Rosie and I have a new trick for finding interesting children’s books, and it is helping us discover some real gems.
We are lucky enough to live two blocks away from our “local branch”:http://www.chipublib.org/branch/details/library/albany-park/ of the Chicago Public Library. Most days, after dropping Lucy off at preschool, we swing by — either to pick up a book on hold or to return something. (We rarely have fines these days, thanks to “LibraryElf”:http://www.libraryelf.com/ and their fabulous, free due-date alert email notifications.)
While we are there, we spend a few minutes browsing through the “recently returned cart,” which (as the name suggests) is full of books that fellow library patrons have just checked out. We can often find seasonal books there that haven’t quite made it back to the shelves yet, brand-new books that usually disappear quickly, as well as collections of books on topics that someone found interesting (like a recent stash of spaceship books that were fantastic). Browsing this cart is kind of like looking at Amazon.com’s “other customers also bought…” list.
For example, last week we happened upon a very sweet book (for which see one of my “quick-take reviews”:/news/2010/johnny-boo-the-happy-apples/ below) — and we hope you enjoy it, too. But we definitely recommend you see whether there’s a similar “recently return” cart or shelf at your own public library.
*The Book:* “_Brown Rabbit in the City_”:http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0670012343/octothorppres-20 by Natalie Russell.
*Mama’s three-sentence review:* Brown Rabbit from the country visits Little Rabbit in the city, where they have some trouble reconnecting as true friends, learning about themselves and each other in the process. I especially love the beautiful, muted palette of the illustrations; just looking at them feels peaceful. But the real treasure is in the emotional authenticity between the rabbits while they navigate the intensity of their relationship.
*Lucy and Rosie like this book because:* of their favorite, touching illustration of Brown Rabbit wiping away Little Rabbit’s tears. Also, they really want to eat the carrot cake in the café.
*Quotable lines:* “‘But I came to see you, not the city,’ he replied, and Little Rabbit smiled.”
Thanks for the LibraryElf tip. I just checked and our library was supported. Five minutes later, it’s telling me the whole list of resources I had checked out earlier today. This looks like a fabulous tool. Thanks for bringing it up!
Glad you’re enjoying the Elf, Jeffrey! It has given me a lot of freedom to check out dozens of books at a time without worry. :)