By Jan Pease
Santa visited the library Thursday night for one of the best
family events of the year. He held babies,
talked seriously to children about getting along with their siblings, and was
kind to our kids who have a hard time talking to people outside of the
family. I have no idea how many people
came, because I forgot to use my little clicker. I estimate about 150 or so. Children were able to choose a book, make a
countdown paper chain, and decorate a wooden ornament with glitter glue. Thank you, Friends of the Litchfield Library, for sponsoring this fun event.
Beth wrote last week about the best of lists for adult
books. I watched an older children’s
book suddenly “go viral” throughout the world thanks to social media. A video of a Scottish grandmother laughing
hysterically while reading “The Wonky Donkey,” by Craig Smith, a teacher in New
Zealand, went viral on YouTube and Facebook about 12
weeks ago. Suddenly everyone in the U.S. wanted to read “The Wonky Donkey.” Used and new paper back copies of this little book were offered at ridiculous prices in the hundreds of dollars. Scholastic Inc reprinted the book and offered it on their book order for around five dollars. Miss Julie from Mighty Dragons Preschool was able to purchase several copies from Scholastic and she allowed me to get one while the excitement was still at a high level. Now the book is offered at the more reasonable price of about $5.00.
This is a silly book, but it has become controversial. This is another book that people either like
or hate. Read the reviews at amazon.com. The poor
donkey has an artificial leg. Should we really call him wonky because of that? Another disturbing image in the book is a bird
that flies around carrying the eye lost by the donkey. So he’s a winky wonky donkey. Some people found Mr. Smith’s humor offensive,
some didn’t. I cringe while writing
this, but even though I find the humor a bit off, I have read it aloud several
times, and enjoyed it immensely. It’s been interesting to watch the price
skyrocket due to demand and then plummet when paperback copies flooded the
market.
This year marked the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling. . This series rocked the world of children’s publishing and then it was discovered by adults. The books became with longer and longer and movies were made of each title.
2018 also marked the 33rd Anniversary of The Polar Express, a favorite Christmas time book that I’ve never successfully read at Story Time because it makes me cry.
2018 also was the
75th anniversary of the Boxcar Children. Even though new titles are issued each
month, children seem to prefer the original books written by Gertrude Chandler
Warner
Whether you choose a book at the top of the charts, or
choose a time-honored book that has been read by generations of children, I
hope you’ll give a gift of reading this Christmas.
See you at the library!
