Library Lady’s K-12 Edition is a mostly weekly newsletter for K-12 school librarians.
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Is there a topic you’d like to see me feature on my blog or email? Send me a note and let me know.
The next week has a couple events that you can celebrate in your library. I have some links below to activities for Pi Day and St. Patrick’s Day.
Today’s Library Lady’s tips focus on Choosing Books That Engage Students. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic.
Tips from Library Lady
A School Librarian’s Guide to Choosing Books That Engage Students
Foster a lasting love for reading in your students by selecting books that capture their imagination. Consider your own childhood favorites and the invaluable insights gathered by seasoned librarians.
The New York Public Library recently curated a collection of 100 exceptional children’s books spanning the last century, complemented by a special exhibit celebrating children’s literature. Explore their recommendations and glean helpful strategies for connecting students with captivating reading materials.
- Explore personal connections. Timeless stories resonate across generations. Share beloved classics from your youth with students, envisioning the joy of revisiting these tales together in years to come. Discovering new titles alongside your students can also spark fresh perspectives and mutual learning experiences.
- Embrace the power of illustrations. Visual storytelling enhances narrative comprehension. While vivid illustrations enrich textual narratives, wordless books empower children to create and interpret stories through their artistic lens.
- Celebrate diversity. Stories from a wide variety of cultures will broaden the students’ horizons and help them better understand global perspectives. Engage students in discussions about different lifestyles and traditions from around the world.
- Embrace the thrill of the unknown. While safeguarding children is natural, exploring fictional realms can safely introduce them to overcoming fears and challenges. Encourage students to navigate dark forests and encounter fantastical creatures within the secure literature environment, preparing them for real-world obstacles.
- Uncover deeper meanings. Literature often includes moral lessons that resonate deeply. Consider stories like “The Velveteen Rabbit,” where characters learn that authenticity, despite imperfections, leads to genuine connections and acceptance.
School librarians play a pivotal role in nurturing a lifelong passion for reading among students by curating a diverse selection of books that intrigue and inspire.
| Need to do some fundraising for your library? Here are some posts on my blog which describe my fundraising camps. |
Recent Adult Book Reviews
Guarding the Mountain Man’s Secret – historical fiction
Recent YA Book Reviews
Jake Rogers’ Planet – young adult science fiction
Recent MS Book Reviews
Picture a Garden – middle school non fiction
Recent Kid Book Reviews
Nasty Names are Hurtful – picture book
Author Interview
Linda Hornberg – middle school non fiction
Library Lady Blog Posts
Book List – Spring Picture Books
Items in my Shop
Need some spring bookmarks. Find printable ones here – buy once print as many as you need.
What I’m Checking Out
Stories About Women Who Changed the World
Easy STEM Projects for Kids: 12 Activities to Activate Elementary Students’ Curiosity
7 Classroom Organization Ideas & Tips to Help Cultivate a Fun Learning Environment
Pi Day Activities
Pi Day Activities for the Classroom
50 Mathtastic Pi Day Activities for the Classroom
Pi Day Activities: High School
St. Patrick’s Day
St Patrick’s Day fun facts for kids
Shamrocks to print and cut out for St. Patrick’s Day decorations
Products You May Find Useful
Children’s Book Week – Children’s Book Week is still a couple of months away, but you can sign up now to get the promotional materials you need.
Childrens Authors Agenda – Unlock the secrets to publishing success with this comprehensive guide designed for aspiring children’s book authors. Discover proven strategies for submitting your manuscript, connecting with publishers, and boosting your chances of getting published. Whether you’re just starting or refining your approach, this resource offers actionable tips, submission opportunities, and expert insights. Start your journey to becoming a published author today and turn your storytelling passion into reality!
Authors and librarians, would you like to have a post on this blog?
I’d like to add a couple of features to my blog in the coming months and I’d like your help. I am looking for school librarians interested in being interviewed on the blog. I am also looking for librarians and children’s or young adult authors to do guest posts on the blog. Click on the links below to fill out a survey.
Is there a way I can help you? Drop a note in the comments or shoot me an email, I’d love to help.
See you next week.
Jane (Library Lady)
