All-Time Favorite

Here is what I guess is turning into my monthly post. Most of you know that one of my favorite past times is reading to children. I love story time, but I also go and read to kindergartners at the school at least once a week and I read to other groups whenever a teacher asks. Sometimes it's difficult coming up with books that you enjoy reading and that the kids enjoy listening to as well. I always try to find new books to share with them, but in the end everyone who reads to kids has the old favorites they fall back on. This is mine. Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude by Kevin O'Malley. I started reading this book when it came in my library five years ago when my son was in kindergarten. It was an immediate hit. (Back then I was still on the back of a bike, by the way.) I had to read the book more than once that year to my son's class. Since then it has always been a hit with whatever age group to whom I read it. The premise is a boy and a girl telling a story together for a class project. Of course it goes wildly different directions according to which one is telling it. At the end I always ask who liked the girl's or boy's story better. Inevitably, there are girls (like me) who prefer the boy's story to the girl's (blech!), but every once in a while there will be a shy little boy who raises his hand because he likes the girl's story better. I respect that in a man. I got a surprise this winter though when I subbed for my son's class for a couple of days. Of course, I brought books to read to them when we had time. What surprised me is that several of them asked for the motorcycle book. They were shocked that I didn't bring it. I thought for sure these grown up fourth graders were way too mature for a book that I had read to them in kindergarten. They were genuinely disappointed though, so of course I went to the library and brought it the next day. They were so happy. It also felt good to have my 30 seconds of being the cool mom. Who knows? Maybe someday I'll be reading this book to them as seniors. A librarian can dream, right?

For Ranger Fans Everywhere

Honestly, I had a bit of a slower day at work today. No overdemanding patrons or reports due, so when I had a few minutes I decided to do a bit of research. Now I'm not talking about serious research on something like marketing the modern library, how to attract more teens to programs or even free and interesting programs for next year's summer reading. I recently read Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich and wanted to find out more about that Bulgari shower gel that Ranger uses that makes all the women swoon. Anyone who reads the Stephanie Plum books would agree that IS serious research. Well, the Bulgari shower gel does exist and the type he uses is Green Tea. So if you have been giving yourself an olfactory orgasm at Macy's and dreaming about which scent is his, you can narrow down the bottle that you embarrass yourself over now. I remember in junior high all the kids said that green meant you were horny (even though we had no idea what that meant), so in this case it may be true. At least if you are sniffing the green bottle and thinking about Ranger. I can say that I think I know something that Steve will be getting for his anniversary this year. Now he wants new pipes for his Harley and he may get them. I think he may have to get a little something for the ladies to go with them though. ;*)