Tales from Baby Book Baskets — literacy

   Back in the days before the Internet, people had to rely on each other for information.  As co-owner of a children’s-only bookstore, there were many opportunities for parents who frequented Once Upon A Time to share stories, tips and advice on parenting.  The store served as a kind of community center, as we held countless story hours, activity sessions and author/illustrator appearances. We even had a section of the store with books that were dedicated to special issues – these could be anything from adjusting to a new sibling, to potty training, to going from a crib to a...

  Life has a funny way of gently nudging us in different directions… When I was a junior in college, Margret Rey was appointed as a professor of creative writing at Brandeis University.  I knew she was the creator of the classic Curious George books and thought it would be fascinating to meet her. As an English major who was devoted to Creative Writing, I earned the honor of being chosen for an independent study with her.  That meant that every week, the three of us – Margret, her dog and I – would tuck ourselves away in her office...