Assistant Librarian Leah High reading a book in Nolen Library. Photo by Skyla Choi
«Ever wish there were an inviting space you could go to read new stories, discover fun facts, and learn more about the works of art you see in The Met galleries? Good news: there is! Nolen Library is open to all Met visitors and has resources for all ages about The Met's collection, exhibitions, and the history of art.»
Hi there! My name is Leah High, and I'm one of many librarians who work at The Met. One of the things I love about my job is getting to help #MetKids find great stories and do detective work in the library. I also get to research and decide on some of the titles we buy.
Leah High's top reading picks from Nolen Library. Photo by Skyla Choi
Here are five recent books for young readers I'm excited about right now (in no particular order):
Native Americans: A Visual Exploration
By S. N. Paleja
Toronto: Annick Press, 2013
Excellent design, colorful maps, and interesting infographics bring to life facts and figures about the distinct, indigenous peoples living in North America long ago and today. This snapshot includes a helpful bibliography (or list of resources the author used in his or her research) and inspires me to dig deeper into the unique cultures of the diverse tribes and nations that have created works in The Met collection. P.S. Ever wonder what can you make with a bison? Turn to page 22 to find out!
Hot Pink: The Life & Fashions of Elsa Schiaparelli
By Susan Goldman Rubin
New York: Abrams Books For Young Readers, 2015
Hot pink is loud and proud, and some might even call it shocking! Whatever you call it, this bright color earned special fame as the signature tint of the fearlessly creative 20th-century fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli. This book gives us a look at her fascinating life and accomplishments through well-researched text and colorful photographs, and includes notes, a bibliography, where to see her work around the world, and bonus information such as works by other artists that she influenced. Read the book, and then search the online collection to see how many of her "fashion firsts" (page 48) you can spot.
Cloth Lullaby: The Woven Life of Louise Bourgeois
Words by Amy Novesky and pictures by Isabelle Arsenault
New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2016
Have you ever wondered why an artist might create an enormous sculpture of a spider more than 30 feet tall? Me too. This picture book biography about artist Louise Bourgeois gives us a glimpse into her early years and the experiences that inspired many of her creations. The poetic text and gorgeous illustrations weave a captivating story that is not only a pleasure to read but also one that deepens my understanding and appreciation of her art-making practice. If you think all spiders are creepy, this book may change your mind.
Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America
By Carole Boston Weatherford; Illustrations by Jamey Christoph
Chicago, Illinois: Albert Whitman & Company, [2015]
Can art inspire social change? A photographer named Gordon Parks thought so. This picture book biography looks at the journey of the iconic, self-taught photographer, who documented the racial injustices he saw and experienced during segregation and whose images gave a voice to those struggling for equal rights. Minimal text and powerful illustrations provide an introduction to one aspect of this multi-talented artist's work and spark my curiosity to learn more.
Gifts from the Gods: Ancient Words & Wisdom from Greek & Roman Mythology
by Lise Lunge-Larsen; illustrated by Gareth Hinds
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011
If you love gods, goddesses, humans, and heroes from Greek and Roman mythology, or if you are a word nerd like me, this book is for you. Learn the mythical stories and etymology (the study of the origin of a word) behind some fascinating words we use today. Like the story of Hypnos, the Greek god of sleep, whose name we see reflected in the word hypnotize, which means "to put into a trance or sleep-like state." It has great illustrations, too!
Find these books, and many more, at The Met. Photo by Skyla Choi
You don't need a library card to visit Nolen Library because all our books stay in the library. But anyone can use them here! If you find something you love, we can try to help you find it in your local public library, or it might be available for purchase in The Met Store. So bring your friends, family, and, most importantly, your curiosity to Nolen Library the next time you visit The Met. Hope to see you soon. Happy reading!