Heroes in the Community
Think about it! Who are the heroes in your community?
Make a list...maybe these colorful characters found on the walls of Wolcott School
should be included. Yes?
MY ADVICE...be sure to place the Lunch Lady on your list!
"SERVING JUSTICE AND SERVING...LUNCH!"
It doesn't get better than this on a school day or any day to the students I know!
Jarrett J. Krosoczka is the creator, author-illustrator of the Lunch Lady series, fun graphic novels. Following a recent visit to the Wolcott School, here in West Hartford, CT, Jarrett Krosoczka has reached his very own hero status! Really! Kids love authors. How do I know this? Because I am the Children's Specialist with the West Hartford Public Libraries and those school kids visit me. And we talk!
Wolcott School media specialist, Sarah Lynch, and I have a school librarian/public librarian partnership based on our shared vision for the children and families in our community. The benefit of this partnership for the diverse community we serve is immense.
- students, teachers & library staff recognize we work together ...they know our names!
- students & families are willing to discuss literacy needs with both of us due to trust
- teachers understand that public librarian visits are organized with the school librarian & will take place in the school library #librariestransform
-we've revived the LUNCH BUNCH - the public librarian visits the school during
lunch to meet with a (teacher)select group of students for a book discussion group.
- we expand the excitement of school author visits to the public library with photos,
orignal artwork & new purchases of the author's books for students to borrow
-parents love seeing that their children have a relationship with the public library due to
shared artwork, familiarity with librarian, and knowledge of the collection. This is
confidence building
-parents find comfort in the coordinated effort between the two librarians
-Sarah and I attend events in each other's building because we care for our kids
We work in a community of almost 70 different languages. New Americans, first generation Americans and welcoming immigrant families are part of our experience. We have the opportunity to assist families with assimilation. Librarians are ambassadors.
MEANWHILE BACK AT WOLCOTT SCHOOL...
JARRETT KROSOCZKA PRESENTED....
TO CAPTIVE AUDIENCES THROUGH OUT THE DAY...
MOMENTS LATER....
BOOKS WERE SIGNED!!
LATER STILL, AT THE FAXON BRANCH LIBRARY....
AN ORIGINAL LUNCH LADY FOR US!
AND PLENTY OF BOOKS FOR OUR FAMILIES!
It's so much fun when the school works together creating artwork promoting an author/illustrator visit. Special thanks to Wolcott School art teacher, Katie Zeranski,
for this wonderful project "Lunch Lady Inspired Superheroes and Supervillains"
TEAM WORK FTW!! (FOR THE WIN!)
I'm considering a Saturday Pop-Up Art challenge inspired by Jarrett Krosoczka's Lunch Lady
...Librarian Lady!! Stop in and create an original librarian hero, or villain...YES!
One more thing to note is that Jarrett Krosocka is a fan of libraries. He is interested in the school library and public library partnership. He "gets" the budget concerns we all face. He understands the value we serve in a community - all the more reason why he is a hero!
To learn more about Jarrett Krosoczka, all of his books and creative activities, be sure to check out his website, click here
SO...WHO ARE THE HEROES IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
Thanks for visiting Piper Loves the Library. We love comments and we'll answer questions. If you liked this blog post you may enjoy Sarah Lynch's previous author/illustrator visit with Grace Lin
