Tomás and the Library Lady, by Pat Mora, illustrated by Raul Colón -- Day 53

As migrant workers, Tomás and his family follow the harvests from Texas to Iowa each summer. Their long days are filled with dry, hot work; their evenings are cheered by Papá Grande’s storytelling. One day, when Tomás already seems to know all of his grandfather’s stories, Papá Grande encourages Tomás to walk downtown to the public library. Uncertain about entering the huge building, Tomás is invited through the door by a lady who shows him a drinking fountain, a chair to sit in and books to look through. She even lets him take books home to share with his family, having signed them out to herself. Tomás visits the library all summer, reading good books (so many fascinating books!) and even teaching the library lady some words in Spanish. When it’s time to return to Texas, Tomás must say adiós to the library and the wonderful, welcoming librarian. He and his grandfather take her some pan dulce in thanks, and in return she gives Tomás a hug and a new book to keep. An endnote tells us this story was inspired by the life of Texas-born Tomás Rivera, a migrant worker who, encouraged to read by a librarian in Iowa, valued education and became a professor, then chancellor, at the University of California at Riverside where the library now carries his name. Raul Colón's artwork accords perfectly with author Pat Mora’s inspiring Tomás and the Library Lady, together expressing just what libraries make possible. Ages 4-8.

Diana’s White House Garden, by Elisa Carbone, illustrated by Jen Hill -- Day 52

Based on a true story, Diana’s White House Garden is an engaging look at the homefront during the stressful days of World War II. Diana was the daughter of Harry Hopkins, chief advisor to President Franklin Roosevelt from 1940 to 1943. As the only child living in the White House, Diana occasionally got into some mischief. Well, the president himself had an idea: help us plant a Victory Garden! With the decision to commit much of America’s transportation and other resources to the war effort, families across the nation were encouraged to grow their own food to supplement their rations. The White House led with its own Victory Garden, and Diana began one on the south lawn under the guidance of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Indeed, Diana became a poster child of sorts for this worthy and important project, featured in magazines and newspapers across the country. Springing up in yards and vacant lots everywhere, Victory Gardens were a great success and a truly valuable way for citizens to support themselves and the war effort. As part of her research for this book, author Elisa Carbone interviewed Diana Hopkins Halsted. Her fond memories of days in the White House included playing with Fala, the Roosevelts’ terrier, and certainly the garden. Jen Hill’s descriptive illustrations (which capture well the feel of the era and the venue) are an inviting complement to this upbeat story. Ages 5-8.

The Congress of the United States, by Christine Taylor-Butler -- Day 51

The “TRUE” books, published by Children’s Press since the mid-1900s, remain a valuable resource for classrooms and families across America. Topics range from animals to social studies to biographies and more, with concepts and facts clearly explained. The Congress of the United States by Christine Taylor-Butler is one of several books focusing on our national government. It provides the history of the Congress, the composition of the House of Representatives and the Senate, areas of responsibility, relationship to the Executive and Judicial branches of government ensuring the balance of power intended in the Constitution, plus a few landmark events. Readers learn that Congress is the Legislative (lawmaking) branch of the Unites States government; they also learn how a bill becomes law. Included are a map of the Capitol area in Washington, D.C., a glossary of important terms, a timeline and additional resources. There are intriguing items, such as the Candy Desk in the Senate chambers, and extremely serious ones such as the decision to declare war. Did you know that, though a member of Congress must be a U.S. citizen, he or she need not have been born in the United States? That Nancy Pelosi was the first female Speaker of the House in 2007 and that same year Keith Ellison became the first Muslim elected to Congress? Or that Senator Strom Thurmond holds the record for the longest filibuster, back in 1957? The most up-to-date information about our Congress can be obtained on its websites www.house.gov and www.senate.gov, but an introductory book such as this is a very useful beginning. Ages 8-10 and others who seek basic information.