Join us for Preschool Story time this Wednesday as blue manatee welcomes back our friend, Miss Katie! She'll bring her guitar, so bring your listening ears and your singing voices!
As many of you may already know, Katie LePage (better known as "Miss Katie" to our story time friends) has retired from her post as everyone's favorite bookstore "grandmother." The Blue Manatee family is sad to see her go and fondly recalls her years of dedication to the independent bookstore scene.
An English major and music lover, Miss Katie found her niche storytelling, and, in the process, created quite a fan club! Miss Katie worked for a small independent children's bookstore in O'Bryonville before coming to The Blue Marble (Blue Manatee's former name) in 1990. Thanks to her extensive knowledge of children's books, she enjoyed a following of customers who shopped on her work days, seeking her recommendations and gift-buying advice.
Miss Katie's talents as a storyteller and gifted singer and guitarist have touched generations of story-time fans. Blue Manatee Bookstore manager Sheri Hill recalls, "My daughter Julianna, who was 12 years old when [The Blue Marble] first opened in 1989,...always pictured bringing her future children to story time with Miss Katie. And she has!"
Outside of the bookstore, Katie LePage is an avid traveler, along with her husband, Peter. Her ventures have taken her all over Europe, including the United Kingdom, and her favorite place, Ireland. Blue Manatee has been blessed and honored to have such a worldly, talented, intelligent, and kind person be a vital part of the bookstore family. We wish her the best.
Miss Katie will be performing at blue manatee during "Oakley After Hours" on June 27th, beginning at 6:30. We're open late that night, well past our bedtime, until 10:00!
If you like Miss Katie, then you might like...
We are proud to introduce the Ceilidh Group (pronounced: Kay-lee). The Group, including blue manatee favorite Jake Speed and the Freddies, will be performing on Saturday, May 17th, beginning at 1:00, to celebrate the release of their CD, "Isn't It a Wonder."
Come out and enjoy some fun family music, and we'll keep you posted...
Tens
of thousands of truly excellent books, for expectant
mothers, babies, teenagers, and everyone in between. We even have
books for grownups! We also pride ourselves on our broad non-fiction area, foreign language titles, graphic novels, ecologically-themed
books, folktales, and a special 50% off section—browse,
browse, browse…
For musing and sharing: Greeting cards,
journals, bookmarks, gift enclosures (yes, we wrap—free!).
Fun stuff: Puppets and plush by Folkmanis, Manhattan
Toy, Baby Bottoms, Fuzzy Town, and more. We are Cincinnati’s
Ugly Doll headquarters!
For the left brain: Bountiful activities,
including puzzles, Sudoku, sticker books, art and science kits (OK,
your right brain is welcome, too), and dubious, possibly messy endeavors.
We have a large selection of Klutz.
For manatee lovers: Show your support with our sublime logo t-shirts, mugs, and more!
(read some fun manatee facts, take a manatee quiz, and meditate over manatee mantras!)
Audio: Spoken word (books, folktales, poetry),
and of the musical kind: Lullabies, multicultural, classical, and
plain ol’ rollicking. We go to great lengths to stock only
titles that will not drive adults insane on the fiftieth bedtime/car
trip listen.
Video: Classic stories, nature, biography, and
more. Come for popcorn, fun, and previews at Manatee Movie
Nights, select Thursdays every month (see our event
calendar for details).
Resources: for teachers, parents, and students,
including special needs, grieving, and adolescent issues.
