For many of us, libraries are where we fell in love with books. They’re portals to new worlds, fountains of knowledge, endless treasure troves of stories. Our Three to Read Jr. picks for this week help share that love with a new generation of young bookworms. Most importantly, they honor the humble public library at a time when its services are more necessary than ever.
EARLY READERS
Never Give a Baby a Library Card by Erin Sandberg, Illustrated by Tom Booth
SUMMARY:
When a mom and grandmother bring their baby to get his first library card, not everyone is happy. One very shouty man loudly objects to the idea. If we give babies library cards, who knows what might happen? They could learn to cook, or cut hair, or sew! Why, they’d be unstoppable!
WHY:
Should you give a baby a library card? Husband-and-wife duo Erin Sandberg and Tom Booth have teamed up to answer this question once and for all. With fun rhymes and delightful illustrations, Never Give a Baby a Library Card pokes fun at censorship culture, celebrating the many possibilities a library card opens up for young readers. It’s a wonderful way to introduce your little ones to the library — and after reading this, it’s sure to become their new favorite place.
ELEMENTARY READERS
Orson and the World’s Loudest Library by Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson
SUMMARY:
Orson loves the library, but he prefers to read in peace by himself. So when he arrives at the library on the day of its grand reopening, he’s shocked to find it crowded — and worst of all, noisy! Displeased, Orson takes it upon himself to correct the other patrons. After all, they’re enjoying the library all wrong… or are they?
WHY:
Libraries aren’t just for quiet reading! As Orson discovers, everyone at the library enjoys their books in different ways. Some laugh, some read out loud, and some discuss their books with friends. Over the course of the book, Orson learns that he can still have his quiet reading time in the library’s special study room. But he soon comes to realize that perhaps reading is more fun when you enjoy it with others. Orson and the World’s Loudest Library pays homage to the different ways we read and, most importantly, how reading can bring us together.
MIDDLE GRADE READERS
Donutella Hamachi and the Library Avengers by Kim Chi and Stephan Lee, Illustrated by Utomaru
SUMMARY:
Bullied at school and misunderstood at home, 12-year-old Korean immigrant Jae Han Kim takes refuge in the library. It’s where Jae Han can work on his English, make friends with other misfits, and illustrate the latest adventures of his drag queen superhero, Donutella Hamachi. But this community safe space is in danger: Funding is running low, and the mayor wants to raze the building and replace it with a mall parking lot. It’s up to Jae Han, his friends, and Donutella to team up to save the library from destruction.
WHY:
If your child loved drag queen story hour, they’re sure to enjoy this graphic novel. Co-authored by RuPaul’s Drag Race finalist Kim Chi, Donutella Hamachi introduces a delightful new heroine and instant fan favorite. It’s an ode to the importance of libraries as a community space and the power of individuality — and it even features cameos from historical icons, like Ida B. Wells!
That’s it for this week’s Three to Read Jr.! We’ll be back with more amazing recs for your little bookworm.
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