A Little Reading...

By Alan Rabinowitz for ages 4-8. Illustrated by Catia Chien.

Beautifully illustrated picture book about a little boy's struggle with stuttering and a promise he made to the animals he felt so comfortable around. More info for A Boy and a Jaguar.

By Richard T. Morris for grades K-2nd grade. Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld.

Funny book about being yourself. Moose wants to be an astronaut, but his movie director wants him to be a regular moose. What will happen when he persists towards his goal? 

Art Club is in the Books!

Another season of art club is in the books. 3 sessions for 3rd-5th graders: Zentangle mugs, Selfie Collages, and drawing "pop" art and collaborative puzzle art (paint a puzzle white, give each kid a couple random pieces, let them design them with paints, markers, pencils, etc. reassemble and frame it). A lot of kids with a lot of skills. Here's hoping they keep it up.

Make more art!

And It's Good For You!

So my cholesterol has been borderline for a number of years. This time it inched up a little too much for the doctor. She prescribed some medicine, but I want to bring the weight down through diet and exercise. More fruits and veggies (hello smoothies), of course. Reading about super foods and what to add to my diet, I've decided on more oatmeal, dark chocolate, raw walnuts and cashews, and chicken instead of beef (most of the time). This looks yummy from http://www.cookincowgirl.com/. Add some chia or flax seeds? Perfect for today's Meatless Monday breakfast.

Doctor Who?!

You know or you need to know.

Legos STE(+a)M it UP!

The Legos ruled today! A combined Lego League Showcase and Saturday STEAM Lego Engineering program exploded in fun today! 3 paint buckets full of Legos, 7 parents, 26 kids, 1 volunteer, and me = lots of smiles, building lessons, and fun. What a simple program and each time we do it, it's popular. Why? Kids "playing" with Legos? I believe the playing involves a combination of imagination, creativity, problem solving, social interaction, and a sense of accomplishment that watching TV and playing video games just can't deliver.

First up, the kids from the Lego League showed off their motorized models and team posters. Next, I announced a few challenges for everyone: tallest building, longest road with 1 color brick, strongest bridge, etc. for those who like a little more structure. But to be honest, all but a couple kids just built whatever they wanted. I told them at the start they would need to help pick up the Legos before leaving and that was really the only rule. I provided a handout with types of bridges. I also gave a few tips on building something really tall, and the rest was up to them.  We had some amazing creations.

Not wanting to immediately toss their work into the tub at the end of the program, I brought them to the Youth area and put them on display. Then another great thing happened, other kids started playing with the models. Yicks! At first I wanted to tell them look, don't touch! Then I realized, why not. This is a great extension of the program and a way for other kids to experience all those cool things. By the end of the day, each model was destroyed, but hopefully something else was built with the Legos and the kids who "played" with them.

School Library Month

I not only have the pleasure of working in the Youth Dept. of a public library, but I also work in an elementary school library (as a 1 person show). The students love coming to the library. It is the only chance some of these kids get to just pick out a book for fun. Library is not "mandatory" as it is in some parts, so teachers aren't required to bring their class. I get it, there's a lot going on with new standards, testing, interventions, etc. etc. However, seeing the disappointment on students faces when they ask why they can't come is heartbreaking. Trying to nurture that love of reading, a chance to just sit in a calm and peaceful place to read, the freedom to make a totally independent choice, to be surrounded with 100s if not 1000s of exciting possibilities is an educational experience I wish all students had. Check out the ala.org site for school libraries info and resources.

Kudos to all those librarians, media specialists, and paraprofessionals (as well as supportive school administrators) who keep school libraries as places where not only does learning never end, but where possibilities are endless.

No longer a Newbie or Yes! It's right over here.

Once upon a time, I would marvel at the ease and joy with which my experienced co-workers found books for patrons. Being a "Newbie" I wondered if I would ever feel that way, and then it happened!

What a great night! I was able to find every book asked for by patrons. First request: "Do you know where Junie B. Jones is?"  Yes! They're right over here. Let's get it for you.

Later...I could even "guess" the title explained to me by a little young lady. Request: "Do you have that book about a girl with colors?" Hmm...After a couple questions on my part, I asked, Could it be A Bad Case of Stripes? Yes!... Yes! It's right over here. Let's get it for you! I loved seeing her excited, smiling face.

I even answered the ultimate happiest librarian question ever tonight. Request: "Do you have a book I haven't read before?" (How cute!) Answer:Yes! ;) She liked books with facts like Guinness Book of World Records. I took her right there - more happy smiles!

The last request of the evening seemed appropriate: "Can you recommend a classic book for bedtime stories?" (After a short interview, it was determined she wanted to read a juvenile chapter book to siblings at bedtime.)  Various suggestions included: Wizard of Oz, The Hobbit, Charlotte's Web, and finally decided on James and the Giant Peach. Yes! It's right over here. Again, success.  Smiles!

There have been many other nights where I fulfilled patron requests successfully, but tonight was the first time I recognized real joy in doing it. Tonight, I'm no longer a "Newbie". (And it only took 2 years!)

Art...It's Good For You!

See or listen to this article from NPR.
Just another reason art should be in every school.

Do we need high standards for kids? Yes. Do we need math and science in schools? Of course. However, we need Social Studies, English, gym, trade classes, AND art and music, as well as other fine arts. It helps us become better students, more creative. This is not a simple topic to be solved here in this simple blog, but I like the article about the health benefits of leisure activities. Another reason we need more art.

Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award 2016

Looks like some good reads. I wonder how many I'll be able to read before next year's nominees are announced? I'm thinking of challenging my co-workers to read as many of these as we can, as well as Bluestem books, so we can at least get them read as a dept. to make for better reader's advisory. Find more info about this reader's choice award program for grades 4th-8th: Rebecca Caudill.

  
   
   
   
  
   
  

Going Green

The weekend is here and time to do all those things we can't get to during the week. First up, making a grocery list and shopping. Need to get ready for Meatless Monday. This week I'm going meatless in the extreme. 

A patron (there's my library tie-in) told me about the 10 day green smoothie cleanse. I'm going to give it a try.  She told me, you will lose weight, but it will help you feel better too. She is starting it, so I'll have someone to compare notes with. And it is only 10 days. I can do 10 days. 10 days...10 pounds. The worst part will be no coffee. WHAT?! I know, I'm crazy to go 10 days with no coffee, but c'est la vie. The smoothie recipes look easy to make, are healthy, and very green. (Every recipe has a base of spinach or other leafy greens with various fruits added.) Author JJ Smith is selling tons of books (Yay for her!), but remember, it's free at the library. I'll need to put the book on hold to get all the recipes, but here's the one the author made on Steve Harvey and other shows. 

Pineapple Spinach Smoothie 

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh spinach, packed
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 2 cups frozen peaches
• 2 bananas, peeled
• 1 1/2 packets stevia
• 2 cups of water
• 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
• Optional: 1 scoop of protein powder

Directions

Place spinach and water into blender and blend until mixture is a green juice-like consistency. Stop blender and add remaining ingredients. Blend until creamy.

Water, herbal tea, salad, crunchy veggies and fruits, raw nuts, boiled eggs, unsweetened peanut butter round off the choices. There are various versions and recipes online, but I'm going with the original. I'll make updates in the comment section on the results.

I Want My Hat Back

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen, 2011.

Okay, this is a cute book. I REALLY like the illustrations. Simple but effective storytelling. Bear loses his hat and discovers it is stolen. The readers are in on the joke from early on and I can imagine children yelling, "HE HAS IT! HE HAS IT!" I don't know if it's the soft illustrations or calm demeanor of the bear, but this is a gentle book (except for another surprise ending by Klassen).

I love this picture. The look in both their eyes says it all!

This Is Not My Hat

This Is Not My Hat written and illustrated by Jon Klassen, 2012.
Winner of the 2013 Caldecott Medal.



I finally read this sad (not really) but true (I doubt it) tale of a very naughty fish. Basically fish steals hat from whale. Fish tries to justify his bad behavior, then tries to hide. I won't spoil the ending, but let's just say, whale gets his hat back one way or the other!

I'm liking this Jon Klassen guy. Next up:I Want My Hat Back.

The Dark

The Dark by Lemony Snicket, 2013.

Illustrated by Jon Klassen.

Laszlo is afraid of the dark, but tries to talk to it anyway. He doesn't want it to come into his room so he goes to the dark.This is a short but sweet book about a little boy facing his fears.

Hey look, another book trailer!

Although the book came out in 2013, it has recently been added to the list of 2016 Monarch Award nominees: Illinois' K-3 Readers' Choice Award: I gave it a quick read and found it quite charming. 

More info about the Monarch Award: Monarch Award.

Happy National Library Week

In celebration of National Library Week, here is an article from Business Insider that lists the 16 "coolest" (looking) college libraries. I agree, these ARE cool.  Coolest college libraries.


Yale University — Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Libraries have always given me a sense of peace when entering. They have been sanctuaries. Even when I had to pull all nighters in college doing research, I felt fortified by the peace and strength of my college library. I can remember a little one room library in elementary school and being so excited to just sit at the table and wait my turn to pick a book. I remember entering my local library as a young adult and thinking "I could live here". I remember being a volunteer at my neighborhood library and feeling "at home" when going to work. I'm fortunate I now get to be in a library nearly every day. I hope everyone will visit their local library. Happy National Library Week!

Bulletin Board Art

Sometimes you make art where you can-

with rolls of paper, scissors, and push pins.

Library Art Adventures

I'm planning my next art program, simply called Art Club. This is the 4th or 5th edition of Art Club. We've noticed that kids really like the idea of being in clubs. Wait until I tell them the first rule of Art Club is we don't talk about Art Club. #Fight Club reference. (They'd have no idea what I'm talking about I'm sure! Inside grown-up joke, just like Shrek!) Anyway, I digress.

Programming an art club may seem like "no big deal" to those who aren't artists. "Just give them some crayons and paper" someone once told me. Sure, occasionally kids want to just draw freestyle, but you don't join an art club to do it. You join an art club because you have artistic curiosity. Kids want to try something new and/or different, something they haven't thought of or didn't know how to do on their own. Here's a display of some activities we did at last year's Art Club trying out some new techniques.

Activities included scratch art on old CDs, collaborative printmaking using unusual objects, and 2 Dave Chihuly "glass" art projects (coffee filter Macchias and a water bottle chandelier). It was a blast! 

I love the "lesson planning" process for art programming. It is an exciting adventure itself. First question, what would the kids like to do? Looking at art, and searching books, art sites, Pinterest for ideas. Second question, do we have the budget, time, and facilities for the activity? The second question usually drives what can be done. But as I learned in art school: you first come up with the idea and then figure out how to make it happen. 

I want to make art happen for kids in the community. There just isn't enough art around. Above being an artist myself, I consider myself an art advocate, so I will continue to push for art education whenever I can. For now, back to my adventure of lesson planning and searching for the perfect art project that'll get their creative curiosity flowing. (I'm thinking next up will be Zendoodles, collaborative altered puzzles, and selfie collages.) Make art an adventure!

The One and Only Ivan

"It is never to late to be what you might have been."
 - George Eliot

So starts The One and Only Ivan written by Katherine Applegate, 2012. It is a heartwarming story about a gorilla and his friends Stella, Bob, and Ruby. Ivan lives in a cage at a mall with his friends. We learn how Ivan came to be in his cage, his life as an artist, and his relationships with his friends. Ivan makes a promise to help a baby elephant live a better life. He realizes there are good and bad people while trying to keep his promise. The story is told with humor, sadness, and joy, all from Ivan's point of view. Although a work of fiction, the book is based on the true story of Ivan. Here is a link to the book trailer. (Really? Yes, this is new to me, but I think I like book trailers. I like this one anyway. It captures the spirit of the book.) The One and Only Ivan book trailer.

I knew from the first page I was going to like this book. Why? The touching tone, the short chapters, and the close relationships between the characters. While reading, I never felt like the author was writing down for a younger audience. Although the book is written for upper elementary to middle grades (about ages 9 to 13) I think anyone would feel touched by this book. It would even make a good read-aloud book for teachers or library programs. Here is a link to the publishers site that contains a reading guide, and activity: HarpersCollins-The One and Only Ivan. This has become one of my all-time favorite children's book.

Brain Breaks for Library Programs

My go-to is usually "Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle, Stop!" from Yo Gabba Gabba. (Even the primary grades like it if you don't tell them where you got it from!) ;) However, the link below is a great source for some new ideas to wiggle those waggles away during Storytime or any K-2 program.

http://gonoodle.com/



Yo Gabba Gabba Website

Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great

So, at the library today, someone was reading the poems patrons and staff have been writing and posting on our bulletin board for Poetry Month. The one she commented on was an acrostic poem I wrote as a quick sample.

Foolish
Unicorn
Nonsense

When she read it out loud, it reminded me of a terrific children's book I read not too long ago, Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great by Bob Shea, 2013: Pre-K to about 2nd or 3rd grade.


Goat is pretty cool but becomes jealous of all the spectacular things Unicorn can do like flying and making it rain cupcakes. But by the end, Unicorn lets Goat know of all the things he envies about Goat (like goat cheese pizza). Unicorn laments, "Lucky! I can only eat glitter and rainbows. Darn my sensitive stomach!" The two end up becoming friends when they realize they both have unique qualities. (They might even make a great crime fighting duo!) Fun and funny story to read to kids that tells a lesson in a quirky way. Love the colorful illustrations.

Mocking? Shocking!

One of my favorite forms of poetry is haiku. This haiku is something I started several years ago one lonely summer evening. I probably just finished a very emotional book. There happened to be a group of red-wing blackbirds cackling away in my backyard while I was feeling quite somber. It felt like they were mocking my tears. In honor of National Poetry Month, I thought I'd share it.

Red-wing blackbirds hear
My cries leave the empty soul
Mocking always near

 And to continue the theme...here's a poem I wrote at approximately age 7. (Again with the mocking?!) I told myself then I'd never forget it, and I haven't. It's one of the few things I've committed to memory.                      

See the bee
The bee sees you
Diddle e Dee Diddle e Doo
The bee sees YOU!

Lastly, a few poetry books for the young and young at heart to check out.