I'm sorry about your books, Mrs. Curry

Elementary school students, along with their younger siblings and pets, are very rough on library books (see examples at end of post).

Because the pile of "damaged beyond my magical librarian abilities to repair" books had grown a little too large for my liking, I decided to give the "respect your books, be responsible with them, and tell me the truth about hurt library books" speech.

The speech begins when the students enter the library. I don an extremely somber face and say, "I am so sorry that I have to begin your library time by talking about something very sad. We are having a real problem in our library. Many of our library books are being ripped, colored in, chewed on, and spilled on. Let me show you what I mean-"

At this point I show them the samples I have collected (see below), pausing for dramatic effect as I toss the books into a trash can conveniently located beside me and secretly reveling in the horrified faces of the children. After all, it is nice that they find damaged books as much of an atrocity as I do.

Then I make the emotional plea. "I really need your help to keep our books safe. So here's what you can do. Number 1-Take care of your library books. Keep them away from food, from pets and from little brothers and sisters who don't know how to take care of library books. Number 2-Be honest when something happens to your library book. I will never get mad at someone who tells me the truth. Do you think that you can do these things for me?"

Heads shake in earnest. It is a glorious sight.

Of course, after this talk every student becomes a self appointed library policeman-informing me of every smudge and tear that exists on any and every book.

But there are also some extremely precious moments.

One boy, upon hearing that I was going to have to throw away Diary of a Spider, buried his head in his hands and lamented, "But that was my favorite book!" I know sweetheart, I know.

A second grade girl stopped me in the hall this morning to console me, saying, "Mrs. Curry, I'm sorry about your books."

One little boy couldn't take the horror anymore. He covered his eyes and exclaimed, "I can't watch anymore. I just can't."

But the best observation of all-"You know Mrs. Curry, throwing away a book is like losing a good friend. It hurts."

(Please note the horrified look on Arthur's face, and the fact that the spider is yelling for help. It is almost as if they knew the fate that awaited them)

(A puppy chewed up this book, which is, ironically, about cats)

(For the record, Junie B. is NOT happy about her makeover)

Turkey Hat Day

Wednesday was the 3rd annual Turkey Hat Day!

You may be wondering what THD is and why you've never heard of it before. Well THD is a little holiday I made up myself so that I could wear a hat I made, which, conveniently, looks like a turkey.

Three years ago, I began working in an elementary school. I wanted to do something a little weird and creative to celebrate the last day of school before Thanksgiving vacation. So I made what would be come to be known as the Turkey Hat. I used no patterns or directions-just the picture in my mind. When I wore it to school for the first time most of the kids and staff laughed hysterically. One class of Kindergarteners even made their own Turkey Hats! And thus, Turkey Hat Day was born.

Last year I wore the hat again and made one for the new librarian. We happily frolicked about in our turkey hats together. This year, I invited my aide to join me in Turkey Hat fellowship. She was more than happy to participate in the festivities.

Next year, we're going to make THD t-shirts :)

Getting started . . .

is always the hardest part for me.

As an English major in college, it was not uncommon for me to sit down the night before a paper was due and begin putting my thoughts down. Not because I was a procrastinator (not usually, at least) but because I wrote better when I let my ideas percolate in my brain for awhile.

Consequently, I have already written at least 4 blog posts in my mind :) Yet, now that I am sitting in front of the computer, with the "Compose" screen lying intimidatingly blank in front of me, I have Writer's Block.

Actually, it is Writer's Fear.

• What if people think my writing is dumb?
  
• What if people expect me to be funny?
  
• What if people expect me to be interesting?
  
• What if there are grammar and spelling errors?
  

But, I have decided to face my fear. I am going to blog.

I will happily entertain a list of topical suggestions. Is there anything you'd like me to write about fair readers? I always aim to please.