Destiny Practice

I love to watch the second graders working to use the online catalog to find books more independently. This is especially great when they come to the library to read and I'm busy teaching a class. We decided that it would be fun to practice using Destiny this week. A challenge was given to see how many books they could find in the time allowed (about 15 minutes.) Each class was divided into teams of two or three. Team members drew a card that had a picture of the cover of a book with the author's name hidden. They searched Destiny for the book title, wrote down the call number and the author's last name, found the book on the shelf, held its place with a marker, found the title page and illustrator's name, and replaced the book. They had heaps of fun, learned more about the library and catalog, and grew as collaborators and team players. It was definitely an unquiet library. All agree...we will do it again!

Ivy & Bean Day

Ivy and Bean are best friends. The two young characters in the fun series by Annie Barrows didn't plan on being such good friends, but they discovered that their differences didn't get in the way of enjoying each other, having fun, and getting in trouble together. Twenty nine of our second grade readers celebrated Ivy & Bean Day with a book club lunch in the library. We found out that most of these girls think that their personalities are more like Bean's, but unlike Bean, many of these girls like to shop. (See the Wordle of favorite stores.) Gummyworm cupcakes were dessert (a reference to book one where real worms landed on Bean's sister.) Some of the girls have already read all seven of the books and are excited about the eighth, No News is Good News, which is brand new and will be here in the library soon.

Be Creative Every Day!

Being creative is more than just using your imagination and having clever ideas. It requires action...making something. It is the way we learn and the way we maintain excitement about learning. In the library this week, first and second graders reminded each other of all of the different ways that we are creative...art, crafts, music, building construction, sports, science, invention, writing...and more. We enjoyed two new books written by Herve Tullet - PRESS HERE and THE BOOK WITH A HOLE. We also reread a favorite by Natalie Portis, NOT A BOX. The clever Draw a Stickman adventure website was the perfect partner for these inspiring books with its "Be creative every day!" message. We have a place in the library for creators to share their work, and we already have exhibitors! Be sure to check out the creations of our Parish readers. Be creative every day!

Batty About Books!

Second grade boys...ALL OF THEM...gathered on the playground picnic tables for what surely should turn into the ANNUAL "Batty About Books" lunch. There was so much excitement about this event that was focused around reading and books. Everyone told about a book that they really like and recommend to others. There were some familiar titles and some that we don't have in the library yet. Some of these will be put on the next book order based on the recommendations of these readers. Watch for the bookmark with our Parish guys' good-reads suggestions.

Storybook Pumpkin Patch

The invitation began with "Optional...just for fun!!" but a lot of Parish readers opted to fill a pumpkin patch with storybook characters. Some pumpkins were done by individuals, and some were the creations of collaborative groups of friends or family. The result...a real Halloween TREAT!

Storybook Pumpkin Patch - picture slideshow

Texas Book Festival

I always put The Texas Book Festival in Austin on my calendar as soon as it's announced. It is a fantastic weekend for readers of all ages! I hang out at the children's tents most of the time. The greatest authors are there talking about their books. They take time to sign them and visit with readers, too. This is where the Texas Bluebonnet list for the next year is announced. I love being there to hear great authors unveil the list. This year I was so thrilled to see Eileen Christelow, Jack Gantos, Rosemary Wells, William Joyce, Emily Jenkins, Paul Zelinsky, Phil Bildner, Michelle Knudsen, Doreen Cronin, Marla Frazee, John Scieszka, and Keith Graves. Watch for some fantstic new titles signed by the author in our library.

Library Visit With Amanda

It's always fun to visit with former Parish students. Today, the first and second graders were treated to a storytime with former student and newly published author, Amanda Havard. Amanda's young adult book, The Survivors, is her first published novel and the first in a five book series. Amanda chose to read Goodnight Opus by Berkeley Breathed to a very attentive young audience. The story has the message that "sometimes it's good that we look for a way to depart from our text and get carried away." Amanda realized, when she was a Parish first grader, that she loved to make up stories and write them down. She found something that she loves to do, and she isn't afraid to try new things and depart from the text in her own life. Inspiring!