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Beverly Cleary, Frances Hodgson Burnett, new friends, Ramona and her Mother, The Secret Garden, Tulare County Library
Today after taking Georgia to work, Olivia and I treated ourselves to a visit to the Tulare County Library. I had forgotten that they don’t open until noon on Fridays, so we had a bit of time to kill. We discovered another little girl and her mother waiting on the benches for the library to open, and Olivia told me, “I think I’ll go be that little girl’s friend.”
The two little ones had a great time running around on the lawn, while the mom and I visited. When she learned that her new friend had never been to the library before, Olivia assured her that she could show her all about it. There are few things more fun than watching a four-year-old tour guide show off one of her favorite places! While I walked across to the books for older kids, Olivia did the honors in the Easy Reader section. I found The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett, for Lily, and let Olivia choose her favorite ten books to bring home. And then I chose two more for myself.
It is nearly midnight as I am writing (I worked late) and Lily just came into my room, asking to lie down on my bed and read. Her choice for this evening is Ramona and her Mother, by Beverly Cleary. She keeps reading bits and pieces to me, and laughing softly to herself. I love living with a family of readers!
triggershorse 
Ah, the grand library – a home away from home. Sadly, I don’t get to our library (‘temporarily’ relocated years ago after Irene flooded her out) as much, due to its ‘temporary’ out-of-the-way location. Reconstruction plans have been finalized this year, and in 2016 they will break ground for the improved Moffat. The original building is a gorgeous old structure – an historical site – with a great clock in its facade tower.
When my kiddies were little, we were at the Moffat every week. I do miss that, though I’m so very happy to report they both still love to read. We also spent lots of time at Barnes & Noble on Saturdays doing the children’s reading clubs.
I so enjoyed reading your post this am. I loved thinking about your precious granddaughters selecting new worlds to discover. It brought back many wonderful memories for me. My daughter was a huge, Junie B Jones fan and my son constantly read, Magic Treehouse.
Happy weekend Fawn.
AM 🙂
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I think Junie B is this generation’s answer to Pippi Longstocking! That child gets into more hilarious scrapes than any six girls I know. Lily loves her stories, and Magic Treehouse, too. Borders Books & Music was “my” bookstore, where Georgia, her boyfriend, and I stood in line for hours to take delivery of our previously-ordered newest Harry Potter books at midnight. I really miss having a bookstore. Sigh.
How exciting it will be to have your library reconstructed. I hope they can keep the best parts of the old while they build the new. There is no more magical place than the local library…even if it is just some shelves with books! Happy Saturday – Fawn
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Your post makes me want to visit the library, Fawn. Sadly, I don’t get there much anymore — and we have a very nice main library, as well as some good branches (the one by me is very nice). And I cn just imagine your granddaughter and the other little girl playing outside and then wondering around in the aisles — makes me smile! Have a great weekend!
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I’ll just bet they have wonderful dog books for Charlie. too! A few years back our original library building, which had been added onto and then closed for decades, was completely remodeled into a wing just for children, with a big central atrium that serves as a gathering place for the kids (plus a few mommies and grammies). It is truly a magical spot! – Fawn
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The library, any library, was my favorite place as a child. And what sweet joy it is to have a family of readers!!!
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My only problem with the library — any library — was trying to study there! Too many delicious interruptions constantly called me away from the subject hand. I was better off gathering my library bounty and moving to the car to study! – Fawn
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It is so wonderful how Lily and Olivia have taken to enjoying books! And I can just picture Olivia being such a good new friend to the little girl there. How sweet!
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Can you seriously imagine them NOT enjoying books, coming from this family? – Me
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