I hope you liked my Joyful Picture Books Part 1! Welcome to Part 2! Let’s talk about the word “joy” itself for a moment? What does it conjure for you? Perhaps you are remembering the birth of a child? A wedding day? The conclusion of a huge accomplishment like your graduation day? Getting a dream job? Here are two brief definitions that I think are particularly apt. In the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, joy is described as being “a source or cause of delight” while at Dictionary.com, it says that joy is “the expression or display of glad feeling.” When applied to picture books, I think both these definitions are spot on. Picture books can most definitely be a source and cause of delight as well as evoke the expression of glad feelings. Evidence that picture books bring joy is very easy to find. When was the last time you saw a child…
Category: Blogger Tess Prendergast
Joyful Picture Books
In their 2024 article entitled “Unfolding joy in children’s literacy practices in a Finnish early years classroom”, the authors Nordström, Kumpulainen & Rajala observe that joyful encounters related to literacy often occur in unexpected, unpredictable, unintended ways. Similarly, in our lifeworlds as children’s library workers, literacy is everywhere, and so, I believe is joy.
Evaluating Board Books
A burgeoning interest in the science of infant brain development in the early 1990s led to policy shifts that focused on early childhood development. This included more attention being paid to the kinds of language and literacy experiences children had in early childhood. The market followed and publishers started creating more reading materials specifically aimed at babies. Now, board book collections for babies are standard fare in public libraries. A quick look at the board books available today make it pretty clear that this format’s time has truly come. They finally have their very own book award! The best board books contain high quality illustrations or gorgeous photographs (sometimes both!), often along with charming textual features that work together to engage and delight babies and grown-ups alike. Whether randomly stored in bins, or shelved alphabetically, these types of chunky books designed for little hands should be plentiful and well-used. Also, beyond their…
Writing Great Annotated Booklists
Last week in my children’s literature class, we talked about book reviews, annotated booklists, and book-talks. It was a lot of fun, and it really got me thinking about how the ecosystem of book publishing, book reviews, book selection, annotations, and promotion all fit together in children’s library work. While some children’s and school librarians also write professional reviews for journals like Kirkus, the Horn Book, and School Library Journal, most librarians read these kinds of evaluative, critical book reviews to help them make selection decisions. Every month, I use my public library to place holds on all the picture books that have starred reviews from the Horn Book and bring them to my students to read and discuss in class.
Elevating Anti-bias Picture Books
What is anti-bias education? “At the heart of anti-bias work is a vision of a world in which all children are able to blossom and each child’s abilities and gifts are able to flourish” (Derman-Sparks, Edwards, & Goins, 2020 p.5) Anti-bias education (ABE) aims to support the development of children living in a diverse, yet still unequal, society. Expanding beyond a specific curricula, ABE acts as an underlying framework, upon which all relationships and services are built in support of all young children’s growth. ABE recognizes human diversity, and that children grow up within specific family groups and that they are impacted by how society views them and how they view themselves.(Derman-Sparks, Edwards, & Goins, 2020) What are the four goals of anti-bias education? ABE has four main goals that are meant to identify, prevent (as much as possible), and address and remedy the harm that social prejudice and bias can have on…
Whole Child Development Resources
While librarians might focus on literacy and literature, we should consider the whole child when developing and delivering our collections, services, and programs.
Why & How to Offer Supportive Early Literacy Tips
As librarians, we know that the early literacy material we offer at storytime helps to support children’s early language and literacy development in many different ways. Parents and caregivers play key roles in their children’s language and literacy development. However, no one is born knowing exactly how to support early literacy and language. Caregivers simply might not know the high value and lasting impact of everyday things like talking about different food items in the grocery store, or singing together. Therefore, as children’s librarians we are well positioned to help pass on this information by offering what are called early literacy tips (also called “asides”) during storytimes.
Early Numeracy in the Children’s Library
Early numeracy learning opportunities are supported by many of same practices that encourage early literacy such as reading, playing, and talking. Since you are already talking about the benefits of these practices, you can easily include some early numeracy tips wherever they fit into your conversations with grown-ups.