Author: Shelley Black Holley

#PLA2012 I had the honor of hearing author Kevin Henkes speak yesterday.  He is one of my favorite authors and I use his books for storytime sessions quite often. He read parts of his books out loud to us, what a treat!  He feels “small things matter for children because small things are big to them.” Another major theme for him is imagination. His characters are bursting with it, like “Lily who wears her imagination on her sleeve.” Henkes likes repetition in words and pictures for his stories. He usually works out the story first, writing it out on paper then transferring the ideas via his typewriter. He wants the rhythm to be exactly right. It matters to him that “the book provides the reader or listener with something greater, honoring the inner life of children.” He gets the names for his characters from baby name and sometimes even telephone…

#PLA 2012 Chris Cerf award winning co-creator and co-producer of PBS’ Between the Lions  spoke at the Libraries, Multimedia, and Technology session. He is working with the AWE company to bring his interactive learning products to children all over the country.  He demonstrated how it works and it was very cool. The technology is easy to use and fun. Kids can click on words and an animated dictionary will show them the definition of a word. Young children can teach themselves reading skills by exploring the many aspects of the technology.  Cerf has seen through his work with libraries and schools that literacy improves when videos and games are introduced to children as a learning tool. He noted that when children watch their favorite characters on T.V. or online, they get very excited to read about them.

#PLA 2012 At Disney there are lines to meet the characters.  At a library conference there are lines at the Baker and Taylor booth. One of the best things is getting a Baker and Taylor bag with those two great lovable cats.  I was thrilled to see Baker and Taylor themselves at the conference.

#PLA12 Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was our keynote speaker. He told us about his fight to save the environment through clean energy and protecting our rivers and lakes.  As a children’s librarian, I was very inspired to hear about his work and passion for our future.  I thought it was a wonderful way to start the conference. This is my first PLA and I am enjoying every minute. I am meeting librarians from all over the country who are very friendly and enthusiastic about being here too. I briefly went to the vendor exhibits.  First on my list was DK publishing because they were giving away posters and Star Wars books.  I can’t wait to add them to our collection.  Tomorrow author Ann Droyd is signing and giving away copies of Good Night iPad.  I am  hoping to get a copy!