Book Shelf: Children's Library

We're going on a field trip!

It's Library Day. I hope you brought your lunch because we'll be on the road most of the time. I'm taking you to Pennsylvania to meet my favorite children's librarian.

This is my daughter, Gabi. She's our guest speaker today.
Click here and she'll introduce herself.

Three more excellent children's book posts by Gabi are:
If I Ran a Library, Picture Book Picnic, and Three Scary Stories.

"It's in books that most of us learn how splendidly worth-while life is."

We had a set of books called Books of Wonder when I was a little girl. Sitting on the heater vent in my pajamas, I got lost in the stories of Pandora, and Icarus. I memorized long poems like Little Orphant Annie, and Casey at the Bat, and parts of Hiawatha, and Evangeline because I read them so often. I loved the Little Maid books where I learned about Maine and Quebec and "Old Vermont." Those books evoke memories of rainy Saturday afternoons when I slumped in a chair cradled by pillows and explored faraway places. I met extraordinary people, and visited different cultures and times.

"My world began to expand very rapidly . . . the reading habit had got me securely."

—H. G. Wells

Seven little granddaughters came to play one day. When it was time to go I said, "As soon as the dress-ups are cleaned up, I have a surprise for you."

Rustling and bustling, seven mini-maids stuffed purses, scarves, hats and jewelry back in the trunks and rushed to sit in an expectant circle. "What is it?" "What are we getting, Oma?"

I told them the surprise was that they could each pick a book from Oma's Library and check it out. The bookplate would remind them to bring it back, and when they did, they'd get to choose another book to take home.

They cheered and clapped—it was almost like Christmas! (Actually it was like Christmas; they get a book then, too.)

Chloë suddenly looked apprehensive. "When is it due?" she asked. "Whenever you want," I answered. "But is there a fine?" "No," I said, "there's no fine."

Relief spread over her face, and she jumped up in excitement. "Mom! Mom! There's no fine!"

You may have tangible wealth untold:
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
But richer than I you can never be—
I had a mother who read to me.
---Strickland Gillilan

From Oma's Library

Let's put all the books away and get back on the bus.
We'll have some class discussion on our way home.

~Do you have recommendations for books that haven't been mentioned yet? Who would enjoy them: a little girl, a 10-year-old boy, the whole family? Is it a read-it-yourself, or a read-it-to-me type book?

~If you were giving just one book to an infant grandchild, what would it be? A friend suggested Clotilda by Jack Kent. I like A You're Adorable by Martha Alexander. What's your favorite?

~Do you remember a special book from your childhood? Who read it to you?

"Few children learn to love books by themselves.
Someone has to lure them into the wonderful world of the written word:
someone has to show them the way."
—Orville Prescott

*If you do any part of this assignment on your blog, please link it back to TravelinOma and provide proper attribution. Leave a comment here (with a link to your homework if you want to share it) and/or a link to your blog (so we can get to know you.) School Days has open enrollment so join anytime. No make-up work required! If you're new, click here for an orientation.