#TLAP

As a grad student (actually...post grad student, but that's getting a little too detail oriented) completing course work towards my school library media specialist certification, several of my courses included observation components which were, perhaps, THE most useful observations I completed.  As a school teacher, we perhaps assume we know what the other teachers do.  We drop off our class at art, so we know what the art teacher does.  Much as many people who have been to school assume they know what a teacher "does", I made the same naive mistake thinking I know what a school librarian does.  But, there is more.  So much more.  Or rather, there can be.  In fact, as a teacher librarian there are nearly limitless possibilities for awesome.  And I try to embrace those opportunities.  But back to the point.  I had the opportunity to observe AWESOME teacher librarians who had crafted engaging lessons.  I happened to visit a school librarian on the very same day that the school was celebrating "Talk Like a Pirate Day."  I watched as the librarian seamlessly integrated the theme into her lessons, complete with double sided hooks for students to respond if a book was fiction or nonfiction.  A simple "hook" but it definitely hooked the kids.  And that is what is most important.

As a frequenter of the twitters, one day, I stumbled upon the hashtag #tlap.  I had no idea what that meant but was intrigued by my pln (professional learning network) who were clearly ALL IN.  So I researched.  eg I googled.  And discovered that #tlap stood for Teach Like A Pirate.  Sounds good to me.  

As a pirate teacher, I consistently steal booty from other awesome teachers.  And I encourage others to steal from me too.  Hopefully, it is understood that the "booty" here is really ideas.  I continue to observe other great teacher librarians, both by getting off my island and onto theirs, collaborating at conferences or virtually and poking around Pinterest and Twitter digging for treasure.  And I am always on the lookout for ways to connect teachers in my own building with great ideas from the experts.  The experts here are generally our fellow colleagues.  So, to answer the challenge.  How have I led like a pirate.  Hopefully, by example.  I don't think of pirates as a smiley bunch, but a smile can go a long way.  A smile for a student, a colleague, a leader.  It sends the message that it is going to be ok.  That we can weather any storm that comes our way.  Extra bonus challenge points for including as many pirate cliches as possible.  Think about how to teach like a pirate, learn like a pirate, and lead like a pirate.

Our first ISSUU of Pine Road Library Letter

I'm feeling a little ridiculously proud of this right now...

That is all.

Josephine

I first listened to “Josephine” on audiobook and then took a gander at the illustrations.  The text as read to me was fabulous but the illustrations truly knocked my socks off.  I think Josephine would like that.  Throughout her early years and out on the road making her own way, Jospehine seems so resilient.  And yet, as she aged and her popularity declined, it seems she was unable to manage what money she had.  Or maybe she was surrounded by people who never advised her to stop spending as if there was no tomorrow.  Regardless of those types of details, the life of Josephine Baker is fascinating.  From her diamond collared leopard to her days spent as a spy during World War II to her brood of 12 children adopted from around the world, Josephine never had a dull moment.  

http://talesforallages.com/ 

http://theartoffun.com/ 

Josephine

Author: Patricia Hruby Powell

Illustrator: Christian Robinson

ISBN: 978-1-4521-0314-3

Published 2014 by Chronicle Books

I borrowed this copy from my public library to review.

Water Can Be

I’m not a big follower of astrological signs and horoscopes, but I do know from reading Teen Magazine growing up that mine is a “water” sign and I have always felt calmed by water.  Being immersed and floating weightlessly, feeling running water on my hands, or dipping my feet into a pool are all appealing to me.  Likewise, I love pretty much every poem I’ve ever read by Laura Purdie Salas and this series including “A Leaf Can Be” and I’m hoping many more to come.  So, as you might expect…I’m a big fan of “Water Can Be.”  

On a technical front, the inclusion of a further explanation of each descriptive passage helps to extend this book beyond our youngest readers.  A glossary and suggestions for further reading helps students to learn more independently or teachers to craft a unit of study with other texts as well.  

Violaeta Dabija’s illustrations complement the text beautifully.  The color scheme and soft lines are soothing.  I think my personal favorite is that of an otter hugging a fish (presumably one he is about to ingest) by moonlight.  And, I know a high school classmate of mine who carves fantastic ice sculptures will appreciate the final illustrated spread showing what I assume might be an ice carving competition.

Water can take on so many lovely forms, and this book expresses that so well.  Enjoy “Water Can Be.”  Perhaps with a tall glass of water.

http://www.laurasalas.com/

http://www.violetadabija.com/

Water Can Be

Author: Laura Purdie Salas

Illustrator: Violeta Dabija

ISBN: 978-1-4677-05912

Published 2014 by Millbrook Press

I borrowed this copy from my public library to review.

Viva Frida

Viva Frida.  So.  Some people may have difficulty with Viva Frida classified as nonfiction.  I don’t.  Though, admittedly, I am not all that stringent with such labels.  Does this make more sense in the “picture book” section.  Maybe.  But Frida was a real person.  And everything stated in the sparse text is true.  So there’s that.

Now that that’s out of the way.

I like the way the visuals flow through Frida’s boisterous life and into a dreamlike state.  Much like the wounded deer she often painted with her own head, Frida was a beautiful creature who was wounded early in life by polio.  But without being restricted to a hospital bed, would she have discovered her passion for painting?  Much of this backmatter was gleaned from Yuyi Morales’ afterword “My Frida.”  Looking closely at the illustration on the photographed puppet in this section, we see Frida painting her own heart, not on her sleeve.  But close.  So true.

http://www.yuyimorales.com

Twitter:

@yuyimorales

Viva Frida

Author: Yuyi Morales

ISBN: 978-1-59643-603-9

Published 2014 by Roaring Brook Press

I borrowed this copy from my public library to review.

A Home for Mr. Emerson

The amazing team of Kerley and Fotheringham have done it again with “A Home For Mr. Emerson.”  Together, they brought us “What to Do About Alice”, “The Extraordinary Mark Twain”, and “Those Rebels, John and Tom.”  I love the endpapers with various of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quotes, including the simple but powerful “Scatter Joy.”  

Following Emerson on his journey, explaining that he moved around often as a young boy and longed for a place to call home.  I love that “he wondered: Could he build a life around these things he loved?”  The answer, of course, yes.  

And Kerley and Fotheringham built a book that focuses in on Emerson’s home, both the building, and the town and community.  The final return home reminds me of the reality television show “Extreme Home Makeover.”  I imagine Ty Pennington obnoxiously yelling, “MOVE THAT BUS!” as Ralph Waldo Emerson and his daughter, Ellen, returned home from their trip abroad.  I particularly enjoyed the Author’s Note as that fleshed out more details of Emerson’s personal life.  And, to conclude: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”

http://www.barbarakerley.com
http://www.edfotheringham.com/

A Home for Mr. Emerson

Author: Barbara Kerley

Illustrator: Edwin Fotheringham

ISBN: 978-0-545-35088-4

Published2014  by Scholastic Press

I borrowed this copy from my public library to read and review.

Grandfather Gandhi

Evan Turk’s illustrations in this, his first published, book are awesome.  His palette is perfect to transport the reader to Sevagram, Mohandas Gandhi’s ashram, in India.  And as we walk the dusty road along with Arun, co-author and main character, we can imagine his struggle.  To share his grandfather, such a huge figure to so many people who revered him, but also, to Arun, Grandfather.  And to conduct his own behavior in a way he felt lived up to his family name.  Quite a load for young shoulders to carry to be sure.  And when he lashed out in anger, the lesson that followed proved to be a lifelong one.  A simile, comparing anger to electricity.  Like lightning, it can strike and destroy, or can be transformed to “shed light like a lamp.”  Arun recollects the elder Gandhi’s words: “…anger can illuminate.  It can turn darkness into light.”

Much like R.J. Palacio’s book, Wonder, inspired many to “Choose Kind” and pledge to do so, so too have Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus.  Check out grandfathergandhi.com There you will find the “Live Your Life as Light” Pledge for students to take as well as many other awesome resources for readers, teachers, and parents.  Bethany Hegedus created a “Readers Theater”, and educator’s guide, a hands on spinning wheel activity, a book trailer, and a “meet the creators” video.  I can easily see this as a “One School, One Book” program selection in future years.  It is a story that can inspire people at any age to “Live your Life as Light.”

grandfathergandhi.com 

arungandhi.org 

bethanyhegedus.com 

evanturk.com 

Twitter:

@ArunMGandhi

@BethanyHegedus

@evanturkart

Grandfather Gandhi

Author: Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus

Illustrator: Evan Turk

ISBN: 978-1-4424-2365-7

Published 2014 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers