Hello,
Do you receive magazine for your school library? Many times a magazine is something that our reluctant readers will grab and look through or read rather than a book. Over the years I have eliminated a few from my list plus others that have gone out of print. For the most part, I suggest that you subscribe to magazines that supplement your curriculum or what is important at your school. Our school has a junior high ski program, so we subscribe to Ski.
I am often asked what magazines I subscribe to or what a small school should subscribe to. I subscribe to a number of publications put out by the Cricket Group. These usually have one theme per issue and are wonderful for research purposes. We treat them like books and do not weed them out after a few years. The cost is fairly high for each, but if you think of each issue as a $3.75 book, it isn’t too bad after all. Most of these are not the kind of magazine that you will toss after a few years because it is outdated. Each subscription is $33.95 for 9 issues a year.
Cricket Group
Ask – 6 – 10 years – Scientific articles and activities
Cobblestone – 9 – 14 years – American history
Dig into History – 9 – 14 years – Archaelogy and the ancient world
Faces– 9 – 14 years – In-depth look at a country, culture, or idea
Muse– 9 – 14 years – Science and arts
If you could only get one subscription, I would suggest you choose Cobblestone. If you were to add another, I would add Faces. These two magazines will help supplement the study of American history and world cultures for your students in grades 5 – 8. We have our copies of Cobblestone and Faces since each magazine was introduced and have not had any duplicates. Next I would add Muse to the list to support your science curriculum. If you just got these three, you would have spend $100.00 and are now adding what you could consider ‘short books’ to the library each year.
Other magazines that are popular here are:
American Girl
High Five (from Highlights magazine)
Ingredient (a magazine for kids on healthy food and cooking)
Motocross Action
Mountain Bike Action
National Geographic Kids
Popular Science
Radio Control Car Action
Ranger Rick
Science World (a Scholastic classroom magazine)
Sports Illustrated for Kids.
I know that your budget probably won’t support all of these magazines. My suggestion is to subscribe to three to five of your choice through the school and then check with your constituency to see if they can help with others. You may find that families might already subscribe to American Girl, Ranger Rick, or Sports Illustrated for Kids, or National Geographic or National Geographic for Kids and might be willing to donate them after they are through.
Each time you have conferences, you might consider putting your wish list on your door for parents to see. Years ago at Keene Adventist Elementary School, we were given large yellow stars by our Home and School committee. On each star we were encouraged to put an item that we either needed or wished we could have. My teaching neighbor decided to go big and put ‘overhead projector’ on one star and ‘new desk for teacher’ on another. She also filled out the rest of her stars with smaller items she wanted. She actually got a ‘new’ desk from a parent who was remodeling an office area and someone else bought her the overhead projector. This never happened to me, but the point is that you never know. Put your wish list on stars on your door and see what happens.
I didn’t put any religious magazines on here, but there are very few that are for kids. Most of our students receive Guide, Primary Treasure, or Our Little Friend at church, but it might be that the Sabbath School departments will donate any leftovers to you to keep in the library.
I hope you have found some information that is helpful to you in this post.
Have a great week.
Audrey
Currently Reading:
The Head of Kay’s by P. G. Wodehouse
In a French Kitchen by Susan Herrmann Loomis
The Litigators by John Grisham
Lizzie and the Lost Baby by Cheryl Blackford
The Gold Shoe by Grace Livingston Hill
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Audio Books
Hello,
What is your opinion of audio books or books on tape? My opinion has changed over the years. I prefer to hold a book or my Kindle and turn pages as I read or be able to quickly go back and reread something. I am not a great listener and can get distracted while listening to a book and at some point, ‘wake up’ and wonder what happened in the story in the last ten minutes. So I have not really had an incentive or interest to get audio books.
However . . .
My son and husband have subscribed to Audible for a few years now and both love it. My son has a fairly lengthy commute to work and listens to books during the commute. My husband has times that he wants to listen to a book and has ‘read’ some of his favorites through Audible.
Most schools have a few students who are low in reading skills, but still want to ‘read’ the same books that their peers are reading. By listening and following along, they are able to get the meaning and the words they might have missed if just reading the book itself. After researching I realized that Audible wasn’t a good option for a school library. I have done my best to find audio editions of books that teachers suggest would be helpful for students.
At first, we shelved the audio books in a separate section and students or parents could just go to that shelf and find our collection of audio books. However, at this time we have them shelved on the shelf right beside the paper book. We encourage students to pick up both the audio and paper books and check them out together.
Some positives for audio books.
1. Good for a struggling reader.
2. Great for families that are traveling. They can check out an audio book or two and the whole family can listen in the car.
3. They aren’t quite as intimidating to children who might listen to ‘Little House on the Prairie’, but would never pick up a thick book like that.
4. It is a good way to provide differentiation for children in the classroom.
Negatives might include:
1. Tapes might become damaged or CDs lost.
2. Expensive.
Copyright law allows libraries to make a backup copy. I have made a backup copy and put the original CD or tape in a safe place. If the copy is damaged, I can make another copy of the original. Legally, I am NOT allowed to make multiple copies to share with a class unless I have the same number of audio books. One backup copy per book. So that does help with the damaged issue and expensive issue. They are more expensive than books, but the positives can outweigh the negatives and just might be the incentive to go ahead and purchase them anyway. If you only get a few each year, your collection will grow little by little.
So what should you begin with? What about some of the Pathways books or the supplemental books? They would support the curriculum if you need to justify the expense. Also consider getting some classics that will stand the test of time. This might be just the thing to get those books in circulation again.
So, back to Audible. Last summer I was going to have a 5 hour drive one way and again home at the end of the week. I asked my husband about getting a book for myself through his account and putting it on my phone or my Kindle. He encouraged me to get my own account. I blanched at the thought because I didn’t think I would use it enough and it would be a waste of money. I decided that I would get my own account and then cancel it if I found I wasn’t using it. I still have my account. I have a nice collection of books that I know I will listen to again and again, so I am glad I have it. I’m still not a good listener, but I’m improving!
Have a great week.
Audrey
Currently Reading
The Head of Kay’s by P. G. Wodehouse
In a French Kitchen by Susan Herrmann Loomis
Locally Laid by Lucie Amundsen
The Gold Shoe by Grace Livingston Hill
What is your opinion of audio books or books on tape? My opinion has changed over the years. I prefer to hold a book or my Kindle and turn pages as I read or be able to quickly go back and reread something. I am not a great listener and can get distracted while listening to a book and at some point, ‘wake up’ and wonder what happened in the story in the last ten minutes. So I have not really had an incentive or interest to get audio books.
However . . .
My son and husband have subscribed to Audible for a few years now and both love it. My son has a fairly lengthy commute to work and listens to books during the commute. My husband has times that he wants to listen to a book and has ‘read’ some of his favorites through Audible.
Most schools have a few students who are low in reading skills, but still want to ‘read’ the same books that their peers are reading. By listening and following along, they are able to get the meaning and the words they might have missed if just reading the book itself. After researching I realized that Audible wasn’t a good option for a school library. I have done my best to find audio editions of books that teachers suggest would be helpful for students.
At first, we shelved the audio books in a separate section and students or parents could just go to that shelf and find our collection of audio books. However, at this time we have them shelved on the shelf right beside the paper book. We encourage students to pick up both the audio and paper books and check them out together.
Some positives for audio books.
1. Good for a struggling reader.
2. Great for families that are traveling. They can check out an audio book or two and the whole family can listen in the car.
3. They aren’t quite as intimidating to children who might listen to ‘Little House on the Prairie’, but would never pick up a thick book like that.
4. It is a good way to provide differentiation for children in the classroom.
Negatives might include:
1. Tapes might become damaged or CDs lost.
2. Expensive.
Copyright law allows libraries to make a backup copy. I have made a backup copy and put the original CD or tape in a safe place. If the copy is damaged, I can make another copy of the original. Legally, I am NOT allowed to make multiple copies to share with a class unless I have the same number of audio books. One backup copy per book. So that does help with the damaged issue and expensive issue. They are more expensive than books, but the positives can outweigh the negatives and just might be the incentive to go ahead and purchase them anyway. If you only get a few each year, your collection will grow little by little.
So what should you begin with? What about some of the Pathways books or the supplemental books? They would support the curriculum if you need to justify the expense. Also consider getting some classics that will stand the test of time. This might be just the thing to get those books in circulation again.
So, back to Audible. Last summer I was going to have a 5 hour drive one way and again home at the end of the week. I asked my husband about getting a book for myself through his account and putting it on my phone or my Kindle. He encouraged me to get my own account. I blanched at the thought because I didn’t think I would use it enough and it would be a waste of money. I decided that I would get my own account and then cancel it if I found I wasn’t using it. I still have my account. I have a nice collection of books that I know I will listen to again and again, so I am glad I have it. I’m still not a good listener, but I’m improving!
Have a great week.
Audrey
Currently Reading
The Head of Kay’s by P. G. Wodehouse
In a French Kitchen by Susan Herrmann Loomis
Locally Laid by Lucie Amundsen
The Gold Shoe by Grace Livingston Hill
Monday, January 25, 2016
How to Draw Students into the Library
Hello,
What can we add to our libraries to attract the students? Many of us require certain books for book reports or science fairs or information gathering, but what about other kinds of books to draw students in?
First, I would check with the students and ask them what kinds of books they would like to see in the library. Keep in mind they will have lots of ideas and many of their ideas will not be appropriate for your school library, but if you go with nonfiction, you will probably be OK. Someone might want a book about platypuses, or chimpanzees, or building their own cell phone. (Let me know if you find a book like this!)
I have found that many of our students love cookbooks for children, drawing books or how to draw books, books on origami, pet care (especially unusual pets), and building things such as a tree house. Lego books are very popular here, too. If you have a Lego robotics club, it would be great to have books to support that hobby.
What other hobbies do your students participate in? If you have lots of students that own horses, get books on horse care, horseback riding, or dressage. If you buy books that even one student uses, you will really impress upon him or her how important reading is and also how important he or she is. Imagine if the public library bought a book you particularly wanted to read.
Have a great week!
Audrey
Currently reading:
The Head of Kay’s by P. G. Wodehouse
In a French Kitchen by Susan Herrmann Loomis
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by Kenji Lopez-Alt
What can we add to our libraries to attract the students? Many of us require certain books for book reports or science fairs or information gathering, but what about other kinds of books to draw students in?
First, I would check with the students and ask them what kinds of books they would like to see in the library. Keep in mind they will have lots of ideas and many of their ideas will not be appropriate for your school library, but if you go with nonfiction, you will probably be OK. Someone might want a book about platypuses, or chimpanzees, or building their own cell phone. (Let me know if you find a book like this!)
I have found that many of our students love cookbooks for children, drawing books or how to draw books, books on origami, pet care (especially unusual pets), and building things such as a tree house. Lego books are very popular here, too. If you have a Lego robotics club, it would be great to have books to support that hobby.
What other hobbies do your students participate in? If you have lots of students that own horses, get books on horse care, horseback riding, or dressage. If you buy books that even one student uses, you will really impress upon him or her how important reading is and also how important he or she is. Imagine if the public library bought a book you particularly wanted to read.
Have a great week!
Audrey
Currently reading:
The Head of Kay’s by P. G. Wodehouse
In a French Kitchen by Susan Herrmann Loomis
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by Kenji Lopez-Alt
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
First Sentences Display Idea
Hello,
I don’t know if you like to use Pinterest or not, but I found a great display idea there. It takes a little set up, but is not difficult to do.
Sometimes all you need to do is to read the first line of a book to be hooked in. The picture on Pinterest showed a line of books displayed in a long window or counter top with the first line enlarged to fit on a sheet of paper. The book was behind the paper. If a student wanted to read the book, all he or she needed to do was to take the book from the counter and check it out.
I decided to tweak it a bit. I do have a long counter, but it is taken over with another display, so I needed to do something a bit different. I went through my 813 section of stories and looked at the first line. I pulled off about 30 books that I thought students in grades 5 – 8 would like and then went to my computer. I typed in the first line and enlarged it to fit a page. At the bottom on each page I typed in small print the spine label and the title of the book. I did this because my display area is a locked display case outside the library door and students would not be able to just pick up the book.
I have seen a number of students standing in front of the display case and even parents and teachers. I was pleased with most of the first lines I found. Tell me that you don’t want to read a book that starts with “I am twenty-five years old and I can’t tell time.” Or Ðear River, I cannot tell from your name if you are a boy or a girl so I will just write to you like you are a human being.” Or “Patrick and I became friends because of a vegetable.”
I don’t know if anyone has checked out any of the books, but I have gotten good feedback because of the display.
I hope you have a great week.
Audrey
Currently reading:
The Gold Bat by P. G. Wodehouse
In a French Kitchen by Susan Herrmann Loomis
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
Watership Down by Richard Adams (Audible book)
The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by Kenji Lopez-Alt
The Gold Shoe by Grace Livingston Hill
The Skeleton Tree by Iaian Lawrence
I don’t know if you like to use Pinterest or not, but I found a great display idea there. It takes a little set up, but is not difficult to do.
Sometimes all you need to do is to read the first line of a book to be hooked in. The picture on Pinterest showed a line of books displayed in a long window or counter top with the first line enlarged to fit on a sheet of paper. The book was behind the paper. If a student wanted to read the book, all he or she needed to do was to take the book from the counter and check it out.
I decided to tweak it a bit. I do have a long counter, but it is taken over with another display, so I needed to do something a bit different. I went through my 813 section of stories and looked at the first line. I pulled off about 30 books that I thought students in grades 5 – 8 would like and then went to my computer. I typed in the first line and enlarged it to fit a page. At the bottom on each page I typed in small print the spine label and the title of the book. I did this because my display area is a locked display case outside the library door and students would not be able to just pick up the book.
I have seen a number of students standing in front of the display case and even parents and teachers. I was pleased with most of the first lines I found. Tell me that you don’t want to read a book that starts with “I am twenty-five years old and I can’t tell time.” Or Ðear River, I cannot tell from your name if you are a boy or a girl so I will just write to you like you are a human being.” Or “Patrick and I became friends because of a vegetable.”
I don’t know if anyone has checked out any of the books, but I have gotten good feedback because of the display.
I hope you have a great week.
Audrey
Currently reading:
The Gold Bat by P. G. Wodehouse
In a French Kitchen by Susan Herrmann Loomis
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
Watership Down by Richard Adams (Audible book)
The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by Kenji Lopez-Alt
The Gold Shoe by Grace Livingston Hill
The Skeleton Tree by Iaian Lawrence
Monday, January 11, 2016
Donated Books and Disposal Ideas
Hello,
I would be willing to bet that all of you have people in your community who clean and cull their libraries from time to time. Now they have piles of books that they feel should be useful to someone and you are the recipient of these books. This is very common especially to our school libraries since so many people really want to help, but don’t realize that their books might not be what the school needs.
I have a mantra that I say to anyone who wants to donate books. I say, “I’d love to look through and see if there are any books that we need for our library. If there are any that won’t work for us, is it OK if I find somewhere else for them, or would you like them back?” They don’t usually want them back, so I am free to do what I want with them. I get rid of books by the following methods:
1. Look through and find books that the library can use and then process them for the library. If appropriate, put a bookplate inside the front cover to honor the person who donated the book or books.
2. Child-friendly books that would be duplicates for our library are put on a sale shelf. Cost for a book = 25 cents or less. Set your own price. Money goes into a library petty cash for incidentals. I have a couple of parents who regularly check this shelf at my school. Books that sit too long are ready for another method as listed below.
3. Send appropriate books to the church library if needed. If your church doesn’t have a church library, suggest they set one up.
4. Donate to the local library book sale.
5. Turn into a used book store for cash or credit to buy other books.
6. Check the internet to see if they are valuable enough to sell through an online book store. You can set up your own ‘bookstore’ through Amazon.com and sell your used books. This can be a tiny bit time consuming, but you might have a parent who will take this on for you.
7. Use the books for craft projects. Check out Pinterest for some great ideas. Make sure you tell students that the project is using books that aren’t good anymore – and be specific about what the problem was with the book. Missing pages, defaced pages, missing covers, etc. Otherwise, you might have young ones doing a project with a perfectly good book.
8. Find a dumpster.
I know I have mentioned this previously, but some of you are new to this and it can always be repeated. I would not discourage people from donating old books to your school, because someone will have some wonderful treasures for you one day. Be kind but you don’t have to keep books that you don’t need. Make sure the books on your shelves are ‘shelf-worthy’.
Have a great week!
Audrey
Currently reading:
The Gold Bat by P. G. Wodehouse
In a French Kitchen by Susan Herrmann Loomis
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
Watership Down by Richard Adams (Audible book)
The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by Kenji Lopez-Alt
The Gold Shoe by Grace Livingston Hill
(Yes, you probably can see a theme of sorts here. )
I would be willing to bet that all of you have people in your community who clean and cull their libraries from time to time. Now they have piles of books that they feel should be useful to someone and you are the recipient of these books. This is very common especially to our school libraries since so many people really want to help, but don’t realize that their books might not be what the school needs.
I have a mantra that I say to anyone who wants to donate books. I say, “I’d love to look through and see if there are any books that we need for our library. If there are any that won’t work for us, is it OK if I find somewhere else for them, or would you like them back?” They don’t usually want them back, so I am free to do what I want with them. I get rid of books by the following methods:
1. Look through and find books that the library can use and then process them for the library. If appropriate, put a bookplate inside the front cover to honor the person who donated the book or books.
2. Child-friendly books that would be duplicates for our library are put on a sale shelf. Cost for a book = 25 cents or less. Set your own price. Money goes into a library petty cash for incidentals. I have a couple of parents who regularly check this shelf at my school. Books that sit too long are ready for another method as listed below.
3. Send appropriate books to the church library if needed. If your church doesn’t have a church library, suggest they set one up.
4. Donate to the local library book sale.
5. Turn into a used book store for cash or credit to buy other books.
6. Check the internet to see if they are valuable enough to sell through an online book store. You can set up your own ‘bookstore’ through Amazon.com and sell your used books. This can be a tiny bit time consuming, but you might have a parent who will take this on for you.
7. Use the books for craft projects. Check out Pinterest for some great ideas. Make sure you tell students that the project is using books that aren’t good anymore – and be specific about what the problem was with the book. Missing pages, defaced pages, missing covers, etc. Otherwise, you might have young ones doing a project with a perfectly good book.
8. Find a dumpster.
I know I have mentioned this previously, but some of you are new to this and it can always be repeated. I would not discourage people from donating old books to your school, because someone will have some wonderful treasures for you one day. Be kind but you don’t have to keep books that you don’t need. Make sure the books on your shelves are ‘shelf-worthy’.
Have a great week!
Audrey
Currently reading:
The Gold Bat by P. G. Wodehouse
In a French Kitchen by Susan Herrmann Loomis
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
Watership Down by Richard Adams (Audible book)
The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by Kenji Lopez-Alt
The Gold Shoe by Grace Livingston Hill
(Yes, you probably can see a theme of sorts here. )
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Cataloging Questions
Hello,
I recently answered a few questions from a reader and thought they might be helpful to many of you.
One question was regarding the number 920 and Biographies. I can certainly see how this can be confusing. The Dewey number for Biographies is 920, so you could use either one. However, it seems to be easier for children to find biographies by going to the ‘B’ section rather than trying to find the 920 section. Also, if you use ‘B’ for your biographies and you don’t have room in the section for Dewey, they can be shelved separately which also makes them easier to find.
Another question was regarding the 813 or fiction section. I know that in the past the word “Fiction” was almost considered the ‘F’ word in our schools. Many of us used the word ‘Stories’ instead which works nicely. Our teachers in the upper grades use the term ‘Realistic fiction’ which actually accomplishes two things. One, it helps students know what fiction is, and Two, it defines the kind of book they want for a book report. If they said the book report could be fiction, then some of the students might bring fantasy books from home expecting to use them for their report. But if they say ‘Realistic Fiction’, it must be a story that is realistic and could actually happen. You will know what your community is like and which terms work best for you.
I love a new year and the time to make a new start. As a teacher, I always feel that I have at least two ‘new years’ every year – the official one in January and the other one in August when we start a new school year. Mini fresh starts also begin after each quarter which add two more for us.
Best wishes to all of you in this New Year of 2016.
Audrey
I recently answered a few questions from a reader and thought they might be helpful to many of you.
One question was regarding the number 920 and Biographies. I can certainly see how this can be confusing. The Dewey number for Biographies is 920, so you could use either one. However, it seems to be easier for children to find biographies by going to the ‘B’ section rather than trying to find the 920 section. Also, if you use ‘B’ for your biographies and you don’t have room in the section for Dewey, they can be shelved separately which also makes them easier to find.
Another question was regarding the 813 or fiction section. I know that in the past the word “Fiction” was almost considered the ‘F’ word in our schools. Many of us used the word ‘Stories’ instead which works nicely. Our teachers in the upper grades use the term ‘Realistic fiction’ which actually accomplishes two things. One, it helps students know what fiction is, and Two, it defines the kind of book they want for a book report. If they said the book report could be fiction, then some of the students might bring fantasy books from home expecting to use them for their report. But if they say ‘Realistic Fiction’, it must be a story that is realistic and could actually happen. You will know what your community is like and which terms work best for you.
I love a new year and the time to make a new start. As a teacher, I always feel that I have at least two ‘new years’ every year – the official one in January and the other one in August when we start a new school year. Mini fresh starts also begin after each quarter which add two more for us.
Best wishes to all of you in this New Year of 2016.
Audrey
Monday, December 14, 2015
Favorite Christmas Books
Greetings!
My two favorite things about Christmas are the wonderful music and the stories. If you don’t have a large collection of Christmas books in your library, I would recommend that you begin collecting.
I want to share some of my favorite stories and books for Christmas with you this week.
Patricia Polacco is a prolific artist/author and she has many Christmas stories with lovely illustrations. Look for A Christmas Tapestry, Trees of the Dancing Goats, and An Orange for Frankie.
Joe Wheeler writes the Christmas in My Heart books. Your older students and parents will enjoy reading these. In fact, most of these stories are great to read aloud at storytime.
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. This short story has been reprinted many times and is also illustrated by many different illustrators. Any book would be fine, but if you want to know what my personal favorite is, it is the one that is illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger.
James Herriot wrote wonderful stories and some of them were reprinted as picture books. The Christmas Day Kitten and Moses the Kitten are favorites.
I love, love, love Tasha Tudor’s art and her book Becky’s Christmas tells the story of a farm family long ago who prepared for Christmas by making their own gifts for each other. The love and preparation for the old fashioned holiday is sweet and comforting. It is out of print and pretty expensive, so keep an eye out for a copy that is reasonable. This is the kind of thing that I look for at used bookstores.
A Certain Small Shepherd by Rebecca Caudill is a favorite. This is the alternate book I read to the 3rd and 4th graders. This year I am reading The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden and next year it will be A Certain Small Shepherd. It is the story of an Appalachian family and a young boy who is mute until something happens at Christmastime.
Of course, Charles Dickens wrote the very famous Christmas story – A Christmas Carol. It would be nice to have it in two formats, both the original language and possibly a simpler version for younger children.
Peter Spier is an artist who draws wonderfully ordinary people and actually doesn’t use words. His books are great for everyone, but especially the children who aren’t yet reading. Try Peter Spier’s Christmas by Peter Spier. Then you will need to get his other wordless books. Look for Rain, Noah’s Ark, (notice two rabbits going in and dozens coming out. The look on Noah’s face is priceless), Jonah, Circus, and others.
The Twenty-four Days Before Christmas by Madeleine L’Engle is a very sweet story of the Austin family who appear in other of her books. I first read this at my in-law’s house in a magazine one Christmas in the early 1980s, and actually went and bought the magazine so I would have the story. The magazine became lost or tossed, and I was delighted to find it as a short book.
Well, I hope you find something here that is new to you and that you like. I am certain that you have your personal favorites and I have actually left out a lot of mine. These are ones that I feel are perfectly appropriate for elementary schools.
Have a wonderful Christmas and reflect on the gift of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Audrey
Currently Reading
How Far to Bethlehem? By Norah Lofts
The Complete Works of P. G. Wodehouse (I’m 31 % through on my Kindle) (this is on hold right now)
Behind Rebel Lines by Seymour Reit (recommended to me by a parent who got it from our local ABC)
My two favorite things about Christmas are the wonderful music and the stories. If you don’t have a large collection of Christmas books in your library, I would recommend that you begin collecting.
I want to share some of my favorite stories and books for Christmas with you this week.
Patricia Polacco is a prolific artist/author and she has many Christmas stories with lovely illustrations. Look for A Christmas Tapestry, Trees of the Dancing Goats, and An Orange for Frankie.
Joe Wheeler writes the Christmas in My Heart books. Your older students and parents will enjoy reading these. In fact, most of these stories are great to read aloud at storytime.
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. This short story has been reprinted many times and is also illustrated by many different illustrators. Any book would be fine, but if you want to know what my personal favorite is, it is the one that is illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger.
James Herriot wrote wonderful stories and some of them were reprinted as picture books. The Christmas Day Kitten and Moses the Kitten are favorites.
I love, love, love Tasha Tudor’s art and her book Becky’s Christmas tells the story of a farm family long ago who prepared for Christmas by making their own gifts for each other. The love and preparation for the old fashioned holiday is sweet and comforting. It is out of print and pretty expensive, so keep an eye out for a copy that is reasonable. This is the kind of thing that I look for at used bookstores.
A Certain Small Shepherd by Rebecca Caudill is a favorite. This is the alternate book I read to the 3rd and 4th graders. This year I am reading The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden and next year it will be A Certain Small Shepherd. It is the story of an Appalachian family and a young boy who is mute until something happens at Christmastime.
Of course, Charles Dickens wrote the very famous Christmas story – A Christmas Carol. It would be nice to have it in two formats, both the original language and possibly a simpler version for younger children.
Peter Spier is an artist who draws wonderfully ordinary people and actually doesn’t use words. His books are great for everyone, but especially the children who aren’t yet reading. Try Peter Spier’s Christmas by Peter Spier. Then you will need to get his other wordless books. Look for Rain, Noah’s Ark, (notice two rabbits going in and dozens coming out. The look on Noah’s face is priceless), Jonah, Circus, and others.
The Twenty-four Days Before Christmas by Madeleine L’Engle is a very sweet story of the Austin family who appear in other of her books. I first read this at my in-law’s house in a magazine one Christmas in the early 1980s, and actually went and bought the magazine so I would have the story. The magazine became lost or tossed, and I was delighted to find it as a short book.
Well, I hope you find something here that is new to you and that you like. I am certain that you have your personal favorites and I have actually left out a lot of mine. These are ones that I feel are perfectly appropriate for elementary schools.
Have a wonderful Christmas and reflect on the gift of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Audrey
Currently Reading
How Far to Bethlehem? By Norah Lofts
The Complete Works of P. G. Wodehouse (I’m 31 % through on my Kindle) (this is on hold right now)
Behind Rebel Lines by Seymour Reit (recommended to me by a parent who got it from our local ABC)
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