The story within the pages of The Keeper of Stories by Caroline Kusin Pritchard and illustrator Selina Alko is fairly simple. It is about the Jewish Theological Seminar library told in poetic language that tells from the start to the devastating fire in 1966. The publisher description says:
When a fire breaks out at the Jewish Theological Seminary library, helping hands from across the community rally together to save the books and preserve the stories within the pages. Includes factual backmatter on the Jewish Theological Seminary fire of 1966.
But it does not give you the whole picture. There is a lot going on with that overall picture. The narrator is lofty, all knowing and it has a calming tone. The images are rich, deep and have multiple colors but also as simple color patterns. The details are both vague and busy, giving off an almost romantic feeling. But we see how it has always been a community centered place. A place that gave to the community and when it needed help, the community came together to give back.
Things are good for a peek into “the life of a library” but does not give a full or detailed historical picture of the place. I read via an online reader, so I do want to see the final results (currently available) as I want to see how large it is. As I am assuming it is a traditional picture book, but something also tells me it could be a slightly oversize one as well. The readership might be slightly limited as the concepts are older but the picture book format might turn those readers off to it. Plus, the subject matter does seem difficult to stream into everyday reading.