October 20 – It’s National Reading Group Month

About the Holiday

Today’s holiday was the brainstorm of the WNBA—not that WNBA, but the Woman’s National Book Association. In 2007 they instituted this month-long celebration to commemorate their 90th anniversary. Joining a book group is a wonderful way to meet new like-minded friends and get to know each other through discussions of new and classic books. Book groups aren’t just for adults, either, as more and more schools, children’s libraries, and individual teens and kids form their own clubs. To celebrate, why not consider joining a book group or starting your own?

Bunny’s Book Club

Written by Annie Silvestro | Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss

Bunny would do just about anything to hear a story. “He’d loved them ever since he first heard the lady with the red glasses reading aloud outside the library.” All summer long he listened to stories that took him to thrilling and magical places. But when the weather turned cooler and story time moved indoors, bunny knew he had to do something—“he couldn’t live without books.”

Bunny was afraid that animals weren’t allowed in the library. Finally, after several sleepless nights Bunny “tiptoed through the dark” to the library. But when he got there the door was locked, the windows were bolted, and there were no holes in the building to be found—“until finally he noticed…the book return!” Bunny hopped as high as he could, grabbed the handle, and slipped inside. “Bunny’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the shelves bursting with books.”

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Image copyright Tatjana Mai-Wyss, courtesy of tatjanamaiwyss.com

Bunny hopped here and there through the adventure section, where he found books about “swashbucklers, sharks, and superheroes.” He grabbed as many as he could carry and pushed them through the slot. Back home he read and read, and every night he returned to the library for more books. Pretty soon his house was filled top to bottom with books.

One night while reading, Bunny heard a knock on the door. It was Porcupine, wondering where Bunny has been. When Porcupine found out, he couldn’t believe it. What was so special about reading? The next night Bunny took Porcupine to the library. “‘Whoa,’ said Porcupine.” He immediately wondered if there was a book about balloons. He also found stories “on deserts and dunes, on caterpillars and cocoons” and even one on hedgehogs that made him so happy he hugged it with all his might. Back at Bunny’s and cuddled up with tea and carrot muffins, the two friends read into the night.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-bunny's-book-club-porcupine and-bunny-read

Image copyright Tatjana Mai-Wyss, courtesy of tatjanamaiwyss.com

It wasn’t too long before Bear showed up at Bunny’s wondering about why the light burned so late so often. Bunny handed him a book, and Bear squeezed onto the couch and began reading. Soon, all of Bunny’s friends began dropping by asking for books about space, volcanoes, and mysteries. One night Bunny took them all on a trek to the library. They were so engrossed in their books that they didn’t hear a key turn in the lock, “the clack, clacking of footsteps,” or the light flick on.

It was the librarian! All the animals gasped—they’d been caught! “‘All libraries have rules,’ said the librarian sternly” as she asked the animals to follow her. At the desk, the librarian in the red glasses crouched down and gave each animal their own library card. Bunny was thrilled to know they were welcome at the library. He found the perfect book and “proudly checked out the very first official selection for Bunny’s Book Club.”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-bunny's-book-club-porcupine-hugs-book

Image copyright Tatjana Mai-Wyss, courtesy of tatjanamaiwyss.com

Annie Silvestro’s sweet story about the lure of stories and the lengths to which a true book lover will go to hear or read one, will enchant young children. The gentle suspense will keep little ones riveted to the story as clever Bunny finds a way into the library, Porcupine and Bear have a few sticky moments, and the librarian catches the crew unawares. Little ones will recognize their own delight in books as Bunny shares his discover with his friends and they form a most cozy book club.

Tatjana Mai-Wyss’s adorable Bunny, Porcupine, Bear and other animals make perfect book club friends for little readers. Mai-Wyss’s soft-hued watercolor illustrations of the tidy library and Bunny’s book-filled home invite children in to poke around and become one of the group. They’ll love following Bunny’s footprints through the library stacks and discovering the cozy comforts of Bunny’s home. The final two-page illustration of the friends snuggled together in the warmth of a roaring fire and surrounded by snacks and books is definitely “awwww” inspiring.

Bunny’s Book Club may inspire families to take a special nighttime trip to the library and young readers to create a book club of their own. The book would be welcome on any child’s bookshelf.

Learn more about Annie Silvestro and her books on her website!

Discover more about Tatjana Mai-Wyss and review a portfolio of her illustration work on her website!

Ages 3 – 7

Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2017 | ISNB 978-0553537581

National Reading Group Month Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-bunny-puppet

Story Buddy Puppet

Hop to it! Have fun telling your favorite stories with this bunny puppet!

Supplies

Printable Bunny Template
Paper sandwich bag
Colored pencils, crayons, or markers
Scissors
Glue

Directions

Print out the Bunny Template
Color the Bunny Template
Cut out the bunny’s features
Glue the bunny’s features to the sandwich bag

Picture Book Review

July 30 – Paperback Book Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Today celebrates the revolution in book binding that changed the way people interact with books. Prior to the 19th century book covers were made of wood and wrapped in leather. Then something came along that demanded a lighter, more convenient type of book—the train! While traveling by train was faster than going by horse-drawn carriage, it could still take a week or more to cross the country. What better way to spend the time than with a good book? No one wanted to lug around those heavy wooden copies, though, and thus the paperback book was born! Today, tuck a paperback in your bag and travel to another realm!

Bunny’s Book Club

Written by Annie Silvestro | Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss

Bunny would do just about anything to hear a story. “He’d loved them ever since he first heard the lady with the red glasses reading aloud outside the library.” All summer long he listened to stories that took him to thrilling and magical places. But when the weather turned cooler and story time moved indoors, Bunny knew he had to do something—“he couldn’t live without books.”

Image copyright Tatjana Mai-Wyss, 2017. Courtesy of tatjanamaiwyss.com

Annie Silvestro’s sweet story about the lure of stories and the lengths to which a true book lover will go to hear or read one, will enchant young children. The gentle suspense will keep little ones riveted to the story as clever Bunny finds a way into the library, Porcupine and Bear have a few sticky moments, and the librarian catches the crew unawares. Little ones will recognize their own delight in books as Bunny shares his discovery with his friends and they form a most cozy book club.

Bunny’s Book Club may inspire families to take a special nighttime trip to the library and young readers to create a book club of their own. The book would be welcome on any child’s bookshelf.

Learn more about Annie Silvestro and her books on her website!

Discover more about Tatjana Mai-Wyss and review a portfolio of her illustration work on her website!

Ages 3 – 7

Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2017 | ISNB 978-0553537581

Paperback Book Day Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-bunny-puppet

Book Club Buddy Puppet

Hop to it! Have fun reading and telling your favorite stories with this bunny puppet!

Supplies

Printable Bunny Template
Paper sandwich bag
Colored pencils, crayons, or markers
Scissors
Glue

Directions

Print out the Bunny Template
Color the Bunny Template
Cut out the bunny’s features
Glue the bunny’s features to the sandwich bag
Then use your puppet while you read a book together or tell your own stories!

Picture Book Review

April 11 – National Library Workers Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Held annually on the Tuesday of National Library Week, National Library Workers Day honors all of the staff across the country in libraries big and small. Librarians have a vast wealth of knowledge to help readers find just the right book, aid researchers in discovering the perfect resources, create engaging programs for children and adults, and keep up to date on publishing trends. Without libraries and librarians, our lives would be much less rich. Today, visit your library, check out a book or two, and thank your librarian!

Library Day

Written by Anne Rockwell | Illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell

On a particular Saturday a little boy makes his first trip to the library with his dad. Dad has a stack of books to return, and before the two go through the door, Don gets to drop the books in the return slot. First stop is the children’s room, where story hour is about to begin. While Don settles in, Dad heads for the grown-up shelves to look for a new book to borrow.

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Image copyright Lizzy Rockwell, text copyright Anne Rockwell, 2017. Courtesy of simonandschuster.com

There are already four children sitting in a circle around the librarian, Mrs. Edmonds. Don recognizes one of the boys from the playground and sits next to him. Mrs. Edmonds has chosen to read The Three Sillies today. Next, Mr. Miguel “reads a story from his homeland of Puerto Rico.” The story is about a donkey, and Don and the other kids laugh “when Mr. Miguel goes, ‘Hee-haw! Hee-haw!’ as loud as he can.”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-library-day-meeting-jack

Image copyright Lizzy Rockwell, text copyright Anne Rockwell, 2017. Courtesy of simonandschuster.com

After story hour, the other little boy, Jack, introduces himself and shows Don around the children’s room. There are shelves with movies and a rack full of magazines. Don especially likes the magazine about dogs and one about farm animals. Mr. Miguel notices that Don likes reading about nature and shows him a book about snakes. Don shows Mr. Miguel a book he also likes about a truck. “‘You can take them all home,’ Mr. Miguel says.”

Next to the picture book shelves, Don sees a baby “sitting on the floor with lots of books to read. Except the baby is reading her book upside down.” She burbles as she looks at and turns the pages, “but her book is still upside down.” By this time Jack has gone home, but Don continues to explore. Two bigger kids are playing chess, two girls are making bookmarks, and an older boy is working on the computer.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-library-day-mr.-miguel

Image copyright Lizzy Rockwell, text copyright Anne Rockwell, 2017. Courtesy of simonandschuster.com

Don finds a comfortable chair and begins paging through the book on snakes. Just then a librarian sets a new book on the shelf next to him. It’s about apples and pumpkins—two things Don likes—so he grabs that one to take home too. When Dad comes back, Don shows him the four books he wants to check out. Sure! Dad says. “And then he says, ‘But you will need your own library card.’” Don is thrilled. “My own library card!” he thinks.

At the front desk, Don hands Mrs. Edmonds his books. To get his library card, Don tells her his name and address then waits “a few minutes while lights on her machine go on and off as it rumbles.” In a minute, Mrs. Edmonds hands him a card with his “own name written on the back.” Then Mrs. Edmonds scans his card and the books and tells Don the books are due in two weeks.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-library-day-seeing-books

Image copyright Lizzy Rockwell, text copyright Anne Rockwell, 2017. Courtesy of simonandschuster.com

As Don and his dad are leaving the library, they notice a poster for The Gingerbread Man Puppet Show. “‘Would you like to go see that puppet show next Saturday?’” Don’s dad asks. “‘I sure would!’” Don exclaims before taking his dad’s hand as they cross the street toward home.

Anne Rockwell’s gentle and engaging introduction to the library is full of the joy and wonder little ones have when visiting this favorite place. Her straightforward storytelling is both inviting and comforting as readers learn about the various spaces in a children’s room and the programs offered. Rockwell captures the excitement children feel in finding books that reflect their interests as well as the thrill of getting their own library card.

Lizzy Rockwell’s bright, colorful illustrations provide charming snapshots of a library children’s room that will delight readers. All the pleasures of a trip to the library are here, from making new friends to giggling during story time to discovering the wealth of fun things to do. After reading Library Day, kids will be eager to visit their local library!

Ages 3 – 8

Aladdin, Simon & Schuster, 2017 | ISBN 978-1481427326

Discover more about Anne Rockwell and her many books on her website!

View galleries of artwork and learn more about Lizzy Rockwell and her books on her website!

National Library Workers Day Activity

Library Mouse Coloring Page

This mouse likes to read almost as much as you do! Print this Library Mouse Coloring Page and have fun!

Picture Book Review

March 20 – World Storytelling Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Today’s holiday was first held in Sweden in 1991. Established to celebrate the art of oral storytelling, the day invites people around the globe to tell and listen to stories both old and new. To participate attend a special storytelling event in your area or relate some family stories at home. Of course reading terrific books out loud is also a fun way to honor the day!

Bunny’s Book Club

Written by Annie Silvestro | Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss

Image copyright Tatjana Mai-Wyss, courtesy of tatjanamaiwyss.com

Tatjana Mai-Wyss’s adorable Bunny, Porcupine, Bear and other animals make perfect book club friends for little readers. Mai-Wyss’s soft-hued watercolor illustrations of the tidy library and Bunny’s book-filled home invite children in to poke around and become one of the group. They’ll love following Bunny’s footprints through the library stacks and discovering the cozy comforts of Bunny’s home. The final tw0-page illustration of the friends snuggled together in the warmth of a roaring fire and surrounded by snacks and books is definitely “awwww” inspiring.

Bunny’s Book Club may inspire families to take a special nighttime trip to the library and young readers to create a book club of their own. It would be welcome on any child’s bookshelf.

Learn more about Annie Silvestro and her books on her website!

Discover more about Tatjana Mai-Wyss and review a portfolio of her illustration on her website!

Ages 3 – 7

Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2017 | ISNB 978-0553537581

World Storytelling Day Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-bunny-puppet

Story Buddy Puppet

Hop to it! Have fun telling your favorite stories with this bunny puppet!

Supplies

Printable Bunny Template
Paper sandwich bag
Colored pencils, crayons, or markers
Scissors
Glue

Directions

Print out the Bunny Template
Color the Bunny Template
Cut out the bunny’s features
Clue the bunny’s features to the sandwich bag

Picture Book Review

February 9 – It’s Library Lovers Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

For bibliophiles, this may be the best month of the year! Not only does your local library have shelves stacked with books, magazines, movies, and tapes of every kind, it offers comfy chairs, fascinating lectures, kids programs, and more! This month be sure to take part in some of the activities librarians have planned for you!

The Midnight Library

By Kazuno Kohara

A little librarian opens the doors to her library only as the sun goes down. Working with her three assistant owls, she helps the forest animals find the perfect book. The animals read quietly and the library is peaceful until one night when a band of squirrels begins playing their instruments in the reading room. The little librarian shushes the squirrels and they apologize, saying they’re just working on a new song. The librarian has the perfect solution! She shows the band to the upstairs activity room, and peace reigns once more in the library.

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Image copyright Kozuno Kohara, courtesy of us.macmillan.com

Later that night it begins to rain—inside! The little librarian climbs the ladder to look at the roof, but instead of a leak she finds a wolf sobbing away. Her book is so sad, the wolf says, that she can’t read on. Gently, the librarian takes her to the storytelling corner where she, the owls, and Miss Wolf read the story together. The wolf discovers the book has a happy ending, something the library workers knew all along.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-the-midnight-library-wolf-cries

Image copyright Kozuno Kohara, courtesy of us.macmillan.com

All too soon the sun peeks over the horizon, and it’s time for the library to close. The patrons file out one by one, but who is left leisurely reading his book in the corner? It’s a tortoise who says he is not leaving until he finishes his book—only 500 pages to go! Once again the little librarian has the answer! She gives the tortoise a library card and reveals that he can take the book home with him and finish it there. The tortoise heads home feeling happy and lucky with the book strapped to his shell.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-the-midnight-library-saying-goodbye

Image copyright Kozuno Kohara, courtesy of us.macmillan.com

With the library to themselves, the owls and librarian tidy up the shelves and snuggle in with one last book—bedtime stories for the sleepy owls.

The Midnight Library is a perfect bedtime—or daytime—book for budding bibliophiles and library lovers. With its dreamy quality, Kazuno Kohara’s story is as inviting and comforting as a favorite reading nook, and the little librarian of this nighttime treasure trove is sweetly reassuring as she quickly and calmly resolves the issues that arise in her domain.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-the-midnight-library-at-night

Image copyright Kozuno Kohara, courtesy of us.macmillan.com

Kohara’s characters are adorable, smiling with pleasure at gathering in their favorite place. An image of the owls holding Miss Wolf’s hands as they read her book together is particularly touching. Kids will love the tricolor pages that masterfully capture both the mystery and radiance of this welcoming after dark meeting place. As readers reach the end of the story, they will look forward to the next night when they can visit The Midnight Library again.

Ages 3 – 6

Roaring Brook Press, 2014 | ISBN 978-1596439856

Library Lover’s Month Activity

CPB - Librarian Thank You card

Design a Thank You Card

During this month make a card to tell your librarians why you love them and what you like best about the programs they create for you! Print the Thank You! card and then draw a picture and/or write a message and sign your name. Then fold it and give it to your favorite librarian. Get the Thank You! card here.

Picture Book Review

February 4 – Take Your Child to the Library Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

What better way to spend a Saturday than by stopping by your local library and picking up a few books to while away the hours on a cold winter day? While you’re there thank the librarians for all they do to keep libraries open and books accessible to all. Consider donating to your local library today!

The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq

By Jeanette Winter

Alia Muhammad Baker, oversees the library of Basra in Iraq, where all those who love books and learning come to “discuss matters of the world and matters of the spirit.” Now, though, their talk is full of the war around them. Alia is afraid for her books, worried that the fires of war will destroy them, so she petitions the government for permission to move them to a safe place. Her request is denied, so Alia secretly fills her car each night with as many books as it can carry and takes them home.

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Image copyright Jeanette Winter, courtesy of post-gazette.com

As rumors of war continue to swirl, the library becomes a shelter for government offices. When the battles reach Basra, “the city is lit with a firestorm of bombs and gunfire.” The government officials, soldiers, and library workers abandon the library, leaving Alia alone to protect the books. She summons help from Anis Muhammad, the restaurant owner on the other side of the library wall, and together they remove the rest of the books in crates and sacks and wrapped in curtains. Other shopkeepers and neighbors join in, removing the books and hiding them in Anis’s restaurant.

The war rages, but the books’ whereabouts remain a secret. “Then, nine days later, a fire burns the library to the ground.” “At last, the beast of war moves on,” but the books are still in danger. While the city is quiet, Alia “hires a truck to bring all thirty thousand books to her house and to the houses of friends.” Alia’s house is stacked floor to ceiling with the books she loves. They fill every cabinet, teeter on every shelf, and sit in piles under tables, chairs, and Alia’s bed. There’s hardly room for Alia herself.

But Alia is patient. She waits and “dreams of peace” and a time when a new library will be built to replace what has been lost.

celebrate=picture-books-picture-book-review-the-librarian-of-basra-alia

Image copyright Jeanette Winter, courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers

Jeanette Winter’s story of one woman who risked her own safety to protect the books she loved, including an ancient biography of Muhammad, reminds all readers of the importance of these storehouses of our collective history, culture, imagination, and knowledge. The gripping true-life story abounds with suspense as war grows closer but also with hope as friends and neighbors make Alia’s mission theirs too. In these days when so many libraries are threatened with closure, The Librarian of Basra, asks the question: what would we do to protect our books?

In square framed acrylic paintings on solid colored backgrounds, Winter reveals the day-to-day wartime events and the actions Alia takes to save the library’s collection. She is seen visiting a government official, sneaking books into her car by night, and watching as soldiers are stationed on the library roof. When the battle comes to Basra, silhouetted jets fly in a rust-colored sky as orange flames dwarf the buildings and people below. Under the threat of bombs, Alia and her neighbors are portrayed packing up the books and carrying them over the wall to safety. Readers will marvel at the image of Alia’s house stacked with books and may wonder how many their own homes could hold.

Ages 4 – 8

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers, 2005 | ISBN 978-0152054458

Take Your Child to the Library Day Activity

I Love the Library! Coloring Page

If the library is one of your favorite places, print out this I Love the Library! Coloring Page and enjoy!

Picture Book Review

April 14 – Look up at the Sky Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Some holidays require rushing around, shopping, and lots of preparation. Today’s celebration is just the opposite! Today is dedicated to slowing down, looking up, and appreciating the beauty above you. Whether the day is sunny, cloudy, rainy, or downright stormy, the sky is always intriguing. Today take some time to scan the skies; make shapes of the clouds, appreciate how tall some trees really are, watch birds flit overhead, or just take in the depth of color. Be inspired – and Relax!

The Knowing Book

Written by Rebecca Kai Dotlich | Illustrated by Matthew Cordell

A little bunny opens the door to a wide world. But before starting on life’s adventure, the bunny receives some gentile advice and reassurance: As you start on your journey, it’s good to begin with something you know. If you wonder what that is, look up at the sky. You know it has always been above you and will remain that way forever. Taking your first steps, carry that assurance with you as you choose which door, path, or trail you will take. You may get lost, but embrace the hum or cry that comes from inside because they will help.