Welcome! So glad you’re here. Snoop around and stay a while. This is the Frog on a Dime Summer Open House. I’ve swept the porch, put the plumpest pillows on the swing and poured a chilled glass of refreshing lip-puckering strawberry lemonade–just for you!
Win 2 copies!
This year’s Summer Open House giveaway is extra special. The winner will receive not one, but two copies of THE BIG BOOK OF BARF. One autographed copy will be yours to keep (or give to your favorite young reader). The second copy is for you to donate to your local public library or elementary school media center.
Here’s how to enter:
Share a childhood library memory in the comment section for this post. Easy peasy!
Enter by noon on Saturday, July 12.
My little firecrackers, it seems only fair that I share an early library memory of my own. I recall being in Mrs. Server’s kindergarten classroom. On our designated “Library Day,” we’d line up to walk the long window-lined hallway, past the principal’s office, through the school lobby and over to the right where we, a row of little kinderducks, would file into our Blackman Elementary School library.
I remember low book stacks, only two or three shelves high, running perpendicular to the wall of windows that looked out on the school yard. It was a quiet place, a warm room, filled with the potpourri only a collection of aging books can create. We were each given a dark brown “paddle” made of pressed wood. This we would use as a place marker once we’d pulled the book of our choice–our choice!–from the shelves.
From Day One, I was enchanted by Hans Christian Anderson’s Thumbelina. I’d pull it from the shelf, replace it with my paddle, and take the book to one of the library’s tables to devour the beauty of the book’s illustrations (with my eyes only!) At the close of our all-too-short library time, I’d have to return Thumbelina to her shelf . . . until next week when Mrs. Server would announce “Library Day!”. And I couldn’t wait see her again (Thumbelina, that is).
What do you remember?
Share your early library memory for a chance to win TWO copies of THE BIG BOOK OF BARF. Enter by July 12.
CONGRATULATIONS to Danielle Hammelef! You’re the winner of the Summer Open House giveaway! You’ll receive two copies of THE BIG BOOK OF BARF. I’m happy to personalize one for you AND one for your favorite local library or school media center! Thank you so much for sharing your library memory with all of us. Happy summering to you!
The library is like a candy store where everything is free. ~ Jamie Ford
My hometown library is a beautiful space with a huge fountain full of koi and a big grass hill outside. The library, steps and walkways are made of stone. One year, I got my picture in the paper for having read the most books in the summer reading program. My high school reunion is being held there this summer. I’m looking forward to seeing if the library has changed.
Such a lovely memory! I anticipate even if your library looks different, it will still hold warm memories for you. Enjoy your reunion. Thank you for sharing.
We used to live within biking distance of our rural Canton library. I read at least a book every day, so I biking to the library was a weekly activity for me in the summer. I was once horrified when the librarian told me I had past due books. I told her I already brought them back and showed her where I’d reshelved them (I loved the library organization system). The librarian then explained to me that the books needed to be checked back in before being reshelved by a librarian, not be me. I didn’t have to pay the fine, thankfully, as I had no income LOL. Libraries are essential for everyone, but especially for those who can’t afford to buy books.
What an inspiring story, Danielle. I hope many kids take your lead! (I bet you were so cute pedaling your bike as you were destined for your favorite place!)
Welcome to Frog on a Dime 
My hometown library is a beautiful space with a huge fountain full of koi and a big grass hill outside. The library, steps and walkways are made of stone. One year, I got my picture in the paper for having read the most books in the summer reading program. My high school reunion is being held there this summer. I’m looking forward to seeing if the library has changed.
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Such a lovely memory! I anticipate even if your library looks different, it will still hold warm memories for you. Enjoy your reunion. Thank you for sharing.
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We used to live within biking distance of our rural Canton library. I read at least a book every day, so I biking to the library was a weekly activity for me in the summer. I was once horrified when the librarian told me I had past due books. I told her I already brought them back and showed her where I’d reshelved them (I loved the library organization system). The librarian then explained to me that the books needed to be checked back in before being reshelved by a librarian, not be me. I didn’t have to pay the fine, thankfully, as I had no income LOL. Libraries are essential for everyone, but especially for those who can’t afford to buy books.
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What an inspiring story, Danielle. I hope many kids take your lead! (I bet you were so cute pedaling your bike as you were destined for your favorite place!)
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