Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Children
Written by Jan Pinborough
Illustrated by Debby Atwell
I found this book by chance in the Women’s History Month display at our local library, and I’m so glad I did! It’s a sweet, encouraging story of Anne Carroll Moore, the librarian who changed the culture of libraries to be more accepting of children. She established our current practice of separate child-friendly library rooms, and her model spread around the world. Any young library lover will appreciate this book!
natasha’s rating: ★★★★★
I especially appreciated the way that the author, Jan Pinborough, explained how in Miss Moore’s time, girls were expected to sit quietly, learn embroidery, and become mothers or teachers, but, as the title says, Miss Moore thought otherwise, and her parents supported her. She wasn’t afraid to follow her passions and beliefs to change societal norms. Pinborough doesn’t harp on the ridiculousness of those norms, instead merely stating the facts, asserting that “Miss Moore thought otherwise,” and highlighting her accomplishments. This is a wonderful example for young girls!
eliana’s rating: ★★★★★
This was a very special book. I think it’s the most specialest one I ever read, and I need to write a book report about it! I liked it when Miss Moore changed the rules about children not being allowed to go to libraries. Children weren’t allowed to go to libraries in the first place, and libraries told kids not to touch the books because they might smear the pages or they might forget to bring the books back or they might break their spines. Miss Moore thought that was very sad because children SHOULD be allowed inside libraries. it was a silly rule that children couldn’t go in libraries or touch books, so she changed it. All kids should get to read books and learn whatever they like, even if they are boys or girls or boys who look like girls or girls who look like boys. It’s terrible that Miss Moore’s parents died from the flu. That’s why we get flu shots. I’m so glad Miss Moore changed that silly rule! Now we can go to the library and check out lots of books. She was an awesome woman. She was very kind. Is she still alive? I really want to meet her.
