Author Archives
I am a certified school librarian who has a passion for curating and creating content for school and community programs. Most of my work is inspired by remarkable picture books that compel children to wonder about the world around them.
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Hurricane Season: Making Connections with Picture Books and Resources
Most of us watched the destruction of the latest hurricanes on news feeds. Others had to endure the devastation first hand. It may be difficult for children who never experienced extreme weather conditions to make connections with hurricane victims and empathize… Read More ›
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Maker Meetup 2017
Are you looking for makerspace ideas to try in your library? Barbara Johnson, the library media specialist at Jack Jackter Elementary School in Colchester, CT, facilitated her annual Maker Meetup to give school librarians time to learn and share maker… Read More ›
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Science Activities to Try Next Year
Are you looking for compelling science activities to try in your library? If so, take a look at the resources and tips below for inspiration! Science in the Library AnnMarie Hurtado, the Youth Services Librarian for Central Library in Pasadena,… Read More ›
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Citizen Scientists: Resources to Find the Perfect Project
Imagine being part of a research community where citizen scientists read World War I journals. Or how about joining environmentalists who tag pictures of garbage found along the seashore? What about sharing your photos of birds from your backyard with… Read More ›
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Grants for Difference Makers
If you received a $500 grant to make a difference in your community, what would you do with the money? This is a thought-provoking question to ask your students. Tyler Bergquist, a second-grade student at Colchester Elementary School in Connecticut,… Read More ›
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A Tribute to Amy Krouse Rosenthal
On 08/08/08 at 8:08 pm, Amy Krouse Rosenthal started a Maker Movement. Hundreds of strangers answered her invitation to meet in Millennium Park in Chicago to do one thing: make something lovely. Together, they made a song, a friend, a… Read More ›
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Picture Books and Ideas to Inspire Young Inventors
Thomas Edison once said, “To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.” Supplying children with junk in the library is easy to do, but how can the library inspire children to invent something interesting and useful? Why… Read More ›
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Collection Development with the Help from Second Grade
A second-grade student brought a problem to my attention. He explained that the library collection has only 1 or 2 copies of books on topics that children want to read. He illustrated his point with a poster. It was a portrayal of… Read More ›
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Grab the Attention of Stakeholders and Avoid School Library Cuts
The Wall Street Journal recently published an opinion piece about running a school library without a certified school librarian. A group of stakeholders whose children attend A. N. Pritzker Elementary believe that parent volunteers are qualified to do the job…. Read More ›
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Growth Mindset Picture Books and Video Clips
When was the last time you read “Thank You, Mr. Falker” by Patricia Polacco? If it’s been a while, revisit the picture book and appreciate Polacco’s lesson in growth mindset as she writes about struggling with dyslexia. Hard work, perseverance… Read More ›