The Friendly Book Nook welcomes Doreen Orion to Saturdays in the Nook.
When I was in third grade, we lived just a few blocks from the small, local library. I remember the librarian (there was just one) was an elderly woman (although, that’s just what she seemed to me. In truth, she was probably the same age I am now) I had always thought rather stern - until one day.
That one day, I went to check out a dozen books. She looked at me above her reading glasses (maybe I’m just imagining those, too, since I only just got my own pair) and said, “Well. We usually impose a three book limit. But, I’ll make an exception in your case, because I know you’ll read them all.”
It was a special moment for me - getting praise for something my classmates saw as my nerdy. And, although I might have forgotten that special woman’s name and most likely what she truly looked like, I never forgot her words to me.
Doreen Orion is author of QUEEN OF THE ROAD: The True Tale of 47 States, 22,000 Miles, 200 Shoes, 2 Cats, 1 Poodle, a Husband, and a Bus With a Will of Its Own, available now from Broadway Books, an imprint of Random House. http://www.QueenOfTheRoadTheBook.com
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August 9th, 2008 at 9:15 am
I remember going to the library when I was five years old; I wrote a post on how special it made me feel.
August 9th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
A woman after my own heart!! How quickly did you read those 12 books?
August 9th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I could not begin to tell you. I’m just happy I remember what she said after all this time!
August 10th, 2008 at 6:14 am
I still remember the librarians from my childhood, too. They are special memories. Thanks for sharing yours, Doreen.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
How nostalgic. It’s nice to hear a story about a child who is willing to do what they want, no matter what others think. I wish all kids could feel that way. I really hope my kids continue a love of books. They are only 4 and 5 now and I can’t get away with one night of not reading a book to them. Soon enough they’ll be able to read themselves. I hope they love it as much as I do!