The Junkyard Wonders

Mila loves books.  She loves books so much that somedays she demands that I read 8 - 10 books to her in one hour.  Her book collection can reach the ceiling and back a couple times, if the books were stacked (and we have high ceilings).  So now we go to the library a few times a week to check out as many books as I can carry for our 8-block walk home.

I love the library.  So many books to read and we don't have to keep any of them.  We simply return them for others to enjoy.  What a great system!  Who came up with this wonderful public service?

I mostly select books by the illustrations.  They say, "Don't judge a book by its cover."  But that is exactly what I do… for children's book anyway.  A simple story can become alive with richness when accompanied by stunning illustrations.  A flat character can become nuanced and intriguing if drawn with flare.  Because I'm so naturally drawn by aesthetics in every aspect of my life, I cannot read a picture book if the pictures are unattractive.  Perhaps it's superficial, but when a book is poorly illustrated, the writing become coarse and second-rate in my eyes. 

The other day, I just grabbed a book as we were heading out, based on its illustrations of course.  When we got home, I read the story to Mila with Niko on my lap.  This is a favourite activity for the three of us.  The book is called The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco.  And suddenly I started to choke up.  I even heard my voice shaking.  I admit that I've become extremely sensitive since having Niko.  But nearly bursting into tears from a children's book?  

I had no idea that this book is about children with special needs when I grabbed it at the library.  It's about a gang of misfits, shunned by the "normal" kids in school.  They form strong bonds and experience excitement and sadness.  Some of these kids are diseased, some have tourettes, some are dyslexics, and some are geniuses.  This book was a surprising find.