Library Love
Libraries! We want to look at books about these magical places, portals to our world, our selves, and other worlds and selves we might become.
Libraries
This Biographer and Her Living Subject
I wonder how often a picture book biographer has been friends with her subject for several decades and then worked closely with that person to get her manuscript just right.
Library Girl
I eagerly waited for this book. I wasn’t prepared to fall in love, which I most definitely have.
Banned Books as Speaking Truth to Power
There is a difference between keeping peace and making peace. It is not about avoiding discomfort and trying to keep everybody happy, but bravely joining in the work of justice.
Nonfiction to the Rescue, Part 2
By featuring both nonfiction and fiction during storytime, you provide children an opportunity to experience the contrast between what is real and what is imaginative. Both are important for a successful reading experience. Here are 18 of my favorite nonfiction books to use in storytime programs.
Nonfiction to the Rescue, Part 1
As a children’s librarian, a primary goal for me is to help children embrace imagination through books, from imagining we are superheroes to going on a hunt to find a bear, flying in the sky, exploring a new land, to diving deep in the ocean. For some time however, including nonfiction titles in my programs has been a top request from parents and educators.
Library Love:
Children’s Author Shares Her Passion for Research
Author Tracy Nelson Maurer shares, "My heart leapt when I learned that I was old enough for my first library card—the key to that vast kingdom of words. I’ve treasured each library card since then."
Libraries and Librarians
We’re posting this when it’s National Library Week, but we believe every week should be Library Week. If you love public, school, and special libraries as much as we do, add these books to your reading list and share them with your favorite readers.
As always, if you have a book you believe should be on this list, let us know in the comments or send us an e‑mail.
… more Joining Forces
Creating a Library Exchange Network
Last year, I had the distinct honor to attend a professional development opportunity at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). As part of the training, we were given a chance to see some of the projects students and professors are working on in fields such as education, fashion, and healthcare. I was surprised to learn from Dr.… more
Paws and Read
Celebrating Our Furry Friends with a Pet Reading Program
“Animals are such agreeable friends — they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.”
—George Elliott
In October 2011, I was in a state of transition. I had just returned from interning at the Library of Congress to a full-time job as head of a children’s department. I was excited about this new adventure but, to move forward, I was missing a furry friend.… more
Gobble up a Good Time
It is amazing how quickly department stores move all of the Halloween items out and bring out Christmas lights, wrapping paper, religious items, different sized Santa Clauses and ornaments. Oh, and who can forget about the start of Christmas music at the beginning of November? I love Christmas, but for the longest time, I’ve been confused about why department stores do not dedicate space for Thanksgiving.… more
Skinny Dip with Becky Kruger
We are so fortunate to have dedicated and inspiring librarian educators working with children in many schools throughout our land. Becky Kruger not only serves as the librarian at Ray Miller Elementary School in Missouri but she also helps organize the annual Truman State University Children’s Literature Festival.
Which book you read as a child has most influenced your life?… more
Skinny Dip with Lester Laminack
Lester Laminack is sought after as a speaker in school districts all over the country. A retired professor, actively involved in literacy on many levels, he’s thoughtful, articulate, and has a sparkling sense of humor. We’re pleased that this very busy author and speaker took time to share his thoughts with Bookology’s readers this month.
What’s the weirdest place you’ve ever read a book? … more
Skinny Dip with Laura Purdie Salas
Laura Purdie Salas is a poet, a researcher, and a popular visiting author in elementary and middle schools. Several of her books have turned heads and stirred up a buzz, including Water Can Be … and If You Were the Moon. She has published many books about writing for children and frequently speaks at conferences. We’re pleased that this very busy author is spending some time with Bookology this month.… more
Caps for Sale
My college boy is home this week. So far his spring break has been spent fighting a doozy of a virus, lying about feverish and wan. Perhaps there is slight comfort in Mom making tea and soup, verses the non-hominess of the dorm, I don’t know. He seems grateful. I asked if he wanted something to read and went to his bookshelves to see if there was something light a98nd fun — an old favorite, perhaps — to while away the languishing hours on the couch.… more
Libraries in the USA are at Mission Critical
“There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration.” —Andrew Carnegie
Libraries in the USA are at mission critical. Those who went before us worked hard to establish free public libraries so we could have access to what we need to know.… more