Wiley and his older sister JuJu are dropped off at the library just before storytime. While all of the other children are enjoying the story that the librarian, Mrs. Longerhans, is reading, energetic Wiley decides to make a break for it. When the librarian isn’t paying close attention, the rambunctious boy takes off and inadvertently leaves a trail of spilled books in his wake. Ever the protective older sister, JuJu follows after Wiley and cleans up after him. As Mrs. Longerhans begins to read the final book of storytime, JuJu executes a plan to get Wiley back to the group. Will she be able to convince Wiley to rejoin storytime?
Greg Walter has written a book that is certainly well suited to reading aloud to curious children. The phrasing is simple and there is enough action to keep the attention of even the most Wiley-like youths. There are lessons to be had in the book, such as caring for siblings and appropriate behavior at the library, and there is also a little bit of humor added into the storyline. Additionally, basic but colorful artwork accompanies the text, helping smaller children to visualize the story. Wiley’s wild antics and JuJu’s dutiful attitude toward her younger brother make this library story both fun and entertaining, and they also provide a nice foundation for future installments of The Wild World of Wiley and JuJu. Any child that enjoys a trip to the library will delight in reading about Wiley’s mischievous adventures in Wiley and JuJu Go to the Library.
