One of the many services that public libraries provide to their communities is free access to literature for growing young minds. Often, this access would not otherwise be available without the support of libraries and librarians due to factors like limited finances or other resources; but what if children’s access to books is limited by location or mobility? Well, librarians thought of that solution too: bookmobiles.
The first bookmobile — a horse-drawn cart — was established in 1905 by Maryland librarian Mary L. Titcomb, and since then they have taken the form of whatever their communities needed: boats, busses, and even burros. The following seven picture books pay tribute to bookmobiles and the incredible impact they have made on young readers.
Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile by Gloria Houston, Illustrated by Susan Condie Lamb
When Dorothy Thomas was a girl, there was nothing she loved more in the world than books. She attended Radcliffe College, then later went on to “library school,” graduating with dreams of working in beautiful brick libraries such as the one she had loved as a child in Massachusetts. Yet after marriage, she found herself in a small town nestled into the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, where there were plenty of streams and rolling hills, but no libraries. Refusing to ignore her calling, she outfitted a van as a bookmobile and acted as the sole librarian of her community, driving books to patrons at remote schoolhouses and farms. Telling the heartwarming story of the real-life “Miss Dorothy,” this title warmly introduces why bookmobiles can be vital to small communities.
The Library Bus by Bahram Rahman, Illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard
A moving story inspired by the first library bus in Kabul, Afghanistan, this title opens on young Pari, excited for her first day acting as Mama’s library helper. Her mother first drives the library bus to a small village, where girls eagerly await its arrival with their borrowed books to exchange for new ones. Pari’s mother leads an English lesson for the girls, then the duo is off to visit a refugee camp for their next stop. On the journey, Mama tells the story of how she learned to read; her father — Pari’s grandfather — taught her at a time when it was illegal to give the gift of literacy to girls and women. At the refugee camp, Pari proudly helps distribute notebooks, pencils, and books to the children there, with the new understanding that she is helping them the same way her grandfather once helped her Mama: by giving them a path to freedom through words.
That Book Woman by Heather Henson, Illustrated by David Small
On a remote farm in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky lives Cal, a boy with no patience for reading. Who would ever want to learn such a foolish pastime when there are sheep to herd and fields to plow? Yet his sister Lark can’t seem to keep her nose out of a book, and thrills whenever the Book Woman — a rider for the Pack Horse Librarians — arrives at their door. Cal thinks the Book Woman must be crazy, riding up the mountain in all weather, wearing britches, just to deliver some silly old books. Yet as she braves snow, rain, and rocky terrain to bring books to his house again and again, Cal begins to wonder why her dedication is so great… and what about the act of reading inspires her to make such a dangerous ride. A love letter to the dedication of librarians and the worthwhile work of gaining literacy, even when difficult, this title is filled with charm and can-do spirit.
The Book Boat’s In by Cynthia Cotten, Illustrated by Frané Lessac
Did you know that the history of floating libraries — boats that sold books or rented them for a small fee — extends even further past bookmobiles? Set in 1835, this story begins with Jesse and his pa making a trip into town for supplies; when Jesse notices Mr. Edwards’ book boat on the canal, he is thrilled. Combing the stacks, Jesse spies his favorite book, The Swiss Family Robinson, for sale. Pa can’t afford the purchase but encourages Jesse to earn the money himself to buy the lovely red book. Committed to his goal, Jesse works hard the whole week to save his pennies, yet the day the book boat returns, the red book is nowhere to be found. Fortunately, Mr. Edwards offers Jesse a joyful solution that will warm the hearts of book lovers young and old.
Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown, Illustrated by John Parra
Little Ana may only own one book, but she loves to read it more than anything. She spends every free moment reading her book, one of the few other books in the village, or making up her own imaginative stories to tell her brother at bedtime. Yet if she had one wish, it would be for new books — a wish granted when a man appears in her village one day with two burros laden with a traveling library. The traveling librarian offers book loans to the villagers, reads stories, and teaches the alphabet to the children. Ana is inspired, and once she is finished reading her new books, she writes a story about the librarian himself, gifting it to him upon his next visit. Inspired by librarian Luis Soriano Bohórquez, this adorable tale is not only a gorgeous ode to the love of stories but also a rich representation of Colombian and Latinx culture.
Big Truck Day by Rosanne Parry, Illustrated by Niki Stage
This title opens on a town preparing for a very big day: the local book drive! To drive attendance, big trucks of all kinds are gathering at the library’s parking lot for a neighborhood event that will celebrate big vehicles, books, and the community that drives them both. Following both the drivers of the trucks and a family of three, readers explore ice cream trucks, tractors, fire engines, and more as the event unfolds, culminating in the reveal of the neighborhood’s new bookmobile, which has been made possible by donations. A colorful and spirited story that embraces little readers’ love of big vehicles and fuses it with a celebration of “the best truck of all” — a bookmobile that ensures everyone in the community has access to library books.
Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina by Lea Lyon and Alexandria LaFaye, Illustrated by Jessica Gibson
At the very sound of music, little Sylvia Townsend is on her toes and “ready to fly,” dancing with the movements she feels in her soul. Seeing a performance of Swan Lake on television, she recognizes her calling, yet her parents can’t afford the lessons she needs to become a ballerina. Enter the bookmobile, which offers library books on ballet, which Sylvia uses to instruct herself on technique, growing so knowledgeable that she begins teaching other kids in the neighborhood at their request. However, even with her clear talent and a teacher’s offer of financial support, ballet schools in the 1950s were unwilling to accept a Black student. Sylvia’s spirit and gifts will not be denied, however, and this bookmobile ballerina finally catches the eye of a teacher who offers to train her personally. A passionate case study of how bookmobiles can change lives one book at a time, this tale of personal triumph is a must-read.
We hope you and your young readers enjoy these stories of bookmobiles, and that they inspire you to support and advocate for your local library — or bookmobile! Happy reading!
For more of our favorite children’s titles celebrating the love of reading, check out our article on Picture Books That Will Transform Kids Into Little Bookworms.
To see all of our recommendations for mini bookworms, check out our Bookshop bookshelf.
