Near LAX, Otis College of Art and Design, and Loyola Marymount University, in the Westchester neighborhood is the pretty Westchester-Loyola Village Branch library — lucky number 13.
The wooden panels on the walls and ceiling are etched with images of people (which we found out from the librarian checking out our books) whom are patrons and past librarians of this location. Very cool!
Riley’s G, my mom Gail, joined us on this leg of our journey.
Riley even sported a new barrette, now that her hair is getting long enough to get in her eyes. I still cannot believe she is already 15 months old. (Yes, I’m still using months, it makes time move more slowly). She grabbed the first stuffed animal she saw in the children’s section. And then proceeded to lay down on it.
The kids who were already in the children’s area were busy reading their own books and some were practicing reading out loud to adults. One kid was nice enough to indulge Riley for a minute at the large toy in the middle of the kid’s section since she would not stop staring at him.
I picked out some books, because Riley was more interested in the toys and other kids . . .
but she eventually began to look at some of them.
We took home a few random picks. We got one board book called Little Poems for Tiny Ears by Lin Oliver and illustrated by Tomie dePaola. I loved it. Riley’s Grampa Mark read some to her while we were visiting.
We also got Split! Splat! by Amy Gibson and illustrated by Steve Björkman which made me yearn for cooler, rainier days.
Vroom! Kevin’s Big Book of Vehicles by Liesbet Slegers kept Riley’s attention with the bright colors.
Beautiful Moon A Child’s Prayer by Tonya Bolden and illustrated by Eric Velasquez was lovely.
I really liked Which Witch is Which? written by Judi Barrett and illustrated by Sharleen Collicott. Rhymes always make me smile, as do minimal pair practice. . .
We got the Reading Rainbow Book, ALA Notable Children’s Book and School Library Journal Best Book: Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman illustrated by Caroline Binch which we loved. I like to remind my daughter that she can be anyone or anything she wants to be – just like Grace.
The last book we read was Chicken, Chicken, Duck! by Nadia Krilanovich. Riley loves animals and making animal sounds.
Reading outside is just as fun as reading indoors. Then again, we like to read anywhere and everywhere. Even digitally. You can download books from the library – and you don’t even have to leave your house to get them.
There is something special about visiting the library in person, though. You get to see how different each library branch is, and you get to lay on stuffed animals and meet new friends. I never stop being amazed by how lucky we are to have so many branches to visit and by how many books we have yet to discover.
Thank you libraries. You help keep our days filled with laughter and love. If only we lived closer to Branch 13, we would even learn how to knit!