THE BOOK NAZIBefore I hooked up with Courtney on Monday, I had a few delightful minutes in the four-story Barnes & Noble in Union Square. Only having a few minutes was probably the best thing for me, as I needed to return to Portland with a suitcase full of MORE books, like I needed a hole in the head. None-the-less, I went straight to the children's section, intending to pick one book to take to Isabel on Tuesday.
Isabel is Kim's daughter, and Kim is IT ON A STICK! Kim has edited my book for me (about a hundred times), cheered me on, led the way, steered me in the right direction, and basically, made a pile of nothing, into a manuscript. So, her two-year-old deserved one paperback children's book for all her efforts, right? I'm nothing, if not generous.
Faced with a the most comprehensive children's book selection I've ever in my life seen, was daunting, pretty soon my arms were full of must haves:
And this, because no home is complete without an Elmo in every size imaginable.
So, Tuesday morning I grabbed a cab to Grand Central Station, and took a train out to Kim's. I spent the most delightful day with Kim and the Amazing Isabel, aka, the Book Nazi.
"You will read book!" says Isabel approximately every 2 seconds.
My kids didn't let me read to them like that, especially Rojo, and Woohoo is 14 now. I saved every book from my own childhood, then went into Elementary Ed, taught 12 years, and acquired hundreds of books, none of which my kids would ever patiently listen to, through a cruel twist of fate. So, to have a captive audience was heaven on earth.
I was full going in, but I left Kim's over-flowing.
11 comments:
Such great places and great friends to visit. Just following along with you. You must be having a ball. Great selection of books. Liberty was in love with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom for an entire year. Waiting for the day I can read him the pile of books in his room, one of which is Where's Spot? :) I love Kim's site, wish she wrote more.
Remeber this quote: You may have tangible wealth untold
caskets of jewels and coffers sof gold
Richer than I you can never be
I had a Mother who read to me.
Read that in someone's bathroom.
So glad you are having a great time.
Traveling seems to put a new lens on life.
What an opportunity that is providing you with yet more material to add your life story.
Those are all my favorite books, ones I read over and over to Josie as a toddler. Thanks for reminding me... Your afternoon sounds delightful.
Well, she's just a doll!
Great books! So much fun!
I love children's books. My girls loved to be read to, still do. It is one of my favorite things to do with them.
You picked some of the best ones. I know she is going to love them. She is so cute.
Love hearing about your adventures.
XOXOX
I don't want to sound petty, but really, a cute 2 year old should not be compared to a Nazi... I can't help but find this upsetting, even though Seinfeld's "soup nazi" popularized the notion...
It is the coolest feeling, clicking to get my daily fix of laughter and insight at Fully Caffeinated and seeing a photo of the little person who has given me so much of both.
Ms. Link, your visit was a slice of heaven. After spending the day playing, singing, dancing, and reading endless books with my daughter (not like you had a choice!) and changing her diaper for me not once but twice, you left a sparkling trail of joy in your wake in these wonderful books. She ADORES each and every one of them, we have read them (with pleasure) over and over, and she is very clear on where they came from! Elmo has also had many hugs and visits to the crib, a place of honor.
Thank you Kathryn! Someday I will start up again. I love your site and beautiful Liberty as well.
And per I, thank you for sharing that wonderful quote.
Now, I'm off to buy every book Kevin Henkes has ever written.
So much love.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Chrysanthemum and Where's Spot? are faves in this household.
Chrysanthemum. That's all I'm saying. She's the bomb.
I'm so glad you and Kim got to hang out. Makes me smile big, as so does that picture. What a cutie!
She's so big!! So glad you got to see them and read to Isabel and change diapers. Sounds like a great day. :)
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