Facebook friends formed a tag team this week and have taken me back to talk about an old book instead of a new one. Who would have thought that the 125thanniversary of the New York Public Library would have such significance for a country girl from Mississippi? My daughter-in-law was the first to tag me early in the morning to notice that the NYPL had put out a press release with their ten most checked out books for that 125 years. It has been checked out 485,583 times.
At first glance, I saw that The Snowy Day came in first in children’s books, which would have been a significant feat, but then I looked closer and saw that it was first of all the books that had been checked out. Even I was amazed. For the rest of the day, different friends saw the item and tagged me to be sure I didn’t miss it. If you are not aware by now of my obsession with Keats and his work, you probably have not talked to me often or examined my website at www.virginiamcgeebutler.com.
There may be as many explanations of the popularity of this book as there are people who read it. As the first picture book with an African American protagonist to win a major award, I have heard more than one African American writer or illustrator say this book was the first time they saw someone like themselves in a picture book. At the same time, I think of the children in my kindergarten classes who were Asian, Latinx, white, and blended who also saw themselves in Peter. Somehow, he feels like every kid who goes out to play in the snow.
For the full story, you can follow the link at http://bit.ly/380cSgT. In honor of this achievement, The Snowy Day will be on a special edition New York Public Library card and an MTA Metrocard.
These perks almost make me wish I lived in the Big Apple. However, even in the rural part of Lamar County, MS, I have done my part. When you enter my house, you can’t miss my tribute to the most checked out book in the NYPL. You don’t even need a card, just lift it from the basket, and pull up the nearby chair to enjoy it.
