Tag Archives: reading

El día de los niños/El día de los libros – Children’s Day/Book Day

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El día de los niños/El día de los libros, or Children’s Day/Book Day, is a celebration of children, families, and reading that promotes literacy for all. This yearlong event is celebrated on April 30, so there’s still plenty of time to prepare and join in the fun! Author Pat Mora added the festival of El día de los libros to the traditional Mexican Children’s Day in 1997 as a “commitment to linking children and their families to diverse books, languages and cultures.” The goal is to unite communities through literacy and reading. The books listed below are united in their emphasis on the power of books and libraries to make a difference in people’s lives.

El día de los niños/El día de los libros es una celebración de niños, familias y lectura que promueve la alfabetización para todos. ¡Este evento se celebra el 30 de abril, por lo tanto, todavía hay mucho tiempo para prepararse y unirse a la diversión! La autora Pat Mora añadió el festival de El día de los libros al tradicional El día de los niños de México en 1997 como un “compromiso de vincular a los niños y sus familias a diversos los libros, idiomas y culturas.” El objetivo es unir las comunidades a través de la alfabetización y la lectura. Los libros en esta lista están unidos en su énfasis en el poder de los libros y las bibliotecas para hacer una diferencia en las vidas de las personas.

For more information, please visit the Día website/Para más información, por favor visite el sitio web de Día: http://dia.ala.org/content/about-día

To find more books celebrating kids reading, try searching the catalog using a combination of subject terms like “juvenile fiction” for fiction books or “juvenile literature” for nonfiction books along with “book,” “read,” and “library.” Happy reading! ¡Feliz lectura!

Barton, Chris
Book or Bell? 2017 (picture book)
Henry is reading the best book he’s every read, maybe the best book ever, and he can’t wait to finish it! Then the bell rings, and he’ll have to save the rest for later…unless he just stays put. This chuckle-inducing tale about the mesmerizing power of a book will have kids laughing at the increasing antics of the adults in charge to get Henry to stop reading and adults smiling knowingly.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. SE. B2854b]

Brown, Monica
Waiting for the Biblioburro. 2011 (picture book)
One day, Ana realizes that she has read all the books in her small village. Soon, she sees the most magical sight – there’s two burros carrying a library on their backs! The librarian (Luis Soriano in real life) has not only come to bring the stories found in the books, but also to inspire Ana to keep creating her own. The Biblioburro travels throughout Colombia bringing the library to the people in small villages and supporting literacy, and children will be fascinated with this kind of library they’ve never heard of before.
[SSHEL S-Collection SE. B8146w]

Chapin, Tom
The Library Book. 2017 (picture book)
Based on a song written by Tom Chapin and Michael Mark, this is the story of a young girl who goes to the library on a rainy day. Kids will love trying to guess which of their favorite characters she will meet next, like folktale classic Cinderella or the beloved bear Winnie the Pooh. This is a celebration of children’s literature and the way that the world expands for kids when they read.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. SE. C3656l]

Gonzalez, Lucia M.
The Storyteller’s Candle/La velita de los cuentos. 2008 (picture book)
In this side-by-side bilingual Spanish and English picture book about New York librarian Pura Belpré, Hildamar and Santiago have just moved from Puerto Rico. Feeling lost in the Big Apple, they are soon introduced to the magic of the library by storyteller Pura Belpré. The collage-like illustrations bring to a life a true story about how a librarian brought a community together just when they needed it the most.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. SE. G5896s]

Gourley, Catherine
Journeys: Young Readers’ Letters to Authors Who Changed Their Lives. 2017 (nonfiction)
This heartwarming and hopeful collection of letters provides ample evidence of the inspiring and healing power of books. Children have written to authors about the books that changed the way they see the world, and they just might change your point of view too. Be prepared to add a lot of books to your to-read list!
[SSHEL S-Collection S.810.8 J8269]

Grabenstein, Chris
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library. 2013 (chapter book)
Kyle Keeley loves all games, and the eccentric genius gamemaker Luigi Lemoncello (reminiscent of Willy Wonka) has rebuilt the town library, pulling out all the stops and whistles. For the grand opening, Kyle and 11 other kids are soon thrust into a frantic race to solve the clues and untangle riddles in order to escape the locked library. Grabenstein’s love of the library is evident, and kids will enjoy playing the games along with the characters.
[SSHEL S-Collection S. G7512e]

Hopkins, Lee Bennett
Jumping Off Library Shelves: A Book of Poems. 2015 (poetry)
This enchanting book invites children to experience the magic of words as they read poems about books, stories, and reading. The watercolor illustrations are captivating and stimulate the imagination, adding to the poetry. Each entry has a different voice, and readers will love to peruse this collection. Maybe they’ll even be inspired to write a few poems of their own!
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. S.808.81 J951]

King, M.G.
Librarian on the Roof!: A True Story. 2010 (nonfiction picture book)
Librarian RoseAleta Laurell revitalized the Dr. Eugene Clark Library in Lockhart, Texas, updating the collections and technology, restoring the building, and acquiring resources for the Spanish-speaking population; she made it a place that people wanted to be. However, something was still missing – the kids! So she stayed 50 feet in the air on the roof of the library in order to raise money for a children’s section designed just for them. Children will love reading about her harrowing adventures on the roof to buy books and create a place in the library for kids like them.
[SSHEL S-Collection S.027.476433 K585l]

Mora, Pat.
Book Fiesta! Celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day; Celebremos El día de los niños/El día de los libros. 2009 (picture book)
Filled with full-page, entrancing, and colorful illustrations, this book really is a fiesta! The act of reading, children, and families are celebrated, and kids read anything, with anyone, anywhere: to puppies, in trains, floating in a hot-air balloon, and more. The side-by-side Spanish and English bilingual text highlights the history of El día de los niños/El día de los libros and more information about how you can celebrate this holiday is included at the end.
[SSHEL S-Collection SE. M79b]

Pinbourough, Jan
Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Children. 2013. (picture book)
Beautiful illustrations depict the life of Anne Carroll Moore, the woman who created the first children’s room at the New York Public Library. Simple text with the refrain of “but Miss Moore thought otherwise” will keep young readers involved, and the celebration of reading is inspiring to see. Her passion for books, libraries, and children shines through, and more information about Moore is included at the end.
[Center for Children’s Books (non-circulating) SB. M8216p]

Children’s Book Week: May 2-8, 2016

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Have you ever loved a children’s book so much you wished there was a holiday to celebrate it? You aren’t alone; the Children’s Book Council, the sponsor of the national Children’s Book Week, claims that “children’s books and literacy are life-changers” and children, teenagers, adults, students, librarians, teachers, parents, and many more agree! The love of children’s books isn’t exactly new; as early as 1913, the librarian for the Boy Scouts of America lobbied for a nation-wide, week-long celebration of children’s literature. In 1919, that dream became a reality, and Children’s Book Week was born.  In 2016, the Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader, a non-profit dedicated to promoting literacy in young people, will work together from May 2 through 8 to mark the 97th Children’’s Book Week.

If you want to observe Children’s Book Week, check for an official event in your state! For the 3rd year in a row, all 50 states will hold events and invite children’s book authors and illustrators to bookstores, schools, and libraries to speak, read, and greet their fans. If you can’t make it to an event but still want to participate, download the free 2016 Children’s Book Week bookmark, this year designed by award-winning author and illustrator CeCe Bell, to use in your own celebration.

This month, the S-Collection blog bibliography will focus on books that have been selected for the Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards, which are sponsored by the Children’s Book Council and announced yearly during Children’s Book Week.  In honor of young readers, the Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards are the only awards where winners are selected by children and teens. Award categories include K-2nd grade, 3-4th grade, 5-6th grade, Teens, Debut Authors, and Illustrator. Check out lists of all the winners and finalists of past years here and check back in mid-May to see the list of 2016 winners!

K-2nd Grade Book-of-the-Year Winners

Bogan, Paulette.
Lulu the Big Little Chick. 2009.
Lulu is tired of always being told she’s too little to do things, so she decides to run away…but sometimes a little chick in a big world needs her mama!
[SSHEL S Collection SE. B633l]

Cohen, Jeff.
Eva and Sadie and the Worst Haircut Ever. 2014.
When big sister Sadie notices that little sister Eva’s hair is getting out of control, she decides to take the matter—and the scissors—into her own hands. When she finishes…uh-oh. What will their mom and dad say? This adorable romp was inspired by an interview conducted by the author with his two daughters for NPR.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. SE. C66053e]

DaCosta, Barbara.
Nighttime Ninja. 2012.
The Nighttime Ninja creeps silently through the house while everyone is asleep. What is his mission—and can he complete it?
[SSHEL S Collection SE. D1189]

Daywalt, Drew.
The Day the Crayons Quit. 2013.
The crayons have had quite enough of their owner Duncan—Blue is tired of being used for bodies of water, Beige is feeling neglected, and Orange and Yellow can never agree who should be used to draw the sun. Each color writes Duncan a letter explaining why they absolutely, definitely, without a doubt, quit. What’s poor Duncan to do?
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB SE. D337d]

Kerby, Johanna.
Little Pink Pup. 2010.
In this heartwarming true story, Pink the pig is the runt of his litter; he is so little that his piggy brothers and sisters push him out the way at dinnertime. Luckily, Tink the dachshund steps in to help and Pink is accepted into his adoptive puppy family.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB SE. K4522l]

Laminack, Lester L.
Three Hens and a Peacock. 2011.
Three hardworking hens are disgruntled when a peacock arrives at their farm—they do all the work laying eggs, but the flashy peacock gets all the attention! A wise old hound dog suggests that the hens and peacock trade places, and they learn that doing someone else’s job isn’t as easy as it looks.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. SE. L186t]

Schaefer, Lola M.
Frankie Stein. 2007.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank N. Stein are nothing at all like their son. Monsters should be scary, but Frankie is cute. Despite his parents’ best efforts, Frankie just doesn’t fit in with his family. They love him anyway, and Frankie discovers how he can be scary—just in his own way.
[SSHEL S Collection SE. Sch134f]

Willems, Mo.
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy. 2008.
The Pigeon is back at it again—and this time, he really, really, REALLY wants a puppy. Why can’t he have one?! Children who have giggled through Willems’ other Pigeon books will be happy to see their silly, stubborn friend in the pages of this book.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB SE. W667pp]

3rd-4th Grade Book-of-the-Year Winners

Bruel, Nick.
Bad Kitty for President. 2012.
Who will win the election for president of the Neighborhood Cat Coalition? All the kitties on the right side of the street vote for one candidate, and all the kitties on the left side of the street vote for the other. It all comes down to one vote—who will Old Kitty choose?
[SSHEL S Collection S. B832bap]

Curtis, Jennifer.
Kali’s Story: An Orphaned Polar Bear Rescue. 2014.
Orphaned polar bear cub Kali is rescued and taken to live first at the Anchorage Zoo in Alaska before reaching his final home at the Buffalo Zoo in New York, where he meets his roommate, another polar bear named Luna. Beautiful photographs document the whole journey.
[SSHEL S Collection S. 599.786 C944k]

Krosoczka, Jarrett.
Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute. 2009.
Lunch Lady is no ordinary school employee—she’s a crime fighter! In this graphic novel she discovers an evil plot to replace everyone’s favorite teachers with robots and serves up justice with a side of tater tots.
[SSHEL S Collection S. 741.5973 K928lc]

Shannon, David.
Bugs in My Hair! 2013.
Lice! Oh, no! The pesky little critters are the main focus of this laugh-out-loud book that pairs the story of an itchy-headed young boy with information about what to do when you’ve got bugs in your hair.
[CCB Q. SE. Sh191b]

Williams, Dinah.
Spooky Cemeteries. 2008.
In this piece of historical nonfiction, readers learn about eleven of the scariest, creepiest cemeteries in the world and the stories of the people buried there, including the tale of Mercy Brown, a young girl whose father believed she was a vampire.
[SSHEL S Collection S. 133.122 W6713s]

5th-6th Grade Book-of-the-Year Award Winners

Gee, Joshua.
Encyclopedia Horrifica: The Terrifying Truth! About Vampires, Ghosts, Monsters, and More. 2007.
This exciting encyclopedia provides reference entries about all kinds of spooky and ghoulish happenings. Readers learn the origin stories behind some scary stories and read eyewitness accounts of others…if they dare!
[SSHEL S Collection S. 001.9 G27e]

Gownley, Jimmy.
The Dumbest Idea Ever. 2014.
Sometimes dumb ideas turn your life upside down. When 13-year-old Jimmy gets the chicken pox and misses his championship basketball game, everything seems terrible…could a dumb idea fix his problems and be the best thing that ever happened to him?
[SSHEL S Collection S. 741.5973 G748d]

Krieger, Emily.
National Geographic Kids: Myths Busted! 2013.
The colorful photos and fun facts in this book debunk commonly circulated myths: do humans really eat spiders while they sleep? Do fortune cookies really come from China? Readers will learn the answers in this colorful encyclopedia-style book!
[SSHEL S Collection S. 001.96 K893m]

Myracle, Lauren.
Thirteen. 2008.
Winnie is finally thirteen! She’s understandably excited, but thirteen brings all kinds of relationship challenges—one new, mostly great boyfriend and two old friends who just can’t act their age—that Winnie wasn’t expecting.
[SSHEL S Collection S. M996th]

Riordan, Rick.
The Red Pyramid. 2010.
In this first book of The Kane Chronicles, Sadie and Carter must go on a journey to uncover secrets about their family after their father unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who plans to take kingship of the other gods and eventually destroy the world.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. R479r]

Russell, Rachel Renée.
Tales from a Not-so-Graceful Ice Princess. 2012.
In this fourth book in the Dork Diaries series, Nikki tries to help her crush, who volunteers at a local animal shelter in danger of closing. Nikki and her friends enter an ice-skating contest, planning to use the prize money to save the shelter (and impress the crush). As always, nothing in Nikki’s life is simple, and an interfering classmate tries to foil her plan.
[SSHEL S Collection S. R917tg]

Schmidt, Gary D.
Okay for Now. 2011.
Doug Swieteck just moved to town, is totally friendless, and has a real jerk of an older brother. Doug finds refuge in a new acquaintance, Lil, as well as in the local library, and learns important lessons about who he was, is, and can be.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. Sch53o]

Teen Book-of-the-Year Award Winners

Cass, Kiera.
The One. 2014.
In the conclusion to the Selection series, America Singer finds herself a finalist in the competition for Prince Maxon’s heart while political unrest rises outside the castle walls.
[SSHEL S Collection S. C2707o, Residence Halls 813 C2707on]

Clare, Cassandra.
Clockwork Prince. 2011.
In the second installment in the Infernal Devices series, the council attempts to strip Charlotte of her power while Tessa works with the London Shadowhunters to destroy the clockwork army.
[SSHEL S Collection S. C541clo, Uni High Fiction C541clo, Residence Halls 813 C5412clp]

Collins, Suzanne.
Catching Fire. 2009.
In the second Hunger Games book, Katniss, victor of the 74th Games, finds herself back in the arena and fighting for her life once more.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. C696c, Uni High Fiction C696c, Undergrad PS3603.04558 C383 2009, Residence Halls 813 C6963ca]

Green, John.
The Fault in Our Stars. 2012.
Hazel, a teenage girl with stage IV thyroid cancer, meets Gus, a cancer survivor with a different perspective on life and death, and the two embark on a relationship.
[CCB S. G823f, Uni High Fiction G823f, Undergrad PS3607.R43293 F38 2012, Residence Halls 813 G8234fa]

Green, John and David Levithan.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson. 2010.
Two teens, each named Will Grayson, find that their lives collide and intertwine in unexpected, important, and—let’s face it—fun ways.
[CCB S. G823w, Uni High Fiction G823w, Undergrad PS3607.R43293 W5 2010, Residence Halls 813 G8234wi]

Meyer, Stephanie.
Breaking Dawn. 2008.
The Twilight saga comes to a close in this third book, in which Bella and Edward begin their married life with a complicated pregnancy and a battle for immortal existence as they know it.
[Uni High Fiction M5758b, Undergrad PS3613. E979 B74 2008, Residence Halls 813 M5758br]

Roth, Veronica.
Allegiant. 2013.
In the final installment in the Divergent trilogy, Tris fights to create a new world that she can believe in—one outside the factions she was taught to trust.
[CCB S. R7427al, Uni High Fiction R724a, Residence Halls 813 R7427al]