AND WE’RE FINISHED! The Parker Hill library in Mission Hill reopened about a month ago, after being closed for a year of renovations, so it was our last to check off in our year of visiting every branch of the BPL.
Travel notes: Parker Hill is about 4.5 miles from home, a blessedly simple bus trip via #22 or #23. Even with our constraint of being back home for nap by 10, it was easy peasy. The Mission Hill area is not really familiar to me, but it proved aptly named, as we found the library by walking uphill toward the giant church.
Teresa’s rating: Apt. It seemed fitting to wrap up our adventures at a lovely little platonic ideal of a library. The 1931 building is tiny and charming, as is the collection, and the very friendly librarians chatted with Reese (and were very understanding when she didn’t use her library voice).
Reese’s rating: 11/10. I RAN! Not the most toys, but the puzzle and activity box kept Mama busy. (We were confused to find the board books mostly shelved away from the toddler area, but that just resulted in Reese somehow coming home with three books instead of one. Strong Elephant and Piggie collection, and lots of new-looking toddler books.)
Teresa’s book: The Secret Place. I’ve been meaning to read some Tana French, and where better to jump in than the fifth book in a series? (I may have been somewhat distracted while picking my own book.)
Reese’s book: Goodnight Train, by June Sobel. I love the whimsical illustrations in this sleepiest of books. Who doesn’t love sleeping on a train, especially one with a bathtub car and an alligator handing out toothbrushes? (Once again, yes, I have checked out a book that my own company publishes. Look for the sequel in September!)
Nearby attractions: We walked around the mission itself (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) and through Mission Hill Playground, then admired a mural on the Tobin school, all within steps of the library.
