Wow! I believe that this book is destined to be one of the best children’s book of 2024.

Inspired by young people living southwest of Damascus. At the beginning of the Syrian civil war, the government cut off water, electricity and food supplies. Most people fled, but about 8,000 people stayed. Young people saved about 15,000 books and created a library in the basement of an abandoned building.

Written by Wafa’ Tarnowska, beautifully illustrated by Cali Mintzi.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Barefoot Books for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Nour’s Secret Library in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the idea behind this, how it showed a positive light in the darkness of war, demonstrating how a seemingly small act can snowball and come to mean so much. Sometimes I felt the writing was slightly ‘corny’ or tried to hard possibly. All in all a very good book for sharing and raising discussion points.

What a lovely story about a community in Damascus holding on to hope during the war through the love of books. The illustrations truly drew me in.

I seem to have rediscovered a love for children’s literature. I wonder if it’s because kids’ books these days have so much more substance than when I was growing up? I was a voracious reader from a very young age, but because of mundane topics, I often found myself reading books way beyond my age bracket. Note: BOOKS beyond my age-bracket, not TOPICS.

Topics like war are not inappropriate for kids. But the way in which they are written, make a big difference, which is why I wish that my first introductions to injustice had come from books written for what was then my age group. I think I might have been less overwhelmed by the world, then. I feel that Nour’s Secret Library is written with enough sensitivity for a young reader’s developing mind, without making light of the very real experiences of their peers in war-torn countries (in this case, Syria).

Important themes include friendship, family, safety during war, and the comfort of books.

I adore the illustration style - there is something about the slightly-limited palette that fits perfectly.

Nour’s Secret Library does not simply tell a story: the end of the book includes useful information about Syria, the history of libraries in the ancient world (and their destruction), the inspiration for the book, and a note about the author’s own lived experiences in Lebanon.

This book offers a good, if unresolved, introduction to the very real battles faced by youngsters around the world, and will foster creativity and empathy in young readers.

What a little gem this book is. It brings the reality of war but also the element of hope through both the words and the colour choice for the illustrations. I loved the comparison of books being like people. It illustrates the importance of the written word as a source of comfort for both adults and children. Thank you for the information section at the end too.

A lovely, magical book with beautiful illustrations. But it's tinged with sadness at how real it all is, wars that are fought all the time.
I liked that there is some information at the end of the book, describing all the wonderful things about Syria and showing there is much more to it than just a war zone.

I’m excited to add this to my classroom library. It’s a touching and heartbreaking story of war time in Syria and how children saved books and hid them to create a library and preserve their books and culture.

Inspired by a true story and dedicated to all children of war, this short book carries a powerful message. Sadly, it's a message as relevant today as it was when it was released in 2022. We get a brief look at Nour's pre-war life, one of family and fun...and books. She and her cousin Amir loved reading detective and mystery stories and dreamed of creating a sort of secret society. They day their friends were to meet to begin this adventure, however, an all-too-real adventure begins. Bombs start falling and the families are forced to flee to a basement for safety. The illustrations, which begin with light, warm, earth colors of sunshine and blue skies soon darkens, with black and dark depictions of the destruction about their once beautiful town. In the basement, however, amazing things are happening. Nour and Amir are building a soon not-so-secret library from books found blown into the streets by the force of the bombings or discarded in the rush to safety. This is their story, one of both the power of books and the hope for a better tomorrow for Nour and Amir and all those who live there.

Sadly, we know peace didn't come to the Middle East. Just as the lives of Nour and Amir were upended, bombs fall throughout the world disrupting, ending, and changing the lives of many, both adults and children. The uncertainty of war is depicted, as is the human need to find solace, a safe spot, so to speak, in books. I recall as meme I saw recently that said basically that reading is the means to travel to wondrous places while being unable to leave your home or, in this case, safe spot. This book showcases that hope, so while very clear in its depiction of how war changed lives, it also shows how the human spirit can rise above it all. How, in the midst of war, something beautiful, the library shared by so many, can be created. The often dream like illustrations add greatly to the story and despite the warfare, no lives being lost are mentioned. This is, after all, a story for children and what books can do for them, not destruction.

Bottom line, while the location has changed, this book would be an excellent introduction to children of how others have coped. Books are obviously the central element but the togetherness and cooperation of those trapped in an otherwise desolate area are also themes that can be emphasized. The comparison of this war, in Syria, and current wars, who knows which or how many by the time this review hits print, can also be a strong teaching tool. The author and illustrator both supply short bios, so to speak, that show the relevance to their lives. There is also a glossary and timeline of both history and the libraries down through the area, a reminder that there are consistent elements in people's lives everywhere. My sincere thanks to #NetGalley and #BarefootBooks for bringing this book to my attention. Books are powerful.

Nour's Secret Library tells the story of a community in Syria that managed to save thousands of books when their community was struck. by war. This book was inspired by real events mixed with the authors experiences as a child in Lebanon. With many words to a page, this would be a great read for any advanced reader, or as a book read aloud. The illustrations are detailed and dynamic, perfect to engage any reader to this story of the importance of books.

This book is both heartbreaking as well as heartwarming. Based on the true story of a secret library where the young people of Daraya in southwest Damascus in Syria, collected 15,000 books during the Syrian civil war.

Based on the author’s own experiences, this stunning book is about Nour and her cousin Amir who decide to create a secret library while bombs are causing destruction all around them.

The library started as a secret society, but ended up as a beacon of light is a world of darkness.

Illustrations and writing is exquisite. I read this book 3 times before writing this review as it was so wonderfully written, but also I feel like you capture different aspects every time you read it.

Highly recommend.

What a wonderful story combined with a history book. This book would be a great way to teach young and middle aged children about war - especially since they are likely hearing about it while it currently goes on in different parts of the world. I love the way this story is told and really liked the last few pages that gave a little more information about where the story came from, famous libraries, and maps and info about Syria, where the story takes place. Beautiful illustrations with such detail. Loved this book so much!

This is a touching, gorgeous picture book about some kids who managed to shine their own bright light in the midst of war. The story is so inspiring, and what makes it even better is how the author and illustrator have personal experiences that help them identify with the fictional kids in the story.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

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.