While it may be a new year, many of the same old issues surrounding censorship persist. Introducing the concept of challenged or banned books to young children can be difficult. Fortunately, there are books that introduce the issue and can start conversations.
Tag: picture book
Turning the Page on a New School Year: Picture Books to Share
I love making picture book displays, and a great one for this time of year is Back to School! Last year, I wrote about these new books. Let’s look at what this year has to offer! Big Kids By K. L. Going Illustrated by Reggie Brown The first day of school can be both exciting and scary, especially with all the “big kids,” who illustrator Brown draws as supernaturally large…at first. The young narrator is paired with a “big buddy” who slowly acclimates his young charge to the rhythm of the school day, visually shrinking as the narrator grows in confidence. Narwhal vs. Kindergarten Written and illustrated by Vanessa Roeder Hugo the narwhal’s first week of school is complicated by his inconvenient horn until he learns to rely on the help of new friends. . . . . Today at School with Yesterday and Tomorrow By Jessica Young Illustrated by…
Back to School, Picture Book Style
Back to School books fly off the shelves this time of year, and each August I look forward to reading new ones that have recently been published. Here’s a short round-up of some of this year’s options!
Back to school: we’re all nervous
The other day, the pick list was five pages long. No comparisons needed here: I know some of you have lists that are ten pages long every day. But at my current branch, five pages is what happens when I “forget” to do the pick list the day before.
Ablaze with Artists: Mack, Haring, and Thomas
Picture book biographies about artists are a-plenty. And so far I haven’t come across a bad one. Generally, when people choose to write about art for kids, it is because they care deeply about art and kids. (Isn’t that one of the reasons we work in libraries under the auspices of “children’s services”?) You can’t get around the fact that kids want paper and more paper or boxes and more boxes, to make things, to draw things, to color in or outside the lines.
Ashley Bryan: wonder, artist, author
Have you ever been somewhere with Ashley Bryan? He started every presentation by first saying, “My name is Ashley Bryan” and then recites “My People” by Langston Hughes: “The night is beautiful, so the faces of my people!”
Climate & Environment Picture Books
Discussing these books with children may encourage them to express their fears and hopes for a cleaner future for all living things.
how to write a blog post for librarians:
You might wonder how to write a blog post. Staring at the blank page (or screen) can be daunting. Writer’s block is a real thing, after all. And librarians, aren’t they all about shushing and stuff? Hard to please, cardigan wearing, and could I even? Well, it’s easier than your scary brain might be thinking right now. “Get comfortable in your wheelie chair and I’ll take you on a trip. A trolley trip, actually,” you write.