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January 6, 2013 by Karen Jensen, MLS

Reflections: I dream of Paris

January 6, 2013 by Karen Jensen, MLS   4 comments

As I began my last class working on my MLS, I dreamed of going to Italy.  In fact, the plan was The Mr. and I were going to go as a graduation present.  I had even gotten a big, fat, luscious travel guide to Italy for Christmas that year. It was a glorious Christmas present full of dream and promise.  Later that semester, however, I learned that I was pregnant.  And then I learned about HG.  Needless to say, I have still never been to Italy.  I tried to convince The Mr. that we should name our baby Italy, but he said we couldn’t name our child after a dream deferred.

Now, that baby is a Tween, the oldest of 2.  Like me, she is a dreamer.  She dreams of going to Paris.  I don’t know how it happened, her falling in love with Paris, but she did.  She swears I told her if she got all As and Bs in high school I would take her as a graduation present.  Wouldn’t you think I would have asked for straight As?  But if we do go, and I hope we do, we’ll have to slide on over to Italy for a couple of days, just so I can finally say I have been.  Maybe one day we can both see our dreams fulfilled, together.  There is nothing I would like more.

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Like a lot of tweens/teens, she is going through the fashion design phase of her life.  Every Thursday we watch Project Runway together.  So this year, I went in search for the perfect Christmas present for her and I struck gold.

Some original Tween fashion designs

 It all began during Zest Books week.  They had all these great fashion books and I thought, I will get a copy of them for her.  But then – a miracle – I found this Paris themed trunk.  I don’t know about you, but one of my librarian quirks is that I am obsessed with storage and organizational things – please tell me I am not alone in this.  So I filled her Paris trunk with fashion and craft books from Zest Books, and then added in some fun supplies – like different colored duct tape, beads and baubles, etc.

The magnificent Paris trunk

Full of books and supplies

The tween looks at “The Look Book” while sporting her own unique look.

Let the crafting begin!
 I am not going to lie, I was super impressed with myself. And we have had a lot of fun making stuff and things.  The tween had a friend spend the night and they gave the 4-year-old a make-over.  I’m thinking she needs a sewing machine, and someone to teach her how to use it (I’m looking at you Stephanie Wilkes). It just goes to show you, books really do make the best presents.
I still have that fat, luscious travel guide to Italy, now completely outdated.  We have replaced it with newer editions several times at the library.  I still dream of Italy, but I would rather make sure she sees her dream of Paris comes true.  If I had to choose between Italy and her, I would definitely choose her all over again.
Join the conversation and share in the comments:
What are some of the best book presents you have ever given or received? 
What treats did you give yourself after graduating high school, college, or graduate school?
Where do you dream of going one day? 
You can read about the fashion and craft related Zest Books in Project Fashion

Filed under: Dreams, Fashion, Italy, Paris, Zest Books

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About Karen Jensen, MLS

Karen Jensen has been a Teen Services Librarian for almost 30 years. She created TLT in 2011 and is the co-editor of The Whole Library Handbook: Teen Services with Heather Booth (ALA Editions, 2014).

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Comments

  1. Lauren says

    January 6, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    What a fantastic gift! That really is lovely and encouraging. Interestingly, when I graduated high school, college, AND graduate school, I bought myself books (Harry Potter 4 was high school. OHhh was it worth it!) Also, I've been to Paris. She, and you, will both love it. 🙂

  2. YA Librarian says

    January 6, 2013 at 8:06 pm

    Best present ever – I am an avid Wizard of Oz collector (both original Baum series memorabilia and 1939 MGM movie stuff), and my husband (then boyfriend) bought me a first sub-edition of the original “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by Baum. It is amazingly beautiful. Inscribed on the cover was a note to a boy on Christmas from his Uncle – 1908. Ironically, my husband gave it to me for Christmas 2008. It was perfect! I have never cried tears of joy as much as that day – not even when he proposed a few years later! ;o)

  3. Teen Librarian's Toolbox, Karen says

    January 7, 2013 at 7:44 pm

    I am going to ignore my jealousy about you having gone to Paris, and say Yay for Harry Potter. I imagine a lot of Harry Potter books and related merchandise have made for a great number of gifts.

  4. Teen Librarian's Toolbox, Karen says

    January 7, 2013 at 7:45 pm

    What a sweet gift. I bet you are excited about the new movie coming. I am interested to see what kind of a take they have on the story.

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