Themed Bookshelves

Ribbon skirts are worn today not only as a symbol of cultural significance, but also as a beautiful fashion statement. While they mean different things to different Indigenous communities, ribbon skirts are broadly considered to symbolize culture and kinship, identity and resilience. In 2021, Deb Haaland wore a ribbon skirt when she was sworn in as the first Native American cabinet secretary of the Department of the Interior. In What Your Ribbon Skirt Means to Me: Deb Haaland’s Historic Inauguration written by Alexis Bunten (Aleut/Yup’ik) and illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt (Diné (Navajo) of the Kiiyaa'áanii Clan), we learn that the colors of the ribbons adorning Secretary Haaland’s skirt each had a special meaning – the red ribbon represented strawberries, the orange represented fire, yellow was for the sun, green was for grass, blue was for water and violet was for shells. To celebrate Native American Heritage Month in 2024, you can learn more about ribbon skirts, and other traditions and experiences of Indigenous Americans, through the books below: Read More

Each year, lots of families carve jack-o’-lanterns to celebrate Halloween. But did you know that the first jack-o’-lanterns were carved from turnips, not pumpkins? In Ireland and Scotland people hollowed out turnips and gave them creepy faces to celebrate the feast of All Hallows’ Eve. While getting ready to trick-or-treat, enjoy these books that explore other wonderful fall holidays: Read More

The world’s population includes 2 billion children aged 0-14. These children live in 195 different countries, speak more than 7,000 languages, and represent hundreds of different ethnicities. In celebration of World Inclusion Day 2024, enjoy these stories about children whose race, gender, abilities or experiences might differ from yours! Read More

In honor of National Hispanic & Latín Heritage Month 2024, learn more about Frida Kahlo, the brilliant Mexican artist who painted at Casa Azul in Who Was Her Own Work of Art?: Frida Kahlo, and explore other wonderful books that celebrate Hispanic and Latín heritage. Read More

Pirates may not have buried much treasure on deserted islands, cried “argh” when displeased, or forced their captives to walk the plank. (Argh!) But some pirate lore seems to be based on fact. Pirates actually had parrots for pets, wore eye patches, and flew the Jolly Roger. (Blimey!) To celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day 2024, read a pirate book or three. Discover interesting facts and popular pirate myths, and find out more about the seadogs, swashbucklers and scallywags who roamed the briny deep. Read More

In 1902, the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, was on a hunting trip in Mississippi, when he refused to shoot a bear. The owner of a candy store in Brooklyn, New York, named Morris Michtom, read about the incident, and he and his wife, Rose, created a stuffed bear in his honor – Teddy’s Bear. In honor of National Teddy Bear Day 2024, learn more about bears (and about President Teddy Roosevelt)! Read More

Children all over the world typically go back to school following their summer holidays. This means that school starts in August or September in the Northern Hemisphere, and January or February in the Southern Hemisphere. But even though many kids start school at the same time, what it means to go back to school may be very different. To celebrate Back to School Month 2024, here are some great books about different ways kids experience going back to school! Read More

Danish author Hans Christian Anderson wrote the fairytale, The Little Mermaid, almost 200 years ago. In 1913, a statue was placed along the beach in Copenhagen, Denmark, to celebrate the well-known story and its author. And today, the statue of The Little Mermaid is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Denmark. Celebrate National Beach Day 2024 with these stories about mermaids! Read More

The most popular Summer Olympic sports include artistic gymnastics, swimming, diving, rhythmic gymnastics, basketball, cycling, football (soccer), tennis and volleyball. Get ready for the Summer Olympics with these great books about the Summer Olympics and Olympians! Read More

Lis Hartel was only 23 years old in 1944 when polio left her paralyzed from the knees down. Determined to still compete as an equestrian, Lis taught herself to ride again. In 1952, she earned a silver medal in dressage at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki – the very first year women were welcome to compete at the Olympic Games, and eight years before the first Paralympics (the largest international sports competition for athletes with disabilities) was held in 1960. Celebrate National I Love Horses Day 2024 with these great nonfiction books about horses and riders, including Jubilee: The First Therapy Horse and an Olympic Dream!   Read More