Randolph Caldecott Medal
I find it funny that each year the prestigious Randolph Caldecott Medal coincides with the Superbowl.Several years ago it was decided to push back the date of the Superbowl...I am guessing this was for financial reasons, in an effort to generate as much buzz, publicity, and financial fanfare as possible. This year the Superbowl takes place on Sunday February 1st and the Caldecott Medal and all youth media awards will be announced on Monday February 2nd. What event will I anticipate giving me the most joy?
Now as a die hard Buffalo Bills fan, I simply do not get as excited about the Superbowl because my team has not been in the playoffs in 15 years and they have not made a Superbowl appearance since I was in 8th grade. (insert sigh of sadness and an unhappy, aggravated, fan smiley guy face). Yes, the commercials are terrific. Nonetheless, a book has a lasting presence who's benefits far outweigh the good feeling of a commercial. Unlike the Superbowl, I always look forward to seeing who's beautiful illustrations will win this coveted award. This year, sadly, I do not know who I will cheer for on Sunday. Do you have a favorite football team..er..I mean illustrator?
I was luck enough to meet a Caldecott Honoree(actually several times honored) Bryan Collier at the New York State Library Association conference in Saratoga Springs, NY this November. It was liking seeing a celebrity for me. I purchased his book Clemente! for my father in law and his Caldecott Honor book Martin's Big Words for my son. His illustrations are truly remarkable and what's more special is that he has been honored for non-fiction illustrations. Usually the awards are bestowed on fiction titles, but in recent years this trend has shifted. You can find Mr. Collier's on Amazon and read his biography at his web page http://www.bryancollier.com/ . Who would you like to see win a Caldecott?
Friday, January 30, 2015
I love to craft ! No seriously, I do.
Ground Hog Day - Puppet (Easy)
As I sit in at the desk in the public library where I work...snow, snow, and more snow, and sunshine are pushing hard against the giant old windows of our beautiful building. It's a bit deceiving, because it's so sunny, but it's about 10 degrees outside. If you're like me, you like to stay busy on a blustery, yuck day. So...let's craft. All you need is a printer, crayons, scissor, and glue or tape. Visit the link above to make your own Punxsutawney Phil.
If you'd like to make this a literacy based activity, why not take a virtual tour with your family to the Official Ground Hog Day Website ! Ground Hog Day Website . Or take a trip to your local library and dig into some of my favorite resources, DATABASES. Databases will have lots of great articles about February weather, groundhogs, and anything you can dream about. In New York State, you can access NOVEL NY databases at most public libraries with just a little help from a librarian, possessing a library card, and having access to a computer at home or in the library. Well now that databases have put me in a good mood, I'm off to make my own groundhog craft. Do you want Phil to see his shadow on Monday?
As I sit in at the desk in the public library where I work...snow, snow, and more snow, and sunshine are pushing hard against the giant old windows of our beautiful building. It's a bit deceiving, because it's so sunny, but it's about 10 degrees outside. If you're like me, you like to stay busy on a blustery, yuck day. So...let's craft. All you need is a printer, crayons, scissor, and glue or tape. Visit the link above to make your own Punxsutawney Phil.
If you'd like to make this a literacy based activity, why not take a virtual tour with your family to the Official Ground Hog Day Website ! Ground Hog Day Website . Or take a trip to your local library and dig into some of my favorite resources, DATABASES. Databases will have lots of great articles about February weather, groundhogs, and anything you can dream about. In New York State, you can access NOVEL NY databases at most public libraries with just a little help from a librarian, possessing a library card, and having access to a computer at home or in the library. Well now that databases have put me in a good mood, I'm off to make my own groundhog craft. Do you want Phil to see his shadow on Monday?
Thursday, January 22, 2015
WEEKLY READ ~ Libraries Re-Imagined
Libraries Re-Imagines
To me, libraries, at their core are about people. Helping, encouraging, healing, entertaining, training, leading people, people, people. Without people, we'd just be a big building full of stuff. I am NOT one of those librarians who would have chained themselves to well-worn card catalog in an effort to stop changes/time/progress. As people change, so should libraries. In a low funded, public library this presents lots of unique challenges(where I work). How can I, who should I, what will I do to help? All good questions that I feel should be examined each year in the library world.
Thoughts?
To me, libraries, at their core are about people. Helping, encouraging, healing, entertaining, training, leading people, people, people. Without people, we'd just be a big building full of stuff. I am NOT one of those librarians who would have chained themselves to well-worn card catalog in an effort to stop changes/time/progress. As people change, so should libraries. In a low funded, public library this presents lots of unique challenges(where I work). How can I, who should I, what will I do to help? All good questions that I feel should be examined each year in the library world.
Thoughts?
Tried and True - Great Sites for Children to Promote
ALA Great Sites for Children
If I had a nickel for every time a parent asked me to recommend a site to them to help their children become better readers, learners, thinkers, problem solvers....etc. etc. etc. I'd be rich !! Often times I take them to individual sites and help them write down these suggestions. This works, but it doesn't give them too many choices, especially if they are not confident Internet searchers or users.
When I recommend a truly GREAT resource I call it T&T - Tried and True. It means that I have tried and used it myself and that it is truly the Real Deal. Tried and True resources are all around user-friendly, reliable, easy to load, and effective. The link above offers a gaggle of super great resources for any interest or ability level.
There are eight areas of interest and each offer an icon that leads you to a useful site. These topics are: Animals, the Arts, History and Biography, Literature and Languages, Mathematics and Computers, Reference Desk, Sciences, and Social Sciences. Once you have opened a broad topic, there are also several subtopics listed with adjoining site suggestions. Just browsing through these sites makes my librarian heart warm...National Geographic, Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, PBS Kids, the Crayola Homepage.... Each site is wonderful and informative and RELIABLE and useFULL.
One of the biggest challenges for parents and adults is to determine if a website is well suited for their children's needs. It's nice when Liz the Librarian can save them the work and point them in the right direction. The American Library Association has a comprehensive website for librarians, but do not be scared of this one. It is has a welcoming tech, smiley guy at the top of the page and is designed for children...and maybe a helpful parent?
If you are feeling adventurous today, visit the site and look for a gray button on the top "Sites for Parents, Caregivers, Teachers, and Others." I regularly use many of these sites such as Bookworm For Kids and Booklist Online. I hope after visiting this site, it builds up your confidence and your little one's confidence in doing more effective research Online.
If I had a nickel for every time a parent asked me to recommend a site to them to help their children become better readers, learners, thinkers, problem solvers....etc. etc. etc. I'd be rich !! Often times I take them to individual sites and help them write down these suggestions. This works, but it doesn't give them too many choices, especially if they are not confident Internet searchers or users.
When I recommend a truly GREAT resource I call it T&T - Tried and True. It means that I have tried and used it myself and that it is truly the Real Deal. Tried and True resources are all around user-friendly, reliable, easy to load, and effective. The link above offers a gaggle of super great resources for any interest or ability level.
There are eight areas of interest and each offer an icon that leads you to a useful site. These topics are: Animals, the Arts, History and Biography, Literature and Languages, Mathematics and Computers, Reference Desk, Sciences, and Social Sciences. Once you have opened a broad topic, there are also several subtopics listed with adjoining site suggestions. Just browsing through these sites makes my librarian heart warm...National Geographic, Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, PBS Kids, the Crayola Homepage.... Each site is wonderful and informative and RELIABLE and useFULL.
One of the biggest challenges for parents and adults is to determine if a website is well suited for their children's needs. It's nice when Liz the Librarian can save them the work and point them in the right direction. The American Library Association has a comprehensive website for librarians, but do not be scared of this one. It is has a welcoming tech, smiley guy at the top of the page and is designed for children...and maybe a helpful parent?
If you are feeling adventurous today, visit the site and look for a gray button on the top "Sites for Parents, Caregivers, Teachers, and Others." I regularly use many of these sites such as Bookworm For Kids and Booklist Online. I hope after visiting this site, it builds up your confidence and your little one's confidence in doing more effective research Online.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
WEEKLY READ - Storytimes, Revisited
Storytime Refresher Course
I've been doing children's storytimes for years. Still, it's nice to get a refresher about the significance of a well planned, organized, and executed storytime. Storytimes have a unique impact on promoting early literacy and engaging child and adult users. If you're a library student, library user, homeschooler, or worn out story teller...check out this online class from OCLC's webjunction. It's informative and useful. This mini-course is geared for librarians and professionals, but it's not over the head of homeschool families either.
You will have to create a user name and password, but it's no big deal. Takes a minute to sign up and a minute to write down your secret password.
I've been doing children's storytimes for years. Still, it's nice to get a refresher about the significance of a well planned, organized, and executed storytime. Storytimes have a unique impact on promoting early literacy and engaging child and adult users. If you're a library student, library user, homeschooler, or worn out story teller...check out this online class from OCLC's webjunction. It's informative and useful. This mini-course is geared for librarians and professionals, but it's not over the head of homeschool families either.
You will have to create a user name and password, but it's no big deal. Takes a minute to sign up and a minute to write down your secret password.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Cure a case of the Mondays with the Lego Movie!
There's nothing like coming in to work on Monday when you spill your breakfast, slip in the driveway, and you can't find your darn snow brush. Yep, that was my morning in Western NY. Not to be outdone by this brisk and dreary day, I am still buzzed from watching the Lego Movie last night with my hubby. If you haven't seen it, stop what you're doing, call your local library, and put a hold on it. Or, got to redbox.com find the closest location, and get it!(Blu-Ray was best, but regular DVD will do to.)
If you're a fan of the movie hook - and sometimes enjoy a gentle reminder of what's important and special in the busy, fast paced, competitive world in which we live...The Lego Movie will help cure your case of the Mondays.
If you're a fan of the movie hook - and sometimes enjoy a gentle reminder of what's important and special in the busy, fast paced, competitive world in which we live...The Lego Movie will help cure your case of the Mondays.
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