Did you know that National Library Week is coming up? National Library Week is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and has been celebrated each April since 1958. This year, National Library Week will be celebrated from April 10-16 and the theme is Libraries Transform.
I don’t know what this homeschooler would do without our library and its beloved librarians. Our library was important to us before homeschooling, but now it is an absolute necessity. Our library helped me to transform into a homeschooler. And, as a busy homeschooling mom, I treasure the library stillness that envelops our home once we return with heaps of great books. Today, in honor of National Library Week, I’m sharing 10+ books to get your kids excited about the library.
10+ Books to Get Your Kids Excited About the Library
Here are some of our family’s favorite library-related reads. When you are finished reading, I’d love to hear your family’s favorite! We are always looking for great library books!
A Big Surprise for Little Card by Charise Mericle Harper
This is such a fun read aloud. In the land of cards, each card has a special job. Little Card is excited to train to become a birthday card… until he realizes he’s been sent to the wrong training. He’s actually a library card. Little Card brings his boundless enthusiasm and birthday card training to the library, where he is expected to use a quiet voice. Your children will be giggling nonstop throughout this story!
Beatrice Doesn’t Want To by Laura Numeroff
Beatrice doesn’t want to go to the library with her big brother, Henry, who has to write a report on dinosaurs. Beatrice must accompany her big brother on three library trips as he completes his assignment. Henry tries to convince Beatrice that books are wonderful, but Beatrice turns her nose up and says, “I don’t want to.” Beatrice continues to pester and complain to her big brother… until he makes her attend a library storytime. There, stubborn little Bea realizes the magic of a book. When storytime ends, Beatrice asks the librarian if she can read the book. She retires to a cozy spot with her new find. Guess what she says to Henry when it’s time to leave?
D.W.’s Library Card by Marc Brown
Arthur is embarrassed to check out some of the “baby books” that his little sister, D.W., asks him to borrow for her. D.W. cannot wait to get her very own library card because she will be able to check out whatever she wants! One day, D.W. learns that she is old enough for a library card, she only needs to learn how to write her full name. When the big day comes, D.W. is excited… and nervous. She’s worried she’ll damage the books by accident. Fortunately, D.W.’s big brother is a book expert and he helps her learn to care for her books. This is a perfect book for children who are new to borrowing books, or for those who are ready for their very own library card.
Homer the Library Cat by Reeve Lindbergh
Homer is a very quiet cat who lives in a very quiet house with a very quiet lady. One day, Homer gets out of the house and learns the world is a noisy place! From fire trucks to trains, Homer is overwhelmed by the noise. He searches and searches for a quiet spot… and ends up in the library! Your children will delight in the colorful illustrations and rhyming text.
The Library by Sarah Stewart
I would have loved this book as a kid and I think that any bibliophile- young or old- can appreciate its story. Young Elizabeth Brown is a voracious reader. While other girls play with dolls and toys, Elizabeth would rather be reading. Can you relate? As she grows up, Elizabeth spends her time reading, buying books, and reading some more. She’d rather spend her money on books than on food or new clothes. Eventually, she’s faced with a conundrum every bookworm can appreciate: she is running out of space for her books! Book lovers will fall in love with Elizabeth and her story.
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
Our family adores this book! I cannot tell you how many times I’ve read it and reread it in recent weeks. Library Lion tells the story of a lion who ends up in the library, of all places! The head librarian, Miss Merriweather, has no qualms about a lion in the library so long as he obeys the rules. At first, the patrons are understandably nervous, but over time, the lion proves himself to be a valued and beloved library visitor. One day, distaster strikes and the lion ends up breaking the rules in order to help another. I’m not going to tell you how it ends because I want you to go out and borrow this story and read it to your children. You’ll all fall in love with the sweet lion and gorgeous illustrations. This is a heartfelt story that is sure to touch the heart of library lovers young and old.
Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk
Do you want to get your kids excited about the library and inspire them to do a little writing? This book is just the ticket! Library Mouse tells the story of a mouse who lives in the library. He loves to read books and is so inspired that he begins to write his own. He leaves his books out to be discovered, much to the delight of the library’s patrons. No one knows who the mystery author is, but everyone loves the books. The librarians read the stories aloud at storytime, inspiring many children to want to write books of their own! My favorite part is at the very end when Sam the Library Mouse is invited for a Meet the Author event. He handles the invitation in the most delightful way, further inspiring the patrons. Our family has this audiobook and it is a favorite among my children.
Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn
As you are about to see, our family loves Lola. Why? Because Lola is a sweet, creative, imaginative book lover. My children easily relate to these stories and they make frequent appearances at bedtime. Lola at the Library is a wonderful book to get children excited about the library because Lola’s enthusiasm is contagious. Lola will inspire your children to want to make weekly trips to the library on Tuesdays, too!
Lola Loves Stories by Anna McQuinn
This was the first Lola book in our collection and it is quite possibly our favorite. My youngest son, especially, delights in the story. Lola loves to go to the library with her father. Whenever Lola’s Dad reads her a story, she uses her imagination to morph into its characters. One day she’s a princess, the next she is a tiger. This story never fails to inspire creativity and imagination in my children!
Lola Reads to Leo by Anna McQuinn
As the mom to three little readers, this book tugs at my heartstrings. Lola is about to be a big sister! She prepares for this huge change by reading lots of books about babies and big sisters. Meanwhile, Lola’s mom makes space to read to Lola every single day, even when she is completely exhausted. When little Leo arrives, Lola adjusts to her new role as the big sister… and she begins reading stories to her baby brother!
Otto the Book Bear by Katie Cleminson
This book is adorable. Otto is a bear who lives in a book! Otto loves when people read his book, but when the book is not in use he leaves its pages and goes on adventures. One day, the family who owns Otto’s book moves while he is out exploring. They take the book with them and Otto is left alone in the world… until he discovers the local library!
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce
Folks, I saved the best for last.
If you love books, you have to read this one. I simply cannot get through this book without crying. Joyce captures the magic of words and the love of reading in a way that I’ve never seen before… and I’ve read a lot of books. It would make the perfect gift for the book lover in your life. It is a touching, beautiful, and memorable read that you will remember for always. It is also an Academy Award-winning film. If you select one book from this list on your next library trip, choose this one. You won’t regret it.
Now that I’ve shared our family’s favorites, I’d love to hear yours.
What would you add to this list? I love hearing from you! Plus, you’d be helping us out with your next library trip!
Looking for more library posts?
Here are some of our most popular library-related posts. Also, be sure to check out our {Virtual} Family Book Club, in addition to our The Books the Fill Our Shelves series if you are looking for book ideas!
Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley
Cait co-hosts The Homeschool Sisters Podcast and is co-founder of Raising Poppies, a community for parents of gifted and twice-exceptional children. Cait is also founder of the Family Book Club at My Little Poppies, a fantastic community of book-loving parents and the Gameschool Community at My Little Poppies, a vibrant community of gameschoolers.
Cait is a contributing writer for Simple Homeschool and GeekMom. Her work has also appeared on The Huffington Post, The Mighty, and Scary Mommy. You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram
and G+.
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