one the one hand taken on its own, the new, local library is an example of the conservative modernism movement with its focus on functionality ( lots of windows to let light in and out ) and rectilinear forms ( straight lines and angular corners ). on the other hand, sitting just off the historic downtown district it looks like a hypermodernist spaceship from the future.
i was asked by our awesome local librarian to read a book with local grade school kids and keep a journal as we read and discuss along the way. very happy to do it even if my schedule created a few conflicts š
i would really enjoy doing it again if I get another invite š
odin and friends from school attended a comicon at the local library in october 2014. someone was printing “instant” photos and one ended up on our fridge.
the brown splotch is reminder of the day I tried to make carbonated chocolate milk and it exploded all over our kitchen š
to teach kids about chickens!
the new york public library published it’s first ever 100 Great Childrenās Books ( they are, of course careful to refrain from calling the a “top 100” list ). it’s a superb list and we’ve read many of them with odin but it’s tough to take a children’s book list seriously that doesn’t contain “the wind in the willows”?! i bet odin would have fun writing down his top 20 or 30.
i’m always happy to hear what books you all like that are appropriate for a 9 year old. right now odin is tearing through percy jackson series. it’s not pulitzer prize winning fiction, but he loves it and that’s all that really matters š
update: i received many excellent suggestions we’ve read quite a few but several we haven’t including, “Guardians of Ga’Hoole”, “The Famous Five” series, “The Prince and the Pauper”, “The Cricket in Times Square”, “The Cat Who Wished to Be a Man”, “the mouse with the question mark tail”, “george’s secret key to the universe”, and the “myth-o-mania” series.
of the many reasons why i love living where i do, one is discovering a neighbor brought over a stack of favorite books she read to her children when they were odin’s age just ’cause it’s the neighborly thing to do.
and the best part is that they all look like really good reads.