On Sunday my twins will turn 12
If they were at school
This week would be their last in primary education
Because they were born 3 months premature
They started school according to their due date
Rather than their date of birth

Looking at them now
I know that was the right decision
While William is academically gifted
He struggles physically and emotionally
He does not look like a Year 6 boy

While Esther very much looks ready for KS3
She struggles academically
They would both find secondary school challenging
And I am very glad that we will be continuing
To educate them at home

I think if they were heading off to ‘big school’
They are both the kind of children
That would find solace and comfort
A place to hide and feel safe
In the library

I know that they would both feel strongly
About their school having a library
And about books being available
For all children to discover and read

The walls of our house are lined with books
We pretty much live in a library
I know that we are blessed
To be surrounded by books
I know that our children having access to books
Has made them all avid readers
And lovers of stories, poems and information

The two books I am sharing today
Are about the importance of libraries
For schools, families and communities
For children

They are both books about finding your voice
Making yourself heard and
Standing up for what you believe in
These are books about believing
You can make a difference
And taking action

Hetty and The Battle of the Books
Is a story of friendship
A story that shines a light
On the value of school libraries
A story that shows readers
That libraries are so much more
Than a collection of books
A story that shows readers
The power and magic in libraries
And why they matter

Hetty and her friends
Have had a misunderstanding
Since starting secondary school
But they come together
To campaign to save the school library
And the lovely librarian
Together they use their unique talents and qualities
To make a stand

This is brilliantly written by Anna James
Fan’s of Pages & Co
Will recognise nods to book magic and bookwandering
And to Anna herself
Alice and Anne are mentioned which made me smile
This is a wonderful book
Accessible to all readers
Fun to read aloud
A joy for all those who believe
In the power and necessity of libraries
The illustrations by Jez Tuya
Really bring the characters and story to life

We Want Our Books
By Jake Alexander
Is another passionate ode to
And stand for public libraries
This is a story about a community coming together
To save their library
Inspired by one little girl
Who believes that she just might be able to make a difference

Rosa is bored
Her Dad suggests she heads to the library
But the library is closed
Rosa and her sister decide to protest
They make signs and make a stand
The two of them together take action
But it is not enough
They try different ways of
Getting attention
And making their voices heard
The two girls refuse to give up
Their parents support them in their activism
And it is not long before more people show up too
Together we are stronger
Together we have the power to change the world
To save a library