Post MidWinter

Upon my return from ALA Midwinter:

I was invited by my wonderful principal to share my experience on our morning announcements broadcast, and I was happy to do so! I talked about how amazing the experience was, and I brought along one of our copies of THE ADVENTURES OF BEEKLE by Dan Santat,  the 2015 Caldecott Medal Winner. It was great to be able to show the students the new cover with the Caldecott Medal (which I had just affixed that very morning).

That week, I also read THE ADVENTURES OF BEEKLE to 1st -5th grade classes, wearing a crown similar to the ones the Caldecott committee wore in Chicago. I never tired of the book, and each time, saw something new. "He did the unimaginable," is my favorite line of the book because it makes me think of my own learning journey. Since I read the book aloud to classes, I purchased more copies both for the library and for gifts, and I have yet to see the book in the library for very long at all.

One particular effect of the ALA MidWinter experience: I couldn't stop talking about it.
In fact, when a group of visitors from a nearby school district dropped by the library last week, I found myself giving an impromptu presentation on the Caldecott Award and the value of picture books -- and I did not run out of words.

I read 2015 Geisel Honor Winner WAITING IS NOT EASY by Mo Willems to kindergarten, asking the classroom teacher to read either Gerald or Piggie's part. This type of team reading was a definite success, and I saw the beauty of the book even more. The night sky filled with stars is definitely a wonderful surprise to share with Gerald, Piggie!

I returned with a long list of books to read and  purchase based on what I had seen at MidWinter. I read books at booths or in sessions where they were being discussed. My order list is growing!

I also can't believe I experienced a blizzard. Wow! I'm so glad I took pictures!

And because I promised myself I would write a poem about the experience, here is my draft:

Snow City

The snowflakes slide
lightly down.
Never stopping.
Through a welcome window
I watch them glide
past buttery lamplight
then lose them in piles--
too many to see.

How is it that I am here?
here in this snow city
in this place
Now?

I am a visitor --
a traveler --
a WONDERER --
standing in warmth
looking down
at the snow city
below --
marveling.

© 2015 Cynthia Alaniz

A meager attempt at poetry, but I will revise!

I am so grateful for the ALA MidWinter experience!

TCTELA 2015

This weekend, I attended one day of the TCTELA Conference in Houston. I was honored to present with book friends (and esteemed colleagues) Teri Lesesne, Donalyn Miller, and Karin Perry.

Because TCTELA was celebrating its 50th anniversary, our presentation was called "50 Books in 50 Minutes". Can you imagine how difficult it was for us to name 50 books as a group? Altogether, we have read MANY books. We each chose 10 to represent a decade, then a few to represent 2005-2015.

Here are three of the books I included in my portion:

How I love this book! I love the persistence of this little kitten. He is on a quest for the unattainable. And though he finally does give up, he is rewarded. 

This book was the 2005 Caldecott Winner and also received the Charlotte Zolotow Award. The artwork is gouache and colored pencil, and perfect. 

I read this one with fourth graders as a classroom teacher years ago. I remember so many lines from this book. How brave Sarah was to leave her home in Maine!  But also, I know the children needed her so! 

Winner of the 1986 Newbery Medal as well as the Scott O'Dell Award. 

My favorite lines: "I will come by train. I will wear a yellow bonnet. I am plain and tall." 

I saw an exhibit of Ed Young's work when it came to our area last spring. I got swallowed up in the beauty of the pieces. I walked around quietly and respectfully, taking in every image and bit of color. Lon Po Po's red and other dark colors created a surreal yet vivid backdrop for the Little Red Riding Hood story. And the panels! How glorious! 

Winner of the 1990 Caldecott Medal 

A book you could -- and should -- read again and again. 

It was a joy to present with Teri, Donalyn, and Karin. These book friends help me grow in my own love of children's literature. I am grateful for them! 

Award-Winning Books = Great Reading



 

Since attending the Newbery Caldecott Banquet last month, I've been very interested in reading more of these award-winning books. Though I've been teaching a few years (okay more than a few ;-), and I did read throughout those years, I am especially attune now to children's literature and its quality. I can say that there are several titles I have picked up and looked at and said to myself: "I have read this before!" However, I cannot say I took enough time to enjoy them or truly appreciate them. So, I am going back and rereading some of these with a different set of eyes--eyes opened with time, more reading, and experience.

 

Now, whenever I see or hear about a Caldecott or Newbery book, I want to know more. If I could, I would memorize the winners (as well as the Honors). I'm curious about the author, the artwork, the process, and everything that makes the book unique. I started the Newbery and Caldecott challenges in 2012, too. (I've been making some progress on this, but I haven't gotten as far along as I should have because I keep stopping to read the new books.)

 

So I'm trying fit in more of these books. And in that, I feel as if I 'm giving myself the very best education. I am taking it up on myself to learn from experts about these books, and I'm finding that there is much to learn. But that doesn't dissuade me from the pursuit of the learning because I care very much about it. It IS my passion. (Isn't this what we seek for our students? Yes. And because I live this, I want to help every student who is in my charge to find their passion as well.)

 

In pursuit of learning, and because it is a complete joy to me, I read these titles this week:



  

 

 

A SINGLE SHARD by Linda Sue Park

Published: April 23, 2001

First published by: Clarion Books

 

What a rich and beautiful story this is! Tree-ear, an orphan, is the main character living in Korea in the 12th century. He wants nothing more than to learn the craft. But many things go against Tree-ear. The storytelling is stunning, and I highly recommend it.  I learned more about the art of celadon glaze pottery in this book, and I want to learn more about that, too. Linda Sue Park won the Newbery Medal for this book in 2002.

 

 

 

 JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT by Simms Taback

Published: Oct. 1, 1999

Published by: Viking

 

Simms Taback both wrote and illustrated this Caldecott Medal winner for the year 2000. (His book POSTCARDS FROM CAMP won the Texas Bluebonnet Award in 2013.) In  JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT, Taback uses cutouts to create the art and tell the story, and each time you turn the page, the cutout is used in a new way. How many versions of this book have been published?



 

BLUEBERRIES FOR SAL by Robert McCloskey  

Published: Sept. 17, 1948

Published by: Viking Juvenile

 

This delightful picture book was a Caldecott Honor book in 1949. I have been to Maine only once in my life, but I remember it well, and often think of it. (Once my life isn't so busy, I'd love to travel there and vacation for awhile.) So when I reread this book, I saw it through Caldecott eyes, and with good memories. But this book didn't need any of those things to make it wonderful. The story is sweet, and the illustrations make the reader go back to look each time. Little things are noticed. Little but truly amazing things. Robert McCloskey's work will bring a smile to your face, and will make you want to go to Maine and eat blueberries.

 

 Hope your day is filled with wonderful books, and that you are learning about things that you love, too!