Summary
Miss Moore Thought Otherwise by Jan Pinborough (2013) is a picture book that tells the true story of Anne Carroll Moore, a pioneer of children’s libraries. Her story begins in the 1870’s, a time when libraries were for adults. She grew up in Maine, surrounded by seven brothers in a very supportive, active family. Her father read to them regularly and as she grew older she studied law at his office. She had hopes of venturing to a bigger city to pursue her dreams, but her parents’ sudden death from flu put her plans on hold. She helped raise her nieces and nephews until she heard of an opportunity to attend school for librarianship at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. She quickly adapted to life in New York and after graduation she began working at the Pratt Free Library. It was there that she was introduced to something brand new, a children’s library. It was a new idea, and she relished being able to share her love of books and reading, just like her father had done for her. Word spread quickly about the success of the children’s library and soon she was asked to be in charge of all of the children’s libraries in the New York City Public Library system. She visited all 36 libraries and soon had them up and running with a children’s section. One of her biggest challenges, however, was convincing librarians to trust children with books. Many of them did not want to let the children check them out. She came up with a pledge that they would recite before signing up for a library card. It was a promise to take good care of the book, and helped reassure librarians that children could be trusted. She recommended other changes such as encouraging storytelling, offering book lists to parents, offering reviews of children’s books, and encouraging publishers to publish more books for children. One of her greatest successes was the opening of the children’s library in the New York City Library in 1911. She designed a special room just for children. It had hands on items for them to explore, furniture that was built for their size, bright colored flooring and large windows with window seats. She invited musicians, storytellers, and authors such as Dr. Seuss. She organized reading clubs and worked closely with children that were learning English. Even after retirement she traveled around the country helping librarians create better children’s libraries.
Pinborough, J. (2013). Miss Moore thought otherwise. New York, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Miss Moore Thought Otherwise by Jan Pinborough (2013) is a picture book that tells the true story of Anne Carroll Moore, a pioneer of children’s libraries. Her story begins in the 1870’s, a time when libraries were for adults. She grew up in Maine, surrounded by seven brothers in a very supportive, active family. Her father read to them regularly and as she grew older she studied law at his office. She had hopes of venturing to a bigger city to pursue her dreams, but her parents’ sudden death from flu put her plans on hold. She helped raise her nieces and nephews until she heard of an opportunity to attend school for librarianship at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. She quickly adapted to life in New York and after graduation she began working at the Pratt Free Library. It was there that she was introduced to something brand new, a children’s library. It was a new idea, and she relished being able to share her love of books and reading, just like her father had done for her. Word spread quickly about the success of the children’s library and soon she was asked to be in charge of all of the children’s libraries in the New York City Public Library system. She visited all 36 libraries and soon had them up and running with a children’s section. One of her biggest challenges, however, was convincing librarians to trust children with books. Many of them did not want to let the children check them out. She came up with a pledge that they would recite before signing up for a library card. It was a promise to take good care of the book, and helped reassure librarians that children could be trusted. She recommended other changes such as encouraging storytelling, offering book lists to parents, offering reviews of children’s books, and encouraging publishers to publish more books for children. One of her greatest successes was the opening of the children’s library in the New York City Library in 1911. She designed a special room just for children. It had hands on items for them to explore, furniture that was built for their size, bright colored flooring and large windows with window seats. She invited musicians, storytellers, and authors such as Dr. Seuss. She organized reading clubs and worked closely with children that were learning English. Even after retirement she traveled around the country helping librarians create better children’s libraries.
Pinborough, J. (2013). Miss Moore thought otherwise. New York, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Impressions
I have great appreciation for how Jan Pinborough chose to tell the story of Anne Carroll Moore. It could have been a dry timeline of her major accomplishments in creating some of America's first children's libraries. Instead, she wrote a charming picture book that helps the reader understand Moore's passion for providing children with books, and developing child-friendly spaces in libraries. The reader gets the impression that she a very determined and kind person from childhood to retirement and beyond. This story may surprise young readers when they learn that at one time children were not allowed in libraries, and there were not many books written for children. It is an enjoyable and interesting picture book biography that would be fun to read with students in the library.
I have great appreciation for how Jan Pinborough chose to tell the story of Anne Carroll Moore. It could have been a dry timeline of her major accomplishments in creating some of America's first children's libraries. Instead, she wrote a charming picture book that helps the reader understand Moore's passion for providing children with books, and developing child-friendly spaces in libraries. The reader gets the impression that she a very determined and kind person from childhood to retirement and beyond. This story may surprise young readers when they learn that at one time children were not allowed in libraries, and there were not many books written for children. It is an enjoyable and interesting picture book biography that would be fun to read with students in the library.
Professional Review
Nowadays, Anne Carroll Moore is remembered as the fiercest of the library ladies whose influence on children's library service and publishing was both inspirational and --sometimes--intractable. But this easygoing picture book biography forgoes coverage of the more formidable aspects of Moore's personality, giving us instead a simple narrative of Moore's Maine childhood and early love of books on through to her career at the New York Public Library, where she created the innovative Central Children's Room for the library's new main building in 1911. With sun-dappled acrylic paintings of, first, rural Maine and, later, triumphantly, the light-filled interiors of the new Children's Room, the tone here is one of uncomplicated optimism, reflecting Moore's practical idealism. A bird's-eye view of Miss Moore setting off on her "retirement" travels spreading the gospel of children's librarianship across the land clearly places this apostle in the company of her (fictional) Maine sister, Miss Rumphius.
Sutton, R. (2013, March 27). [Review of the book Miss Moore thought otherwise, by J. Pinborough]. The Horn Book Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.hbook.com/2013/03/choosing-books/review-of-the-week/review-of-miss-moore-thought-otherwise/#_
Library Uses
Miss Moore made lasting changes in her community. Have students think of how other people make a difference in the community. Can they think of anyone in particular? What character traits would someone need to create important changes? Discuss why they think the author used the statement "Miss Moore Thought Otherwise". Also use the pictures to help students what life might have been like during the late 1800's and early 1900"s. What did Miss Moore do that was unexpected? Have students compare and contrast libraries during that time with libraries of today. Ask students about what ideas they may have for future libraries. What changes do they think would help children?
Miss Moore made lasting changes in her community. Have students think of how other people make a difference in the community. Can they think of anyone in particular? What character traits would someone need to create important changes? Discuss why they think the author used the statement "Miss Moore Thought Otherwise". Also use the pictures to help students what life might have been like during the late 1800's and early 1900"s. What did Miss Moore do that was unexpected? Have students compare and contrast libraries during that time with libraries of today. Ask students about what ideas they may have for future libraries. What changes do they think would help children?
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