VIP Friday

I was invited to visit a school this morning as part of "VIP Reader" day (the school had community leaders/members come in, talk about their jobs, and read a book to the kids in order to promote literacy. Dr. Seuss books were suggested because of his upcoming birthday, but I brought my own stash of books as I'm not overly fond of reading Seuss out loud, GO AHEAD AND SUE ME WHY DONTCHA).

My group was comprised of kindergarteners, and we all had a lot of fun. As usual, the kids said some interesting things. A few highlights:

1) "I don't know why Dr. Seuss disappeared." (This was followed by the substitute teacher saying that Dr. Seuss didn't disappear, but rather, DIED. After seeing the kid's expression, I quickly changed the subject.) 

2) "You're pretty." (I'll be she says that to all the librarians!)

"3) Maybe you can come to my house!" (Probably not the best idea, but I appreciate the invitation.)

4) "This book is crazy." (This was while I was reading Bark, George by Jules Feiffer. And she's right. It is crazy.)

5) "Can you visit our class every day?" (Aww.)

And then they gave me a cute certificate. All in all, not bad for a Friday morning.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss. RIP, you VIP.

Library Lotto

Looks like someone who works at my library is dreamin' big. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT.

Dear Book Nerd Episode #3: “A Matter Of (Book) Taste”

Episode #3 of the Dear Book Nerd Podcast is now live! Guest host Jeff O’Neal and I talk about things like the “controversy” of not reading literary fiction and what to do if you and your partner no longer share taste in books. Don't forget to submit your own questions (by using the webform or by emailing DearBookNerd@bookriot.com)!


(Also, if you missed it, check out Episode #2! "How to Deal With the Book Buzz Blues.")

Valentine's Day at the Library (Three Tales)

1) The other day, a kid came running up to the reference desk, dropped this note on it, and ran away.

I found her a little later and thanked her for the valentine, saying it was the first one I'd gotten this year.

"Well, it won't be your last!" she said.

Ha. We'll see about THAT.

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2)

One of our departments sent out valentines to housebound senior citizens, and I helped (with the assistance of an awesome teacher) by getting some of our local elementary classes involved. All of the cards were adorable, but here are a few of my favorites. (Honestly, I'm not sure if they could use these, but you can see the good intent was there.)




"Dear old peoples I hope you are okay and miss you."

"Dear Eldirlies - Happy Valentine's Day and also stay healthy and extersersies and stay warm outside. Don't forget to where your jackets and gloves hats and scarfs. Don't forget to wish my class a Happy Valentine's Day." 



"Don't be grumpy on this day. There's something special, no delay. C
andy and roses and cupids too, A Happy Valentine's Day to you!"



"I wish you get better. I wish you can walk. I wish you have a healthy heart."

Don't we all wish that?

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3) Yesterday a kid asked me to print something out for her.

Kid: "Can you type out just one sentence for me?"

Me: "Sure. What is it?"

Kid: "'Be my valentine.'"

Aww.

Me: "Okay, like this?"

Kid: "Sort of. Can you add a question mark?"

Aww.

"It's rude if you just DEMAND it," the kid explained.

Very true, kid. Very true.

Happy Valentine's Day, library lovers.

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(PS: if you need gift ideas for next year, here's a post I wrote on Book Riot about bookish v-day gifts. Some very cute stuff on there.)