Category Archives: Library

Dolly Parton – R.I.P.

Posted on August 26, 2026 by Jennie

I grew up in West Virginia, and Dolly Parton grew up not far away in Tennessee.  Country music was big for both of us where we grew up.  Dolly’s songs and voice will forever make me smile. But there is … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Community, Early Education, Giving, Imagination, Inspiration, Library, literacy, picture books, reading | Tagged , , , , , , | 41 Comments

My Summer Books

Posted on August 24, 2026 by Jennie

I delight in discovering new and wonderful picture books every summer.  Many I find at the Eric Carle Museum’s bookstore, as they’re often the one to have the best books.  Some I discovered through a fellow book lover.  We share … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Book Review, children's books, Eric Carle Museum, Library, literacy, museums, picture books, reading, reading aloud, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 51 Comments

Our Wish Tree at the Library

Posted on June 13, 2026 by Jennie

After reading Wishtree to my library group, I knew I had to do more.  When a really good book sticks with children, and they’re not ready to let go, it’s up to me to make something meaningful happen.  I can’t leave … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Community, Expressing words and feelings, Heart, Inspiration, Library, literacy, Teaching young children, wonder, Writing | Tagged , , , | 82 Comments

Wishtree, by Kathrine Applegate – Then and Now

Posted on May 9, 2026 by Jennie

When I visit with the grandchildren, a beloved ritual is reading a story before bedtime. The musicality of words floating into the ear and going into the mind becomes an arrow that pierces the heart.  It always happens that way. … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, Community, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Heart, Imagination, Inspiration, Library, literacy, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , | 85 Comments

Books and Magic

Posted on January 4, 2026 by Jennie

‘What an astonishing thing a book is.  It’s a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. But one glance at it and you’re inside the mind of another person, … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Library, literacy, Quotes, reading | Tagged , , , | 92 Comments

Banned Children’s Books

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Jennie

Thank you, Carla, at Carla Loves To Read for posting this.  Read on to see what classic children’s books were banned.  My addition to banned children’s books is Charlotte’s Web. Saturday Morning for Kids: Banned Books Addition This meme was started … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Diversity, Inspiration, Learning About the World, Library, literacy | Tagged , , , , | 67 Comments

Charlotte’s Web – The Backstory and My E.B. White Connection

Posted on September 8, 2025 by Jennie

This is a repost from 2018, and tells an important story.  Can you believe I have typed on E.B. White’s Underwood typewriter?  Read on!  You will discover who is really Wilbur and Charlotte.  That’s something I will never forget.  Never. … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, Library, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , | 76 Comments

Why Goodnight Moon?

Posted on June 29, 2025 by Jennie

Why do I read aloud GoodNight Moon to my preschoolers every day? Yes, every day, right before chapter reading. It has the words that paint images in the minds of young children.  It has rhyming that sways.  The words feel … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Heart, history, Inspiration, Library, literacy, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 75 Comments

Gifting a Book to the Public Library

Posted on June 16, 2025 by Jennie

Discovering a great new book is one thing. Reading the book to children, over and over again, is another thing. Gifting that book to the public library is the icing on the cake.   The Little Red Chair, by Cathy … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, joy, Library, literacy, picture books, reading | Tagged , , | 83 Comments

My Library Reading Group, and Kate DiCamillo

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Jennie

I’ve been reading to children at our public library for years.  Lucky me.  One of my first readers is the robot in the photo below. His two siblings (the cowgirl and the cowboy) followed suit.  Here they are with me … Continue reading →

Posted in children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Library, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 55 Comments