During the school March Break, our libraries always offer a wide range of programs. One of my favourite this year was Literacy Break.
Literacy Break
Author: Angela Reynolds
Head of Youth Services for a rural library system in Nova Scotia.
The better to see you with…
A little over five years ago, I started making a felt board version of Little Red Riding Hood. I headed to the Internet to find a couple of different versions, so I could decide which figures I would use and how I would tell the story. I found this Italian version, and was completely sidetracked. That felt story is still unfinished. But my fascination with this old tale was renewed, and I started dreaming about doing an in-depth study of Little Red.
Weeding: A perennial issue
Weeding. Just like in the garden, it has to be done regularly, or the job gets out of hand. The good plants have no room to shine when the weeds are choking them out and taking up the shelves.
Little lessons from big libraries
Sometimes, working in small rural libraries is difficult. Single-staffed branches have limited time for youth programming. There’s no room for large comfy chairs or crawl-through shelving. And yet, children swarm the place, coming in every day after school, for weekly storytime, or to play Minecraft on the public computers. When I visit large, urban libraries, and see amazing children’s rooms, I swoon at all that space, all those bright colours and beautiful furniture.
Picture books to soothe the soul
Today is bound to be a hectic, anxious day for many. Since November is Picture Book Month, let’s take a look at this 32-page miracle that may help ease the tension of this day.
Distinguished. Inspiring. Significant.
Who inspires you? Is there someone that makes you think “I want to be that person when I grow up?”
Trick or Treat?
“Want to wear a costume in a graveyard and be in a movie?” On a recent vacation to New England, I was asked if I’d like to make a little day trip to Boston to help out with a literacy project my friend Kirsten was working on. It was going to happen in a graveyard. I got to wear a costume. I got to hang out with people who love, promote, and write kid’s books. How could I say no?
Wizarding world comes home with me
I admit to being one of the librarians who took advantage of the ALA conference being in Orlando and making the pilgrimage to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It was a Professional Development activity, honest it was. I did buy some souvenirs to give away as Summer Reading Prizes. But I also got some great ideas to add to my Harry Potter nights that I hold fairly regularly.