Submitted by Ms. Sue!
Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile by Gloria Houston is the story of Dorothy Thomas, the author’s real life childhood hero, who delivered books to her when she was a child every week. Dorothy was a young girl that loved books. She also loved people. She decided to become a librarian when she grew up, so she could be in charge of a fine brick library, just like the one in her hometown in Massachusetts. She went to college, and then library school, but before Dorothy could become a librarian in a fine brick building, she got married, and moved to North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Dorothy’s house was cozy, and she had bountiful gardens of vegetables and flowers, but there was no library, so a meeting was called with all her friends that loved to read, and they decided to start a bookmobile that Dorothy would be the librarian of. When Miss Dorothy’s green bookmobile arrived, everyone came out to see. She kept her donated books in her basement, and everyday she loaded and unloaded her truck with stacks of books that she carried up and down the steep staircase. Miss Dorothy delivered books over hills and valleys to churches, schools, farms, grocery stores, and even the courthouse steps, until finally one day a reader donated a little white house to be used as a library. It wasn’t a fine brick library, but her dream had still come true! See this book listed in our catalog
True Stories
Mendel’s Accordion
Submitted by Ms. Tess!
I recently acquired an accordion, and am learning to play it. In hopes of incorporating my new-found accordion skills into story time at the library, I searched for children’s books featuring accordions, and was lead to the gem that is Mendel’s Accordion by Heidi Smith Hyde, illustrated by Johanna Van Der Sterre. It’s a story about a brave Jewish musician, and his immigration from Europe to America, when times were not easy for Jewish people, or immigrants. It’s a story about the power of music to heal and unify. And it’s a story about the proud tradition of Klezmer, a style of music that was originated in eastern Europe by people who typically lacked formal music training, but could play songs that easily evoked happiness, or sadness, in their audiences. It’s a fabulous book for any child curious about history, or music, or accordions! See this book listed in our catalog
Anybody Home? and In My Backyard
Submitted by Ms. Melissa!
Spring! It’s time to escape the house and go exploring. Here are some books to help you break free from winter captivity. Breathe in some fresh air and enjoy.
Anybody Home? by Aileen Fisher is a classic rhyme about animals and their homes. Use this as a bed time story under the stars, or before a walk in the woods. The detailed black and white illustrations by Susan Bonners are accurate depictions of animals in their habitats. If going on a nature walk, children can search for these same animal dwellings, and make up stories about who lives in them and what season or time of day an animal would use them. See this book listed in our catalog
In My Backyard by Valarie Giogas, with illustrations by Katherine Zecca, is a book about baby animals you may find in your very own backyard. There are many interactive read along activities suggested in the back of the book. Children will learn that baby skunks are named kits, and baby raccoons are called cubs! You can count along from 1 to10, play a memory game, or seek and find the baby animals. Tips on what to do if you find an injured animal, and caring for wildlife are also mentioned. See this book listed in our catalog
ZooBorns!
Submitted by Ms. Tammy!
ZooBorns! Zoo Babies from Around the World by Andrew Bleiman and Chris Eastland. Join in as we venture into the lives of newborn zoo critters and explore their world together! One page provides you with interesting text that introduces you to each newborn and gives facts about the animal, the other page displays an amazing close up full color photo of the adorable newborn animal. Located in the back of the book is a silhouette for each baby including its name, zoo location, and conservation status, accompanied by a paragraph with interesting facts for children that just can’t get enough of these adorable animals. See this book listed in our catalog
Everything but the Horse
From Hollie Hobbie, author and illustrator of the Toot and Puddle series, comes Everything but the Horse: A Childhood Memory, a wonderful picture book, derived from a very special childhood memory! I love the beginning: how the reader is introduced to this little girl’s world. The description in each page’s words and drawings endears you to the main character, and involves you in her desperate longing for a horse of her own. She watches with admiration and yearning as the other girls who live nearby ride their “tall and glossy” horses past her house. Some of the antics she performs to make it feel like she really does have a horse of her own are amusing. Will she ever have her own horse? One day, a birthday surprise awaits her in the barn… See this book listed in our catalog
Ruth and the Green Book
Submitted by Ms. Sue!
Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander, illustrated by Floyd Cooper. Ruth and her parents are taking Ruth’s first road trip, in their first car, from Chicago to Alabama. During the 1950’s, most African Americans couldn’t afford to own a car, so this will be an adventure for Ruth and her parents! It feels funny to Ruth, to see her neighborhood disappear as they drive out of Chicago. Unfortunately, Ruth and her family find out that black travelers are not welcome in many service stations, hotels, or towns, and that they can be turned away due to the “Jim Crow” laws. They have a few bad experiences in places where they are not welcome, and have to spend the night sleeping in their car. Eventually, Ruth and her family are lucky enough to meet a friendly attendant at an Esso station, who shows them a book called “The Negro Motorist Green Book.” It provides a list of places that black travelers can go that will welcome them, and their business. Ruth and her parents are very relieved to have a guide book to help them make a safe journey to Grandma’s house. This story contains factual information about “The Green Book” and how it helped African Americans travel more safely. See this book listed in our catalog