Monthly Archives: November 2007

Nov
30
2007

Book Week!

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It’s hard to believe that Book Week is almost upon us!

Next week, fabulous authors will be in each Lower School classroom talking with your children about writing books. Our Lower School schedule is as follows:

Monday, December 3: Amy Guglielmo and Julie Appel in the 4s class

Marthe Joceyln in Dorothy and Deborah’s 1st grade class

Isabel Rose in Jamie and Bonnie’s 1st grade class

Mario Picayo in Gina and Emily’s 1st grade class

Ai-Ling Louie in Jackie and Dot’s 2nd grade class

Sally Cook in Tasha and Rebecca’s 2nd grade class

Wednesday December 5: Marthe Joceyln in Luise and Stacey’s Kindergarten

Eric Losh in Emily and Ana’s 3rd grade class

Roxane Orgill in Alison and Lisa’s 3rd grade class

Sarah Deming in Kate and Dave’s 4th grade class

Thursday, December 6: Jennifer Merz in Diane and Charles’ EK class

Monica Wellington in Lauren and Molly’s Kindergarten

Annette Perez in the Afterschool Reds

Friday, December 7: Bonnie Hiller is Gwen and Becka’s 4th grade class

Be sure to ask your child about the visit to the classroom! And remember that the book fair portion of Book Week begins Wednesday, December 5th after school!

Nov
27
2007

Consider Dr. Seuss

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Last week, in honor of Thanksgiving, I read the fours class Green Eggs and Ham.  The good doctor plumbed sheer genius from a book composed entirely of one syllable words (excepting, of course, the single three syllable word, “anywhere”)  Naturally, they had almost all heard it before, but that just pulled them in even harder.  By the end, we were all reading it together, really.  I’m sure you know Dr. Seuss as well as anyone, but I urge you to consider having another look, even for older kids who might not have latched onto the author’s sublime weirdness.  Here are a few Dr. Seuss titles you may be less familiar with: I Had Trouble In Getting to Solla Sollew, Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!, If I Ran the Circus; I Can Read with my Eyes Shut!

Nov
13
2007

A Word Or Two About Graphic Novels

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    Kids cannot get enough of them — super-heroes, humor, mystery, adventure, and the non-fiction, too.  Many parents, meanwhile, are still dubious of the form.  In large part this must be due to the reputation of the graphic novel’s forbearer, the comic book, which was once thought of as being little good for anything more than  lowbrow entertainment.

There are worthwhile reads in every genre within the form and as accomplished artists continue to explore the medium, more beautiful and artistically sophisticated works are added to the list every year.  I urge you to have a look at some recent notable choices like the Babymouse series by Jennifer Holm or, as I will continue to proclaim from every mountaintop I can find, The Arrival by Shaun Tan (a contender for the greatest graphic novel ever).

You will find story-telling that, like in the best picture books, combines the visual and the written word in a way that engages the eye, the mind and the heart like nothing else.

http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/books/graphicnovels.asp has more information on the subject.

Nov
12
2007

Reader’s advisory

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There are many ways that I learn about books. Word of mouth, professional journals, and browsing the bookstore are just a few. Lately, however, I have been turning to the world of online children’s book blogs. There are literally thousands out there, each with a different purpose and tone, and over this year, I would like to share some of these links with you.

This week many bloggers have been writing about “The Brown Bookshelf” This is a site made up of “a group of 5 authors and illustrators (Paula Chase-Hyman, Varian Johnson, Don Tate, Kelly Starling Lyons and Carl Sarratt), brought together for the collective goal of showcasing the best and brightest voices in African-American Children’s Literature with special emphasis on new authors and books that are flying under the radar.”

Diversity (and lack thereof) in children’s literature has always been an issue on the table. I am delighted to be able to visit the Brown Bookshelf to inform my own reading and find new titles for the shelves at LREI!

Nov
06
2007

Welcome!

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Welcome to the lower school library blog!

This is going to be a place to find some book reviews, book lists, interesting literacy tidbits, and library news.

I am always on the look out for new and exciting ways to engage children in reading. The National Center for Family Literacy has just release a free e-magazine called “Cultivating Readers: A Magazine for Parents” that is filled with some great ideas about raising readers.

Enjoy!