• Lists

    It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 12/19/16

    I spent another great week reading!  This is becoming a trend (again) and I love it!  I’m still working my way through The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman, but I also read Juana and Lucas by Juana Medina, Ghost by Jason Reynolds, Dory Fantasmagory: Dory Dory Black Sheep by Abby Hanlon and Some Writer!: The…

  • Lifestyle

    CYBILS Nominations Open

    I was given the distinct pleasure of being a CYBILS judge last fall and although I spent a lot of time reading a lot of nonfiction titles – it was an amazing experience to be a part of!  I would have loved to be a judge again this year, but…

  • Activities,  Lifestyle

    Maker Monday: Squishy Circuits

    Our last Maker Monday workshop this summer was all about Squishy Circuits.  If you’re not familiar with Squishy Circuits, they were created at the University of St. Thomas as a basic way to teach children about circuitry through (basically) play dough. Two types of dough are created – one is…

  • Lists

    Top Ten Tuesday: Back to School

    So for my back-to-school Top Ten list, I went with not-so-typical back-to-school books – mainly focusing more on being yourself, gaining self-confidence, and not making snap decisions about how people look; rather than your typical first day of school nerves.  So, without further ado… Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes A Bad Case…

  • Lists

    Level Up: Pairing Video Games with Books (Mario Bros.)

    Mario Bros. (Everyone – Everyone 10+) Mario is a video game franchise with a variety of games, most focused on Mario’s adventures saving Princess Peach with his younger brother Luigi from the evil grasps of Bowser. The books chosen for this game style include high fantasy, adventure stories for all…

  • Activities

    Maker Monday: Coding

    coding

    Our first Maker Monday was a lot of fun!  Our program is geared toward children entering 3rd – 6th grade in the fall.  We only register 20 kids for the program because we only have 10 iPads and with technology and science programs, less is more.  I’m always a little…

  • Lifestyle

    School Visits… Or Why I No Longer Have a Voice

    School visits invariably exhaust me and crack me up!  We don’t get into the schools as often as I’d like, but we are able to see the kids for about 30 minutes in May to promote the summer’s upcoming reading program.  How do you entertain, educate and encourage 80+ kids…

  • Lifestyle

    "That's a Baby Book!"

    One of the saddest things I hear far too often is, “That’s a baby book, go find something more appropriate.”  This is said to kids in my library at all ages and stages, but it often happens with those kids who are reading easy readers and beginning chapter books, but…