Give these a chance

I’ve had the John Lennon /Yoko Ono song “Give Peace a Chance” song stuck in my head for days—and here’s why. In preparation for moving our Administrative Office, we are weeding. Weeding old files, and also the books we have to move. As I go through the shelves and pull books that are old and worn and not being used, I keep hearing that song, only I am singing ‘All we are saying, is give THESE a chance.” These referring to books. I see so many amazing books that are languishing on the shelves that have not been checked out in years. So, instead of weeding those, I am asking you to give them a chance. If something here sounds good to you, place a hold on it! Borrow it and see what you think. Give it a chance. This is a great way to discover books—place a hold on a book that strikes your fancy. Just grab your library card, click on a book link below, and place a hold. We will transport it to your local branch for pick up, and you return it there, too. Easy peasy.  Here goes (these are in no particular order):

Dahlia by Barbara McClintock:

A story of a little girl who gets a doll, but she’d rather make mud pies and climb trees. She finds out that her doll enjoys these activities, too. I love the message that toys can be what you make them, and just because a doll has frills and lace, doesn’t mean she has to sit around looking pretty and nothing else. And what that message says in general.

May I bring a Friend? By Beatrice Schenk de Regniers

This one was published in 1964, and won the Caldecott Medal.  It is a book I never tire of reading. The rhyme is jaunty and fun, and the illustrations are joyful. Invite this book over for tea.

Several of Wallace Edwards’ books are sitting on the shelf. A classroom could do a whole Wallace Edwards study with the books sitting there.  His books are so much fun to browse—and he has a way of really getting the reader to stop, think, and look carefully. Teachers, get your students excited about idioms with Monkey Business or The Cat’s Pajamas. Solve visual puzzles with The Painted Circus. There you go, lesson planned!

Need some writing prompts? If your children (or students) need some writing practise, borrow one of Doreen Cronin’s “Diary” books, such as Diary of a Fly or Diary of a Worm. Kids will chuckle as they read these, and then you can get them to write their own “diary” – find a bug or animal they would like to take on.

Maybe this is just a personal one, but That Book Woman by Heather Henson is just sitting there, waiting for some love. This book is about a librarian on a pack horse who travels through the Appalachian Mountains in the 1930’s to bring books to families. Now that is dedication. Kind of like the Bookmobile driving through the back roads of Nova Scotia.

Here’s one that makes me happy every time I look at it: Deer Dancer by Mary Lyn Ray. I love the art, the movement, the colours.  The story of a girl who is learning ballet, but loves nature and so learns more about dance from that is one that really pulls at my heart. Maybe you know someone who loves nature and dance as well. Share this little gem with them.

I could go on and on, and maybe I will in another post. My challenge to you is to find a book in our catalogue that looks interesting, Place a hold! Bring it to your library. Take it home and give it a chance.