This week is National Library Week (April 8-14), a time to celebrate the contributions of our country’s libraries and librarians. One way I’m celebrating is by reading Kate Cleminson’s Otto, The Book Bear with my kids. This charming picture book is about a bear that lives in a book in a house with children. “He was at his happiest when children read his book.”  But when no one is looking, Otto likes to come out of his book and roam the house, read other stories, and do some writing of his own. (Remember typewriters? Kids may ask what that odd-looking machine is that Otto is sitting on.) One day, Otto’s book is left behind by accident when his family packs up and moves away. Not one to fall apart when disaster strikes, the intrepid bear packs a bag and sets off to explore the world and find a new home. Clear simple illustrations against ample white space reveal a book-size Otto in a busy, bustling world. Young kids will easily empathize with the creature’s predicament—tiny in a land of giants—and they’ll sigh with relief when he stumbles upon “a place full of light and hope.” To his surprise and delight, Otto discovers that this place, a building with rows and rows of books, is “full of book creatures just like him.”  Here, at the library, he can do all the things he loves to do—read, write, and best of all, be read, making him “the happiest book bear of all.”

Apparently, bears aren’t the only creatures who like to hang out at libraries. Here are three more books that feature libraries and their unusual patrons. For more ideas about how to celebrate National Library Week, visit atyourlibrary.org.

Bats at the Library by Brian Lies. When bats spy an open window at the library, they can’t resist an exciting evening of bookish fun. The bats experiment with the copy machine, play in the water fountain, and enjoy storytime so much that they’re starring in their own bat-versions of classics like Peter Rabbit and Winnie the Pooh. 

Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. A lion walks into a library and is so taken by story hour that he becomes a regular visitor. He makes himself useful by dusting books, licking envelopes and letting small children stand on his back to reach the highest shelves. Then, one day, the lion breaks one of the library’s most important rules (the one about being quiet) and roars (although it’s for a good reason). Will the lion ever be welcome at the library again?

Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk. Sam is a little mouse who lives in a hole in the wall behind the children’s reference books. One day, he starts writing and illustrating his own books and leaving them out on shelves for kids to find. His books are a hit and the librarian leaves Sam a note, inviting him to appear at Meet the Author Day. How can Sam attend without revealing his true identity? His solution will delight and inspire.

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Can you think of other titles that celebrate the magic of libraries and books?