Books That Take You There: The Library

As a librarian, I am paid to hype libraries. But surprise! I love them enough to do it for free! Libraries promote literacy, build community, and are all around fun for everyone. If you love libraries, too, you will love these books about the awesomeness of libraries. And if you want to pull a nifty inception situation, try reading these books about libraries in the library!

A Library

Written by Nikki Giovanni
Illustrated by Erin K. Robinson
New York: Harper Collins Publisher, 2022. Picture Book.

A tribute to libraries and the knowledge, imagination, and exploration encouraged and found within.

The Lost Library
By Jess McGeachin
New York: Viking, 2022. Picture Book.

Two friends return a book to their local library and are transported to an underground "lost library" where each book's story comes true.

Nour's Secret Library
Written by Wafa Tarnowska
Illustrated by Vali Mintzi
Concord, MA: Barefoot Books, 2022. Picture Book.

When Syria breaks out in civil war, Nour and her cousin build a secret library that inspires knowledge and hope.

Our Incredible Library Book : And the Wonderful Journeys it Took
Written by Caroline Crowe
Illustrated by John Joseph
Edinburgh: Floris Books, 2023. Picture Book.

Readers follow the journey of one library book as it is checked out, read, and enjoyed by so many different children.

This Book Is My Best Friend
By Robin Robinson
New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2023. Picture Book.

Two children reach for the same book and declare it their best friend. The two boys give reasons as to why they should get the book and try to convince the other to check out something different.

Comments

Funny Farm by Mark Teague 2009

There are things I liked about Mark Teague's newest book, Funny Farm , and things I didn't like. Where should I start? I'll do the "didn'ts" first. The illustrations show animals personified. Well, some of the animals are. The main characters, Edward, and his farm family relatives, all dogs, are humanized. They stand upright, do farm chores, eat at a table, wear clothes, knit (yes, with paws) and sleep in beds. Most everybody else on and around the farm, who are also animals, act like animals. They are outside, roll in mud, live in the barn, and require care from their owners. It struck me the most on the page spread where there are pigs playing in puddle in the rain and Edward, a black and white boxer, watches from inside the house. I thought "You're a dog! Go play with them!" But, alas, he can't, seeing as how he goes through his entire visit to the farm wearing a suit and red bow tie. Another picture that bothered me was the maple syrup pa...

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester 2008

J Fiction 328 pages I almost didn't finish this book. I got to Chapter 4, and was just about ready to quit (a kind of slow story about a girl, name of Piper McCloud, who discovers she can fly, parents freak out, she becomes a social outcast, yadda, yadda) but suddenly, right there in Chapter 4, the story takes a sharp turn and becomes really interesting . Piper finds herself in the company of others like her, but not "fliers", and under the care and authority of Dr. Hellion. I won't even tell you any more. Read this book. Forester does a great job of keeping you wondering who's the good guy and who's the bad? Piper is a likeable, strong, endearing character that girl readers will enjoy. But don't NOT give it to boys! The main male character is an extremely intelligent young man who is one of the ones you wonder about . . . good or bad? This is a good one, well worth your time.

Review: Super Boba Cafe

Super Boba Café By Nidhi Chanani New York: Amulet Books, 2023. Comics. 215 pages. 14-year-old Aria is excited to spend her summer in San Francisco getting quality time with her Nainai. She loves helping at her grandmother's Super Boba Café. But she can't help but notice that her grandmother is acting strange and secretive. She refuses to let Aria into the kitchen at all and she disappears at the same time each night without telling Aria where she goes. Meanwhile, Aria is eager to drum up more business for Super Boba Café. She gets a major windfall when the shop cat, Bao, surprises them by having kittens, and Aria realizes this is a major social media opportunity. She knows this will help Nainai's shop, but she is apprehensive to get back on social media after a terrible cyberbullying experience she had back home. As the shop starts to get busier, Nainai is more and more anxious about her secret project. This prompts Aria to investigate with help from her Nainai's neighb...

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