Libraries are the important physical location where community teams up with the power of books, creativity, and education. Here are a few books that celebrate these magical spaces and their influence on the world.

Picture Books

Stacey’s Remarkable Books by Stacey Abrams

This bright and fun book follows Stacey introducing a new friend to the library where together they start a book club that celebrates other languages and cultures along with friendship and trying new things. 

No Cats in the Library by Lauren Emmons

A cat who loves the pictures in books is determined to get access to the Library. How will she convince the librarian that she should be allowed to enjoy the books as well?

The Library Book by Tom Chapin

This fun book follows a little girl singing a song about how she is spending her rainy day going to the library. It features many popular book characters and has a great rhythm that keeps the story moving.

The New LiBEARian by Alison Donald

When it’s time for storytime and the librarian has gone missing, Dee and her friends search the library and find a bear instead! This humorous picture truly brings books to life.

The Loud Librarian by Jenna Beatrice

Penelope is very excited to be this week’s class librarian, but she struggles with her “library voice.” This fun book follows Penelope as she takes on her role as librarian and finds how she fits in at the library while being true to herself.

Abuela’s Library by Lisette Norman

Alfonso and his Abuela’s favorite tree is cut down because it is dying, and they decide to make it into a library. This beautiful book is about community, determination, and turning something horrible into something amazing. 

Bunny’s Book Club by Annie Silvestro

When Bunny overheard the librarian’s outdoor storytime, he fell in love with books. This adorable picture book follows bunny as he falls in love with reading, shares that love with his friends, and learns how to use the library.

Nonfiction

The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq by Jeanette Winter

Jeanette Winter tells the true story of Alia Muhammad Baker, a librarian in Iraq amidst a war in 2003. When the city of Basra was invaded, Baker was able to save 70% of the collection before the library burned to the grown nine days later. This emotive book describes the realities of war while still being appropriate for children and emphasizing the unifying power of books and learning. 

Digging for Words: José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built by Angela Burke Kunkel

This book follows José Alberto Gutiérrez, the founder of the first library in the La Nueva Gloria barrio in Bogotá, Colombia. This beautiful narrative incorporates Spanish words seamlessly and discusses the power of books and libraries’ abilities to build community.

All about Librarians by Brianna Kaiser

The characters of Sesame Street introduce readers to librarians, their jobs, and libraries.

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise

This biography follows Pura Belpré, who was born in Puerto Rico and moved to New York City in 1921. Soon, she became a bilingual assistant at the New York Public Library, where she would retell the folktales from Puerto Rico. In order to share her stories, she soon became a puppeteer and author as well, and her work is now celebrated with a yearly award by the American Library Association. This inspiring story emphasizes the importance of seeing yourself reflected in books and at the library while displaying the difference that a person can make.

Graphic Novels

The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln

In Lincoln’s world set at the New York Public Library, books are magical and require night librarians to tame their forces. When twins Reed and Paige accidentally set off a magical upheaval where characters are set free from their books, adventure ensues. This book is filled with iconic characters and underscores the power of books and family. 

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library: the Graphic Novel by Chris Grabenstein

After twelve years without, Alexandriaville is getting a new library! Mr Lemoncello, a famous game designer and the library’s benefactor, has chosen twelve seventh graders to compete in games escaping the library for its grand opening. This adventure-filled book is full of fun and literary references.

Chapter Books

The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon

Eleven-year-old Dally doesn’t want to run Peteharrington Enterprises, despite her mother’s wishes. She is grieving the loss of her grandfather, who encouraged her love of adventure. When Dally opens an envelope from her late Grandpa, she finds a map to an enchanted library, taking her on an mystery-filled adventure through time and her family’s secret history.

Property of the Rebel Librarian by Allison Varnes

When June’s protective parents decide one of her books is inappropriate, they first go through her personal books before going after books in the school’s library and having the school librarian suspended. This funny chapter book starts important discussions about book banning, censorship, and activism.

The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler

When Alice moves in with her long-lost uncle, he tells her that the library is forbidden. When she gives in to temptation and opens a book, she finds herself trapped inside it! This fast-paced book is full of adventure and wit.

I hope this list helped you find a fun, new read!

-Alyssa

September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month! Here is a list of fifteen books for all ages to celebrate and learn more about people and cultures from Hispanic countries.

Picture Books

With Lots of Love by Jenny Torres Sanchez

Rocio has moved from Central America to the United States, and she is missing home. She misses her grandmother’s cooking and the piñatas her grandmother makes, but most of all she misses her grandmother. One morning, she wakes up to a birthday package that brings her a little taste of home and her grandmother’s love. This heartwarming book allows readers to relate to the heartache of moving to a new country while learning small pieces of Central American culture through Rocio’s eyes.

¡Mistaco! by Eliza Kinkz

This book follows Izzy, the self-proclaimed president of mistakes, as she is upset after making a huge mistake at school. After sharing with her Lito about her mishap, he encourages her to put her mistakes into tortillas – allowing her and her family to forgive themselves and laugh about their mistakes. This book is a fun celebration of Hispanic heritage and includes Spanglish as a way to honor the author’s dual identity.

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

This beautiful book describes the journey the author took with her young son in 1994, traveling from Mexico to the United States. This memoir depicts the hardship and hope that accompany becoming immigrants and starting a life in a new country.

¡Fiesta!: A Festival of Colors by Duncan Tonatiuh

This book is a vibrant and fun introduction to colors in both Spanish and English as author Duncan Tonatiuh depicts a street festival and various Mexican traditions that you might see there.

Nonfiction

Phenomenal AOC: The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezby Anika Aldamuy Denise

This inspirational biography tells the story of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Puerto Rican woman who became the youngest congresswoman in United States history. Beautiful bright pictures capture readers’ attention while recounting a story of hard work, community, family, and determination.

Book of Questions: Selections by Pablo Neruda; translated by Sara Lissa Paulson

This is a striking poem of thought-provoking questions presented with both Neruda’s original Spanish and Paulson’s translation accompanied by beautiful illustration by Paloma Valdivia, whose family is from the same coastal region of Chile as Neruda.

Best Believe: The Tres Hermanas, a Sisterhood for the CommonGood by NoNieqa Ramos

This nonfiction picture book follows three sisters from Puerto Rico who moved to the Bronx and helped shape their community through activism and community service. This inspirational tale uses the refrain “you best believe” to create rhythm in the text and appeal to the reader directly.

Frida Kahlo: She Painted Her World in Self-Portraits by Amy Guglielmo

This illustrated biography includes both vibrant imagery and illustrations that grab your attention. The text is inspirational, describing how Frida Kahlo celebrated her heritage and honored and persevered through her disabilities. This book includes artistic prompts, direct quotes from Frida Kahlo, and a selection of her works at the end.

Graphic Novels

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega

Marlene, a young Dominican American girl, hates going to the salon, but according to her mother, having “good hair” is essential. This graphic novel follows Marlene as she learns to love her curly hair. The story tackles themes of internalized racism, anti-blackness, bullying, grief, and self-acceptance.

Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martín

This graphic memoir follows Pedro, a first-generation Mexican American who is growing up in the 1970s. His family is undertaking the long road trip to Jalisco to bring Pedro’s grandfather to live with them in the United States. This is a family-centered exploration of culture and identity as Pedro revels in the opportunity to learn more about his grandfather and Mexican heritage.

Doña Quixote: Rise of the Knight by Rex Ogle

Lucia has known all her life that she wants to be a knight like her Abuelo, and when she finds her Abuelo’s armor in the attic, she starts seeing paranormal creatures. This fun, adventure-filled graphic novel follows Lucia on her path to becoming a knight as she encounters figures from Mexican lore and struggles with balancing life as a knight with school, family, and friends.

Chapter Books

Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega

When Lucely Luna and her best friend Syd accidentally awaken malevolent forces, they must go on a ghost-filled, family-centric adventure to save their city. This book seamlessly incorporates Spanish and Lucely’s Dominican-American heritage.

Cuba in My Pocket by Adrianna Cuevas

Set in 1961 after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, this book follows twelve-year-old Cumba, whose family sends him to live in Florida to keep him safe. In Florida, Cumba struggles with a new language, a new city, and overwhelming homesickness. Evenly split between life in Cuba and Florida, this historical-fiction middle-grade story beautifully depicts life in Cuba along with strong emotional themes of love, friendship, and family.

Sing It Like Celia by Mónica Mancillas

When twelve-year-old Salva’s mom disappears, she is forced to leave her familiar school and choir to live with her absentee investigative journalist father whose assignment follows the detention and deportation of an undocumented woman. Salva blends popular music with salsa beats and makes new friends through her music. This heartfelt story explores friendship, mental health, and community.

A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation by Pablo Cartaya

Gonzalo lost his father, and now his mother is making him spend the summer on a book tour with his estranged grandfather, Alberto. While their great road trip brings them from California to Florida, Gonzalo learns about his grandfather’s life in Cuba, and they bond over their art and grief.

I hope this list helps you find a new book!

- Alyssa

As school is starting, some kids might have concerns about bullying. Whether it's something they have heard about from older siblings or something they have struggled with in the past, bullying is a serious concern for many children. Below is a list of books and resources for parents and children that discuss all different facets of this complex topic.

Fiction Picture Books

I Walk with Vanessa: A Story about a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoet

This wordless picture book tells the story of a girl who always sits alone and struggles with a bully when another young girl decides to walk with her and be her friend. The wordless nature of this book provides a great opportunity to open a discussion about what kids see happening on the page. 

Get Up, Stand Up by Cedella Marley

This beautiful book is based on the song by the same name by Bob Marley. While the words are more conceptual and rhythmic, the accompanying pictures depict a young girl standing up to bullies in several situations and influencing others to do the same.

Peanut Butter and Jellyfish by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

This colorful tale from local author Jarret J. Krosoczka follows best friends, Peanut Butter (a seahorse) and Jellyfish, as they explore the ocean and struggle with Crabby's mean words. After Peanut Butter and Jellyfish save Crabby from a lobster trap, they discover that Crabby's harsh words were said out of jealousy and insecurity. This book tells a familiar story of bullying with fun sea animals and eye-catching illustrations.

Llama Llama and the Bully Goat by Anna Dewdney

When Gilroy Goat is being a bully, Llama Llama knows he has to reach out for help from a teacher. This is a great book about bullying for fans of Dewdney’s Llama Llama series. It depicts various types of bullying, consequences of bullying for both the perpetrator and the victims, and how to give someone a second chance.

Nonfiction Books

You Are My Friend: The Story of Mister Rogers and His Neighborhood by Aimee Reid

This book tells the story of Fred Rogers, the creator of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. It mentions how when Fred was bullied as a child, he turned to his support systems and emotional outlets like music. It is a beautiful tale about how he took the lessons he learned from his grandparents and neighbors and shared them through his show.

A Kid's Book about Bullying by Elizabeth Tom

This book addresses bullying in a clear and straightforward way. It discusses various forms of bullying, its impacts, and what to do if you're being bullied. This entire series has great books that discuss difficult topics, and this book is no exception. 

The Survival Guide to Bullying: Written by a Teen by Aija Mayrock

In this book, author and teen Aija Mayrock draws on her experience being bullied to offer advice which has been reviewed by psychologists. Mayrock's suggestions about both in-person and online bullying are actions she took in her own life, which she recognizes are not immediate solutions but instead provide solace and hope that there will be an end to the bullying. 

Chapter Books

Wonder by R.J. Palacio 

This beautiful novel follows Auggie Pullman, a fifth-grade boy who was born with severe facial deformities, as he starts his first year in public school. Auggie struggles to make friends, and at one point, his bully has turned the whole school against him. This is a heartwarming novel about courage, overcoming adversity, and acceptance.

Booked by Kwame Alexander

This novel-in-verse follows Nick, an eighth-grade soccer player, as he juggles friendship, crushes, family, and twin bullies. It is a fast-paced story that depicts middle school in an amazingly realistic way that is simultaneously laugh-out-loud funny and heartbreaking.

Starfish by Lisa Fipps

Eleven-year-old Ellie Montgomery-Hofstein has created her unspoken “Fat Girl Rules” from her experience being bullied both at school and at home. Through support from her new neighbor, her father, and her therapist, Ellie finds the strength to stand up for herself. This is a powerful novel-in-verse about acceptance and self-advocacy. 

Parenting Books

Bullied: What Every Parent, Teacher, and Kid Needs to Know about Ending the Cycle of Fear by Carrie Goldman

This is a well-researched guidebook to ending bullying discusses both in-person and online bullying, distilling dense academic research into more digestible statistics. While the book focuses on girls, both as victims and perpetrators, it is an insightful read for all parents as it provides support, resources, and clear directions.

UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World by Michele Borba, Ed. D.

While this parenting book does not focus on bullying, bullying is discussed at length. Borba breaks down the book into the nine skills of empathy and provides exercises and activities for each skill. 

Further resources

Here are warning signs that a child might be experiencing bullying. Make sure to explore the website for other resources. 

This page from the Center for Parent Information & Resources is a collection of resources about bullying for both parents and children.

Early Literacy can seem daunting, like it is reserved for English teachers. However, babies start learning from the day they are born, and there are many ways we can help them.

According to a 2007 study by Harvard University, children's brains develop quickly in their first few years of life, building up to one million neural connections every second! It is a very important time for children to build early literacy skills. 

Early Literacy skills are the skills children learn to help them understand and use words, long before they know how to read. Babies and toddlers build these skills by hearing language, listening to stories, looking at books, and talking. Early literacy skills include alphabet knowledge, phonological awareness (recognizing and manipulating sounds), oral language, and print knowledge. 

According to the World Literacy Foundation, children with poor literacy foundations when beginning traditional schooling are more likely to struggle academically and later drop out of school. 

Recognizing how important these early skills are, what are some of the things we can do to help children develop strong early literacy skills? Below is a list of activities and resources which you can use to help children strengthen their early literacy skills.

At-Home Activities:

• Read books that expose children to varied vocabulary

• Sing songs and practice fun rhymes that expose children to repetitive sounds at the beginnings and ends of words
• Talk with children to practice language skills by showing children how to ask questions and make comparisons
• Repetition! Research has shown that reading the same books and singing the same songs over and over again helps children learn better than reading or singing something once or twice.

Help children understand print text and writing by having them tell you what they want you to write down

Explore Early Intervention, a program for children 0-3 who have developmental delays or are at risk of developmental delays. This program does not need a doctor's referral, and there are no out of pocket costs to families. Every child 0-3 is entitled to a free yearly evaluation to see if they qualify for the program. You can find a program here.

Library Activities:

• Check out new books - there are great suggestions listed below
• Go to storytimes- check out our website for our many great storytime programs

• Practice your sounds at Worcester Public Library's Early Readers Class
• Use Libby or Overdrive to find fun audiobooks and ebooks

Parenting Books about Early Literacy:

Reading Picture Books with Children by Megan Dowd Lambert

This book helps us see picture books in a new way, introducing new ways we can read and talk about books with kids. 

Playful Activities for Reading Readiness: Laying a Foundation for Literacy by Latisha Hayes PhD

This book offers some research-based, playful activities that help your kids learn and grow.

Books for Kids' Early Literacy

Reading a variety of books is super important for early literacy because they expose children to new vocabulary and concepts! Come to the library and check out any book that catches your eye! Below is a list of books that focus on alphabet knowledge, decoding (letter sound relationships) and sound recognition like rhyming and alliteration.

Be A Maker by Katey Howes

This is an empowering and inspiring book that uses varied vocabulary and rhyming, which allows kids to understand syllables and word construction.

Bears at the Beach by Shirley Parenteau

Five bears are building sandcastles. This rhyming book shows great problem solving skills while using fun and rhyming vocabulary.