Shy Charles 1988

“He saved my life,” moaned Mrs Block.

“He’s a prince, a gem, a hero!”

And everyone shouted, “Thank you, Charles!”

But Charles said …

Zero.

Rosemary Wells makes the eyes say it all in this illustration of the moment that adulation floods over Charles. Amid the chaos of first responders attending to babysitter Mrs Block, the fire chief in his Keystone cops frock is lifting his paw for a high five which Charles has no intention of returning.

Charles’s parents, dressed to the nines for their interrupted date night, clasp each other in the desperate shared pleasure of seeing their child praised by others. Charles gazes at them with fond resignation, knowing that he will survive their false expectations of what normal is. Turning the page, he reverts to being himself. 

Wells, like her contemporary Sandra Boynton, is all about human dynamics in fuzzy form. I knew one, and would meet the other’s work, in this year.

The exchange proceeded apace. All my exasperated boss said was, Can’t you just stay put? when he had to state in writing that Ballarat City Council would cover my worker’s compensation for the year.

Donna Matthews had changed jobs, and was now at Fairfax County Public Library :  I was to be the Regional Children’s Librarian at Reston, Virginia, from the end of April.  I wasn’t eligible for a Green Card but was able to wrangle a twelve-month visa, with the helpful advice of someone else who had done an academic exchange.

Our combined recklessness led to an experiment that enriched both of our lives. Donna, who was nearing the end of her career, loved the ‘small town’ experience and travelled to every Australian state during her year. Many Aussies mourned her when she passed away a few years ago.

Here I am, recently arrived and still with no clue – but have adopted the loafer with alacrity. This poor child looks less than thrilled to meet me.

The scale of the library was way beyond my experience. Fairfax CPL had at least 700 employees, and Reston as a regional library employed at least ten librarians. I had three part-time children’s specialists supporting me in delivering programs which had been planned months in advance by a committee of the seven Regional Children’s Librarians. Summer Reading had Garfield as its mascot, professionally designed and printed materials as collateral, and huge numbers of children signing up.

Fortunately for me, Amy was another RCL who lived in Reston so she could give me a ride to and from the meetings all over the County. Her book knowledge, good humour and friendship were a vital anchor in this time, and remain so to this day. The clipping above was saved by her.

I’m not a children’s librarian who dresses up, but for this wonderful woman, I did. She even supplied Red Riding Hood’s cloak.

More about this fabulous year next time.