Tessa Fox Reads | TessaFoxReads.com

In today's divided world, librarians are on a two-fold mission. First, to address the need of representation and make sure readers can find characters, authors and illustrations who are like them on their shelves. The second is to deliberately give readers access to books with characters, authors and illustrators who are NOT like them.

Thanks to a special storytime mom for this adorable picture of me surrounded by my baby fan club today at Baby Storytime! #BabyWhisperer #BabySwarm #BabyStorytime #YouthLibrarian #YouthServices #ILoveMyJob #TessaFoxReads (at Grayslake Area Public Library) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsZZXymny7J/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=m4tdgqm3om5l

Out of all the storytimes I do, my Baby Storytime is my absolute favorite. To see all the babies grow and change each week, to see their love of books develop, to see the adults bond with their babies and make new friendships with others - all because of the Public Library. It’s just so special to witness, and I’m so thankful that this is my career. Today was my last Baby Storytime of 2018, and I received the most meaningful gift from one of the moms and her daughter. As if this beautiful heartfelt note wasn’t enough, I was also gifted a hand-knit scarf and headband, a bottle of lotion and a candle. How thoughtful, sweet - totally unnecessary - and completely appreciated. #TessaFoxReads #YouthServicesLibrarian #YouthServices #BabyStorytime #ILoveMyLibrary #GrayslakeLibrary #ILoveMyJob #AllTheFeels #WarmFuzzies #HappyHolidays (at Grayslake Area Public Library) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrQe-h6HBkc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=f6oz4rn7z0hv

Last night I got to listen to one of my favorite authors talk about his origins as a person and as a writer. He went from a kid who never read a book until almost 18 years old to writing bestsellers that help non-readers like him discover that they DO like to read - maybe LOVE to read - they just needed to find the right book. Thank you, @jasonreynolds83 for writing these books and sharing so much of your authentic self in them. Here’s me freaking out meeting him and telling him how much I appreciate what he does, and how much it aligns with what I love about librarianship. Thank you for giving this world your stories, and thank you even more for giving this world new readers. You make librarians like me and @lil_librarian so happy, proud and thankful! #TessaFoxReads #LibrarianLife #YouthServices #BookSigning #JasonReynolds (at Arlington Heights, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp9ucjonmLS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xfxcivqwacd