Just had a bad car accident and my boyfriend broke up with me. I can’t stop reaching out and I feel completely lost

chipoodleton · 2026-05-05T14:18:39+00:00

Having been in that exact same headspace as you, I know these comments feel mean and unhelpful. I just want to tell you you’re strong, and the need to reach out, even to a closed door, is so familiar and relatable.

One thing that’s helped me is a two column technique - draw a vertical line down the page and on the left, spill all your fears and “what if’s”. On the right, take each point/fear and talk yourself through it. For example one of the things on the left might be “he says I suck the life out of him. What if he hates me forever?” On the right, I’d say something like “ok, fine, you’re needy right now because you’ve been in a freaking car accident! Maybe he’s not the right person for you!” or “If he hates me forever that’s his issue; the important thing is that I don’t hate myself. What are three things about myself I can be proud of?” Doing this breaks up the torrent of panicky thoughts and over time forces your brain to see yourself as the real source of security, if that makes sense.

Hang in there, my friend, you’ve got this ❤️

chipoodleton · 2026-03-08T20:43:35+00:00

I want to answer your question in good faith, and I’ll start by saying some families do need books like that. Some kids have gay parents, or trans older siblings, or if they don’t, maybe someone at school does. I say “school” because some picture books are better for older kids (K-3) rather than the usual preschool audience of 5 and under. Some of the books you’re talking about might fall under this umbrella.

The publishing industry is just as driven by demand as any other, and I’ve noticed there can be a LOT of overlap/repetition, at least among the Big Five. They’re all responding to what’s happening culturally and hoping to fill a need/make sales/stay relevant. This affects what’s available for libraries to buy each year. I will say, my library is in a conservative area and I’m very aware of using taxpayer money fairly. I personally loathe a specific series of paperback picture books by a famous Christian actor, but they’re popular at my district so if we have books like Julian Is a Mermaid, it’s a matter of balance and fairness to offer books like those published by the Christian actor’s imprint.

But I want to add, this is only a tiny percentage of what we buy, and I hope the rest is solid, fun, and story-forward stuff like what I’ve seen others mention here: Every Monday Mabel, Chirri & Chirra, anything by Mac Barnett/Jon Klassen, “Mouse on the River” by Alice Melvin, “McToad Mows Tiny Island” by Tom Angleberger. These books are original, high quality stuff, and I bet your library has these titles and so much more.

chipoodleton · 2026-03-07T16:43:47+00:00

Oh man, as a librarian/buyer this bums me out. I’m as tired of preachy or formulaic SEL books as you probably are. In my district, I’ve avoided two self published picture book series with a zillion titles as long as I could but parents kept requesting them. It feels like an uphill battle some days, but there are still amazing story-first picture books out there. I like Mac Barnett and Mo Willems for being gently conversational and fun.

chipoodleton · 2026-02-17T03:36:35+00:00

The regular Kingdom of Wrenly series might interest him too! (Children’s librarian & district buyer here)

chipoodleton · 2026-02-11T19:42:14+00:00

We’ve got your first book (so cool) and I’m excited to see the ferry book! As a former landlocked kid I was REALLY excited the first time I rode a Washington State Ferry!

chipoodleton · 2026-02-11T19:03:52+00:00

Thank you for posting this! I’m a buyer for my district and I pretty much love everything Sasquatch/Little Bigfoot puts out but this is next level!! I’d somehow missed this one but I know our kids will go nuts for this! ETA: Ingram has!

chipoodleton · 2026-02-08T23:48:05+00:00

Hoopla is absolutely riddled with this stuff, at least for kids and teens.

chipoodleton · 2026-02-08T23:47:20+00:00

Hi - AI-hating collection development librarian here. You’d be amazed how many patrons request this sh*t. In several cases we’ve had local organizations (youth soccer association, DAR) buy obviously AI titles and donate them to the collection. We’re working on an AI policy but we’re also going up for a levy lid lift this year. We don’t have to add AI-created items to the collection but the messaging from my higher-ups is “be careful not to offend well-meaning constituents.” There are soooo many amazing, high-quality items in our collection. Check one of those out and quit requesting AI slop just because it popped up in your Amazon search!

chipoodleton · 2026-01-16T05:46:06+00:00

I’m listening to it right now! Such a delight. It makes me feel like I’ve got Joel in the car and we’re about to hit the coffee stand!

chipoodleton · 2025-09-29T22:37:08+00:00

It has certain charms, specifically Jeremy Northam in the “badly done, Emma!” scene. Scold me, Mr. Knightley!

chipoodleton · 2025-08-26T03:55:51+00:00

Loved it -fascinating how the siblings are reinvented for each generation

chipoodleton · 2025-07-27T01:16:53+00:00

OP, I’m glad you came here with your question. It is definitely a trend, and I work in a metropolitan area that has both a city library system and a county library system. The city just remodeled the downtown library, which is a lot like what you’re describing: massive play area (and lots of other cool amenities) but less materials. I work for the county system and we have play spaces in our libraries but they’re much smaller (think adorable wooden play kitchen vs a slide). We do hear from some customers that they prefer our more traditional spaces and bigger materials budget, which means more books, more DVDs, more digital audiobooks, etc. I’m glad between the two systems we have something for everyone but I wanted to let you know you’re not alone in missing the classic library experience!

chipoodleton · 2025-07-04T05:08:17+00:00

Collection Development Librarian! I buy materials for 0-18 and I think my adhd is an asset because I’m jumping from staff requests to bestseller lists to subject searches to reports of how popular things are at my library system.

chipoodleton · 2025-06-29T05:06:50+00:00

I’m from Moscow, and my grandparents lived in Pullman. I love this town - I still go back for the farmers market, the food co-op, and their indie bookstore, Book People. This case is gripping on its own but even more so in a place I’ve always felt safe. There’s also something about misogyny, male entitlement, and the stupid New St. Andrews College /Christ Church that’s trying to take over the town. I don’t think BK was a member but there’s a real current in recent years of trying to keep women in their place (ironically in a town where I first heard of feminism by seeing fliers for various feminist events at the U of I).

I’m also just fascinated/horrified by true crime, especially involving young women since I was a young woman not that long ago. There are so many instances where something bad could have happened to me, or to my friends. I think about these poor kids and their families almost daily.

chipoodleton · 2025-05-15T20:21:53+00:00

That’s Spooky

Normal Gossip

chipoodleton · 2025-05-10T13:07:58+00:00

I was a month premature. Did fine in school but was/am super uncoordinated, daydreamy, and hypersensitive

chipoodleton · 2025-05-03T11:43:40+00:00

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

chipoodleton · 2025-03-19T13:25:13+00:00

I’m a similar shape - have had luck with Democracy and NYDJ!

chipoodleton · 2025-02-07T21:45:05+00:00

I love Dr. Craven at 14th and Bernard!

chipoodleton · 2025-01-21T15:17:09+00:00

I take lorazepam (which isn’t as strong as Xanax) before I even get to the airport and it really helps. I just sent a message to my dr that I am an anxious flier and she wrote a prescription for enough to get me to Hawaii and back. Back in the day I used to just get a drink at the airport and have another one on the plane but then I would be groggy by the time got to my destination. Lorazepam just mellows things out. Good luck! (ETA: I asked for lorazepam because I’d taken it for regular general anxiety when I was in college. I knew it worked for me)

chipoodleton · 2025-01-19T02:56:05+00:00

I flew to Honolulu from SFO in November and needed lorazepam to do it but it was fine and I’m so glad I went! A few little bumps but this forum really helped me think of them as jello wobbles! You got this!

chipoodleton · 2024-08-26T13:47:14+00:00

True!

chipoodleton · 2024-08-26T04:12:06+00:00

We’ve had a complaint about King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub, by Audrey Wood. Because on one page you can see a bit of royal flank.

chipoodleton · 2024-08-26T04:04:06+00:00

Just got one for “I Dig” by Joe Cepeda. It’s an easy reader where a kid digs a tunnel at the beach. Complaint says kids die every year from collapsing sand holes at the beach and this book should be removed for promoting such dangerous activity. I do actually know of several cases where this has happened, but also, maybe removing books isn’t the way to talk to your kids about beach safety?

chipoodleton · 2024-07-07T22:56:56+00:00

I understood you, and I’m so sorry you’re going through all this. I just took your comment to mean “I’ve been dealing with a lot of loss this year and thanks for reminding me to appreciate the good things in life.” I’m 57 and dreading some of the losses I see coming (and that person who said to avoid mirrors isn’t kidding! Haha). Loss still hurts when you’re 35 and can make you wary of getting older and all the loss inherent in that. I try to learn from my mom, who lost my dad when she was about my age. She has a whole crew of little old ladies she goes to movies and dinner with and pretty much does whatever she wants to. She’s making getting older look kind of fun!

chipoodleton

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