Hi,
Last week I read an article in a library journal about book swaps and I thought you might be interested in this. It’s a great way to recharge the personal libraries of your students. I have held a couple of them and they are really pretty easy if you have some guidelines and know what mistakes others made so you don’t have to make those same mistakes! The basic swap is simple. Students bring in books they no longer want in their libraries and swap them for someone else’s books. One book for another book.
First, decide how and when you will hold the swap. Talk it up to your students and designate the time period for collecting books and the swap. You can do the swap itself in one day or less. Collecting the books can be over a period of days or weeks. I had students bring in their books on Monday and Tuesday and we had the swap on Wednesday morning. As students brought their books to me, I gave them a ticket for each book they brought. I checked the books quickly to see if they were appropriate for our school. Students were responsible to keep track of their tickets.
On Wednesday at swap time, students came into the library with tickets in hand and ‘bought’ books. I had stressed previously that even if they brought in ten books, they might not find ten books that they wanted and this was OK. I had the older students come first, then younger students. Other schools learned that this worked best. They saw Kindergarten students leave with large chapter books and there were not many choices for the older students. So they had older students choose first, then younger ones.
After all students with tickets had had a chance to choose their books, then I let students come in who didn’t have tickets. They could buy books for a dime each. I got a lot of books sold that way and the library got to keep the small amount of cash generated.
It was pretty easy and the kids had a ball. Students can run the swap and take tickets and be in charge. A teacher should be the one to collect the books, and make the decision, but after that students can run the swap with little help if need be.
Here are some guidelines to follow if you decide to hold a Book Swap at your school.
1. Collect books. Give a week or two notice on this and encourage families to bring in books that are in gently used condition. Make sure that students have parent permission to swap their books. Books that are missing pages, or beat up should not be brought in to the swap. Also stress that books need to be appropriate for our school. Give a ticket or token for each book. I have included books that were weeded from the library shelves in the swap, too.
2. Set a time for students with tickets to buy their books. Only students with tickets were allowed to come in and browse. Then set a time that anyone can come and buy a book with cash. You will be left with some books, but I am willing to bet that most of them will be gone. Leftover books can be saved until the next swap, or given away, or disposed of however you choose. I read that some donate to daycare centers, homeless shelters, or Goodwill.
3. Some libraries restrict the contributions and don’t allow board or toddler books, encyclopedias, or adult books. That would be up to you but it seems like a good idea to me.
I think you will enjoy a book swap. One of the problems that you may have is the students who will be asking when the next swap will be.
Have a good week.
Audrey
Sdalibrarian.blogspot.com
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Library Distribution Guidelines
Hello,
Last week I received a great question from one of you wondering if there were guidelines as to the number of books required in each section particularly regarding school evaluations and inspections. What a great question! I did some research and found that the form used for many school evaluations ask you to put the total number of volumes in front of each section listed. Also they ask for a total number of titles (not including reference), total number of reference books, total number of denominational periodical subscriptions, and total number of secular magazine/newspaper subscriptions. The form has another page that gives a simple rubric for implementation in two areas: 1. Does the Media Center have a balanced collection of appropriate library materials and 2. Do personnel provide orientation in locating and evaluating information sources that support student learning.
According to the form that I have, it appears that ‘balanced’ is subject to interpretation. This is a good thing. I also did some research and found a source that has general guidelines for distribution of the library collection. Each section has recommended percentages for the Dewey sections. Keep in mind that these are general suggestions, not requirements. It would be interesting to check your collection and see what the percentages actually are. If you find that you are well below the recommendations, you might consider supplementing that particular section when you have money for it. If this is in your plans, it also looks good to the evaluation committee. You know where your library is weak and you have plans to improve it.
Dewey Subject Percentage of Collection
Classification K – 6 7 – 12
000 – 099 General works and Reference 2 – 5% 6 – 8%
100 – 199 Philosophy, Psychology .5% 1 – 2%
200 – 299 Religion & Mythology 1 – 2% 1 – 2%
300 – 399 Social Sciences, Folklore 5 – 10% 10 – 15%
400 – 499 Language .5% 2 – 5%
500 – 599 Pure Science 10% 5 – 10%
600 – 699 Applied Science 10% 5 – 10%
700 – 799 Fine Arts, Recreation 5% 5 – 10%
800 – 899 Literature 5% 5 – 10%
Fiction (often included in 800s) 20% 20 – 25%
900 – 999 History, Geography, Biography 20% 20%
E Easy books, Picture books 20 – 25%
The table above was found in the book Administering the School Library Media Center, fourth edition, by Betty J. Morris, page 339.
If you would like a copy of the form used for school evaluations, contact your local conference office. They can email this information to you.
I hope this information is helpful to you. And I also hope you have a great week – what’s left of it!
Audrey
Last week I received a great question from one of you wondering if there were guidelines as to the number of books required in each section particularly regarding school evaluations and inspections. What a great question! I did some research and found that the form used for many school evaluations ask you to put the total number of volumes in front of each section listed. Also they ask for a total number of titles (not including reference), total number of reference books, total number of denominational periodical subscriptions, and total number of secular magazine/newspaper subscriptions. The form has another page that gives a simple rubric for implementation in two areas: 1. Does the Media Center have a balanced collection of appropriate library materials and 2. Do personnel provide orientation in locating and evaluating information sources that support student learning.
According to the form that I have, it appears that ‘balanced’ is subject to interpretation. This is a good thing. I also did some research and found a source that has general guidelines for distribution of the library collection. Each section has recommended percentages for the Dewey sections. Keep in mind that these are general suggestions, not requirements. It would be interesting to check your collection and see what the percentages actually are. If you find that you are well below the recommendations, you might consider supplementing that particular section when you have money for it. If this is in your plans, it also looks good to the evaluation committee. You know where your library is weak and you have plans to improve it.
Dewey Subject Percentage of Collection
Classification K – 6 7 – 12
000 – 099 General works and Reference 2 – 5% 6 – 8%
100 – 199 Philosophy, Psychology .5% 1 – 2%
200 – 299 Religion & Mythology 1 – 2% 1 – 2%
300 – 399 Social Sciences, Folklore 5 – 10% 10 – 15%
400 – 499 Language .5% 2 – 5%
500 – 599 Pure Science 10% 5 – 10%
600 – 699 Applied Science 10% 5 – 10%
700 – 799 Fine Arts, Recreation 5% 5 – 10%
800 – 899 Literature 5% 5 – 10%
Fiction (often included in 800s) 20% 20 – 25%
900 – 999 History, Geography, Biography 20% 20%
E Easy books, Picture books 20 – 25%
The table above was found in the book Administering the School Library Media Center, fourth edition, by Betty J. Morris, page 339.
If you would like a copy of the form used for school evaluations, contact your local conference office. They can email this information to you.
I hope this information is helpful to you. And I also hope you have a great week – what’s left of it!
Audrey
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
More Magazine Options
Hello,
Last week I gave you a list of magazines that I felt were worth getting for your school. This week I will continue with more magazines that I consider optional, but still may be worth your time and money.
You probably noticed a lot of options from The Cricket Group. I really like the magazines they put out. They do a quality magazine and children are usually interested in them. I would give one word of caution against getting every magazine they offer. They started in 1973 with Cricket magazine which focuses on quality literature for children. The editors choose a subject such as China and then select top authors and illustrators to contribute to the magazine in both fiction and nonfiction stories in each issue. So why don’t I have Cricket first on my list? I subscribed personally to Cricket for about 10 years when my son was quite young. I don’t have this on my list because about a third of the time the topic is one that is not appropriate for a Seventh-day Adventist school. Just for example one year the topics included magic, Gershwin, the queen, dragons, folktales, the USS Maine, dogs, rainforest, fairy tales, speaking with symbols, music, magicians, ghosts, whales, Ansel Adams, Paul Revere, hockey, ancient city of Petra, just to name a few. Those were from the year 2000 and were in about eight of the copies I have on hand. It seems that nearly every issue has some kind of fairy tale or folktale in it. My copies are sitting in magazine holders on one shelf in my cupboard. I have previously chosen stories that I wanted to use and read it to the classes, but I don’t subscribe to Cricket.
OK. On to other options from The Cricket Group. If you are looking for an arts and science magazine for children aged 6 – 9, you are looking for one called ASK. ASK includes lots of interesting information written in language easy for kids to understand. The subscription cost is $33.95 for 9 issues. This month is all about size. Why are things the size they are? Why is a mile a mile?
When students outgrow ASK, they next need Odyssey, the science magazine for ages 9 – 14. Each issue focuses on a theme and delves into lots of information about that theme. A recent issue is all about snow and has information on ice, snow, a snowflake contest, and much more.
We really like American Girl magazine here, but I also notice that the girls who love it the most often have their own subscription. This is why I didn’t put it higher on the list. It also is one that a student might donate after they are finished with it. Are you worried that it might look used? Never fear. My girls devour all issues even the back ones that are practically falling apart. I take out the extra inserts such as the tiny magazine or paper dolls and use them for prizes or gifts so having them gone isn’t a problem. For $22.95 you get games, crafts, stories, and more for a whole year.
In looking for a similar type of magazine for boys, one person suggested Boy’s Life. I do not have this and I do not have any information about it except the cost which is $24.00 for a year. I would request a sample magazine before subscribing and see if this is something you would like.
Instead we do have Sports Illustrated for Kids. This is an age appropriate (ages 9 – 12) magazine on sports. Cost = $24.95 for 12 issues.
Scholastic puts out a monthly magazine similar to Weekly Reader on Life Skills, Consumer Science, and Health geared to students in grades 7 – 12. The magazine is called Choices. This would be good for classroom sets since the cost is $8.95 for a year. A teacher’s edition is included along with activities and worksheets.
Weekly Reader has two magazines on health. One is for students in grades 4 – 7 called Current Health Kids and the other is for students in grades 7 – 12 called Current Health Teens. Both include teacher’s editions, activities, lesson ideas, and worksheets and come twice a month. Current Health Kids costs $37.95 and Current Health Teens costs $46.99. Sometimes they have special pricing and you can get good discounts.
That concludes my magazine review. I hope it has been helpful to you and that you have found something that will work for your school or classroom. Don’t forget to check out past postings on my blog at sdalibrarian.blogspot.com.
Have a great week,
Audrey
Last week I gave you a list of magazines that I felt were worth getting for your school. This week I will continue with more magazines that I consider optional, but still may be worth your time and money.
You probably noticed a lot of options from The Cricket Group. I really like the magazines they put out. They do a quality magazine and children are usually interested in them. I would give one word of caution against getting every magazine they offer. They started in 1973 with Cricket magazine which focuses on quality literature for children. The editors choose a subject such as China and then select top authors and illustrators to contribute to the magazine in both fiction and nonfiction stories in each issue. So why don’t I have Cricket first on my list? I subscribed personally to Cricket for about 10 years when my son was quite young. I don’t have this on my list because about a third of the time the topic is one that is not appropriate for a Seventh-day Adventist school. Just for example one year the topics included magic, Gershwin, the queen, dragons, folktales, the USS Maine, dogs, rainforest, fairy tales, speaking with symbols, music, magicians, ghosts, whales, Ansel Adams, Paul Revere, hockey, ancient city of Petra, just to name a few. Those were from the year 2000 and were in about eight of the copies I have on hand. It seems that nearly every issue has some kind of fairy tale or folktale in it. My copies are sitting in magazine holders on one shelf in my cupboard. I have previously chosen stories that I wanted to use and read it to the classes, but I don’t subscribe to Cricket.
OK. On to other options from The Cricket Group. If you are looking for an arts and science magazine for children aged 6 – 9, you are looking for one called ASK. ASK includes lots of interesting information written in language easy for kids to understand. The subscription cost is $33.95 for 9 issues. This month is all about size. Why are things the size they are? Why is a mile a mile?
When students outgrow ASK, they next need Odyssey, the science magazine for ages 9 – 14. Each issue focuses on a theme and delves into lots of information about that theme. A recent issue is all about snow and has information on ice, snow, a snowflake contest, and much more.
We really like American Girl magazine here, but I also notice that the girls who love it the most often have their own subscription. This is why I didn’t put it higher on the list. It also is one that a student might donate after they are finished with it. Are you worried that it might look used? Never fear. My girls devour all issues even the back ones that are practically falling apart. I take out the extra inserts such as the tiny magazine or paper dolls and use them for prizes or gifts so having them gone isn’t a problem. For $22.95 you get games, crafts, stories, and more for a whole year.
In looking for a similar type of magazine for boys, one person suggested Boy’s Life. I do not have this and I do not have any information about it except the cost which is $24.00 for a year. I would request a sample magazine before subscribing and see if this is something you would like.
Instead we do have Sports Illustrated for Kids. This is an age appropriate (ages 9 – 12) magazine on sports. Cost = $24.95 for 12 issues.
Scholastic puts out a monthly magazine similar to Weekly Reader on Life Skills, Consumer Science, and Health geared to students in grades 7 – 12. The magazine is called Choices. This would be good for classroom sets since the cost is $8.95 for a year. A teacher’s edition is included along with activities and worksheets.
Weekly Reader has two magazines on health. One is for students in grades 4 – 7 called Current Health Kids and the other is for students in grades 7 – 12 called Current Health Teens. Both include teacher’s editions, activities, lesson ideas, and worksheets and come twice a month. Current Health Kids costs $37.95 and Current Health Teens costs $46.99. Sometimes they have special pricing and you can get good discounts.
That concludes my magazine review. I hope it has been helpful to you and that you have found something that will work for your school or classroom. Don’t forget to check out past postings on my blog at sdalibrarian.blogspot.com.
Have a great week,
Audrey
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Magazines
Greetings!
I hope you are all rested and ready for school again. This week I am going to talk about periodicals. These can get quite pricey and we can wonder if it is worth the cost. I happen to think that magazines are worth the price, at least the ones I am going to share with you. I am not going to address magazines for teachers or adults, just ones for children and young people.
If I could have only three magazines in my library, I would choose these three. All three can and should be kept for future reference and will be a great addition to your library for a low price. We process these and check them out like a book. You can request single review copies to check out what the magazine is like by going to the websites.
1. Cobblestone – This is published by The Cricket Group and focuses on American History for ages 9 – 14. The cost is $33.95 for 9 issues. This magazine is one that will be kept and used for research and supplementary material so the cost isn’t as bad as you might think.
2. Kids Discover – Each issue presents a single nonfiction subject in full color photographs along with activities and interesting articles for ages 7 - 12. Subjects are from Science, Social Studies and Reading. This is another magazine that can and should be kept for reference. The cost is $19.95 for 12 issues. You might find copies at used book stores or thrift stores.
3. Appleseeds – Another publication from The Cricket Group which focuses on kids around the world and through time. Geared toward kids aged 6 – 9 and costs $33.95 for 9 issues. Subjects from 2010 include Outer Space, Medieval times, Farms, and Spies.
Those three magazines cover grades 1 – 8 and the subjects of history, science, social studies, and reading. But if I found money for three more magazines, I would then add:
4. National Geographic Kids – At a special cost of $15.00 for 12 issues, this is a very good deal. The regular price is normally around $34.00, but today (January 4, 2011) I checked and the magazine is on special. This covers topics in science, nature, and animals.
5. Faces – This is yet another from The Cricket Group. Faces deals with different cultures around the world. Issues usually have titles like Peru, Bolivia, Scandinavia, or Vietnam. The magazine discusses the different ways people live, dress, study, play, eat, and work in the country. You get 9 issues for $33.95.
6. Dig –If you have students who are interested in ancient history and archeology, this is a great resource to have. For students aged 9 – 14, this is yet another offering from The Cricket Group. Nine issues for $33.95.
Just these six magazines cost over $170.00 which is a lot of money. If your budget can’t handle this, see if you can get some church families to sponsor one subscription. If you had ten people donate just $10.00, you would already have $100.00 toward these subscriptions. What about a bake sale? Have students bring in loose change for a week or two. Be creative and see what you can do to bring good quality reading to your library.
I can hear you now wondering about old classics like Ranger Rick or National Geographic. I haven’t forgotten them at all. I know that likely someone in your school or church gets one or both of these magazines and would be willing to donate them when they are finished. We get National Geographic through a parent donation. The reason it works for us is that the parent arranged to donate his issues when he is finished with them. We have the same parent donating every time, not one parent here and there. You likely have someone who would be happy to help the school with the donation of National Geographic. Ranger Rick is also one that many parents get and may be willing to donate their issue to the school.
Don’t forget the obvious magazines like Winner, Listen, Primary Treasure, Guide, and Insight. Winner (for kids) and Listen (for teens) are health magazines with an Adventist focus. You can subscribe to them through the conference office if you aren’t already getting them. Primary Treasure, Guide, and Insight are the story magazines with Bible lessons that are given weekly at Adventist churches. You might pick up an extra one each week at your church, or even order a copy for the school through the church. It may be that a student would be willing to donate their copy when they are finished.
Set up a way to accept these donations. You may not always want them to be handed to you especially if you are in class when they arrive. Is there a box that the people can put them in? Should they bring them to the library or the office? Also, decide what you might do if you get extra copies. Some can be given away, or used for cutting out pictures.
I have a few more magazines to share next week.
Have a great week,
Audrey
Sdalibrarian.blogspot.com
I hope you are all rested and ready for school again. This week I am going to talk about periodicals. These can get quite pricey and we can wonder if it is worth the cost. I happen to think that magazines are worth the price, at least the ones I am going to share with you. I am not going to address magazines for teachers or adults, just ones for children and young people.
If I could have only three magazines in my library, I would choose these three. All three can and should be kept for future reference and will be a great addition to your library for a low price. We process these and check them out like a book. You can request single review copies to check out what the magazine is like by going to the websites.
1. Cobblestone – This is published by The Cricket Group and focuses on American History for ages 9 – 14. The cost is $33.95 for 9 issues. This magazine is one that will be kept and used for research and supplementary material so the cost isn’t as bad as you might think.
2. Kids Discover – Each issue presents a single nonfiction subject in full color photographs along with activities and interesting articles for ages 7 - 12. Subjects are from Science, Social Studies and Reading. This is another magazine that can and should be kept for reference. The cost is $19.95 for 12 issues. You might find copies at used book stores or thrift stores.
3. Appleseeds – Another publication from The Cricket Group which focuses on kids around the world and through time. Geared toward kids aged 6 – 9 and costs $33.95 for 9 issues. Subjects from 2010 include Outer Space, Medieval times, Farms, and Spies.
Those three magazines cover grades 1 – 8 and the subjects of history, science, social studies, and reading. But if I found money for three more magazines, I would then add:
4. National Geographic Kids – At a special cost of $15.00 for 12 issues, this is a very good deal. The regular price is normally around $34.00, but today (January 4, 2011) I checked and the magazine is on special. This covers topics in science, nature, and animals.
5. Faces – This is yet another from The Cricket Group. Faces deals with different cultures around the world. Issues usually have titles like Peru, Bolivia, Scandinavia, or Vietnam. The magazine discusses the different ways people live, dress, study, play, eat, and work in the country. You get 9 issues for $33.95.
6. Dig –If you have students who are interested in ancient history and archeology, this is a great resource to have. For students aged 9 – 14, this is yet another offering from The Cricket Group. Nine issues for $33.95.
Just these six magazines cost over $170.00 which is a lot of money. If your budget can’t handle this, see if you can get some church families to sponsor one subscription. If you had ten people donate just $10.00, you would already have $100.00 toward these subscriptions. What about a bake sale? Have students bring in loose change for a week or two. Be creative and see what you can do to bring good quality reading to your library.
I can hear you now wondering about old classics like Ranger Rick or National Geographic. I haven’t forgotten them at all. I know that likely someone in your school or church gets one or both of these magazines and would be willing to donate them when they are finished. We get National Geographic through a parent donation. The reason it works for us is that the parent arranged to donate his issues when he is finished with them. We have the same parent donating every time, not one parent here and there. You likely have someone who would be happy to help the school with the donation of National Geographic. Ranger Rick is also one that many parents get and may be willing to donate their issue to the school.
Don’t forget the obvious magazines like Winner, Listen, Primary Treasure, Guide, and Insight. Winner (for kids) and Listen (for teens) are health magazines with an Adventist focus. You can subscribe to them through the conference office if you aren’t already getting them. Primary Treasure, Guide, and Insight are the story magazines with Bible lessons that are given weekly at Adventist churches. You might pick up an extra one each week at your church, or even order a copy for the school through the church. It may be that a student would be willing to donate their copy when they are finished.
Set up a way to accept these donations. You may not always want them to be handed to you especially if you are in class when they arrive. Is there a box that the people can put them in? Should they bring them to the library or the office? Also, decide what you might do if you get extra copies. Some can be given away, or used for cutting out pictures.
I have a few more magazines to share next week.
Have a great week,
Audrey
Sdalibrarian.blogspot.com
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Spruce Up Your Space
Hello,
Christmas vacation is almost upon us and before you know it January will be here. What does your library space look like right now? Think about how you might spruce that space up and make it more inviting. Winter is a perfect time to get those kids reading.
Think about the shelves. What do they look like? Do they need to be dusted? A student can dust around the edges. A pair of students might even be able to take books off the shelves, dust, and then replace the books exactly. Also, putting students to work in the library can get them interested in a book they happen to see on the shelf. You never know!
What about seating? Do you have seating in the library? I don’t have very much, but some of you might have room for a few bean bag chairs. Those are kid magnets. Even if you don’t have room for too much, try to put something interesting in to sit on.
Did you put up posters at the beginning of the year? Are the same ones still up? You might change the posters. You can find fun posters through Highsmigh library supply or Demco.
You can also start a contest of some kind. A poster contest, a reading contest, making book marks. Let your imagination come up with something to promote the library and reading.
What about displays in the library? When your teachers assign projects for the students such as models or dioramas, ask to display them in the library for a time. That will also bring in parents. Other library displays could be based around a theme. Pick a word such as ‘sailing’, then put out all the information you have on sailing. Put a few boats with the books and magazines to add interest. The student that always chooses a story might be tempted to choose a nonfiction book for a change. After a couple of weeks, choose a new word and keep that going for a while.
Some teachers have their students ‘read around the library’ meaning they require students to read books from each of the Dewey sections. You can make cards or bookmarks that they keep track of the different genres and which book they read for each genre.
I hope there are a couple of new ideas for you in adding interest to your library. See what you can do to invite the students in to your space.
Have a great week, a very Merry Christmas, and a Joyous New Year! I’ll see you in January.
Audrey
Christmas vacation is almost upon us and before you know it January will be here. What does your library space look like right now? Think about how you might spruce that space up and make it more inviting. Winter is a perfect time to get those kids reading.
Think about the shelves. What do they look like? Do they need to be dusted? A student can dust around the edges. A pair of students might even be able to take books off the shelves, dust, and then replace the books exactly. Also, putting students to work in the library can get them interested in a book they happen to see on the shelf. You never know!
What about seating? Do you have seating in the library? I don’t have very much, but some of you might have room for a few bean bag chairs. Those are kid magnets. Even if you don’t have room for too much, try to put something interesting in to sit on.
Did you put up posters at the beginning of the year? Are the same ones still up? You might change the posters. You can find fun posters through Highsmigh library supply or Demco.
You can also start a contest of some kind. A poster contest, a reading contest, making book marks. Let your imagination come up with something to promote the library and reading.
What about displays in the library? When your teachers assign projects for the students such as models or dioramas, ask to display them in the library for a time. That will also bring in parents. Other library displays could be based around a theme. Pick a word such as ‘sailing’, then put out all the information you have on sailing. Put a few boats with the books and magazines to add interest. The student that always chooses a story might be tempted to choose a nonfiction book for a change. After a couple of weeks, choose a new word and keep that going for a while.
Some teachers have their students ‘read around the library’ meaning they require students to read books from each of the Dewey sections. You can make cards or bookmarks that they keep track of the different genres and which book they read for each genre.
I hope there are a couple of new ideas for you in adding interest to your library. See what you can do to invite the students in to your space.
Have a great week, a very Merry Christmas, and a Joyous New Year! I’ll see you in January.
Audrey
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Holiday Books
Hello,
I go one response from a librarian who sent in two favorites that I hadn’t mentioned. Thanks, Brenda, for your ideas. She mentioned The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston, illustrated by Barbara Cooney and Night Tree by Eve Bunting. I don’t know the Eve Bunting book, but I really like other books she wrote, so will have to find this one.
Now, for more Christmas favorites from me.
Tasha Tudor wrote about her family and how they celebrated Christmas long ago in Becky’s Christmas. This was back in the day when families made decorations and gifts for each other rather than purchase them like many of us do today. This is a darling book and may be out of print. If you find a copy, you would be smart to purchase it and hang on to it. While you are at it, Tasha Tudor also wrote The Doll’s Christmas which also is a great purchase.
One book that is in the top three favorites of mine is The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden. Rumer wrote a number of books about girls and dolls but this one is still in print. I happen to like the one illustrated by Barbara Cooney, but the story is wonderful no matter who illustrates it. Holly is a doll and Ivy is a little orphan girl. They get together through a series of events that are fun and interesting. I read this one every other year to the third and fourth graders and next year will be time for this one again. Last year I planned ahead and decorated my display case outside the library to match closely the toy shop window in the Barbara Cooney illustrated book. The kids loved it.
Another book in my top three is by Madeline L’Engle called The Twenty-four Days Before Christmas. I happened to read this story in a magazine about twenty-some years ago. I loved it so much; I went right out and bought my own copy of the magazine. Each year I reread the story and one day I found that it had been published in a book, so of course I bought the book and was finally able to toss the ragged magazine. It is the story of the Austin family and one special Christmas.
One of my favorite illustrators is Tomie DePaola. He has many, many books out and some of them are Christmas ones such as The Legend of the Poinsettia, but I really love the book he illustrated for the song The Friendly Beasts. Our music teacher sometimes uses that song for Christmas programs and we sing it in library class along with the book.
Other artists have illustrated Christmas songs and Ezra Jack Keats did a wonderful job with The Little Drummer Boy. It is a classic that is loved by many.
A newer book that is becoming a favorite of mine is Merry Christmas, Merry Crow. A crow gathers items as crows will and takes them away. At the end of the book, a tree is decorated with all the items that the crow has taken. Children love being surprised when they see the tree.
Amy Krouse Rosenthal is the author of a book called Christmas Cookies: Bite-Sized Holiday Lessons. This is one of the three ‘Cookies’ books she has written. The other two are Sugar Cookies: Sweet Little Lessons on Love and Cookies: Bite-sized Life Lessons.
Older students may enjoy learning how the different holiday traditions got started. They can find this out in Holly, Reindeer and Colored Lights by Edna Barth.
A picture book that older students will enjoy is Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon. This tells the story of the Christmas truce between the Germans and the allied forces during World War 1. John McCutcheon also wrote a song about this and a CD is included in the book. You can also play the CD and hear the author read the story. Another book about this time in history is called Truce by Jim Murphy. This is not a picture book for young children, but there are many pictures and letters included in the historical account.
I hope that two weeks of Christmas books is enough to get you through the holidays. There are hundreds and hundreds more, but we must stop sometime.
Have a good week and keep well!
Audrey
I go one response from a librarian who sent in two favorites that I hadn’t mentioned. Thanks, Brenda, for your ideas. She mentioned The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston, illustrated by Barbara Cooney and Night Tree by Eve Bunting. I don’t know the Eve Bunting book, but I really like other books she wrote, so will have to find this one.
Now, for more Christmas favorites from me.
Tasha Tudor wrote about her family and how they celebrated Christmas long ago in Becky’s Christmas. This was back in the day when families made decorations and gifts for each other rather than purchase them like many of us do today. This is a darling book and may be out of print. If you find a copy, you would be smart to purchase it and hang on to it. While you are at it, Tasha Tudor also wrote The Doll’s Christmas which also is a great purchase.
One book that is in the top three favorites of mine is The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden. Rumer wrote a number of books about girls and dolls but this one is still in print. I happen to like the one illustrated by Barbara Cooney, but the story is wonderful no matter who illustrates it. Holly is a doll and Ivy is a little orphan girl. They get together through a series of events that are fun and interesting. I read this one every other year to the third and fourth graders and next year will be time for this one again. Last year I planned ahead and decorated my display case outside the library to match closely the toy shop window in the Barbara Cooney illustrated book. The kids loved it.
Another book in my top three is by Madeline L’Engle called The Twenty-four Days Before Christmas. I happened to read this story in a magazine about twenty-some years ago. I loved it so much; I went right out and bought my own copy of the magazine. Each year I reread the story and one day I found that it had been published in a book, so of course I bought the book and was finally able to toss the ragged magazine. It is the story of the Austin family and one special Christmas.
One of my favorite illustrators is Tomie DePaola. He has many, many books out and some of them are Christmas ones such as The Legend of the Poinsettia, but I really love the book he illustrated for the song The Friendly Beasts. Our music teacher sometimes uses that song for Christmas programs and we sing it in library class along with the book.
Other artists have illustrated Christmas songs and Ezra Jack Keats did a wonderful job with The Little Drummer Boy. It is a classic that is loved by many.
A newer book that is becoming a favorite of mine is Merry Christmas, Merry Crow. A crow gathers items as crows will and takes them away. At the end of the book, a tree is decorated with all the items that the crow has taken. Children love being surprised when they see the tree.
Amy Krouse Rosenthal is the author of a book called Christmas Cookies: Bite-Sized Holiday Lessons. This is one of the three ‘Cookies’ books she has written. The other two are Sugar Cookies: Sweet Little Lessons on Love and Cookies: Bite-sized Life Lessons.
Older students may enjoy learning how the different holiday traditions got started. They can find this out in Holly, Reindeer and Colored Lights by Edna Barth.
A picture book that older students will enjoy is Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon. This tells the story of the Christmas truce between the Germans and the allied forces during World War 1. John McCutcheon also wrote a song about this and a CD is included in the book. You can also play the CD and hear the author read the story. Another book about this time in history is called Truce by Jim Murphy. This is not a picture book for young children, but there are many pictures and letters included in the historical account.
I hope that two weeks of Christmas books is enough to get you through the holidays. There are hundreds and hundreds more, but we must stop sometime.
Have a good week and keep well!
Audrey
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Christmas Favorites
Hello,
I am not sure which books I recommended for Christmas previously, but I do have some wonderful favorites. Some of these are good read alouds, and others are good picture books. Some are heartwarming and others might be a bit sad in spots, but all are good books for someone.
A Certain Small Shepherd by Rebecca Caudill. I LOVE this story about a family in the Appalachian hills. Jamie, a young mute boy, is thoughtlessly assigned to sing with the chorus in the school nativity play. Soon he is reassigned to play a young shepherd which he embraces wholeheartedly. On the date of the Christmas pageant, a blizzard sweeps in and Jamie is disappointed when the pageant is canceled. Through the snowy night comes a couple in need of shelter. Father takes them to the nearby church and soon they have a baby. When Jamie sees the new baby, he runs back to his house then returns to the church wearing his shepherd costume. For the first time he speaks aloud and gives his own Christmas gifts – an orange and a dime – to the family. Other Rebecca Caudill books you might enjoy are A Pocketful of Cricket and Did You Carry the Flag Today, Charlie?
The Christmas Day Kitten by James Herriot. You may be familiar with James Herriot’s All Things Bright and Beautiful and other books about his experiences as a veterinarian in Yorkshire, England. This story is taken from one of his books and made into a picture book. On Christmas Day a young mother cat brings her kitten to a home where she has experienced friendliness. She is ill and does not survive. The kitten becomes part of the family. Trust me, the story is much better than I tell it here!
Silver Packages by Cynthia Rylant. This is another Appalachian Christmas story about a wealthy man who brings a Christmas train each year to give gifts wrapped in silver to the children. One young boy wishes each year for a doctor’s kit. You likely have heard this story but you will enjoy the wonderful paintings by Chris Soentpiet. (Pronounced SOON pete)
Patricia Polacco is a prolific writer and has a few books about Christmas. Two that are wonderful true stories of her family are The Trees of the Dancing Goats and An Orange for Frankie. Patricia’s family celebrates Hanukkah but the neighbors celebrate Christmas. One year scarlet fever is rampant in the neighborhood so Patricia’s family decorates small Christmas trees with their own brightly painted little wooden toys and deliver the trees to the neighbors. When the neighborhood recovers, they return the gift with one that Patricia’s family appreciates. In An Orange for Frankie, the family is excitedly preparing for Christmas and hoping Father is able to return in time. Father will be bringing the oranges which are a once-a-year treat for the family. When Father brings the oranges, Frankie just wants to hold his and smell it so he stuffs it inside his sweater and the family attends the Christmas pageant. When they return home, Frankie is horrified to realize that he has lost his orange! Mother solves this problem for him in a wonderful way. Most of Patricia Polacco’s books are fantastic, but she has a few that are pure fantasy and might not be a book you wish to place on your shelves. Be careful and read the book first before purchasing it just to make sure it is one you really want.
The Christmas Tree Farm by Ann Purmell. Have you ever wondered where those Christmas trees in the parking lots or grocery lots come from? How do they care for those trees during the year? What happens to Christmas trees in summer or spring? This book answers these questions and more plus includes facts about Christmas trees that your students will find fascinating.
Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto. Tamales are a traditional Mexican holiday meal and Maria’s family makes twenty-four of them in preparation for the family that will be arriving soon. Maria eyes her mother’s diamond ring and wishes to wear it for just a little while, but when she cannot find it later she realizes that the ring is lost in the tamales! She and her cousins eat all the tamales in order to find the ring, but no one finds it. Weeping, Maria confesses to her mother about the lost ring and the tamales, but then sees the ring on her mother’s hand. The family laughs over the picture of the cousins eating so many tamales, and all pitch in to make more tamales.
I hope you enjoy these titles. If you have some Christmas favorites, please let me know and I will include them next week.
Have a good week,
Audrey
I am not sure which books I recommended for Christmas previously, but I do have some wonderful favorites. Some of these are good read alouds, and others are good picture books. Some are heartwarming and others might be a bit sad in spots, but all are good books for someone.
A Certain Small Shepherd by Rebecca Caudill. I LOVE this story about a family in the Appalachian hills. Jamie, a young mute boy, is thoughtlessly assigned to sing with the chorus in the school nativity play. Soon he is reassigned to play a young shepherd which he embraces wholeheartedly. On the date of the Christmas pageant, a blizzard sweeps in and Jamie is disappointed when the pageant is canceled. Through the snowy night comes a couple in need of shelter. Father takes them to the nearby church and soon they have a baby. When Jamie sees the new baby, he runs back to his house then returns to the church wearing his shepherd costume. For the first time he speaks aloud and gives his own Christmas gifts – an orange and a dime – to the family. Other Rebecca Caudill books you might enjoy are A Pocketful of Cricket and Did You Carry the Flag Today, Charlie?
The Christmas Day Kitten by James Herriot. You may be familiar with James Herriot’s All Things Bright and Beautiful and other books about his experiences as a veterinarian in Yorkshire, England. This story is taken from one of his books and made into a picture book. On Christmas Day a young mother cat brings her kitten to a home where she has experienced friendliness. She is ill and does not survive. The kitten becomes part of the family. Trust me, the story is much better than I tell it here!
Silver Packages by Cynthia Rylant. This is another Appalachian Christmas story about a wealthy man who brings a Christmas train each year to give gifts wrapped in silver to the children. One young boy wishes each year for a doctor’s kit. You likely have heard this story but you will enjoy the wonderful paintings by Chris Soentpiet. (Pronounced SOON pete)
Patricia Polacco is a prolific writer and has a few books about Christmas. Two that are wonderful true stories of her family are The Trees of the Dancing Goats and An Orange for Frankie. Patricia’s family celebrates Hanukkah but the neighbors celebrate Christmas. One year scarlet fever is rampant in the neighborhood so Patricia’s family decorates small Christmas trees with their own brightly painted little wooden toys and deliver the trees to the neighbors. When the neighborhood recovers, they return the gift with one that Patricia’s family appreciates. In An Orange for Frankie, the family is excitedly preparing for Christmas and hoping Father is able to return in time. Father will be bringing the oranges which are a once-a-year treat for the family. When Father brings the oranges, Frankie just wants to hold his and smell it so he stuffs it inside his sweater and the family attends the Christmas pageant. When they return home, Frankie is horrified to realize that he has lost his orange! Mother solves this problem for him in a wonderful way. Most of Patricia Polacco’s books are fantastic, but she has a few that are pure fantasy and might not be a book you wish to place on your shelves. Be careful and read the book first before purchasing it just to make sure it is one you really want.
The Christmas Tree Farm by Ann Purmell. Have you ever wondered where those Christmas trees in the parking lots or grocery lots come from? How do they care for those trees during the year? What happens to Christmas trees in summer or spring? This book answers these questions and more plus includes facts about Christmas trees that your students will find fascinating.
Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto. Tamales are a traditional Mexican holiday meal and Maria’s family makes twenty-four of them in preparation for the family that will be arriving soon. Maria eyes her mother’s diamond ring and wishes to wear it for just a little while, but when she cannot find it later she realizes that the ring is lost in the tamales! She and her cousins eat all the tamales in order to find the ring, but no one finds it. Weeping, Maria confesses to her mother about the lost ring and the tamales, but then sees the ring on her mother’s hand. The family laughs over the picture of the cousins eating so many tamales, and all pitch in to make more tamales.
I hope you enjoy these titles. If you have some Christmas favorites, please let me know and I will include them next week.
Have a good week,
Audrey
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