"Classic" Children's Novels I Recommend To Patrons and Friends
All of A Kind Family
by Sydney Taylor
First in a series about 5 little girls growing up at the turn of the century on the Lower East Side of New York. I learned a lot about Jewish culture from these books, but above all they're great family stories.
Anne of Green Gables
and all other books by L.M. Montgomery
They are aimed at children, but the picture of life in turn of the century Prince Edward Island is a delight for adults!
Ballet Shoes
by Noel Streatfield
Very English and very charming.
Betsy-Tacy
First of the series, by Maud Hart Lovelace
My older daughter(10) loves these too.
The Story of Doctor Dolittle
First in the series by Hugh Lofting.
Don't settle for the movie messes made of these wonderful books!
Heidi
by Johanna Sypri
This is not that easy for a kid to read--and some may find it saccharine. But it's always enchanted me...
Little House in the Big Woods
first in the series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Another series my daughter loves as much as I do!
A Little Princess
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
There's only been one good version of this on film--a BBC mini series. If you haven't seen that one, you don't know this story!
Little Women
and all other books by Louisa May Alcott.
I read this first in 6th grade, but I didn't understand a lot of it until college..
The Moffats
by Eleanor Estes
A family you'd love to belong to.
Pinky Pye
also by Eleanor Estes
You don't have to be a cat lover to love this, and if you're not, Pinky just might convert you!
Mr Popper's Penguins
by Florence Atwater
The tone is deadpan but the humor is pure slapstick.
A well loved read aloud.
The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
There have been good films of this, but nothing beats the book, especially with the delicate Tasha Tudor illustrations!
The Trumpet of the Swan
by E.B. White
I love Charlotte's Web , but kids should also meet Louis the mute swan who gains a voice and a love. And if you liked Make Way For Ducklings (another favorite of mine) you'll recognize one of the settings......
The Wind in the Willows
by Kenneth Grahame
Not a young child's book at all,but a beautifully written book about friendship, greed, self centeredness and love.
The best illustrations are by Ernest Shepherd. He was also the first (and only REAL!) illustrator of Winnie the Pooh!
Blueberries For Sal (& One Morning In Maine)
and other books by Robert McCloskey
The Nutshell Library
4 book set by Maurice Sendak
The music to go with the books is on:
Really Rosie by Carole King
Where the Wild Things Are
also by Maurice Sendak!
The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge
by Hildegarde Swift
(A beloved NY landmark!)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
and every other book by Eric Carle
Caps For Sale
by Esphyr Slobodkina
Madeline
by Ludwig Bemelmans
Beloved by little girls long before the toys or the movies!
Yes, I Read "Grownup" Books Too--When They're Worth It!
And These Are:
Silver Pigs
(1st of the Marcus Didius Falco mysteries) by Lindsey Davis
Welcome To Temptation
(and all other books) by Jennifer Crusie
Breakup
(Kate Shugak mysteries)by Dana Stabenow
And Ladies of the Club
by Helen Hooven Santmyer
The Cazalet Chronicles
(4 books) by Elizabeth Howard
Poldark
(the whole series)by Winston Graham
The Mitford Years
(series) by Jan Karon
Stranger In A Strange Land
(& just about any other book) by Robert Heinlein
Thursday #29: Yes, There ARE Good Things About Being A Children's Librarian
I do rant a great deal about my work, and ranted in detail about it in a recent 13.
So today I want to talk about some of the recent happenings and general things that make me love my job so much.
Because I really feel lucky to do what I do.
Thirteen Things I Love About My Job
1)A patron brought me flowers this week. More than my husband does 
And at various times I've received small gifts, treats and (best of all) photos and cards with loving messages and kids scribbles.
2)My shyest little at Mother Goose Time, who used to be scared of the animal puppets now reaches out to kiss them. Watching them grow and blossom is a treat.
3)The shyest of a set of triplets who come to the same program likes to sit in my lap and snuggle.
Some days I could just get paid in hugs....
4)I got a report of a toddler up in the middle of the night singing our "Hello" song.
And apparently the parents were tickled by this. Thank goodness
5)Another mom reported commenting to her child that they were seeing so many animals that it was like a zoo. And he promptly sang: "Zoo, zoo, zoo!" from Tom Paxton's "Going to the Zoo", a song we sing a lot at the program.
6)A grandma reports that her little girl was at another library pretending to be me doing story hour!
I only wish that probably didn't mean they're going there for their books instead of getting them from me!
7)I get to read all the new books first--especially the fabulous Young Adult titles.
And I read the last Harry Potter an hour before it went on sale. Take that and stuff it ,JK Rowling!
8) I get to dress up and play--sometimes I even get to dress up and DANCE. And I get paid to do it!
9)I have a sunny, comfortable children's room and two great staffers that are helping me make it better and better every week.
10) I work with some of the most wonderful people on Earth. Oh we've got our problem children. But overall, our staff are warmhearted, supportive and totally out of their minds. And I fit right in.....
11) I have a garden outside the children's room, so I get to play in the dirt on a regular basis, something that I really need to do. Occupational therapy!
12)I get to have a second childhood on a regular basis. How many jobs pay you to go out on a sunny day and blow bubbles?
13) For every nasty mother, crazy homeless person and nasty teen, there are a dozen nice patrons who appreciate what we do and say "thank you" for it.
