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.