Going to the library was big event when I was a kid. My sisters and I were each given a canvas tote bag and were told we could bring home as many books as we could carry. We would spend hours on the floor in the children’s section of our local library trying to decide which books were good enough to win a spot in our bags. Dragging our heavy loads across the floor, we had with us favorites like King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub, Gregory, the Terrible Eater, and the George and Martha series, all regulars in our home. However, I was always excited about finding something new. I never understood how new books were written, or that authors were living people who wrote new stories all the time. All I was aware of was that my librarian always had a suggestion that would pique my interest. This weekly routine of Saturday afternoons at the library helped to foster an early love of books, reading, and stories that I carry with me today.
In honor of National Library Week, I would like to give away a copy of a Peachtree favorite, all about libraries… The Library Dragon.This copy is signed by the author and illustrator, Carmen Agra Deedy and Michael White. The contest will be going on all week. To be entered, just leave us a comment telling us what you love most about libraries.
I love the peacefulness of libraries. I love that I can go into one and get lost for hours just looking through everything. They are simply amazing!
Thanks so much!
Where to begin!?! Libraries are a haven for readers. Those that prefer to read a title and move along to the next or are even simply experiencing a case of "my-funds-are-low", they cater to everyone in any bracket. When I was younger, we lived in another state. Though we moved away many years ago now and some of the memories of the location begin to fade, I can still tell you the layout of the two closest libraries to us at the time and recount many a day spent within it's hallowed walls searching and reading and journeying to lands far away all with the first "once upon a time..". Libraries are and will forever be places of magic…for as long as there are books to be read, there will be people that want to read them. Happy Library Week everyone!
I have to agree with Sherry, the peacefulness is one of the things I really enjoy about libraries. I can spend hours looking at books. Deciding which book to choose is always hard since there's so many good ones. 🙂
For me, libraries are like going into a penny candy store. They have all these books and I have choose just a few to take home and read – and it's hard! I'm an avid reader and they had limits on the number of books you could check out at my library. Libraries are magic to me, so of course they'd have a dragon.
The library has always been a place I call home–it is my sanctuary! As a Storyteller, teacher, and parent one of the best things I did for my own children at a very early age is to introduce them to "my sanctuary."
Years ago I had the honor of playing the Library Dragon in a staged production. Carmen Deedy reminds us how important the Library is to our education and our development as a culture.
Growing up in a poor area, there were no libraries close by but there was the Book Mobile! Seeing that Book Mobile was better than the ice cream truck. No Astropop could beat the sweet goodness of a great story. In the deep south, if you could somehow get an Astropop and a good book on a hot summer's day and find the cool shade of a giant oak to shelter you while you cracked open that first page, being very careful not to drip the red, white and blue liquid from your Astropop on the page, you were not poor anymore, but made rather rich. Carmen Deedy inspires me!
Libraries are a deli of information. So many choices…so many layers. They feed the mind and the spirit. I love that they provide nourishment to those who hunger and thirst for knowledge.
I have always loved going to the library, but it is especially sweet rediscovering the library with my 3 year old daughter!
You know that voice in your head that tries to give explanations and answer questions that you have… often unformulated questions? Well, for me, libraries are the place where I don't feel that this voice is just in my head, where I understand that there are so many voices out there that talk to the same struggles and questions.
I learned to formulate my questions and start to look for answers in the library. I don't know of any other place that empowers and encourages people to think for themselves.
Happy National Library Week!
I love Carmen Agra Deedy and "The Library Dragon!"
I can not go into a library without thinking of the good and bad times shared with the the author of the most beloved book of my childhood. I hope the stories keep coming.
🙂
My wife and I had the honor of meeting Carmen Agra Deedy at the National Book Festival in Washington, DC. It was right after 14 Cows for America was published. Carmen had just finished her presentation when we ran into her outside of the tent. She noticed that my wife was carrying some of her books and without hesitation or being asked she began to autograph each of the books. She made was what already a special day into one my wife and I will never forget. I have never met a classier person than Carmen Agra Deedy. It was very clear to me after that why her books are so good. So yes I will not lie thatI would love my wife to be able to add an autographed copy of the "Library Dragon" to her collection.
Happy National Library Week!…it deserves a whole month!
Libraries are filled with wonder. You can take trips to anywhere by reading the words on the pages or just by viewing the pictures. One of the most wonderful things about libraries is there is something there for everyone. ebooks will never take the place of real paper books. Just seeing the cover of a book you have read allows you to revisit the wonderful stories. Anita Westberry
I discovered The Library Dragon while working on my Master of Library Science and have been smitten ever since! It is a great reminder to both librarians and patrons about the welcome feeling that should be present within every library space.
I absolutly love Carmen Agra Deedy. I had the honor of hearing her tell a story at the SCECA conference in Myrtle Beach, SC in January. She has a true gift of story telling. I love her folktale book "Martina the Beautiful Cockroach!"
I met Carmen in the early 90's when a group of us went to a holiday storytelling festival at Callenwolde Hall. Well, I was hooked. I took every opportunity to see performances in the Atlanta area and really fell in love with Carmen. Her energy and humor made her a favorite of everybody.
Well when she came out with Tree Man, I went to the reading at the old Oxford Book Store. I actually had a first date, so I thought this would be something different and interesting. Carmen did not disappoint, the book was great and the reading was entertaining. I bought a copy and Carmen signed it and I gave it to my date. I thought the whole afternoon went well and we would see each other again and maybe more after that.
I never saw or talked to her again. But I still enjoy Carmen's work.
I love that libraries open up worlds far away and close by as wll to young and old minds alike, all for the act of simply "checking out" a book (pun intended!) Working for the school system, if I win the book, it will be donated to one such library at one of our elementary schools.
As a library media specialist, I love the look on a child's face when you help them find that perfect story… the one that gets them hooked on reading and keeps them coming back for more.
I love that libraries have something for everyone from infants and up. Information, programs, computers, books and of course friendly staff waiting to assist you in finding that one illusive fact needed or that special book you remember from childhood.
I like libraries in general but I love my library for the programs they sponsor (contests, readalongs, kids' activities), because the support book clubs by providing multiple copies of great club picks, because of their great email newsletters to keep me abreast of what's new or what I might have missed. And, hey, a multistory building full of books can't be bad, can it??
BFish(dot)Reads(at)gmail(dot)com
I love the quiet, the smell of books, the ability to browse at leisure without anyone asking if I want "help", being able to find the help if I do need it, being in a place where people appreciate and share my book obsession and most of all being able to take home a pile of books to read and enjoy.
My childhood library was only 707 sq. feet total but I always found plenty to read. The treasure hunt is what I love…so many good books inside, so little time to read all of them. For the most part I've come across only kind librarians willing to offer assistance when I need help.
The books! It's all about the books. Remember Arnold Lobel's short poem about books/readers? That's me for sure & I use my library diligently so I'll always have stacks of books to read.
Books. So many possibilities–authors, titles I've never read. It's wonderful that libraries stay current, with Wi-Fi, DVDs, other formats, but for me, nothing matches the feeling of a book in my hand.
What I love most about the library is that everyone is invited and encouraged to be there. All ages, all incomes, all knowledge levels. I've never left empty handed.
granthamkk(at)yahoo(dot)com
There is no pressure in libraries: you don't have to take anything out, you don't have to leave anything, you don't have to hurry… browsing, loitering and reading without buying are okay here. Everyone is welcome and it's social without much talking; just a big reading get together.
The library is like a second home to me! I can spend hours sitting in the stacks finding new 'friends' among the titles. Every visit is a new adventure!
I love the calm and quiet of libraries. I could spend hours there!
khmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com
I love to take my grandchild there and watch his little face light up as he looks at all the books he has at his disposal. He really enjoys selecting the one he is allowed to take home at each visit. Bertilda Bendiburg
ropelewski@gmail.com
I love everything about libraries….so much so that at the end of the summer I will be graduating with my master's degree in library science to become a librarian.
ykatrina at hotmail dot com
what i love most about libraries is how helpful everyone is.
mommy2skie at yahoo dot com
We drew names for The Library Dragon book and our winner is Jackie! Send us an e-mail at publicity@peachtree-online.com with your mailing address so that we can send your book to you! Thanks so much to everyone for visiting and spending time on our blog.
What I love most about libraries is that I'm surrounded by other book lovers with whom I can converse about books!
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
I love the fact that there is always something amazing to read, I'd be lost without the library for sure!
disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com
We love our library for the kids' storytime! Our librarians are regular Lucy/Ethel comedians. 🙂 Oh, and we love the books, too! 😉
love2teach2day @ gmail.com (no spaces)
I love the smell of old books that permeates just about any library!