'Anne with an E'

As a child, the only gift (besides a check) that I can remember getting from my 'Grandpa O'Keefe' is the 2-VHS tape set of Anne of Green Gables.  I don't know if he bought the same movie for all of his granddaughters, but I like to think he bought it especially for me, being that I am named after his daughter, my godmother, Anne (with an E).

I didn't know growing up, but I guess that proper 'etiquette' for names in the 50s and 60s stated that Anne as a first name should have the 'e' and Ann as a middle name should not (just like Jeanne vs. Jean for first or middle names).  Being that my 'Anne' is a middle name, I think that makes me special (and Anne with an E is so much more distinguished!).

Nowadays, people name their kids all kinds of crazy things and spell them any way they want.  I guess there was a time when that wasn't the case.... something that as I just read Anne of Green Gables was mentioned when Marilla remarks about the Barry girl named 'Diana' instead of Jane or Mary or something more common.  In the story, Anne has no problem with wonderfully crazy names and asks to be called Cordelia. 

I have watched those tapes (and now DVDs) probably 20 times since I received them, each time thinking about my grandfather and how much he must have wanted me to have them... seeing as he never again sent an actual gift.  The movies hold a special place in my heart and I still remember what I was wearing and where I was the first time I watched them.

It wasn't until it was a suggested book for a book club that I am in that I happened to read the first in the Anne series, Anne of Green Gables.  This is a book that most people read sometime in their childhood, but for some reason almost half of the book club had not.  I wasn't expecting much, as having been on several book award committees I have found that reading beloved childhood books as an adult doesn't always result in adoration, but I was smitten almost from the first page.

Anne is a lovable, laughable, and kindred character, and through her trials and her excitement I found myself remembering my own childhood and comparing notes.  Did I fall off a ridgepole after being dared to walk it? No..... But I did get challenged to a race through the 'World's Largest Human Maze' in Breckenridge, CO only to finish 40 dizzying minutes later than the other kids and throw up all over upon my exit.  Was it embarrassing? Yes.  Was I being competitive? Oh heck yes.

I actually own all of the Anne books, and never had picked one up to read it - I find it hard to read a book after having seen the movie.  I spent my childhood watching the movie instead of reading the book, but I found myself believing I was one of Anne's 'kindred spirits' just the same.  I am so glad to have been 'forced' to read the book for book club, even if it was some 20 years late.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

It has been awhile since I posted anything - a direct result of the turmoil of my personal life and the loss of my husband.  Through his stay in various hospitals and nursing homes, the 'favorite things' song kept playing through my head like a mantra for when I was feeling sad, mad, bad or any other emotion that ends in 'ad'.

One of my favorite books (which I love to recommend to EVERY child that comes into the library... and adults too) is Shakespeare's Secret.  I know.... those of you who know me well have probably been waiting to see when this book might make its appearance on here.  Although it isn't a book that makes me cry, I do get quite emotional while talking about how much this book inspired me to read all things 'Anne Boleyn'.  

In library school, I had to pick one of the books I read for my Children's Literature class and write a review of it.  This is that review:

Elise Broach’s debut novel about a lonely middle-school girl named Hero is one not to be missed.  Hero and her older sister Beatrice have just moved into a small town outside of Washington, D.C.  The girls may share the source of their names, Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing, but they could not be more different.  The story follows Hero as she learns about her new town, the secret of the house into which she has moved, and how to accept herself and grow through her experiences.  The novel allows the reader to enter the overbearing world of English royalty and observe some of the social injustice that occurred at the time of Queen Elizabeth’s rein.  Shakespeare’s Secret is an accurate portrayal of a new student dealing with typical middle-school problems and any reader can relate to Hero’s dilemmas and predicaments.  The narrator of the audio book only adds to the brilliance of this novel, as she provides excellent character separation.  The mood and setting created by her voice are easy to get enveloped in.  This novel, both in print and in audio book formats, is an excellent title to be added to any school or public library and can easily be worked into a school curriculum. 

My love for the book goes far beyond 'the best book I read in library school'.  I was just getting into the world of children's literature in my second semester.  For someone who was stuck reading Sweet Valley Kids and Baby Sitter's Little Sister books well into High School, I missed out on a lot of great books for kids.  It is only lucky for me that I have to read books I should have read as a child for my job.

After reading Shakespeare's Secret, I was so excited to learn about Anne and Shakespeare as well as try to figure out if Hero's discovery of their connection might actually be true.  I devoured books on Elizabethan England and Shakespeare like I was a two year old eating an Oreo.  It was definitely just as messy.  I tell this story to parents as often as I tell it to children - mostly as encouragement to find 'that book' for their child... one that will inspire them to absorb as much information as they possibly can on a subject before finding the next book that inspires them.  It is incredible to watch and even more awesome to experience.  

I encourage everyone to check out Shakespeare's Secret, but on that same note, I encourage them to find their own 'Favorite Thing' and have fun with it!