Book Week is Coming!

Here in the library, LREI’s annual Book Week is one of our favorite times of the year. We welcome authors and illustrators into every Lower School classroom. It’s always an exciting time and this year is no exception.

On Monday December 10th we are happy to host Roxie Munro, Gina Goldmann, P.D Eastman, Geoffrey Hayes, Ai-Ling Louie, and Melanie Hope Greenburg. On Tuesday we will be seeing Randall de Seve, Carin Berger, Bonnie Bryant Hiller, C. Alexander London, and Michael Hearst. On Wednesday, we will be welcoming Marthe Joceyln.

Book Week culminates with our Annual Literary Evening for adults featuring A.M Homes, Alice Eve Cohen, Rajesh Parameswaran, Martha Southgate, Sung J. Woo.

Don’t forget the book sale will also be happening during Book Week on Wednesday after school, and Thursday and Friday all day.

Summer Reading

summer-reading It’s that time of year again.  It’s hard to believe, but it’s time to start thinking about summer reading!  Our Spring Book Fair is taking place Thursday May 20th and Friday May 21st, and you and your child(ren) will be able to pick up some books that are full of appeal to young readers!  Please keep in mind that the lists that the librarians provide are not “must-reads” rather they are “can-reads.”

Lower School parents will find 5 lists to choose from for their children.  Jesse designs the “Early Childhood” reading list for ultimate enjoyment for our youngest students.  Stacy designs the First through Fourth Grade Reading Lists with the wide range of readers at LREI in mind.  There are books on all of the lists for independent reading, for sharing, and for reading aloud.  Our lists are simply suggestions of titles with some or all of the following qualities:  they are reflective of the LREI community, they are ALA award winners, they are classics, they are stand outs in their genres, they are quality read aloud titles, they have been suggested by classroom teachers.

Helpful Hints
Since we do not want summer reading to become arduous, here are some suggestions from your librarians and classroom teachers to help make summer reading fun instead of frustrating.
* Sit down with your child to map out summer reading.  Which titles will your child read independently?  Which will you read together?
* If your child is becoming frustrated with a particular book, try to find out what is going on.  Is it too difficult for independent reading?  If it is, take the opportunity to make that title a read aloud.
* Feel free to drop a title.  If your child is not enjoying a book simply for plot reasons, choose another book!  Not every book is made for every child.
* Don’t leave summer reading until the last week of August.    Reading should happen throughout the days of summer.
* Don’t feel too tied to our lists.  There are many opportunities for summer reading out there.  Check out the public libraries where your family will be during the summer.  New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library and Queen’s Borough Public Library all have summer reading lists and summer reading programs in which your children can participate.
* Create your own summer reading lists.  Have your child come up with 5 or so books that s/he wants to read this summer.  Set some goals, and read together!
* Take reading outside.  There is no reason to be cooped up inside…books are portable!  Have a reading picnic in a local park.
* Have a book swap.  Summer play-dates can be reading themed.  Have your child swap some well-loved books with their friends.
* Start a book club.  Get together with friends and choose some books to read together.  Then meet up to have a book discussion over snacks!
* Always carry some books with you!  If you are stuck in traffic, end up waiting somewhere, or have a moment, hand your child a book.  This helps to solidify the culture of the reading family.

As always, please see your librarians or your child’s teacher if you have any questions about book titles or reading choices.

Book Week!

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!