Here's August's "Meet a Reader," the monthly feature that also appears on the Book Page of the Catholic Post.
If you have a suggestion of someone that would be a good subject for a future "Meet a Reader" column, please leave a comment!
Who: Sylvia Standaert, librarian, Our Lady of Grace Academy (formerly St. Anne School), East Moline
I was born with Cerebral Palsy but because of my parents’ dedication and my determination and tenacity, it has never deterred me from reaching my goals. I have worked in a Pre-school-8th grade school library (Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy formerly St. Anne School) for 43 years. The kids keep me going. I have two older brothers, Gene and Jim, and enjoy their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. My hobbies include collecting Longaberger baskets, reading, shopping and travel. I have visited 46 states and 14 countries.
Why do you love reading?
I have read voraciously since the first day I could read. It might have stemmed from the fact that it was something I could do despite my handicap, but I can't imagine being without a book. Books can take you anyplace you want to go, and make you feel like you are part of the characters’ lives. Books can teach you anything you want to learn about any subject imaginable.
What is your favorite book?
My favorite book is The Bears Visit the Library, a book I wrote and my niece/godchild Michele illustrated. (Michele is an artist in Arizona). The Bears Visit the Library is based on a program I do each year with the kindergarten class at our school. When we started the kindergarten at the school, I thought using my extensive collection of teddy bears could be a great way to relay the importance of reading and using the library to a group of very inquisitive five-year-olds. I usually start my bear curriculum in January, about the time the kindergarten teacher is doing something with polar bears. As the school year progresses, brown bears appear, as do holiday, gardening and sports bears.
What are you currently reading? Mysteries are my favorite genre. I just finished a Charlotte LaRue Mystery "Death Tidies Up by Barbara Coley. Charlotte has a maid service and keeps finding dead bodies in unusual places. I love the Abby and Ophelia mystery series by Shirley Damsgaard, including the latest in the series, “The Seventh Witch.” Ophelia is a small town librarian, and she and her grandmother Abby have some very "magickal" powers. Other favorite authors include Joanne Fluke, Mary Higgins Clark, Nicholas Sparks, Nora Roberts and John Grisham.
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