I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma. ~Eartha Kitt
Despite the fact that I've sincerely enjoyed this semester, and significantly benefited from my fellow learned/learning librarians'-in-arms (i.e. why I prefer coke over pepsi--high octane!), I'm almost pathetically ecstatic about the fact that it's almost over that I'm ashamed to admit it. The best part? No need for an alarm clock on the 'morrow, for there is no noise more sheer horrific. That said, as with our dear abovementioned Eartha (such a deliciously funky name) rest assured, the brief hiatus means not that I shall shut down thee brain, but will rather keep reading the paper (and, praise the stars, a few unassigned novels while I'm at it!) despite the fact that it's often rather depressing; and, who knows, maybe I'll even venure to turn on the boob-tube, & see what all this reality television business is about. (Ok, probably not, but I might try to catch something--I wonder if Reading Rainbow every airs at night? Guess I'll have to use those Google skills to find out...). If nothing else, I'm quite confident that my reference patrons will keep me on my toes, and having played in the stacks today, I've got a few fun titles to share, straight from the Sun Praire Public Library selection. So, here goes...
Today's Top 10 (Print) Reference Resources (in no particular order)
Bloodletters and Bad Men (the name says it all)
Chases Calendar of Events
Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (a word whores heavem)
Encyclopedia of Evolution
Merriam-Webster Children's Dicitonary (photos & friendly font!)
Books Kids Will Sit Still For (too cute--wonder if it's true?)
Book Lust (I have to buy her action figure one of these days...)
The Shorter Routeledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy (how handy--I'm short too!)
The Encyclopedia of Cats (just call me the crazy cat lady--you wounldn't be the first)
Guiness Book of World Records ("People are strange...." and so, so interesting)
Now, I know I all but promised a top ten picture books for your reading pleasure, but given the nature of this course, a reference related list seemed more befitting for this here last hurrah. However, so as not to leave you entirely gyped, a few faves that pop to tired mind, include: Fancy Nancy, Seventeen Things I'm Not Allowed To Do Anymore, Let's Get a Pup!, The Krazees, Big Al and Shrimpy, Our Tree Named Steve, The Next Place, Mrs. Crump's Cat, everything and anything ever written by Jacqueline Woodson, and gosh, now that I'm thinking about it, I could continue on indefinitely--picture books are the bomb! Thus, I leave you with an insider's tip, nothing--and I mean nothing!--cures a case of the grumps quite like taking the time to read one aloud. Give it a whirl sometime; I guarantee you'll be glad that you did.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
