The Man Who Loved Libraries: The Story of Andrew Carnegie - Hardcover

Larsen, Andrew

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1771472677 ISBN 13: 9781771472678

Publisher: Owlkids, 2017

Synopsis

When he was a child in the 1840s, Andrew Carnegie and his family immigrated to America in search of a new beginning. His working-class Scottish family arrived at the height of the Industrial Revolution. Carnegie worked hard, in factories and telegraphy. He invested in railroads, eventually becoming the richest man in the world during his time.

Carnegie believed strongly in sharing his wealth, and one of the ways he did this was by funding the construction of over 2,500 public libraries around the world. His philanthropy completely revolutionized public libraries, which weren’t widespread at the time.

Told in simple, lyrical text, the story unfolds against striking, stylized illustrations that transport readers to the bustle and boom of the Industrial Revolution. An informational spread explains more about Carnegie’s life and work.When he was a child in the 1840s, Andrew Carnegie and his family immigrated to America in search of a new beginning. His working-class Scottish family arrived at the height of the Industrial Revolution. Carnegie worked hard, in factories and telegraphy. He invested in railroads, eventually becoming the richest man in the world during his time.

About this title

About the Author

ANDREW LARSEN is a father, homemaker and author. His books include A Squiggly Story, In the Tree House, which won the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, and See You Next Year, which received wide critical acclaim. Andrew lives in Toronto, Ontario. His local library just happens to be a Carnegie Library.

KATTY MAUREY is a designer and illustrator. She was born in Paris, lived in Hong Kong, and now makes her home in Montréal. She has a degree in graphic design from the Université de Québec à Montréal, and is the illustrator of several other children's books, including Francis the Little Fox and The Specific Ocean.

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 3—Andrew Carnegie was born in Scotland in 1835 and immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1848. Helping to support his family, Carnegie worked in a cotton mill. Later he became a messenger boy and then a telegraph operator with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Always a hard worker, Carnegie saved and invested his earnings. By age 35 he was a very rich man. Selling his steel mills to J.P. Morgan, Carnegie was able to fulfill his lifelong desire to give away half a billion dollars. Much of the money went to the building of libraries across the United States and around the globe. This title focuses on Carnegie's love of learning and libraries. The text is lyrical, but the highlight of the volume is Maurey's stylized drawings, which depict Carnegie in the various stages of his life. Additional information at the end of the book touches on Carnegie's dislike of labor unions, but otherwise the narrative is upbeat. VERDICT This portrayal of Carnegie and his legacy is romanticized but no doubt will appeal to young elementary school students. Large collections may want to consider.—Patricia Ann Owens, formerly at Illinois Eastern Community College, Mt. Carmel

About this edition

• Publisher: Owlkids
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1771472677
• ISBN 13: 9781771472678
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Maurey Katty