Imaginations are a beautiful thing! That imagination flourishes when a child reads a book that flies in the face of reality. Books about unicorns help to fuel that imagination. Unicorns are magical, mystical, one-horned, fairy tales in horses’ bodies. Most children are unaware of the myths surrounding unicorns. They don’t care. All they know is that magnificent, rainbow glittered horses are enchantingly beautiful.

Check out the following books available at the library!

Picture Books

How to Catch a Unicorn by Adam Wallace

Lily the Unicorn by Dallas Clayton

Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Bladney

A Unicorn Named Sparkle by Amy Young

Unicorn Thinks He’s Really Great by Bob Shea

Unicorns 101 by Cale Atkinsons

Unicorns Are the Worst! by Alex Willan

EZ Readers

Are Unicorns Real? by Ginjer Clarke

Pearl the Proper Unicorn by Sally Odgers

Pete the Kitty and the Unicorn’s Missing Colors by Kim Dean

Unicorn Wings by Mallory Loehr

Uni the Unicorn by Lissy Marlin

EZ Chapter Books

Princess DisGrace, a Royal Disaster by Lou Kuenzler

Sparkleton by Calliope Glass (series)

Unicorn Diaries by Rebecca Elliot (series)

Unicorn Riding Camp by Sophie Tilley

Unicorn University by Daisy Sunshine (series)

Fiction

Even and Odd by Sarah Beth Durst

Unicorn Chronicles by Bruce Coville (series)

Waiting for Unicorns by Beth Hautala

Graphic Novels

Grumpy Unicorn by Joey Spiotto

Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson (series)

Unicorns by Gary Jeffrey

Nonfiction

Unicorns: Magic, Myth and Mystery by Virginia Loh-Hagan

Unicorns by Dana Meachen Rau

The Truth about Unicorns by Molly Blaisdell

Drawing Unicorns and Other Mythical Beasts by Steve Beaumont

– Sharon Crawford, Youth Services Specialist

Every kid has hopes and dreams, and every kid achieves those dreams differently from each other. Everyone has different abilities, and no two people are exactly alike! Here are a variety of books where kids make friends, experience new things, and work hard to achieve their goals. Some of these kids are blind, or have Autism, or need sensory accommodations for noisy places. Try out some of these books and explore how you’re similar and different! (Some books are also available from our digital collections.)

Early Readers

Can Bears Ski? by Raymond Antrobus

Out Into the Big Wide Lake by Paul Harbirdge (Axis 360)

Lucas at the Paralympics and Lucas Makes a Comeback by Igor Plohl

Hello Goodbye Dog by Maria Gianferrari

My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

This Beach is Loud! By Samantha Cotterill

The Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin

Older Readers

El Deafo by Cece Bell (Axis 360, Overdrive)

A Boy Called Bat by Elana Arnold (Axis 360)

Wink: A Novel by Rob Harrell (OverDrive)

Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen! By Sarah Kapit

The Chance to Fly by Ali Stroker (Axis 360)

The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family by Sarah Kapit (Axis 360)

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling (Axis 360, Overdrive)

True Stories

Unbound: The Life and Art of Judith Scott by Joyce Scott (Axis 360)

Fauja Singh Keeps Going by Simran Jeet Singh

Dark was the Night by Gary Golio

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson (Axis 360)

Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky (Overdrive)

Brayden Speaks Up by Brayden Harrington

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca

General Books about Inclusion

Lovely by Jess Hong

Bodies are Cool by Tyler Feder

Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor (Axis 360, Overdrive)

Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It) by Carrie Finison (Axis 360)

– Alice Mitchell, Youth Services Manager

If you asked your child what they think art is, what would they say? Would they think of coloring or making things out of paper? If you would like to introduce your child to art, we have books about artists, art history, and many books on fun ways to create art. Some of the Playaway Launchpads even involve art activities! And you don’t even have to leave home; many art museums provide virtual tours and activities now. Explore more or place a hold using the links below.

Creating Art:

Amazing Animal Art by Emily Kington

Scrap Paper Art by Susie Brooks

Art Foam Fun by Hélène Leroux-Hugon

Ralph Masiello’s Bug Drawing Book by Ralph Masiello

Christmas and Hanukkah Origami by Ruth Owen

Learning about Art and Artists:

The Art Book for Children by Amanda Renshaw

The Art of Freedom: How Artists See America by Bob Raczka

Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery by Sandra Neil Wallace

Opposites Abstract by Mo Willems

The Usborne Children’s Book of Art by Rosie Dickins

Who was Pablo Picasso? by True Kelley

Playaway Launchpads:

By Sea. By Air. By Road! Around the World

Choo on These Facts!

Websites:

Article – The Importance of Art in Child Development

Museums – MetKids-The Metropolitan Museum of Art

National Gallery of Art-Families

by Jackie Laredo, Youth  Services Assistant

Folktales are stories or myths, often with a lesson or message, that are passed on from generation to generation through storytelling. Children can learn about different cultures and traditions through folktales. Here are a few of the great folktales you can find at FDL:

The Magic Orange Tree and Other Haitian Folktales by Diane Wolkstein

A collection of folktales gathered by the author in Haiti with comments on Haitian folklore. From orange trees growing at the command of a child to talking fish, these stories present us with a world of wonder, delight, and mystery.

The Gigantic Turnip by Aleksey Nikolayevich Tolstoy

In this traditional Russian tale, a farmer grows a turnip so big that it takes the combined efforts of him, his wife, six canaries, five geese, four hens, three cats, two pigs, one cow, and, finally, one mouse to pull it from the ground.

The Empty Pot by Demi

When Ping admits that he is the only child in China unable to grow a flower from the seeds distributed by the Emperor, he is rewarded for his honesty.

Coyote Rides the Sun: A Native American Folktale by Amanda St. John

A Native American tale of how the dusty coyote got its coloring, especially its black-tipped tail, and why the coyote is nocturnal.

Once a Mouse by Marcia Brown

When a small mouse’s life is threatened by large jungle predators, a kindly hermit uses magic to change him into a cat, a dog, and a majestic tiger. But the proud tiger must suffer the consequences when he becomes ungrateful and forgets his humble origins.

The Lion Book of Wisdom Stories by David Self

This collection includes fifteen traditional stories drawn from a variety of cultures from all across the globe. Each tale focuses on a different key issue – among them sharing resources, the downfalls of pride, and the nature of true wealth – and offers insight on how they can best be resolved.

– Jackie Laredo, Youth Services Assistant

Hi everybody! We were really sad to have to cancel the Big Rig Petting Zoo again this year due to Covid-19. Since we couldn’t have a big event, we have a surprise for you! We collaborated with the Fon du Lac Park District Police and East Side Community Media (Channel 22), to make a video that highlights the rescue equipment they use, including 4 big vehicles that are always favorites at the FDL Big Rig Petting Zoo. So cool!

We want to send out a huge THANK YOU to Chief Johnson and Sergeant Keil from the Fon du Lac Park District Police and Deral and Susan Dixon and Paul Coussens from East Side Community Media for making this video possible!!

But wait, there’s more Big Rig fun at the library! After you watch the video:

2. Pick up a Take & Make craft from the Youth Services department or drive-up window.
3. Enjoy the StoryWalk in the Reading Garden: Alphabeep: A Zipping, Zooming ABC written by Debora Pearson and illustrated by Edward Miller. In this book, you’ll see pictures of lots of the same vehicles that you would have seen at our real Big Rig Petting Zoo.
4. Next, take a walk around the Civic Plaza building (Library and City Hall) and check out the Big Rig Scavenger Hunt. We’ve put pictures of the vehicles from previous Big Rig Petting Zoos in the windows. You can pick up the Scavenger Hunt Vehicle List in the Youth Services department or at the drive-up window. (You will need to get out of your car to walk around the building.) Return your completed Scavenger Hunt List to the Youth Services department or drive-up window for a prize.

While you’re in the Youth Services department check out some of the great Big Rig books, in the Nonfiction Section, Board Books, and the GO Section in the Picture Books. Don’t forget online resources like Libby, Axis 360, and Hoopla. You can also browse our catalog, put books on hold, and pick them in person or at the drive-up window.

Here are just a few of the many books Big Rig books you can find at FDL:

Nonfiction

Fire Trucks: Racing to the Scene by Molly Aloian

The Usborne Big Book of Big Trucks by Megan Cullis

Humvees by John Hamilton

Trucks: The Ins and Outs of Monster Trucks, Semis, Pickups, and Other Trucks by Jeff Young

Tractor Trailers by Lola Schaefer

GO Section

Five Trucks by Brian Floca

Dump Trucks by Judith Jango-Cohen

Trucks Galore by Peter Stein

Grandma Drove the Snowplow by Katie Clark

I Stink! By Kate McMullan

Board Books

Construction Zoo by Jennifer Thorne

Busy Builders, Busy Week! By Jean Reidy

B is for Bulldozer by June Sobel

Colorful World: Construction Site by Nastja Holtfreter

Colorful World: Vehicles by Nastja Holtfreter

eBooks

Police Cars Machines with Power! by Amy McDonald (Libby)

Heavy-Duty Trucks by Joyce Milton (Axis 360)

Snowplows by Rebecca Pettiford (Hoopla)

Coast Guard Boats by B. J. Best (Hoopla)

– Kris, Youth Services Specialist