Illustrator: Debby Atwell
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Young Children (March 15, 2013)
ISBN: 978-0547471051
Source: Personal Copy
Audience: 2nd to 5th grade
Biographical * History * Libraries
Description from GoodReads:
Once upon a time, American children couldn’t borrow library books. Reading wasn’t all that important for children, many thought. Luckily Miss Anne Carroll Moore thought otherwise! This is the true story of how Miss Moore created the first children’s room at the New York Public Library, a bright, warm room filled with artwork, window seats, and most important of all, borrowing privileges to the world’s best children’s books in many different languages.
My thoughts on this book:
When I was thinking about which book to feature this week for Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday, I immediately knew that I had to feature MISS MOORE THOUGHT OTHERWISE: HOW ANNE CARROLL MOORE CREATED LIBRARIES FOR CHILDREN by Jan Pinborough. Along with Franklin K. Matthiews (Librarian of the Boy Scouts of America), and Frederic G. Melcher (Publishers Weekly), Anne Carroll Moore founded Children's Book Week.
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| Children's Book Week Poster |
When I saw this poster for Children's Book Week in 1921, I couldn't help but think that the slogan "More Books in the Home!" is relevant today for many of our children in impoverished communities.
In 1906, Anne Carroll Moore became the Superintendent of the Department of Work with Children at the New York Public Library. Pretty impressive title, especially when you realize that Moore was responsible for the children's programming throughout the NYPL branches. She was also instrumental in the opening of the Central Children's Room at the NYPL in 1911.
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| NYPL Children's Room 1913 |
Pinborough's Miss Moore Thought Otherwise focuses primarily on Moore's work at NYPL. The text is readable and allows children to grasp the beginnings of something that many of them take for granted - Children's Rooms in their local libraries. Readers will also develop a clear sense for the strength, passion, and beliefs that propelled Moore in her life's work. Atwell's folksy illustrations pair well with the tone and time frame of the story, as well as, reflect on Moore's place of origin (Maine).
Have fun celebrating Children's Book Week and the next time you step into your local library's Children's Room take a moment to thank the amazing women who helped start it all.
For more information about Jan Pinborough: website | facebook | twitter | book page
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