School and Reading...a Wake-Up Call

I have a list of blog posts I plan to write.  However I am continually being sent articles by folks who are saying it so much better than I can.  This article was sent by a librarian friend and is the best I've seen on reading woes for today's children.  It's a lengthy post but I encourage you to read it all...and then enjoy a book with your children.

We are here, We Are Here, WE ARE HERE!!!

I remember one of my favorite books growing up was Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who.  Horton, the loveable elephant, is determined to save Whoville from extinction no matter what the cost to himself.  In an effort to make themselves heard, all the Whos in Whoville cry from their roof tops, "We are here, We Are Here, WE ARE HERE!!!"  The battle seems hopeless as those who only accept what they can see are determined to destroy an entire culture.

Today one of my library patrons passed an article on to me which relates the destruction of over a quarter of a million books by a Virginia library system.  I told of another library who is required to do the same thing in a previous post.  The Virginia library states budget cuts and moving toward a digital world as their reasons. 

What is so tragic about this scenerio is that there are private libraries such as mine that would have been thrilled to rescue many of these books.  I feel, as the Whos of Whoville, that I should cry from the roof tops, "We are here, We Are Here, WE ARE HERE!!!" 

What is the benefit of rescuing old books?  Can we only accept what we can see and therefore be willing to destroy the heart and soul of an entire culture?  Do we not see our need for life beyond the visible, knowledge and wisdom beyond mere facts?  Should we only depend on a digital screen to direct us in the way we should go? 

Please...stand with us in making a difference in your community.  Help us save as many of these treasures as possible before they can no longer be found.  Contact your local public libraries and see how you can become involved in book rescue missions.  Impact the culture through the printed word.

We are here...

A Book

There is no frigate like a book

To take us lands away,

Nor any coursers like a page

Of prancing poetry.

This traverse may the poorest take

Without oppress of toll;

How frugal is the chariot

That bears a human soul!

~Emily Dickinson~

The Year in Review

No, it's not January but it has been a time of reflection for me.  It was this week last year that I finally stepped into the unknown world of blogging.  Since that time I've shared my vision for old books and getting them into the hands of eager young readers.  I've grieved the loss of reading in our culture and the consequences.  We have looked at the effects of electronics, not only spiritually but physiologically as relationships have become digital and our brains are being rewired.

So where do we stand?  Has anything improved over the past year? 

One of the greatest blessings of my life is sharing my collection of treasures with children in my community.  This year I am serving 34 families, my largest number ever.  That means each week dozens of children are coming into my library pouring over books, thrilled to find new friends.  I've even heard whispers of a few desiring to share their books in this way when they grow up. 

And speaking of libraries, God has opened the hearts of many more families across the country to open libraries of their own.  Libraries have been opened in various forms in many states such as Georgia, Virginia, Washington, California, Colorado and many more.  God cares about these books and the young minds they are feeding.  Perhaps He has a library planned for your community...maybe in your own home.

In the culture at large, however, things look pretty bleak.  Common Core threatens to strip any vestiges of beautiful language as they cram students' minds with utilitarian drivel.  Public libraries are discarding many of the books that are deemed treasures among my patrons.  Thankfully many of these end up in library discard sales to be snatched up by homeschool librarians.  However, I was distressed to hear from a public librarian acquaintance of mine who says her library, because of some contractual agreement, is not allowed to sell their discards.  They are required to trash them!  Google searches have replaced print on paper and the ideas written on them.  Most new books being published would have been better left as trees.

What is the answer?  Is there hope? 

As the old saying goes, just keep on keepin' on.  Support private libraries in your area.  Consider starting one of your own.  No matter how seemingly small your collection, it will tremendously bless those in your community.  If no private library is near you, educate your public librarians on the value of living books.  Check out the remaining treasures on their shelves so they will stay in circulation.  Start a book discussion club with your children's friends.  Read to your children and build collections for them.  Let them see you read for your own pleasure.  Value words and the ideas they contain.  And give God the glory as He uses children of words to be proclaimers of His Word.

Cherish the Moments

Time goes so fast.  Those little ones you cradled in your arms are soon grown and on their own.  Those toddlers so unsteady on their feet are running marathons.  The scratchy notes of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star on the violin suddenly become Vivaldi concerti.  And parents are left shaking their heads and wondering when it all happened. 

Recently we were reading an often overlooked book in the Five in a Row curriculum.  Very Last First Time by Jan Andrews, is the story of a girl who lives in an Inuit village in northern Canada.  Eva had often gone with her mother to gather mussels on the bottom of the sea.  But today, she is old enough to go herself.  Waiting for the tide to be just right, Eva lowers herself down under the sea with her candle to gather mussels.  Adventure and more than a little fear awaits Eva.  But when safe in her mother's arms again, she cherishes her very last first time of walking alone on the bottom of the sea.

As we watch our children grow and find their way, may we cherish their very last first times.

I Can't Believe You Said That!

Much of my life is consumed with books.   But I'm about to make a confession.  There is more to life than books!   I hope you enjoy a glimpse into my family's everyday (and not so everyday) life.

Marcus and Daniel enjoy their Suzuki violin lessons.

 

 



I milk one side while little Nellie milks the other.

 

 

 Enough snow to make a snowman this big is rare in Tennessee.

Daffy ducks ready for breakfast.

Our family enjoying the beach in January.


Just a common, everyday life enjoying family and home.  We pray you are enjoying yours today.



 



A Sense of the Beautiful

A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.

~Goethe~