The Libri Foundation

Maria Mitchell's Birthday (August 1,1818)

Maria's Comet, by Deborah Hopkinson, illus. by Deborah Lanino. Grades K-2.

In this fictionalized first-person account, America's first woman astronomer, Maria Mitchell (1818-1889), dreams of becoming an astronomer like her father and discovering a comet.

Sisters' Day (August 1, 2010)

The All-I'll-Ever-Want Christmas Doll, by Patricia C. McKissack, illus. by Jerry Pinkney. Grades 2-5.

Middle-child Nell, a Depression-era resident of the "poorest place in America," writes to Santa, requesting a Baby Betty doll. Her sisters are first scornful and then amazed when the doll appears on Christmas morning. Of course, sibling rivalry rears its ugly head as each girl believes the doll should belong to her. A gentle story with the underlying message to appreciate and to share what you have.

Amber Was Brave, Essie Was Smart, by Vera B. Williams. Grades 1-5.

The joys and sorrows of two young sisters who must depend on each other because they often have no one else. Their mother works long hours; their father is in jail. Although food and other comforts are often scarce, they share love in abundance.

A Baby Sister for Frances, by Russell Hoban, illus. by Lillian Hoban. Picture Book.

Feeling unloved and neglected with the arrival of her baby sister, Frances the badger runs away, hiding under the dining-room table.

Buttons, by Brock Cole. Grades 1-4.

When their father's buttons pop off his pants into the fire, three sisters go to humorous lengths to find him replacement buttons. As with most good folktales, nothing goes quite as planned. In the end, however, the three adventurous sisters find buttons, as well as true love.

Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters, by Lesley M. M. Blume. Grades 5-7.

Lonely and socially inept, 11-year-old Cornelia lives in Greenwich Village with the family housekeeper. Her mother, a world-famous concert pianist, is always busy traveling. She's never met her father, who is also a renowned pianist. When Cornelia meets her new neighbor, Virginia Somerset, her life changes dramatically. She is captivated by the elderly woman's stories of her and her three sisters' grand adventures across the continents during the early 1950s. An unforgettable story of friendship and adventure that takes readers around the world and back again.

Zelda and Ivy, by Laura McGee Kvasnosky. Preschool-Grade 2.

The rivalry and bond between siblings are perfectly captured in three vignettes featuring the two fox sisters.

Gertrude Ederle Swims the English Channel (August 6, 1926)

America's Champion Swimmer: Gertrude Ederle, by David A. Adler, illus. by Terry Widener. Grades K-4.

In 1926, Gertrude Ederle took the world by storm when she successfully swam the 21 miles across the English Channel and broke the men's record by two hours.

Annie Oakley's Birthday (August 13, 1860)

Bull's-Eye: A Photobiography of Annie Oakley, by Sue Macy. Grades 3-6.

Annie Oakley honed her sharp-shooting skills as a young girl, not for pleasure, but out of dire necessity. It was her skill as a hunter that kept her extremely impoverished Quaker family feed. This well-researched biography is based on Oakley's unpublished autobiography, as well as stories from family members.

National Friendship Week (August 15-21, 2010)

About Face, by June Rae Wood. Grades 6-8.

As they struggle toward friendship, two unhappy 13-year-olds from very different backgrounds gain new insight into themselves, their families, and what's really important.

Best Best Friends, by Margaret Chodos-Irving. Preschool-Grade K.

Preschoolers Clare and Mary are the best of friends. When Mary's birthday causes the green-eyed monster to strike Clare, the quarreling girls both declare an end to their friendship. Fortunately, a nap and a gaily illustrated birthday card restore peace and the two are friends again.

Bubba and Beau, Best Friends, by Kathi Appelt, illus. by Arthur Howard. Preschool-Grade 2.

Baby Bubba and Beau the puppy love each other and Bubba's blankie. When Mom washes the blanket and ruins its wonderful smell, the two are in shock. Then, she washes them. Oh, heavens! Now the blanket matches their own soapy-clean smell and all is right with their world.

A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, by Marla Frazee. Preschool-Grade 1.

In this tongue-in-cheek adventure story, with pencil and gouache illustrations, Eamon and his best friend, James, spend a week at his grandparents' beach house. A humorous look at friendship and intergenerational interactions.

Dog and Bear: Two Friends, Three Stories, by Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Preschool-Grade 2.

Three sweet, funny stories introduce emergent readers to a frisky dachshund and his best friend, a stuffed bear. In these endearing tales of friendship, each takes a turn being the friend-in-need and the friend indeed. Dog and Bear rightfully join other great duos, such as Henry and Mudge, Frog and Toad, and George and Martha.

Duck & Goose, by Tad Hills. Preschool-Grade 1.

When Duck and Goose discover a big ball, each claims it as his own. After fighting over it, the friends realize how silly they've been. It is much more fun playing with the ball together. A simple story with engaging artwork.

Fiddle Fever, by Sharon Arms Doucet. Grades 4-8.

Weaving themes of responsibility, obedience, loyalty, friendship, and Cajun values, this boy's coming-of-age story, set in the Louisiana bayous during the early days of WWI, is also a tribute to the power of music in people's lives.

The First Strawberries: A Cherokee Story, retold by Joseph Bruchac, illus. by Anna Vojtech. Picture Book.

The legend of why strawberries remind the Cherokee people to be "kind to each other; to remember that friendship and respect are as sweet as the taste of ripe red berries."

Gossie & Gertie, by Olivier Dunrea. Preschool-Grade K.

Gossie and Gertie are friends. Gertie loves following Gossie and doing everything she does. Then, Gertie decides to take off on her own, hurting Gossie's feelings. Friendship prevails between the two goslings when Gossie follows Gertie to the food bowl and they share a bite to eat.

Granny Torrelli Makes Soup, by Sharon Creech, illus. by Chris Raschka. Grades 4-6.

When bossy, loving, and well-intentioned 12-year-old Rosie and her lifelong best friend Bailey have a falling out, she finds warmth and understanding while helping Granny Torrelli make soup. A tasty treat about friendship, family, and personal growth.

Heaven Eyes, by David Almond. Grades 5-8.

A multilayered tale of three orphans who run away from their orphanage and begin a new life with the mysterious web-toed and web-fingered Heaven Eyes and the man she calls Grandpa. A lyrical novel about love, loss, and the true meaning of friendship and family.

Henry and Mudge and the Sneaky Crackers, by Cynthia Rylant, illus. by Suçie Stevenson. Preschool-Grade 3.

After Henry buys a spy kit, he and his enormous dog Mudge take up sleuthing. One day Henry finds a coded message, which results in a budding friendship with another young sleuth and his dog.

Holes, by Louis Sachar. Grades 5-8.

Stanley Yelnats IV is in the wrong place at the wrong time and is sent to the Camp Green Lake detention home for bad boys for a crime he didn't commit. Sentenced to dig meaningless holes under the merciless Texas sun, Stanley discovers friendship, buried treasure, and breaks the family bad-luck curse while gaining wisdom and inner strength.

Horace and Morris But Mostly Dolores, by James Howe, illus. by Amy Walrod. Grades K-3.

The friendship of three young mice is put to the test when the two boy mice join a boys-only club. In retaliation, Dolores joins a girls-only club. When the three friends finally admit they were much happier together, they establish their own club, based on interests, not gender.

Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time, by James Howe, illus. by Marie-Louise Gay. Grades K-2.

Friends Houndsley (a wise dog) and Catina (a perfectionist cat) must spend a quiet day indoors during a winter storm in this charming book about friendship and shared good times.

I Will Surprise My Friend!, by Mo Willems. Grades K-2.

Beginning readers will enjoy the continued antics of friends Piggie and Elephant as they learn it's hard to surprise someone who's expecting a surprise.

My Best Friend, by Mary Ann Rodman, illus. by E. B. Lewis. Grades 1-3.

If only she could change this or that, 6-year-old Lily believes 7-year-old Tamika would be her best friend. Fortunately, Lily finally realizes she doesn't want a friend who doesn't want her and forms a friendship with a little girl who is anxious to be her friend. An honest portrayal of disappointment and the true meaning of friendship.

One of Each, by Mary Ann Hoberman, illus. by Marjorie Priceman. Grades K-2.

Delighted because he has "one of each" of everything he needs, Oliver Tolliver the dog thinks his life is perfect until he invites Peggoty Small the cat over. She is not impressed and Oliver realizes that having only one leaves you with nothing to share. A joyful book about friendship and sharing.

Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship, by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Paula Kahumbu. Grades K-5.

The touching true story of a baby hippo who became separated from his family during the 2004 tsunami and the 130-year-old tortoise at an animal sanctuary who unexpectedly adopted him. Beautifully photographed with text and back matter giving lots of information about the animals, their caregivers, and the locale.

Pearl and Wagner: Three Secrets, by Kate McMullan, illus. by R. W. Alley. Grades K-2.

Rabbit-and-mouse friends Pearl and Wagner learn that keeping secrets from each other can strain a relationship whereas sharing fears and concerns helps to strengthen it.

Pinky and Rex and the School Play, by James Howe, illus. by Melissa Sweet. Grades K-3.

Pinky dreams of being an actor and wants to try out for the school play. Although Rex isn't the least bit interested, she goes to the try-outs to lend Pinky moral support and winds up with the lead! Will this be the end of their friendship?

Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend, by Mélanie Watt. Preschool-Grade 3.

In his latest adventure, worrywart Scaredy Squirrel decides to make a friend. And he knows just what he's looking for: someone who's germ-free, predictable, and most important of all, has no teeth. But he soon discovers the course of true friendship never runs smoothly.

Skunkdog, by Emily Jenkins, illus. by Pierre Pratt. Grades K-3.

A dog with no sense of smell and no doggie friends is thrilled when she meets her first potential friend—a skunk. Although she gets sprayed, she doesn't care because she can't smell anything. As time passes, she and the skunk form an unlikely bond in this gentle tale of loneliness, friendship, family, and tolerance.

A Splendid Friend, Indeed, by Suzanne Bloom. Preschool-Grade 1.

A touching friendship blossoms between a quiet, contemplative, and very patient polar bear and an exuberant, talkative, inquisitive goose. The book's large format makes it a winner for storyhour or for beginning readers.

Thank You, Bear, by Greg Foley. Preschool-Grade 1.

Bear thinks he has found the perfect present for his friend, Mouse. However, unflattering comments by everyone he meets along the way makes him doubt his choice. Fortunately, Mouse is a true friend and he rewards Bear's thoughtfulness with sincere thanks. A just right story of friendship.

Up on Cloud Nine, by Anne Fine. Grades 4-7.

Practical Ian sits next to the hospital bedside of his wildly imaginative friend Stol, who lies in a coma after falling out of a third-story window. As Ian reviews Stol's life, including his distant, career-driven parents and the boys' long friendship, he searches for clues as to whether the fall was an accident or intentional. A poignant novel of friendship and the fragility of life, whose memorable characters will stay with the reader long after the last page has been read.

Very Best (Almost) Friends: Poems of Friendship, by Paul B. Janeczko Editor, illustrator. by Christine Davenier. Grades 2-4.

In this slight volume, twenty-three popular children's writers express the joys and sorrows of friendship.

A Visitor for Bear, by Bonny Becker, illus. by Kady MacDonald Denton. Preschool-Grade 2.

A friendly mouse ignores a grumpy old bear's "No Visitors Allowed" sign, returning again and again to pop up in the most unexpected places. Finally his persistence pays off and Bear decides the sign refers to salesmen, not friends. A good pick for storytime.

Orville Wright's Birthday (August 19, 1871)

To Fly: The Story of the Wright Brothers, by Wendie Old, illus. by Robert Andrew Parker. Grades 3-5.

An excellent biography of the Wright brothers and how they--two bicycle repairmen—-managed to solve problems which the day's leading scientists couldn't. The book also shows how well the two brothers worked together and how their strengths and differences complemented each other.

The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane, by Russell Freedman. Grades 3 up.

Contributions and accomplishments of the legendary inventors, Orville and Wilbur Wright. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs by Wilbur and Orville Wright and others.

Allan Pinkerton's Birthday (August 25, 1819)

Allan Pinkerton: The Original Private Eye, by Judith Pinkerton Josephson. Grades 6-9.

The founder of America's most famous detective agency, Pinkerton used simple but groundbreaking techniques to solve many of the most celebrated crimes of the mid-1800s. This fine biography discusses both his career and his private life.

Anniversary of the March on Washington (August 28, 1963)

I Have a Dream, by Martin Luther Jr. King. Grades K up.

Fifteen award-winning artists illustrate Martin Luther King, Jr.'s classic speech, which he delivered on August 28, 1963 at the March on Washington. Includes a foreword by Coretta Scott King and a biographical sketch of his life.

About the Booklist

The librarian of each library participating in the BOOKS FOR CHILDREN program selects the books her library will receive from a booklist provided by the Foundation. The 700-plus fiction and nonfiction titles on the list reflect the very best of children's literature published within the last three years, as well as a selection of classic favorites. Although the complete booklist is for the sole use of libraries participating in the BOOKS FOR CHILDREN program, the website features an ever-changing selection of books from current and past booklists.

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