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L is for Library Love #atozchallenge

April 15, 2017 Claire Annette Noland 6 Comments

L is for Library Love

We are celebrating National Library Week and I am excited to announce the grand opening of my very own Little Free Library!

 

Thanks to the generosity of my fellow children’s authors, I was able to get a library. It is being installed in front of Casa Miramar, our beach home in Cayucos, California. I am in the process of getting the Casa Miramar Library registered and placed on the map and will add details soon. I hope you will stop by and take a book if you are traveling along the Central Coast of California. If you have a book you’d like to share with others, add it to the collection.

Are you familiar with Little Free Libraries? The first was built by in Hudson, Wisconsin by Todd Bol. He built it to honor his mother who loved books. Friends and neighbors loved it so he built more and gave them away. From these humble beginnings, a movement started. You can read more about Little Free Libraries here and perhaps be inspired to put one up where you live.

I think the best way to celebrate National Library Week is by reading books set in libraries. Here are some of my favorite library picture books:

Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn (author) and Rosalind Beardshaw (illustrator)

Lola and her mother have a special place to go every Tuesday – the Library! This is a warm, well written story for very young children. I appreciate the diversity of the characters in the story. I really love this one because Thomas and I go to the library every Tuesday for story time, just like Lola.

 

Library Lion by Michelle Knudson (author) and Kevin Hawkes (illustrator)

Miss Merriweather, the librarian, is a stickler for rules. Don’t run. Keep quiet. But, one day a lion walks into the library. There are no rules about lions and this one is a perfect patron. This is a fun book which celebrates libraries where everyone is welcomed.

 

I.Q. Goes to the Library by Mary Ann Fraser (author and illustrator)

I.Q, the class pet mouse, is excited to learn that he will get to go to the library during Library Week. He listens to a story and learns all about the library but he worries that he won’t be able to check out a book because he doesn’t have a library card. I.Q. is the cutest mouse ever.

 

Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians by Jackie Mims Hokins (author) and John Manders (illustrator)

In this retold tale, Goldie Socks wanders into the house of the three Librearians while they are out. Papa Bear is a public Librarian, Mam Bear is a school librarian, and Baby Bear is a librarian in training. The text is clever and kids will laugh out loud as they read about Goldi Socks finding the book that is “just right.”

 

The Mermaid’s Purse by Patricia Palacco (author and illustrator)

In this beautiful story, based on the author’s grandmother, we read about Estella who loves books so much that her father decides they need to build her a library. She names it “The Mermaid’s Purse” because the midwife said was was born in one. Stella fills the library with books and shares them with the local townsfolk. Everyone loves her library so much that when it is destroyed by a tornado and the books are scattered, they come together to build another one. This thoughtful book seems timeless and will be enjoyed by older children, parents, teachers, and, of course, librarians.

 

The Library by Sarah Stewart (author) and David Small (illustrator)

Elizabeth Brown was not like other girls. She didn’t want to skate or play with dolls. She wanted to read. She read with a flashlight under the sheets at night, walking home from school, and when older, she read instead of going out at night with friends. She didn’t want to buy anything but books and eventually took over her home. She donated them to the city which used then to create a library which Elizabeth visited every day. The Library is a love story to those who love books and reading.

 

B is for Bookworm A Library Alphabet by Anita C. Prieto (author) and Renee Graef (illustrator)

This book is perfect for the A to Z Blog Challenge as it is an ABC book that shows all the things that go on in a library and the different type of books that are shelved within. The illustrations are soft and expressive and show the library as a warm and welcoming place.

 

Library Lil by Suzanne Williams (author) and Steven Kellogg (illustrator)

In this tall tale, we meet Lil who always has her nose in a book. She also is brave with super-hero strength. She grows up to be a librarian in a town that has no use for books. When a book motorcycle gang shows up in town, they soon realize that they have met their match in Library Lil. The illustrations are hilarious and add humor and surprise to this book as they challenge all stereotypes of librarians. This is one that will be appreciated by anyone who loves books and libraries.

 

Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp (author and illustrator)

Most books set in libraries have characters who love to read. Not this one. Madeline wants one to be a good reader but she struggles. She doesn’t want to read aloud because she is afraid of making mistakes. Everything changes when a big white dog named Bonnie arrives. Bonnie is more than happy to listen to Madeline read. With this patient dog at her side, Madeline takes her time to figure out words and learns to read. This is a sweet and encouraging book for those who love dog and reading and for those who struggle to learn.

 

 

The Midnight Library by Kazuno Kohara (author and illustrator)

This library, run by a pig-tailed girl and three owls, is only open at night. Animals are the patrons and they come to read and join in various activities. Slow turtle doesn’t want to leave at closing time because he’s not done with his book but, of course, he can get a library card and take the book home. The retro illustrations take the reader back to a simpler time. This is an excellent choice for a bedtime book.

Do you have any favorite books featuring libraries or librarians?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Blogging A to Z, Books, Library Love Tagged With: B is for Bookworm A Library Alphabet, Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians, I.Q. Goes to the Library by Mary Ann Fraser, Library Lil, Library Lion by Michelle Knudson, Little Free Library, Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn, Madeline Finn and the Library Dog, The Library by Sarah Stewart, The Mermaid’s Purse, The Midnight Library by Kazuno Kohara

Previous Post: « K is for Knowing #atozchallenge
Next Post: 10 Amazing Movies Filmed in Libraries #atozchallenge »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Eva says

    April 15, 2017 at 10:58 am

    Congratulations on your free library. I’d like they exist in my country! The close we have are bookcrossing points.

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      April 15, 2017 at 8:23 pm

      Hi Eva, I think they are such a great idea. Each has their own personality. When I travel, I am always on the lookout for Little Free Libraries.

      Reply
  2. Hilary Melton-Butcher says

    April 16, 2017 at 7:42 am

    Hi Claire – what a fascinating project to read about .. brilliant that its branded (as such) and part of a non-profit organisation … loved reading about it and then your selection of books. We seem to have shelves of books springing up all over the place here … not sure how good they are – but they serve a purpose … and someone in the blogging world raised donations for books for the third world -which I thought was a good idea.

    The only book I can immediately think of is “The Book Thief” – a WW2 book … novel and film – cheers Hilary

    http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/m-is-for-melton-mowbray-market-national.html

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      April 17, 2017 at 1:18 am

      Oh – thanks for reminding me about that movie. I haven’t watched it yet but I really want to. I have read the book.

      Reply
  3. Tina Cho says

    April 16, 2017 at 12:41 pm

    How neat you’re starting your own! Way to go.

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      April 17, 2017 at 1:19 am

      Yes – I hope we have lots of visitors.

      Reply

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Hello. I’m Claire Annette - reader, writer, teacher, and field trip planner extraordinaire. Here at A Field Trip Life you will find ideas for adventures large and small and the kids’ books that inspire them. Sign your permission slip. Let's go!

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claireannettenolandbooks

Author | teacher | Field Trip Planner
books that take you places
Raven’s Gift
Nancy Bess Had a Dress
Evie’s Field Day
Out and About w George series

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Today’s the day! I’m the featured author on to Today’s the day! I’m the featured author on today’s Summer of Stories! Take a look and let me know what you think. The link is in my bio.

And then check out all the other great stories!

#summerofstories #floursackdresses #floursack #makedo #picturebookreadaloud 

@angelac.hawkins @gnomeroadpublishing @eringreneaux
I'm excited to share that the Crystal Kite Award v I'm excited to share that the Crystal Kite Award voting continues until July 18th for members of SCBWI. Our book, Nancy Bess Had a Dress, is in the Southwest Division (where illustrator @angelac.hawkins lives)

Members, you can vote for books in all of the regions.
Cast your vote at this link: 

https://www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite/CK8

I will be sharing Nancy Bess July 11th online for the Summer of Stories https://summerofstories.substack.com/

and I'll be doing story time and craft at the Three River Public Library on July 11th at 10:30

@gnomeroadpublishing @pbspree @eringreneaux @tularecountylib 
@scbwicencal #crystalkiteaward
Instagram post 18090291214629192 Instagram post 18090291214629192
We are enjoying a lovely summer’s day with CARL’S SLEEPY AFTERNOON thanks to our friends @laughingelephantbooks who sent us a copy signed by Alexandra Day and Carl!
Happy 40th Anniversary, Carl! You are such a good dog 🐾❤️
Carl has an opportunity to have a quiet and sleepy afternoon but does he rest? Not our Carl!
We’re on our 3rd generation loving this noble good dog and look forward to reading about his adventures for many more years!

#gooddogcarl #picturebookdogs #summerreading @mrernierecommends @christinabeeghly @laurennolandhajik @roxannenoland @gn705
Summer is the best time to beat the heat by taking Summer is the best time to beat the heat by taking your young ones to a museum. And I suggest, before you go, you share the delightful picture book, MousterWorks, written and illustrated by @angelac.hawkins
Young mice, Cosette and Pépin, join Grand-mère on a splendid adventure through a mouse hole into a museum. They gaze at brilliant interpretations of well-known painting by famous artists such as Claude Monet, Mary Cassatt, and Edward Banister. Cosette excitedly engages with the art while her brother, Pépin, searches for cheese in the art and eventually realizes that he can be an artist and paint his favorite things.

The final photo is 2.5 year old Alice at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento. She was captivated by "Home Sweet Home" (after Seurat, Manet, and Pippin) painted by Wangari Mathenge

Art is for all ages.

To read my full review, visit my blog https://afieldtriplife.com/mousterworks-lets-go-to-a-museum/

@gnomeroadpublishing #mousterworks #artmuseumswithkids
@laurennolandhajik
Looking forward to simple unscheduled days! #july Looking forward to simple unscheduled days!
#july #afieldtriplife #summer
Look what we found featured at the library! #nancy Look what we found featured at the library! #nancybesshadadress 
Thank you @tularecountylib 
#summerreading #picturebooks #librarylove 
@angelac.hawkins @gnomeroadpublishing
Happy Summer! At the top of our summer "to do" lis Happy Summer! At the top of our summer "to do" list is visiting libraries where I love to see staff recommendations. SUMMER: A Solstice Story written by @kelseyegross and illustrated by @renataliwska is such a lovely picture book.
Owl, Squirrel, Raccoon, Bear, Sparrow, Rabbit, Woodpecker, and Deer gather to celebrate the arrival of summer with its gifts of light and new life. The friends share sprouts, fresh water, flowers, and fruit each accompanied by special wishes for the little ones to shine, glow, shimmer, gleam, and blaze bright with solstice light. They spend the day with festivities as they dance, splash, hop, and savor a forest feast.
I shared this with a group of children the night before the Solstice so that they understood how special this date is. Then, we read it again as the sun set on the longest day of the year after partaking of many of the same activities done by the woodland animals. They really enjoyed the center pages that fold out.
This is a soft, gentle, and breathtakingly beautiful picture book that should be enjoyed all summer long. @pbspree #summersolstice #summerasolsticestory
We have been Good Dog Carl fans for almost 4 decad We have been Good Dog Carl fans for almost 4 decades so we are excited to celebrate 40 years of our favorite picture book series! I love the book mom and Carl’s adventures are the best!
So let’s raise a toast to Carl, the very good dog, and to  @laughingelephantbooks Here’s to many more wonderful years of ❤️ filled stories.
#wewon #gooddogcarl #afieldtriplife #picturebookdogs @laurennolandhajik @christinabeeghly @roxannenoland
Military families are made up of heroes, those who Military families are made up of heroes, those who leave home to serve and those who stay behind. It isn’t easy to find books featuring military families, so I was excited to discover when AS MUCH as the STARS: A Story of Love Across the. Miles – A Child’s Goodbye/ AS MUCH AS THE STARS: A Story of love across The Miles: A Mother’s Farewell. I love flip books because they are clever and provide a fun way to read two stories told from different perspectives. AS MUCH AS THE STARS does an exceptional job of showing the love and emotions surrounding a deployment and then a joyous return. In this authentic, well-written story, one half follows a young girl and her relationship with her military father. The other half features the viewpoint of that girl, now grown, whose son leaves home to serve. warm and colorful illustrations add to the text showing the love that is shared even when they are separated by great distances.
This is a wonderful book for all families and will help everyone understand the sacrifices that our brave service members make. I just wish this book had been available when I was teaching children in military families.
Written by Forrest Zenone, Skyler Zenone, and Tricia Stone-Shumaker
Illustrations by Penny Weber
@poppysadventures1 @pennyweberart @laurennolandhajik #militaryfamilies #asmuchasthestars
#mrernierecommends
FYI… sweet peas are blooming on Old Creek Road a FYI… sweet peas are blooming on Old Creek Road around Whale Rock Reservoir
The story of how they got there reminds me of Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney “You must do something to make the world more beautiful.” 
Read how these delicate blossoms came to grace the highways in San Luis Obispo County: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/johnny-appleseed-sweet-peas-planted-120000196.html

Lupine, poppies, and wild mustard are also blooming.

#sweetpeas #jackcreekfarms #roadtrip #afieldtriplife #missrumphius
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