I just can't resist children's books

     There I was...minding my own business...when I walked past the table that we decorate with children's books every month.  This month we have yellow books on the table, and Keva is the person who does an outstanding job keeping the table filled.
     Like I said, there I was minding my own business, when this book on the children's table caught my eye.
     Bright yellow, of course, with very colorful people on it and one weird bird with a long beak.
     The title...well, it's just as eye-catching.   "What is a Wise Bird Like You Doing in a Silly Tale Like This?"
     There was nothing I could do but pick it up and bring it back to the office for a thorough look-through.
     On the inside front and back covers of this book, written and illustrated by Uri Shulevitz, there is a map of places called Terra Incognita, Mackleberry, Tickleberry, Cackleberry, Bewarybeary, and Pickleberry.  There are pictures of the national flag of the Empire of Pickleberry, the national dessert of pickle pudding, and the national sun and moon.
     Some of the inhabitants of the Empire of Pickleberry (population 26-1/2 and 4-1/2 acres of land) are the Emperor, the janitor (who is the Emperor's twin brother), Lou (the bird who could talk), the invisible half citizen, and a dead candlestick.  Pickleberry is a place where stories wildly intertwine, deceit runs rampant, and wisdom ultimately prevails over so, so much nonsense.
     Well, Lou lived in a cage and he was miserable (he thought).  So, he played like he died and the Emperor had the janitor throw the bird away. A traveling salesman came along, found the bird, and decided to sell him.  But the bird decided to let the salesman know he was alive and talked.  Of course, the salesman thought a talking bird was the best thing ever. 
     Thus begins the tale of how the wise bird ended up in a silly tale like this.  I can't tell you the end of this story.  Even if you don't have children to read it to, you should see the book for yourself, as an adult.  It all makes sense what Uri Shulevitz wrote.
     In fact, Shulevitz has many outstanding books worth your reading, such as: 
          -Snow, a Caldecott Honor Book,
          -The Secret Room, a New York Times Outstanding book of the Year,
          -The Treasure, a Caldecott Honor Book,
          -Rain Rain Rivers, an ALA Notable Book, and
          -Dawn, an ALA Notable Book.
     Others he has illustrated are:
          -The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship by Arthur Ransome, a Caldecott Medal Book, and
          -Hosni the Dreamer by Ehud Ben-Ezer, a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year.
     This is my invitation to you to stop by the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library and walk by the children's table.  I just dare you to stop and look at the great books on that table.  Then I double-dare you to pick up a couple, check them out, and take them home.  Find a child to read to...or just read them yourself.  Wonderful stuff in children's books.