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Public libraries play important roles in introducing children to worlds beyond their own. Whether urban and well established, or rural and small, libraries provide children with a place to experience the power and pleasure of reading. This collection of nine diverse stories illustrates the profound influence of libraries and books. In this tribute to the rich history and traditions of the library, stories by Tim Wynne-Jones, Sarah Ellis, and others are featured. In "Dear Mr. Winston” by Ken Roberts, Cara learns the hard way what happens when you accidentally let a snake loose in a library run by someone who is terrified of snakes. In Tim Wynne-Jones's "The Mystery of the Cuddly Wuddly Bunny,” a boy who befriends a stranger in the library finds himself plunged into a mystery that changes his view of the world. Marc Talbert's "Books Don't Cry” shows how libraries and books provide an unexpected source of comfort for Tad, a boy who senses that his grandmother's death is near. Paul Yee creates a world in which books provide an unearthly escape for Mei-ping, a young Chinese woman who has moved to a remote town in Canada.
About the author
Deborah Pearson, a former children's librarian for the Toronto Public Library, is an award-winning author and editor. She lives in Toronto.
Summary
When I Went to the Library celebrates the rich history and tradition of the library. It also reminds readers that simply going to the library or reading a book can lead to adventures and make for memorable stories. With an introduction by Michele Landsberg, a respected authority on children's books, When I Went to the Library reminds everyone -- especially children -- that the influence of libraries and books is alive and, like this memorable collection of stories, it is worth celebrating.
