It should come as no surprise that libraries are one of my favorite places in the whole wide world! Wherever I go, I always have to check out the local public library! I always feel welcomed and lucky to be in a place filled with books. But what do you do when there are no libraries near you? Thank goodness for traveling libraries!
Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina written by Lea Lyon; illustrated by Jessica Gibson
ebook available from Overdrive.
A true story about Sylvia Townsend, an African American girl who falls in love with ballet after seeing Swan Lake on her family’s secondhand television set. But opportunities to learn ballet are limited, and Sylvia can’t find a school that will teach her. That’s when the local bookmobile provides another possibility. A librarian helps Sylvia find books about ballet, and with the help of her new books, starts teaching herself the basics of classical ballet. Each week, the bookmobile returns and the librarian makes sure to have new ballet books for Sylvia!
Waiting for the Biblioburro written by Monica Brown; illustrated by John Parra
ebook available from Overdrive.
Ana loves stories. She often makes them up to help her little brother fall asleep. In her small village, there are only a few books and she has already read them all. One morning, Ana wakes up to the clip-clop of hooves, and there before her, is the most wonderful sight: a traveling library resting on the backs of two burros with all of the books a little girl could dream of, with enough stories to encourage her to create one of her own. Inspired by the heroic efforts of real-life librarian Luis Soriano, award-winning picture book creators Monica Brown and John Parra introduce readers to the mobile library that journeys over mountains and through valleys to bring literacy and culture to rural Colombia, and to the children who wait for the BiblioBurro.
My Librarian Is a Camel: How Books Are Brought to Children Around the World by Margriet Ruurs
ebook available from Overdrive.
Do you get books from a public library in your town or even in your school library? In many remote areas of the world, there are no library buildings. In many countries, books are delivered in an unusual way: by bus, boat, elephant, donkey, train, even by wheelbarrow. Why would librarians go to the trouble of packing books on the backs of elephants or driving miles to deliver books by bus? Because, as one librarian in Azerbaijan says, "Books are as important to us as air or water!" An intriguing photo essay, and a celebration of books, readers, and libraries!
That Book Woman written by Heather Henson; illustrated by David Small
ebook available from Overdrive.
Cal is not the readin' type. Living way high up in the Appalachian Mountains, he'd rather help Pap plow or go out after wandering sheep than try some book learning. Nope. Cal does not want to sit stoney-still reading some chicken scratch. But that Book Woman keeps coming just the same. She comes in the rain. She comes in the snow. She comes right up the side of the mountain, and Cal knows that's not easy riding. And all just to lend his sister some books. Why, that woman must be plain foolish—or is she braver than he ever thought?
The Library Fish by Alyssa Satin Capucilli; illustrated by Gladys Jose
When Mr. Hughes finds a fish all alone in the library and names her Library Fish, she knows she’s found her true home. Library Fish makes friends in the library and on the bookmobile, checks that books are returned, and absolutely loves story time, when she can listen to all kinds of stories and poems, meet unforgettable characters, and travel around the world and even to other planets! But one day, everything outside is covered in snow and no one comes to the library. Will Library Fish be brave enough to venture outside her fishbowl for the very first time and explore the library she calls home?
This book is not for you! by Shannon Hale; illustrated by Tracy Subisak
Stanley’s thrilled for bookmobile day—until the old man at the window refuses to lend him the story he wants, all because it features a girl. “Girl books” are only for girls, the book man insists, just like cat books are only for cats and robot books are only for robots. But when a dinosaur arrives at the bookmobile and successfully demands a book about ponies, Stanley musters the courage to ask for the tale he really wants—about a girl adventurer fighting pirates on the open seas. By speaking up, Stanley inspires the people, cats, robots, and goats around him to read more stories outside their experiences and enjoy the pleasure of a good book of their choosing.
Be sure to check our catalog and Overdrive Kids eReading Room, for these titles and many more being added! And don't forget to look for the Free Library's very own Book Bike in your neighborhood or at a community event near you!
Have a question for Free Library staff? Please submit it to our Ask a Librarian page and receive a response within two business days.