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Five Faves: Books to Celebrate National Library Week

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 This week is National Library Week. What a great time to celebrate all things library-related! Libraries have been a favorite place of mine for as long as I can remember. To help you celebrate National Library Week, I have five books to share with you. Each of them made me think of the happiness I feel related to libraries or books, and how glad I am that books and libraries exist.
I'm So Happy You're Here
Written by Mychal Threets
Illustrated by Lorraine Nam
New York : Random House Books for Young Readers, 2026. Picture Book.

I love the title of this book! Librarians really are so happy to see all of our patrons come through the doors. We love helping them find books and games, get access to the computers, as well as searching for information or taking care of printing needs. This book does a great job expressing the joy that patrons and librarians feel. Everyone has a place at the library, and this book truly reflects that concept. The illustrator used gorgeous vibrant colors to help convey pure happiness. Please come to our library and check it out!

Once I Was a Tree
Written by Eoin McLaughlin
Illustrated by Karsten Guilherme
Lincoln, MA : Nosy Crow Inc., 2026. Picture Book.

Librarians try to make the spaces we occupy magical for our patrons. But that would be a lot harder to do if we didn't have any books on our shelves. Without paper, we wouldn't have any books. And how do we get paper? Well, from trees! This book will have kids laughing (and informed) about the process a seed goes through to transform into a tree, which in turn can be used for paper, that sometimes is lucky enough to be used in a book. This book does a great job blending humorous elements with informative thinking, making it both relatable and enlightening. 

The Rare Bird
By Elisha Cooper
New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2026. Picture Book.

Like many people, when I was a young girl I loved to be read to. If my grown-ups weren't around to read to me, I would take that opportunity to read to my stuffed animals. I didn't have a cat as a kid, or I can guarantee I would have read to her. I loved the cat in this book! When the book begins, it is telling the reader all about the different activities the rare bird is involved in. It was super fun to me that the "rare bird" was the adorable cat. The cat has an imagination and a half! And as the book continues, the reader learns that all the things he imagines are because of his owner reading books to him. I thought it was very fun to see the power books have to spark imagination and learning. Even in a cat!!!

Searching for Mr. Johnson's Song
Written by Ariel Vanence
Illustrated by Jade Orlando
New York : Rocky Pond Books, 2025. Picture Book. 

Memory issues are a health concern for many aging people. My dad is having a really hard time remembering things right now. When I read the book, it really touched me, because it is never an easy thing when people we care about are struggling to remember things. This book could definitely be useful for introducing the topic of dementia and memory loss to young children. My favorite part of the book was when the young boy, Caius, was trying to solve a bit of a mystery. His friend, Mr. Johnson, often sang part of a song to Caius, but he is never able to finish, because he doesn't remember all of it. Caius wants to help, but isn't sure how. Eventually, he remembers his grandmother talking about all the knowledge to be found in libraries, so he goes to the library, hoping his grandmother is correct. This is a beautiful book about relationships, as well as the wonderful resource a library can be. I enjoyed it immensely, and hope you will, too.

Snuggle Season
By Jaimie MacGibbon
Philadelphia, PA : Quirk Books, 2025. Picture Book.

The first time I saw this book, I was so drawn to the cover. The open book on the floor, the cat snuggled on top of the couch, and the cozy vibes I got from the family being together made my heart happy. The family definitely does enjoy their time together, and my favorite part about the book was seeing the books on their shelves in the background of illustrations. I love the way books are incorporated into the routines this family has in a way that seems natural and enjoyable.

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