Cosy Nook Library

Our library is turning 10 soon. 10 years! Time does fly when you are having fun.
10 years ago 3 women with no background in libraries started brainstorming about building a children's library from scratch. These were the various ideas we played around with, and finally chose the physical brick and mortar model because we believed libraries are not just about book mails or subscriptions, but also about building a reading culture, a love of books, and the best way to build book connections with children. We have enjoyed ring side seats to some of the best aha moments, emotional reactions to books and definitely the best conversations. Over many cups of tea, the three of us made plans, laughed a lot and hoped our little library will come to be and grow. And here we are! Sharing just a page from our story from 10 years ago, when we would ideate everyday to create the best possible library and reading space for our children.

What a joy it was to participate in Pratham Books' One Day One Story event to celebrate International Literacy Day. Read alouds at Cosy Nook are always great fun, but Paro Anand's, I Am Not a Cat had the kids in splits. Thank you, .books for this wonderful initiative and thank you for writing wonderful books for humans of all ages :)

Disclaimer: I am writing this post not as a biased friend, partner, fan or fellow librarian, but as a teacher/ librarian who works with children and books. So, here goes, A Home to Haunt by Sudeshna Shome Ghosh is one of the finest children's books I have read in a long time. No, seriously! Read on... What I loved most about the book, is how Sudeshna really gets children and their vocabulary standards. The dialogues are so natural, the language is so relatable and there is absolutely no pretense to keep up with jargons to sound smart. The characters, the boy or bnoy, the bhoots, the mama are all so lovable. Before you know it, you are taken on an adventure, through cemeteries, on trains, magical Kolkata cabs, a cricket match at Eden Gardens and so much more! You are left rooting for the charactes, laughing with them and feel a little sad when the book ends and you have to say good bye to Poltu and his bhoot friends. The book is fast paced, but not hurried, quirky, but not over the top. There is so much heart in this book along with adventure, a quick Kolkata darshan by night, and that Sudeshna humour. Intelligent and satirical.
You will never look at a packet of Cadbury Gems again without thinking of, A Home to Haunt. Why? Read the book!
Home to Haunt has been published by Harper Collins and illustrated beautifully by Pankaj Saikia.
I give this "spooky" book two thumbs up and many sparkly stars. This is a perfect book to celebrate summer holidays with a boy and his bhoot friends.

Yesterday was World Book Day. The two librarians were busy at the libraries among books and children. It is like every day is a World Book Day for us or something 😁 Our summer camp is on right now. Children are discussing books, authors, discovering new book genres, new authors, different forms of writing. We are writing, we are doing book clubs, reader's theatre, read alouds and so much more. As we always say, children love to read when they have access to books, when they choose the books they want to read and when reading is a pleasure activity. Let us make library and book store visits a regular part of our child's life. Happy World Book Day, everyone! It is a happy day indeed!