Library Lady’s K-12 Edition is a mostly weekly newsletter for K-12 school librarians. Today’s topic is — Beverly Cleary.
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I am what libraries and librarians have made me. Heraclitus
Tips from Library Lady
Celebrating Beverly Cleary in Your School Library
Beverly Cleary had a special gift—she wrote stories that made kids feel understood. Her characters weren’t perfect, and that’s exactly why readers love them. From Ramona’s big feelings to Henry Huggins’ everyday adventures, her books remind students that their own experiences matter.
Celebrating Beverly Cleary in your school library is a wonderful way to highlight realistic fiction, encourage empathy, and help students see themselves in the stories they read. Best of all, her books are fun, relatable, and perfect for sparking conversation.
✨ Simple & Meaningful Ways to Celebrate
📖 1. Ramona Read-Aloud Moments
Choose a few short, funny passages from Ramona Quimby, Age 8 or Ramona the Pest.
- Focus on relatable moments (school, siblings, feelings)
- Pause and ask: “Has this ever happened to you?”
- Great for building connections and discussion
✍️ 2. “My Life Is a Story” Writing Activity
Help students see their own lives as story-worthy.
- Prompt: “Write about a time something small felt like a big deal.”
- Encourage humor and honesty
- Display student stories in the library
🎭 3. Act It Out: Real-Life Scenes
Have students act out short scenes inspired by Cleary’s books.
- A school day gone wrong
- A misunderstanding with a friend
- A funny family moment
Keep it simple—no costumes needed!
🧠 4. Character Connection Discussions
Ask students to reflect on characters:
- Which character are you most like?
- What would you do differently?
- Why do you think Ramona acts the way she does?
This builds both comprehension and empathy.
😂 5. Celebrate Everyday Humor
Create a space for students to share:
- Funny school moments
- Silly misunderstandings
- “Oops!” stories
Tie it back to how Cleary found humor in everyday life.
📚 Display Ideas That Draw Students In
🌟 “Meet Ramona (and Friends!)”
- Feature Ramona books front and center
- Add Henry Huggins and Ribsy titles
- Include speech bubbles with Ramona-style thoughts
🏫 “Real Kids, Real Stories”
- Highlight realistic fiction titles
- Include books about school, family, and friendships
- Add a sign: “Stories Just Like Your Life!”
😂 “Laugh If You’ve Ever…” Interactive Display
- Prompts like:
- “…had a bad day at school”
- “…argued with a sibling”
- “…felt misunderstood”
- Students can relate and engage instantly
🐶 “Henry & Ribsy’s Neighborhood”
- Create a simple neighborhood-themed display
- Add books about pets, friendship, and adventure
- Include a map-style backdrop for visual interest
✏️ “Your Story Matters” Student Showcase
- Display student writing from your activity
- Add a header: “Inspired by Beverly Cleary”
- This creates ownership and pride
💡 Easy Extras That Make a Big Impact
- Add a “Did You Know?” sign about Beverly Cleary’s life
- Let students vote on their favorite character (Ramona vs. Henry!)
- Share a “Quote of the Day” from her books
- Create a quick “Would Ramona Do This?” game
🌟 Celebrating Stories That Feel Like Real Life
Beverly Cleary’s stories remind us that everyday moments—big feelings, small problems, and funny misunderstandings—are worth telling. When students see themselves reflected in books, reading becomes more meaningful and more enjoyable.
By celebrating her work, you’re not just highlighting an author—you’re showing students that their lives, their voices, and their stories matter too.
April Celebrations
Beverly Cleary Book List
Hans Christian Andersen Book List
Easter Books
Poetry Month – The Study of Poetry with Elementary Students
Poetry Month – Teaching Poetry Writing
Library Lady Products – Poetry Month
Friday Finds for School Librarians – Poetry Month Products
Poem Types – Poetry Month
Poetry Month – A World Full of Poems – poetry book
April is Poetry Month
April is Poetry Month – more poetry books
Spring Reading Picks
Spring Book List
| Need to raise funds for your library? Here are some posts on my blog that describe my fundraising camps. |
April Birthdays
| Date | Name | Type | Why They’re Notable / Library Tie-In |
| April 2 | Hans Christian Andersen | Author | Famous for fairy tales like The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling |
| April 3 | Washington Irving | Author | Wrote The Legend of Sleepy Hollow |
| April 4 | Maya Angelou | Author/Poet | Influential voice in poetry and memoir (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings) |
| April 12 | Beverly Cleary | Author | Beloved children’s author (Ramona, Henry Huggins) |
| April 13 | Seamus Heaney | Poet | Nobel Prize-winning poet |
| April 15 | Leonardo da Vinci | Artist/Inventor | Great tie-in for research, art, and STEAM themes |
| April 21 | Charlotte Brontë | Author | Wrote Jane Eyre |
| April 22 | Vladimir Nabokov | Author | Known for Lolita and literary style |
| April 23 | William Shakespeare | Author | One of the most studied writers in history |
| April 23 | Miguel de Cervantes | Author | Wrote Don Quixote (also tied to World Book Day) |
| April 25 | Ella Fitzgerald | Cultural Figure | Great for music + biography displays |
| April 26 | John James Audubon | Naturalist/Author | Tie-in for nature studies and illustration |
| April 28 | Harper Lee | Author | Wrote To Kill a Mockingbird |
| April 30 | Carl Friedrich Gauss | Mathematician | Fun tie-in for STEM + math displays |
Recent Adult Book Reviews
Adult Review – Mail-Order Baroness – historical fiction
Recent YA Book Reviews
YA Review – The Restitiching of Camille DuLaine – young adult fantasy
Recent MS Book Reviews
MS Review – Wingless – middle school fantasy
Recent Kid Book Reviews
Kid Review – The Dreamer – fantasy
Kid Review – Guess Why God Made the Rainbow – picture book
Items in my Shop
Cute animals with books – stickers, shirts and more in my Redbubble Shop
What I’m Checking Out
D.E.A.R – Drop Everything and Read Day
Some things that might interest you
📚 Tools for School Librarians 📚
As librarians, we’re always looking for creative ways to engage students and enhance programming. These tools are easy to use. Explore them today and see how they might fit into your toolkit.
Have you ever felt frustrated because you don’t get exactly what you want from Chat GPT?
Now you can design a GPT that does exactly what you want it to do. I have been through this class, and Mel and Sharon simplify it so that no one is left behind. There are no “dumb questions” in their book – they want you to succeed. The class will be held on April 14. You can sign up here.
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 would appreciate 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)
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