John Schu has made a career out of advocating for the people and things he cares about most: kids, books, and the people that connect them. He was named a Library Journal Mover and Shaker for his dynamic interactions with students and his passionate adoption of new technologies as a means of connecting authors, illustrators, books, and readers. He is the children’s librarian for Bookelicious, a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University, and shares his love of reading with countless educators and students around the world. He served as the Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic Book Fairs for almost 6 years.
He is the author of This Is a School (Candlewick Press, 2022) illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison, This Is a Story (Candlewick Press, 2023) illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Lauren Castillo, Louder Than Hunger (Candlewick, 2024) and The Gift of Story: Exploring the Affective Side of the Reading Life (Stenhouse, 2022). He is a contributor to The Creativity Project (Little, Brown, 2018), edited by Colby Sharp. John Schu lives in Naperville, Illinois.
Download a press kit HERE.
Interviews and Resources
This Is a School illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison and written by John Schu
From CBS This Morning: “Fifty-one percent of kids say they get their best book suggestions from school librarians and teachers. But more and more schools do not have the resources to pay for a full-time librarian. Dean Reynolds met up with an educator who is crossing the country to share his love of literature.”
From NCTV17: “A traveling librarian recently paid a visit to Meadow Glens Elementary School. John Schumacher, better known as Mr. Schu, has been traveling the world to share his love of books as the Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic Book Fairs. Second, third, fourth, and fifth graders talked to him about just that, and even got to discuss their favorite page-turners too. Students read stories out loud together and Mr. Schu even gave away some of his favorite books to students, teachers, and librarians. Mr. Schu also visited other elementary schools throughout town.”
From CBS Baltimore: “Just why did an energetic librarian attract the attention of the former head of the Pratt Library, now the Librarian of Congress? 200 days a year, John Schu is a deliveryman. Not delivering things, but ideas.”
From CBS: “Getting kids excited to read can be a challenge, but it’s also rewarding. That’s where Extreme Librarian, John Schu comes in. He made a stop in Minot to share his enthusiasm for reading with local students.”
Book Joy Live with Kate DiCamillo and Jasmine Warga
“At ISA, Schu presented to students in grades PK-7 throughout the week, held a Librarians’ Workshop after-school and an All-Faculty Book Week Breakfast Workshop.” -The International School of Amsterdam
“Mr. Schu and Principal Dr. Alice Lee of our sister school, Richmond Street Elementary School, visited Cheongwon from Dec. 16th- 20th, 2019. The one and only Mr. Schu shared the joy of reading with us. Cheongwon is the only school Mr. Schu visited in Korea. Thank you, Dr. Alice Lee for arranging this fantastic event!” -Cheongwon School in Seoul, South Korea
John Schu talks about This Is a School.