Finding a Little Free Library Near You

In honor of National Library Week, which falls on the second full week of April each year, and National Bookmobile Day, which falls on the Wednesday of that week, I thought I'd remind you guys of Little Free Libraries, which is one of the newer ways to scout out books.

The idea of the bookmobile started in the 1800s in England.

Concerned that the library was not reaching everyone that it could, a Maryland librarian started the first bookmobile in the United States in the early 1900s.

While bookmobiles are still in service, they are more rare than they once were. Possibly as rare as a paper library card? This is my library card from my childhood, and today's library cards look nothing like this. This one was certainly well loved.

The first Little Free Library was built in 2009, and the movement is still going strong.

A Little Free Library is a neighborhood book exchange where people passing by can take a book to read or leave a book for someone else to find. In order to keep a Little Free Library stocked with new books, it's a good idea to bring a few books to share each time you visit.

While most of them look like little houses with a protective roof and door to keep the books safe from inclement weather, some people have gotten really creative with the design of their Little Free Libraries.

This one's a colorful, whimsical design:

This one's designed to look like one of Britain's iconic red phone boxes:

This beach Little Free Library is made of a hollowed out piece of driftwood:

And this one looks like Dr. Who's TARDIS (a blue British police box):

The first day of our Spring Break, I took the boys to the Little Free Library in our neighborhood. The one in our neighborhood is less than a mile from our house, so it only took a nice early morning walk with the dogs to visit.

It is designed to look like a little house, and the interior is wallpapered with book pages.

We left a set of level 1-3 readers that the boys have grown out of:

Two storybooks, and a set of bookmarks:

Aidyn found a copy of Bridge to Terabithia, and Jaxon found a new in package Disney Haunted Mansion Pop-Up Book and Amelia Bedelia Helps Out:

If you'd like to find a registered Little Free Library near you, you can visit this Little Free Library map. As of November 2016, there were 50,000 registered Little Free Libraries worldwide.

If you find that you don't have a Little Free Library in your area, you can start your own with a little information about how to start a Little Free Library.

This is definitely a fun activity that you should get your kids interested in and a sure-fire way to help beat summer boredom. 

For another way to get free books for kids under age 5, sign up for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

Make sure to check out our big list of 100 Things to Do This Summer for other great ideas or check out 40 Books Your Kids Should Read for some great summertime reading ideas.

Happy reading!

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One Man's Trash: Vintage Book Stash

Recently, my husband scored a bit of magic at an early morning rummage sale.  He came home grinning from ear to ear, saying he had a surprise for me.  I wasn't sure what he had come up with, but I was pretty sure that it was going to be good.  And IT WAS!  He found a stash of vintage classic books for sale and carefully picked through them to bring back what has become an instant collection.  Just take a look!

THIS was the book that he was so excited to give to me, and I was equally excited to receive it, for many many reasons.  He knows that I am a long time fan of Alice in Wonderland, so this copy was automatically a winner.

But what's more, it was still in it's original book case, and wonderfully preserved. 

As I pulled it out of it's case and starting gushing over it, I checked to see how old this copy was, and there it was- 1946 (70 years young), and published right here in Tennessee too.  

But there is nothing- I mean NOTHING- that I love more than a book that has been inscribed to someone, and such is the case with this wonderful copy.  It says: "To Patty, with love from Godmother, Christmas '55".  I have no idea who Patty or Godmother are, and I wasn't even around in 1955.  But isn't this a very special part of this book?  It gives it history, and a glimpse into the life that it lived before it found it's new home with me.

Just take a look at the whimsical illustrations all throughout this book.

So, of course, when my thoughtful husband brought this book home to me he knew he hit it out of the park, and I agree.  He DID!!  But the surprise didn't end with Alice in Wonderland.  No, that was just the beginning.  Notice, there's another book from the same publisher here.  It's Pinocchio!  Same wonderful illustrations too!

Here's one that caught my eye- Young Readers Indian Stories.  All of these books are dated to the early to mid 1900s.   And they all came from the same rummage sale, and presumably the same former owner. 

There's Huckleberry Finn, and Tom Sawyer too. 

And two copies of Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates. No good book left behind.  We will take them all!

In total, he came away with 13 vintage classic books, and get ready for this.  He paid $1 for each of them.  ONE DOLLAR for that awesome Alice in Wonderland.  ONE DOLLAR for Pinocchio.  ONE DOLLAR for Little Women, etc, etc, etc.  

I have already completely rearranged my bookcase to make room for these new and very special additions to the old library.  I am still smiling at this find, and in truth, I think these books are too. We are a match made in heaven. 

What's in a Name?

By now, you should all know that the newest royal has been born across the pond, and her name is Charlotte.  What a wonderful name!  Of course, we have had our own Charlotte in the family for some time now.  Misty's daughter, Charlotte, became a teenager just this year, and for us, she will always be the "original" Charlotte.

This is one of my very favorite photos of her, taken a couple summers ago when she joined us on Girls' Weekend.

  

Columnist, Charlotte Atler, recently penned a wonderful piece for Time Magazine called "What to Expect When your Name is Charlotte".  I read it and just died laughing.  Oh my goodness.  I guess I never realized the plight of a Charlotte.  Although, I can tell you from personal experience the plight of a Deanna isn't that easy either.  Starbucks baristas also cringe trying to figure out the best way to misspell my name.  

But back to the Charlottes. She speaks of misspellings and odd nicknames among so many other truths.  Here's one passage to give you a preview.

Unlike Elizabeth, Margaret and Alexandra, the nicknames for Charlotte are few and peculiar. Charlotte is long on the page but short on the tongue, which gives the impression that the name should be shortened. Charlie, Lotte, and Lottie are nice options, but they don’t suit everyone. Your name will inevitably be shortened to Char, which evokes images of fish entrees or blackened meat. Ultimately, I cannot guide you here. Each Charlotte must find her own path.

If you too are a Charlotte, then this is a must read.  Or if you just need a laugh, definitely give this article a spin.  And to all the Charlottes out there, I would say your stock is definitely on the rise. Hang in there, my friends.

Flea Market Decor

Toward the end of last year, I treated myself to a subscription to Flea Market Decor magazine.  It comes out quarterly, so by the time I receive one every 3 months I have usually forgotten that I am still subscribed, so it's always a wonderful little treat when it does arrive.

As I flipped through my latest copy recently, I thought others might be interested in this magazine as well.  It gives all sorts of decorating ideas on how to incorporate your vintage finds into your existing decor.  It also tells you approximately how much you can expect to pay for certain types of vintage items and lists some of the biggest and hottest flea markets and their dates around the country. Nashville's flea market has been mentioned several times already.    

I love seeing how other people decorate.  It helps me develop my own style and helps me to understand better what I like (or don't like).  They also show little DIY projects that you can make using vintage pieces to upcycle into something else.  I really enjoy reading this one.  

If you are interested in subscribing for yourself, it's currently $19 for a yearly subscription (4 issues) here.

As always, happy treasure hunting!

The French Dog

When I saw this coffee table book the other day in a little shop in Leiper's Fork, TN, I was all over it. I immediately picked it up and started leafing through it.  And what I saw was nothing short of beauty.

The French Dog features the most gorgeous photographs you've ever seen of the many dogs of France: city dogs, country dogs, lazy dogs, playful dogs, and everything in between.  The dog lover in me knew this was meant to be.  

Here is a look at some of the other images and quotes, but this is just a taste.  Trust me, this is such a magically wonderful book.  

We have traveled to Europe several times over the past few years, and it hasn't escaped my notice that Europeans definitely regard their dogs in a way we Americans do not.  Yes, we love our four legged friends, and they are indeed family to us.  

But it's different in Europe.  Dogs are a part of the culture. They go wherever their people go.  It's completely commonplace to see dogs in the shops, the market, the cafes, bakeries, coffeehouses and pubs.  Businesses place dog bowls filled with water outside their doors.  It is completely accepted that dogs will be frequenting these places just as their owners do.  

And as I flipped through this book, I remembered some of the wonderful pups we have met in our travels to Europe.  Here are some of the photographs taken by yours truly of the sweet dogs that have made our travels all the brighter. 

If you are more of a cat lover, you are in luck, the same author/ photographer has also created The French Cat, and a trip to Europe will indeed confirm that cats are all around, just as much if not more so, than the dogs you see here.  Either way, these books are something special.  I think those of you who are also animal lovers will agree.  Enjoy!

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Room on the Broom

If you find yourself looking for a kid-friendly Halloween book this month, look no further.  I have found the perfect one.  It's called Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, and it is a must read for these final days leading up to the witching hour!

Here's the synopsis:

The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch's hat, then her bow, and then her wand!  Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom.  But is there room on the broom for so many friends?  And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?

I recently picked up this book for Lexi, and have read it to her all month long.  It's a magical little story with fantastic illustrations.  

This book is for ages 4 - 8, and considering that Lexi is only 5 months old, I can see that this one will be in the rotation for years to come.  I think she enjoys it almost as much as I do; yes, it's Lexi (and mommy) approved!

It's a cheap thrill, but worth every penny.  Check it out and settle in for a frighteningly good read with your little one.  Enjoy!

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Free Books for Kids- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

That's right!  I said "free".  And it's all thanks to one of my absolute favorite people of all time- the one and only Dolly Parton.  Almost 20 years ago, she established a literacy program called the Imagination Library, which promotes reading and learning by offering free books to children across America.  

Literacy is one of Dolly's personal passions, as her father never learned how to read, and she saw first hand growing up how that impacted him in their daily lives.  So she launched this program in her hometown community back in 1996 to encourage kids to read, and slowly the program has expanded to many other communities across the US now as Dolly continues to add to her list of partners who provide this service in conjunction with her.   Today, more than 40 million books have been mailed to kids as part of this program here in the US, Canada, and parts of the UK.  In the US alone, she reaches over 700,000 kids with books each month.  Now that's impressive by anyone's standards!!

When I learned about this program, I immediately went out and signed up our Lexi.  She receives one book each month from Aunt Dolly (and will continue to do so until the age of five!)  And they are always nice hard back books.  Many are titles we all know and love.  She has already received "The Little Engine that Could" and one of my personal favorites, "Corduroy".  

If you are a parent of children under the age of five, I would certainly take a look at her website and see if this program is available in your area.  If so, just sign your kids up and they should start receiving books within a few weeks.  

I can tell you right now that Lexi and I already look forward to these books arriving each month.   Thank you, Aunt Dolly.  It's just another reason we love you!! 

Read the Book, Watch the Movie

With Summer fast upon us, I'm sure you're already lining up some fun things for the kids to do.

If you haven't already poked around the blog, please make sure to check out our 100 Things to Do This Summer List, as well as our 50 Classic Kids Movies, 40 Books Your Kids Should Read, and Zoo Photo Scavenger Hunt lists. They will get you off to a great start with fun summertime activity ideas!

BUT, just in case you need any more ideas, I thought I'd put together a brand-spankin' new list just in time for this summer. This is a list of children's books that have then later been made into movies.

The idea is that you can have your child read the book first and then treat him or her with watching the movie. (Or certainly, if any of the books are above your child's reading level - YOU can read the book to your child during story time before watching the movie together.)

1.  Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - 1865 - Lewis Carroll

     Alice in Wonderland - 1951 - Rated G - animated

     Alice in Wonderland - 2010 - Rated PG

2.  The Apple Dumpling Gang - 1971 - Jack Bickham

     The Apple Dumpling Gang - 1976 - Rated G

     The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again - 1979 - Rated G

3.  Babe, the Gallant Pig - 1983 - Dick King Smith

     Babe - 1995 - Rated G

4.  Because of Winn-Dixie - 2000 - Kate DiCamillo

     Because of Winn-Dixie - 2005 - Rated PG

5.  Bed-Knob and Broomstick* - 1957 - Mary Norton

     Bedknobs and Broomsticks - 1971 - Rated G

6.  The Cat in the Hat - 1957 - Dr. Seuss

     Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat - 2003 - Rated PG

7.  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - 1964 - Roald Dahl

     Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - 1971 - Rated G

     Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - 2005 - Rated PG

8.  Charlotte's Web - 1952 - E. B. White

     Charlotte's Web - 1973 - Rated G - animated

     Charlotte's Web - 2006 - Rated PG

9.  Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang: The Magical Car - 1964 - Ian Fleming

     Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang - 1968 - Rated G

10. The Chronicles of Narnia (series) - 1951-1956 - C. S. Lewis

     The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - 2005 - Rated PG

     The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - 2008 - Rated PG

     The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - 2010 - Rated PG

   

11. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs - 1978 - Judi Barrett

     Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs - 2009 - Rated PG - animated

     Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 - 2013 - Rated PG - animated

12. Coraline* - 2002 - Neil Gaimann

     Coraline - 2009 - Rated PG - animated

13. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (series) - 2007-2011 - Jeff Kinney

     Diary of a Wimpy Kid - 2010 - Rated PG

     Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules - 2011 - Rated PG

     Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days - 2012 - Rated PG

14. Ender's Game - 1985 - Orson Scott Card

     Ender's Game - 2013 - Rated PG-13

15. Escape to Witch Mountain - 1968 - Alexander Key

     Escape to Witch Mountain - 1975 - Rated G

     Return from Witch Mountain - 1978 - Rated G

     Race to Witch Mountain - 2009 - Rated PG

16. Fantastic Mr. Fox - 1970 - Roald Dahl

     Fantastic Mr. Fox - 2009 - Rated PG - animated

17. Gulliver's Travels - 1726 - Jonathan Swift

     Gulliver's Travels - 2010 - Rated PG

18. Harry Potter (series) - 1997-2007 - J. K. Rowling

     Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - 2001 - Rated PG

     Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - 2002 - Rated PG

     Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - 2004 - Rated PG

     Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - 2005 - Rated PG-13

     Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - 2007 - Rated PG-13

     Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - 2009 - Rated PG

     Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 - 2010 - Rated PG-13

     Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 - 2011 - Rated PG-13

19. The Hobbit - 1937 - J. R. R. Tolkien

     The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - 2012 - Rated PG-13

     The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - 2013 - Rated PG-13

     The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies - 2014 - Rated PG-13

20. How the Grinch Stole Christmas* - 1957 - Dr. Seuss

     How the Grinch Stole Christmas (TV Special) - 1966 - Not Rated - animated

     Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas - 2000 - Rated PG

21. How to Eat Fried Worms - 1973 - Thomas Rockwell

     How to Eat Fried Worms - 2006 - Rated PG

22. How to Train Your Dragon (series) - 2003-2013 - Cressida Cowell

     How to Train Your Dragon - 2010 - Rated PG - animated

     How to Train Your Dragon 2 - 2014 - Rated PG

23. The Hundred and One Dalmatians - 1956 - Dodie Smith

     One Hundred and One (101) Dalmatians - 1961 - Rated G - animated

     101 Dalmatians - 1996 - Rated G

     102 Dalmatians - 2000 - Rated G

24. The Hunger Games (series) - 2008-2010 - Suzanne Collins

     The Hunger Games - 2012 - Rated PG-13

     The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - 2013 - Rated PG-13

     The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 - 2014 - PG-13
     The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 - 2015 - PG-13

25. James and the Giant Peach - 1961 - Roald Dahl

     James and the Giant Peach - 1996 - Rated PG - animated

26. Judy Moody (series) - 2000-2012 - Megan McDonald

     Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer - 2011 - Rated PG

27. Jumanji - 1981 - Chris Van Allsburg

     Jumanji - 1995 - Rated PG

28. The Jungle Book - 1894- Rudyard Kipling

     The Jungle Book - 1967 - Rated G - animated

29. The Lorax - 1971 - Dr. Seuss

     Dr. Seuss' The Lorax - 2012 - Rated PG - animated

30. The Lord of the Rings (series) - 1954-1955 - J. R. R. Tolkien

     The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - 2001 - Rated PG-13

     The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - 2002 - Rated PG-13

     The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - 2003 - Rated PG-13

31. Mary Poppins - 1934 - P. L. Travers

     Mary Poppins - 1964 - Rated G

32. Matilda - 1988 - Roald Dahl

     Matilda - 1996 - Rated PG

33. Mr. Popper's Penguins - 1938 - Richard and Florence Atwater

     Mr. Popper's Penguins - 2011 - Rated PG

34. The Neverending Story - 1979 - Michael Ende

     The Neverending Story - 1984 - Rated PG

35. On Stranger Tides - 1987 - Tim Powers

     Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - 2011 - Rated PG-13

36. Percy Jackson and the Olympians (series) - 2005-2009 - Rick Riordan

     Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief - 2010 - Rated PG

     Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Sea of Monsters - 2013 - Rated PG

37. Peter and Wendy - 1911 - J. M. Barrie

     Peter Pan - 1953 - Rated G - animated

     Hook - 1991 - Rated PG

38. Pippi Longstocking (series) - 1945-2001 - Astrid Lindgren

     The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking - 1988 - Rated G

39. The Polar Express* - 1985 - Chris Van Allsburg

     The Polar Express - 2004 - Rated G

40. The Princess Diaries (series) - 2000-2009 - Meg Cabot

     The Princess Diaries - 2001 - Rated G

     The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement - 2004 - Rated G

41. Ramona (series) - 1950-1999 - Beverly Cleary

     Ramona and Beezus - 2010 - Rated G

42. A Series of Unfortunate Events (series) - 1999-2006 - Lemony Snicket

     Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events - 2004 - Rated PG

43. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - 2001 - Ann Bradshares

     The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - 2005 - Rated PG-13

44. The Spiderwick Chronicles (series) - 2003-2009 - Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

     The Spiderwick Chronicles - 2008 - Rated PG

45. The Story of Doctor Dolittle - 1920 - Hugh Lofting

     Doctor Dolittle - 1967 - Rated G

     Dr. Dolittle - 1998 - Rated PG-13

     Dr. Dolittle 2 - 2001 - Rated PG

46. Stuart Little - 1954 - E. B. White

     Stuart Little - 1999 - Rated PG - animated

     Stuart Little 2 - 2002 - Rated PG - animated

47. The Tale of Despereaux - 2003 - Kate DiCamillo

     The Tale of Despereaux - 2008 - Rated G - animated

48. Treasure Island - 1883 - Robert Louis Stevenson

     Treasure Island - 1950 - Rated G

     Muppet Treasure Island - 1996 - Rated G

49. Where the Wild Things Are - 1963 - Maurice Sendak

     Where the Wild Things Are - 2009 - Rated PG

50. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - 1900 - L. Frank Baum

     The Wizard of Oz - 1939 - Rated G

     Oz the Great and Powerful - 2013 - Rated PG

I've listed the year and author for each book and the year and rating for each movie. Please make sure to rifle through boxes in your attic or make a trip to your public library to see which of these classic books and movies you can turn up for your kids for FREE.

And to keep things simple, the list is in alphabetical order (lest we launch into lengthy conversations about rankings). Please use your best judgment as to what reading material and movies are appropriate for your family.

And, finally, you'll note four titles are marked with an asterisk (*). These are holiday-themed titles whose movie counterparts can also be found on our 25 Kid-Friendly Halloween Movies and 40 Kid-Friendly Christmas Movies lists.

Happy reading and watching!

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