Waiting for the Biblioburro

Ana only has one book. She has read it so many times that she knows it word for word. She wishes she had another book, but, since her teacher has left, she knows this will never happen.

Then one morning, she wakes to hear the sound of a man on a burro. He carries a sign: Biblioburro. He brings books for the children and promises to return in a few weeks to trade these for new ones.

This book is based on the story of a teacher and librarian who traveled to rural villages in Columbia.

The text is clear and the story of Ana is touching. The illustrations seem childlike, primitive.

“The man says, ‘I am a librarian, a bibliotecario and these are my burros, Alfa and Beto. Welcome to the Biblioburro, my biblioteca.'

‘But, senor,' Ana says, ‘I thought libraries were only in big cities and buildings.'

‘Not this one,' says the librarian. ‘This is a moving library.'

Then he spreads out his books and invites the children to join him under a tree.'