Tuesdays seem to be our regular day for going to the library. The little ones usually get one or two videos that are due back after one week, and the older ones like to get audio books for the car which we generally get through in short order with all the running around. This the first time in seven years of homeschooling that I’ve managed to make the library a routine, and not a rare treat. It’s a huge accomplishment on my part.
When all the kids were very little, I had a “first ten” rule. The first ten books to come off the shelves went home with us. Trips to the library were kept to under 15 minutes. Now that I have older children, we stay a little longer, not much, but I have the older ones take turns watching the little ones while I help everybody find books that might interest them.
I keep reminding myself that finding books would be much easier if I had a book list prepared in advance, but I haven’t made it to that level of organization yet. For now, I’m left to chance and keen eyesight to spot good reads, especially picture books for the 6 and under crowd. Most of the time, the selections are mediocre. Sometimes, the random books are awful.
And every once in a while, I get a gem.
Such was the case when I brought home Blueberries for Sal. We own Make Way for Ducklings, by the same author, Robert McCloskey, but I had never heard of Blueberries for Sal. And what a charming book. Little Sal goes hunting blueberries with her mother at the same time that a little bear cub goes hunting for blueberries with his mother. The little ones wander off and then end up following the wrong mother! When I read it to the children, all six of them and myself smiled at the antics of the young ones and laughed when the mothers discovered who was really behind them. Naturally, there is a happy ending to this story which is fun and delightful for children of all ages.I spent no money to read this book, nor did I receive any compensation for this review. Blueberries farmers, however, saw an uptick in sales after we were finished.
Reit This Way 
One Morning in Maine is another good one by the same author…his books are wholesome and sweet….and just tell of such a different era.
I like “Blueberries for Sal” is a fabulous book. It was one of my sister Sally's favorite books, for obvious reasons.
Gabriel like “One Morning in Maine,” again for obvious reasons. My in-laws live in Maine.
On a side note, I am enjoying your digs at the feds. This last one was especially funny.
I love blueberries, and Blueberries for Sal is one of my favorites as well!
This was a really cute book.
Why do I know about childrens' books? I don't have any! 🙂