Libraries Gone Wild! 13 Imaginative Picture Books About Libraries
by Dena McMurdie
Going to the library is always an adventure, and these picture books prove how exciting it can be. From a storytime invaded by poultry to a school library guarded by a real-life dragon, these tales remind us that the library is a magical place full of possibility and fun.
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Chicken Story Time
Available from:Storytime at the library gets interesting when a chicken shows up. As more and more chickens start attending, things get a little hectic. Fortunately, the librarian is able to find a solution to curb the storytime chaos while keeping everyone happy.
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Library Lion
Available from:When a lion wanders into the library for storytime, he’s given permission to stay and help out as long as he obeys the rules. This heartwarming tale of a lion, a library, and kindness has become a modern classic.
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The Library Dragon
The new school librarian is a ferocious dragon! Miss Lotta Scales takes her job guarding the books seriously and won’t let the children take them off the shelves. When an unassuming girl wanders in and reads a book aloud, Miss Lotta Scales softens her library policies and allows the children to borrow books again. Puns, humor, and a love for reading take center stage in this fun story.
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The Not So Quiet Library
Available from:A library visit, donuts for breakfast, and a five-headed book-eating monster make this hilarious picture book an irresistible read. It’s a far-fetched story that celebrates imagination and the magic of storytime.
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Can I Bring Woolly to the Libary, Ms. Reeder?
Available from:A boy wants to bring a woolly mammoth to the library. He presents his logic to the librarian, promising that a woolly mammoth could help shelve books on the tall shelves and provide a soft snuggle for young library patrons. The silly illustrations and outlandish situational humor make this a wild library most kids would love to visit.
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Wild About Books
Available from:What happens when a librarian mistakenly drives her bookmobile into the zoo? She finds the perfect book for each animal, of course. From Harry Potter for the otters to dramas for the llamas, this delightful book is a reading frenzy!
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The Night Library
Available from:In this gorgeously illustrated picture book, a reluctant reader goes on a whimsical nighttime adventure with the stone lions from the New York Public Library. The lions show the boy the wonders and magic found in the library and stories. It’s a must-read for any book lover.
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Booker the Library Bat 1: The New Guard
Available from:Booker the bat gets a job at the library, protecting antique leather tomes by eating the insects munching on the books. A human book thief proves more challenging, but with the help of his fellow library guards, Booker hatches a plan to save the library.
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Madeline Finn and the Library Dog
Available from:This sweet story is about a young girl struggling to learn to read. Madeline believes she doesn’t like reading until Bonnie, the library dog, sits patiently with her while she reads aloud. With Bonnie’s patient encouragement, Madeline learns to take her time and slowly gains confidence in her reading abilities.
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Library Books Are Not for Eating!
Ms. Bronte loves reading library books to her classroom. But the only problem is that once story time ends, she eats the book! The children remind her not to eat the library books, but she keeps gobbling them up. Rhyming text, a humorous storyline, and colorful illustrations make this book the perfect storytime read.
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A Library Book for Bear
Bear begrudgingly agrees to go to the library with his friend, Mouse, even though he doesn’t think he needs more books. At the library, Bear refuses to read any book that isn’t about pickles, and Mouse almost gives up hope of finding the perfect book. Just when they are about to leave empty-handed, Bear overhears the librarian reading an irresistible story.
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Froggy Goes to the Library
Available from:Head to the library with your favorite frog and giggle at his zany antics. Froggy gets so excited about all the books he finds that he forgets to keep his voice down, causing chaos in the typically calm library. Onomatopoeia and Froggy’s rib-tickling antics make this book a storytime favorite.
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The Lost Library
Available from:When Oliver finds a flying library book, he and his friend Rosie get swept into a magical library in another dimension. Oliver and Rosie must work together to navigate each surprising twist and turn before finding their way home again.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2024.