The new read-aloud brochures are now available. It was such a pleasure creating this list and putting in my favorite books to be read aloud. It got me thinking though.
At the moment, I am researching my family tree. The most wonderful thing happened. Through the miracle of the Internet, I found a “cousin” (Her great-great-grandfather was my great-uncle. I’m not really sure exactly what that makes us, but we decided to use the term cousin). She and I have been emailing.
What we have discovered is that we are both short on family stories. It’s such a shame because all the people we want to know about are long gone. In our case, even their children are gone. There are so few family stories that have survived. My cousin knows a few and I know a few. Between us there is still so little left.
So, in addition to reading aloud to your children, tell them family stories. Share what you know about relatives long passed. Encourage the older members of your family to tell your children stories from their lives. This time spent together will grow in importance as your child grows.
Please don’t forget to tell your own family’s stories. Help younger children make their own family memories and tell stories of the milestones in their lives. Even though my children are grown they still love hearing the stories of when they were little. They can even tell them along with me. Start a new tradition. Do it tonight! Your children will enjoy the time spent together now and when they are grown, they will treasure the family history you have created.
Categories: children's literature · parenting
The kids at Strong School sure are lucky. They have a unique program at Strong called Strong Author of the Month (SAM for short). The program operates out of the Strong School Publishing Center, which is run by a parent, Bonnie Burke. She is the guiding force of the operation. There are also many, many parent volunteers who assist Bonnie in putting together hundreds of children’s books each month.
Teachers choose the winning books for the month, we hold a certificate ceremony for the child and his/her family at the library and the books are then put on display. After a month on display, the books are cataloged, processed and placed in the collection, right next to all the other professionally published books. Children can then look themselves up online under an “Author” search.
Near the end of the school year, we hold a party for all the students chosen to display at the library (the school also holds a large celebration for all the children who participated). Last night was our celebration. Thirteen of the fifteen authors, co-authors and illustrators were able to attend. They brought with them fathers, mother, sisters, brother, aunts, uncles and even a few grandparents. We had a great crowd of fifty-four loving and supportive family members and I congratulate them all for making the time and effort to attend and show the children in their lives how proud of them they are.
Local children’s book illustrator, Bill Thomson, entertained us with his talent and humor. He was an inspiration to all the kids and the adults as well (A well-deserved plug – his books Karate Hour and Building with Dad are available at the library and bookstores everywhere. Look for Baseball Hour next). Thank you Bill!
The children each received trophies and some well-deserved applause. Then it was time for cake. It was a wonderful evening for everyone that attended. The SAM program is a model program and the library is proud to play a part in it. If you have a program at your child’s school that you’d like the library to get involved with, please leave me a comment here or give me a call at the library.
Categories: children's programming · libraries · parenting
