WRAD Blogging Challenge: Week 1

Last year, I connected with other librarians and authors for World Read Aloud Day. As part of this year's efforts, I am participating in the World Read-Aloud Blogging Challenge. Here is my entry for Week 1:

What is your earliest or fondest memory when someone read-aloud to you? 

My fondest memory comes from middle school. My reading teacher read from Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien.

MRS. FRISBY AND THE RATS OF NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien

Published: Jan. 1, 1971

Published by: Aladdin

Pages: 233 

Awards:

Newbery Medal - 1972

Massachusett's Children's Book Award - 1978

We were each issued a copy of the book to follow along with our teacher, and I remember really liking that part!  Each night, I took the book home and reread that day's chapter. I grew to care so much for Mrs. Frisby, and I worried about her little family! I vaguely remember discussions we had about the story, and I'm not sure if we did any assigned work with it. But I do remember feeling so very invested in the characters and loving this book so very, very much.

My last memory of the book came on the day we ended our reading. We were supposed to hand in our issued books, and as I stood in line to give mine to my teacher, she mouthed these words to me: "Keep the book. It's yours."

And with this simple gesture, my teacher created an unforgettable lifetime moment for me.  This was the first book I ever owned. It was a tattered paperback, and it had been read before by other classes, but I was happy to have it (okay, GLORIOUSLY happy to have it). All the other books I'd read had all come from the library. I took care of them as if they were gold, for they were that to me. Without my school and public libraries, I would never have had access to all the books I had as a child.

My teacher opened up a new possibility to me: I could have my own library. I can look back now and know that this was a milestone moment in my reading life.

I have many more books now, and I don't know what happened to that copy. I hope it found its way to another grateful reader.

Thank you for reading my post! I look forward to connecting with libraries and authors on March 5th to share good books!

What I'm Learning Now: Artwork in Picture Books

Lately, I have been studying the artwork in picture books. I have spent hours looking at ONE book, filling sticky notes with thoughts and observations--paying close attention to detail, little surprises, colors, placement of elements, and mood. I am trying to teach myself more about terms that artist use: line, color, texture, and composition.

There is so much for me to learn. 

When I turn the pages of these books--- 

and others-- I continue to be amazed and thankful at the talent of these illustrators. With each page, they have created pieces of art that we can carry and hold and look at again and again. Not only do the words soothe and entertain us, but the artwork transports us, and connects us to beauty no matter where we are. 

I'm trying to learn from others and teach myself. I have begun to delve into art books from our library, and I have been finding online sources, too. I could not have predicted a year ago that my learning would take me here, but it has. Sitting at my kitchen table, I am a learner, reading, writing, asking questions, and seeking answers. 

I hope to start a book discussion group in my area soon. I want to talk about books with others because I know that in a discussion I will think, formulate a response, and share it. I will have to rethink my ideas in light of better ones. 

The picture book I'm reading now:

RAPUNZEL by Paul O. Zelinsky

Published by: Dutton Children's Books

Published: 1997

Pages: 48

It won the Caldecott Medal in 1998. How I wish I could have been at THAT Newbery/Caldecott Banquet. 

Sharing the 2014 Caldecott Winner

When I returned from ALA MidWinter and the Youth Media Awards, I was eager to read through the the 2014 Caldecott Medal Winner with my learners. (Note: This book was also a 2014 Sibert Honor Book.)

LOCOMOTIVE by Brian Floca
Published: Sept. 3, 2013
Published by: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Pages: 64

This is how I shared the book. I wrote instructions for myself. So in the following sentences, I'm really giving myself reminders:

First, discuss the size and overall look of the book. Our readers loved the colors and square shape. It is not a small book at all, and this gives it an added unique quality.

Second, remove the dust jacket.

(The buffalo illustrations on the front and back cover will draw gasps from readers. Trust me.)

Third, open the cover to reveal the front endpapers. Note the content, illustrations, and arrangement of elements on the page. This alone is a rich source. (You will spend a lot of time on this part of the book.)

Next, open the book to showcase the pages. Any page will do, but especially the page with the engineer looking out the window, or the narrow bridge, or the two -page spread of the train wheels bright red and vivid, and -- well---stunning.

You will probably linger over the pages for a long period of time and not even realize it because the illustrations and text will draw you in indefinitely.

But when you are done looking through the pages, make sure you read (and view) the back matter. The locomotive and its labeled parts are yet another reason why this book deserves many, many rereads.

Of course, I haven't even mentioned the text or or narrative in this book. That's for another blog post.

Have you read Locomotive yet? Which elements stand out to you?