The Beginning of a New Year: Writing Our Story

(Last Friday, 8/18)
I am sitting in my seat, ready for my district's convocation. There's lively music playing as we enter, and between the beats of the songs, I hear the laughter and enthusiastic greetings of my fellow educators as they take their seats for the event. We are united in our joy and excitement!

And I am excited as well (in particular) about our theme: #CISDOurstory. It couldn't be more perfect for this librarian! I believe in stories! I read them almost nonstop (novels, fiction, biographies, etc.) I celebrate them, buy them, promote them, and study them. Along with my fellow librarians, I share stories daily and bring them to our readers with enthusiasm and hope. Newbery-winning author Kate DiCamillo often speaks of the power of story, and when I hear the word, I always think of her. (Read her 2014 Newbery acceptance speech here. )

But we are not only consumers of story, we are also creators of them. Every teacher writes their story in his/her classroom, narrated in student voice, authentic and rich. Every school writes their story, woven through a collection of days, challenges, and successes.

And the most important story is that of our learners. Each day is a different page! How wonderful that we play a part in helping them write their interesting and amazing chapters!

Today (8/21)

I end this post with the first day of school behind me, I know that my 2017-2018 story already has a lovely beginning. The library is filled once more with learners and educators.

Speaking of stories, here are two picture books I have enjoyed recently:

Summer's End: Sharing a Few Books

Today is my last day of summer vacation. It's been a busy summer for me (as it usually is), and my blog has not received as much attention from me as it deserves. I've used it to chronicle some highlights of my summer, though, and for me those posts were my way of remembering this time in my librarian life. I know I will read those posts next summer fondly. 

But one of the reasons I am blogging today is to share two nonfiction books that were part of my summer reading list:

This is a very visually appealing picture book with a surprise each time you turn the page. Susan Stockdale highlights several real flowers with vibrant illustrations, celebrating them with poetic text that points out their likenesses to objects and animals: trumpets, ice cream, spoons, bats, snakes, etc. Readers are invited to find the resemblance, and when they do, it is a delight! At the end, Stockdale provides backmatter which includes information about pollination and flowers, as well as real-life photographs of the actual flowers featured in the book. With each photograph, Stockdale adds the scientific and common name. One flower that brought back childhood memories for me was the Mexican Hat. I used to play with those when I was a child and place the petals on my fingernails! That page made me smile. Make sure to check out the endpapers! They are lovely! 

In this picture book, Melissa Stewart teaches readers about droughts, explaining what they are, where they occur, and their progression. She also explains the dangers, effects and ways scientist study and monitor drought conditions. Sidebars provide additional information. I especially appreciated the back matter with a brief glossary, and the "How You Can Save Water" page. André Ceolin's bright illustrations are energy-filled and very engaging, pairing nicely with the text. This is another installment in the Let's Read and Find Out Series. I have a personal connection to this book as well, having grown up in an area that is usually hot, near cotton fields that experience droughts. 

Speaking of the summer's end, I am closing out mine today with just the right book (by a Texas author Jennifer Ziegler). I so enjoyed the first two installments in the Brewster Triplets series:

This one reminds of Girl Scout Day Camp!! 

If your summer is still happening, enjoy it! If it is not, I hope it left you with sweet memories!