Textbooks and legal guides line the shelves of the D’Angelo Law Library. But tucked among them are surprises: illustrated tales of pirates, board games inspired by landmark cases, even a book devoted to freezer-door cocktails. These unexpected finds are part of the library’s recreational collections, developed by Maureen Moran, the collection strategy and research librarian.

Two years ago, Moran began adding law-themed children’s books to the specially curated collection. Topics range from landmark cases and legal processes, important figures in legal history, and international human rights, to books that are more lighthearted, as one might expect a children’s book to be, like ones about pirates and other silly characters that touch on the theme of crime and criminals in a funny and colorful way.

“There really is a surprising amount of content out there about the legal world for children,” said Moran, who noted that the library now has just over three hundred of these books. “The law is for children, too.”

There are at least two books in the children’s book collection authored by Law School alumni. Numerous others highlight trailblazing alumni, such as Patsy Mink, ’51, the first woman of color and the first Asian American woman elected to Congress. The library also contains children’s titles authored by known leaders in the law community, such as Justice Sonya Sotomayor.

Other titles at first glance may not seem related to the law at all, but the connection becomes clear with a closer read. One such book is The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. “The Lorax is basically a story about environmental law,” said Moran.

“It’s interesting to see how people explain the law to children,” she continued. “How they break down complicated legal concepts or big, scary things a child might be experiencing in their family. For example, we have books that explain the criminal process to children whose parents are going through it, through stories that make it easy for a child to understand.”

Other books set out to inform and inspire. Books about major events or people show why that event or person is significant:Who is Oliver Wendell Holmes? Who is Ruby Bridges? Why should we know about them? 

“Adults want to know about these things, so why wouldn’t kids want to know?” Moran asked.

A sampling of the library’s children’s books was displayed at the 2025 Law School Reunion and at last fall’s Family Friday, giving much delight to alumni and their children.

Alumni had the chance to catch up with former classmates while their children were busy checking out the books, Moran said. “And it’s an opportunity to share the law with your children.” The library plans to continue these displays at future alumni and community events.  

While these books are interesting and provide a source of enjoyment, they fill an important need, Moran noted. They introduce concepts of law to a very young audience that does not yet have a lot of agency. “If they can start to understand the law early, maybe they can exercise their rights in an informed and responsible way when they’re older,” Moran said.

Children’s books are not the only new and unusual law-themed items that Moran has been adding to the library lately. Another fast-growing collection consists of law-themed games. Inspired by UChicago’s Year of Games, a University-wide celebration of play and creativity throughout the 2025–2026 academic year, the D’Angelo Law Library now has an eclectic mix of about 50 law-themed board and card games.

This newest collection offers a unique perspective into the many ways that one can learn about the law through active engagement. Some games are based on historic events with legal significance, such as the Salem witch trials and the formation of the Constitution. Others relate to legal processes, including one gamifying the filing of a patent application and another inspired by the nature of Supreme Court rulings (called I Dissent). Moran is currently trying to acquire a game based on Professor Eric A. Posner’s work. It may soon hit library shelves. 

As for the other unique items in the recreational collections, a leisurely perusal will reveal wellness books, city of Chicago books, cookbooks, romance novels, graphic novels, young adult fiction, memoirs, and more.

“Lawyers are whole people,” said Moran. “I think it’s important to have an interest beyond just the law, because you need to nourish your whole person. It’s healthy to get out of the purely academic bubble from time to time. Go read Twilight, go play a game, read a book to your child. Your brain will thank you for it.”