Late November 2023
It’s that time of year when people reflect on those things for which they’re thankful. Among those things I’m thankful for is the Freedom community, and its unwavering support for the library. Without that support, we wouldn’t be able to do what we love: serve the community.
The more I’m able to speak with other directors around the state, the more I realize just how special Freedom is, and how lucky we are as a library to be located here. This is a community that twice banded together to create a library space for the town. And it’s a unique space, more modern than many library buildings, and built specifically to meet the community’s needs.
I’m also thankful for our assistant librarians, Margarete and Amanda. They handle the day-to-day operation of the library, and I know the library is in good hands while I’m tending to the behind-the-scenes activities.
I’m also thankful for the library’s Board of Trustees, a group who is always looking out for the library’s best interests. They are passionate stewards and advocates that champion the library and everything it offers.
I’m also thankful for the Friends of the Library; a truer moniker has never existed. We are blessed to have their assistance in bringing you library programs and services. The effects of their generosity cannot be understated.
I’m also thankful for our patrons—everyone who uses the library, be it for the materials we house in our building, or those that are accessed electronically.
I could go on, but I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I just wanted to make sure I had the opportunity to express my gratitude, since I’m not sure I do so as much in my everyday life as I ought to. But maybe this is my cue to improve at being able to say “Thank you.”
Early November 2023
Nowadays, there’s no shortage of streaming services available. But, there’s only one that’s available for FREE to everyone with a library card: Kanopy. Now is a great time to give Kanopy a try if you’ve never used it before. If you’re a regular Kanopy user, you may notice that there have been some changes.
Kanopy is made available for us through the generosity of the Friends of the Library. It’s like Netflix for public libraries: a collection of movies, TV shows, and other works like the Great Courses, made available for you to stream on your computer, mobile device, or smart TV. Apps are available in all the major app stores, as well as on devices like Roku and Amazon Fire Stick.
Once you’ve entered your library card information, you’ll need to create a Kanopy account. You can also use your Google or Facebook accounts, if you want to. Once you do this, your card will be associated with your account. After that, you’re ready to watch!
For people who’ve used Kanopy before, this is the new part:
At the beginning of every month, you get 30 “tickets” to use to watch titles on Kanopy; a title can require anywhere from 1-5 tickets to watch, depending on your choice. Next to the ticket information, it will tell you how long you have to watch the title, and you can watch it as many times as you can fit into that time period.
Kanopy features many documentaries, as well as feature films (some from major studios), television series, and the Great Courses. There’s also a kids section for younger viewers. They’re regularly rotating in new titles, so there’s always something new to watch.
If you have any questions about using Kanopy, just let us know, and we’ll be glad to do what we can to help. There’s also a nice help section on Kanopy’s website. If you’re interested in an in-person introduction to Kanopy, we’ll be having one at the Library on Tuesday, November 7th at 6pm at the Library.
Late October 2023
The night when ghosts and goblins descend upon the village is nigh. They shall be appeased with treats to avoid their tricks, before they vanish into the night for another year. And it’s in part thanks to everyone who donates candy at the Library that the village is prepared.
It may hardly seem possible, but well over 100 kids come to the village for trick-or-treating each year. Candy donations make it possible to supplement the stocks of village residents to ensure that there’s enough for everyone. As one of the hubs of the village, the Library is happy to coordinate these efforts every year.
And don’t forget to stop at the Library, too! We’ll be set up to hand out candy along with the rest of the village. We’ll also be open until 7 in case someone needs to make a pit stop while out gathering their sugary hoard.
There’s still time to drop off a donation, if you’re able—we’ll be accepting donations until October 21st. Then we’ll be getting a hold of folks in the village to do our best to distribute the donated candy. And come the 31st, the village will be awash with costumed kids, prepared to treat everyone who wanders through.
While not always as crowded as it will be on Halloween, the village does see a good amount of foot traffic, from people out walking dogs to the monthly visits from the Freedom Elementary classes. You may even catch me on my way to or from the Library. If you’re driving through the village, remember to be mindful of your speed, and of any pedestrians who may be out and about.
Early October 2023
The leaves, they are a-chagin’, and the chilly evenings are a sure sign that Fall has settled over New England. Other sure signs include skeletons popping up on doorsteps, pumpkin spice everything, and a couple of annual events at the Library.
First up is our annual candy collection. Each year we collect candy to help the village prepare for the influx of children who descend on the village Halloween night for a healthy dose of treats. These supplies supplement those of the village residents to ensure there’s enough candy to go around. If you have the means to donate this year, we’ll be accepting donations of sealed, wrapped candy until October 21st. Thank you so much for any help you can give us in hosting a happy Halloween!
The beginning of fall also marks the arrival of Banned Books Week. As described by the American Library Association, “Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read and spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools.” Challenges to books have been on the rise over the past couple of years, and Banned Books Week is a great time to reaffirm the Library’s commitment to the ALA’s Freedom to Read statement.
We’ve had a slew of new books coming in lately, and it might be the perfect time to find just the right book to curl up with. (No pumpkin spice books yet, though.) Early fall seems to be a popular time for putting out books, so definitely stop by to see what we’ve picked up. And as always, if you think there’s something that might make a good addition to the collection, let us know! Many of the books we get over the course of the year are from patron recommendations.
Enjoy the arrival of fall, and make sure to stop by the Library to say hi!
Late September 2023
One part of the Library that doesn’t get the attention it deserves is the Young Adult section. Tucked into a corner next to the adult fiction, it’s often ignored by the less-young adults. There seems to be this idea that once you age out of a particular bracket, that literature is suddenly off-limits to you, that it no longer has anything to offer. I assure you that’s not the case.
I would encourage you to try out a book from the YA section if you haven’t before. It can be an excellent option if you’re not finding anything in the adult section that tickles your fancy. The main feature that characterizes the YA novel is that its protagonists are usually in their teens, sometimes early twenties. There’s plenty of adult fiction with young protagonists as well, so don’t let that younger perspective be a deterrent.
YA literature covers a wide range of genres; chances are, you’ll be able to find something you’d typically read in the adult fiction. Looking for historical fiction? YA’s got that. Something grittier? Something more romantic? YA’s got you covered. And yes, there is a lot of YA fantasy, from low to high, but that may be just the stepping stone into the genre you’ve been looking for, if some of the tomes in the adult Sci-fi/Fantasy section seem a bit daunting.
You’ll even find some familiar names there, like James Patterson, Jodi Picoult, and Philippa Gregory, just to name a few. Many authors take an occasional dip into the realm of YA. Many YA authors will also release books marketed for adults, so you may find an author you like, and find they have other offerings for you to sample.
And while you’re there, don’t forget to check out the YA graphic novels. If you’ve never experienced a graphic novel before, think of it as a book-length comic, often with incredible art. There are some great award-winning memoirs in graphic form that are well worth a read. It’s a different reading experience, but no less worthy of your time.
Not sure where to start? Many YA novels have been adapted into movies and television shows—one of those items might be the perfect starting place. Or, we would be happy to help you find just the right book to start your YA journey. Give it a chance, and I think you might find a whole other section of the Library opening up right before your eyes.
Early September 2023
The beginning of September always seems to sneak up on me, even when I’m looking at the calendar and can see it coming. The surprise is always punctuated by the reemergence of yellow school busses and pumpkin spice. But, this always ushers in part three of the Library year.
Part three is the rest of the year after summer reading. With kids going back to school, it means visits from the Freedom Elementary School classes will begin soon—and I need to pick some books to read to the classes when they visit! I enjoy reading to the kids; it’s one of my favorite Library activities. If you’re feeling left out of the fun, don’t worry: we’ve also got Well-Versed, which is like reading aloud for adults, with poetry. And unlike class visits, Well-Versed is recorded, and available for listening at any time.
Part three is also where our canning supplies and our dehydrator get the most use. Both items are part of our Library of Things, and just a small example of the items we have available for checkout. We’ve got everything from a blood pressure monitor to a portable ping-pong set, so there should be plenty to help keep you occupied. There’s even an ice cream maker, if you want to cling desperately to the last vestiges of summer.
The beginning of part three also marks a spike in book releases. Why so many books come out at this time of year is still a mystery to me, but I do my best to gather in as much as I can for everyone to read. Keep an eye out for a bevy of items coming to the NEW shelves in the Library over the next month or so. Hopefully we have room for them all!
Part three is also when our Museum Passes start to wind down, but don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time! Many of the attractions we have are open until the beginning of October, so if there's somewhere you've been meaning to visit, stop in and see if a pass is available.
Sadly, the arrival of part three means the departure of our summer friends for other climes, be they sunny and southern, or not too far away. We hope everyone will stop in to see us before they take off, and wish everyone safe travels.
Late August 2023
The lazy days of summer have descended, past the frenzied activities of high summer, but not yet ready for the frenzied activities of fall. It’s a great time to do a bit of reading (which I plan to do), and just relax a little bit. Even the Library is relaxed in this time, though that’s not to say there’s nothing going on.
While the weekly schedule isn’t as jam-packed as during Summer Reading, we’ve still got a great weekly schedule of activities happening: Mah Jongg on Mondays and Fridays at 1:30; Preschool Storytime on Wednesdays at 10; Cribbage on Wednesdays at 2. We’re open to the idea of offering other activities as well—let us know if there’s something you think would be a good fit for the Library.
We’ve also got our monthly activities: Well-Versed, a poetry podcast with new episodes posted at the beginning of every month (see our website, or check it out on Spotify); the Matinée Café, a monthly movie showing with snacks and beverages (the next is on Saturday, August 19th). And keep an eye out—we’ll be trying to bring back Game Night as well in the months to come!
If you’re looking for something to do while doing nothing at home, there’s always Kanopy, the streaming service available to all Library patrons, brought to you by the Friends of the Library. There are lots of different films there for you to enjoy, from documentaries to major releases, so it’s definitely worth checking out. (And free to use…did I mention that?)
Then there’s always the tried and true activity to pass the time: reading. If you haven’t had a chance to pick up bookmarks from this year’s contest winners, make sure you do—we had a lot of great entries this year, and the winners will make an excellent addition to your collection. And we get new items in every couple of weeks, so there’s always something fresh. Or, since we’re being lazy, maybe it’s a good time to re-read an old favorite. Both are perfectly viable.
Stop in and see us when you get a chance—we love seeing folks. And if you’re only with us for the summer, then definitely stop by so we can make sure to catch up. Let us help you enjoy those lazy days before you have to go back to the hustle and bustle of the rest of the year.
Early August 2023
Happy Old Home Week, everyone!
The Library has been around for every Old Home Week held in Freedom, from its time as a room in the Town Hall, to its current location on Old Portland Rd. We’re pleased to be able to take part in Old Home Week as well, by sponsoring two programs during the week, made possible by the Friends of the Library.
On Wednesday, August 2nd at 10am, we’ll be hosting Wildlife Encounters at the Freedom Elementary School Gym. Join us on an “imaginary safari around the world!” Meet animals whose ancestors lived in a variety of habitats and places on Earth, while discovering their amazing adaptations, learning their eco-contributions and learning their personal stories. This program will be replacing Preschool Storytime for Old Home Week.
On Friday, August 4th at 3pm, we’ll be hosting entertainer Steve Blunt upstairs at the Town Hall. Join us there for a fun, upbeat performance of songs that celebrate diversity & build community—with warmth, humor & lots of audience participation. Steve is an award-winning children’s musician who plays a delightful mix of original tunes & beloved standards, and we’re delighted to have him back again!
And, of course, it wouldn’t be Old Home Week without the Friends of the Library Book and Bake sales, happening on Friday, August 4th from 9am-3pm, and Saturday, August 5th from 10am-1pm. Stop in to check out this year’s collection of books and baked goods for sale, and treat yourself to a little something. A big thank you to everyone who donated books, baked goods, or their time to make these sales possible.
Old Home Week is also the last week of the Summer Reading Program. If you have time between all the great events happening, make sure to get the last of your reading in! Saturday, August 5th is the last day to turn in your Bingo card to win a prize.
Late July 2023
It’s hard to believe, but we’re already halfway through the Summer Reading Program! Some folks have already gotten their Bingos, while others are—I assume—working diligently toward getting their five-in-a-row. Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time!
While reading happens all year round, it’s during the summer that I really think about not just what I’m reading, but how I’m reading. I definitely don’t read as quickly as I used to. I also have to remind myself to sit down and read; it’s not the automatic reflex that it used to be when I was younger. I’ll blame the internet for that, I think. But, I still get pleasure from reading, which I think is the most important part.
I know that most of the books that the Library adds to its collection aren’t really up my alley, but that’s okay—they don’t have to be. My goal is to build a collection that has something for everyone, even if it might not be a lot of that something. I’m always on the lookout for suggestions to add to the collection. There have been quite a few books that weren’t on my radar, but came highly recommended from a patron, so we got a copy. Those are usually some of the most popular selections we have.
Of course, I’m not able to get everything that might be suggested. Goodness knows I’m not able to get everything I’d like. This is partially due to budget constraints, and partially due to space constraints. That’s one of the reasons I really appreciate New Hampshire’s interlibrary loan system. It enables us to find books that patrons are interested in reading which we’re unable to add to our own collection. If there’s something you want to read, and we don’t have it, we’ll be happy to see if we can borrow it from another library.
Oh, and as a reminder, a book doesn’t have to come from the Library to count toward Summer Reading. Items from your personal collection, or a friend’s collection, or from anywhere, really, are all viable options to mark off on your Bing card. If you feel like you need to add to your personal collection, don’t worry—the annual Book Sale is only a few weeks away! (And with the Bake Sale there as well, you can satisfy your appetites for reading and snacking.) We’ve got a great collection of book donations so far, and there are still a couple of weeks left to donate.
Whether you’re a voracious reader for whom five books is a typical week, or someone who progresses a bit more slowly, I wish you happy reading for not only this summer, but all year round.
Early July 2023
Every summer, during the summer reading program, I usually try to participate myself, just to see how much I’m reading. (And without the prizes, of course.) It’s a fun exercise, and a reminder that, even as a librarian, I don’t read nearly as much as I probably ought to. I’m in the midst of a book with over 800 pages, so I’m off to a bit of a slow start, but we’ll see where I end up come Old Home Week.
We’ve got plenty going on at the Library between now and Old Home Week, and there’s something for everyone to do. We’ve got printed calendars you can take to put on the fridge, and all the weekly activities are listed on the homepage of the website. There’s also still plenty of opportunity to volunteer to help out with summer happenings, be it by baking cookies, picking up pizza, or helping out at the annual book sale during Old Home Week. Check out the door of the elevator to see what opportunities there are.
With the theme of “All Together Now” for this year’s Summer Reading Program, we also wanted to see if there was something we could do for the community. We’re currently holding an item drive for items needed by the Lakes Region Humane Society in Ossipee; stop in to see if there’s something on the list you’d be able to donate. We’ve also got links to their Amazon and Chewy wishlists, if that’s more up your alley. Later this month we’re planning on collecting items for the Freedom Food Panty.
While “All Together Now” is a challenging theme to plan programming around, it’s a great theme to remind us of the community that the Library serves. I love that the Library can be a place to bring everyone “all together,” whether for programs, or just as a comfy place to meet, read, or enjoy the summer.
Late June 2023
The time has finally arrived: Summer Reading is just around the corner, starting with our kickoff on June 24! Stop by while you’re waiting for the Ducky Day race to sign up for this year’s program, make a hand for this year’s Circulation Desk display, and more. We’ll also start accepting donations for this year’s Book Sale, happening during Old Home Week.
Book donations will be accepted from June 24 – July 29, during Library hours.
This summer, participants in the Summer Reading Program will have a Bingo card. Once you get a Bingo, you win this summer’s prize: a $10 gift card. This year, though, there will be more options than just Amazon (though that’s still an option)—you can also choose a gift card for Bobby Sue’s, The Freedom Village Store, or The Spot! Kids & preschoolers will also receive a free book for each of their first three Bingos.
The Bookmark Contest is back this year as well. This year’s theme is “All Together Now.” Pick up an entry form at the Library, or download one from the website. The deadline for bookmark submissions is Saturday, July 15, so make sure to get yours in on time!
We’ve also got lots of weekly activities for all ages. We’ll have a Writing Workshop for students entering grades 4-8, Preschool Storytime, Cribbage and Yarn Arts, Game Night for teens & adults, Fun Friday for elementary-aged kids, plus Pizza Time and Family Movie Night for all ages. More information will be available on our website, or you can pick up a calendar at the Library.
During Old Home Week, we’ll have a couple of special events as well: a visit from Wildlife Encounters at the FES gym, and a performance by Steve Blunt upstairs at Town Hall. Not to mention the Friends of the Library annual Book and Bake sales on the Library’s lawn.
We’re hoping to have something for everyone this summer! Come on in and see what we have to offer!
Early June 2023
I want to send a massive “Thank you” to the community for bearing with us during the recent replacement of our entry ramp. While there’s still a little bit of work to do, the ramp itself is available for use, and it’s beautiful. A large chunk of thanks also goes to GW Brooks & Son, who carried out the project.
Come see the new ramp if you get a chance! The main feature is that the top of the ramp now meets the threshold of the door, which should make entering and exiting much easier. Our collections and services are for all residents of Freedom, always for free. We want to make sure that everyone has access to the Library, and this is one way to strengthen that access.
Of course, access to the Library doesn’t stop at the foot of the ramp. We have our Books on Wheels program, which will deliver books to folks who can’t get out of the house. This applies to short-term periods for temporary immobility, as well as for those who are homebound for one reason or another. If you’d like to take part in the Books on Wheels program, just give us a call—we’ll be happy to get you set up with everything you need to participate.
In addition to everything inside the Library, a library card also grants you access to digital resources as well, including the Kanopy streaming service, and the New Hampshire Downloadbles Library. With Kanopy, you can stream up to 10 films per month from a selection of major motion pictures, documentaries, and more. Kanopy can be accessed via web browser, the Kanopy app, or through smart devices like Roku or the Amazon Fire Stick. Through the Libby app, the New Hampshire Downloadbles Library offers access to e-books, e-audiobooks, and e-magazines. The Libby app is available for download to any iOS or Android device (as well as Kindle Fire, though there’s a few extra steps). We’re happy to help you get set up on a smartphone or tablet at the library; we’re not available for setting things up on TVs, though.
While it’s easier than ever now to check out what’s inside our “four” walls, use of the Library isn’t limited to just that space.
Late May 2023
I always associate the arrival of spring with a sudden explosion of green; lately, though, I’ve been noticing lots of other colors making their presence known as well. Sometimes, in the excitement for the leaves returning to the trees, you forget to stop and smell the flowers that are also in bloom. Fortunately, we’ve got lots of both around the Library.
We’re eagerly looking forward to the renovations to our entry ramp, which should be happening fairly soon! We’ll have to close the Library for a few days while the work is being done—and we’ll be sure to let you know when that’s happening on Facebook and the Freedom Bulletin Board. I’m also in the throes of scheduling a few spring cleaning tasks before summer is fully upon us. So look forward to a spiffy library in the coming weeks.
If you’re dodging blackflies and getting ready for the outdoor season, maybe something from our Library of Things can help. We’ve got a set of gardening tools to get ready for growing. We’ve got a tire pump if your bicycle tires are looking a little sad after staying in all winter. We’ve got a tool set to help fix up things that need a little attention. Want to catch the culprit eating your plants? We’ve got a trail camera for that.
The temperatures lately have been reminding us that summer is right around the corner. Welcome back to all the folks who join us for summer fun. We’ve been thinking about summer for a while now at the Library, as we get ready for this year’s Summer Reading Program. We’ll have more details for you in the next month or so; we might be preparing for summer, but no one is looking to rush spring! If you’re interested in volunteering to bake cookies for summer programs, or to pick up pizza for our weekly Pizza Times, we’ll have sign-up sheets at the Circulation Desk.
We’re also working on finding the best times to host our Yarn Arts and Cribbage groups. If you’re interested in participating, but the current time slot isn’t working, please take a moment to fill out our survey to see if there might be a better time to host both groups. We’ll keep the Cribbage/Yarn Arts Power Hours timeslot on Wednesday open in the meantime. And Mah Jongg will be returning to the Library soon—we’ll let you know when that’s up and running as well.
Just like spring, we’ve got a lot of stuff brewing and blooming. Make sure to stop by so you don’t miss anything that might be going on!
Early May 2023
Most visitors to the Library know that our collections are made up of a bunch of different parts. And while I support every part of the collection, I have to admit that not all of them get the attention they deserve. That’s why I wanted to shine a spotlight on one part of our collection: the BVLA collection.
The Bearcamp Valley Library Association (BVLA) is comprised of 11 libraries in Carrol County. Between these 11 libraries, we share a rotating collection of DVDs and audiobooks. Every couple of months, we receive a new section of the collection. With a new section coming in at the beginning of May, it seemed like the perfect time to say more about it!
The BVLA DVD collection specializes in educational and documentary features. It also has many favorite British TV series, especially those with many parts that would be a significant investment in cost and space for an individual library to take on. Some of these series are spaced out so that subsequent parts will be in the next rotation of the collection. Other series have the complete run of a show in a single section, so you can binge them.
The collection also includes audiobooks—many of which we don’t have in our own collection. It also has items for kids, including new technologies like Playaways (an MP3 player pre-loaded with an audiobook) and Wonderbooks (books with a built-in audio version), in addition to DVDs and audiobooks.
Where can you find this collection in the Library? DVDs and Audiobooks for adults are located downstairs, across from the elevator. They’re on shelves below our nonfiction DVDs. For children’s materials, look upstairs next to the juvenile NEW section, above the Juvenile audiobooks.
I encourage everyone to check out the BVLA collection—you may just find your next favorite thing there! And if you stumble across a series you love, but don’t want to wait for the next part, let us know; we’ll be happy to try and find a copy from another library you can borrow.
Late April 2023
When I first came to the library in 2016, one of the greatest perks, in my opinion, was having a library cat. At the time, I lived in an apartment where pets weren’t allowed; being a cat person, it was a strange twist that I would have a cat at work instead of at home.
In many ways, Louie the Library Cat was the mascot of the Library, from merchandise like cat stickers, to being the face of the Library that was featured in magazines and calendars. Library cats in and of themselves are a rare breed, and Louie filled that roll for a good 18 years before retiring a few years ago. He greeted patrons as they came in. He helped kids learn to read. If he really liked you, he’d jump up on your shoulders and lick your ear. As long as you weren’t a dog, Louie was one of the friendliest creatures on the planet.
Even the most social of cats are still independent creatures. There were many days where I had a furry wrist rest at the computer, because Louie decided that he was going to lie in front of it for a little while. Sometimes, he’d just sit on my desk and watch me work; maybe he thought what I was doing was interesting…maybe he was supervising. I never minded the company, though.
Even though I hadn’t seen him for a while, the passing of Louie still hit me harder than I expected. But, I think that just goes to show how powerful an impact he had on my experience at the Library. I can only assume that he would have had a similar impact on everyone who met him. Even his longevity was special—he was just shy of 20 years old: a remarkable feat for any cat, but a walk in the park for one as special as Louie was.
Louie will be missed, but I hope his example will be an inspiration for everyone, from library patrons to libraries thinking about a library cat of their own. And who knows? Maybe circumstances will align in such a way that we can introduce a new library cat to follow in Louie’s pawprints someday
Early April 2023
A year ago this month, we had a poetry reading over Zoom to celebrate National Poetry Month, featuring poems found in the Library’s collection. Over time, that live reading morphed into a monthly recording of poetry in the public domain—Well-Versed.
While Well-Versed is going strong—with a new episode due out at the beginning of this month—I wanted to highlight again not just the Library’s volumes of poetry, but the whole collection of non-fiction volumes. They don’t tend to get a lot of attention once they’re no longer new; they’re tucked back into a corner alley downstairs. But there’s a wealth of information contained in those books.
Granted, they’re a little harder to browse than the fiction upstairs. Everything’s arranged by the Dewey Decimal System, each number representing an area of knowledge. If you wanted to check out American poetry, you’d venture over to 811. (If British is more your style, that’s over in 821.) I promise you, I don’t have most of the numbers memorized—just a select few!
But down in the non-fiction is where you’ll find cookbooks, books on crafting, building, gardening, and more. There’s books for language instruction, volumes listing all the books you should read or movies you should see in your lifetime. There’s the books about New Hampshire, New England, and even wider regions of the world. Books about history, science, and technology. And just around the corner are the biographies.
Even if you don’t know what exactly you’re looking for, it can be a lot of fun to just scan the shelves and see what treasures await. If you know what you’re looking for, but you’re not sure where to find it, we’re always glad to assist with that part.
And I would encourage you to browse the poetry this month, in honor of National Poetry Month. If reading it isn’t for you, you can always listen to Well-Versed from the Library’s website, or you can find it on Spotify. Read to a child you know; many of our picture books are written in verse. Let us help you find your own special way to celebrate this month.