We started coming to the library just before my son turned one. All it took was one trip & he was hooked.
It began simply: I would put him in front of the fish tank. Babies love the tank. Moms know what I mean. He’d sit there for several minutes. Sometimes he’d crawl up to it & I’d stress out that he’d knock the whole thing over. But, most of the time he would sit and stare. He loved that tank and that little corner became our little corner. You could catch us there two (maybe three!) times a week. He quickly discovered the spinning gears on the wooden toys. He made many friends who’d sit on the floor with him giggling and spinning gears. We’d go to story time weekly & once he exclaimed “hot dog!” right in the middle of the most important part of the story. Don't ask me why that’s his favorite combination of words, & really don’t ask me why then of all times. He made all the little kids laugh. I guess he’s a class clown now? (Sorry Gina.) Then of course, there were the books. Don’t get me started on the books. The book with no pictures? Checked it out twice now—highly recommend. Oh, you’re reading No, David? Buckle up, you’re kid is gonna love it. Books are where he’s most happy. I could be doing absolutely anything & I’d hear the stomping of his little chubby feet as he balanced more books than he could carry. He’d find me, set his stack of books down right next to where I was sitting, and make himself comfortable on my lap. “Read it please, mama” he’d plead, and he won every. single. time. So, I owe you thanks, Madison Library. That little baby that used to sit in front of the fish tank now sprints to that same tank and can point and name all the fishies. We now check out dozens of books at a time. DOZENS. (Thank you to whoever decided to make the check out limit so high.) That same little boy now brings his baby sister to story time, helping push her stroller through the big doors of the community room. (We’re still working on getting him to stop screaming ’hot dog’ in the middle of the story. Seriously, so sorry Gina.) I’m honored that my little toddler and our little library share three of the same years. You see, as the library was collecting her well-deserved 100 years, my little baby was collecting his well-earned three years. Though distant in age, they actually grew up together. And we’re grateful. She’s forgiven us of all the Daniel Tiger books that he’s sure to have put in the wrong section. She’s provided the best warmth (literally) on those windy, blustery Rexburg days. And most importantly, she’s shared countless shelves of wisdom and knowledge that helped my little one cultivate his love for books. Which reminds me, I have a little reading date with him right now. Just us and our books. Thank you, Madison Library District.
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