Book Chat with Megan Hartley

May 25

Megan Hartley the brains behind the Instagram account @Ihaveabook4that, describes herself as a book mom, book nerd, and a reading teacher.

Growing up Megan didn't read many books with characters who looked like her. And now she’s on a mission to change that. Today, Megan helps people find diverse books for all of life’s moments no matter how big, small, or silly.

In this episode, Megan and I discuss:

Where Megan’s passion for books came from.
Megan’s favourite book that she likes to use in the classroom and what literacy skills she teaches with that particular book.
Some trends she saw in picture books specifically in 2021 that she would like to see continue in 2022.
The need for diverse picture books and when she first saw herself in a book and how that impacted her.
3 things Megan looks for in a great children's picture book and middle-grade book.

Welcome everyone, to another episode of the My Literacy Space podcast. Today I'm talking with my friend Megan, from @ihaveabook4that. Welcome, Megan.

Megan:

Hi, Hanna. Thank you for having me.

Hanna:

I'm really excited to chat with you. We met two years ago I think, as one of the judges for the books to [gain 00:00:20], best of 2020 list. And then last year, we worked on 2021 together. And that was just such a great community of talking about books, and really thinking... I think I've grown a lot in the last two years, of learning how to think more critically about books.

Megan:

Absolutely.

Hanna:

And you've been one of the people that has really helped me, thinking about different things that maybe I haven't thought about it in that way before. Or seeing books that you post. I'm like, oh. That matches a value that I have. Or I want to be able to bring out that point that you write about really great, in some of your posts. So I think that's great, to have those people in your life that you can bounce ideas off of. And I know I've asked you questions about specific things before too. So you are a classroom teacher. But why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself? And maybe why are you so passionate about maybe picture books, or middle grade? What's your favorite genre?

Megan:

Yeah. So I am a teacher. I previously taught elementary school. So I taught third and fourth, for several years. Now I teach middle school, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. So my students, I call them growing readers because they need a little bit more help with reading. A lot of people call them struggling readers, but I don't prefer that term. I like to call them growing.

Hanna:

I agree. Yes.

Megan:

And one day I would like to go to high school, and still teach growing readers at that level. I have been an avid reader and book lover, my whole life. Because, my dad was a huge book lover and a reader. My mom, not so much. But I started this account specifically, and focused on diverse books because, I wanted books that I wished I had as a kid. And I wanted parents and caregivers and teachers and everyone, to be able to find those books that I needed as a child. I tell this story often. But when I was little, I thought that Arthur The Aardvark and the Berenstain Bears, I thought they were black people. Even though I knew they were animals, I just thought, oh. They're supposed to be black.

Hanna:

Right.

Megan:

Which is sad now, when I think back about it. Because I didn't have many books, if any at all, with characters that look like me.

Hanna:

Right.

Megan:

So now, we're seeing a whole lot more of that. So I love that for my son, and for my students. And for just all kids, not just black or brown kids.

Hanna:

Right.

Megan:

I think everyone should see that in books.

Hanna:

Do you remember the first book that you opened a page and you were like, brown skin? Or black skin. One that just, you recognized your family or yourself in the pages. Do you remember what that first book might have been?

Megan:

Well, the first moment... It actually wasn't a book at the time. And it was either 2018 or 2019. It's funny you talk about 2020 and I'm like, last year was 2020. What is time now? So I don't remember the year, but it wasn't that long ago. I was at the movies with my family. So it was pre-COVID. And a short film for Hair Love came on, and I was just amazed and teary-eyed. Because the dad and the mom and the little girl, looked like me. And I had not seen anything like that, especially talking about hair, ever. And I just loved it. It comes up with my Timehop all the time, when I shared about it on Facebook. And then later, I saw the book at a book fair. And I was like, I have to have this book.

Hanna:

It's gorgeous. I love that book. In fact, one of my students actually gifted that book to me. And she said, this is a book that I think you would really love. And I had actually, originally seen it on your Instagram. And it had been on my to be read list. And then, she brings this book. And she's like, I know that you want to have diverse picture books on your bookshelf. And this one... That was so cool to just... They know. Kids know. They're picking it up already.

Megan:

Yeah.

Hanna:

They know that you're for them, that they support them. So I think that, that's a really special moment to have those times where you recognize yourself. And your students or kids that you're working with, or your own children, start to see themselves. And recognize how valuable and important that is.

Hanna:

When you're working with kids in your classroom... And you said that you're working with growing readers. So what kinds of literacy skills... When they're in those upper grades... Most of mine are K to grade four. So those upper grades, what kinds of skills are you able to bring? And maybe, what is a favorite book that you love to work on some literacy skills with them? Because, I know that a lot of my audience really wants to hear. What about kids that are in middle school? And in Canada, we call it junior high as well. So what kind of books and concepts do you love working on?

Megan:

Yeah. Some people say junior high here. That's an antiquated term that some people still use.

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

A lot of people think that I teach students how to read. I do not do that. I think you are amazing. I know a little bit of how to do that, but not my thing.

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

So my students have to be able to read, decode words. But they struggle to comprehend what they're reading. So I help them with the comprehension piece. One of my favorite skills that we actually just worked on is, figurative language. Idioms, personification. I love that.

Megan:

And I teach a lot of students who speak English as a second or third or fourth, or other language. English isn't their first language. So figurative language is a lot more challenging for them, because it's different. I mean, it's hard to -

Hanna:

Well they haven't heard it orally, right? Oral language, that's not part of their language as a first language. So you're right. It can be really tricky.

Megan:

Exactly.

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

So when I was a new teacher, I would avoid using figurative language. Because, I thought I was doing them a favor. And I later learned that I was actually hindering them. Because they need to hear it used in everyday language, to get that practice.

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

So the reason I liked figurative language is because, the books I like to use for figurative language, I think are my favorite. I love The Little Red Hen.

Hanna:

Yes.

Megan:

And I think the original book is called The Little Red Hen.

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

Don't quote me on that.

Hanna:

Yep. You're right. Yeah.

Megan:

It has the same concept. The Little Red Hen is grading papers, and needs help. But nobody wants to help. So The Little Red Hen making a dinner. I don't remember that book very well.

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

And nobody would help, but everybody wanted to eat.

Hanna:

Right.

Megan:

So that changed the concept. And I do picture books with my middle schoolers.

Hanna:

Love it.

Megan:

A lot of people think that they're too old, but I disagree.

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

And we have a lot of good discussions around picture books. And when we're talking about personification, later they'll say, oh. It's just like this hen in the book.

Hanna:

Right.

Megan:

They make that connection back to it. And I like to use, Everything But the Kitchen Sink. Do you know that book?

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

I went on to order that for my friend, and it's $40. But I think that might be an older book, that I've had for a long time.

Hanna:

Right. Yeah. Sometimes if they're not either in print anymore or they're just low on the priority of getting that book out, it seems like the price all of a sudden for some of those textbooks or books or picture books, whatever. Just outrageous.

Hanna:

Somebody will say, do you have a link for that? And I'll send them the link. And they'll be like, sorry. It says it's $83. And you're like...

Megan:

Yeah.

Hanna:

Go to your public library. Hopefully if it's earlier than 2000... There's some still really fantastic books, that are really great for things like that. For personification or idioms, and things like that. And it's great to find some of those, when you can't find it in a brand new book.

Hanna:

How have you seen the shift over however many years, you've really loved picture books? What are some of the major changes that you've seen happening, that you love? And maybe even going forward, some that you would really love to keep on keeping up? The way that books have evolved.

Megan:

One thing I've definitely noticed, especially as I look back at older books versus books now that have brown or black characters is, a lot more of black and brown authors and illustrators. Whereas before, we would see some black and brown characters, but the authors were white. Or not black, or brown. And same with the illustrators. So I've noticed that there are a lot more authors and illustrators being highlighted, who are black. Which I love. I hope that continues.

Megan:

And there's a lot more... This word, I learned from you. Incidental representation happening in books, which I'm loving. I hope that continues. Because I remember my principal asked me one time, what I wanted to see in the library. And I was like, we need more books with characters that look like our students. And books where the characters are not slaves. Because, all of our books... Or enslaved. I'm trying to take slave out of my vocabulary.

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

So I was telling her, all the books we have now with black people, the characters are enslaved.

Hanna:

Right.

Megan:

And kids need to see people who look like them, being happy and joyful.

Hanna:

Right.

Megan:

So I feel like, I've seen a lot more of that. I hope that continues to keep happening in years to come.

Hanna:

Yeah. I agree. And I think... So February is Black History Month. And you did a fantastic job, just posts and posts of really thoughtful, even provocative kinds of posts. Where you're really challenging people who are coming to your Instagram about, why are you choosing these books? This is why you need to choose books about black joy. And the hashtags that you suggested that we use.

Hanna:

So what are some of the hashtags that we can go... Or even some of your favorite posts, that maybe people can come to your Instagram and say, this is where you've either put compilations together, or if you... I know that you did some lives with people. What were some of the authors that you did lives with? I wasn't able to catch all of them, but I know you chatted with Anne Winters.

Megan:

Yes. I love her.

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

I don't know if people should watch that one, because I was totally fangirling. Imagine seeing your favorite singer or your favorite actor or actress. Or whomever. And how you would act. That was me, with Anne Winter. And my students think I'm so silly because I'm like, I met this author y'all. And I was so excited. And they're just like, what is wrong with you?

Megan:

So I was having a really hard time with her. So that one was awful. I didn't even want to post the replay. So I met with Anne Winter, Brittany Mazique. She wrote Delphine Denise, and the Mardi Gras Prize. On the live, I said the title wrong the whole time.

Hanna:

Oh.

Megan:

Clearly, she needs to change the title. She goes, that's what it should be.

Hanna:

That's a really great book. That's a good one.

Megan:

Yeah. I love that book. I kept saying grade, instead of prize. And then afterwards I was like, oh my gosh. And she never corrected me. She's so sweet.

Megan:

And I met with Sharon M. Draper. I love her as well. But that one wasn't live. We did a Zoom, and then I just shared the replay. So I was fangirling with that one as well, but it felt like less pressure I guess. I don't know.

Hanna:

Right. So those are some really great conversations that I enjoyed as well. Just seeing black joy, even on the screen. Even just watching and listening to what you loved about their books. And the content that was in it, is just really... I think everybody needs to just see that. Because, you're right. We tend to think of Black History Month in February or sharing about black history, as sharing about enslavement. And sharing the hardships. That is really important. Because, we have to know the history of why there's systemic racism. We have to understand these pieces to it.

Hanna:

But I love that... That was something new to me, was understanding we also have to have books all the way through the year, about black joy. That are showing everyday things that you're doing. Because, that's living. That's the living part of what's happening right now. So that's something that chatting with you, has been over and over in my mind, about just including that all the way through. Everybody needs to just see that, all the time.

Hanna:

Let's talk about some trends then, that we think... Coming up, are there any books that you're really excited about? That you know, that are being published in the next few months?

Megan:

Oh my goodness. How much time do you have?

Hanna:

I know.

Megan:

I'm excited. I get a lot of books early, because publishers want to get the [crosstalk 00:12:15].

Hanna:

Right.

Megan:

So some of them might already be out. I'm going to try to keep them straight in my mind.

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

Girl dad, is one that I'm really excited about. I'm pretty sure that's not out yet. Because, my dad was a girl dad. And I see my dad in that book. So I'm excited for that one.

Megan:

Me, mama and mommy in the middle.

Hanna:

Yes.

Megan:

I just got the title mixed around a little bit, but that book is so beautiful. That one comes out later in March. I'm excited for that one. I'm really excited for On Her Wings: The Story Of Toni Morrison. She is amazing. She's an adult author.

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

She's passed away now. She's so beautiful. Amazing writer. So I love that there's going to be a picture book about her. Because I feel like, a lot of kids don't know who she is.

Hanna:

Yeah. Absolutely.

Megan:

She's amazing. So I'm excited about that one. So many books. I have such a long list of books [inaudible 00:13:04].

Hanna:

That's excellent. I haven't heard about the last one, about Toni Morrison. So I'm excited about seeing that -

Megan:

On Her Wings, is what it's called.

Hanna:

On Her Wings. Okay. I'm excited to see that one. Okay. So let's talk then, a little bit about diverse picture books. It shouldn't be shocking, but I guess it surprised me a few minutes ago when you said the first time you saw yourself on the pages of a book, was... Really, that's only three or four years ago.

Megan:

Yeah. When I think about that too, I'm like, wow. That's sad. Shocking. All the things.

Hanna:

Yeah. So how can we... That's a moment where I just... I don't experience that. So what is the need then? I mean obviously, there's a huge need for including diverse picture books on our bookshelves all the time. Maybe what are some reasons that you feel as a black person, why is that so important for kids? Not as an adult... It was when you were an adult, that you saw that. Why is that important for little kids?

Megan:

Well I feel like if kids only see one view on their bookshelves or on anything, they start to think that's it in the world. So for example, my mom saves everything. And there was a card that she got when my sister was born, like congratulations. And I said, but the baby on this card is white. How come the baby's white? And my sister's 41, so this is a long time ago. So she was like, well back then all the cards just had white babies. And now, that's starting to change. Cards are starting to have different races on them. So as far as the bookshelves... I feel like Kwame Alexander said it one time that, your bookshelves should be representational of the world around you.

Hanna:

Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Megan:

And if you don't see other races around you, then you probably need to switch up your friend group.

Megan:

A friend of mine on Instagram, she did a check of her bookshelves. And she noticed that it was mostly white, and mostly animals. So even she said, I need to change this. My kids... Her kids are white. But she even said, they need to see black people and Latina people and Asian people. And just all kinds of people, besides white people.

Megan:

And I feel like growing up, I only saw white people in books.

Hanna:

Right.

Megan:

Most of the books I read, had white people or animals.

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

And I guess, I just got so used to books being that way. And even now when I'm reading a book that doesn't have pictures, in my mind, I'm picturing them as white people.

Hanna:

Right.

Megan:

And that's something that I'm working so hard to undo. That's still -

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

And I'll say to myself, why do you think this person is white? Why are you doing that?

Hanna:

Right.

Megan:

So I'm working very hard on trying to reverse it all.

Hanna:

Right. Your point is, exactly... When that's what you see, when that's the dominant culture, that's the dominant thing that you're seeing, you start to internalize a lot of that. And I could see why you would be... Not necessarily intentionally, but it's just the norm. Which, I want to shift that. I want to shift that with the kids I'm working with. Because even during Black History Month, I had my whole front-facing shelves in one of my tutoring rooms, all full of pictures with brown kids. Black faces. All sorts of beautiful people. And they kept coming in.

Hanna:

And I could tell that they were surprised. It was something they had not seen. Three massive shelves, full of black people. Full of brown-skinned people.

Hanna:

And I had said to them, go ahead and pick a book. And a couple of them would just... Okay. And grab one. And I'd be like, oh. And we'd just talk about, were you surprised? Yes. I've never seen so many books like that. And I was like, right. That's the point. The point is, not just in February. But it's also the point of, let's start with that. If that's where people need to start, let's start with that.

Megan:

Yeah.

Hanna:

And then, let's continue it throughout. So I think that there's some really great books that have made a huge impact on me, and really supported some of the kids that I've been working. So when we go forward then, how do we use a book? As a white person myself, sometimes I'm not sure how to use a book. And I don't know the history. I know for myself, a lot of the books that are coming out and that I've seen shared around, are about American people as well. So I'm really trying to find some books about black people that are from Canada. And Kelly from Inclusive Story Time and...

Megan:

Suzanne Hall?

Hanna:

Yes. Suzanne Hall. They put together a really fantastic list, and a really great blog post that has been helping. Because that is missing from Canadian history, is finding those books. So how do we integrate those, into different subject matters? Are you thinking... Is it finding famous people who are inventors, and talking about them in our science? And talking about people like Shirley Chisholm that we can think about, writing about a good speech. Talking about that. What are some other ways that we can integrate books like that, on a daily basis, weekly basis in our classrooms? Or with our own children.

Megan:

Yeah. So I know a lot of teachers send newsletters or send it in whatever format, to tell parents what they're learning. So you could use that, and try to tie in books. So for example, I taught Accidental Inventions one year. So then, I pulled in picture books that had accidental inventions from black people. So one that's really popular is, Whoosh. I don't know if it's swoosh, or Whoosh. But it's the book about the guy who invented the water soaker. Water -

Hanna:

Oh, okay. Yeah.

Megan:

Yeah. And the cover is just so inviting. The kids love the cover. So that was just a way for kids to learn about another black person that a lot of people don't know about him.

Hanna:

Right.

Megan:

So I try to tie in books that way. My sixth graders were reading... The reading unit that I use, has really exciting and informative passages. They're not just boring -

Hanna:

Right. Yeah.

Megan:

So right now, we're learning about conserving water. So I've been thinking about The Water Protector, and Nibi's Water Song. And just all these different books with lots of different races, not just black.

Hanna:

Right.

Megan:

That I've bringing in to read to them, that just tie into what we're learning. And they can make the connection that way.

Hanna:

That's awesome.

Megan:

[crosstalk 00:19:24] my son. He was learning about The Great Depression, and I read a book about Great Depression. And I was like, oh. I need to read this to my son. So just try to stay in tune with what they're learning, and sneak some stuff in that way. Bedtime stories is another -

Hanna:

Yeah. I was thinking about the bedtime stories too. And I love the Accidental Invention. That's a cool concept. Because that could be a lot of different people, that you're researching.

Megan:

There are so many.

Hanna:

Yeah. That's a good theme. I like that one. Okay. So you have... Your son is in middle grade?

Megan:

He's in fifth grade now. So technically, yeah. Middle grade's four to eight.

Hanna:

Okay. So how do we connect with some older kids when we're reading? Does he still love, maybe not a bedtime story. Maybe he does. But how do you connect with books, with your own children?

Megan:

So my son does love bedtime stories. It's funny because the pest control guy was here, spraying to prevent bugs.

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

And I said, hey, Mason. Do you want to do this book for our next bedtime story? And he was like, no. I don't need a bedtime story. I'm too old. And I'm like, what? Inside. And then he whispers to me, I'm just kidding. I don't want that guy to know that I get a bedtime story. And I'm like, it's okay that you still get a bedtime story.

Hanna:

Absolutely.

Megan:

I read to daddy at bedtime, all the time. And he's super old. So yes. Long way to say yes. He still gets a bedtime story.

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

So we do picture books sometimes. We're going to start a graphic novel soon. He's really into graphic novel. So I am getting more into graphic novels. So I connect with him that way, because he loves them. I'm learning to love them. So I read those at bedtime, to him. And a couple years ago, maybe last year or the year before, for Black History Month, I read a different non-fiction book every night about a different black person. So that was really fun. And he got to learn a lot, and ask me lots of questions. Yes. The answer is yes. We still do a bedtime story.

Hanna:

Yes. We did read alouds with our kids, even when they were in junior high as well. So middle grade, four, five, six. Whatever. I think they were grade seven or eight, when we... It just started dwindling down, not on purpose. But we were just doing more things in the evenings, I think.

Hanna:

I think they were five and six, and we read The Hobbit to them. We read all the Lord Of The Rings books. We read Narnia books. I don't know. We read tons of chapter books.

Hanna:

And a lot of it, they just would sit and color or they would have a snack. And we just read. Right into junior high. They loved it. And in fact, when the pandemic started, we joked that maybe we should start mom's read-alouds on Zoom. And we would just meet... Because, my kids are adults now. And we're just laughing like, we should meet one night on Zoom and I'll just start reading. Because, we were trying to pass the time. And we were all isolated in our homes. So we thought, maybe we should just start it up. I mean, isn't that what an audiobook is?

Megan:

Absolutely.

Hanna:

It's just like a read-aloud.

Megan:

Yeah. I like that.

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

Everyone listens to audio books, or almost everyone. So you're never too old.

Hanna:

No, I think lots of people... Okay. So let's talk about middle grade novels. Because, that's not a genre that I... My students are younger. I do love them. I have a few favorites that I go to, when we're doing a bigger study on something. But what are some of your favorite middle grade novel?

Megan:

That's always a hard question. I love so many of them. So I guess, I'll start with Sharon M. Draper. I love her. I think her books reconnected me with middle grade. A couple years ago during the pandemic, I was reading... Or when the pandemic first started. I say during the pandemic, it's still -

Hanna:

I know. It's still in the... Yeah.

Megan:

At the onset of the pandemic, I started to read a lot more. Because, I had nothing else to do. So I read one of Sharon Draper's books, and I was just in love with it. So then, I started reading a lot more middle grade. So I love Blended, by her. Out Of My Mind and Out Of My Heart, are sequels. One first, and then a sequel.

Megan:

From The Desk Of Zoe Washington, is a good one. Root Magic is a book that's set here, where I live. So that's another mirror for me. I get so excited to see my home in a book. So I love that book.

Hanna:

And what's Root Magic about? I think I'd recognize the cover, if I saw it. What's that one about?

Megan:

It's about the Gullah Geechee culture, and the root magic they do. My family's not from here, so we aren't a part of the Gullah Geechee culture. So I don't really know a whole lot about it. But people say it's witchcraft, which it's not. It's just their culture, I guess. I don't know how to describe it well.

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

They make different elixirs and potions, to keep ghosts away or hags. Have you heard of a Boo Hag?

Hanna:

No. What is that?

Megan:

No? This used to scare me when I was a kid. But a hag will like hold you down at night, and you can't move. So there's different things... Like put salt out in front of your door, to keep that from happening.

Hanna:

Okay.

Megan:

It's a scary nook, but it's really good. So I read that one.

Hanna:

Is it a superstition? Or it's... Is that how you would explain it, or no?

Megan:

I would say, it's a superstition.

Hanna:

Okay.

Megan:

Gullah Geechee people might get mad at me, if they knew I said that.

Hanna:

Oh, okay. So it's cultural.

Megan:

Yeah. It's cultural.

Hanna:

Okay. Got it.

Megan:

Tell my friends, don't hate me. I'll have to ask some of my friends. But I love Twins. It's a graphic novel. Do you know that book?

Hanna:

Nope.

Megan:

I'm getting more into graphic novels lately. And I also fell in love with novels [inverse 00:24:46], recently. So I've been reading some of those. Red, White And Whole is a good one. There's another one that I love, but the title's escaping me. But it's about families being separated at the border, which is a very current thing. It's a heartbreaking story, but it's important to read. People need to be aware that, that's happening. I hate that I can't think of the title. But that's a good book. That's [crosstalk 00:25:11] favorite middle grade books. And the Front Desk Series. How do I forget Kelly Yang?

Hanna:

Okay. I was trying to think of the name of that one, but I couldn't remember the author. Okay. So I had started that one, and then things shifted. And I never finished it. So give a little synopsis of that one.

Megan:

Have you read just the first one, or all three?

Hanna:

No. I just started the very first one. And then...

Megan:

The first one?

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

All right. So I won't spoil anything for anyone. So Front Desk, is based on her own childhood. Mia Tang is the main character. Her and her parents migrate to the US, hoping for a better life. The American dream that is talked about all the time. They think they're going to be rich, but they get here and realize that's not the case. There's a lot of racism against Asians. And it's set in the eighties or nineties, so it's historical fiction. Sorry, my alarm just went off.

Megan:

And her parents start working at a hotel. And they're treated horribly by the owner. So, so horribly. But eventually they... That might be a spoiler. Nevermind. And there's another... So Mia Tang is Chinese. And there's a Chinese kid in her school. But even he is racist towards her, because he is what they call ABC. I think there's a book with this title. American Born Chinese.

Hanna:

Okay.

Megan:

And she is not. So he speaks down to her, and is mean to her. But it's very enlightening.

Hanna:

And that's a series as well, right?

Megan:

Yes. The author's note in the back, is amazing. You have to read the author's note. I think I was crying at the end. But it's so good.

Hanna:

Oh. Those are great middle grade novel. Because I know that, that's... I'll always have people asking, do you have books? And I don't always have picture books, forwards or backwards. But I don't always have a ton of maybe more recent, picture books. Or middle grade novels. So that's good to have some lists like that. Do you then... When you're reading with your son, do you have a routine that you've created that makes it enjoyable for him?

Megan:

Yeah. We just read at bedtime. So he does shower, and then change. And then he has some more time to play. And then we go up at bedtime, and I read. And then I tuck him in. We call it, make it a burrito. So I tuck him in really good, where he is wrapped in tight and can't get out. And then kiss, kiss. And then I go to bed.

Hanna:

Do you do libraries with him? Does he pick a book from a library? Or are you more of, buy it?

Megan:

A public library?

Hanna:

Yeah.

Megan:

So I have a book buying problem, and a book hoarding problem. I like to own books. We don't go a lot during the school year. Because he has school, and I'm working.

Hanna:

Right.

Megan:

But in the summer, we do turn the page Tuesday. So we go to the library every Tuesday, and we get to pick books.

Hanna:

I love that. When my kids were little, we each had a library card so that we could take out the max amount of books. And we would just have massive bins. And we would have a whole system. This is the bin then, for finished books. And they had to stay in the one spot, in the living room. But we would just... I'm sure sometimes they were thinking, really? Do you actually read a hundred books, every two or three weeks? And we'd be like, yes. Yes we do. And some of them were -

Megan:

And the library can get rid of late fines. So I'm like, yes.

Hanna:

Oh.

Megan:

I have so much late fines.

Hanna:

Yes. We would have late fines as well. Because there would be some that were just so much of a favorite, that we would... Just one more day, mom. Just one more day. Fine. Okay. They actually ended up having a read-a-thon kind of a thing, where you could read away your fines. And one day, all four of us in our family had to go and read for an entire hour, because we had a big fine.

Hanna:

So, yes. I would appreciate if they would take away some of those things. Because, that's a hindrance. It's an obstacle for... We even used to have to pay a yearly fee for library cards. And now, they've taken that away.

Hanna:

Yeah. So I think some of those pieces, have been a real accessibility obstacle. If you can't go get a book for free and pick up a book or a magazine, or some of those kinds of things. Now, they've got CDs and DVDs. And all the kinds of things that you can borrow. So I think that, that's made books more accessible.

Hanna:

Okay. I just have loved chatting with you. I'm going to make sure all of those books are in the show notes, because those will be books that people will ask for lists. But thank you for spending some time with me. And again, if you want to go and check out Megan... You have two Instagram accounts, right? I Have A Book 4 That. And then, your middle grade one is?

Megan:

So I Have A Book 4 That is, board books, picture books, and middle grade. And then, Megan Stay Reading is YA and adult books.

Hanna:

Okay. Right. YA and adult. Okay. Excellent. I'll make sure that, that is in the show notes. But thank you again for spending some time with me. And have a good rest of your -

Megan:

You too.

Hanna:

All right. Take care.

Megan:

Bye.

Connect with Megan:

@ihaveabook4that

Book Recommendations

The Little Red Pen

Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3Go2B0I

Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3sYTlKG