This weekend we attended Book-a-Mania at the downtown library. (See library? We still love you! We’re trying hard on our side, but a relationship is a two-way street you know.)

It was really a staggering program. There were so many activities, that we didn’t even scratch the surface. And every one of them was booked (get it?) to the gills with kids. Every activity was about a specific book, like a fancy crown for Fancy Nancy, a shark hat for Shark vs. Train, or cutting out snowflakes for The Snowy Day. There were costumed characters galore, and they weren’t the obvious ones either: Pippi Longstocking, Pat the Bunny, and Amelia Bedelia (among many others).

In fact, it was so big and so popular, that it was pretty hard to navigate! Things were all over in the library on many different floors. A lot of it was on the 9th floor, with only a couple of elevators to shuttle the thronging masses back and forth. It was so crowded that Evie had to push her way forward to get to the tables. (Parents, seriously? You needed a plastic, junky, pretend fish tank thing?)

You needed 7 stamps at events to get a free book. Evie would have enjoyed all the events, however, it was so difficult navigating around and so crowded, we were happy to get our stamps and run.

For me, the best part was the play. They did the story lines of a bunch of kids books, most of which we had read before. Evie really got a kick out of it (which was by no way certain, since she has freaked out the last few times we saw plays). When they did Duck for President she said, “Talking animals? Who’s ever heard of such a thing?” When they did Fancy Nancy, she said reverantly, “She’s beauuuuutiful!”

Overall it was really cool, but so crowded, it was not really worth the effort (especially when Evie starts to have a meltdown). I think it could have been much better organized. First off, 11 – 3 for an event featuring kids? This is about the worst possible time. You obliterate lunch time AND nap time. Bad move. Second off, it should have been easier to get around to the things. I don’t know how they could have managed that, but it was pretty tough.

And for the record? The downtown library has internal book drops. I’m just saying.