As an adult who has recently been diagnosed with ADHD, this book has taken on a whole new meaning for me. The pig is easily distracted and unable to complete one task, and I wonder if this was something I related to as a child without realizing why. I think my younger self appreciated the adorable chaos that the pig represented in the story.

Some folks might be familiar with a similar book by this author If You Give A Mouse A Cookie.

Revisiting picture books I read when I was a child is incredibly fun. I remember having such a massive collection of them, always rereading my favorites over and over. As a librarian, being able to share the artistry of a good picture book is something I look forward to. Whether I'm doing it through a simple recommendation to a parent or if I'm ever so lucky to conduct a storytime, I'm excited to share my love of picture books.

Here is the link to the official website, where you can find activities and information on the other books in this series.

My mother raised me to be a lover and companion to all animals, and I believe that this book reinforced that in me. I can recall when I was about six years old, I kept a small pot of dirt where I would collect worms. Each received a gentle kiss before being placed into the dirt (I’m sorry if that grosses anyone out!). I’m sure you can see the connection between myself and Mario, the boy who keeps Chester in a matchbox as a pet.

Books can teach and inspire, and I want to be the kind of librarian that guides children to books that will do just that for them. Taking an interest they have and nurturing it allows it to grow and blossom into something totally amazing. It can become something that they are so passionate about that they do incredible things with it or even start a career.

I wanted to draw some attention to this post from the Asian American Project, where they identify some racist content within the book.

Opal, the main character, was in an incredibly similar situation to my own at the time I was reading it. Her mother had left her and her father behind, and she’s moved to a new town where she feels incredibly lonely. After adopting a stray dog, named Winn-Dixie after the grocery store Opal finds him in, things begin to change for her. She begins to make friends around her new town with the help of Winn-Dixie.

I was definitely a touchstone reader for this book, and it makes me think of how important it is for other young readers to find their touchstone books too. This was a book that I deeply loved for so many reasons, and I want to help someone else find the book that matches their heart.

This book won the John Newbery Medal back in 2001.

At this point in my own life, I was struggling with a mental illness that would go untreated until after I graduated high school. I latched onto The Bell Jar tightly. I admit that due to my age and most likely the environment that I was in, I did romanticize the book a little too much, but still, in its own way that’s what helped me through that part of high school. It was validation and acceptance for me.

 I love that books can validate us in who we are and in the struggles we go through. Sometimes they are the only things that can. I've spoken before about how I want to help readers find books that match their hearts, and this was another book that matched mine.

Here is a link to one of the very first poems I read by Sylvia Plath, and still one of my favorites.

The story itself is convoluted, in a way, with lots of hidden backstories about the creature that the book is named after. King does not hesitate when describing the violent deaths of children throughout the story. At the age of 15, I felt as if a whole new territory had been opened up for me. I haven’t picked up a King book in quite some time, but I will always appreciate both the book and the author who officially turned me on to the horror genre. 

I’m sure I share similar fears with others about wasting one’s life and feeling unfulfilled. I think that this book was a reminder to make sure that I enjoy the time I spend here on earth and try to exist with as few doubts as possible. 

Sam is a bit of an outsider at the college she attends. Amongst the students, there is a group of bubbly, rich women who waltz about in adorable twee dresses while calling each other “Bunny”. Although Sam despises them, she finds herself absorbed into their little group, even going as far as adopting their style of dress. I don’t want to spoil too much because the twist in the book isn’t as shocking. Things do get weird. 

What stands out to me with this book is the intense feelings of loneliness that permeate the pages. Sam only has one friend at the beginning of the novel, who in the end we discover isn’t even real. The group of women she enters into are nothing like her and no matter what she does, she will never be one of them.