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!

Make a New Friend Challenge

Collaboration was the key to the "Make a New Friend" challenge. Small groups pooled their efforts and worked together with so much excitement. It was super fun to watch. Some searched the online catalog for hints about unfamiliar book characters. Some teamed with a partner to roam the shelves. Others searched classroom libraries looking for familiar faces. Some devoted recess time to look for books. The teams that completed the challenge won books, but the REAL prize was working with classmates and finding some new friends in these books.

Biography

A second grader was curled up reading in the library. When I walked by, she looked up and said that she loved reading biographies. I knew that she was the perfect ambassador for this sometimes forgotten part of our library. Maybe this will be the first of a series of commercials for our library. I love what she has to say!

Reading Rocks!

We're back! What a great first week!
The PreK classes LOVED Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes! They sang and rocked along with Pete. Here's a trailer for the book that started our year in the library. Warning: This song will get stuck in your head!


Kindergarten, first, and second grade classes all received a "Welcome to the Library" gift of Byrd Baylor's Everybody Needs a Rock. The book gives tips on how to find a good rock...one that fits and feels good in your hand. We thought about what tips we could give for finding a good book. These Panthers had great ideas and advice.

If you haven't had a chance to see our giant list and slideshow of the "Best Book I Read This Summer," be sure to stop by in the library and take a look.
If excited smiling faces give a hint, I think that this will be the most fantastic year of reading ever.