shelves. Publishers Weekly

Carlie Sorosiak is the author of the middle-grade novels I, Cosmo and Leonard, My Life as a Cat and the picture book Everywhere with You, illustrated by Devon Holzwarth. She has a master’s in English from Oxford University and another in creative writing and publishing from City, University of London. Her goals include traveling to all seven continents and fostering a wide variety of animals. Carlie Sorosiak lives in Georgia with her husband, Jago, and their American dingo, Dany.

Manu Montoya is the illustrator of Free for You and Me: What Our First Amendment Means by Christy Mihaly; The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Riddle of Ages by Trenton Lee Stewart; and other books. Born in Colombia, she grew up in both the city and the country and spent most of her childhood drawing, playing with plants and animals, and exploring the woods. Manu Montoya studied graphic design and advertising in her hometown and art direction in Barcelona, where she now lives.

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