Welcome to LibraryStax!
Your weekly children’s book guide, helping you decide which titles to grab (or avoid) at your local library or bookstore. I am so glad you are here.
I am a lifelong reader (Hello, Ms. Terrell’s elementary reading club!) and lover of literature. I was a career nanny, where I practiced reading to other people’s children, for over 20 years before having a couple of kids of my own (currently 5 & 3). To say that I enjoy reading to my children is an understatement; I think my eldest figured out the syncopation of Freight Train by Donald Crews before he figured out breastfeeding. I believe early literacy practices (i.e. reading to your children) help set children and families up for success.
I grew up in Washington State and enjoyed many rainy days curled up in the adventure of a great book. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle was the first book I remember claiming as my favorite, though Matilda by Roald Dahl, Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli, and every adventure had by The Boxcar Children are high on my list of favorites from childhood. I currently reside in Texas (much to my surprise) with my husband (a high school English teacher, no surprise there) and our two kids, who all enjoy the pleasures of a well-told story.
What to expect?
Every week (I hope), I will publish reviews of 4-6 children’s books alongside tips and tricks to help foster a strong love of reading in your household. You may also be subjected to my random thoughts on parenting and adulting. Instead of curating a list of only books we love, I will also include books that we find less than desirable. Why? So you can avoid them.
I am learning as I go here, and eventually want to include curated lists around themes, book lists for specific ages, book series and author highlight posts, and bonus content for paid subscribers. Will there also be recommendations for books YOU adults might love? Keep your fingers crossed! This substack is my oyster. Who knows where it will lead?
Enough about me - tell me about you!! I would love to make this a place for you to share your experiences and advice, give your feedback, and grow a community of like-minded parents sharing in the struggle and joy of raising tiny humans.
Why is this free?
I want to make a great resource that is available to all - just like our public libraries! Seriously, those places are a wealth of community resources beyond just the books on their shelves. But also, because I want to see how this grows and where this goes.
Unlike the library, I am not (currently) subsidized by the government. So, if you feel like donating, please do. Besides giving you a good feeling, it will help fund our ever-growing permanent collection of books.
Why subscribe?
If you subscribe, this lovely newsletter will appear in your email every week! Just in time for you to write down some book ideas before you head to your local storytime. Never miss an update, bonus newsletter, or chance to chat with others as part of the community.
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and let’s get reading!
