“I’m looking for a living book about . . . for my child who is . . . ” Many such inquiries come our way, mostly within the physical space of our library, but also through this site. Knowing just which living book at just the right moment is a challenge for anyone. If we… Read More Ask the Librarians…
Casey Over There by Staton Rabin This picture book chronicles the wait of a young boy at home in Brooklyn whose brother is sent “over there” to fight in The War. Through correspondence and harmonic events in the two brothers lives, readers glimpse the feelings of family waiting for their brothers, sons and fathers to… Read More Top Picks: World War One
For as long as I have been homeschooling, just the last twenty-five years or so, summer has meant all the usual seasonal activities–change of routine, vacations, swimming, family visits and outings, gardening, and leisurely reading. Even if we continue formal school lessons, the pace is relaxed. However, as the teacher, school is never far from the back of my… Read More Marking Time or Making History?
I know you’ve been gone from this earth nearly forty years and some will think it silly of me to write to you now, but I am pretty sure that you would not. I am writing to share how much your stories have meant to me, and will continue to, and also to disagree with your self-mocking remark: “I… Read More Dear Kate,
Virginia Kahl’s Picture Books Many of this author/illustrator’s stories feature “A long time ago there lived over the waters a Duchess, a Duke and their family of daughters.” Though they have 13 daughters, don’t neglect reading these to your boys too. Not only will they love the medieval knights, castles and feudal life, they will… Read More Top Picks: Middle Ages Historical Fiction
Liz has written this week’s post for ChildLight USA. She gives an expanded vision for the importance of Living Libraries and how sowing these living book seeds is a vital part of the Culture Care that Makoto Fujimura spoke of at the CLUSA 2012 Conference (listen here).
“What have you read lately?” I often ask anyone I happen to be talking with.” I haven’t read anything for awhile …so busy…don’t have the time…” they trail off. This doesn’t surprise me anymore. It is truly the most common response. In fact, I feel a little shocked if anyone even talks about a book,… Read More Who Needs to Read?
A nationally historic event has occurred, but you will not be reading about it in the news. Nevertheless, it was momentous and the outcome may eventually have a tremendous impact on this country. It is certainly true that most of the world changing events that are now recorded in our history books were not initially… Read More Changing the World, One Library at a Time
When asked to tell his life story, Meindert DeJong wrestled to find something interesting enough to record. To most of us, the events of his life are far from ordinary. He basically described his life as divided between the writing part and the non-writing part. I contend that the non-writing part made the writing part remarkable. His simple storytelling is… Read More Hungry for a Good Story?
Though summer weather has been upon us for awhile, the official calendar summer begins tomorrow. I pause today on summer’s eve to reflect about summer. Growing up in a place where winter meant harsh weather, the prospect of the coming summer was a glorious promise – sunshine, warmth, beaches, freedom from school, leisure. Do you remember the bliss of “school’s… Read More Summertime: Pace or Space?