The Man Who Loved Libraries: The Story of Andrew Carnegie

A picture book biography of American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie

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.

New in paperback and 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.

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, I Do Not Like Stories, 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 du Québec à Montréal, and is the illustrator of several other children's books, including Francis the Little Fox and The Specific Ocean.