November is Picture Book Month at the Huntsville Public Library

While my writing friends are hunkering down to tap out an 80,000 word draft novel, I'm taking it easy with reading and fondly gazing at the remaining picture books in our home.

The kids are grown up but I still have a soft spot for some of our favourite titles. 

Edgar the Bear with a reading recommendation

As mentioned many times in this blog, I also have a soft spot and great respect for public libraries.  I even scored a work term in a library many years ago.

The library in my old stomping ground is celebrating November as Picture Book Month and posting recommendations from staff and patrons.  I think it's a great way to engage patrons, parents and families in sharing the love of reading.

The role of libraries has evolved over the past few decades.  To me, they are still gathering places in a community where people can search for information, acquire knowledge and exchange ideas.

In the novel, the library is a place where Sera Fletcher could escape and seek comfort during difficult times.  You won't find a printed version of The Year of the Rabbit in a library yet.  You can find the eBook version at Smashwords.  

Please submit a review there, at Goodreads or drop me a line.  See what others have written.


Thanks for reading!

 T

Reading recommendations from a teddy bear?

I would like to introduce you to Edgar, Sera Fletcher's favourite teddy bear. 

He provided her comfort during some very sad and confusing times.  

Sera also found comfort and escape while reading books.  The local library was one of her favourite places to visit, to feel at home.   

As a parent of young adult children, I have fond memories of our reading time on weekend afternoons or school nights.  We liked to explore new picture books but also had our old favourites.

Two of our favourite books were Wednesday is Spaghetti Day and The Lion and the Little Red Bird.  

As a working mother, I would visit the public library often during my lunch hours, exploring the children's section for new finds to cart home on the city bus. 

Edgar the bear has his own board on my Pinterest account where we pin photographs of him holding some of our recommended reads. I hope you will enjoy the pictures as well as the short reviews there and on Goodreads.

Edgar is a character in the novel but he was also a real  childhood toy.  He was gifted by a relative to a five year-old girl in 1969. The girl promptly named him Winnie (aka Winnie Pooh Bear).

I was that little girl.  

Winnie accompanied me while playing with friends and exploring the expanding world around our small town home.  Over the years, he comforted me while healing from lost friendships, broken hearts and very difficult life circumstances. He has kept many of my secrets.  

Winnie has his own secret.  There is a music box hidden in his stomach.  If you squeeze his tummy using the right pressure and tempo with both hands, you will hear the Rock a-bye Baby song. There were several tempting times to open him up, to dig inside and examine that box.  My childlike belief that he had feelings spared him that indignity!

I still have Winnie but don't snuggle with him anymore.  He stays at home, in a seat of honour up on the shelves in my room. A few months ago, I thought he looked lonely so I pulled him down for some photo opportunities, to share our love of reading and to lure in curious minds.     

This bear was a good listener, friend and an inspiration. 

You can trust his recommendations. 
 - - - 

Thank you for reading this far.  Did you find this post funny, interesting or inspiring?  Check one of the boxes below.  Offer a comment if you can.  

Drop by www.yearoftherabbit.ca for more information about the novel.  Visit deepblondethoughts.ca for tongue-in-cheek observations about life and life styles.  If you like cats, visit my WordPress blog where the Tabby rules.    

T

The gift of Reading

Although unwrapping a new Ereader loaded with hundreds of titles may not bring the same tactile pleasure as unwrapping piles of books, I'm sure many avid readers will be thrilled to find one under the tree this Christmas.   


If you have a loved-one who enjoys reading fiction by little known but promising Canadian authors, do I have a deal for you!  


The Year of the Rabbit, (a novel about fate, family and forgiveness) is available in many electronic formats. 

The following are confirmed distributors for the Ebook version of The Year of the Rabbit : 

• Sony  http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/_/R-400000000000000502066 

• Barnes and Noble  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-year-of-the-rabbit-florence-t-lyon/1105870879

• Apple's iBookshelf  http://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/the-year-of-the-rabbit/id465221421?mt=11

Of course, if you purchase the Ebook through Smashwords, the author gets a better return ;o) and I can monitor sales numbers in a more timely manner.   You can also enjoy a 50% discount coupon until December 24th.  


While you're considering the offer, check out some deep blonde thoughts on giftmas.  


Thanks for dropping by.  


T

For the Love of Libraries

Many years ago, I had the opportunity to work in the public library of my small Muskoka town.  Over the three-month work term I shelved books, helped with the children's reading circle, exercised my creativity and made friends.  I also got distracted with all the different books one could read.  There were just not enough hours in the day!  

I look back at that time with fond memories.   

In my novel, the public library was one of the places where Sera could seek comfort, familiarity and through reading - escape.  In her topsy-turvy world, she appreciated how it could also provide a sense of order.

~ ~ ~
Excerpt:

   Sera stood with an armful of books in front of the metallic shelves.  Ms. Perkins, the librarian was so pleased to have this girl helping out.  She could finally get caught up on her crossword puzzles. 

   Sera stood in the first aisle, re-shelving and re-organizing books on philosophy and religion.

   100 for Philosophy and Psychology.  She put three books back in their proper order.

   200 for Religion.  Two more books back into their proper place.

   She liked the feeling of order.  That Dewey guy must have had a lot of time on his hands.  I like this.  Things make sense here.  Every book has a place in relation to other books and topics.  It keeps my mind busy. 

   While she was in her trance, sorting and re-shelving, she didn't hear her Aunt enter the library.   A few of the teenaged boys who were studying at the tables turned to watch the attractive copper-haired woman as she peeled off her fur coat and strutted down the aisles of book cases.  Georgette thought to herself, I can't remember the last time I was in a library!  I like the hardwood floor though.  Reminds me of my dance studio days....

   Sera emerged from her trance by the sound of click, click heels making a steady tap dancing like sound on the hardwood floors.  She turned and smiled as she saw her aunt round the corner of shelves towards her. 

   "Aunt Georgette!" she exclaimed, "What are YOU doing in a library?"

  "Very funny, ma chérie.  I have been known to read a book or two, you know."

   "Sure..." Sera smiled as she slid the last book into its place and whispered,  "But really.. is everything okay?"
~ ~ ~
End excerpt