DU IZ TAK? as a Read-Aloud

I was recently searching for a book to read to 2nd grade, and I saw this title sitting on a cart. Since it won a Caldecott Honor Medal recently, I kept thinking about about how interesting it was, and how I really wanted to share it with teachers and students in a way that was impactful and meaningful.

I had looked at the illustrations forever the first time I read it. As usually happens with a good picture book, I noticed so many things each time I turned the page or opened the book again. This is one of the things I love about reading picture books.

But when I thought about reading it aloud, I hesitated. (I'll bet I am not the only librarian who has!) If you have not read the book, I will tell you that I hesitated because it is not in a recognizable language! (The book is about a few damselflies, a growing plant, and an unexpected visitor.)

But then I began to wonder. What if students really love this book and enjoy it was much as I do? What if this is a book that will engage a reluctant reader? (At this point I really wished I had 25 copies of the book so each student could look at it individually!)

Though I knew it would not be easy, I knew I was going to read it aloud.

And I did!

I started off by telling each class that the book was not in English. Or Spanish. (I can only also read aloud in Spanish, so this would have been awesome!)

Or Japanese. Or Portuguese (etc., etc., etc) There were more gasps each time and students tried to guess each language. Finally, I told them it was a made-up language. And then I asked them, "Do insects communicate?" (I have an entry point here for research. We WILL come back to this question in future library visits!)

I opened the book and started with the title page--- where we see a bud starting to sprout and a caterpillar crawling into the book.

We turn the page again and see more time has passed, and the caterpillar has settled in. And by this time in the reading, students are so engaged in the scene/illustrations, that they don't even think about not understanding the words anymore (although they did realize who Icky was!) With each page turn, the illustrations become more detailed, and the story unfolds in a way that brings about wonder.  And my reading of the nonsensical text suddenly becomes background as kids react in exclamations of "wow" and "I see something!"

I asked a few questions as I read, and I gave plenty of time for everyone to take in the illustrations. Before I knew it, we had only read about 7 pages, and it was time for checkout --  I hadn't even finished the book!

I told the class we would have to finish the book another day, and though they were a bit disappointed, they also were clearly loving the story and were all buzzing about it as they walked to the shelves to browse for books.

The students were no doubt using picture clues to comprehend the story, and thankfully, the punctuation helped out (especially question marks).

It also fit in perfectly with the grade level's upcoming study of insects!!

We will finish the story next time, and I cannot wait! I am so glad that I took a chance and read this book-aloud! And now, my brain is racing with ties to topics and ways to create connections in the library as well as the classroom.

AASL's Social Media Superstars Finalists

A school librarian's day always holds a few surprises! Sometimes it's a change in the schedule! Sometimes it's an unexpected book delivery! Whatever it may be, librarians are always ready! 

Recently, I enjoyed a surprise myself! I was honored to hear that I was one of three finalists in a new recognition program with AASL! 

This news today made me reflect about my membership in AASL. No doubt, joining a professional association as a librarian is a smart thing to do --especially one with such amazing resources and offerings! I know that being connected to a group that shares and learns together makes me a better librarian. I read the publications and posts and refer to them often during the week. Someone is always sharing their ideas and new ventures, and I am inspired to do the same! In fact, this is how my makerspace came about! 

Even though they are not in my building or even in my state, I learn so much from my fellow school librarians with whom I am connected. Are you connected? If not don't wait any longer! 

There are seven categories of finalist in the AASL program! I was named in the Curriculum Champion category. Make sure you check out all of the finalists in all of the categories, and if they have inspired you, please leave a comment for them! These comments and testimonials will be accepted from the public and the school library community until April 14th! I hope you will go through the list of finalists and add them to your PLN, too! 

AASL Social Media Superstars Finalists 

I celebrate all school librarians today and learn alongside you! I especially want to give a shout out to my fellow #cisdlib in my district and my #txlchat librarians in my state! They are each my teachers every day! 

May your day be full of lovely surprises, too! And many book deliveries! 

Tony by Ed Galing

I have a particular penchant for picture books. Below is a review I wrote of one you won't want to miss. (Plus two bonus titles with reviews coming later.) 

Review: 

Galing, Ed. Tony. Illus. by Erin E. Stead. New York: Roaring Brook, 2017. Print. 

This illustrated poem in picture book form introduces readers to a gentle horse named Tony and his driver, Ed --  a bygone milk delivery team. Readers get a glimpse of a treasured memory as Tony and Ed go about their work in the early morning hours, pulling a wagon down the street, earning the young narrator's admiration and fondness. Gallon's succinct and tender verse endears Tony to readers (and spotlights a special friendship), while Stead's pencil illustrations bring the horse to life. Effective use of scale brings readers closer into moments, and farther for perspective -- in wordless spreads or full pages. Soft, nostalgic hues of yellow and blue capture the warmth from streetlights or homes, and the quiet beauty of pre-dawn. A sweet childhood recollection, this title is a must have for both poetry fans, as well as fans of the work of Caldecott winner Erin Stead. 

Two other picture books I have read recently: 

Readers Need Book Celebrations!

Just before Spring Break began last week, my fellow district librarians and I were busily prepping for our March Book Madness set to begin when we return to school. We all put up our bracket banners, and announced the event to our teachers and students. We do so because it is important to celebrate reading, and of course, because it is also so much fun!

I finished up my banner, sent out the information, and then soon afterward began my Spring Break weekend-- heading to the Tucson Festival of Books where I had panels to attend and work to do.

I hadn't really connected these events (MBM and TFOB), but when I returned home, I reflected back on my trip and realized they were indeed very much connected.

Panel at Tucson Festival of Books with Chris Britt, Jessixa Bagley, and Matthew Cordell 

When I attended the Festival, I was attending as a librarian, yes, but mostly I was celebrating as a reader. It felt great to be among other fans of books, walk past the booths, clap enthusiastically for authors, and revel in the fact that THOUSANDS appreciate books just as much as I do.

I was able to talk to other readers about books we'd read, and then nod in agreement and recognition when we saw books we all knew. This brief weekend trip did much to fuel my devotion to children's literature and inspired me to keep learning about, reading, and sharing children's books.

Then I thought about our March Book Madness:

It will be a time when our students can talk about books they've read with others, cheer enthusiastically, and perhaps learn that others appreciate books as much as they do! Book events like March Book Madness are essential in our library because these events might be a students's first "book festival" and a preview of more to come! It might be the first time they realize that it is okay to clap for books and that others will want to do the same! These events give our young readers a glimpse of the "reading life" that is possible for them: a lifetime of talking about books with others and connecting yourself to a community of readers wherever you live. Just as importantly, events like these tell readers that books ARE worth celebrating! With food! With friends! With joy!

So there will be more book events like this in our library (hopefully the next one will have a banner that is easier to make) and most definitely, there are more book festivals in this librarian's future.

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What books am I celebrating this week? Check out these titles:

Becoming a Future Ready Librarian

I know February 14th was Valentine's Day, but I will remember it for a different reason. Not for the hearts or roses. Not for the conversation hearts. Or the lovely dinner I enjoyed.

I will remember it fondly because it was the day I watched the Future Ready Librarian webinar hosted by Shannon Miller, Mark Ray, Tom Murray, and Kristen Mattson. (If you want to watch it, visit Shannon Miller's blog post about it here.)

Future Ready Librarians is part of a program/initiative to utilize school libraries in efforts to promote personalized learning for students. I had heard about it just before the school year started, and I had a feeling I would want to be a part of it. When I saw the webinar, I knew. 

I am always trying to be a better librarian. And I want to know about all of the ways I can help students and teachers. Connecting to the Texas Library Association as well as ALA helps me do that because of the people with whom I am connected. And this particular work is also resonating with me -- perhaps because it pushes me to keep learning and trying new things. Perhaps because it feels so great to be connected to something bigger. 

Our district librarians are working on this together, so I have comfort in learning with friends. But I also have to make sense of it for myself. To do this, I have been taking one "wedge" of the wheel at a time (see the site mentioned above and you will understand) and interpreting it in my own words. Before each day begins in the library, I take a look at the wheel and ask myself some questions:
What does it mean for me? How can I accomplish this? How do I already do this? After doing this, I usually find one small thing I can do -- and tie it to my plans for the day. I get excited about the possibilities! 

Throughout the day, I've been able recognize opportunities to be "Future Ready". After a completing a particular task at school, I usually tell myself: "This is on the wheel!" And that makes me so happy! 

I am excited about what role our school library can continue to play in the learning in my building. 

And thanks to #futurereadylibs, I have more ways to help make this happen!