A lot of people visit the Library every day. As a matter of fact, public libraries across the United States welcomed 1.4 billion in-person visitors in 2016 alone, which equates to about 4 million visits per day or 2,664 per minute. That’s pretty amazing!

Libraries are fascinating places for children. After all, they have an incredible selection of books to spark little imaginations. And yes, I’m a little biased when it comes to singing the praises of the Library. However, I’m also a parent and our family regularly visits the Library, so this isn’t just an insider’s opinion.

Kids Love the Library

My kids absolutely love the Library! They get excited at the very mention of the Library because they know it’s a fun place to visit. They love the interactive touch screens, the fun play & learn areas and the variety of programs offered throughout the system. Just this past summer, my husband took our little ones to a marionette puppet show featuring the Wizard of Oz (my oldest is still talking about this program and it took place quite a while ago). Kids know what they like and are always excited to tell you all about whatever it is in full detail (so endearing — soak it up while it lasts — they grow up too fast!).

If your kids love the Library they will surely enjoy reading the picture books in this blog post featuring books and libraries.

Enjoy!

10 Library-Themed Picture Books for Children

1. If You Ever Want to Bring a Circus to the Library, Don’t! by Elise Parsley A latest cautionary tale by the best-selling creator of If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t! finds young Magnolia’s efforts to set up a circus big top at the local library hampered by narrow bookshelves and other wacky challenges.

2. The Library Book by Tom Chapin and Michael Mark Using the lyrics to Tom Chapin and Michael Mark’s “The Library Song,” this picture book celebrates the magic of reading and of libraries.

3. The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce Morris Lessmore loves words, stories and books, and after a tornado carries him to another land, dreary and colorless, he finds a single book in color that leads him to an amazing library where, he learns, the books need him as much as he needs them.

4. A Big Surprise for Little Card by Charise Mericle Harper A quirky ode to spirit, identity and the joy of having a library card follows the adventures of Little Card, who delightedly anticipates going to school to become a birthday card only to trade jobs with Big Card and embark on a life at the library, where he struggles to use his exuberant gifts in a quiet environment.

5. Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen A lion starts visiting the local library but runs into trouble as he tries to both obey the rules and help his librarian friend.

6. Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn Every Tuesday Lola and her mother visit their local library to return and check out books, attend story readings, and share a special treat.

7. Lost in the Library : A Story of Patience and Fortitude by Josh Funk Patience, one of the New York Public Library lions, is missing and Fortitude, the other lion, searches the building from top to bottom seeking him.

8. Lottie Paris and the Best Place by Angela Johnson Lottie Paris goes to the library, her favorite place in the world, and makes a new friend for whom the library is also a special place.

9. Froggy Goes to the Library by Jonathan London When Froggy, Mom, and Pollywogilina set out for the library, Froggy brings a wheelbarrow to hold all the books he plans to borrow but he is so excited that he forgets to use his indoor voice.

10. Pete the Cat Checks out the Library by James Dean Join Pete the cat as he visits a library for the first time, gets a library card, takes a fun tour, and reads some cool stories that take him on a few groovy adventures.

But Wait, There’s More …

Book Lists for Library-Loving Parents and Children

• Favorite Stories About Libraries and Librarians
• 10 Imaginative Picture Books About Libraries