Take a Trip to the Library!

My boys and I spent a lot of time at the library this summer.  Being able to borrow books is genius and I'm so thankful our public sphere has kept libraries open and funded.  I must grab just as many books as my kids (or more!) as I walk through the stacks with them.  They both love to pick books and then sit at a table and read through ALL of them before we check them out.  I'm so glad they love the library.  And there are many terrific picture books about the library.  Check these out next time you're there...literally!

Library Lion (By Michell Knudsen; Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes) - A story-hour-loving lion at the library!  What a treat.  He follows the rule about being quiet in the library.  Until one day he doesn't.  This charming book has all the hallmarks of a classic.  It has a lovable central character, an imaginative and unique plot, characters that change, and a satisfying resolution with a cyclical storyline.  Read this finely crafted book to find out how there are occasionally good reasons to break the rules. 

Please Bury Me in the Library (By J. Patrick Lewis; Illustrated by Kyle M. Stone) - Library poetry!  Metaphors, 'punny' language, lots of bouncy rhyming verse and a variety of poetic forms (acrostic, haiku, free verse) take the reader on a journey through words and books.  I can't resist sharing my favorite in its entirety:

 

 

What If Books Had Different Names?

What if books had different names

Like Alice in ... Underland?

Furious George,

Goodnight Noon,

Babar the Beaver, and

A Visit from Saint Tickle Us,

Or Winnie-the-Pooh Pooh-Poohs,

The Walrus and the Carp and Her,

The Emperor Has No Clues,

Or Mary Had a Little Clam,

And how about Green Eggs and Spam?

Well, surely you can think of one.

Oh, what extraordinary, merry

Huckleberry Funn!

Book! Book! Book! (By Deborah Bruss ; Illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke) - The farm animals are bored when summer is over and the children go back to school so they head to town to find something to do.  The horse, cow, goat, and pig all try to communicate with the librarian without success.  Finally, it is the chicken who gets her point across in this clever play on words and animal sounds.  And watch the illustrations for the frog.  There is a whole other story there!

The Library Pages (By Carlene Morton; Illustrated by Valeria Docampo) - The Library Pages are not in books, as you would imagine.  They are library helpers who are keeping the library in order while their beloved school librarian is on maternity leave.  At least that's what she thinks.  When she pops in a DVD they sent her, she nearly faints.  The books are rearranged, paint is everywhere, and the kids decided checking out books was a waste of time because kids are honest, right?  The clever illustrations add a great perspective to this story, giving it the feel of a home movie.

The Library Dragon (By Carmen Agra Deedy; Illustrated by Michael P. White) - Full of witty word-play and double meanings, this fun read about a dragon librarian who guards the books and thinks "storytime is simply medieval" is sure to make you "on fire with enthusiasm."  Don't miss the WANTED AD pre-title page for a fitting segue into the story.

No T. Rex in the Library (By Toni Buzzeo; Illustrate by Sachiko Yoshikawa) - Tess is in time-out at the library when she knocks over some books and "Roar!"  Tess is riding a T. Rex through the children's room!  As books tumble to the floor, other characters come to life.  Tess and T. Rex have to escape knights, pirates, and cowboys.  But when T. Rex tries to escape planet Earth altogether, Tess puts him in time-out.  It's back to his book for him!  A rollicking, imaginative adventure!

When the Library Lights Go Out (By Megan McDonald; Illustrated by Katherine Tillotson) - In the tradition of toys coming to life after dark, two storyhour puppets, Rabbit and Lion, go on a library adventure to find their friend Hermit Crab.  The story is driven by the characters' imaginations, preoccupations, and perspectives.  Finally, they fall asleep under the stars (which are nametags hanging from the children's room ceiling).

Library Lily (By Gillian Shields; Illustrated by Francesca Chessa) - I can relate to Lily.  As a child, I loved to read, often to the exclusion of everything else.  I am guilty of sitting on my bed and reading on gorgeous summer days when I should have been outside playing.  Lily is so absorbed in books that she doesn't even notice the seasons changing, until she meets Milly, who hates reading.  Together, they explore the world, both inside books and out in nature.  I love how these two friends complement each other, drawing on each others' strengths and bolstering weaknesses.  The bright, engaging illustrations drew me in and made me believe the adventures and connect with the characters.

Dewey: There's a Cat in the Library! (By Vicki Myron and Bret Witter; Illustrated by Steve James) - A kitten in a library book return?  The librarian takes him and and he becomes Dewey Readmore Books, the Library Cat.  Based on a true story, this endearing picture book is by the same author team that brought us the New York Times Bestseller Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World.  Now children can enjoy the story, too.