Tag Archives: book recommendations

Check out this list of books for animal lovers!

Do you love animals? How about books with animals in them? Then definitely check out this list from Buzzfeed!

It’s a long list, and includes many classics, children’s books, some nonfiction, and many titles that I’ve enjoyed! Reading books about animals can sometimes be tricky (too emotional, tragic, etc) but this list definitely has your options covered! Some of the books included:

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
“The summer Opal and her father, the preacher, move to Naomi, Florida, Opal goes into the Winn-Dixie supermarket–and comes out with a dog. A big, ugly, suffering dog with a sterling sense of humor. A dog she dubs Winn-Dixie.”

 

 

H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald
“Heart-wrenching and humorous, this book is an unflinching account of bereavement and a unique look at the magnetism of an extraordinary beast, with a parallel examination of a legendary writer’s eccentric falconry.”

 

 

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter
“How is it possible for an abandoned kitten to transform a small library, save a classic American town, and eventually become famous around the world?”
Also – CMLE enjoyed reading this book in our Goodreads book group! Check out our current book here!

 

Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It’s So Hard to Think Straight About Animals by Hal Herzog
“This book is a highly entertaining and illuminating journey through the full spectrum of human–animal relations, based on Dr. Herzog’s groundbreaking research.”

 

 

Books in the Spotlight: Bikes

Sometimes CMLE will highlight several books that have some factor in common. We hope they will give you ideas for your collection, or influence an activity, lesson plan, or display!

Since May is National Bike Month, we thought it would be fun to share several different book lists all featuring the subject of bikes, as well as some suggestions for bike-related activities! Do you have a favorite book about bikes, or someplace in particular you like to ride? Share with us in the comments!

Looking for children’s books about biking? Check out this list from Bicycling.com! Some of the titles from the list include:

Gracie Goat’s Big Bike Race by Erin Mirabella, illustrated by Lisa Horstman
“Gracie Goat doesn’t know how to ride a bike and is so scared she refuses to try. Fortunately her Grandma convinces her to face her fears. Children will relate to Gracie’s self-doubt as well as her persistence in this sensitive, upbeat story.”

Along a Long Road by Frank Viva
“Speed off on an eventful bicycle ride along the bold yellow road that cuts through town, by the sea, and through the country. Ride up and around, along and through, out and down.”

If those books inspired you to try some bike-related activities, check out this free hidden pictures coloring page of a bike trail. Or get extra creative and try some bike painting!

Animals riding bikes is always fun too, so watch this video of Duck on a Bike by David Shannon being read aloud:

For older readers, YALSA has compiled this list of YA books with bikes to enjoy! Some of the titles from the list:

Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way) by Sue Macy
“Take a lively look at women’s history from aboard a bicycle, which granted females the freedom of mobility and helped empower women’s liberation. Through vintage photographs, advertisements, cartoons, and songs, Wheels of Change transports young readers to bygone eras to see how women used the bicycle to improve their lives.”

Racing California by Janet Nichols Lynch
Evan is shocked when the amazing Tour de France winner Dash Shipley asks him to join his team for the Amgen Tour of California. Against his parents’ and girlfriend’s wishes, Evan risks missing his high school graduation to participate in the grueling eight-day bicycling race.

 

 

Finally, don’t miss this list of books for adults to “inspire your riding” for National Bike Month! From books like Cycling Home from Siberia  to Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance you will enjoy your bike-themed reading journey!

Happy biking!

Books in the Spotlight: Astronomy

Sometimes CMLE will highlight several books that have some factor in common. We hope they will give you ideas for your collection, or influence an activity, lesson plan, or display!

Since last weekend was Earth Day, and Astronomy Day is just around the corner on April 29th, we thought it would be fun to highlight a few books and activities that focus on planets, moons, stars, and space!

  • Read all about constellations:
    Once Upon a Starry Night by Jacqueline Mitton, illustrated by Christina Balit
    “Take an illuminating ride through the starry night sky, and learn how the heavens pay tribute to the gods of Greek and Roman mythology. Once Upon a Starry Night explains the ten ancient figures whose legends are written large across the universe. Every page shines with Christina Balit’s vibrant art, studded with shiny stars, and provides the perfect backdrop to Jacqueline Mitton’s poetic text.”

Be inspired by the book to make some marshmallow constellations!

Continue reading Books in the Spotlight: Astronomy

Books about jealous new siblings!

Passing this on from a library listserv:

“An author has written to me through one of my children’s book blogs and I am hoping to help him find children’s books about children who are jealous of the new baby in the family. I found a book called Geraldine’s Baby Brother on WorldCat, but do you know of any others? Books with non-human characters would be a plus for this author, but I’ll still take human characters as well. ”

Here were the suggestions offered; do you have others? Share them in the comments section!

Looking for book suggestions: Donor-conceived characters in YA or MG literature

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CMLE members: this is a library person looking for suggestions. She found a few already, posted below; but if you have others, post them to the comments!

“Once a year I ask the collective wisdom if they’ve come across any donor-conceived characters in YA or MG literature in their past year of reading since one person (me) can’t possibly read everything!

I’m wondering if any of you have come across any more. Donor-conceived people are those conceived with sperm, egg, or embryo donation, usually to single mothers by choice, gay parents, or those with fertility struggles in heterosexual families who can’t use their own gametes to conceive. I am interested in how identity as a donor-conceived teen or tween is represented in YA or MG literature.

I curate a list on my YA Books for Door Offspring blog and I am always on the look out for more fiction on this topic.”

You’re Welcome, Universe / Whitney Gardner

The Upside of Unrequited / Beckly Albertalli

The Secret of a Heart Note / Stacey Lee

Swing Sideways / Nanci Turner Steveson

The Other F-Word / Natasha Friend

Saving Montgomery Sole / Mariko Tamaki

Spirit Level / Sarah N. Harvey

Ashes to Asheville by Sarah Dooley

The Lotterys Plus One by Emma Donoghue