Each time I see one of these road-side libraries …. take a book or leave a book…. each exchange requiring nothing….motivated by a simple love of reading and books and sharing, I feel happy! And this sweet one above gets the cupcake-with-cream-cheese-frosting-on-top prize. I hope the wonderful someone or two on Lummi Island, Washington who created this are licking the frosting off their lips and fingertips. A stain-glass window and driftwood handle …… WOW!
If you haven't read a good book or three to or with a child this summer, these Dog Days are the perfect time! Get at it.
A good place to start is by checking out the Association of Library Service to Children's 2014 list of Notable Books. This is always where I start. They conveniently break their selections into four categories - Younger Reader (preschool to grade 2), Middle Readers (grades 3-5, ages 8-10), Older Readers (grades 6-8, ages 11-14), and All Ages (has appeal and interest for children in all the above age ranges). These library specialists choose books of "commendable quality that exhibit venturesome creativity". Doesn't venturesome creativity seem the perfect description for what kids should be up to in the summer?
Although you aren't likely to find any of the books on that list in the quaint road-side library in your neighborhood, your public library or independent book store will surely have most of them.
We are taking our grandkids on a train trip for the next two days. I hope this experience creates opportunities for venturesome creativity…. but I am headed to the library soon to have a few new books to tuck into our backpacks to insure that it does.
Happy Reading! Happy Dog Days!