I love going to the library. It’s a place of comfort. A place where anything can happen. All you have to do is reach for a book, open it, and begin reading. Magic happens! When I was young, I spent many happy hours at our town library, searching for the just-right book. A library is a place where you can find hidden treasures.
I love books – especially children’s books. (After all, I’m a former elementary school teacher and school librarian, and I’m a children’s author.) Fiction and nonfiction picture books, middle-grade and young adult books are my books of choice. I not only read books but I collect them. When books started piling up on the floor of my office, I realized I had too many. There is no way I would ever want to get rid of all of them. My granddaughters would never forgive me. But there are some I’m willing to give up.
Enter The Little Free Library. I first started seeing these cute little structures that house books around Madison, WI. I’ve been fascinated by them ever since. They are popping up in neighborhoods across the country. TAKE A BOOK. LEAVE A BOOK. It’s also a perfect way to share books and bring joy to others.
Taking photos of these Little Free Libraries has become a hobby of mine. Whenever or wherever I see one, I snap a photo. Below are some of my favorites.
Maybe it’s time to invest in a Little Free Library of my own.
Here is a wonderful book that tells the story of Todd Bol and his movement to promote books and literacy through Little Free Libraries.
Little Libraries, Big Heroes written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by John Parra, Clarion Books, 2019