THE BOOK OF MISTAKES by Corinna Luyken

Luyken, Corinna.  The Book of Mistakes. New York, NY: Dial, 2017. Print. 

Luyken's  debut picture book THE BOOK OF MISTAKES is a journey into the mind of an artist who makes errors, but corrects them just as quickly into something more beautiful than before. Using an abundance of white space and sparse text, the narrator's scene begins with a face and an eye that is too big. Alternatively, one success turns into another "mistake", and as the book progresses, the illustrations zoom out into a whimsical outdoor scene with a rollerskating girl pulling many yellow balloons. Luykens primarily employs black, but in sweet perfect bursts, she also uses powder blue, yellow, and pink, fitting for a scene in which a group of children play in the branches of a very large tree. With each page turn, a grander scene is unveiled, inspiring wonder and imagination. Readers will enjoy the quirkiness of the subjects. Possible curricular tie-ins abound here and include makerspace, art, creativity, writing, and more. 

And although the art is stunning, note the conversational tone of the text -- honest, hopeful, and friendly -- written from one artist to another: the reader. 

The larger size is perfect for this book, reminding readers of a painter's canvas. Also note the title's text and placement in the word "mistakes". 

I cannot wait to share this with our art teacher! 

#txla17: Reflections A Few Weeks Later!

This conference was over two weeks ago. But life has been really busy lately!

I thought I would post a few of my thoughts here-- both as a way of recording them for myself and as much needed writing practice.

What I realized after TLA was that it is GOOD to be with other librarians. We don't have to explain ourselves, or even really know each other. We can talk to just about anyone at any of the sessions in any of the venues and talk about just about any book. (Do you know how awesome that is??) We can all pretty much know that we do the same type of work -- but in different ways -- and the person next to us probably has something to teach us.

We can see people we have learned from online- members of our PLN. We can ask questions, compare notes, and use our knowledge to better ourselves and improve our libraries. The opportunities to do this are everywhere -- in the elevator, waiting in line, before and after sessions, and of course, during the sessions, too. And the learning happens on the way to events, too! In fact, I am amazed at how many times I ran into the very people I needed to talk to!! Serendipity!

I also love the opportunity we have to hear from thought leaders! The Future Ready Librarians session with Mark Ray and Sara Trettin was on my must-do list, and I am SO glad that I was able to attend. It absolutely reinforced and fortified my plans and current work to make my library #futureready.

Of course, the very best parts of TLA for me comes from the books! Meeting authors and hearing them talk about their work? There is nothing else that brings me as much joy as this at TLA! I hang on their every word. I love listening to them tell their stories ABOUT their stories. And I am always so thankful for their kindness and willingness to share -- even though they have probably shared these stories a million times! The children's literature panels and author sessions equip me for reader's advisory and give me many titles for my reading lists!

I wish I could mention every session I went to, and every person I met -- but that would be impossible and lengthy. Instead, I hope I left you with an impression of just how much attending TLA means to me as a librarian, as a reader, and as a learner.

Until next year! See you in Dallas! #txla18

Blogging About #txla17

I'm not sure if it is too late to blog about my experience at the Texas Library Association's Annual Conference or not. It's been over a week -- maybe two--and I don't know of any limits on this type of thing -- If there is, I think I'm writing it anyway because I need to record and process my learning. 

And while I've decided to go ahead and blog about TLA 2017 at this late date, I've also decided I cannot do it all in one post. (Does this give you an idea of just how amazing it was?) 

To figure out my starting point, I looked at the camera roll on my phone. My TLA experience started here: 

And on this particular day, I decided my most memorable and profound takeaways came from listening to the opening keynote speaker, Hadi Partovi. 

Hadi Partovi, Founder of code.org

Partovi is a tech entrepreneur and investor, and currently the CEO of code.org. Like many librarians across the country, I participate in the Hour of Code each December (bringing coding to the learners in my library), so I was thoroughly interested in hearing his presentation. 

I was not disappointed. His speech was doubly inspirational: Partovi's own start in the tech world (receiving a Commodore computer as a child) and his mission to ensure the growth of computer science in schools were both reasons why his speech was impactful to me as an educator. 

He presented facts on the need for more computer science majors, including statistics showing the number of current jobs available in Texas, and the need for more graduates to fill them. 

He also issued a challenge to an enthusiastic crowd of already-coding librarians: go beyond the Hour of Code. How about a year of code? As Partovi remarked,  just as we wouldn't only teach an hour of math or an hour of reading, we shouldn't stop at one hour of coding. 

Brilliant! 

Question posed to us by Mr. Partovi

I didn't have to be convinced on the power of coding. It is evident and clear that when students code, they are thinking and problem-solving! They are analyzing and putting plans into motion. I've seen the excitement on my students' faces when they succeed in writing code. But Partovi's presentation helped me better appreciate the value of coding in schools, and that as we support this in our libraries, we are developing future careers! 

I truly was inspired by Mr. Partovi's leadership and commitment. For me, it is yet another example of how one's passion and determination can make a difference in the lives of others-- specifically, my students! 

To learn more about the Hour of Code, click here.

And keep coding!

MOO MOO IN A TUTU by Tim Miller

Miller, Tim. Moo Moo in a Tutu. New York, NY: Balzer + Bray, 2017. Print. 

Where did I first hear about this book?

At TLA 2017 at the Lip Sync Battle session! Author Tim Miller was the winner of the competition.

I saw the cover, and knew that I wanted to read the book!
Then I returned home after a great conference and had it in a couple of days! Thank you, @harperchildrens!

I read the book to kindergarten and a couple of 1st and 2nd grade classes. Each time I presented it a bit differently and saw a little more. I started off by telling students that I had a really silly book to read to them, and of course they all cheered at that! Then I told them that it was about a duck and a cow, and they were really ready for the book.

But it wasn't until I read the title and showed them the cover that I truly knew it was going to be a hit!

After seeing that the ballet is performing across the street, Moo Moo decides to try being a ballerina. A bit unsure about this idea, Mr. Quackers still supports his friend's venture (even though his first attempt is less than successful). Moo Moo makes herself a tutu, and heads down to the ballet to join in the performance. But Moo Moo's style is a bit unconventional, and not quite ready for the stage. Despite the chaotic end to Moo Moo's performance, Mr. Quackers remains a faithful friend, offering praise and congratulations and going along with her idea.

After reading this book a few times aloud, you discover that it is a book about friendship, yes, but also about growth mindset. Moo Moo isn't afraid to try something new, and clearly she has done so before (see her trunk and wardrobe). Also, Moo Moo isn't afraid of failing. (No, she didn't practice, but still her attitude is commendable!)

I asked my students to tell me how Mr. Quackers showed he was a good friend. Most said because he was the only one that cheered Moo Moo's performance. Also, they remembered how Mr. Quackers listened to everything Moo Moo had to say and didn't try to talk her out of being a ballerina. He let her figure that out for herself!

The illustrations brought so much laughter! All I had to do was turn the pages!

Librarians, take a peek under the dust jacket for a case cover surprise!

I had a great time reading this book aloud in my library!

Learn more about author/illustrator Tim Miller here in his post for the Nerdy Book Club!

A Great Gathering: #txla17

I am very excited to be attending the Texas Library Association's Annual Conference this week! I call it a "great gathering" because that is indeed what it is! Librarians from all over Texas (as well as some from other states!) come together in this week to learn, grow and collectively contribute to our wonderful profession.

I look forward to the conference for several reasons:

1.) Connecting in real life with members of my PLN

I learn so much from my Twitter PLN, and I get the opportunity to see them at this conference. We already "sort of" know each other, but here we can have conversations and connect even more.

2.) Attending informative sessions that help me learn and grow

This year, I am especially looking forward to the Future Ready Librarian session with Mark Ray. It is very exciting to work toward this effort of making our libraries "future ready".

Of course, I also look forward to hearing about new books and hearing from amazing authors who help my students become lifelong readers with their work!

AND: I look forward to attending the AASL 101 session with Audrey Church!

3.) Celebrating libraries!

I think it's perfect that our conference is held during School Library Month! At TLA, we will hear about wonderful library programs throughout the state and get ideas for our own libraries!

It will be a busy week, and I hope to fit everything in! At the end, I will reflect!

P.S. I only packed FOUR pairs of shoes this time!

A Few Books I've Read Recently

I have quite a few books to read right now, and I really want to read them all!! But where do I start? I walk around my office(s), scan my to-read piles, pick up many of the books and try to decide which will be next. Sometimes it just clicks and the mere act of lifting the book in my hand helps me know which one is next. But most times, it is not so easy!

When I do finally decide, and I look back at my Goodreads READ shelf, I always smile ---because they bring me back to the good memories each book carried. I wanted to share a recent list here and tell a bit about them-- not a full review but enough to give my perspective. 

Korman, Gordon. Masterminds. New York, NY: Balzer Bray, 2016. Print.

I just finished the first installment of the Masterminds series by Gordon Korman. (I know I should have read it sooner! I know!) This one is part mystery, part science fiction, part coming-of-age middle grade. What do you do when you find out your life is not as you think it is? When everything and everyone (including your parents) aren't who you think they are? That's what these characters face, and each of them is very compelling. What I especially enjoy about Gordon Korman is his ability to keep us guessing and then bring in a point of plot we weren't expecting at all! I am not trying to read the next two installments and hoping I get time to do that. 

Gravel, Elise. Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere. New York, NY: Harper, an Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2017. Print.

Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere is a very different kind of book with a very different kind of main character! It's a quirky chapter book/graphic novel about a girl who finds a mysterious pet that is indeed VERY strange. It's pink and covered in trash and not any recognizable animal that we would know at all. Olga's love of science, observations, Jane Goodall, and animals drive her to figure out what this pet is and to take the very best care of it.  It reminded me a lot of the Pusheen the Cat books for some reason -- with much more of a storyline and a strong voice! 

Kelly, Erin Entrada. Hello, Universe. New York, NY: HarperCollinsPublishers, 2017. Print.

I finished this one in one sitting which is very rare for me. (I still think about Erin Entrada Kelly's previous book The Land of Forgotten Girls and how much I was moved by that book.) This one is about a boy's search for acceptance through random (or not so random) events. I didn't expect it to have as much suspense as it did, and the plot moved fairly quickly. There are four major characters and the other is a bully -- all are unforgettable! I'll say it is a middle-grade must-read! 

Butler, Dori H.  King and Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats. Illus. by Nancy Meyers. Atlanta: Peachtree, 2017. Print.

This is the first installment in a new early reader mystery series from Peachtree Publishers and a definite page-turner! King, Kayla's dog, tells us the story, and he is a very endearing narrator! Kayla has baked some dog treats for a friend's dog, but three of them are missing! Together, they use clues to solve the mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed this one!  The second book in the series is King Kayla and the Case of the Secret Code. 

I wonder what my Goodreads shelf will show me next week!

How do you decide what to read next? 

DANIEL FINDS A POEM by Micah Archer

Archer, Micha. Daniel Finds a Poem. New York: Nancy Paulsen, 2016. Print. 

It is the second week of National Poetry Month, and I wanted to share more poetry with each grade level. The checkouts have been very high in the section, and I have to replenish the supply almost once a day so I know poetry is being read in our building!

With kindergarten, my first lesson involved having them illustrate a poem I read aloud. The poem was "Recess" by Avis Harley from The Poetry Friday Anthology TEKS K-5 Version: Poems for the School Year with Connections to the TEKS  by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong.

For the next lesson, I knew I wanted them to get a glimpse of more of the beauty of poetry, so I chose Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer as my read-aloud.

What I appreciated about this book was that it truly helps in understanding poetry in a way that is like a story.

In the book, the main character Daniel learns about a poetry event in the park he frequents. But he doesn't quite understand what poetry is. So he asks his animal friends in the park, and they each give him a reply -- suited to their world, and rhythmic and lovely!

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Archer, Micha. Daniel Finds a Poem. New York: Nancy Paulsen, 2016. Print. 

Part of the book is a repetition of the days of the week, as Daniel chats with a different animal each day. I had students repeat the days with me, and I asked them to tell me what day came next and before. 

With each animal's reply to the question "What is poetry?" I picked out a particularly perfect phrase from each one and had them repeat it. If you do this lesson, you won't have any difficulty picking them out. 

Along the way, the illustrations are stunning and will bring you to nice stopping points. Leaves, water, trees, rocks--- all of them vividly done in perfect collages. In a double page spread, Daniel runs alongside a squirrel, his legs extended across the gutter creating an authentic sense of movement. Archer also employs a masterful use of scale evident in a page in which Daniel towers over a cricket, deep in thought and conversation. 

At the end, Daniel writes a poem collected with all of the phrases the animals shared with him. When I read this aloud to learners they applauded afterward, almost as if they were listening to him share the poetry in real life! (This was a particularly beautiful moment in the read-aloud.) After, we went through each line and looked back at which animal contributed to Daniel's poem. 

The beauty of this picture book? It shows us that poetry is indeed all around us, ready to be discovered. 

I am happy with what we accomplished: each kindergartener listened to rich, melodic lines of poetry, adapted for their curiosity of the natural world. I hope they will think of this book the next time they are out with their families exploring the outdoors. I have hopes that they might also write some lines about what the creatures and living things they will encounter-- and bring these verses to me to enjoy! 

How do you introduce poetry to kindergarten? 

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