BookFace! Yes, BookFace!

Three Cheers for Teen Volunteers!

 

About 4 years ago I posted my first "BookFace" on Piper Loves the Library.  I thought I would make it a quarterly mini-series.  A simple easy post that was all about fun and reading trends.  But some ideas just barely come together and then flop.  (see for yourself!)

 

Well, with #SummerReadingPrograms wrapping up I felt the need to take some photos of our teen volunteers.  Yet the teen volunteers suddenly went all "too cool for photos".  Hmmm...I had an answer for that.  BookFace revival!  And they were willing! (Silent victory...I needed to walk the cool walk to get the photos)

 

They were willing to sit in front of the stacks...all "library like"! 

We have the best teens!  We do.  

 

 Not only do they volunteer to help with children's programs...they read!

And that my friends, is How It Went Down...which happens to be one of my favorite summer reads.  

My heartfelt thanks for the wonderfully kind, generously patient and tremendously talented teens that rocked our summer.  You brought many smiles to the little kids and to the staff as well.  We appreciate you and the time you give to making this, your library something special.  We could not have survived Summer Reading Programs without you. Thank you.

~ mrs breen 

Banned Bookface and more!

   

 ...it is banned books week, a time when most librarians celebrate and defend  the FREADOM of reading whatever you want to read. "Whatever!"  I am not usually a fan of that word, but it works this week and in this situation.  

I can't imagine being told as a high school student that I can not read a certain book.  This would be similar to your parents forbidding you from dating a certain boy...and of course...you go right out and do it.   Read.  Date.  Whatever.   

We put up a banned and challenged book display in the library and I had to include the currently challenged title: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  The entire series is challenged.   And maybe that is part of the reason why this series is so popular.  It would be interesting to speak with Suzanne Collins, the author, to get her perspective on this.  Do you think she receives nasty letters from people?  I love the book and the series - that's my perspective - whatever!  (maybe I do like this word)

With or without intention my high school assigned many of the books that were challenged or banned...Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Catcher in the Rye, Call of the Wild, Lord of the Flies.  We read Ray Bradbury and I am sure we would have read Lauren Myracle if her books were published back in the "olden days" of the late sixties - early seventies! (whatever - age is just a number!)

I read Banned Books, do you?  

Do you know this one, this lovely and loving picture book?

And doesn't it look awful stamped Banned?  This book is based on a true story.  Do we ban mother nature.  Okay, I won't go there.  

You will most likely find this book in your public library....check-it-out.  I will say no more about it except that: I love it...but, you know...whatever!  

Now, some of my wonderful and supportive blog readers have sent photos for Bookface, (my new mini-series on the blog)  I will state this disclaimer right up front - they had no idea that I would be blogging Banned Books Week when they sent their photos...but sometimes things align perfectly.  A ninth grader is reading a novel by the forever famous Jack London who just happened to write books that would be banned.  I doubt that was his goal, (even if he was quite a social activist) - possibly he wanted to get readers to think and feel.  With great applause for this reader's recommendation...here's today's first Bookface:

White Fang, an American Classic

Click HERE to visit the author's page on Amazon.  Learn more about Jack London and his books.  

and now, for the more peaceful path.... Bookface continues with: 

We love this book in the library.  If you have a preschooler who adores big trucks and construction   sites - this is the book to pick up from the library or purchase for a holiday gift.  

Click Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site for more info

An end of summer, early fall, must read if your little one is off to Kindergarten!

Pick it up in the library or purchase when someone completes preschool.

Now honestly who doesn't love bears?  This book just arrived at my library and I am saving it for a Bear themed Pajama Story Time.  Bears!  Baby Bears!  Blue!  The letter B.  

Mo Willems writes amazing, sassy, funny books for kids and their parents!  I suppose I should check to see if any of his titles have been challenged.  He could easily be tempting fate with his sense of humor.  Piper and I adore this book from the popular Pigeon series.  You really should visit your library's website and place a hold on this book.  Seriously.  And then go get some cookies!  (oatmeal, thanks for asking!)

Bookface continues!  And I adore that you send me photos. Thank you.   Please keep them coming :)   And feel free to comment!

But today, I am curious about Banned Books...do you have a favorite that has been banned?  Will you read a banned book this week - just because you can?  I will be featuring some in story time tonight.  I am thinking that Curious George may be part of tonight's story time.  It drives me a little bit crazy when my favorite monkey is challenged.  Please let me know - I look forward to reading your comments. 

If you are interested in Banned Books Week please visit the American Library Association by clicking here

....and then let us know what you're thinking about!  

Piper Reads RRRALPH!

Piper is in love with this book.  A talking dog?  Really?

Caldecott-Honor-Award Winning author, Lois Elhert, brings Ralph to life in glorious collage fashion. Parents, children, (and Piper), will giggle with the silly jokes.  

hmmm...

did you guess??

oh, there's more

Can you guess this one?

RRRALPH is a talking dog!

Piper and I can't help but wonder what our friends find fascinating this fall?  We recently asked the question..."What are you reading?"  And this is what we discovered:

Have you seen my Cat?

written by Eric Carle is a cat lovers favorite for fall!

Eager to learn about robots in the future?  

eager, written by Helen Fox is fantastic science fiction.

The BONE series has quite a following.  

These graphic novels written by Jeff Smith are always flying off the self

Award winning author Rebecca Stead's First Light is unbelievable.

Who knew that traveling to Greenland to study global warming could produce a sci-fi fantasy?

The Warriors Series by Erin Hunter

I am beginning to think this is a Cat-lovers cult!  

There are series inside of series for the Warriors.  

I never have enough of these on the shelf, yet I am always ordering more. 

Whoa! Here's a classic, Margery Williams' 

The Velveteen Rabbit

No doubt a mom's "fav"

(The Velveteen Rabbit link takes you to the upcoming newly illustrated version,  pub date 2/12/13, but there are many versions of this book in the library and in your bookstore.  If purchasing, I recommend that you take home the book with the plush rabbit)

What better way to end your day?  

How many kisses does it take to say good night?

Counting Kisses by Karen Katz

is the perfect bedtime book.

And now, dear readers, you have experienced my newest edition to the blog.  

I am calling this BookFace!  Credit for this title goes to one of the many children's librarians in attendance at KidLib Camp 2012 hosted by the Darien Library  (if you read the blog and this is you, please comment and I will assign the proper credit.  Thank you)

I will be updating this series periodically.  

I encourage creative photos!  

The submission of a photo grants permission 

to use it on the blog.  

Many thanks from :

p.s. (piper script) The West Hartford Public Libraries carry these titles.  Stop by and check-them-out!