Books about Books Part 2 - The Storytime Edition

In part 1 of this feature I looked at some non-fiction books about reading, from the magic of bookstores to what authors find in their favourite page-turners. Today, it's all about the mini bookworms; going right back to those early years where a passion for reading begins. I still have my favourite picture books from when I was a kid, and though a little worn in places, they are all well-loved. I hope to bring those out again one day to share with the next generation of budding bookworms, but there are also others I've come across recently which would make lovely gifts and seem equally charming.

Franklin's Flying Bookshop

Franklin the dragon loves stories and loves reading stories to people too, but everyone is too scared to even talk to him. One day, he meets a girl named Luna who, rather than being afraid, is fascinated to meet Franklin, having recently read all about dragons in one of her books. They instantly become friends and talk nonstop about what they’ve read: books about roller-skating, King Arthur, spiders, and how to do kung fu. Together they hatch a plan to share their love of books with others by opening a bookshop―a flying bookshop, that is―right on Franklin’s back! 

Franklin, a well-read and peace-loving dragon, and Luna, a young girl with an independent spirit and an insatiable love of reading, make fantastic role models for young children. Franklin’s Flying Bookshop brings the magic of classic fairy tales into the twenty-first century through exquisite illustrations, and will enchant children as well as anyone who loves books.

Jen Campbell is known for writing The Bookshop Book, Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops, and her short story collection The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night. I've seen this book in person and the stunning illustrations by Katie Harnett are reason enough to buy it. Aside from that, I love the idea of giving fairytales a new twist.

The Incredible Book Eating Boy

Like many children, Henry loves books. But Henry doesn’t like to read books, he likes to eat them. Big books, picture books, reference books... if it has pages, Henry chews them up and swallows (but red ones are his favorite).

And the more he eats, the smarter he gets—he’s on his way to being the smartest boy in the world!

But one day he feels sick to his stomach. And the information is so jumbled up inside, he can’t digest it! Can Henry find a way to enjoy books without using his teeth?

With a stunning new artistic style and a die-cut surprise, Oliver Jeffers celebrates the joys of reading in this charming and quirky picture book. It’s almost good enough to eat.

What better way to teach that books are a fountain of knowledge than with a story by Oliver Jeffers? This book sounds like it has a good message, wrapped up in a funny plot that is just the right amount of extraordinary to keep the little ones engaged.

A Child of Books

I am a child of books. 

I come from a world of stories. 

A little girl sails her raft across a sea of words, arriving at the house of a small boy. She invites him to go away with her on an adventure into the world of stories...where, with only a little imaginaton, anything at all can happen.

Irresistibly engaging characters by Oliver Jeffers set sail and chart their way through Sam Winston's fascinating typographical landscapes in this extraordinary ode to the power and promises of storytelling. Forty treasured children's classics and lullabies are featured in the pictures, providing endless opportunities for discovery, memories and sharing.

Woven together by a simple story line, the one-of-a-kind illustrations in a A Child of Books provide an unforgettable reading experience that will inspire and encourage readers of all ages to explore, question, and imagine timeless stories of their own.

I can already see this making the perfect gift for some of my younger cousins, and the idea of incorporating popular classics into the mix makes it appealing to adults as well. Exploring the magic created by words in an inspiring way is just what a good book like this should do.

The Not So Quiet Library

It’s Saturday, which means Oskar and Theodore get to go to the library with their dad! It means donuts for breakfast! And it means endless quiet hours lost in stories.

But on this not so quiet Saturday, Oskar and Teddy get a rude surprise when they're interrupted by a five-headed, hangry monster!

Will Oskar ever get to finish his book in peace? Will Teddy ever get to gorge on his donuts? Or might both of them hold the secret weapons to taming the beast?

OHora brings his signature humor and quirkiness to a story with evergreen appeal. This laugh-out-loud picture book is perfect for story time.

The Not So Quiet Library takes an almost old-school approach to illustrations, but still promises to deliver an adorable read set among all the stories anyone could ask for. Released only last year, I've seen it compared to It's a Book by Lane Smith which is another one to add to the list!

Lucy's Book

Lucy's Book captures that special connection between a child and their favourite book, as well as celebrating the way sharing stories can bring people together.

Lucy's mum takes her to the library every Saturday. Lucy loves to read, but there is one special book that she borrows over and over again.

The book is shared between friends, dropped in the ocean, flown to China and even made into a banana sandwich.


But what will happen when everyone's favourite book goes missing?

Some things never change, and as predictably nerdy as it is, going to the library was always an adventure for me. Even as more books are available digitally, nothing compares to picking up a hard copy off the shelf, and I love how Lucy's Book communicates that.

A few of the picture books I grew up with

What were some of your bookish childhood favourites?