7 Favorite Childhood Books Found at the Library

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Previously on PoetryBooksYA…

In case you missed it, here are some posts I wrote in the past week:

Q&A with Francesca Burke: ‘The Princess and the Dragon and Other Stories About Unlikely Heroes’

My Therapy Journey // What I learned from my first three months of counseling

POETRY BOOK REVIEW: ‘Matters of the Heart’ by DNA Publishing Group

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Unfortunately, I have been laid off from my current job at my local library after working there only three months, which is still a bit of a shock to me. I will miss working with my coworkers, supervisors and director, and I’ve learned so much about the library industry. I’ll be sure to take all of that I have learned for my future endeavors. Even though I am still sad over the job loss, what I’ll miss the most is reminiscing over the childhood library books I’d stumbled upon while working there. Working at the library had brought me back to my childhood and teen years of reading, especially the Children’s section.

Here are some of my favorite childhood library books, in no particular order.

Childhood Library Book #1: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie: Extra Sweet Edition by Laura Joffe Numeroff
Published by HarperCollins on October 15, 2013
Genres: Young Adult, Animals, Social Themes, Friendship, Humorous Stories
Pages: 40
Goodreads

When I’d first saw this book at the library, this brought back memories of reading this when I was a kid in school. This story is basically what happens when certain events come back around to you. What goes around, comes around is the hilarious premise of this children’s tale.

Childhood Library Book #2: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill MartinJohn Archambault
Published by Simon and Schuster on March 22, 2011
Genres: Young Adult, Concepts, Alphabet, General
Pages: 40
Goodreads

I didn’t remember what this book was about, so I reread it and it’s about learning the alphabet! It’s a fun, cute, adorable, musical, rhyming story about the alphabets climbing a tree. There’s a certain rhythm to the lines of the book that keeps kids entertained and interested in the story.

Childhood Library Book #3: The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Published by Albert Whitman and Company on 2009-02
Genres: Young Adult, Action & Adventure, Survival Stories, Comics & Graphic Novels, General, Family, Orphans & Foster Homes, Mysteries & Detective Stories
Pages: 32
Goodreads

I remember reading The Boxcar Children childhood library books when I was in elementary school, along with another book series we’ll talk about later, and rereading the synopsis, it’s so sad. It basically describes 4 homeless kids having adventures while living in an old boxcar train. I know later on in the series, they get adopted by their grandfather, but the way I’d remembered the series was the kids going on trips and solving mysteries around their boxcar. It’s still an interesting story about family and teaching children to use their imagination.

Childhood Library Book #4: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon ScieszkaA. Wolf
Published by Penguin on 1989
Genres: Young Adult, Animals, Pigs, Wolves & Coyotes, Fairy Tales & Folklore, Adaptations
Pages: 32
Goodreads

This one was interesting to read, both as an adult and a child growing up. As a kid, I didn’t pay attention to how this story relates to how there can be different versions of the same story. There is also the truth! I was always afraid of the big, bad wolf (called Alexander T. Wolf) coming to eat the pigs and blow their houses down, but in “reality”, he had allergies! And the pigs were so mean to him; all A. Wolf wanted a cup of sugar for his granny, but the pigs didn’t want to listen. And he’d had a cold with a sneeze, but he didn’t mean to blow their houses down. He was framed!

Look at me defending an animated wolf at my big age of 28! Anyway…this book is still a lot of fun to read, no matter what age.

Childhood Library Book #5: The Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin

Stacey's Movie (The Baby-Sitters Club #130) by Ann M. Martin
Published by Scholastic Inc. on November 24, 2015
Genres: Young Adult, Social Themes, Adolescence, Friendship, Family, General
Pages: 144
Goodreads

The BSC was my first love growing up. They were the first series I read back in elementary school all the way to high school, and they’re still popular to this day. They’ve been revamped as graphic novels, a TV show on Netflix, and a 1995 movie. This series was the first that showed the power of true friendship, family, and growing up. Every time a patron between the ages of 10-14 called in to order a copy of The Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels at the library, my heart swelled up with pride. It makes me so happy that this iconic series is still relevant and important for kids today.

Childhood Library Book #6: Ramona and Beezus by Beverly Cleary

Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary
Published by Oxford University Press on 2000
Pages: 160
Goodreads

I didn’t read the book when I was younger, I only saw the 2010 movie starring Selena Gomez and Joey King, and it was cute!! I didn’t think it was amazing or whatever, but it was an adorable movie for what it was. Seeing the books appear in the library reminded me of the movie I saw once upon a time.

Childhood Library Book #7: Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park

Junie B. Jones is a Party Animal by Barbara Park
Published by Random House on 1997
Genres: Young Adult, Holidays & Celebrations, Law & Crime, Social Themes, General, Readers, Chapter Books
Pages: 71
Goodreads

I don’t remember reading this whole series either in school or home, but I do remember it being everywhere in my childhood overall. I’m also glad that this series is still being read by children today.

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Comment below! What are some of your favorite childhood library books?

Thanks for reading!