Going Rogue
The Lamppost
“Exploration is really the Essence of the Human Spirit.” —Frank Borman ’Tis the season for fall themes such as pumpkins, leaves, and turkeys. As I was planning programs for October and November, I decided it was time to go rogue and think of new themes. I started searching terms such as “funny fall celebrations” and […]
A Cat’s Guide to the Night Sky
Reading Ahead
A dearly drawn cat named Felicity—honoring Félicette, a stray cat in Paris who became the first cat in space on October 18, 1963—takes us on an exploration of stargazing. As a book on observational astronomy, it’s an exciting book for kids and adults alike. Short paragraphs cover what to wear when stargazing, where to go […]
Cozy Reading Chili
Cookology
We’ve been outside enjoying the summer and fall weather, but now it’s time to settle in for a winter’s worth of reading. Enjoy this yummy chili while you read.
Bee-bim Bop
Red Reading Boots
I’ve been on the storytime circuit this last month as I have a new picture book of my very own. Readers of this column know how much I adore storytime, so wherever I’ve gone to read my book, I’ve asked if I can do a whole storytime, the better to read other picture books, as […]
Pass the Ps Please – an Evening with Dav Pilkey
Teach It Forward
Positivity, practice and persistence… a powerful approach to overcoming a multitude of challenges and unbelievably bad school experiences. The one and only, Dav Pilkey, shared several heartfelt stories to inspire kids (and adults) during his recent stop in St. Paul as part of his “Dog Man, Do Good Tour.” With humor and vulnerability, Dav explained […]
Constance Van Hoven and Her Reading Team
October 2019
Raising Star Readers
This addition to Raising Star Readers features the theme “If you read it, they will come.” As Connie (Gigi to her grandchildren) explains: “Our reading team hit a bump in the road! On a recent trip to Colorado, I introduced the picture book Grumpy Monkey (written by Suzanne Lang and illustrated by Max Lang) to […]
No Wraiths or Fetches Necessary
Big Green Pocketbook
To celebrate our fortieth anniversary this year, we decided to take a Big Trip. My husband suggested Paris. “Cornwall,” I said. “Someplace old.” Not that Paris isn’t old. Instead of a crowded city, I wanted winkles and pasties, lost gardens and standing stones, piskies and Tintagel castle. He agreed and I began putting together a […]
Why Writers Love Their Agents!
Page Break
A peek inside the telephone exchange between a writer and her agent …
Winning the Road Race?
Writing Road Trip
For any writer, it’s important to understand that the act of writing, and being published are not the—same thing.
Riding a Donkey Backwards
Reading Ahead
The wise fool or the foolish wise man? As the authors explain, “Nasruddin is the wisest man in the village and also the biggest fool. … If he doesn’t make you laugh, he will certainly make you think—and perhaps think sideways instead of straight ahead.” Mulla Nasruddin is an ancient Persian folk character, discussed in […]
Brenda Sederberg and Her Reading Team
September 2019
Raising Star Readers
Bookology readers first met Brenda Sederberg’s Reading Team partner Sylvie when she was only two days old. At that time the two were sharing one of their very first read-alouds. Now Gram and Sylvie have had the chance to share a whole wonderful year of reading together! To celebrate Sylvie’s first birthday, Brenda is highlighting […]
Birds
Two for the Show
Watching birds is one of the joys of the outdoor year (or the indoor year, given the right window placement). Emily Dickinson notes the “independent ecstasy” of their songs. And we can discern personalities in certain birds. Jays will peremptorily take over a feeding station. Chickadees perkily fly in for a seed or two or […]
Try Something New, Have a Blast!
Knock Knock
A few months ago my daughter, Aliza, came over after an evening out with her work friends. Aliza told us she and her friends had gone to the Minneapolis Bouldering Project or MBP, an indoor climbing gym where people climb “circuits” of up to 17 feet high without ropes or harnesses. She was so excited […]
Dogman© Unleashed
The Lamppost
Encourage kids to be creative without worrying about being perfect. —Dav Pilkey At the start of the fall program season, I asked our youngest patrons what programs they would like the library to offer. I heard a child yell out, “DOGMAN”! I smiled and I told him that was a great idea. Dogman© is a […]
Beethoven in Paradise
Fresh Looklogy
Fresh Lookology features books published several years ago that are too good to languish on the shelf. Martin Pittman takes a reader’s heart and runs with it. He lives in a trailer park called Paradise, but his home life is anything but. Martin’s father is abusive, his mother completely cowed. He has no siblings. His […]
The Night the Forest Came to Town
Reading Ahead
A city can be all hard surfaces, concrete, brick, pavement, and glass. Adults can be preoccupied with their devices. Billboards, street lights, every kind of distraction. There’s a distinct separation from nature, a disconnect.