Children's Classic Books discussion
Group - General
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Please Introduce Yourself!
Christine PNW wrote: "I feel so lucky to live where I do - I have access to 2 amazing library systems, including the Multnomah County Library (Portland, Oregon), which has an absolutely astonishing collection of both eb..."That's very encouraging to hear! The libraries I've been to in the U.S. are usually much better than what I've experienced here.
I can ILL books but it takes about 6 months and then you only have the book for 2 weeks with no renewals. It's like the stone ages.
Toronto has one of the largest public library systems in the world, with 100 branches. However, even then some classics are hard to find, with only one copy in circulation.
Toronto does have a lovely branch library with a collection dedicated to children's books (Osborne), but it's archival, not circulating. We spent a pleasant afternoon there in 2012.
My library is very, very limited. Seems I’m always using the inter library loan system for most classics. The IIL is pretty good at finding most books, that is, if the titles aren’t real obscure. Mostly they use many surrounding colleges to locate what I’m looking for. If my library can’t find a book, I don’t read it since I don’t read books online or listen to books. That’s why I’m hoping that with this group the titles of books that we will be reading won’t be so obscure and that my library will be able to find them.
Loretta wrote: " Mostly they use many surrounding colleges to locate what I’m looking for.."That's an interesting collaboration - I've never heard of public libraries doing that before.
The inter-library loan system involves college, public, private, and government libraries - including the Library of Congress - and can be international, too. Lenders can set their own rules (and fees) on what they will circulate via ILL. Borrowing libraries are able to define their preferred circles of lenders, and it's possible that requests for fairly commonly-held items (in the realm of children's books) never need to go outside that. But for rarer items, sometimes only colleges or LOC will hold a copy. LOC is designated as a "library of last resort" in the U.S. Although I've visited LOC to read rare children's books, I've never personally had LOC deliver an ILL book (which must be consulted on-site at the borrowing library), but it does happen.
Christine PNW wrote: "Loretta wrote: " Mostly they use many surrounding colleges to locate what I’m looking for.."That's an interesting collaboration - I've never heard of public libraries doing that before."
It’s a great system Christine, especially for me as I’ve said, my library is limited.
Michael wrote: "LOC is designated as a "library of last resort" in the U.S. Although I've visited LOC to read rare children's books, I've never personally had LOC deliver an ILL book (which must be consulted on-site at the borrowing library), but it does happen.."I have just added "source a book loan from the Library of Congress" to my bucket list, haha.
Hello everyone! My name is Tiffany and I am here because I would love to read more children's classics that have either fallen under my radar or I don't know about. I usually pick up children's books as a way to de-stress and to break things up when I am reading books that are more difficult, but unfortunately, I haven't picked up many children's classics.I hope that I can change this and find books that I would both appreciate and enjoy! :)
Tiffany wrote: "Hello everyone! My name is Tiffany and I am here because I would love to read more children's classics that have either fallen under my radar or I don't know about. I usually pick up children's boo..."Hi Tiffany my friend! So happy you joined! As always, I look forward to reading with you! 😊
Loretta wrote: "Tiffany wrote: "Hello everyone! My name is Tiffany and I am here because I would love to read more children's classics that have either fallen under my radar or I don't know about. I usually pick u..."Loretta! I am so happy to see that you're here as well! I am happy to see so many familiar faces/names here, too. :)
Welcome, Tiffany! It's so nice to see you here!
Rosemarie wrote: "Welcome, Tiffany! It's so nice to see you here!"It's so nice to see you too! I haven't really been active as much outside of noting what I've been reading and saying a few things about it. So, I've definitely been missing all of our conversations!
Does this group do monthly book picks? I've been poking around a bit and it just seems to be a group that is recommendations and discussion. Which is a fun thing to do but I am wondering if you all had picked something to read?
As far as I know, we're still getting organized, Tiffany.
Rosemarie wrote: "As far as I know, we're still getting organized, Tiffany."I am super excited! I've allowed for digest notifications so that I can get updated on what is happening here even during the time that I am not so active. :/
Rosemarie wrote: "As far as I know, we're still getting organized, Tiffany."There's also the folder for buddy reads, in case someone wants to propose something particular.
Welcome, Tiffany! I'm so glad to see you here! I have lots of children's books on my list, I just have to get going. I've had some life stuff happen recently that is taking my time but I hope to have more time in another month to really get everything going.
Cleo wrote: "Welcome, Tiffany! I'm so glad to see you here! I have lots of children's books on my list, I just have to get going. I've had some life stuff happen recently that is taking my time but I hope to ha..."Perfect timing for me, Cleo - because as of July 4, I am semi-retired! I'm already trying to figure out what my (expanded) reading plans are going to look like!
Christine PNW wrote: "Cleo wrote: "Welcome, Tiffany! I'm so glad to see you here! I have lots of children's books on my list, I just have to get going. I've had some life stuff happen recently that is taking my time but..."I'm so excited for you!! However, you read so many books each year when you were working, I can't imagine how many you'll be able to finish when you're retired. 😳 I can't wait to hear about your new reading adventures!
Hi everyone ~Joining in on your group here. I am homeschooling my 5 year old son and plan on reading lots of children's classics with him. I saw your lists and thought it would be a great way to find some good reads and also read along with you all. Looking forward to it.
Enjoy your day!
KC wrote: "Hi everyone ~Joining in on your group here. I am homeschooling my 5 year old son and plan on reading lots of children's classics with him. I saw your lists and thought it would be a great way to ..."
Hi and welcome KC! Looking forward to reading with you (and your son!).
Happy reading! 😊
KC wrote: "Hi everyone ~Joining in on your group here. I am homeschooling my 5 year old son and plan on reading lots of children's classics with him. I saw your lists and thought it would be a great way to ..."
Hi KC and welcome! So glad to see you here! I homeschooled my daughter grades 1 - 12 so please feel free to DM me if you are looking for any resources; I have some great ones to recommend. And the book lists here are quite comprehensive so hopefully they're lots of help to you. Thanks for joining in the buddy read so quickly ..... the more the merrier!
KC wrote: "Thank you all for the kind welcome!"😊
I've noticed that group membership has nearly doubled since I last looked. How wonderful! Welcome to all the new members and please feel free to introduce yourself and join us for any upcoming reads (or contribute to threads already finished) the newest being the book of the month read in February, Over Sea, Under Stone.You can also suggest separate buddy reads to see if anyone in the group would like to read along with you!
Cleo wrote: "I've noticed that group membership has nearly doubled since I last looked. How wonderful! Welcome to all the new members and please feel free to introduce yourself and join us for any upcoming read..."This is excellent news Cleo! Now all we have to do is engage our members to participate! 😊
Hello everyone,I'm thrilled to join this vibrant community of fellow book enthusiasts! My name is Emerson, and I've been a passionate storyteller and animator for quite some time, working across various agencies from pre-production to post-production, and animation studios.
I've recently embarked on an exciting journey that marries my love for storytelling with the magical world of animation, resulting in a series titled "Penny's Bedtime Story." This series aims to not just be bedtime stories, but an adventure into lands of imagination and wonder, where each tale is sprinkled with lessons, laughter, and a touch of stardust.
"Penny's Bedtime Story" revolves around Pencil Penny and her whimsical escapades, offering young readers and listeners a blend of joyous adventures and valuable learnings. The first episode, "The Moonlit Adventure of Annie and the Starbird," is a testament to the beauty of unity and the power of collective light in the darkest of forests.
I am here not just to share my journey and work but also to learn from this wonderful community. I believe that stories are bridges that connect us, and I'm eager to explore the myriad of bridges that all of you have built through your experiences and insights.
If it's within the group's interests, I'd love to share more about "Penny's Bedtime Story," its conception, the creative process behind it, and the adventures that await in each episode. I'm also more than willing to delve into discussions about storytelling techniques, children's literature trends, and the fascinating intertwining of words and animations.
Thank you for welcoming me into this circle of fellow literature lovers. I'm looking forward to engaging in enriching conversations and growing alongside each of you!
Warm regards,
Em
Hello! I am from West Michigan and used to work at a local library until I became a stay-at-home grandma and daughter. I grew up reading everything I could get my hands on. I also like to knit and cook/bake. I love dogs, they are so comforting to me. My all time favorite book is The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher. I like a good story, classic and modern. I do like when books move at a nice pace and a pet peeve of mine is when a book is 500 pages but could have easily been 300.
I have really been enjoying this book group. I loved Little Lord Fauntleroy. I think I needed a happy book at the time I was reading and LLF hit the spot.
I look forward to our next book, I am laid up after having my gall bladder removed and it’s time to turn Netflix off and crack open a book.
Cindy wrote: "Hello! I am from West Michigan and used to work at a local library until I became a stay-at-home grandma and daughter. I grew up reading everything I could get my hands on. I also like to knit and ..."Hi Cindy! Welcome!
I feel your “pain” having just broke my leg a week before Christmas! I’ve been laid up since then because I can’t put any weight on my leg so it’s mindless TV and trying to concentrate on reading.
While I started Little Lord Fauntleroy I haven’t gotten through much of it. Hopefully I will soon.
Anyway! Welcome, enjoy and happy reading! 😊
Loretta wrote: "This is excellent news Cleo! Now all we have to do is engage our members to participate! 😊 ..."Yes, you said it! I do understand that people are busy and another commitment can seem overwhelming (I felt the same myself, honestly) but once you get started and find out the books are usually quick reads and that they have such lovely stories and lessons that you end up wanting to pick them up. So I do hope some other members will give the monthly reads a try. Even just committing to read one can make a positive difference!
Em wrote: "I'm thrilled to join this vibrant community of fellow book enthusiasts! My name is Emerson, and I've been a passionate storyteller and animator for quite some time, working across ..."Hi Em, I'm happy to meet you and hope you will join in the monthly reads with the intent to support the group and its members in the spirit in which it was created!
With regard to the group rules, which should have come up for you, there is a policy of no self-promotion in this group. It's not there to be unwelcoming, but only because I find that this particular trend tends to send groups sideways and, quite frankly, can be annoying. That said, I might be more open if the person has built some sort of relationship within the group and with its members, therefore showing they care about the group and members as well as themselves and their product, but unfortunately the majority of your post, while warm and friendly, is self-promoting and is therefore not appropriate.
Putting that aside, if you would like to join and discuss the monthly reads (or generate buddy reads) you are warmly welcome. And if you can generate extraneous literature discussion, in a general sense, there is no problem with that.
In any case, I do hope we will see you and your comments in the monthly reads. Welcome to the group!
Cindy wrote: "Hello! I am from West Michigan and used to work at a local library until I became a stay-at-home grandma and daughter. I grew up reading everything I could get my hands on. I also like to knit and ..."Cindy! Your comments were so welcome with Lord Fauntleroy and I'm so glad you just jumped right in! I have never been to Michigan but my brother-in-law worked in Lansing for about 4 years. I'm not a grandma but I do love to knit, cook and dogs. I have a 7 year old Australian Shepherd who is just wonderful! ❤️
Have you ever read any of Elizabeth von Arnim's books? If not, I think you might like hers. And Dodi Smith's I Capture the Castle is a very whimsically fun book, as well.
I'm happy that LLF turned out to be so good. What I like about classic children's books, is that even if the story isn't always happy, there is usually some lesson or redemptive feature that makes us feel good on some level.
I hope you recover from surgery quickly and are running around the house very soon!
Loretta wrote: " I’ve been laid up since then because I can’t put any weight on my leg so it’s mindless TV and trying to concentrate on reading...."Awww, Loretta! Sending some good reading vibes your way!!
Loretta wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Hello! I am from West Michigan and used to work at a local library until I became a stay-at-home grandma and daughter. I grew up reading everything I could get my hands on. I also lik..."Thank you Loretta! I should challenge myself to read at least a chapter a day when my mind is cloudy.
Cleo wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Hello! I am from West Michigan and used to work at a local library until I became a stay-at-home grandma and daughter. I grew up reading everything I could get my hands on. I also lik..."I will have to look up E. VonArnim. The Queen's Reading Room (podcast and Instagram page) will be reading I Capture the Castle so I take this as a sign that I need to reread it.
Thank you for the warm welcome!
I teach 8th American Literature at Regina Angelorum Academy in Ardmore, PA, but also run Ye Olde Classics Club, which gives $20 gift cards for reading books over 100 years old.
Eric wrote: "I teach 8th American Literature at Regina Angelorum Academy in Ardmore, PA, but also run Ye Olde Classics Club, which gives $20 gift cards for reading books over 100 years old."Hi Eric! So wonderful to see you here! Eighth grade must be such fun to teach as I'm sure you have some excellent discussions happening. Paying students to read classics is a brilliant way to get them engaged with them. I really wish there was some sort of club where college/university (or high school) retired or active literature professors would volunteer some of their time to discuss books with kids. I tried to get this idea going when I was homeschooling but I only managed to convince one of them to teach a C.S. Lewis course for homeschoolers. It was an amazing course but I still have that original dream. 💫 In any case, welcome to the group!
Hi, allCleo just invited me to this group--I met her years ago on a homeschooling forum, but now my kids are all in their 20s and the "baby" is in grad school. When my mother was my age she already had the majority of her grandchildren, so even though I know none of my kids are ready to be parents due to where they are in their life journeys, I do envy those with grandkids!
I'm a Canadian with dual citizenship so live in the States (married an American.) I grew up near where Cleo's grandparents lived--small world sort of thing since it had a very low population back then and it's across the continent from where I live now.
If my library network has this month's book here, I'll see if I can get it in time to read it this month.
Welcome, Karin!! I'm so glad that you joined!Yes, Karin and I met online but we were also able to meet in person one summer long ago when she took a trip to the west coast. I do hope to see you again one day!
Hello Everyone! Thank you so much Cleo for inviting me to the group :D
Looking forward to getting to know lot of like minded people and have great fruitful interactions over books!
I am Kushagri from New Delhi, India. I am a PhD student in Mathematics.
I love to both read and collect books (tsundoku)! I also love classical music, jazz and paintings (impressionist and post-impressionist). In my leisure time I like reading or watching live theatre or visiting bookshops. Literature is my true love. My favourites are classics and literary fiction. I read and enjoy children’s classics. Have already got a good recommendation from joining the group. Will be reading Lord Fauntleroy!
I cherish children’s classics because they have the ability to transcend time and captivate with their timeless wisdom. They are steeped in innocence and imagination, and offer a refuge from the complexities of life. They provide a nostalgic return to childhood and most classics carry profound lessons and a nuanced understanding of universal truths, as well.
Kushagri wrote: "Hello Everyone! Thank you so much Cleo for inviting me to the group :D
Looking forward to getting to know lot of like minded people and have great fruitful interactions over books!
I am Kushagri ..."
Kushagri, my friend, welcome! It's wonderful that you found your way here.
My, you are well-rounded. Literature and Mathematics! Wow!
I just found out what tsundoku means. What a great word. Please let us know what you think of Little Lord Fauntleroy when you finish and I look forward to more of your comments as we read the children's classics!
Hi, Kushagri! Great to see you here!
Cleo wrote: "Welcome, Karin!! I'm so glad that you joined!Yes, Karin and I met online but we were also able to meet in person one summer long ago when she took a trip to the west coast. I do hope to see you a..."
Yes, I'd love that! I haven't been able to due to my mother's extended illness since we would help my dad out. She died in December, so the next visit home is going to be short for the celebration of life my father has booked for the weekend she would have been 86.
I dropped in to welcome the new members and just realized that I never officially introduced myself. I'm Marianne, and I've always loved to read. I read quite a lot of children's books at the appropriate age, but I still enjoy them now and then. I joined in October (I think), and I've been enjoying following along with the monthly reads.
Children's Classic Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Pollyanna (other topics)The Phantom Tollbooth (other topics)
Swallows and Amazons (other topics)
Finn Family Moomintroll (other topics)
I Capture the Castle (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Elizabeth von Arnim (other topics)Dr. Seuss (other topics)
E. Nesbit (other topics)
My smaller local library system (LINCC) allows me access to 13 separate member libraries. I primarily check out print books from my local system b/c their digital catalog isn't nearly as extensive as the Multnomah County digital catalog, and it only allows me 6 pending holds, as opposed to the 20 holds that I get from Multnomah County.
It's fairly unusual for me to come across a book that I can't find/access through some format in one of those systems. The exceptions are that I read a lot of classic mysteries that have been reissued by small, primarily digital publishers like Open Road, Dean Street Press, British Library Crime Classics, and if they aren't available through the library, they often are available for under $5.00 as ebooks.
For example, I searched for Swallows and Amazons, and found it available as an ebook and a print book in Multnomah County & a print book through LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County). Through the interlibrary loan process, I can have any book sent to my closest library for pick up.
Of course, there are other parts of the U.S. where hostility to libraries is a significant problem. I'm lucky that I don't live in one of those places.