I celebrated the day by connecting with readers & authors from various places in the United States. Please read below!
Skype Call #1
Our first Skype call was with Mina Javaherbin, the author of GOAL! which was a Texas Bluebonnet book nominee for 2011-2012. Everyone in my class had read the book, and we reread it in prep for our visit. (That's another great thing about Skype visits: they require advance prep and these create good opportunities for inspired
learning.) This picture book is about a group of boys in South Africa who love to play soccer. But they are always in fear of a group of bullies. Their love of the game, and the collaboration and ingenuity they show here is inspiring.
Mrs. Javaherbin discussed GOAL's themes and how she came up with the idea of the book. She was kind and wonderful in every way! She also shared the thinking process of writers. "On the one hand we have happiness and hope, on the other hand we have sadness and despair." She said writers struggle with this as they decide what to write. My students also asked her about how she felt about being nominated for a Bluebonnet Award, and she thanked them for voting.
REALIZATION: As authors share their creative process, they teach us about about so much more than writing.
Skype Call #2:
Our second call was with my awesome friend Mr. Schu (a.k.a. librarian rock star!) in Illinois. His first graders read from MESSING AROUND THE MONKEY BARS by Betsy Franco. The poems are written in two voices, so my students and the Illinois first graders took turns reading the parts. As I listened to the students read and share in this way, I thought about how marvelous the moment was, and how privileged I was to observe it. Mr. Schu's first graders were so prepared! REALIZATION: When students (no matter how different in age) read books together, it's magical to watch. Skype Call #3:
Our next Skype visit was with my wonderful friend Mrs. Dee from Maine. We met her 5th graders and she and I reminisced about meeting at ALA 2012 last summer. We took turns reading from MIRROR, MIRROR: A BOOK OF REVERSIBLE VERSE, a fabulous book by Marilyn Singer and also nominated for a Texas Bluebonnet Award for 2011-2012. These poems are read backward and forward and as you read them, you feel like you are figuring out a puzzle. We read four poems together. My students had a great time! I know this because they told me so! REALIZATION: Friendships that form with books are strong and deeply rooted. Thank you, Mrs. Dee!
Skype Call #4: Our last Skype call of the day was with another wonderful author, Ame Dyckman. She wrote one of our favorite books: BOY + BOT. In this book, a robot and a boy become friends. The illustrations by Dan Yaccarino are so vivid and perfect, and the story is delightful. Ms. Dyckman read aloud from the book (which was such a treat), and she shared more of her favorite picture books with us. One of the very best parts of the visit was that Ms. Dyckman talked about her upcoming book: TEA PARTY RULES. That moment was particularly awesome! Also, Ms. Dyckman's "diva" cat made an appearance--and this totally delighted my class. We love when authors introduce us to their pets. My class really enjoyed "meeting" Ame Dyckman. She was so fun and her passion for books was so evident as she spoke on our Smartboard!
REALIZATION: When authors connect with readers, the interaction is vibrant and powerful. (And so fun to watch!)
World Read Aloud Day was incredibly special. I know it created great memories that my students will treasure as they continue on their reading lives. Also, I hope it helped them see the satisfaction and joy that comes from sharing books with others.
We'll continue to celebrate World Read Aloud Day every day by reading together daily.
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