Go to the library!

Over the holidays my schedule was jam-packed so I missed my bi-weekly public library visits.  This week, after the kids' dentist appointment, we went back.  I LOVE the smell when I walk in those doors!  It smells like stories - fantasy, thrillers, graphic novels, memories, exotic places, laughter, tears, and information.  YES, I do smell all those things in a library.  It makes my heart happy when my kids are running, even though you are really not supposed to run, through the shelves to get to that one section they are interested in that day.  It makes my heart happy when they are on the computers looking up their books and then when they go try to find the books themselves.  It makes my heart happy that they want to use the "self check-out" with their own library cards.  It makes my heart so very happy that my kids LOVE the library!  Not just the public one, but their school libraries as well.
     In the library on Tuesday afternoon, I came across the new Kate Di Camillo book that I had no idea even existed!  Those who know me know that she is one of my most favorite authors and I am usually checking WAY in advance to see when the next book will come out.  So, imagine my excitement when I found this treasure! I tried to keep a "library voice" because there was tutoring, studying and reading going on… but it was SO hard.  As I passed by the children's librarian, I express my excitement to he.  He proceeded to chat with me about other good books to read and gave me a couple more suggestions. THAT'S what I'm talking about!  I LOVE when I can go into a library and talk with someone knowledgeable about children's literature.
     Of course I have fostered a love of reading, books, stories and libraries since my girls were babies.  But what about families that don't have that love?  Families that have two working parents or a single parent taking care of everything?  They may love reading and even going to the library, but they simply don't have time to add one more thing on their schedule.  Could that be you?  Go to the library!  Take your kids right up to the Children's Librarian, make introductions, and start asking for recommendations.  Otherwise your kids are missing out on fantastic adventures, heartwarming stories, hilarious antics, and SO much more.  Here is a picture of my kids at the self checkout:

OK, now let's talk books. I know I promised picture books but I have to tell you about a couple of novels.  Last posting I was reading Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it for kids 4th grade and up.  It is a story of a girl named Moses (Mo for short) who is looking for some important answers in her life.  Mainly, who are her real parents and where have they been all her life.  I enjoyed the humor and the suspense from her search and looked forward to climbing into bed each night to read the next few chapters.




WOW!  The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is… WOW!  This book is the perfect choice for kids who love animals!  It is a story told by Ivan, a Silverback gorilla.  He reminisces, as best he can, of the family he knew in the jungle before they were killed and he was taken into captivity.  He has such a kind and compassionate heart and his story is told so eloquently.  In the story, he makes a promise to a friend that seems impossible to keep but Ivan is determined to keep his word.  This is also a great choice for reluctant readers in 4th grade and higher because the chapters are short and kids can easily ready 4-6 chapters in one night.  This is one of those books that made me really think about the treatment of animals in captivity and made me decide where I stand on the issue.


I must admit, I  finally read a book in the Who Was…?  series.  I have seen them in bookstores, book fairs, and even in libraries for a while now but just never read one.  I was impressed.  The book I read is Who Was Steve Jobs? because I did not really know much about him.  I liked the way it was written and was a nice change from chapters of facts that you find in many biographies written for kids.  I liked that it told a story.  I will definitely read more of these.



I'm starting on the new Bluebonnet list for next year and am going to try to get my hands on the titles in the new 2x2 list as well.  Happy reading friends! (Now go to the library.)