"They sailed past volcanoes and mountaintops, past coral reefs and deserts, between dark rows of bookshelves, and right out the door of the children's room." ~Daniel Kirk, author of Library Mouse: A World to Explore
I'd love to visit that library!
Imagine a place where books come to life through art, music, and movement?! Would anyone ever be able to claim that reading is boring ever again? The youngest readers certainly would not.
Daniel Kirk's latest Library Mouse book may appear to be just for young children, but really, people of all ages (and even librarians themselves) can learn a thing or two from this one.
Here are a few clues as to what this one brings to the shelf:
With encouragement from a new friend, Library Mouse soars to all new heights. Literally.
Anything can happen when you're standing on top of the world! And that's right where you are as soon as you step into a library.
With research tools at his fingertips, and a friend who sees things from a whole different point of view, real and imaginary worlds collide. Fear of trying new things even starts to subside.
Buckle up those seat belts. A whole new world of learning opens up to Sam, and what a wild ride it is!
What I absolutely love about this picture book is that it has the power to transform the way people of all ages live and learn. It helps us see that there doesn't have to be a gap between the different types of learners and readers, if we're only willing to create a bridge.
Librarians can help build that bridge, if they take a step away from those bookshelves and computers for a while. After all, it's harder to see the big picture when you're so immersed in the details. Sometimes, we need to take a step back; and believe me, I know that's not easy.
A nice complement to Library Mouse: A World to Explore can be found in The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians
This time, a boy named Melvin takes center stage, along with some very passionate librarians. While the boy may not be a resident like Sam is at his library, it's like a second home to him.
It's not just all about the books for Melvin, though, as evidenced by what happens when he trips and drops his jar of bugs:
"All eighty-seven specimens of caterpillars, cooties, and creepy crawlies were loose in the Livingston Public Library! Marge, Betty, and Leeola quickly organized an emergency rescue squad. The bugs were retrieved, identified, classified, and cataloged within twenty minutes."
Now that's what I call going above and beyond the call of duty! When Melvin later brings in baseball cards, they even help him store them properly and price them out (with a little help from the internet).
Bugs and baseball cards. In the library? Sometimes, it's all about thinking outside the book.
The inside of this one is a pretty fun place to be, though! Written by a children's librarian, it's a true testament to the power and potential of school and public libraries everywhere.
These are both picture books that I think every child should read. What a great way to not only introduce the concept of research and the importance of digging more deeply into the learning process, but to stretch, and even redefine, our learning muscles.
Libraries are about so much more than books, and I firmly believe they hold the key to transforming how we all learn and communicate. We just have to give them time to reinvent themselves, instead of being so quick to write them off completely.
So, whoever you are, and wherever you are, please support your school and public libraries! Imagine if we all sent copies of these books to our school administrators and politicians? What a statement that would be. Now I'm thinking...
Here's a short list of connections you might make:
- Questions to ponder: Sarah helps Sam try new things. Do you have a friend like that? Might there ever be a time when it's not a good idea to follow a friend's advice? Have you ever been afraid, like Sam? How are Sam and Melvin alike and different?
- Creative writing: Tell or write a story about Sam and Melvin meeting. Would Sarah and/or the librarians be in your story? Would they all be friends? Who else might you add to your story? What else might Melvin bring in to share? What other art projects might they use as a springboard to research? Could you act out your story with props, costumes, and music?
- Visit the library with a parent or grandparent: Explore all that it has to offer. Try a workshop. Join the book club, Lego group, or chess club. Make some new friends! Ask librarians for help. That's what they're there for. Pick a topic to research and find some related children's books. Librarians might also have some great web sites to share. Mix up your resources. Then, make some kind of art by reusing some materials from your home. Get your parents, grandparents, and siblings involved and learning together.
Can you think of any other book to self, book to book, or book to world connections? Other library activities to tie in? We'd love to hear your ideas and suggestions.
Enjoy!
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