Each year around this time, a family tradition at our
household is to stop and look back at the past twelve months and reflect on the
innumerable gifts that have come our way. Each year, we are reminded of how
extraordinarily fortunate we are, as individuals, as a couple, as a family. This year, as in every previous year, our list
is lengthy and broad, with gifts of every size. And no matter the size of the
gift, our gratitude is deep, very deep.
Each day I go to work at the library I am in the presence of
big gifts that literally come in “small packages” ... a tiny hand to hold, a
smile to reciprocate and the delight on a young face when “the perfect” book is
found and checked out to take home to enjoy with someone they love. So many gifts, so much gratitude.
I am one of the most fortunate of all people, as each day my
world is full of friends, of all ages and sizes. And recently some very dear Friends (note the
capital “F”) recently gave a wonderful gift not just to me, but to you as
well. If you’ve been to the library’s
website, you may have noticed it. If
not, grab a little one’s hand, go to www.neill-lib.org
and enjoy it together.
The gift from our Friends is TumbleBooks, an online
collection of animated, talking picture books and nonfiction titles. Tumble in and you’ll find there is a whole
lot packed into this one gift. Books
come to life as you listen to the text being read aloud while viewing gorgeous
illustrations. Both book descriptions and
reviews are at your fingertips. You can
even submit your own reviews if you’d like.
Do you speak a language other than English or would you like
to listen to and read books in other languages?
The Friends gift allows you to do just that. Take your pick of English, French, Spanish,
Chinese and Russian. Interested in playing book related puzzles and
games? TumbleBooks has those too. And
there’s more! If you have an iPad and
iPhone 4, TumbleBooks is literally at your fingertips. It’s online, it’s interactive, it’s an
amazing gift. Thank you, thank you, Friends
of Neill Library!
So, as I enjoy and explore this great online gift, I will also
remember the gift of having a little one on my lap or snuggled in beside me as
I read aloud and share a beautiful or funny or moving story together. The touches, the giggles, the words, the
wonderings, and yes, at times, even the tears that are shared when we sit down
to read together are what will always resonate in our children’s hearts (and
brains) and result in them wanting
“more”. More books, more stories,
more reading, more time with us.
So, stop by the library and check out an armful of books to
share over and over and over. Then, as a
bonus, grab your mouse or iPad or iPhone 4 and share additional wonderful
titles together. And as we click on our
mice or touch our screens, let’s collectively say a big “thank you” to the
Friends of Neill Public Library.
by Kathleen Ahern, Children's Librarian
published 12/17/11 in Moscow-Pullman Daily News
