Confessions from a Modern Day Book Thief
I rescued a book a few weeks ago. A book that seemed too precious to be torn apart for an art project. You can read more about that incident below. The book is one I must have missed during my older daughter’s years. A sweet collection of fairy tales by Louise May Alcott. She wrote this when she was only sixteen. The stories are fable like and carry such light and wisdom in them. If you happen to have one of these in your library save it and pass it down. Who knows how much longer we will have books around . . . .
The Story: Confessions from a Modern Day Book Thief
I was at an event last month to raise funds for a wonderful organization that helps with fostering and adoption. At one of the craft tables guests were making bird houses using images from vintage books. I sat down with my daughter to help her assemble one, and then I realized to do so we would have to cut apart books. The books strewn on the table were a mix of obscure children’s books, and really lovely vintage ones with detailed artistry involved. I began to feel a sort of sickening pang at the thought of tearing these old relics up with scissors. There was one particular book that had gorgeous little vignettes painted on each page. I tried to hide it under the others but an over zealous dad kept resurrecting it with his big freckled hands. Finally I had to stop myself from giving him a lecture on why that book should be salvaged and not torn apart to dress a bird house that was just going to rot in some garden in Bel Air! I know, I’m the one that needs help here. After all it’s just a book. A book that is out of print and once destroyed will never be found again. A book that opens into a wonderful world of fairies, mermaids, elves, and magical kingdoms. A book that no longer has a place in this society. Or does it . . . I ended up smuggling the book. Yes, I stole the book! I stuffed it in my goodie bag of items that I would never use. . . but the book . . . well we read from it every night before bed. We visit the magical realm and praise the writer and illustrator for their imagination and devotion.
