Finally worked up the nerve to

[Gryphon]

meet with the school librarian about including my Pagan children's book in the collection.
 
I met with her early Monday morning with my book in hand.
 
I spent the next 90 minutes being grilled about all things Pagan, in between her reading pages in the book. This is very hard for me. I tend to prefer to keep to myself about most things, my spiritual path among them. Not only did the librarian ask about things in the book, she also asked about more personal stuff like whether my husband was Pagan and how the Rabbit felt about being Pagan. She also wanted to know if all Pagans are vegetarian, surprisingly, she had the hardest time asking this question. She asked about marriage and if we had churches, too.
 
All-in-all, I feel the meeting went well. However, (always has to be one of those right?) since she is a "new" librarian, she felt she had to get approval for the book from the school's principal and senior high librarian before she could make a decision to purchase a copy of the book.
 
The biggest obstacle is "what some parents might say" if their child brings home a book like mine. Given the somewhat overly loud vocal tendencies of certain church people in this area, it is a valid concern. I looked briefly at the religion section in the school's library while I was there. It is very small, about 40 books, mostly featuring myths and fairy tales from other cultures.
 
She said she's let me know their decision in a week.

[danae]

What a wonderful idea Gryphon!  I don't know that I would ever have the courage to do something like that.  I truly hope that your book gets the go-ahead to go into the library.  Perhaps you can help expand the minds of those certain overly vocal people every community has.  

Best wishes and loads of luck to you!

[Anonymous]

I had a similar experience getting my poetry book into a shop. It wasn't Paganism that was the issue, it was that my book was published using a small press publisher. They were okay with taking some promotional bookmarks with poems on, though.

I've never considered approaching my local school with my book. I suppose with some of the themes, I'd probably have problems too.

Good luck, anyway.

[Zenon]

well done!

[Lark]

Good for you.  I think that's a wonderful idea, and I'm glad that they were at least willing to consider the idea.  Now I'll just keep my fingers crossed that the book is accepted.

How does Rabbit feel about having a famous author for a Mommie??

-Lark-

[mermdotcom]

That's wonderful!  Let us know the decision.  If we had more books like yours in schools, maybe children will learn at an early age that we're not scary or evil or Satan-worshipers; we're normal people practicing a faith that just happens to be different from theirs...


... ok, so maybe 'normal' isn't the right word for some of us, but you get my point!  

[Gryphon]

To her, I ain't nuttin' special. After all it's not like I'm on TV or anything. I wish I could get up the nerve to do Oprah...