The last three years, I have taken my fifth graders to our local public library, during the last week of the school year. I continue to be amazing by how little they use the public library. If we want our readers to truly become independent we must find ways for them to continue to have access to great books when they leave our classrooms and school libraries. One great way to do that, is to make sure they all have library cards, and help them see how amazing the public library can be.
We are lucky to have a public library less than a half mile from our school. A few weeks before we visit, I send home library card sign up sheets. Then I follow up relentlessly with families to make sure that when we go to the library every one of my students has a public library card.
The kids are so excited on the day we visit the library. I’m sure some of it is because we are visiting the library, but I think they are also pretty excited to stop at the local ice cream parlour on our way back to school.
When we get to the library they get a tour from the librarian, they learn the history of the building, an overview of the library’s summer reading program, and the librarian reads them a picture book. After that, they get their library cards. The kids that already had a card usually bring it with them. For many of my students it is the first time they have ever had a library card of their own. How exciting is that?
I know that not all of my readers are going to become regular library patrons, but I hope that it will at least plant a seed that will lead them to becoming regular users of the public library.
I added a few more books to my list of AWESOME 2024 BOOKS.
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Thank you so much for being a subscriber and reader of my newsletter. To celebrate being on Substack for a year, I am giving away two copies of John Schu’s LOUDER THAN HUNGER. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment with the title of your favorite book by John’s favorite author: KATE DICAMILLO. Feel free to share more than one title. I know it is hard to narrow it down to one. I’ll randomly select one subscriber, and mail them two copies of Louder Than Hunger: one for them, and one for a friend.
Did you know that their are now 100 My Weird School books? How wild is that? I had so much fun interview Dan Gutman about his wacky series. Click on the image below to check it out!
I almost forgot to share my lastest Kid Lit Book Mail video. The to-read list continues to grow!
I’m not sure as a librarian I can choose a favorite. I did recently read and adore Ferris!!!
Tiger Rising and Flora and Ulysses are two of my favorites by Kate Decamillo.