Wilmette Life (Wilmette, Illinois), 9 Nov 1928, p. 11

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.November 9, 1928 WILMETTE LIF' E 11 .Wilmette Library Invites V . illagers to Observe &ok Week The Family Library and What It Should I The Book Worm ContainD~cussed~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We have read descriptions of the family library. Usually the rain was pouring down outside, the bedraggled leaves fluttered across walks, but all this was forgotten in the book-lined library. The rug might be faded and the upholstery worn,-the important thing was that books of all sorts were everywhere. There were bound Atlantics, Centurys and St. Nicholas, well thumbed dictionaries and encyclopedias, worn favorites and calf-bound classics in rows. Modern houses are not built with the generous book-rooms of other days, and the library often means two bookcases on either side of the livingroom fireplace. Limitation of space for books limits the number that -one can have, and this .in .turn means that more care must be used in their selection. ·· In the way of reference books a really fin e dictionary is essential; a 'World's almanac and a good atlas are almost as necessary. These three will answer many of the family's questions. Encyclopedias represent a considerable im·estrnent and one must remember that deterioration sets in as soon as published. At the end of ten years they are out of date and a new one must be consulted for up-to-date informatipn . Since the public library must keep modern reference books it will save money to consult them. Books are as representative of people's likes and tastes as their food and clothes. For that reason only a few gen~ral rules can be laid down-that books should be well written, accurate. stimulating- and well printed. This coYers the ground that they should broaden one's ideas, giYe esthetic pleasure and be physically good for one's eyesight. Where space is limited it is Questionable to buyers of books. Long rows of books in the same binding form psychological hurdles that the intere~t of few people is able to leap. It is much n~ore inspiring to diversify the outward appearance of your vol. umes both as to color and size. Very few people ever read all the work of a standard author unless it be a hobby with them. But there are certain minimum essentials in their books that everyone should know. Some of these books are "David Copperfield," "Oliver Twist," Pendennis," "Henry . Esmond," "Vanity Fair," "Kenilworth," "Rob Roy," "Talisman" and "Lorna Doone." Your favorite books by the following authors should have space on the shelves: Dumas, Jane Austen, Galsworthy, Thomas Hardy, Hugh WalJ>Ole, Cooper, Stevenson and Tolstoi. The following novels of universal appeal should be included: .. Crock of Gold," "Maria Chapdelaine," "Growth of the Soil," "Jean Christophe," "Kim," "Age of Innocence," "Matriarch" and "Old Wives Tale." A few good histories should have a shelf to themselves. These are Beard's "Rise of American Civilization," Morrison's "Oxford History of the United States," Bryce's "American Commonwealth," Motley's "Rise of the Dutch Republic" and Well's "Outline of History." The historically minded will add many others. There are scores of good biographies that should have a place, but some of especial worth are: Franklin's autobiography, Strachey's 11 Eminent Victorians," Grenfell's "Labrador Doctor," Sandburg's "Lincoln," De 11Kruif's "Microbe Hunters," Ludwig's Napo1eon " Belloc's "Marie Antoinette," Ev~rybody's "Pepys" and Bower's "Jefferson and Hamilton." 46 Books /or Parents 111uch in Demand at WilmijJtte Libra.r:v . Books for parents -are always in demand at the public ·library because they answer the problems that confront fathers and mothers daily. Experts have answered ·questions on diet, hygiene, character .training, mental and emotional develot;>ment of the child. · For parents of cqildren of. all ages the following books are helpful: Child Study Association of America-"Guid'ance of Childhood and Youth":; "Wholesome Childhood" by E. R. Groves; "Understanding Our ChildrenH by Frederick Pierce, and "Play in Edu.cation~ by Joseph ·LeeJ "UnderstaRd.:. ing Our Children" tells how to e~ci obedience without using ·. fear. "Play , in '·Educatio.n" infeiprets th'e child to the grown person and shows the pri. mary importance of play in child lifC. For the adolescent is recommended Hall's "Youth"; Puffer's "The Boy and , His Gang" ; Richmond's "Adolesceq~ Girl" and Stern's "Clubs, Making and Management." For the unadjusted c4ild Van Water's "Youth in Conflict" is of surpassing interest. Others are Lindsay's "Revolt of Modern Youth," and Neill's "Problem Child." Children's reading is one of the most important things for. parents' consider-· ation. Terman's "Children Reading" is a splendid book, Becker's "Advenr tures in Reading" is most suggestive and Bryant's "How to Tell Stories to Children" is helpful. Besides the books mentioned parents who wish to study further will v find other books at the Library. Regards Reading Aloud as Excellent Custom Libraries Are Workshops for Schools of Wilmette The libraries in the Wilmette public schools were established two years ago. They serve as literary workshops for the schools, and are. ayailable for reference work, reading periods, and gathering of factual material. Such material is furnished to the Logan and Laurel schools from the Howard and Stolp libraries. At present the circulat .. ing libraries are for the use of teachers only. Miss Grace Gayton is school librarian. Books for Teen Age Jerusha Abbott in Daddy-LongLegs said there are books "that most boys and girls with a properly assorted family and a home and friends and a library know by absorption," such as David Copperfield, Ivanhoe, Jane Eyre, Vanity Fair, Lorna Doone, Plain Tales From the Hills, Three Musketeers, Pride and Prejudice, Adam Bede, Romola, Kenilworth, Wind in the Willows, etc. But there are other books .that it would be fun to know. Some of these are: Auslander's Winged Horse, a story of poets and ~heir poetry; Buried Alive, by Bennett, a mystery story; Drums, by Boyd ; Johnny Fraser of London in the American Revolution; Messer Marco Polo, · by Byrne; Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard, by Farje'on, a charming fantasy of how he freed his sweetheart; The Broad Highway, by Jeffery Farnol ; So Big, by E4na Ferber; Maria Chapdelaine, a French Canadian love story ; Microbe Hunters, by De Kruif, as thrilling as hunting tigers, and Beebe's Arcturus adventure. A hobby is an important part of one's life. Besides giving unmeasured pleasure in its pursuit, it is a social asset. In a life time there will probably be a succession of them; on.may begin by collecting stamps and end by collecting blue ribbons for prize peonies. In the meantime one may collect etchings or 'WOodblocks, the literature on cats, Indian folklore, an architectural library or lovely vases, but the important thing is to have this interest. In the teens is none too soon (Continued on Page 13) Grade Pupils to Present Special Book Week Play A special program in the assembly room is to feature Book Week at the Howard school next Thursday. Miss Aleda Larson's sixth grade will present several book characters in the form of charades. The characters will include Rip Van Winkle, Robinson Crusoe, Peter Pan, the Pied Piper from Hamlin, Robin Hood, Cindet· ella, Little Red Riding Hood and others. One of the most beautiful of family is that of reading aloud. No matter how far one gets away from home it is remembered with pleasure and resumed upon one's return. Reading aloud fosters that unity of spirit that makes the family a living bodv. When children are small it means sharing their books, and parents relive Swiss Family Robinson, H«idi, Little Women, Robin .Hood and King Arthur with them. In a breathlessly short time' the children have passed into sharing their parents' reading interests One mother read Galapagos aloud, another read Beveridge's life of John Marshall. The Vicar of Wakefield and The Jungle Tales have given principles and ideals to families. Other books that m· a y be shared are David Copperfield, Maria Chapdelaine, Death Comes for the Archbishop, Primitive Hearths in the Pyrenees and the Amenities of Book Collecting. custo~s School Libraries Get 2 New Filing Cabinets Additions to the equipment of the libraries in the Howard and Stolp schools include two three-drawer fit-· ing cabinets. These cabinets are fot the filing of pictures, pamphlets, and miscellaneous clippings that can be taken from the libraries and used with any unit of study. Several new pasteboard magazine covers have been rereceived at the Stolp school library. CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK The Wilmette Public Library has made special plans for Children's Book Week. Each day will see its special exhibit of books. Here's the schedule: Monday, books for parents. Tuesday, books for the High School age. Wednesday, Hobbies for All. Thursday, Books for Reading Aloud. Friday, books for Children. Saturday, The Family Library. Special posters and li~ts for each day have been made. READ PLAY IN LIBRARY A play with ·book characters will beread during· one of the reading periods in the library of the Stolp school next Wednesday as a part of the Boolr Week program in the Wilmette Public schools.

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