Each month a variety of observances and celebrations take place, from well-known holidays to much lesser known fun (and downright funny or strange!) observances.

March is…

Women’s History Month

Women Who Led the Way: Great Explorers and Adventurers by Mick Manning & Brita Granström
(Grades 3-6)
Library Catalog

21 amazing women explorers and adventurers from all over the world From Aud the Deep-Minded, an early voyager to Iceland, and Sacagawea who guided the Lewis and Clark expedition across the USA, to Mae Jemison, the first black woman in space and Arunima Sinha, the first woman amputee to climb Mount Everest, this book shows the incredible courage, determination and power of women explorers over the last 1200 years.

Best Believe: The Tres Hermanas, a Sisterhood for the Common Good by Nonieqa Ramos & Nicole Medina
(Kindergarten to 4th Grade)
Library Catalog

Meet the Tres Hermanas: Evelina Antonetty, Lillian López, and Elba Cabrera. They moved from Puerto Rico to New York City as children and grew up to become leaders in their Bronx community. Evelina, an activist for social causes, founded United Bronx Parents. Lillian became a librarian and administrator who fought for Spanish and bilingual books and Spanish-speaking library staff. Elba worked closely with Evelina and became an ambassador and advocate for the arts. Rhythmic verse by NoNieqa Ramos and vibrant illustrations by Nicole Medina provide a stirring look at three dynamic changemakers.

Journey to the Stars: Kalpana Chawla, Astronaut by Laurie Wallmark, Raakhee Mirchandani & Maitreyi Ghosh
(Kindergarten to 3rd Grade)
Library Catalog

A powerful story of hope about a woman who fought against all odds to become the first Indian American female astronaut. Kalpana Chawla set her sights on flight from an early age. She was told “no” many times in life: No, girls don't study aerospace. No, women don't become astronauts. No, you won't succeed in the United States. But Kalpana didn't listen–she was too busy forging her own path to the stars. And after a long journey of dedication, perseverance, and patience, she finally made it to space.

Irish-American Heritage Month

S is for Shamrock: An Ireland Alphabet by Eve Bunting & Matt Faulkner
(Kindergarten to 3rd Grade)
Library Catalog

Small in size (less than 400 by 200 miles) the country of Ireland holds a big place in world and human history. And many from around the globe proudly lay claim to ancestral ties there. S is for Shamrock: An Ireland Alphabet gives readers a guided A-Z tour of this small island country whose influence extends far beyond its sea borders. Famous landmarks such as the Blarney Stone and Finn McCool's Giant Causeway speak to the land and history that shaped Ireland and its inhabitants.

A Slip of a Girl by Patricia Reilly Giff
(Grades 4-6)
Library Catalog

For Anna, the family farm has always been home… But now, things are changing. Anna's mother has died, and her older siblings have emigrated, leaving Anna and her father to care for a young sister with special needs. And though their family has worked this land for years, they're in danger of losing it as poor crop yields leave them without money to pay their rent. When a violent encounter with the Lord's rent collector results in Anna and her father's arrest, all seems lost. But Anna sees her chance and bolts from the jailhouse. On the run, Anna must rely on her own inner strength to protect her sister–and try to find a way to save her family.

Fiona’s Lace by Patricia Polacco
Library Catalog

Many years ago, times were hard in all of Ireland, so when passage to America became available, Fiona and her family traveled to Chicago. They find work in domestic service to pay back their passage, and at night Fiona turns tangles of thread into a fine, glorious lace. Then when the family is separated, it is the lace that Fiona's parents follow to find her and her sister and bring the family back together. And it is the lace that will always provide Fiona with memories of Ireland and of her mother's words: “In your heart your true home resides, and it will always be with you as long as you remember those you love.” This generational story from the family of Patricia Polacco's Irish father brims with warmth and heart.

Paws to Read Month

Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp
(Kindergarten to 2nd Grade)
Library Catalog

A delightfully warm, encouraging story of a young girl and the special library dog who helps her develop patience, acceptance, and confidence as she learns to read, from award-winning author-illustrator Lisa Papp.

Dog Loves Books by Louise Yates
(Preschool to 2nd Grade)
Library Catalog

Dog loves books SO much he opens his very own bookstore. At first he's short of customers. But that's all right, because when Dog is surrounded by books, he is never short of friends–or fun. And when customers begin arriving, he knows just which books to recommend.

Celebrated in March____ is…

March 4th: Frances Perkins Cabinet Appointment Anniversary

Thanks to Frances Perkins: Fighter for Workers’ Rights by Deborah Hopkinson & Kristy Caldwell
(Kindergarten to 3rd Grade)
Library Catalog

An engaging picture book biography of Frances Perkins, the activist and first female United States cabinet member who created the Social Security program. From award-winning author Deborah Hopkinson. At 31, Frances Perkins witnessed the Triangle Waist Factory fire in 1911, one of the worst industrial disasters in United States history. The event forever changed her, and she dedicated herself to the fight for workers' rights. When she became Secretary of Labor in Franklin Delano Roosevelt's administration, she had the opportunity to make real her bold vision of a country where no one is left out and everyone is protected. Thanks to her efforts, we have the Social Security program, a move that changed Americans' lives for generations to come.

The Only Woman in the Photo: Frances Perkins & Her New Deal for America by Kathleen Krull & Alexander Bye
(Kindergarten to 3rd Grade)
Library Catalog

Frances realized she had to make her voice heard, even when speaking made her uncomfortable, and use it to fight injustice and build programs to protect people across the nation. So when newly-elected President Franklin Delano Roosevelt finally asked Frances to be the first female Secretary of Labor and help pull the nation out of the Great Depression, she knew she had to walk through that open door and forward into history. In this empowering, inspirational biography, discover how the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet led the charge to create the safety net that protects American workers and their families to this day.

March 5th: Unique Names Day

That’s Not My Name by Anoosha Syed
(Preschool to 2nd Grade)
Library Catalog

Mirha is so excited for her first day of school! She can't wait to learn, play, and make new friends. But when her classmates mispronounce her name, she goes home wondering if she should find a new one. Maybe then she'd be able to find a monogrammed keychain at the gas station or order a hot chocolate at the cafe more easily. Mama helps Mirha to see how special her name is, and she returns to school the next day determined to help her classmates say it correctly–even if it takes a hundred tries.

Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
(preschool to 2nd grade)
Library Catalog

Frustrated by a day full of teachers and classmates mispronouncing her beautiful name, a little girl tells her mother she never wants to come back to school. In response, the girl's mother teaches her about the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names on their lyrical walk home through the city. Empowered by this newfound understanding, the young girl is ready to return the next day to share her knowledge with her class. Your Name is a Song is a celebration to remind all of us about the beauty, history, and magic behind names.

Alma and How She Got her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
(Preschool to 3rd Grade)
Library Catalog

Alma y cómo obtuvo su nombre by Juana Martinez-Neal
Library Catalog
If you ask her, Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela has way too many names: six! How did such a small person wind up with such a large name? Alma turns to Daddy for an answer and learns of Sofia, the grandmother who loved books and flowers; Esperanza, the great-grandmother who longed to travel; José, the grandfather who was an artist; and other namesakes, too. As she hears the story of her name, Alma starts to think it might be a perfect fit after all–and realizes that she will one day have her own story to tell. In her 2019 Caldecott Honor Book, Juana Martinez-Neal opens a treasure box of discovery for children who may be curious about their own origin stories or names.

¿Cómo terminó Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela con un nombre tan largo? Mientras Papi le cuenta la historia de cada uno de sus nombres, Alma comienza a sentir cómo cabe perfectamente en ellos.

March 25th: Holi

Holi Colors! by Deven Jatkar
(Kindergarten to 3rd Grade)
Library Catalog

It is the day before India's Festival of Colors, Holi! Maya is looking forward to splashing and spraying colors with her friends and family. She falls on her head and wakes up in a black and white world with a chaos of colors. Why do everyone and everything look so different? Will Maya be able to play Holi tomorrow? And what fun is Holi without the colors? Maya heads out to explore this confusing world.

Festival of Colors by Kabir Sehgal, Surishtha Sehgal & Vashti Harrison
(Preschool to 2nd Grade)
Library Catalog

Spring is here, and it's almost time for Holi, the Indian Festival of Colors. Siblings Mintoo and Chintoo are busy gathering flowers to make into colorful powders to toss during the festival. And when at last the big day comes, they gather with their friends, family, and neighbors for a vibrant celebration of fresh starts, friendship, forgiveness, and, of course, fun!

Holi Hai! by Chitra Soundar & Darshika Varma
(Preschool to 2nd Grade)
Library Catalog

Gauri is excited to splash colors on everyone for Holi. But when she doesn't get her favorite color, Gauri gets mad. Will she find a way to overcome her anger and join in the festivities?