A Few Happenings

Post Booktalk Fun:
Grade Two class running amok, boys fighting (physically) over a stool, whole rows of books dumping off shelves and being shoved back randomly,teachers talking not even supervising...argh. A really great pop-up book is ripped among other casualties that I certainly haven't discovered. My solution for the class visit from hell part 2? I am cutting out slips of coloured paper which I will tell them to put in the place where they pull the book out from. I don't remember where I saw this before, but it seemed to work. The teacher wondered if they could look around but just not pull the books all the way out. Yeah, that sounds like fun. Go to the library and peek at book covers. Wowee.

Observing Strangeness:
Disturbing father daughter affection. Daughter too old and too skinny to be cuddling with father on bench in children's department - she may have been twelve or thirteen. Odd looking father who is harry, stooped and wearing worn, dirty clothing. Holding hands with both girls. Youngest girl is half dressed -wearing bikini top and shorts. Very grubby. Father says, "Why don't we go home and share a granola bar." Share. Why can't she have her own. She's friggin anorexic and about 5'8. They don't take any books out, only a DVD. All I could wonder, is if the girls are in public school, and what their teacher thinks. I think children who are affectionate by nature, and who aren't embarrassed to show it are wonderful - I've seen it with all ages and genders - but this felt strange. What can you do? I wonder if I'll see them again.

Keep Curious George on a Leash:
Woman comes in looking for book on tape for a three-year -old child. I don't usually promote the mainstream - but there aren't as many choices in this section - Curious George. Response: Well, no I don't want to get her into the idea that she can get into trouble.
Well, the kid is on a leash. No kidding. She's already harnessed in like a rabid dog. She has been politely looking at books all over the library for ten minutes. I have seen little sign of misbehavior. Grandma is taking this seriously! Darn Curious George, destroying the standards of behavior everywhere!!! Seriously, this is silly, all children laugh at Curious George and love him because they can see what he's doing wrong, and it's delightful for them to be able to watch it and point it out!! After all, he's a monkey!