International Children's Book Day

For twenty five years, International Children's Book Day
has been celebrated to inspire a love of reading and to draw attention to children's books. Mexico is the host country this year. Senora Escobar and I thought it would be fun to spotlight Rooster/Gallo. It's the perfect way to begin Poetry Month, too!

Grace Lin Visits!

Something wonderful happens when an author/illustrator visits a school! It changes the way we read. It changes the way we think about writing. Today we had the enormous pleasure of welcoming Grace Lin to our school and library. We've been reading many of her wonderful books and getting ready to meet her for weeks. I think that she could tell that we already loved her when she was met with origami "friends" that students crafted to greet her. Grace Lin told everyone all about the process of having a book published. She started with her IDEA book and took us on a publishing tour. She led everyone in a fabulous step by step drawing lesson. One group drew happy dragons and the other group learned how to draw a dog. The Grace Lin books will be flying off the shelf and into backpacks when we return from spring break. What a treat!

World Read Aloud Day

We celebrated World Read Aloud Day today! This day celebrates the power of words...especially those shared from one person to another. One of our talented sixth grade students Skyped from the Midway library to ours to read from Grace Lin's Year of the Dog with a first grade class. It was the perfect introduction to one of our visiting author's books, and it was a great way to celebrate our community of readers across the miles.

Read Across America!

UNLESS someone like you
cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better.
It's not.
Dr. Seuss

We heard the Lorax's warning and we've taken it to heart! Read Across America and Dr. Seuss's birthday made March 2 a huge day of reading at Parish. Ms. Demarest read The Lorax in the library to a captivated full house of kindergarten, first, and second graders. Dr. Seuss's illustrations were easily seen on the SMART Board, so not a detail went unnoticed by the listeners. Excitement about the movie opening increased by bounds after listening to the story! Happy birthday to someone who reminded us that "You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child."