Once upon a COVID time, there was a Mom (that’s me) and her daughter Madi. They learned to paint like Bob Ross, bake sourdough bread and create Asian-fusion meals. Running low on ideas, Madi got the great idea to turn a $40 dollhouse into a Free Little Library, something she knew I’d secretly yearned to do for some time.
When we picked up a very-loved three-story dollhouse made of particle board, the owners were curious what our plan was for it. Madi explained once we gave this dollhouse a proper wood exterior and roof it would become our neighborhood’s Free Little Library. A place where people could come to take out books and leave their own read treasures behind. The owners loved the idea so much, they not only gave us their dollhouse but said, “Here’s a huge bag of books to help fill up all the rooms of the dollhouse. It’s the least we can do.”
We got that dollhouse right home to clean her up and took all her measurements. With more trips to Lowes than we’d like to admit, and perhaps a few miscuts, all that was left to do was her doors. Doors neither of us had the talent to create, so another kind soul built us two plexiglass doors with a latch. With a fresh coat of paint and some artistic touches, we carried her out to her final destination beside our mailbox.
Once filled to the brim with books, people of all ages came. With COVID in full swing, and the library being outside, it made for a safe activity for families. It became part of their COVID routine. Nap times began with picking out a book. Families took after dinner walks to return yesterday’s read and get a new one. My personal favorites were the bedtime visits. Kids in pjs, with their blankies and bottles in tow, carefully choosing their special bedtime stories.
Time passed and so did COVID. People thankfully got back to work, kids went back to school, and the Free Little Library continued to stand her post at our driveways end. Seasons changed- weather came and went, as did the library. No matter how we tried to protect her, the weather and bugs seeped into her cracks and crevices. Her walls began to sag and doors would no longer shut. Worried she would collapse, we sadly took her down.
While I was cleaning up the empty space left behind, I wondered if replacing her was necessary. After all, life had mostly gotten back to “normal.” But then, just a few hours later, I witnessed a group of girls on bikes stop at my mailbox and looked bewildered. Then they noticed the library in pieces beside our trash can. Their mom came down the street and clearly a big discussion was underway. The girls were attempting to balance the doors of our dismantled library on their bike seats.
I stepped outside and explained why we had no choice but to take her down. They said how sad they were, and how they loved visiting the last two-plus years and would really miss the library. Their mom asked if it would be okay if the girls took home her doors and rebuilt her. As I watched these girls carefully haul away the doors, I knew what I needed to do.
The next Free Little Library (FLL) needed to withstand weather. My online searches produced FLL’s much smaller than our original, which just seemed foolish. I noticed people repurposed file cabinets into FLL, but it seemed like a lot of work that might eventually rust and most importantly, my daughter no longer had free time. I posted on my social media pages for a handy-person willing and able to be paid to make our next FLL. Weeks went by and the space beside the mailbox remained empty.
One day, a neighbor and her two sons stopped to ask about the status of the FLL. I explained the current state of desperate affairs and how I was losing hope. She said, “I think I know someone who can help you.”
Fast forward one month, and I am now the proud owner of a brand new, custom built, sturdy and weather proofed FLL. The Free Little Library of Todmorden is again open for business, and she’s a beauty I tell you. And it is all possible because a young high schooler offered to build it with the help of his Pop Pop, father and younger brother. They refused to accept any compensation for any of their time or supplies. It was, simply put, a pure kind deed… and the Free Little Library lived happily ever after.
So when you are feeling low, which is pretty easy to do these days, be reassured there is hope. There are good people, some of which are part of the younger generation, who hold our future in their very talented and kind hands.
Moral: “You don’t need a cape to be a hero. You just need to care.” Kid President
A little thing you should know: It should be no surprise I have a Free Little Library-since I am a kindergarten teacher, Reading Consultant, and published children’s author. But I bet it is a surprise our sweet FLL actually resides on our neighbors property. Talk about kindness!