A review of Miss Moore Thought Otherwise and Why I LOVE Libraries and Librarians

I wasn't able to attend the ALA 13 conference this week with all my nerdy peeps.  So I thought I would use this post to pay homage to my librarian friends, discuss my love of libraries and review a wonderful picture book.

Like I said, I LOVE libraries and librarians! I think anyone who is crazy about books feels the same way. I could stay in a library all day, sit in a comfy chair and just get lost in wonderful books. I love the smell of books as you walk in (yes they have a smell). I love the displays showcasing certain books, and the little book character stuffed animals sitting atop the neatly organized shelves.

Librarians are ROCK Stars! They get to spend the day surrounded by books.  They help people find information and connect readers with just the right books. They host author talks and reading events to spark the love of books and reading in children (I do realize that their job entails so much more but this is my romanticized, overly-simplistic notion of what it means to be a librarian and I want to hold on to it).  
I regularly visit three libraries, my town library, my school library and the library in the town where I work.  The librarians are  always amazingly helpful.  They take the time to get to know me and have great suggestions for books that I would enjoy. Best of all, they will find the books that I want to read through interlibrary loan or they will try to purchase them. My town librarian, Laurel Parker, will often give me first crack at new arrivals, how awesome is that?  Like I said, Librarians ROCK!

It amazes me every time I walk into my public library and leave with a pile of books for myself and my children for FREE! Seriously? What a deal! 
So please help support your town and school library.  This amazing resource gets harder to provide each year with town and school budget cuts. 

Here is some interesting info on libraries and budget cuts. 
Read about 99 ways to support your local library.
Quotes about libraries and librarians

Kids, parents and teachers around the world have this librarian to thank for helping to start the first libraries for children.
 

 Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Children  
by Jan Pinborough  
Illustrated by Debby Atwell

Published March 2013 by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Hardcover Non-Fiction Picture Book, Biography
40 Pages

Ages 6-9
Obtained from The Windham Public Library
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!



Goodreads Summary
Once upon a time, American children couldn’t borrow library books. Reading wasn’t all that important for children, many thought. Luckily Miss Anne Carroll Moore thought otherwise! This is the true story of how Miss Moore created the first children’s room at the New York Public Library, a bright, warm room filled with artwork, window seats, and most important of all, borrowing privileges to the world’s best children’s books in many different languages.

My Thoughts
I learned so much from this book.  I am ashamed to say that until I read it, I never realized that libraries were not meant for children at first.  I am even more embarrassed that I didn't know that Anne Carroll Moore was from MAINE!  
I found this book fascinating to read. There is also some interesting additional information about her in the back of the book.

In the Classroom
The factual information presented, accompanied by the colorful illustrations will hold the interest of children in grades K-5.  It would make a good read aloud during a unit on biographies. It lends itself to discussions about how people create change and characteristics of influential people. It would also be a springboard for a discussion about libraries!

Here are some lists of children's books about libraries and librarians
Reading Rockets
Flashlight Worthy
Goodreads

Book Trailer 

Give a "shout out" leave a comment 

about libraries or your favorite librarian!