A Book for Every Reader

I’m Gwen, the author of Gertie’s Book Blog, a place for book recommendations for kids, teens, and their grown-ups. I’m a reader, writer, public library enthusiast, parent of not-so-littles, and former teacher. Gertie was my grandmother, and is the inspiration for the voice of Gertie’s Book Blog. I hope you find it as warm and wise and thoughtful about books and the kids who read them as she was. All artwork is by Christy Boyer.

Artwork by Christy Boyer

The Little Red Chair

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Welcome to the place where Gertie reads.

The little red chair waiting for books.

Books are places waiting to be visited and people waiting to be known. Books are a magic wardrobe, or a magic wand, or, sometimes, a magic mirror. Who is that waiting to be met? Who do you see there staring back at you? Sometimes it’s stranger, holding out their hand, saying “Come with me! Listen to me. Try to understand what I’m telling you.” And sometimes books are a chair to sit in, just for you. A quilt to wrap you up, warm and tight. A soothing cup of tea for your weary throat. It’s okay to rest, dear reader. And it’s okay if a book helps you fly. All a book asks, in the beginning, is that you open it. The little red chair is where the books live before they appear here on Gertie’s Blog. Every morning Gertie comes down the stairs and one of the first things she sees is this chair and the books on it. Gertie likes to read inside and out, before breakfast, lunch, tea, and supper. And sometimes after all of those, or even during. But books need a place to rest when we aren’t reading them. And that’s what the little red chair is for. It’s a special place for the books Gertie wants to talk to you about here. They deserve their own chosen and loved place to read. And so do you! Find a favorite place in your home where you and the books can sit together and get to know one another. It can also be a place away from home, like your local public library. Some people like to read in the passenger seat of a car, or on the bus going someplace, or the subway, or at a park under a tree. And lots of people like to read at bedtime, or with a favorite pillow or blanket. One of Gertie’s not-so-littles, has a special scarf they use that has big pockets, big enough for a chapter book on each side. The not-so-little wraps up in that scarf and reads. Think about where you like to read or where your grownup likes to read to you. That’s a good place to start your own stack of books to turn to.
Reading shawl where to buy:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reading-shawl-with-pockets-cream-giftcraft/1141486751

Finding books from the blog:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/

https://www.tatteredcover.com/

And your local public library