With this touching story, Wafa' Tarnowska takes us inside the experience of living as a child in a city being torn apart by war. But she also shows the resilience and hope that persists. It's a simple, beautiful tale that is based in true events, which makes it even more touching. This story contains a line that may be one of my new favorites: "Every book was like a person wanting to be loved."

Vali Mintzi's soft, painterly illustrations remind me very much of the Madeline books by Ludwig Bemelmens (the first won Caldecott Honor). There is an absolutely gorgeous image of a ship riding on waves made up of books' pages. The ship contains the buildings and the people of the town. I interpret that as symbolizing how the books are keeping them safe and giving them hope that they're continuing to move forward.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this eARC for unbiased review.

War does is horrible, and it is horrible when it comes to you. In this picture book, based on a true story, Nour and her cousin, Amir, who have to take refuge in a basement when the fighting comes to Damascus.

It is boring to be in a basement, and so Amir, while he is going getting bread, noticed discarded books, and so decides to collect them. He and his friends help, and then they find a basement no one is using, and set up a library there. They open it to people in the neighborhood, and people come to read and look up things.

There is no happy ending to this book. The war in Syria is still going on.

But this is a sweet story of what children do to survive during times of war.

Thanks to Netgalley and Edelweiss for making this book available for an honest review.

loved this!!! it felt like a ray of light in the darkness!! books do that to people 🥺 and i absolutely loved the art. colourfull 🌷✨❤️🌼🌿

Nour sighed. "I guess reading keeps everyone's minds busy," she said. "Books don't fight with each other like people do."

thanks to netgalley and publisher for copy!

Short stories are often those with the biggest messages. Nour's Secret Library is a great reminder that even in the darkest times, there is always some light and something to look forward to. This is a beautiful story about the power of books and everything written between their covers. Illustrations that follow the story just amplified my emotions towards it. This book is a great choice for the youngest, but also for everyone older because it is always good to remind ourselves in what world we are living and what are still true values we should appraise.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher on the opportunity to be one of the 1st readers of this sweet book.

This is a really lovely book that looks at how books can be a comfort during a time of war. I loved that these kids saved the books and created a secret library for everyone to enjoy.
I liked the glossary at the end and the explanation of the book.


Thanks NetGalley for a copy of this book.

If you only read one book this year, let it be this one. This was so powerful! Based on the true story of courageous young people, it is sure to capture the heart of any lover of books. So inspiring while being so heartbreaking that people live in situations like this every day.

A heartwarming and beautifully illustrated tale about the power of books during war times. The power to educate, to entertain, to bring and keep people together and create resilient communities, all explored so well in this little gem of a book perfectly written for children and adults. The fact that it draws from real life events, and the information about Syria along with the actual story the plot was inspired by were so interesting to read.

To capture both the joy of literature and such powerful anti war messages in a book meant for kids takes real talent and the author certainly has plenty. I absolutely recommend this for everyone to go read.

Nour’s Secret Library by Wafa Tanowska is a heartwarming story of hope during war told from a child’s perspective. This vividly descriptive picture book takes you to Damascus Syria and allows you to experience the city through a Nour’s eyes. This book highlights great feelings of hope, family, community and the love of reading. The illustrations are very detailed and the illustrator uses colour to reflect the mood in the story. Knowing that it is inspired by a true story, it highlights the importance of books (libraries) during times of peace and war. I would recommend this book for a child’s personal, class, school or public library as its message is universal.
Thank you to Net Galley, Wafa Tanowska, and Barefoot Books for the opportunity to preview this important story. The opinions expressed are my own.

Nour’s Secret Library is a children’s book about a young girl and her cousin during the Syrian Civil War. They make a secret library in an abandoned building. This story is based on true events as well.

This was a great story that highlights the Syrian Civil War and the importance of books. I loved the story and the illustrations. I also liked the authors note and the real story in the back as well.

Thanks so much to netgalley and Barefoot Books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This beautiful story book is based on a true story set in the town of Daraya near Damascus when the children of the town gathered together books over a four year period creating a library - a place of peace and salvation
This book tells the story of Nour and Amir who create a secret library for young and old; hidden in a cellar, books are saved and salvaged and stored for everyone to read.

Vali Mintzi’s illustrations are wonderfully emotive and the prose- albeit short - simply captures the power of the children’s intentions and achievement

This is a perfect book for lower Ks 2 to open minds and awareness to the tragedy of the Syrian War but also to show that amidst tragedy amazing things can take place; it will also shine a light on how books and stories can bring joy and escapism in times of adversity and we should all know and appreciate how lucky we are to have the books around us when so many don’t

A small book with a powerful message and one I’ll be recommending to colleagues and friends