Kids Book Lists

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The Female Fight for the Right to Vote

June 17, 2019 | strande

In 1918 Michigan passed a Constitutional Amendment to recognize women's right to vote. Nationally, the 19th Amendment wouldn't pass until the following year and wouldn't be official until the year after that.

The 19th Amendment clarified that the right to vote could not be denied based on sex, and was passed on June 5, 1919 and ratified by 36 states on August 18, 1920. The last state to ratify this amendment was Mississippi in 1984.

Celebrate this milestone by checking out one of the following titles and learning more about the global fight for women's suffrage. Titles geared for younger audiences are at the top, but may interest older readers.

Around America to win the vote : two suffragists, a kitten, and 10,000 miles by Mara Rockliff

Follow suffragettes Nell Richardson and Alice Burke's cross-country journey to campaign for women's right to vote.

Elizabeth started all the trouble by Doreen Rappaport

Explore the history of women's suffrage, highlighting the contributions of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and such other reformers as Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, and Lucy Stone.

All Kinds of Grandparents

June 17, 2019 | strande

Grandparents come in all shapes and sizes and ages and personalities. Although National Grandparents Day isn't until September, why wait to celebrate?

Check out a grandparent story to share: there are suggestions below. Or take a few minutes to call or write to your own grandparents, reach out to a friend who happens to be a grandparent, or spend some time remembering the grandparents you've known.

When grandma gives you a lemon tree by Jamie L. B Deenihan

After disappointingly receiving a lemon tree from her grandma on her birthday, a young girl doesn't know what to do with it other than care for it and wait, but her patience eventually pays off.

A plan for Pops by 1968- Heather Smith
Also available in: e-audiobook

Lou visits his two grandfathers--Grandad, who is interested in technology, and Pops, who loves rock and roll--every Saturday, but things change when Pops falls and will have to use a wheelchair, so Lou comes up with an idea.

National and International P.I. Day

June 17, 2019 | strande

 

July 24th is National and International Private Investigator Day, apparently in honor of François Vidocq, one of the first in the profession. If you're looking to celebrate and have a keen nose for a story with a good Private Investigator, try one of these.

Titles are organized generally from youngest interest level to oldest, but every reader is different and may find titles that appeal to them throughout the list.

Mitzi Tulane, preschool detective, in What's that smell? by Lauren McLaughlin

Mitzi Tulane may be only three years old, but she sure knows how to follow a trail of evidence and solve tough mysteries. From the strange happenings in the kitchen to the sudden arrival of every family member she's ever met, Mitzi pieces together the clues and (finally) realizes that she's . . . in the middle of her own surprise birthday party!

Whobert Whover, owl detective by Jason Gallaher

When Whobert Whover, owl detective finds Perry the possum lying still on the ground, he sets out to determine who is responsible for his condition and questions the nearby wildlife.

Thorndyke Thoughts: Beautiful Books for Readers

June 17, 2019 | Thorndyke
Thorndyke Reading a Book

 

Hey Library People,

So many books exist in the world. It's hard to know which ones to read. If you might be interested in something lovely and hopeful, or funny and well-crafted, all about the importance of books and reading, try one of these books. I hope you like them as much as I do. They might look mostly for kids, but don't let that stop you from grabbing one. They're great even if you're old. I'm no spring chicken myself, and I love all of these.

Bear Hugs,

Thorndyke

 

The book tree by Paul Czajak

When young Arlo accidentally drops a book on the Mayor's head, the Mayor decides books are dangerous and destroys all the books in town! But thanks to Arlo's imagination and perseverance, the Mayor finds that suppressing stories cannot stop them from blossoming more beautifully than ever. 

Thorndyke Thoughts: Be Yourself, Part 2

June 17, 2019 | Thorndyke

 

Hey Kids,

Sometimes it's hard to challenge expectations and pre-conceived notions to become who you are. Read on for many examples of people who defied stereotypes and limitations to be authentic. And don't forget to check out part 1 for even more great books about being yourself.

Bear Hugs,

Thorndyke

Of course they do! : boys and girls can do anything by Marie-Sabine Roger

Boys do not cook, and girls cannot play sports--but in this book the pictures tell a different story.

Two friends : Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass by Dean Robbins

This story imagines what it was like when Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass got together for a cup of tea and discussed their struggle for civil rights.

Exploring Jamestown's 400th Anniversary

June 17, 2019 | strande
Thorndyke the Bear Dressed as a Stereotypical Pilgrim

 

1619 was a very busy year in and around Jamestown, Virginia. The business of getting a colony up and running was in full swing, and more than a decade after the first colonists arrived, they were still hard at work. Some of the momentous tasks taken on during the latter half of 1619 include beginning official self-governance, the landing of the first documented Africans in Virginia, the beginning of an official recruitment drive for colonial women, and the stated intention of beginning an annual Thanksgiving tradition. The schedule would have looked something like this:

  • From July 30 - August 4, 1619, the first representative legislative assembly took place in Jamestown.
  • In August of 1619, Africans were brought to Virginia and sold.
  • In November of 1619, the Virginia Company began actively recruiting females to provide stability to their colony.
  • December 4, 1619, settlers arrived at Berkeley and presumably held the first official Thanksgiving celebration.

 

These milestones resonated through our history and still impact what the United States is today. Investigate the 400-year-old history of our nation, its government, and its people. The following suggested titles might help you get started.

Uncovering the Jamestown Colony by Caitie McAneney

What was Jamestown? This book covers the first settlers, the problems they faced, and how Jamestown led to the larger colonization of the American continent. 

105th Anniversary of World War I

May 25, 2019 | Michelle

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie's, assassination on June 28, 1914 sparked the beginning of what became World War I.  On July 28th of that year, Austria-Hungry declared war on Serbia and within weeks, WWI was in full swing. The war lasted until November 11, 1918 when Germany was finally forced to seek armistice. 

World War I for Kids

World War I technology by Tammy Gagne

Grumpy Cat, 2012-2019

May 18, 2019 | sobczakd

Grumpy Cat, whose grumpy look brought some much joy to the Internet, has died. Her family announced on Friday morning that despite all efforts to save her, she succumbed to complications from a recent urinary tract infection. She was 7 years old. Grumpy Cat's popularity reached millions of fans from all over the world. Her disgruntled look of contempt and disdain launched a million memes. We'll miss Grumpy Cat but her legacy and spirit will always live on!

Unhappy birthday, Grumpy Cat! by Frank Berrios

Grumpy Cat is about to have the most unhappy birthday ever--and that's just the way she likes it! The world-famous feline stars in this hilarious leveled reader, with all-new full-color illustrations. It is sure to delight boys and girls ages 4 to 6, as well as Grumpy Cat fans of all ages! Step 2 Readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories, for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help. Rhyme and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story.

The misadventures of Grumpy Cat (and Pokey!)

Dynamite proudly presents the comic book misadventures of Grumpy Cat, featuring "The World's Grumpiest Cat" and her brother, Pokey! With her ever-present pout and sassy disposition, Grumpy Cat has won the hearts of people everywhere. Now, her unbearable cuteness and infectious sourpuss are featured in an all-new, all-sensational collection of comic stories, sure to make fans of all ages laugh! If you love the memes, the videos, and that irresistible scowl, then get ready for the wildly fun antics of Grumpy Cat and Pokey!

If You Liked Saige and Tenney, Try...

May 16, 2019 | strande

 

If you enjoyed reading about Saige Copeland or Tenney Grant, two American Girl characters who believe in the importance of art and music, you might enjoy these other books about the arts. 

Fiction

Confusion is nothing new by Paul Acampora

Fourteen-year-old Ellie Magari's mother left shortly after Ellie was born, and now her mother has died, and Ellie does not know exactly how to feel about that. She is determined, with the help of her friends in the marching band (where she plays the glockenspiel), to make some kind of connection with her mother's memory.

Share a Story--Peace and Love

May 11, 2019 | Michelle

Peace and love go hand in hand.  We enjoyed reading and talking about both of those topics today in Family Storytime. After reading some of these wonderful books, be sure to get out into the world and spread the peace, love, and kindness we all have inside us.  Happy reading!

Stories and Songs from Storytime

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