Burb’s Eye View: A young book lover runs her own free library

Ella Peresie found the giant box under the family Christmas tree, and though it had her name on it, she struggled to figure out what it was. Most kids might be happy with a few toys or the occasional clothes.

Ella, 9, was given a library.

Ella’s library can be found outside the Peresie home on Reese Place between Magnolia and Chandler. Last week, 18 books were borrowed, and the policy is if you take a book, you leave a book.

The library is in a little wooden box with a glass door that her neighbor made. If you can’t find it, don’t worry — Ella enacted a marketing plan that involved a long chalk line down the sidewalk right down to her yard.

Her mother first came across the idea through the Little Free Library website. Part of the Christmas gift involved the Little Free Library starter kit: stickers, information and an embosser with Ella’s name on it.

It was the perfect present for the girl whose book collection spills off the shelves in the bedroom and who carries two book bags to school with her every day. She sits next to an empty desk at Thomas Edison Elementary, which is also full of Ella’s books. On average, she reads about five a week.

“When we got this, she decided maybe she could share some,” said Ella’s mom, Joanna.

About halfway through the week, Ella has to restock her library shelves. The inventory waits in stacks in the Peresies’ living room.

“Our son says we look really smart,” Joanna Peresie said.

“We do look smart,” Ella replied.

After Ella’s library opened on Jan. 4, she immediately wanted to start a book club to connect people who, like her, loved reading the adventures of Harry Potter and the Ugly Duckling and Percy Jackson. The compromise, her mom said, was a blog where people can write reviews. Today, Ella adds webmaster to her growing list of titles, and you can see the reviews at ellareadsalot.blogspot.com.

The family cat, Princess Cuddlecakes, has a different way of submitting a book review.

“When Cuddlecakes is feeling destructive, she will try to eat them,” Ella said. “Maybe she didn’t like the book.”

Last Saturday, Ella and I met in front of the library. We talked about what it takes to trade books, and what she plans next for Ella’s Little Library.

Burbank Leader: How does it make you feel when people thank you for letting them borrow books?

Ella Peresie: It makes me feel happy when people thank me.

BL: How many days or months or years do you think you will run your library?

EP: I will keep running my library for as long as I can. I’ve never really thought about how long that will be. I just like doing it.

BL: What do you like best about books?

EP: I love books because they can take you to different places. When I start reading a book, I can be in my bedroom or wherever, but then by the next page, I’m at Hogwarts.

BL: What is the worst thing about having a lot of books?

EP: The worst thing about having a lot of books is I have no room for more books.

BL: What is the hardest thing about running a library?

EP: I have to remember to wake up early on Saturdays to put new books in the library. That’s the hardest part about running my library because I like to sleep in.

BL: Please think about your favorite book. Tell me which is your favorite book of all time, and why you like it.

EP: “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” is my favorite book of all times. I like the mystery part of it. I also really like Remus Lupin. I think all teachers should be like him.

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BRYAN MAHONEY writes about Burbank neighbors and the place they call home. He can be reached at 818NewGuy@gmail.com and on Twitter at @818NewGuy.