Historical March 1988 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
If there is one thing one can say about the Kiosk, it is that it is small.
When people come into the Kiosk for the first time, there is the predictable reaction: “Oh, what a tiny little library!” Of course it is small and we have to depend on the reserve system and daily delivery since we cannot possibly have every kind of book.
But small places have a certain intimate and sharing atmosphere. Recently, Anne McCarthy phoned me and asked me to get the book, City of Joy, by Dominique LaPierre.
It arrived in the afternoon delivery and Anne picked it up that same day.
When she returned it about a week later, she recommended it highly and wanted Betty Renard to have a copy. I ordered it for Betty Renard and also for someone else who was in the Kiosk at the time. I got a copy of it myself and can say it is a book worth sharing, especially during Lent.
The City of Joy is in Calcutta, India. LaPierre found more “heroism, more love, more sharing and-ultimately more happiness than in many a city of the affluent.” Calcutta is the home of such saintly people as Mother Teresa as well as many others who would inspire us.
There is Stephen Kovalski, a Polish priest, a young American doctor, Max, who treats people with no financial resources, and a nurse who is an angel of mercy to countless children.
The author spent a month himself in a hovel in the City of Joy and learned first-hand what it is like to become a human horse by pulling a rickshaw and how to exist on six cents a day.
The second part of the book goes more and more into the unbelievable pain and suffering but in spite of this, hope comes through.
It is a very positive book as well as a spiritual book and would make good Lenten reading or anytime for that matter.
A book for older children about India is called Children of the Wolf by Jane Yolen.
It is based on a true story about two girls who were raised by wolves, then brought to an orphanage.
The girls were much more like animals than human beings.
They could not walk upright; they scratched, bit, howled, and preferred raw meat.
The strictness of the orphanage and the teasing of the other children was cruel and brought about a terrible fate.
It is a highly emotional story.
For the very young children, the books by Hoban will make children sensitive to color, texture, and shapes. Also there are many appealing ABC books at the Kiosk.
The classic Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown with appealing illustrations by Clement Hurd makes a perfect bedtime story book for young children.
This is a perfect season to share…one’s time, a favorite recipe with someone who cannot get out, or a special book.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, March 1988.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1988_03.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
