Bookmobile

Living in rural Nevada, we don't have the easiest access to a library. There is a library in Elko (55 miles away). It's small, but is supposedly part of a whole group of libraries, so that we can request books that aren't right in Elko. I've tried to request books before and have never been successful. So much for that. However, the kids are always satisified by what they can find there. The only problem is that sometimes it's hard to get things back before they're due. A few years ago, we were snowed into the valley for literally weeks at a time. There is one service the library offers for the many rural communities in Elko County, though, that really hits the nail on the head: The Bookmobile.

The Bookmobile is a big box truck with bookshelves lining the outer walls. It's carpeted, heated and they even have the checkout system automated. Of course, it is a small space, so book selection is limited, but they make sure to stock the shelves with plenty of dinosaur books. I think the driver does it just for Ian. Sometimes it's hard to find a book that the kids haven't already read and would enjoy. Ian usually gathers up his dinosaur books, and starts muttering that he is ready to go, first in hushed tones, then rising in intensity. I try to hold him off until I can find at least three non-dinosaur books. Sometimes we end up loving them and reading them everynight. Sometimes we don't open them again. Last week, we came up with three winners. Here they are:

I laugh every time I see the cover of this book. It is about three happy, cuddly rabbits and their cousin, grumblebunny. Grumblebunny can't ever see the bright side of anything, and as far as we can tell, just wants to stay in bed all day. The three cuddly rabbits want to go play with the beavers, and grumblebunny doesn't want to because they stink and their house stinks. Then, they get in a tangle with Bad Wolf Peter the Rabbit Eater. The boys think it is hillarious. Beware, though, they do use the word 'stupid', which we don't let the boys use. Maybe that's why they think it's so funny.

I think I like this book more than the boys like it. I just love to hear Cameron saying Hug....Roo? Hug...Roo? then, giggle. Or maybe I just like it because Ian used to call popsicles 'hoggeroos'. Anyway, the rhyming is cute, and I like to chase Ian and Cameron around asking them to be my Hugaroo.

The Frog Princess is a little too wordy for Cameron, but Ian likes it. I don't think the story line is that compelling, but the main character does carry around a bow and arrow, which is, for a young boy, reason enough to read a book. The part that we've all loved about this book, though, is a character that only appears for one page. Her name is Baba Yaga the Wicked Nasty. Now that is reason enough for anyone to like this book. Ian runs around saying the name because he likes the way it rolls off the tongue. Cameron can't say that mouthful, but he can say 'nasty', and he does, then laughs. So cute.