Biblio File

What Would Amanda Palmer Read?

​Amanda Palmer—author, performance artist, and fabulous supporter of the New York Public Library—devoted some serious time and patience to help promote children's literacy on August 20.

Amanda Palmer

Brandishing a red ukulele and decked out in full body paint, Palmer posed as a statue (in the style of Damien Hirst’s Verity) on the front steps outside our 42nd Street Library. Onlookers and fans donated hundreds of children’s books, and Palmer’s husband, author Neil Gaiman, capped off the event by donating one of his own.

The donated books soon will be sent to branches throughout the system, where they will then be given away to young NYPL patrons to support their education and early literacy.

We couldn’t let her go without sneaking in a question about reading, of course, so we asked Palmer and Gaiman to name their favorite children’s books.

Here’s what they said…

Amanda's favorite children's books:

Velveteen Rabbit
The Velveteen Rabbit
Little Gold Shoes
The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes
Golden Egg
The Golden Egg Book
Ping
The Story about Ping
Lorax
The Lorax
Tikki
Tikki Tikki Tembo
Strega Nona
Strega Nona

Neil's favorite children’s books:

Wind in the Willows
The Wind in the Willows
Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia series
Castle
anything by Diana Wynne Jones

Our thanks to Amanda Palmer and all those who helped put together this event in celebration of reading. Because of your generous support, children across the City will discover the joy of books!

For more information about early literacy programs and resources, visit ABC Read with Me.

Comments

Patron-generated content represents the views and interpretations of the patron, not necessarily those of The New York Public Library. For more information see NYPL's Website Terms and Conditions.

!!!!

so so glad to see your favorite children's books. I actually inquired on twitter about Neil's favorite children's books once, and now I have an answer from the both of you! Also, I'm in the middle of reading The Chronicle of Narnia to my 6 year old. We are both loving it so much. Should be finishing Prince Caspian this evening!

Diana Wynne Jones!

I agree with Neil on that one, and good for displaying Castle in the Air! And the Lorax is so heartbreaking, quiet and hopeful.