Blogging A to Z: Visit the Library

As a public library director at least one of these letters had to be focused on using the library. I think it might be shocking to many, how much the public library offers to their community. Now, public libraries are organized differently all across the U.S. and even more so around the world. In many places, a portion of your property tax dollars goes toward supporting your local public library. Some libraries are supported at the county level or even at the state level. And others are nonprofit organizations supported primarily by donations, grants, and other means.

But, when all is said and done, public libraries are made to serve you in the best way possible. We have physical and virtual resources, programs and materials to educate and entertain. I’d love for you to take time to visit your public library, get a library card, and check out some books.

If you live in an area with a lot of libraries, call one near you and check your address. Sometimes, if you’re close to a border of a county or town, your home library might not be the one you think it is. So just call to double-check and save yourself the hassle! Once you get your library card from your home library, at least in PA, you can check out books from whatever library you choose. If you live in an area where you have to drive a bit to visit the library, call ahead to see what kind of online resources they might be able to offer for kids. Ask about TumbleBooks or BookFLIX as options for reading on a tablet or laptop.

Don’t Be Afraid

Plus, I’ll let you in on a little secret, librarians don’t become librarians for the money. We do it because we are passionate about the work we do, we love to read, and we want to share that with our communities. Find a librarian who loves talking about the books you’re looking for and you’ll come away with some amazing suggestions. We have so many families come in and apologize for bothering us to ask for suggestions or assistance – we’re there to help and we want to!

Although this list isn’t books about the library, it’s filled with some great books that should be fairly easy to find if you visit the library!

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Book List #12 – Visit the Library

1. The Bear Who Wasn’t There by Leuyen Pham
   Each silhouette makes you believe it’s one thing, only to find out it’s something more ridiculous!
2. Contrary Creatures: Unique Animal Opposites by James Weinberg
   Unexpected opposites are used in this book like migration patterns and sleep schedules to compare animals.
3. Going Up! by Sherry J. Lee, illustrated by Charlene Chua
   A little girl and her dad get into the elevator to deliver cookies to a birthday girl, only to be joined by many others in the apartment building.
4. I Am Scary by Elise Gravel
   A monster tries to convince a child that it’s really scary, but it might just be a little more huggable than scary.
5. I Love Trucks! by Philemon Sturges, illustrated by Shari Halpern
   If your little one loves things that go, you need to check out this book!
6. I Really Want to See You, Grandma by Taro Gomi
   A young girl wants to see her grandmother, but each time they travel they miss each other along the way!
7. Little You by Richard Van Camp, illustrated by Julie Flett
   A celebration of a new baby by Indigenous Canadian creators.
8. The Magical Yet by Angela Diterlizzi, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez
   Learning something new can be hard, but this book shows the promise of yet.
9. Pokko and the Drum by Matthew Forsythe
   Getting little Pokko a drum might not have been the best idea, but when she starts a band with some unexpected bandmates, her family realizes that she’s quite good!
10. Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
    Captain Swashby’s best friend is the sea, but when new neighbors move it, will they disrupt his quiet life?
11. The Very Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach
    Being patient when you’re turning into a butterfly can be difficult, just as the very impatient caterpillar!
12. Who Loves Books?: A Flip-Flap Book by Lizi Boyd
    Each page is actually two flaps, so flip them back and forth for an interactive storytime!

If you’re interested in purchasing any of the titles on this list, please use my affiliate link for Bookshop.org. When you purchase from this link, I will earn a commission as an affiliate.

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For the month of April, I’ll be sharing early literacy tips and book lists as part of the Blogging A to Z Challenge. Learn about the importance of early literacy and ways to incorporate tips and tricks into your family’s daily routine. Developing language skills before kids head to school helps them to be ready to learn when they reach school-age. In addition to great content, you’ll also get a new book list for each letter, resulting in over 300 board book and picture book suggestions for your family to enjoy!