storybooks with pictures.

On Tuesday I walked with my little ones down to the library. (As much for the fresh air and exercise on the way there and back as for the literary adventures awaiting us inside ;)
The toddlers are getting the hang of it- they play around the children's area in the stuffed toys, puzzle games, colorful computer, and board books. There is a little tiered seating place which they enjoy climbing on, with clear bookshelves up the sides and a little cubby place underneath. This is naturally a popular destination! Meanwhile I hustle around choosing books I can look forward to reading with them over and over during the next week or two.  Of course I search out ones the children will enjoy; anything with animals is a good choice as far as they are concerned, so that's simple enough.
Going home is uphill, and frequently into the wind. Add several pounds of books (and sometimes a few vegetables or other groceries that can't wait) to the ever growing babies in the double stroller, and I really do have an invigorating workout on the way back!
Then the fun really begins... we look through our treasures in the living room and discover what's inside , basking in the afternoon sunshine. I am probably just as choosy about the pictures as I am about the writing; no drivel, please!
One of the current batch of library books is about a little girls who found a box of yarn that never ran out. Beautifully colored sweaters soon adorned her as well as her family and classmates, teachers and neighbours, local pets, all the town's buildings, and even a pick-up truck... So of course I am now knitting a pair of blue slippers for Stran. With the understanding that we will afterwards pretend he made them and I just helped.  ;)
Thank Heaven for the way beautiful children's books open and brighten day-to-day life!



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