Off the Shelf: Sharing stories, gifting books

By Emily Sly

As you consider holiday gift-giving ideas for friends and family, consider the gift of picture books. They are great for all ages, can have beautiful illustrations, are fun to read aloud and can be read and enjoyed many times. Browse the library picture book section to discover the wide range of titles available, from recently published to familiar classics.

One place to look for gift books is the Friends of Sequim Library monthly book sale. Add it to your list of shopping stops on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at their location in Rock Plaza, 10175 Old Olympic Hwy. The sale will feature donated books and puzzles from community members, with proceeds supporting programming at the Sequim Library.

To help you on your book search, consider these handpicked titles that are favorites to give and receive. The selections below feature a short description adapted from the publisher. They are all available for checkout at the library.

“Working Boats: An Inside Look at Ten Amazing Watercraft” by Tom Crestodina: Filled with full-page spreads of cross sections of ten intriguing working boats, this book provides a glimpse into their inner workings, as well as highlights of each boat’s unique engineering components that enable it to do the job it was built for.

“The Book That Can Read Your Mind” by Marianna Coppo: Prepare to be amazed by this magic trick in a book! Inspired by 17th century magic books, this interactive game in a book will enchant readers of all ages, compelling them to pick among many intriguing, illustrated characters and play over and over (and over) again.

“Your Place in the Universe” by Jason Chin: Explore the known Universe and consider its mind-boggling scale in this crisply illustrated, well-researched picture book from a Caldecott Medal recipient.

“The Book of Mistakes” by Corinna Luyken: Told in minimal, playful text, this story shows readers that even the biggest “mistakes” can be the source of the brightest ideas — and that, at the end of the day, we are all works in progress, too.

“Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Peña: This award-winning modern classic is an inclusive ode to kindness and finding joy in unexpected places. It celebrates the bond between a young boy and his grandmother, who shows him the beauty in the world around them — the spirit of the bustling city, the music in everyday life, and the magic of their often overlooked neighbors.

Explore the library catalog for more titles, or request a personalized reading list tailored to your interests by completing the form at NOLS.org/bookmatch. If you can’t make it to the library, e-books, audiobooks, movies and music are available online anytime through the Libby, Hoopla and Kanopy apps with free access using your library card.

Visit the Sequim Library Temporary Location at 609 W. Washington St., open Monday–Thursday 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. You can also contact staff by phone at 360-683-1161 or email sequim@nols.org.