Story by Marianne Salza
Lifelong East Boston resident, Christine Ricci-McNamee, developed a love of reading from her mother, Elena. She fondly remembers her first experience walking around the corner together from her home to visit the Orient Heights Branch Library. The shy, 6-year-old girl was fascinated.
“My mom was an avid reader. She used to always bring home books and read them to me,” McNamee reminisced. “She took me to get my first library card. They were paper and you signed your name on them.”
Now McNamee has written a children’s book inspired by those jaunty trips to the library with her mother. “Louella and the Librarian,” the story of an 8-year-old girl’s first time at the library, was published November 1 by Leaning Rock Press, and illustrated by Patrick Regan.
In “Louella and the Librarian,” Louella meets diverse friends of all abilities; and discovers art, cooking, and the world through books. She meets Margie the librarian, who brings Louella on a tour of the charming space furnished with chairs and shelves perfect for Louella’s petite frame.
McNamee based Margie on librarian, Mary LaFollette, who she bonded with growing up during her visits to the library every other day with her mother. Mary was a jolly woman from Charlestown who hosted story times, and arts and crafts for children.
“She used to make homemade bookmarks for each season, and put decorations on the windows,” recalled McNamee. “She used to save books in the back for patrons. She worked in the library for over 50 years.”
McNamee remembers affectionately watching LaFollette repair book spines and jackets at her wooden desk. She worked as LaFollette’s library aid in high school and into college.
“She had plants on her desk, and a jar of glue to mend books,” described McNamee. “She made an impression on me. I loved the library. It was fun. They would have holiday parties. At Christmastime, Mary would have cookies and punch. Everybody would get together.”
“Louella and the Librarian” is dedicated to LaFollette, a mother of two children.
“Her daughter was honored and excited,” said McNamee. “She remembered me when I was a kid.”
McNamee has been writing poetry and short stories since she was 8-years-old. Growing up, McNamee liked reading mystery books, like “Nancy Drew;” and works by authors, Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary. She recalled reading 60 books one particular year for a summer reading club that her mother had enrolled her in. McNamee saved the proudly-earned certificate in an album.
“Louella and the Librarian” is McNamee’s third book, and can be purchased on Amazon (where it is selling numerously in France, Poland, Germany, and Canada). “Louella and the Librarian” can also be found at Robin’s Nest, and the Winthrop Book Depot & Café, 11 Somerset Avenue, Winthrop, where McNamee will be holding a book signing on Saturday, December 3, 11am-12pm.
McNamee is currently working on a sequel to her second book, “Logan and the Lost Luggage,” also illustrated by Patrick Regan, and anticipated to be published in the spring of 2023. “Logan and the Lost Luggage” is a finalist of The Independent Author Network’s Book of the Year Award, an international competition.
Readers can contact Christine Ricci-McNamee through Instagram at eastie_author.