A boy and his grandfather arrive at the library desk with a book. The librarian is not happy.

“This book is two hundred and ninety-three day overdue.”

With a wink to his grandson, and a finger tapping his top lip, Grandad begins to explain.

Their story begins with an upset penguin looking down at her ice cream on the ground. To cheer her up, Grandad read her the overdue book. It made the penguin so happy she forgot all about the ice cream and wanted them to read it all over again!

But then…

Another sea creature overheard the penguin’s excitement and thought she would like to know what all the fuss was about.

Grandad and his grandson knew they had to get the book back to the library and an exciting pursuit begins.

Winged and finned creatures are all clamouring to read the book! Will they ever get it back to the library?

The most exciting excuse for a late library book I have ever read or heard as a librarian! The love of reading and story is alive between these pages among human and animal alike.

Swapna Haddow’s humour and Daron Parton’s illustrations build the action and tension as you read. Just when you think the library book will be recovered it’s snatched up and off on another exciting journey.

This librarian isn’t cranky about the overdue book. She’s thrilled so many have enjoyed it and offers even more adventure in the form of a library card.

A perfect book for librarians and story lovers alike.

Teachers – could your class write their own excuses for an overdue book?

Author – Swapna Haddow

Illustrator – Daron Parton

Picture Book

(2024, Scholastic, New Zealand, NZ Author, Books, Library, Librarian, Late Book, Overdue, Excuses, Animals, Penguin, Seal, Seagull, Whale, Stealing a book, Story, Stories, Far fetched excuses, Adventure, Book Lovers, Reading, Humour, Funny, Action)