Get Thee To A Library
Get Thee To A Library (for Medium)
As schools let out for the summer, nearly every public library in the United States is getting ready for its summer reading program, to encourage children to read while they’re out of school and avoid the dreaded summer slump. Most libraries in Canada will be doing likewise. Some libraries will have programs for adults. Libraries may also offer children’s cooking classes, opportunities to play games, magic shows, science demonstrations, visits from park rangers with rehabilitated animals, etc.
Summer is a wonderful time to visit the library and take your children. It’s air-conditioned. It probably has a water fountain and clean bathrooms. And it’s full of BOOKS! (Many libraries also have DVDs to check out or rent.)
“You want weapons? We’re in a library. Books are the best weapon in the world. This room’s the greatest arsenal we could have. Arm yourself” from Doctor Who, “Tooth and Claw,” by Russell T. Davies.
“A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone.” Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin
What to read this summer?
Fantasy books to peak/pique your imagination this summer
If you can afford Amazon Prime, you’ve probably seen Good Omens by now. See if your library has the book it’s based on, by Sir Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.
Rent, buy, or borrow Mary Poppins Returns. Make a family movie marathon of it by watching the 1964 Mary Poppins movie first and the 2013 Disney docudrama Saving Mr. Banks. P. L. Travers wrote nine books about Mary Poppins from 1934 to 1988. Only a fraction of that material was used in original Mary Poppins movie, and it was changed immensely from the original books. See how many of the books your library has or if they can obtain them through inter-library loan.
· Mary Poppins, 1934
· Mary Poppins Comes Back, 1935
· Mary Poppins Opens the Door, 1943
· Mary Poppins in the Park, 1952
· Stories from Mary Poppins, 1952
· Mary Poppins From A to Z, 1963
· Mary Poppins in the Kitchen, 1975
· Mary Poppins in Cherry Tree Lane, 1982
· Mary Poppins and the House Next Door, 1988.
If you don’t feel industrious enough to attempt a recipe from Mary Poppins in the Kitchen, or if your kids are too young for tea, have a tea party with Hawaiian Punch and English muffins. Make a special occasion out of it. It will be a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious day.
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If the current political situation is confusing or aggravating you, check out some alternatives from B Cubed Press. Some stories will make you laugh. Some will scare you as much as a good Twilight Zone episode. Many will make you think.
Alternative Truths (book I)
More Alternative Truths (book II)
Endgames (book III)
Alternative Theologies: Parables for a Modern Age (Book IV)
After the Orange
Digging Up My Bones, by Gwyndyn Alexander (feminist poetry)
{Disclaimer: I have a story in Alternative Truths and half a song in More Alternative Truths. I am not a disinterested party in this case.}
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If you enjoyed Game of Thrones, or if you watched it, but were disappointed by the ending, check out the books by George R. R. Martin. (Do not share these books with your children.)
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What are the benefits of a library summer reading program? It gets the kids out of the house and away from the TV. It gets them into air conditioning on someone else’s electric bill. Many libraries offer prizes for reading books. Certificates, stickers, pencils, posters, books, coupons redeemable for hamburgers, snow cones, etc., frisbees. When school starts again in Fall, they won’t suffer from the dreaded Summer Slump, and their teachers will be grateful.
