Celebrate the Library with Books about...Books!!
/The Ottawa Public Library is back to share more engaging book selections for young kids. This month’s post is by Brenna Valdizon & Rebekah McCallum, Librarians, Youth Collections at the Ottawa Public Library.
We’ve picked some of our favourite children’s titles about books, words, writing and reading! So why not bundle up this winter with some of the following books…
Board book: Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn. For ages 0-3. Available as an e-book!
Lola at the Library
Let’s start up the library celebrations with Lola! Lola loves routine- and libraries- just as much as any child. On Tuesdays, she visits the library bright and early. With her books in her bag, Lola feels confident and ready for the activities awaiting her. She takes in the joy of libraries by soaking up the fun in the colourful children’s section, singing with her librarian, choosing books and much, much more.
Stegothesaurus
Picture book: Stegothesaurus by Bridget Heos. For ages 3-5.
What’s the best (and cutest!) way to expand your vocabulary? With the help of a stegothesaurus, of course! Stegothesaurus enjoys the little things in life, and he has an even greater love for some solid synonyms. When he and his brothers see a cloud, only Stegothesaurus can describe it poetically: “Fluffy, fleecy, feathery.” When they see a mountain? “Gargantuan, gigantic, Goliath.” When they see… a gigantic allosaurus? “Pointy, piercing, peaked!” AAAH! But never fear! Allosaurus is really an Allothesaurus; Stegothesaurus finally meets someone he can relate to. Together, they bounce all sorts of new, silly words off each other. Young readers will learn some new words and get in a good giggle. What better way to enjoy Library Month?!
Picture book: Inside the Books by Toni Buzzeo. For ages 3-5.
Inside the Books
Make your rounds of the globe to visit all kinds of libraries! Exciting adventures from Antarctica to Australia reveal many hidden library gems across all continents: a donkey-led bookmobile in Africa, a floating library on the waters of Asia, and a train-car book-spread in South America. Even get a sneak peek at what the littlest patrons are reading! All the rhyme and repetition in this book will provide smooth stepping stones to successful early reading. The best part? A collection of intricate paintings inside are sure to satisfy your family’s travel bug jitters, providing some armchair travel for kids!
Picture book: Open This Little Book by Jesse Klausmeier. For ages 3-7.
Open This Little Book
This book’s enthralling concept will captivate readers both little and big! Open This Little Book and discover… another little book! - a cute, red book cover that opens to a smaller green book cover, which, in turn, opens to a smaller orange book cover, and so on. Along the way, readers will meet many characters who open book after book, until they find the very littlest book you may ever see. But the smallest book hosts the largest character- a giant who needs the help of her tiny friends! These friends enthusiastically help turn the pages and, ultimately, close the book for her. That way everyone else can close their books, too! Hooray!
Picture book: Ca c’est une bonne histoire by Adam Lehrhaupt. For ages 3-7.
Ca C’est Une Bonne Histoire
Are you looking for a book that does more than tell a tale? This interactive story will teach your little one how to channel their inner author and create their own special book. The words in bold will guide you through the biggest and most important elements in writing a story, such as plot, conflict and climax. Better yet, all these big words are written out in a simple, child-author-style glossary! So, follow the protagonists on their journey through a peaceful setting that turns sour when “conflict” requires a scary monster-attack. Find out how you can save the day with a little imagination and a lot of fun!
Draw: Comic Book Characters
Non-fiction book: Draw Comic Book Characters by Mark Bergin. For ages 8-13.
While we’re getting creative, this how-to book will draw school aged children into the world of illustration. The large cartoon drawings make it easy for any age to replicate or trace. The training extends to quick tips on themes like basic shapes, proportion control, and adding life to characters. Did you know that David Antram, illustrator of this book, has illustrated more than 100 titles? Mark Bergin: Plus, Mark Bergin completed his artistic training overseas- how cool! There’s nothing quite like developing or perfecting a talent with the help of not one, but two comic book professionals!
Non-fiction book: Miss Moore Thought Otherwise by Jan Pinborough. For ages 8-13.
Miss Moore Thought Otherwise
An ode to the leading lady of children’s libraries, this non-fiction book provides wonderful insights into the life and accomplishments of Anne Carroll Moore. Miss Moore lived an unconventional life for the early 1900’s. She wasn’t interested in marrying and becoming a housewife, as was expected of her. Instead, she pursued her dream of going to law school. But along the way, Miss Moore changed course and entered the enchanting world of libraries! With a deep love and respect for children in her heart, she advocated for, and even created, children’s libraries and children’s literature. Once she started, she never looked back, and libraries are richer for her work!
A Kind of Paradise
A Kind of Paradise by Amy Rebecca Tan. For ages 9-12. Available as an e-book and audiobook!
Jamie Moore is just trying to make it through the summer. Never in a million years will she live down the embarrassment from a bad choice she made at school. The whole school knows about it. To make things worse, her crush is involved and her enemy is out to open her wounds! Jamie seriously regrets the damage she’s done. Especially because it means paying the consequences. But somehow, the highlight of her summer is actually the punishment she receives. It turns out that volunteering at the library is the perfect medicine- and distraction- for Jamie. She embraces the relaxed yet bustling culture at her library, the loving staff, and best of all, the quirky yet ever-so-sweet patrons that befriend her. Sure, Jamie has a lot to work through, but nothing compares to the loss she’s about to face: the library is going to close down! Jamie feels compelled to do anything and everything she can to save her sanctuary. Learn some important lessons alongside Jamie, and laugh until your belly aches in this light-hearted read.
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein. For ages 9-12. Available as an e-book and audiobook!
This book is a dream come true for lovers of libraries, games and puzzles. Readers may see shades of Willy Wonka in the character of Mr. Lemoncello, who invents a futuristic library and puts together the ultimate escape room. He soon challenges all the children of the town to enter for a chance to participate. Only twelve children are chosen, and the main character, Kyle Keeley, is one of them. Kyle and his best friend Akimi tag-team in an effort to win the big prize. Together, they bring a combined knowledge of games, books and library systems - exactly what they need to start cracking some codes. Readers will thoroughly enjoy this adventure, whether they choose to participate in the in-book game themselves, or prefer simply to watch the story unfold before their eyes, spotting familiar book titles along the way. The excitement is real! Hold on tight for a wild ride through holographs, archives and book trivia. Expanding your library lingo has never been so much fun!
Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman. For ages 9-12. Available as an e-book!
Book Scavenger
Embracing the idea of interactive books, this title is made for readers who love mysteries, puzzles, and adventure books. Book Scavenger won’t disappoint, especially for those who appreciate their local collections! Main character Emily Crane moves every year, so she really only has one stable thing in her life: the cross-country Book Scavenger. This scavenger hunt is run by none other than Garrison Griswold, the man behind a geocaching, riddle-solving, code-cracking, book-finding game that attracts kids nation-wide. When suddenly Griswold is left hospitalized after a vicious attack, the games are put on hold… but Emily’s dilemmas are only starting. Emily and her two scavenger-hunt allies, James and Matthew, get their hands on the book that Griswold’s attackers were after- making the trio a potential new target. But passionate Emily refuses to give up her book-scavenging dreams. She brings her brother and her best friend along with her for the adventure of a lifetime, chasing the highest title and prize, but most importantly, seeking to save her hero Griswold’s life. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end as you follow Emily in her puzzle-solving endeavours.
We would love to share in your library celebrations this month! Feel free to stop by and browse at your local branch, join our online storytimes, or watch our YouTube videos. Happy Library Month!
