Grayson

Melissa Taylor is also the author of Tova’s Sweet Solution, published by Red Comet Press. She writes picture books that celebrate curiosity, community, and the joy of learning, and she is the creator of the popular children’s literature and education blog Imagination Soup.

Melissa lives in Denver, Colorado. Visit her at imaginationsoup.net.

Dave MCCall is an illustrator and animator based in Essex, England.

Trained in illustration, typography, and hand-drawn animation, he spent ten years creating visual narratives for film before turning to children’s books. Inspired by classic animation, graphic novels, and richly imagined worlds, Dave’s illustrations celebrate character, atmosphere, and the magic of storytelling. Learn more at davemccallart.com.

Grayson the Library Guardian Text copyright © 2027 Melissa Taylor Illustrations copyright © 2027 Dave McCall Published in 2027 by Red Comet Press, LLC, Brooklyn, NY All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Library of Congress Control Number: XXXXXXXX ISBN (HB): 978-1-63655-200-2 ISBN (EBOOK): 978-1-63655-201-9 26 27 27 28 29 30 TLF 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 First Edition Manufactured in China Red Comet Press is distributed by ABRAMS, NewYork

RedCometPress.com

s s • Bro e r P t e m o C d Re

o k ly n

As twilight painted the sky over a stately library in France, its stone gargoyles . . .

t wi tc he d ,

cra cked,s u d and

h d ered

to life.

While all the other gargoyles growled and grunted and roared and romped, the littlest gargoyle, named Grayson, read books in his special spot under a pointed arch.

Until one evening . . .

. . . when Grayson overheard the librarians talking.

Why aren’t readers visiting the library anymore?

If they don’t visit, the library might close.

What about the children who love storytime? Or the readers who want a safe spot?

Grayson gasped . . .

! p l e h t s u m "I but how?"

Remembering a classic tale of bravery, he clawed through page after page until . . .

!” à l i o v “

. . . the inspiration for a daring and heroic plot.

As the sun peeked over the horizon, Grayson climbed into position.

The first person to notice Grayson was a young girl named Colette.

“Look, look, look.” She pointed. A boy named Luc looked up from his book.

He joined the other children who cheered . . .

O A BR V !

Their clattery clamor attracted the children’s parents and their parents’ parents. And before long, a massive gathering stared up at Grayson.

But even though they admired the granite-colored statue . . .

the families left without going inside the library.

That night, while the other gargoyles growled and grunted and roared and romped and the librarians shuffled back to their homes, Grayson worried about readers like Colette and Luc. If the library closed, where would they find stories and knowledge?

He clenched his stone jaw and muttered, “I must be as clever as Aesop’s crow to solve this ”

conundrum!

When sunlight hit the massive beasts, people packed the pavement to see the littlest gargoyle.

The librarians welcomed the crowd inside with snacks and smiles.

Yet books stayed on their shelves, and the guests departed empty-handed.

Grayson awoke that night to the worried voices of the librarians.

People are coming but not reading.

Only the children remember the magic of stories.

So Grayson studied the story of Stone Soup and devised a new scheme.

Then he . . .

Snarledand growled

! d e r a o r d n a

The gargoyles froze, open-mouthed, and listened to their gentle friend. “We must work together to protect the readers’ refuge!”

Absolument.

We will help!

The next day, the entire neighborhood swarmed the library to behold the claws, the horns, and the wings . . .

. . . which, of course, delighted the hardworking librarians, who invited everyone inside for library cards and books about gargoyles.

This time, books were borrowed, stories were shared, and friendships were formed.

When Grayson awoke at dusk, he saw a stack of books, a library card for each gargoyle, and a thank-you note.

Thanks to Grayson, the grown-ups remembered they loved to read and flocked to the library with their children.

Thanks to Grayson, the library’s books shone brightly in the darkness for all readers to find.

As for Grayson’s gargoyle friends, they still roared and romped—but first, they sat for storytime.

And even now, in a stately library in France, Grayson, the library guardian, spends his nights reading books in his special spot under a pointed arch.

Unless . . .

. . . he’s planning a

surprise for the next day.

High above the city, one small gargoyle proves that courage, creativity, and books can change

everything.

ISBN 978-1-63655-200-2

51999

9 781636 552002

$19.99 US • $26.99 CN • £14.99 UK

Cover Illustration © 2027 Dave McCall • RedCometPress.com • Printed in China