Diversity Matters in Halloween Books

   DIVERSITY in Halloween Books!
Yes I am shouting this with the help of author/illustrator Denise Fleming's adorable character.  I am a Denise Fleming fangirl and I cannot lie!  Her books feature wonderfully diverse children and #WeNeedDiverseBooks all the time.

The library where Piper and I work is little.  Our holiday collections are held in the basement, (I know, we don't like that either). When the holiday approaches we squeeze them into a high traffic spot and I place a very colorful Denise Fleming poster on them ... tah-dah, holiday books!  By the way...you should check out the free posters Denise Fleming creates - did I mention FREE?  They're beautiful.

This week I collected Halloween books from the basement and dusted them off for display.  Mind you, this is a tiny collection - 43 titles, some in multiple copies.  I discovered something interesting while placing this collection in the browsing bins.  

Diversity exists in this collection!  Amazing, yes!  Considering the popularity of Halloween I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to see kids of color on the pages.  9 of the 43 titles have diverse kids.  I realize that's not some great percentage, nor is this "real research" but it does makes me pause.  Hmmmm.

There is a disconnect with diversity that needs to change.  All families will benefit when children discover books with someone like their brother, their teacher, their friends and their family within the pages.  Children, families, schools and libraries need good books that reflect our very colorful world.  Oh dear publishers, I adore diversity on the holidays...because you are beginning to look like my family gatherings,

...but I need diversity all the time!

And by "I"...I mean everyone!  

Spying a little Elvis makes me laugh, and a collection of costumed kids is just what I want in a read-aloud.

Los Gatos Black on Halloween has some gorgeous illustrations for older children...

                           ...while Catherine Stock's Halloween Monster has been a long time fav.

Have fun with your books, keep your "pumpkin eye" (love that title), on diversity when ordering and remember that Denise Fleming's books bring you kids of color all year round. But right now, just look at her Halloween kids!  Perfection! 

P.S.( Piper Script): Visit Denise Fleming's website for activities and ideas

If you enjoyed this post you may like this one - we did a Pumpkin Eye Craft!  Very cool.

 New flannel pieces coming!! Yes! Finally!  I'm working on a story...here's one of the characters.  Can you guess the book? 

If you like her...you may want to check this one out! 

Thanks for visiting Piper Loves the Library. She loves chickens too!  She's thinking chicken costume!  

Flannel Friday keeps us creative.  Membership is free!  Visit the website - click here!

The Faxon Library remembers September 11th

Community art projects are part of what we do in our branch.  Piper and I love it, we invite it. 

Today with the help of paint chips from our neighbor, Sherwin Williams, we set up our memorial art project for September 11th.  

Somewhere in the midst of Summer Reading Programs I ran across the street for shades of pink paint chips and tossed them into a tub, labeled the tub Heart Project 9/11, and carried on with summer.  Last week, thank goodness, I saw the tub and was ever so grateful to realize that I had a plan. Amen to taking action when the idea strikes.    

I dream of a die cut machine but really, I'm good with scissors!  Years of practice cutting flannel.  And I have helpers, (thank you Joe!)  

I left the library early today - so here's the photo at 2pm.  The glue sticks are ready, there's a tea tin filled with paper hearts just out of the photo in the bottom right.  I am looking forward to seeing this piece when I return to the library on Monday.

We remember the victims of 9/11  ~ in our hearts ~  

and in our art.

And you know, every so often genius strikes...sometimes inspired by Mel's comments!  It's time to make something like this for the flannel board.  Thanks Mel for thinking and doing and providing a place for us.  Flannel Friday keeps us strong.

P.S.(Piper Script) if you like this post, you may also like these:

Community Art in the Library

International Dot Day  - it's flannel!  

Potty Books! Potty Talk!

Do You See What I See?

Full disclosure here - I am feeling a bit apprehensive about this blog post.  If you don't see what I see, should I just shout it out?  Or should I let the librarian in me lead you quietly down the path to discover it yourself?  Hmmm.  

Let's try a key word: diversity....or in this situation, the lack there of!  And then there's this:"Mommy, where are the potty books with kids like me?"  OH.MY.GOSH.  OH.NO. PLEASE not my library!  This is so sad.  

Yet if you spend any time at all in my brain, this situation also invites humor.  What?  Only the white kids need potty training?  Everyone else automatically gets it? Why didn't someone tell me that before?  Honestly!  Come on people! Librarians need to know this.  Mind you, this paragraph only happened in my head. 

So we'll just move forward here with no self-blaming.  None!  And I'll show you what to go running for when your potty display is lacking.  Here's a book that's always popular in my library.  We have three copies. The subject matter is just that compelling!  Check out the cover - a cute kid of color.  Hence we know this kid poops!  And the poop is in the potty!  (I did write that)

(just like I said...in the potty!!)

Another great book and even more proof that kids of color know how to use the potty.

Yep.  This is the trifecta for every library collection. Diversity. Potty. Firefighters! It's all here. 

Any lessons from this little adventure into potty land?  Most potty books have white kids.  We need diverse children in potty books.  Once again #WeNeedDiverseBooks.  I'm not going to stop talking about this issue.  Diversity matters and potty training time is a huge stage in a child's life.  We need to get this right.

I select books for my branch always with an eye to diversity.  I create flannels with diverse children.  My dolls and puppets represent diversity.  And my volunteers and staff are aware that our displays need to reflect our wonderfully diverse community and yet, one little person saw what I did not.  Wow.  Time to check your potty collections!  I've ordered more potty books.  I set my Baker & Taylor search for diversity/potty and found some new books. The library can not ever own enough potty books.  

Piper is oddly silent on this subject!  

Flannel Friday is the best place for creativity, support and growth...check us out.  Thanks for visiting Piper Loves the Library.  We both love comments.  Feel free to leave one, some, many!!  

Heart Art
for preschoolers and their parents  

On Wednesday afternoons during the summer we offered a "Pop-Up" art program.  This program was intended for school age children but each week we had more and more preschoolers and parents crafting until our big kids surrendered the craft tables for Minecraft.  It really was just fine.  Everyone was happy.  

We had three Nepali families bringing 8 to the table, a family of four that only spoke Arabic and a few Spanish speaking families. But remember, we all laugh in the same language!  And creativity knows no bounds.

I selected a collage/ mosaic project from a worn out, loved-to-death discarded book.   Volunteers had cut up lots and lots of pages and we had old  painted paper on hand.  They all worked together on this 18 x 18 beauty!  Collaborative art work. It's mounted on foam core board.  

Now if you are anything like me...you are already thinking of all the possibilities.  Instead of a heart shape how about Froggy ...for London's froggy books.  Or a giant bear for Brown Bear Brown Bear, but he'll be all colors!  A silhouette of Madeline ...yes!  

Thinking Fall Saturdays will have some really pretty Pop-Up projects in our little branch.  Fine motor skill, glue sticks, taking turns, learning colors - I know you love it.

Thanks for visiting Piper Loves the Library.  Please let us know if you create something similar.  We'd love to see.  ~ Piper and Jane  

P.S. (Piper Script) Please visit Flannel Friday for great ideas.

Tween Programming that works!

Creative Arts in our little branch.  Wow!

We run our Summer Reading Programs in the afternoon.  Traditionally they are all drop in programs so we never know just how wild things might be.  But this summer I knew that all those growing Tweens and Teens needed a place to hang and stay out of trouble , a place of their own among the afternoon offerings. 

I planned a program, TWEEN GALLERY- Eat your Art!, just for them. It was advertised for ages 10 through 14 with registration required.  I knew I had to hold firm to saying NO younger siblings, and no to the "my child is very mature" etc., requests from insistent parents.  I wanted to provide our older crowd a place to draw, paint, talk, play "their" music and enjoy their library.  Registration was put in place for my control of the group as well as allowing me to budget materials.  Because as the name of the program indicates: FOOD would be a big part.

I've recognized over the many years of working with the older group that too often we allow the younger students to join in and the entire dynamic changes. We tend to make this decision because the program hasn't filled - we feel it's best to fill the program but I now say NO to that as well!   When we do accept younger students into a tween or teen program this often leads to the older students dropping out because it's just not their's any longer. It's been "younged down".  This summer our TWEEN GALLERY was not full by week one and I held firm.  By week two we were full and by week three we had to turn teens away.  The tweens and teens spread the word.  Amazing! Our tweens and teens need age specific programs.   I mean really - I can't book talk Teen books with an 8 yr old in the room!  And you know I must just have to promote books whenever I have a captive audience!  All of these students completed their summer reading requirement.  YAY!

TWEEN GALLERY - Eat your Art    Week #1: Donuts
Buy the donuts
sketch the donut
draw the donut
paint the donut (water colors)
create a background for the donut! (scrap book paper)
EAT THE DONUT!!!  (they each got two donuts!)
Followed by Sugar Rush - which I had not even considered!  Live and learn.

Week #2 was cupcakes and #3 brought us fruit and sunflowers.  We ate oranges, strawberries and sunflower seeds!  I love the sunflowers.  They loved the sunflowers!  Chalk pastels with black glue outline.

 The intention in the title TWEEN GALLERY is that we'll display their art through September.  We are a very colorful library currently.

Yesterday was our last date and I think our rowdiest day!  The students had divided into boy's table and girl's table and the boy's were unbelievably talkative.  I know!  I sat at their table! 

Week #4 Ice cream cones - a challenging project!  We started with sketches of Baymax, (Big Hero 6),to practice cross hatching.  Our only ode to the Super Hero Summer!

I've not yet had a chance to add these to the gallery.  So it's one Baymax and one chocolate cone for now - stay tuned for the gallery photo shoot!

P.S. (Piper Script): I nap in the afternoons. 

Thanks for visiting Piper Loves the Library.  We'd love to hear about your arts program in the comments.  Flannel Friday brings creativity and community to our blog and my career.  Visit Flannel Friday here 

  

Yoga for 2

Bringing Yoga to Preschool Story Time!

Two words: mindful parenting

Mindful parenting is the driving force for bringing yoga to story time. 

The world around us is big and fast and full. Levels of anxiety and stress have skyrocketed. In order to work successfully with an ever-changing group of patrons, libraries provide training for their staff.  Thankfully the entire country is becoming more educated in the field of mental health. In children's services we continue to be concerned about screen time and all things that children are sensing in their environment.  

How can I help?  Mindful parenting.  How can I do that?  Mindfulness in movement, bring the calm, thoughtful, grateful, peaceful way.  Yoga for 2.  (preschool child with an adult)

I found an on-line program to become certified to present preschool yoga.  This was outstanding for me.  I needed to learn a child's approach to yoga poses and then add my flannel stories to create something unique. I did a tremendous amount of reading on the subject of yoga for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and elementary level children.  I am all about child development - it's my world

Many children do not recognize when their bodies or minds are stressed.  Learning to provide opportunities to draw your child's awareness away from the overwhelming chaotic world is a valuable skill.  Hopefully something we are all developing with deep breathing, mindful movement, nature and a calm space in the library on Thursday mornings.  

Truth be told I was extremely nervous when the program began this week.  Thank heavens for a gracious group of children and adults. I brought in a little bit of nature from my garden. (my garden always calms me)

The bell chimes for Mountain Pose and the "Magic Mist" is for everyone's feet.  Yes!  We have mindful feet...I love it

The program began with a few familiar songs and props because I needed a quick assessment on just what words and motions the children knew.   We did a flannel story about Turtles awakening before the sun comes up...and they slowly stretch and walk one way and then the other until the sun rises and they stand to greet her.  Good morning sun!  This is our very modified sun salutation - we all welcomed the sun!

We practiced our yoga poses becoming quiet mountains, barking dogs, neighing horses, mooing cows, meowing cats and roaring lions!

  

We used our scarves for breathing exercises and later collected pom poms with our toes.  We had wonderfully calming music for child's pose and happy baby!

I shared a detailed, very mindful, flannel story of going for a nature walk on a beautiful day with the warm sun on my arms and feeling the breeze on my face.  I felt happy.  I discovered three little caterpillars that day with little tiny legs and they wiggled when they walked!  And of course we went into butterfly pose for the end of the story.  

I had a wonderful time in this program. It was a full house - yoga mat to yoga mat across the room! We asked families to bring their own mat or a towel.  FYI: I purchased 6 mats just in case and they were all used.  Mindful planning!

The meaning of mindfulness for my program is this: the ability to attend to the present moment with curiosity and no judgement.  I clearly see this as a skill, a life skill, that promotes well being, concentration, resilience, empathy and self-regulation.

Flannel Friday is a creative, supportive place to explore and try new ideas in children's services.  For information please visit the official blog

Thanks for visiting Piper Loves the Library   ~ Namaste ~

Super Hero on Friday

Storytime is Miss Christy's Super Power!

Piper and I are visiting grandchildren in North Carolina and today is library day. YAY!  We attended story time at the North Regional Library in Raleigh.  And by "we" I mean my daughter, my two grandchildren and me.  Piper stayed home with Maggie the dog.  This was a very good plan because this sort of orange crab...is so not her thing.

Miss Christy, standing tall in her Superhero shirt, welcomed a full house to preschool story time.  The fact that almost every preschooler had a toddler sibling did not slow her down in the least.  She was completely prepared and ready for her families.

Opening story time with the familiar ABC echo song made all those preschoolers comfortable and I loved the idea of adding the visual ABC.  Reinforcement, yes! (Thinking Piper and I may just have to bring that idea to our big screen in Connecticut. Yep!)  With the building blocks of Every Child Ready to Read, Miss Christy rocked 100 % participation.  Books, singing, dancing, rhymes, counting, laughing, jumping and flannels!  S as the letter of the day blasted off into space.  The flannel?  Rocket ships, just like the one on Storytime Katie's blog  This one would be perfect as well: Zoom Zoom Zoom to the Moon   And the snazzy planet here with the template  will get you flannelizing!

Following a fantastic story time we discovered many new books to borrow. One grandchild so willing to help with checking-out and the other so happy to be a cling-on leg hugger! 

Behold!  Our treasure.  

When we arrived home Cole and I each selected a book to read together before nap time.  My choice: The Line Up Book because Marisabina Russo's Sam is just like my little guy!  I've loved this book forever and was pleased to find a shiny new copy.  Bravo North Regional!  We read it again at bedtime.

And Cole's choice: A Violin for Elva.  Probably because of this...my music man!

The North Regional Library in Raleigh is bright, welcoming, friendly and Miss Christy shares her super power with joy!  Go visit.  I may have to return tomorrow with Piper - sneak her in past that Super Crab!

Thanks for visiting Piper Loves the Library. Ms Kelly at the Library is today's host for Flannel Friday.  Check out her blog!  For more info check out Flannel Friday's Official Blog.  

Reading is my Super Power!

Super Readers in West Hartford 

Here's how it happened This past April while attending the Connecticut Library Association Conference I had a conversation with a library director about lawn signs.  She had recently approved the purchase of lawn signs for a library promotion.  My brain went into instant overdrive.  Honestly!  I am not being dramatic here!  

POW!

At this very same time....in an alternate universe the script was written, the roles assigned, rehearsals were about to start for our annual Summer Reading Show - where a talented troupe of librarians travel to eleven elementary schools promoting summer reading.  This year's show: Every Hero Has a Story - Be your own Hero! While practicing my lines and my dance moves ...well, I was seeing lawn signs with superhero shields on them.  Yep! Visions of superheroes dancing in my head! 
HOLY SMOKES! 

Approval from management came quickly.  My colleague, Joe Molnar, a graphic artist when he's not at the library desk, designed our Super Reader signs. And then the fun began!  BOOM!

A week after school ended about 60 families in town awakened to find a Super Reader sign on their lawn.  How did this happen?  Did superheroes come to West Hartford while we were sleeping?  The next morning ... 40 more lawn signs were decorating the town.  And this morning, another 40.  The excitement is wonderful.  The community is talking, Facebook is buzzing, our phones are ringing. And we're still sticking with our story of Superheroes! 

Carol Waxman, Head of Children's Services and Interim Director of the West Hartford Public Libraries sat down for an interview today.  We'll post it on our Facebook page soon.  Mrs W needed to come clean with just how these signs are landing on the lawns. 
BUSTED!

Here's the scoop: Each night, under cover of darkness the West Hartford League of Librarians fly across town in their gold capes delivering lawn signs to families committed to summer reading.  Our League includes staff from every department -many thanks to Amy McCue.  We are a team!  Now that you know this...well we may have to...HUSH! You see what I did there, right?  Librarians...Hush? 

Thanks for visiting Piper Loves the Library.  She's had a quiet week on the home front.  Programs begin in July - we'll be busy.  We're ready.  Piper wants a gold cape.  I'm thinking...yes!  I better give Dee Williams a call.  She makes Superhero capes.  Shhhh!  

P.S. (Piper Script) Girls ruled the top shelf in graphic novels for about 5 minutes today!

Flannel Friday rocks our world with both support and inspiration.  Visit the official blog for more info.   Have a great summer!  Questions and comments are always welcome.