Most of us have beloved books that have seen better days, but are so special that we hang on to them – many carry an inscription from a loved one, or are a tender children’s book read to you or one that you read to your children, or just a favorite book that is read over and over again.
The latest exhibit at the Long Island Community Library’s small glass case is full of these treasures, and one can feel the love when viewing these offerings.
Children’s books are an obvious choice, including The little engine that could, Robert McCloskey books, and Dr. Seuss books. The island library kids chose Island winter, by Charles E. Martin. Beloved books by Judy Blume, for teenagers, made the cut. Wind in the willows, by Kenneth Grahame, is a classic!
The Holy Bible on the shelf is not a children’s book, but “Ellen Wood” imprinted on the cover tells a story from Ellen Harford’s childhood – no doubt this holy book was given to Ellen when she was a small child.
Adventure stories, such as Lost on a mountain in Maine and Two years before the mast, remind us of books that thrill us each time we read them.
And of course cookbooks! Who doesn’t have a food spattered book that has dogeared pages, and annotated recipes? Julia Child’s Mastering the art of French cooking, and a Fannie Farmer cookbook can be found on the shelves.
Our selection was The boat who wouldn’t float, by Farley Mowat. As boat owners we discovered Farley Mowat’s books, and have acquired quite a few of them over the years, and subsequently become huge fans, even exploring his stomping grounds in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. This copy was given to Michael by Neil Tyson and Diana McLennan on Father’s Day one year, in appreciation for Michael’s “fathering” of their son Neilly over the years. Priceless!
Come see this lovely collection of favorite books of Maxine Harmon, Karen Boss, Deborah Donovan, Ann Caliandro, Long Island Library kids, Nancy Noble and Michael Urban, Ellen Harford, Mary Caliandro, Candy Dale, Rennie Donovan, Meredith Sweet, Kim MacVane, and Paula and David Johnson.
