And Now, A Few Words From Miss Tara...

My Life at The Library...

I read children's books for a living. No, not as an editor or publisher, I read children's books to children. My audience is both appreciative and opinionated. They are fearless in showing both their love and their disdain. Tough crowd.

In addition to the young reader/listeners, ranging in age from 1-8, I adore the 9-12 readers. Especially the ones who claim to "hate reading". A lot of times they've felt forced (in school) to read books that don't interest them at all so they don't even recognize reading as a positive experience. That's not easy to overcome, their attitude has been tainted and they can't imagine reading for enjoyment, all they know is they don't WANT to read.

It always breaks my heart a little bit when parents size up a child's book choice and comes out with something like, "Whaddaya reading that for? It's a baby book. It's too easy for you." Well, maybe it is. And why is that any of our adult business? Maybe it was a tough day at school. Maybe someone wasn't kind. Maybe a "baby book" has been sought out for comfort. Maybe a challenging book isn't what's called for at this moment. Let them read what they want, when it's for enjoyment. They'll seek out more words, more pages, more authors when the time is right.

My favorite way to match a book to a reader is to just ask them to read the first page. That's all. That's all??? they ask. That's all I answer. Then, at the end of the first page I'll ask, "Do you want to know more about this story?" and if they do, great. If not, we try again. There's a book for everyone, we just have to find it. This simple trick has worked for me time and again, whether it's a reticent 8 year old or an absolutely criminal (and that's not over stating a fact) 15 year old, I've found success with the "first page" test.

I am over the moon with the news that Vanessa B. Newton's book, "Let Freedom Ring" will be published soon! Can't wait to see it on our shelves. I'm already planning a children's program around it...check out her blog to find out more.

http://oohlaladesignstudio.blogspot.com/

I came across Vanessa's blog and was instantly smitten. Her work grabbed me as soon as I lay my eyes on it. Honestly, I see thousands of books a day, but I've learned to know a good thing when I see it. And Vanessa and her art? They are very good things. Here's to you, Divine Miss V.!

Shutters of Fair Haven

Shutters of Fair Haven...River Road, Fair Haven, NJ...hello, Summer!!!

Welcome to the shore...

My Happy Place For the Day

Had to add a bit of brightness to this dreary day. These colors are typically a bit bold for my eye, but I absolutely needed them this morning! Of course the book lying open upon the bed and the postcards strung between the ceiling beams instantly clinched this as my virtual happy place! My commute to work is only 8 minutes, down Ocean Avenue, and I swear even the Atlantic was feeling gloomy today. She's as sensitive as the rest of us of course. Ah, well, brighter days are right around the bend. Until then, I'll just gaze at this Nantucket cottage. It must be near impossible to have a lousy mood here. Maybe there's a root cellar or something to which all pouters are banished.

Is a Gray Sweater Appropriate Easter Wear?

Happy Easter. I wish it felt a bit more like it's time for the Easter Bunny instead of time for Old Saint Nick. What's with the weather??? In any case, have a fab Easter, or hope you had a wonderful (belated) Passover.
I went to Forever 21 today and snagged a charcoal 3/4 sleeve turtleneck sweater ($5.99), thinking it would be great for Fall but I may very well wear it tomorrow, Easter Sunday, with a silver skirt and tights.

Lousy Week at Work? Make Lemonade.

Had the worst week ever at work. But, somehow, it's turned out pretty well. Got me going on my children's book again, which I'd shelved as it seemed I never had time/energy to work on it. Well, there's alway time and energy, it's just a matter of channeling it! I'll post updates as it all starts to come together. Amazing how a really low mood can give way to excitement and a creative rush.

As for the photo, I think it's part of a kitchen but I could totally settle in and do some work at that table!

Words fail me. This is just...too delicious!

FINALLY...it feels like there will be an end to this Winter after all! I think I'll head to Ocean Grove on Thursday, my next scheduled day off, to shop and stroll. "God's Square Mile" is the most amazingly unchanged town I know of on the Shore. The tent colony is still exactly as it looked 100 years ago. EVERYTHING is pretty much as it looked 100 years ago! It's only a 15 minute drive from my house, but feels like a trip back in time.

It seems I've lost my mojo. I was making these little pouches for a while, selling and gifting them, now it's been months and months and...nothing. I've lost my groove. Hope it comes back soon.

Took a day off work last week to hit Broadway. Went to see the revival of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit" and really, really enjoyed it. Damn, that Angela Lansbury is amazing! Along with the luminous Christine Ebersole and ridiculously, criminally handsome Rupert Everett, the cast was just perfect. The set was fantastic, and the costumes were to die for. I'm going to be on the lookout for MaryJanes like the ones "Ruth" wore during the show... Also couldn't help but notice it was a full house, which Broadway desperately needs as shows were closing left and right recently. Maybe, just maybe, things are starting to look up?

I guess I just don't get enough of books working at the library, I am obsessed with them even during my off hours.
Oh for enough spare time to read everything which has caught my eye lately. The Help, Cutting for Stone, Mississippi Sissy, the new Christopher Buckley, and on and on and...

From the no-longer being published "Domino" magazine...great places to curl up and read. The bottom photo struck me as being kind of spooky/cozy at the same time.

Simple, classic, comfortable. Just perfectly understated. LOVE the blackboard/refrigerator!

Ok, these pictures are really not even close to how great this hat is. One of the little girls who came to my Story Time at the Library was wearing this and I have enough chutzpah to ask her mom if I can take pictures of it! It was really great, knit from various yarns, and there was a bird living atop it in a knit nest! Just a funky, unique bit of children's wear.

Our seashore downstairs bathroom. It used to be the only bathroom in the house till we added two more with our reno/addition. I like all my silly little things. The miniature bicycle takes the cake...I bought it years ago at a toy store which was on its way out. I still marvel at the detailing of it...little kickstand, pedals, rubber tires.

In a blue mood today...these pix are from the undeservedly defunct "Country Home" magazine.

Ok, the deal with the table is: about 4 years ago, a great friend asked me if I was interested in this table, which she had bought at an estate sale. She described it and sight unseen I said yes. We would periodically have "the table" conversation..."are you still interested in that table?" she'd ask. "Oh, definitely" was my constant answer. Well, FINALLY we got it together and her husband delivered the table the day after this past Valentine's Day. It was forest green with oak-y trim. Not what I would have typically chosen. But I KNEW the style was perfect...the display case can be changed on a whim, of which I suffer a great many. With a makeover, this is what it wound up looking like. My husband suggested we get new pulls for the drawers. I love Anthropologie, so we there we went, figuring on a budget of around $80. or so, because, as Mark pointed out, the price of the table was unbeatable. I hit the Anthro lottery and found these pulls on sale, marked down from $10.00 to $2.95. The pulls remind me of something from a botanist's lab. Yes, this is a long, rather pointless story. But it took me 4 long years to get the table! At least it only took you 4 minutes to read about it! Thanks for indulging me...

Seaside city snow...nearly all of it melted yesterday when the temp hit 65.

I love my youngest daughter's "nook". It's so cozy and sweet without being schmaltzy (or so I hope).

Snowy day in Jersey...Ol Man Winter had to go and wait till March to dump it on us??? The kids had a great day so there will be no complaining. I accomplished quite a bit around the house, will post photos at some point, hideous yellow master suite coming along, still not a thrill but I'm determined to make it work.