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From: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians serving Young Adults and Children"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
To: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians serving Young Adults and Children" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 11:01 PM
Subject: PUBYAC digest 949
PUBYAC Digest 949
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Simple books about death
by "Troy and Nicole Morgan" <trikki@peoplepc.com>
2) RE: suicide titles
by "Sheppard, Grace" <Grace.Sheppard@ottawa.ca>
3) montana stumper solved
by "Theresa Stoner" <tstoner@vigo.lib.in.us>
4) Re: After-school program
by "Paula Lopatic" <paulal@rpls.lib.il.us>
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From: "Troy and Nicole Morgan" <trikki@peoplepc.com>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Simple books about death
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Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 19:21:01 CST
Hi,
An older woman has contacted us with a sad and unusual request. She has a
daughter who is an adult with mental disabilities. This daughter has
terminal cancer. The daughter is aware that she is ill, but does not
understand what this means for her. The family's counselors thought that
it
might be a good idea for the daughter to read some picture books about death
in an attempt to open a path of discussion and awareness for the entire
family.
The daughter herself is a non-reader. So, we need some ideas for picture
books that the parents can read to her about dying. The family is
Christian, so any books about angels/going to heaven are fine. The catch
is
that the books cannot be abstract or use symbolism. For example, The Fall
of Freddie the Leaf (in which the leaf dies at the end of autumn), is not
something that she can easily apply to her own situation. The same is true
for several other books that feature animals, or rely on poetic words to
depict death. The books need to be simple and direct, while still
considering the emotional trauma of the subject.
Any suggestions? Please e-mail them directly to me. If anyone would
like a
list of the results, please let me know and I will compile them for you!
Thanks!
Nicole Morgan
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From: "Sheppard, Grace" <Grace.Sheppard@ottawa.ca>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: suicide titles
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Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 19:21:11 CST
Hi Again, All,
I have received a couple of responses like Sue's (please see below)and I
know exactly what you mean. As a former elementary school teacher I asked
the patron if, first of all, the parents, teachers, etc. know the situation
(they do) and secondly if she really feels it is her place to be
"counselling". She doesn't want to take on that role, but does
want to read
some books with positive themes. Thanks to those of you who are sending
titles, they are much appreciated, and thanks also for your concern, it is a
very sad situation.
Grace Sheppard
-----Original Message-----
From: Sue Ridnour [mailto:sue.ridnour@flower-mound.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 3:10 PM
To: 'Sheppard, Grace'
Subject: RE: suicide titles
Not to be an alarmist, but has she let this child's parents (or teachers or
whoever) know about this? I realize I don't know anything about the
situation and it may not be that dire, but I think if a child is talking
about suicide, someone who is in a position to monitor the situation needs
to know, to determine whether he's really thinking about going through with
it. Books might be too little, too late.
Worriedly,
Sue
Sue Ridnour
Youth Services Manager
Flower Mound Public Library
Flower Mound, TX
972.874.6153
sue.ridnour@flower-mound.com
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sheppard, Grace [SMTP:Grace.Sheppard@ottawa.ca]
> Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 1:24 AM
> To: 'pubyac@prairienet.org'
> Subject: suicide titles
>
> charset="iso-8859-1"
> X-edited-by: pyowner@pallasinc.com
> Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 00:46:53 CST
> Reply-To: pubyac@prairienet.org
> Sender: owner-pubyac@prairienet.org
> X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.2.07 -- ListProc(tm) by CREN
>
> Hello All,
>
> Here's a rather sad request from a patron who reads to a group of 10 year
> olds once a week. One of the boys in the class has recently been
talking
> about committing suicide . The patron would like some title suggestions
> for
> short books (she only has 30 minutes with the kids) dealing with kids (or
> grown-ups) who are having a hard time, but have happy endings.
>
> Any ideas? Most of the titles I came up with were about helping
children
> cope with the death of a family member or pet, and that is not what she is
> looking for. She also doesn't want anything too pedantic.
>
> Thanks for your help, please reply directly to me.
>
> Grace Sheppard
> Children's Librarian
> Ottawa Public Library
> Grace.Sheppard@library.ottawa.on.ca
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From: "Theresa Stoner" <tstoner@vigo.lib.in.us>
To: <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Subject: montana stumper solved
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Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 19:21:21 CST
Thanks for those who sent me the answer to my Butte, Montana stumper.
The answer is The Long Journey by Barbara Corcoran. Unfortunately we don't =
have it at our library! This is a great book for anyone who has it at =
their library and has not read it yet.
Theresa Stoner
Vigo County Public Library
Terre Haute, Indiana
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From: "Paula Lopatic" <paulal@rpls.lib.il.us>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: After-school program
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Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 19:21:30 CST
Hi, Inge,
In my library I sometimes wonder if the kids are coming for
the
crafts...we rarely feed them! Some kids enter asking, "What are we
making
today?" It's VERY unusual for one to begin with "What are you
reading to us
today?" But I try to remember that you can't always tell who is
listening.
The child with his head down may actually be taking in every word and the
one staring at the me or the book may be daydreaming. I'm working to
create
good feelings about the library and books and reading. When these kids are
ready to check out books, or need help with homework research, or years from
now, are asked to vote for a tax increase(!), they will see the library as a
good place to go.
If the kids are coming consisently and seem reasonably happy,
I'd say
you're doing great!
Paula
----- Original Message -----
From: "Inge Saczkowski" <isaczkow@niagarafalls.library.on.ca>
To: "pubyac" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 12:41 AM
Subject: After-school program
> I do an after school program for kids 8+. It is a simple read-aloud
> program that goes for 5 weeks in November and then again for 5 weeks in
> February, just when the bad weather is upon us in Canada. Attendance
is
> between 15-20 kids, not overwhelming, but consistent. We call the
group
> "Cocoa Club", not an original idea ( I got it off Pubyac posting)
and we
> give the children hot chocolate, cookies and marshmallows, while they
> chill out and listen to the story. We have done some great books, Holes,
> Book of Three, Harry Potter etc. The problem is that I suspect that
the
> kids come more for the treats than the story or even use as as an
> after-school babysitting service. I guess the question I'm asking the
> group is, does it matter? Does it matter that they come for the food,
> as long as they do listen to the story, are are we fooling ourselves to
> think that the book is more important than marshmallows? I suppose
it's
> like prizes for Summer Reading Club, as long as they read, do we care
> why? Please share your thoughts with me, I would welcome them
>
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End of PUBYAC Digest 949
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