Holiday Favorites

The following is a list of my 6 favorite holiday picture books, which I own and hope to share with any grandchildren I may have in the future:

Christmas Tree! by Wendell and Florence Minor - Christmas trees come in all shapes and sizes and can be found in almost any setting, but there is only one "best" Christmas tree.

Christmas Tree Memories by Aliki - Family members admire the ornaments on their Christmas tree and share their memories of previous holidays as evoked by the ornaments.

Good King Wenceslas, illustrated by Jamichael Henterly - An illustrated version of the English Christmas carol about the generous king.

Little Tree by e.e. cummings - The poet/individualist's ode to a small tree decorated for Christmas and proud to receive admiring attention.

Mouse's First Christmas by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Buket Erdogen - While exploring the house on Christmas Eve, a little mouse discovers the tree, a candy cane, a stocking, a jingle bell, and Santa Claus.

Santa Mouse by Michael Brown, illustrated by Elfrieda DeWitt - Santa gives a nameless mouse a special gift for Christmas.

The Key Skill (Really) Among the Big Six!

The Nov. 2008 issue of SLJ (pg. 33) contains an article, by Renea Arnold and Nell Coburn, on the six early literacy skills that all of us are a-buzz about. The authors describe a presentation by college professor, Christyn Dundorf, which illustrated how the EL skills lead to success in reading. What jumped out at me, as I read the article, was that Dundorf singled out print motivation as the key EL skill. Duh! This affirmed what I have always believed, and even expressed to parents (as a professional opinion, of course) in my programs. Make books and reading fun, and the other skills will follow. Engage them and they'll come back for more. And the more thay come back for, the easier it will be for them to leap into independent reading. And a lifelong appreciation for the power of the printed word. This is big stuff we do with the little ones!

Pre VPK

Lately I've noticed that my preschool storytime participants seem generally younger than in the past, and also less able to attend to longer stories. At first I began wondering if, perhaps, I was losing a bit of the spark that enabled me to develop a strong rapport with my preschoolers. Then, after mulling it over for awhile, I realized that children's librarians, at least in our state of Florida, prabably are working more with the younger end of the 3-to-5 year olds, as VPK targets 4 yr. olds+ Many of the 4 and 5 year olds, who might have attended library programs before starting kindergarten are now being siphoned off to VPK . My current preschool storytimes consist of mostly 3 yr. olds (except for that one precocious, homeschooled 5-yr. old). So yes, the shorter stories (+ a variety of activities before and after the books) often work better, because yes, they are a younger group. Those of us who have been in the field for awhile know that there is a wide window between ages 3 and 5 yrs. Developing programs to meet the needs of our unique audiences is an exciting and gratifying challenge.

The Future of READing

I just finished 2 installments of a piece in the NY Times (thanks to the internet!) on the future of reading. Those of us involved in print materials in our daily life know that things are changing. And the focus is on what direction to take in nurturing skills in children that will make them better prepared for their future. A lot of "talk" these days revolves around the comparison between computer literacy and print reading proficiency. My personal take on the issue is that both are important. But, I think, print reading proficiency will still be a marker of those destined for higher degrees and more complex thinking. Life skills are online now. And most kids are comfortable with that. Not all kids need or even should go to college. But they all need to know how to use a computer for things like basic research, electronic communication, filling out online forms, etc. Our most gifted students will also be readers who can delve, reflect, and respond to what they read by forming new ideas about their future. Adults who value and nurture both digital and print fluency are needed to help steer young people toward success.

Two Parents

At a recent Bedtime Storytime program, which was filled with mostly Dads and sons, I mentioned how nice it was to see Dads bringing their children to the library. One happy little girl piped up that she had a Mommy at home, also. I smiled and told her that she was a very lucky girl and that I hoped it would stay that way. All of the adults in the room chuckled, as they understood my veiled comment on the preponderance of single-parent households these days.

Eye Winker, Tom Tinker

Today during my Baby Time (0-12 mos.) program, I did the old, "Eye Winker, Tom Tinker, Nose smeller, Mouth eater, and a Chinny, Chin, Chin chopper" touch/tickle rhyme that I remember my Dad doing with me and my siblings when we were quite young. I was quite surprised to find that none of the young mothers at the program had ever heard that classic rhyme!

Plug Covers

Yesterday after storytime a parent discovered an uncovered floor plug and told me that it was unsafe. Yes, we try to keep all of the little outlet plug openings covered so that all the little darlings won't get electrocuted from sticking their little fingers in the little holes. The program room had been used the weekend before, and the group who used the room lost the round cover that normally goes over the round outlet plate. Since my daughter is now an adult, it has been awhile since I've had to worry about those things, and I didn't notice the missing cover. Until it was pointed out to me. I then checked all of the outlets in the entire juvenile area (inside and outside the program room) of the library, and I discovered many uncovered outlets. Not good. This morning before my work day started, I made a quick trip to Wal-Mart and bought lots of plug outlet covers. I wasn't about to wait until a supplies request for the covers was received, filled, and sent to my branch. Then I covered every outlet I could find anywhere near the children's area of the library. I realize, too, that an email to the janitorial supervisor may be necessary, as I suspect the cleaning crew removes the covers in order to plug in their vacuum cleaner, and then fails to replace them afterwards. Such a simple thing can turn into a major issue in a public library. A youth librarian's goal is to offer quality literature programs to children. But like physicians, we should first do no harm. A periodic outlet check is a good thing. I am glad that the parent pointed out the potential hazard to me. It zapped me into action, before a kid got zapped!

The Horse's Uvula

During one of my recent farm-themed preschool storytimes, a precocious 4-yr.-old named Isabella excitedly blurted out, in the middle of the story I was reading, "I see the horse's uvula!" And indeed she did. Everyone in the room got a chuckle and a vocablulary lesson.

Money Can't Buy Happiness

While taking a recent "staycation," I read two young adult novels, back-to-back, whose overall themes were that money can't buy happiness. Both were engaging, but for different reasons. Deb Caletti's THE FORTUNES OF INDIGO SKYE is full of snappy, LOL humor directed at the ironies of contemporary life. The heroine in the book is an 18 yr. old waitress trying to sort out her future. When an appreciative customer gives her a huge amount of money, Indigo's options markedly expand. And her life gets much more complicated. In the end, Indigo manages to chart an authentic course for herself, but not without a few reality checks along the way. Jennifer Bradbury's SHIFT is a riveting character study within the framework of a mystery. In SHIFT, best friends Chris and Win take a post high school graduation cross country bike trip together, but only Chris returns. The mystery surrounding Win's whereabouts ensues, with chapters effectively alternating between chronological episodes from the bike trip, and the ongoing investigative efforts to find Win. At SHIFT's conclusion, the mystery is solved, but the reader is left with lingering questions. Both books were solid reads that I heartily recommend for their entertaining approaches to values clarification and the concept of wealth.

Book Review

BECCA AT SEA (J Fic) by Deirdre Baker

This delightful book is the perfect diversion for anyone taking a “staycation.” Becca, the 10-yr. old heroine, visits her grandmother on a small island off the northwest coast, while Becca’s parents prepare for the birth of her first sibling. Each chapter takes plucky Becca, and the reader, on simple adventures full of surprises. The seashore provides a rich and rustic setting for Becca’s many discoveries, while quirky neighbors and relatives provide challenges and support, as Becca develops a subtle self-reliance. The plot is episodic but pieced together with a feel of genuine community among the vivid characters who inhabit the story. And Becca proves to be a capable and curious kid who remains undeterred by unexpected events that take place on the island, and by changes that occur within her family. BECCA AT SEA ends with a satisfying sense of place and purpose for Becca, and the reader, which lingers beyond the last page of the book.

Early Childhood Champions!

Public youth librarians have a huge responsibility these days. We carry the future on our shoulders and in our early-childhood programs -- programs for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. The public library "playing field" for adults is fast becoming uneven. More and more, public libraries are serving middle to lower-income adults who can't afford computers and internet service. The adults who can would rather order their books online from Amazon or use the internet to place requests for library books remotely and then simply come in to check the materials out. But public youth librarians can and do still serve the whole economic spectrum of customers -- be they children at Headstart centers or children of affluent parents, whose mothers can afford not to work and who want to give their progeny the best possible start in life. That's where public youth librarians can step up to the plate and make a difference. By nurturing early literacy skills and the love of reading in the very young from all backgrounds, we can, in the programs we provide, foster a brighter future for all citizens of the diverse nation in which we live and work.

Holistic Filing?

At the risk of being considered unprofessional, I'd like to touch on the idea of "holistic filing." Because I shelve lots of easy fiction (picture books) at my library, and because I have always been on the public service side of things rather than the tech or administrative ends, this concept recently surfaced (while shelving, of course) and represents, perhaps, a practical, albeit novel approach to filing/shelving. Here goes: Why not lump all common author surnames (Andersons, Browns, McDonalds, Smiths, Williams, etc.) together on the easy fiction shelves and file the books alphabetically by their titles? Wouldn't the shelving take less time, the customers find the titles they are looking for faster, and the clerical staff locate the books requested by customers at other libraries more quickly? Rather than all of these folks having to take the time to figure out what the first name of the author is (Is it Marc, Margaret, or Ruth Brown?), and then figure out where, alphabetically, the author's works fall among the other, like-surnamed authors (a real challenge for much of the general public), then locate the title they want, why not streamline the process and provide better customer service? At least in the easy fiction/picture book sections, where the spines are thin and the quantities are often huge? Is it because it might stress out the catalogers (are there any left?) or offend library administrators (who have more time to philosophize)? Or is it because I am under-complicating the issue?

Shelving + Weeding = Better Collections

Due to budget cuts in the large county library system in which I work, all of the part-time shelver positions were eliminated about a year ago, all of the shelving duties were absorbed by the remaining staff, and the branches began opening an hour later so that staff could shelve materials during the first non-public hour before the doors opened. Ironically, I just transfered to the branch that I first began my library career at 33 years ago. And, with a Masters degree, I am shelving picture books once again. But there is an up-side to the situation, I've found, in terms of collection management. By getting up close and personal (down on the floor!) with those pictures books I've been assigned to put back on the shelves, I can instantly see which books are in poor condition, which sections are crowded, which titles remain in their place and never get checked out, and which titles fly out of the library again as soon as they are reshelved. That's information that helps me manage the collection better. Because I can see and weed, on a daily basis, the broken and the neglected. And I can order additional copies of the hotter titles and authors. The other up-side to shelving is that it keeps me humble and reminds me to focus on the process. Because, quite frankly, getting all of the picture books shelved at my library is an unattainable goal.

Snake Day

Thanks to our FOL and corporate sponsors, I hosted a professional snake breeder today at the library where I work. My guest was a former teacher with a passion for reptiles and a way with kids. 75 children and adults sat fascinated for an hour, as they learned all kinds of facts about the slithering creatures. Lots of good questions were asked, and the juvenile non-fiction titles that I had placed on display for check-out after the program pretty much flew out of the library. Only one child had to be held by his teacher, looking away from the guests, out of fear. Otherwise, the program was a real s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-u-c-c-e-s-s!

Advice for New Youth Librarians

TO INCREASE ATTENDANCE AT YOUR PROGRAMS: Bring in animals or serve refreshments. TO DECREASE ATTENDANCE AT YOUR PROGRAMS: Read book, after book, after book out loud until the program is over. Or no one but you is left in the room.

Parents in Programs

Used to be I'd discourage parents of preschoolers and school-aged children from sitting in during my library programs. I wanted to reduce the possiblity for distractions (potty-time attention-getting behavior or adult networking noise, for ex.). But over the years I have softened on this. Partly, I'm sure, because I am more confident in my programming abilities. But also because I realize that the programs I present are not "my" programs. They are for the children. And children need adults who encourage reading and who bond with them through literacy events. Also, unfortunately, parents now need to insure that the adult leading their child's activities is not a pedophile. I've also learned that additional adults in the room can facilitate smoother programs. Engendering their help in organizing activities (forming a circle, lining up, etc.) or handing out materials (craft supplies, musical instruments, etc.) can enhance the flow of activities. So bring 'em on! But I am clear in my expectations that adults model listening behaviors for the children they bring to library programs. The universal sign of quiet -- gently bringing an index finger up to pursed lips -- still works wonders on adults as well as kids :-).

Baby's First Christmas

Today my daughter turned 20 years old. To commemorate the day, I dug out an album of photos taken during the first few months of her life. The very last photo, one taken on her first Christmas morning, is my favorite. She is sitting on the floor in front of me, nestled in the semi-circle formed by my legs. We are both facing out, reading a book together (LITTLE TREE by e.e. Cummings, illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray). My daughter is holding the right side of the book, while I am holding the left side. At five months old, she is already showing signs of print awareness. And print motivation. She is looking up intently into the camera as if to say, "Hurry up, Dad, and take the picture -- we want to continue our book!" To this day, the child in the photograph has remained an avid reader.

PowerPoint Storytimes?

I've given it a lot of thought lately, and I'm pretty open to the idea of projecting images of pages from books on a wall, and reading (or taping) the text that corresponds with the pages, as a different way of presenting stories to children. After all, I used filmstrips of picture books effectively in storytimes earlier in my career. I called them "stories on the wall," to relate them back to the original book from which they were produced. And I always showed the book to the children before starting the filmstrip. I used them sparingly, as a treat for the kids to look forward to toward the end of storytime, when their attentions began to flag. But I still feel that modeling the love of books and reading is a crucial part of what librarians offer their storytime audiences. And the comfortable give & take (speak and listen) human dynamic that revolves around sharing stories together. Children need to experience more than just images on screens and sounds from speakers. But more and more, culture is being disseminated digitally. That's what every younger generation will be more familiar with -- the audio and video transmission of ideas. So adding a PowerPoint story to my preschool (not Baby or Toddler!) storytimes is a goal of mine. I imagine that some of the picture book presentations already prepared by the more techie youth librarians in the large library system in which I work could be shared electronically. Even better would be for the folks who created Lookybook to market packages of their products for purchase and use by public libraries. I just love how the pages of the Lookybooks turn by themselves -- almost as if the viewer is holding the actual book in his/her lap. I will never condone the exclusive use of audiovisual media for storytimes. But embracing new story forms and incorporating them, in moderation, into my storytime routine seems like a way to keep in touch with my young audiences and to help bridge the gap between my generation of readers and theirs.

Book Review

CHICKEN FEATHERS (J Fic) by Joy Cowley
Similar to E.B. White’s classic, Charlotte’s Web, Joy Cowley’s latest effort is a rural tale full of old-fashioned fun. The main character in Chicken Feathers is a talking chicken named Semolina, while the main "biggie," or human character is her best friend and caretaker, Josh Miller. Josh is part of a loving family who runs an egg farm in Australia. Things soon get serious in the story when a red fox begins to lurk around the hen houses. Semolina, of course, helps save the day by solving the mystery of missing eggs, but she nearly loses her life in the process. All, alas, is resolved in a heart-warming conclusion. First name only references to the parents in the story may cause a bit of confusion for some readers. David Eliot’s pen and ink illustrations, sprinkled throughout the narrative, add a folksy charm to this satisfying read.

Book Review

HUSH by Donna Jo Napoli (YA Fic)
This book is so not Disney. Find a quiet place and travel with Melkorka, a medieval Irish princess who, while in disguise and fleeing from possible tyranny in her father’s kingdom, is captured by barbaric seafaring slave traders. Ripped from the privileged life she has only ever known, beautiful Melkorka adapts to her new circumstances by feigning muteness and keeping silent. Her silence, through which she develops an intense and focused inner life, becomes a powerful tool for survival in a world of cruelty and violence.
Over time, Melkorka takes on a new persona, a new name, and new skills, which she uses to help her fellow captives. But she retains the sensitivity, compassion, and strength of her noble birth, which serve her well in the story’s many harsh moments. In the end, the princess doesn’t marry the clichéd prince of her dreams and live happily ever after. But through the challenges she faces, Melkorka finds peace in her heart and hope for the future in a real and totally unexpected way.
Hush is a mesmerizing, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting book --- the best I’ve read in a very long time. Take the journey with Melkorka. It’s well worth the trip!

Returning

I've decided to return to my blogging life and to youth librarianship after a taste of supervisoryhood. You know, be careful what you ask for....I decided to move from being a large-ish fish, wearing too many hats in a very small pond, to a medium-sized fish in a larger pond, if that makes any sense. I'm looking forward to working with kids more and getting away from the politics and admininstrative stuff that was adding stress to and subtracting pleasure from my work life. There is always a trade-off, whatever direction you take. But change is a good thing if it keeps your heart open and your energies focused.