In Line with Storytime

I've been leading storytime in the library for 7 months now (along with Miss Annabelle, who alternates Wednesdays with me). I had some big shoes to fill following Miss Dona, who led storytime for over 10 years and was a celebrity among the preschoolers on base. To say I was a little nervous at the beginning is probably an understatement.

I'm no stranger to reading and speaking in front of groups. Before becoming a librarian, I taught college dramatic literature courses and high school English classes. I confess that 9th graders were the youngest crowd I dealt with until last September. Sure, I could act goofy (as my co-workers can attest from my pandemic-time Morning Boogies), but could I keep the attention of 2- to 5-year olds?

After 7 months we've been having large numbers at storytime--18 to 34 kids on average, along with their adults. I'm guessing they must enjoy the stories, the dancing, the crafts, and the other activities (that, or everyone really needs to get out of the house after the pandemic). I have to say that it's great to see all the enthusiastic, smiling little faces!

If you are one of my storytime attendees, I thank you for coming and I thank you for your patience. I'm learning as I go along and things may not always run perfectly. Remembering names has never been my strong suit, so forgive me if it takes me a while to learn everyone's name (please don't be offended if I ask several times). And if you have some book requests or ideas for crafts, I'm all ears. Let's have fun reading, dancing, and crafting together!

Wishing lots of good reading to the young (and young at heart) readers from the perch.

The Power of Children's Books, Part 2

I recently read an article about how a number of Ukrainian fairy tales feature an "underdog hero" who ultimately becomes successful. These stories are not only a part of Ukrainian culture, but also an influence on the collective Ukrainian character to persevere. This is something we currently see each day as Ukrainians defend their homeland against all odds from Russian invaders.

Take a moment and think about the fairy tales you enjoyed as a child. Maybe you thought about walking through a wardrobe to enter Narnia. Or going on a quest in Middle Earth. Or attending Hogwarts and learning about witchcraft and wizardry.

As an adult, you probably don't give fairy tales much thought, but whether or not you realize it, they played a role in shaping you into the person you've become. Children are impressionable, absorbing and internalizing what they hear, see, and read. Fairy tales help children understand how the world operates and how people can react when faced with different situations or challenges. 

If you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or someone who works with children, never underestimate the power of books on young, developing minds. Long after you finish reading a story aloud, children will process and ponder on that story again and again. To them, the story feels real and the characters are people with whom they empathize. 

Which fairy tales or children's books were your favorite? Share with us!

Wishing you happily ever afters from the perch.

The Power of Children's Books, Part 1

How are we doing? I mean, really, how are we doing? Mask mandates are gone, and most of us are going about the library and other indoor spaces without masks. Inflation is the highest it's been in 40 years. There's a war going on between Russia and Ukraine--thousands have died, millions have fled to other countries, and gas prices have gone up. Are we hyperventilating yet?

We have a saying in the library--"sometimes you have to read a children's book." More adult books than not tend to be serious, while a number of teen books are rather depressing. I and my colleagues have discussed this topic on different occasions, and each time we've concluded that if you want to read something more uplifting and feel-good, choose a children's book.

The world in children's literature is not necessarily perfect. Harry Potter lost his parents, lives with an aunt and uncle who mistreat him, and has an evil wizard out to kill him. In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the Pevensie boys and girls must go to the countryside to stay with a professor, a stranger to them, to be safe from London air raids during World War II. Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit confronts various challenges in Middle Earth, including goblins, orcs, and a dragon who mean him harm. And these are just several examples.

Children's books are imaginative and entertaining to be sure. Their characters often face obstacles but overcome them at the end, which is usually happy and satisfying. Most importantly, children's books give us the hope that good will prevail and everything will be alright. They shape our world view and influence the adults we become, but more on that in the next post. Until then, why not re-read one of your favorite childhood books? 

Wishing you happy reading from the perch.

Are We Ready?

We've waited almost 2 years to ditch our masks, to breathe the air freely without any obstructions either indoors or out, but do we really feel ready?

Two years ago today, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic, and overnight we had to adjust to a new normal--if we weren't at home we had to wear masks practically everywhere in order to protect ourselves and others from contracting the virus. It was difficult to get used to breathing with something over our faces and dealing with sore ears from mask loops, but get used to masks we did.

Now after 2 years of wearing masks to the store, to work, to the gym, to school, and almost everywhere else, COVID-19 cases have gone down in Washington state to the point at which a mask mandate no longer seems necessary. Will it be odd, though, after the abnormal had become the normal, to go back to being mask-free again?

As the base is following CDC and DoD guidance, most places here (including the library) no longer require masks worn indoors as of March 1. Since then, many of our patrons have been coming in without masks, remarking how strange it feels to not wear a mask or to see the other half of people's faces. Some newer patrons who arrived on base during the pandemic have told me they're now seeing my entire face for the first time.

There are some who continue to wear masks for different reasons, but overall, most people coming into the library are ready to unmask. You can sense that the atmosphere has become a little lighter than before.

Wishing you good health and better times from the perch. 

Celebrate the "Tines"

February is full of "tines"--Valentines, Galentines, and Solotines. Confused? Let's take this slowly. 

Valentine's Day is the February 14th holiday synonymous with chocolate, flowers, jewelry, and of course, love. It has a bloody history, but we won't talk about that. All that matters is showing love for your sweetie (and stores cashing in on all the commercialism).

Galentine's Day is a newer holiday started by Amy Poehler that comes the day before Valentine's Day. Every year on the 13th, women are supposed to celebrate friendships with their gal pals by having fun (and brunch) together. A version for men and their best buds--Malentine's Day--was created in response, but that hasn't been as successful as the female version.

Whether or not you have gal pals or a sweetie, the day after Valentine's Day, February 15th, is for you--on Solotine's Day show yourself some love. How? By doing some self-care--take a nap, read a book (my favorite!), get a massage, or binge-watch some shows. The key is to relax and take care of yourself!

Personally, I'm for all of these "tines" (even Malentine's Day). If you ask me, though, I think it's good to practice the essence of these tines throughout the year and not just on a special day. So give your sweetie some love each day, get together with your gal pals (or best buds), and be kind to yourself for both your physical and mental health. Spread the love around!

Wishing you a year full of love from the perch.

Historical Fiction: World War II

World War II seems to be trending these days. For decades there have been historical fiction novels set in 1940s Europe, but in the past decade there seems to be even more of them. Could it be that the farther in time we get from that infamous period in human history the more curious we become about it? Most of the youngest survivors from that time are now in their late 80s or 90s, and it won't be long before all the survivors will be gone. There will be no one with firsthand memories of the Holocaust and daily life in wartime Europe.

Some World War II fiction published in the past decade include:

• All the Light We Cannot See (Anthony Doerr)  The Pulitzer Prize-winning book about two teenagers during the war. One is a blind girl in Nazi-occupied France, the other is a German boy forced into the Nazi army.
• The Nightingale (Kristin Hannah)  Tells the story of two sisters trying to survive in France during the Nazi occupation.
• Lilac Girls (Martha Hall Kelly)  The lives of three women (a New York socialite/philanthropist, a concentration camp prisoner, and a concentration camp doctor) are intertwined.
• The Tattooist of Auschwitz (Heather Morris)  A Slovakian Jew speaking several languages is put to work tattooing new camp prisoners, seeing the worst and best of human behavior.
• The Rose Code (Kate Quinn)  Three female code breakers at England's Bletchley Park become friends, but after the war, one of them is betrayed by a co-worker and is put in an asylum.
• Eternal (Lisa Scottoline)  A love triangle of three teenagers is told against the backdrop of Rome in Mussolini's Italy.
• The Paris Library (Janet Skeslien Charles)  Based on the true story of librarians at the American Library in Paris during World War II.

There are a number of other historical fiction books beside these that are set during the war. Have you read any? Share the titles with us!

Wishing you interesting travels through time from the perch.

Starting the New Year On a Positive Note

Happy New Year! And happy 2nd birthday, COVID-19 pandemic? We had no idea you'd be sticking around for so long. You've gotten rather cozy, making yourself at home all over the world. You're an unwanted houseguest outstaying your welcome, and it seems we can't get rid of you no matter how hard we try. Frankly, our relationship with you is rather unhealthy, both physically and mentally.

So, how do we start this new year on a positive note, especially with the Omicron variant that's been cancelling concerts and sporting events, closing museums, and making schools go virtual again like it's March 2020? Here are some ideas:

• Let yourself grieve.  Even if you've been one of the "lucky" ones who hasn't lost a loved one or a job, we've lost a lot in terms of normalcy. Acknowledge that loss instead of pushing it aside.
• Practice gratitude.  Rather than focus on the things you can't do right now, focus on the things you can.
• Limit your time on social media.  Misery loves company, and there's plenty of it on social media. Curb your exposure to all that negativity.
• Do a hobby.  Whatever it is you like doing--knitting, woodworking, painting, etc.--just do it. When your hands are busy, your brain gets to relax.
• Read a book.  You knew I had to include this. Like doing a hobby, reading allows your mind to rest and think of other things.
• Go outdoors and move.  Fresh air and nature along with walking or doing some other exercise are great for getting those endorphins (a.k.a. "the happy hormones") going. It may be the middle of winter, but put on that coat and get out there for a short while. You'll be glad you did.

A positive attitude can make a big difference in your mood. Being together with other people (even if it's done virtually through video or the phone) can also help. Keep in mind that we're all going through this pandemic and it will eventually end. What things or activities help you stay positive? Share with us!

Wishing you many positive vibes from the perch.