Books are warm things. I am a mostly serially monogamous sleeper with books. Occasionally, when I am finding one particularly boring, like "Infinity" for instance, I invite another one to join me, like "Angels and Demons" for example. That's the current situation. I spent a night with "Terry" on Sunday. I'm looking forward to "Beauty tips from Moose Jaw".
Books put me to sleep, but in a good way. They usher out the stressful day and welcome the waves of imagination and relaxation like a really good bouncer. To what do I owe this true love? Probably my parents who are *huge* readers--a fact I did not know until I realized that some people, shocking as it seems, did not spend large portions of each Saturday of their childhood in used book stores or have the entire Agatha Christie collection in their basement.
I also credit Mrs. Webb, librarian at Wilfred Hunt Elementary School in Regina, Saskatchewan where I spent some of my formative years. Odd as it seems now, we had several different types of classes in those days: math and spelling and gym and music and *library*. This brings me to my sad point, which I read in the Globe and Mail today (again, a paper I might not be able to read today if not for the work of Mrs. Webb):
"Half of Canadian schools spend less than the cost of a set of encyclopedias on library books and magazines for students annually, a new survey suggests. (...) On average, Canadian schools also had only a quarter-time teacher-librarian position. Prince Edward Island had the highest level of teacher-librarians, Quebec the lowest."
As a testament to the wonders of Mrs. Webb, I can tell you that even now, approximately 25 years later (ohmigod, I can't be that old!?!), I can recite to you: "The owl and the pussycat went to sea in a beautiful pea green boat. They took some honey, and plenty of money, and wrapped it up in a five pound note." And remember how they used the ring in the pigs nose as their wedding ring? And how they "danced by the light of the moon"? God that was a great story!
Note to readers: I'm not that far off these many years later....check out the actual text here. But what's up with that reference to a bong-tree. ;) Whoa! Didn't remember that! But whatever people, I'm not a drug user (just food), so get over it!
I also recall very fondly the story of "Where the Wild Things Are" and the shiny medallion on the cover of the book. And there was also a favourite about some sort of fly whispering in a person's ear. Okay, so that part's a big foggy. But I'm a reader, and the bottom line is she encouraged that. I *loved* library time. Sittin' on the carPET, listenin' to a storEE.
Here's to you Mrs. Webb. And my sympathies to all you five year olds out there now.
1 comment:
I also remember the music teacher. She seemed hippie like, had dark hair, brought her baby to work with her and played the guitar (maybe the piano?). I remember having classes in the science room, even though it was music. I remember signing Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl" and her teaching us what "white bread world" meant. She said that whole wheat bread was better for you anyway.
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