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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: Wednesday, January 08, 2003 2:55 PM
Subject: PUBYAC digest 975
PUBYAC Digest 975
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Compilation-Children's books about death
by "Vanessa Cowie" <cowiev@mail.forsyth.public.lib.ga.us>
2) Re: accellerated reader
by Frances Easterling <machild@cmrls.lib.ms.us>
3) STUMPER - Muslim mom
by "Carolyn Fain" <cfain@fountaindale.lib.il.us>
4) Re: Kids turned-off reading
by "Kathleen Conger" <kathleen.conger@ci.stpaul.mn.us>
5) Re: Kids turned-off reading
by OdonLibrarian@aol.com
6) RE: Kids turned-off reading
by "Stencel, Jennifer" <jstencel@ascpl.lib.oh.us>
7) Gross Bibliography
by Jennifer Cunningham <cunninje@oplin.lib.oh.us>
8) Re: Button-making kits
by "Debbie Chevron" <dchevron@ci.camas.wa.us>
9) Harry Potter, etc.
by Dawn Sardes <Dawn.Sardes@euclidlibrary.org>
10) Murder in the Library!
by Dori Blodgett <librarylady4kids@yahoo.com>
11) Re: Kids turned-off reading
by Dawn Sardes <Dawn.Sardes@euclidlibrary.org>
12) RE: Why kids get turned off of reading
by "Amber McCrea" <mccrea.amber@als.lib.wi.us>
13) RE: Harry Potter etc.
by Leslie Johnson <ljohnson@jefferson.lib.co.us>
14) Stumper re mice using material to decorate
by "Margaret Keefe" <mkeefe@midhudson.org>
15) Accelerated readers
by "Brenda Evans" <evans@madison-jeffco.lib.in.us>
16) Re: Kids turned off reading
by Melanie <linuxgrrlv2@yahoo.ca>
17) RE: Authors at your Library
by "Alice Johnson" <johnsona@phl.alibrary.com>
18) More about kids turned off by reading!
by "Moffitt, Gina" <GMoffitt@city.newport-beach.ca.us>
19) Re: Children as Storytellers
by "Jennifer Murphy, Head of the Children's Library"
<murphyj@uhls.lib.ny.us>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "Vanessa Cowie" <cowiev@mail.forsyth.public.lib.ga.us>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Compilation-Children's books about death
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Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:52:30 CST
Here is a long-overdue compilation. Several weeks ago I had a patron
request for books to help a seven-year-old with his father's suicide. We
did not come up with a book to match the situation, but there were a
number of suggestions that might be helpful in similar circumstances.
Thanks to Melissa, Karla, Kathy, and Barbara for their input.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Try Books to Help Children Cope with Separation and Loss, by Masha
Rudman et al. The suggestions for parental suicide are for older
children, however.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
I looked in the backs of two adult books about the death of a parent and
found some children's books: Winter Holding Spring by Dragonwagon;
Daddy' s Chair by Lanton; When my Daddy Died by Janice Hammond; How it
Feels When a Parent Dies by Jill Kremetz; & Learning to Say Goodbye:
When a Parent Dies by Eda Le Shan.
http://www.suicidology.org/index.html
has a listing of area American
Association for Suicidology chapters. In When a Parent Dies, it says
this organization can provide "literature about suicide and its
aftermath for families."
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Try Everett Anderson's Goodbye by Lucille Clifton. It is a good basic
picture book about the five stages of grief. It doesn't deal
specifically with suicide but I think it is an excellent book on dealing
with death and loss. Good luck!
-------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't know how helpful the book may be for the child you wrote of, but
I have always thought that Hans Wilhelm's "I'll Always Love You" is a
lovely story of loss and moving on. (Of course, the loss is of a boy's
dog who has died peacefully of old age, but the message is that the boy
had always told the dog that he loved her, and so her loss was easier to
accept.) I do hope you'll post suggestions to the list. All of us
hope
never to have to deal with this kind of tragedy, but if it happens, it
is most certainly better to be prepared than at a total loss.
-------------------------------------------------------------------The
following are picture books:
When Someone Dies--very general, not about a specific person in the
child's life. Mentions feelings the child may be having and suggests "it
seems easier when we hold tight to the happy memories."
Let's Talk About When a Parent Dies--talks about grief, changes in
child's life, fears that the other parent will die, sharing feelings
with "a family member or friend ... a teacher, a minister, or a
rabbi,"
and eventual acceptance.
Saying Goodbye to Daddy, by Judith Vigna--a fictional book about Clare,
whose father dies in a car accident. Although it's a picture book,
there's a lot of text here--will need to be read to the child unless
he's a good reader.
The Goodbye Boat, by Mary Joslin--the pictures in this book suggest an
older person (looks like a grandmother) boarding a boat and children
grieving through "lonely days." It ends with "Yet when the boat
has gone
from view it's surely sailing somewhere new." There's very little text
in this one, just a few words on each page.
Guiding Your Child Through Grief, by Mary Ann Emswiler and James P.
Emswiler
Helping Children Grieve When Someone They Love Dies, by Theresa Huntley
both of these are books for adults
Vanessa Cowie
Librarian I--Youth Services
Forsyth County Public Library
Cumming Branch
585 Dahlonega Road
Cumming, GA 30040
770-781-9840 Ext. 353
cowiev@mail.forsyth.public.lib.ga.us
------------------------------
From: Frances Easterling <machild@cmrls.lib.ms.us>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: accellerated reader
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Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:52:38 CST
We had a young man who came into the library at the end of the school year
last year. We asked him what was the best part of graduating. He
said NO
MORE ACCELERATED READING!! The school he went to had it through the 12th
grade. Frances Easterling
Magee Public Library
Jennifer Baker wrote:
> In the "what turns kids off to reading" thread I have
> since read at least three different comments about the
> terrible evil of Accellerated Reader. I also hate this
> program and I have over the years talked to many who
> agree that it is killing good reading habits in kids.
> I don't want to start an arguement over the merits of
> this program because I'm sure there are a few people
> out there who agree. What I'm really wondering is
> whether anyone has ever made any real effort to
> convince schools that these are bad programs?
> ~jennifer
> Fresno Co. Library
>
> =====
> ~jenniferbaker
> "If an item does not appear in our records, it does not exist."
> ~ Jocasta Nu (librarian from "Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the
Clones")
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now.
> http://mailplus.yahoo.com
------------------------------
From: "Carolyn Fain" <cfain@fountaindale.lib.il.us>
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: STUMPER - Muslim mom
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Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:52:46 CST
Hello, everyone! Happy New Year!
My first reference question after a lengthy vacation was, naturally, a
stumper. My patron is looking for a (we think) picture book with the
following storyline:
A Muslim boy is ashamed of his mother because she wears a hijab (headscarf)
and a niqab (veil).
The boy has a friend who sees the mother and the friend is afraid of her -
the friend thinks the mother is a ghost because of the headcovering.
The boy doesn't want his friend to know that the woman/ghost is his mother.
In the end, the friend gets caught in a tree and the mother is the one who
rescues him and everything gets resolved.
Any ideas?
Thanks for your help!
Carolyn Fain
Assistant Children's Services Coordinator
Fountaindale Public Library District
300 W. Briarcliff Road
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
voice: 630.759.2102 x. 22
fax: 630.759.9519
------------------------------
From: "Kathleen Conger" <kathleen.conger@ci.stpaul.mn.us>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: Kids turned-off reading
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:52:55 CST
This from my colleage Paul Gertsen, adult reference librarian at St.
Paul Public:
Interesting.
Speaking from my own experience....
Boys wanna read sports books, etc. I've never read a "Little House"
book, and I never will. If I WAS MADE to read one in school, I would've
stopped reading.
I started reading in Kindergarten. By the time I was in 1st grade, the
teacher would have ME read to the class. I read a lot of books on my
own, even some fiction back then, which is very rare for me now.
BUT - when I went to the library, or bookmobile, I got 1) Sports books
2) Biographies 3) Adventure stories.
It ain't brain surgery. How many girls read the books on Arms & Armor,
or Monster Trucks, or Brett Favre bios? Not many.
So why should we expect boys to read the "girlie" books?
They ain't gonna.
pkg
Kathleen Conger
Youth Services Librarian
Saint Paul Public Library
kathleen.conger@ci.stpaul.mn.us
------------------------------
From: OdonLibrarian@aol.com
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Kids turned-off reading
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:53:02 CST
In a message dated 1/6/2003 8:01:40 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
ibanitt@chartermi.net writes:
> Winn also addresses the idea that is all too easy for overwhelmed parents
> to turn to the TV as a babysitter. Parents reason "at least
such-and-such
> a program is educational" and don't realize that it is the very
process of
> watching television (rather than the content of the program) that is
> detrimental to their children's educational and emotional well being.
>
> I no longer have my copy so I can't do justice to Marie Winn's arguments
in
> detail. But it is certainly an important book for parents and all who
work
> with children.
>
As a parent and a member of the "Captain Kangaroo" generation, I feel
compelled to respond to this.
While I agree that it is very easy to let television and video games
infiltrate too far into family life, I strongly disagree with the statement
that "the process of watching television ... is detrimental to [a child's]
educational and emotional well being." I still remember "Captain
Kangaroo"
reading to me about "The Five Chinese Brothers" when I was five years
old.
He also read "The Story of Ping", which years later became my son's
favorite
book -- the one we wore out with reading.
Sometimes I watched "Sesame Street", "Mr. Roger's
Neighborhood", and "3-2-1
Contact" with my children. Sometimes I took advantage of the time
they
spent
watching those shows to catch up on other work -- in other words I used the
TV as a babysitter. I'm not seeing the dreadful results predicted here.
Two out of my three children were avid readers from the time they learned
how. The third didn't start reading for pleasure until she had to do book
reports in 6th grade and we started to explore the library together for
books
that would make that assignment less tedious for her. She'll turn 16 on
Thursday and just finished reading "Pride and Prejudice" just because
she
wanted to read it. Do you know one of the factors that brought that book
to
the top of her reading list? "Wishbone", that television show
that uses a
terrier to mangle classic literature into 20-minute video clips.
Our television is in our carpeted basement and is off most of the time.
But
I think it's unbalanced and produces unnecessary guilt in exhausted young
parents to say that even modest use of the television as a babysitter is
detrimental to child development.
My son quit reading for pleasure after junior high. I'm not sure what
happened there, but it wasn't television. He not only reads less than the
rest of us, he also watches less television, other than sporting events.
I think I may have to blame it on the piano lessons. That led to the
guitar
and the accordian and who *knows* where the accordian may lead???? Maybe
someone should do a study. ;-)
Actually, I think it may be a lack of appealing literature that has dulled
his interest in reading. He's not into suspense or sci-fi or fantasy or
mysteries or westerns. He watches basketball, writes for scholarships, and
earns scores that make my buttons pop on standardized college prep tests.
What books truly speak to older teen boys where they are?
Marsha
(not speaking as a library employee, but as a mother)
OdonLibrarian@aol.com
------------------------------
From: "Stencel, Jennifer" <jstencel@ascpl.lib.oh.us>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: Kids turned-off reading
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Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:53:11 CST
Hi,
I don't know what the exact cause is, but I had a similar experience growing
up, where my love
of reading "dimmed". From my experience: labeled reading groups,
making kids
read books that are way above their reading comprehension, and teachers who
beat to death good books almost did me in.
I was one of those who loved to read but was a terrible reader and was
therefore always in the lowest reading groups. Everyone remembers high to
low reading groups, which usually started in the first grade and went as
high as 6th grade, right? The "rose", "sunflower" and
"weed" groups.
Everyone knew who was a rose- because you read beautifully, and who was a
weed- those of us that took forever to read one sentence in front of all
the roses and sunflowers!!! That didn't really help promote the
"reading
for the fun of it thing".
Anyway, my love for reading was greatly challenged in forth grade. We spent
over 6 weeks reading Charlotte's Web. It was our teacher's favorite book.
Over 6 weeks of worksheets, tests, quizzes... this even went over Christmas
break with a huge 20 page vocab and other various worksheets to be completed
the day after break, then a major test. Every kid wants to spend break
completing those purple printed worksheets that smelled weird. I did
terrible on all of it, I was so sick of that pig! To this day, I cannot
bring myself to re-read Charlotte's Web. The irony of it all, I work in a
library that has a Charlotte's Web theme.
I still hear of this, teens come in renewing books for 5-6 week periods
because they are not reading but picking apart books and plays. Some titles
I feel are too above the reading comprehension, which then leaves the reader
frustrated that they can't get through it or understand it. Yet their entire
grade depends on it. How many of us would enjoy picking apart a book for
that long, and would we care for it after all that time. Thinking, probably
not.
Anyway, got back into reading with first The Three Investigator books and
then the R.L Stine, and C. Pike. See they are good for us recovering
reluctant readers. Picked these all up at the local library during the
summer reading clubs. No one pushed me at the library as I made MY
selections, no one questioned what I was taking out- that it was not "great
literature", I read at my pace, and no one tested me on any of it.
And to
note, my mom rarely drove us kids to pick up any prizes we might have won. I
try to remember this when dealing with my teens, they are not all craving to
read Pride and Prejudice (I haven't had that craving either). Plus, they all
know that I was once a Reluctant Reader who will not quote Emerson at them,
this makes them more comfortable to tell me their likes and dislikes of
reading. We have so many "positives' going for us: we offer a safe and free
place to pick whatever, kids have the freedom not to finish a book, they are
not graded or tested, judged or condoned, and these just come with the
territory, what we do on top of that is bonus.
I cringe when people (teachers, parents, and yes, even fellow librarians)
discredit kids that read RL stine, etc. because I feel, at least they are
reading. And given time, they will come to break away and venture out.
But, I still can't bring myself to re-read Charlotte's Web.
take care, and interested to see the responses
Jen Stencel
Youth Librarian
Richfield Branch ASCPL OH
-----Original Message-----
From: Stacey Schultz [mailto:sschultz@lakeshores.lib.wi.us]
Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 2003 11:34 AM
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Kids turned-off reading
Hi all,
I have been reading the discussions about kids getting turned-off to
reading with great interest. The schools in the town I work in use
Accelerated Reader and students are required to earn points for grades.
On a daily basis I have kids coming to the library to select books from
the Accelerated Reader list. I have found that for some parents and
children it can be a frustrating process to find a book the child is
interested in and has a high point value. For some children it seems
to be all about points and not about the joys of reading. We have also
had parents and children mention that they are so overwhelmed with
reading during the school year and that is why they have chosen not to
be part of the Summer Reading Program.
Stacey L. Schultz
Youth Services Librarian
sschultz@lakeshores.lib.wi.us
------------------------------
From: Jennifer Cunningham <cunninje@oplin.lib.oh.us>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Gross Bibliography
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:53:19 CST
Hello All,
Here is the compiled list of all things gross. I received contributions
from many, many people worldwide, so I guess gross is gross wherever you
go! I have begun to read some of these and I think the kids will be
sufficiently grossed out. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions!
Fiction
Busby, Cylin - The Chicken-Fried Rat
Charbonnet, Gabrielle - Snakes are Nothing to Sneeze At
Gantos, Jack - Jack on the Tracks
Ibbotson, Eva - Ghost Rescue
Jennings, Paul - Unreal
Jennings, Paul - "Greensleeves", Uncanny
"Spaghetti Pig-Out", Uncanny
Korman, Gordon - Nose pickers from outer space
Kotzwinkle - Walter the Farting Dog
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds - Beetles, lightly toasted
Pilkey, Dav - Adventures of Super Diaper Baby
Pollari, Pat - Barf-o-rama series:
"The great puke-off"
"The legend of Bigfart"
"Pig breath"
"To wee or not to wee"
Rockwell, Thomas - How to eat fried worms
Stine, R.L. - The Curse of Camp Cold Lake
Strasser, Todd - Camp run-a-muck series
"Greasy grimy gopher guts"
Zindel, Paul -Night of the Bats
Non-Fiction
Branzei, Sylvia - Grossology Begins at Home
Grossology: The Science of
Really Gross Things
Grossology and You
Elfman, Eric -Almanac of the Gross, Disgusting & Totally Repulsive
Garbage, Greta - That's disgusting : an adult guide to what's gross,
tasteless, rude, crude, and lewd
Jackson, Ellen- The Book of Slime
Masoff, Joy - Oh Yuck! The Encyclopedia of Everything Nasty
Meglin, Nick and John Ficarra - Mad Gross Book
Menzel, Peter and Faith D'Aluisio - Man eating bugs: the art and science
of eating insects
Porter, Cheryl - Gross Grub
Roald Dahl - Roald Dahl's Revolting Recipes
Roald Dahl's even more revolting recipes
Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes
Settel, Joanne - Exploding Ants
Solheim, James - It's disgusting and we ate it
Snedden, Robert and Steve Parker - Yuck: A Big Book of Little Horrors
Songs
Josepha Sherman & T.K.F. Weisskopf - Greasy grimy gopher guts : the
subversive folklore of childhood (words to songs)
"Chicken Lips and Lizard Hips" - Bruce Springsteen
Videos
Bug City series - "Really Gross Bug Stuff"
Stand By Me - "Barf-o-rama" scene
Jennifer Cunningham
Coordinator of Children's Services
Wright Memorial Public Library
1776 Far Hills Ave.
Dayton, OH 45419
937-294-7171
cunninje@oplin.lib.oh.us
------------------------------
From: "Debbie Chevron" <dchevron@ci.camas.wa.us>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: Button-making kits
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Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:53:33 CST
Hi, we just purchased the Badge-A-Minit last year and got the more
expensive bench press kit. We used it for our Summer Reading Program
and did about 500 buttons. The summer aides did the button making for
us and they had a great time. The Badge-A-Minit company is really nice
to work with and send you great deals on replacement items.
>>> read2kdz@yahoo.com 01/06/03
05:03PM >>>
Hi again,
I am thinking about getting a badge-maker and need some serious advice
from
you all. To those of you who have a Badge-A-Minit product; are they
worthwhile? Would I be making a mistake getting the $29.95 model hand
press
as opposed to the $62 bench press? Are there other companies that are
comparable or better that I should consider; on the other hand are
there
companies out there that I shouldn't even think about. I expect that we
will
be making a couple dozen at a time as opposed to hundreds (though
maybe if
we had a kit we would make a couple hundred at summer reading time?)
Your thoughts and experiences would be greatly appreciated. Again, send
the
info directly to me at read2kdz@yahoo.com
and I will happily post a
compilation to the list.
Thanks again, Nadine
****************************************************************
Nadine Lipman
Head of Children's Services
Waterford Public Library
49 Rope Ferry Rd.
Waterford, CT 06385
email: read2kdz@yahoo.com
------------------------------
From: Dawn Sardes <Dawn.Sardes@euclidlibrary.org>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Harry Potter, etc.
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Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:53:41 CST
>>>>SNIP>>>
<Okay, I was going to stay out of this discussion, but I feel compelled
>to make one quick statement. I have no problem with parents deciding
>FOR THEIR OWN CHILDREN what literature they wish to have them read.
>Isn't that what we as librarians hope will happen , so we can provide
>a wide range of materials, as we should, for the wide range of values
>present in our society? My problem lies with those--and I would place
>those who make videotapes decrying Harry Potter as witchcraft among
>them--who feel that they should decide for EVERYONE'S CHILDREN what
>they can and cannot read, and what should and should not be present on
>the shelves of a public library. People who seek to have access to
>materials restricted for anyone other than their own children are not
>being respectful of our professional opinions as librarians or my
>personal opinion as a parent.
>I feel it's important to make this distinction. We are all different,
>and we all live together in this world, so maybe we should do our best
>to listen to one another and try to get along.
Well said! I "show" respect to all who come into my library, even if,
in my heart of hearts, I think they're nutbags. I am aware of, and,
when asked, I recommend literature more in keeping with the family's
values as requested. It's part of my job.
But, I also keep my mouth shut when see one of these kids in the
library reading Harry Potter. The parent, if she cares so deeply,
should know what her kid is up to. That's her job--not mine
I was absolutely bonkers about The wizard of Oz as a child, which is
full of magic and witches. But, I never became a witch or went around
chasing tornadoes, now did I? If I can't give a young neighborhood
tough a book about honesty and decency and look forward to him changing
his attitudes and choices and way of life, then how the heck can Harry
Potter make a child turn his back on all he was raised to be holy and
true? That's just silly.
Dawn Sardes
Teen Services Librarian
Euclid Public Library
Dawn.Sardes@euclidlibrary.org
216-261-5300, ext. 138
"Libraries allow children to ask questions about the world and find the
answers. And the wonderful thing is that once a child learns to use a
library, the doors to learning are always open."
-Laura Bush, First Lady, June 2002
------------------------------
From: Dori Blodgett <librarylady4kids@yahoo.com>
To: Tim Patterson <tim@kbsctv.com>
Subject: Murder in the Library!
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Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:53:50 CST
Hello Friends,
Chetco Community Public Library has a mystery on it's
hands.
Tickets are now available for "Poetic Justice", a
Murder Mystery, to be held at Chetco Community Public
Library Saturday, February 1, 7-9 p.m.
A group of cultured people from the 1920's have
materialized in the public library, Brookings, Oregon.
H.G. Wells had been testing his novel's Time Machine
at a soiree. Now he has been discovered dead in the
lobby. Who killed him? Was it James Joyce, Isadora
Duncan, T.S. Eliot, Mae West or another of the
visitors? Agatha Christie herself is present to help
solve this crime. The key to this puzzle may appear
in a line of verse, or it may not. But in any case,
we must achieve justice, poetic or not.
This program is for ages 21 and over. Ticket prices
are: $25.00 for one, $45.00 for a couple. Tickets
may be purchsed at the library front desk. Food and
drink will be included as you gather clues from the
suspects and you, yourself may even become one of the
witnesses!
For more information, please call Brenda Jacques or
Dori Blodgett @ 469-7738.
This program is a benefit for our hosts: Friends of
the Library.
=====
Dori Blodgett
Children's Services
Chetco Community Public Library
405 Alder St.
Brookings, Or. 97415
(541) 469-7738
__________________________________________________
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Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now.
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------------------------------
From: Dawn Sardes <Dawn.Sardes@euclidlibrary.org>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Kids turned-off reading
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Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:53:59 CST
fast cars, danger. They aren't particularly interested in reading
stories
with high moralistic themes or long descriptions.
.......The books selected for classroom and school libraries are
mainly "girls" books.
.......So little boys have been fed a constant line of girl books
selected by women. They don't object; they just aren't interested.
.......You'll discover there are very few male role models.
I have to disagree. Much research has been done to substantiate the
fact that education caters to boys whle disenfranchising girls. The
boys get called on more often. Teachers do not wait the few extra
seconds it would take to allow a girl, with her more formidable
linguistic powers, to formulate an answer. Teacher throws out a
question, boys' hands go up, and they question has been answered within
seconds (usually incorrectly, so the teacher then provides the correct
answer.)
Tht's why there was such a hoopla a few years ago about the value to
girls of a single sex education.
When in school, I had to read Dickens (Male protagonists), Old Yeller,
Where the Red Fern Grows, My side of the Mountain, etc. I do not
remember ever--not once--reading a female based book. Truth be told, I
was a mediocre student because I hated these books (I'm not a dog
person either). As early as 2nd grade, I was reading Bronte, Austen,
Alcott, etc. I devoured books by women and about girls, but the
teachers told my parents I was behind in my reading and gave them a
list of books--all male authors and protagonists, of course.
As a teacher of middle school english, I was forced to teach the same
books, adding Hatchet and the Outsiders--again--all male because they
were in the curriculum.
UGH!!
Dawn Sardes
Teen Services Librarian
Euclid Public Library
Dawn.Sardes@euclidlibrary.org
216-261-5300, ext. 138
"Libraries allow children to ask questions about the world and find the
answers. And the wonderful thing is that once a child learns to use a
library, the doors to learning are always open."
-Laura Bush, First Lady, June 2002
------------------------------
From: "Amber McCrea" <mccrea.amber@als.lib.wi.us>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: Why kids get turned off of reading
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:54:07 CST
I agree with Mairi Ellen.
When I was in Junior high and High School (Southern Columbia school district
in PA - hint hint to anyone who currently teaches there) The teachers seemed
to delight in picking the heavest most complex books for the students to
read. While I understand that Animal farm, Of Mice and Men, Flowers for
Algernon and Shakespeare's tragedies are very important parts of English
literature, the tend to leave one with the feeling that reading and the
classics in general is a very depressing way to spend time. To this day I
dilibertly avoid any book that is consisered a "classic" because of my
expierence with High School English. I was one of the lucky ones in my
school who had already found out that there was fun reading in the library
and book stores and had parents that did not care what I read as long as I
was reading. Maybe what we need to do is find a balance between the
moralistic classics and fun classics so that reading does not seem like such
a chore.
Amber McCrea
Youth Services Librarian
Beloit Public Library
Beloit, WI
------------------------------
From: Leslie Johnson <ljohnson@jefferson.lib.co.us>
To: 'Mary Jo Smith' <msmith@gateslibrary.org>,
pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: RE: Harry Potter etc.
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:54:16 CST
I think that anyone has a right to speak out about what they believe - and
that includes making a video about it. Many people would be glad to see
that video in order to help them form an opinion about the good or bad
effects of their children reading Harry Potter. I would hope that the same
parent would seek out information on the other possible viewpoints, but that
is not my business. It is my "business" to provide information
from both
sides of the coin so that those who want to can make an educated choice. I
couldn't present the negative side in the way that this video producer can -
I just don't know that argument well enough. But it would behoove us to
allow that viewpoint an open forum, even if we disagree.
Leslie Johnson
Children's Librarian
Golden Public Library
Jefferson County Public Library
1019 Tenth St, Golden CO 80401
303-279-4585
ljohnson@jefferson.lib.co.us
See us on the web at:
http://info.jefferson.lib.co.us/
------------------------------
From: "Margaret Keefe" <mkeefe@midhudson.org>
To: "Pubyac" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Stumper re mice using material to decorate
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:54:25 CST
Earlier today one of our mothers came in looking for a book that she used to
read to her son. She couldn't remember the title or author. Does this book
sound familiar to anyone.
It's a children's book. It was about a grandmother or grandfather who liked
to sew. While she sewed the little snippets of material would fall through
the cracks in the floor and a family of mice would gather them up. With the
material the family would make curtains, bedding, clothing, etc. for their
house. The top portion of the page showed what the grandmother was doing.
The bottom portion showed the mice and how their home went from drab to all
decked out with things made from the material.
If this sounds familiar to anyone I would appreciate the title and author.
Thanks.
Margaret M. Keefe
Coordinator of Youth Services
Mid-Hudson Library System
103 Market Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: 845-471-6060 X35
FAX: 845-454-5940
E-mail: mkeefe@midhudson.org
URL: midhudson.org
------------------------------
From: "Brenda Evans" <evans@madison-jeffco.lib.in.us>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Accelerated readers
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:54:33 CST
I too am concerned about the message that reading Accelerated readers
conveys to the children. A great number of children come in who are
interested in a particular genre of book: horse stories, mysteries, pioneer
stories. However, when they are limited to the Accelerated readers their
school has, it is almost impossible to find a book that interests them.
Finding the books is extremely difficult because the schools give me lists
arranged by title or by reading level, never by author. Some of my best
readers have quit reading at all. The AR lists eliminate all of the new,
highly reviewed books and concentrate on old, mediocre books. One of my
children told me that she could hardly wait for school to end so that she
could read what she enjoyed reading. It is frustrating for the children,
the parents, and to me to find books they are really excited about, only to
discover that these books are not on their AR lists.
Brenda Evans
Madison-Jefferson County Public Library
Madison, Indiana
------------------------------
From: Melanie <linuxgrrlv2@yahoo.ca>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Kids turned off reading
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:54:42 CST
> I also have seen many, many children forced to read
> things that didn't interest them.
I would call myself a voracious reader, but I stopped
reading anything but food packaging afer University.
Reading over 600 pages of archaeology textbooks per
week, as well as various and sundry Latin and language
courses, so completely turned me off reading for
pleasure that it wasn't until 2 years after university
that I started to read again(: It isn't just kids who
can 'burn out' on reading...
~Melanie Burrett
CAP Youth
Tavistock Public Library
linuxgrrlv2@yahoo.ca
www.ocl.net
=====
"The earth which sustains humanity must not be injured. It must not be
destroyed!"
- Hildegarde of Bingen, 1098-1178, Germany
__________________________________________________
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Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now.
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------------------------------
From: "Alice Johnson" <johnsona@phl.alibrary.com>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: Authors at your Library
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:54:51 CST
The public schools in the area shared author Dan Gutman. The kids truly
enjoyed him and his books. I was able to attend one of his presentations
when he spoke to about two hundred 6th graders. It seemed to go over very
well, he has a great sense of humor. He did presentations for the 3rd,
4th,
5th and 6th graders in the area.
Prior to his visit I had traveled around to the different schools and book
talked all of his books. The teachers required the students to read at
least one of his books. All of this helped prepare the students for his
visit.
Alice Johnson
Prospect Heights Public Library
12 North Elm Street
Prospect Heights, IL 60070
johnsona@phl.alibrary.com
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pubyac@prairienet.org
[mailto:owner-pubyac@prairienet.org] On
Behalf Of Monica Anderson
Sent: Monday, January 06, 2003 6:56 PM
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Authors at your Library
Hi everyone --
Every year my library brings in an author to speak to 4th and 5th
graders. We'd like to have a large pool of authors who write for
this age group and who are great presenters. If you've heard an
author speak that you've really enjoyed could you let me know? I'll
compile and post a list in a couple of weeks.
BTW, last year we had Kate DiCamillo and she was *wonderful* -- we
got tons of compliments.
Thanks for your help!
Monica Anderson
Youth Services Librarian
Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
Midland Michigan
m.anderson@vlc.lib.mi.us
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
------------------------------
From: "Moffitt, Gina" <GMoffitt@city.newport-beach.ca.us>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: More about kids turned off by reading!
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:54:58 CST
Politically incorrect thoughts on a couple of related threads...
I agree that there are many factors that affect reading habits-- like
Accelerated Reader and the increasing presssures on kids' time. However, in
regards to children's tv viewing, video game playing, and computer use, I
think adults can have more control than they are led to believe.
Society
bemoans the fact that all this stuff is turning our children's minds to mush
and making them fat besides, and we wring our hands along with parents about
what-oh-what to do about it. Why do we have to play the victims? We have a
choice. My niece and nephew are avid readers. Their parents choose
not to
have cable tv in their household, nor do they own Sony playstations or
X-boxes. You don't have to buy into ALL of the hype. You CAN invest in a
good swing set for the backyard or hand them a stack of books and magazines
to peruse instead. Balance is key...
I also agree with the gender-bias issue that Richard brings up. The folks
who wrongly pathologize boys' interests (in violence, battle, action, etc.)
should read a book called Killing Monsters: Why children need fantasy and
make-believe violence by Gerard Jones (Basic Books, 2002) for an interesting
new perspective on the issue. We are doing a great disservice to today's
boys-- making them feel that their entertainment/reading choices are somehow
antisocial or abnormal. Grownups today have completely forgotten that most
of us who played cops and robbers and shot off toy guns 20+ years ago,
didn't end up ax murderers.
Gina Moffitt
NBPL, CA
------------------------------
From: "Jennifer Murphy, Head of the Children's Library"
<murphyj@uhls.lib.ny.us>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Children as Storytellers
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 15:55:16 CST
Janet,
I just so happen to have just made an order to expand our collection.
Here's a list of what I ordered. Hope it helps.
-Jendy Murphy
Ready-to-tell tales : sure-fire stories from America's favorite
storytellers: [KL BL]{GL 1yr-12,398.2} -- August House
Publishers, Little Rock : 10/1994, 224p
0874833817
A multicultural collection of traditional tales contributed by more than
forty of America's most experienced storytellers, with tips for telling
the stories.
PAP
1
19.95
19.95
Ready-to-tell tales : sure-fire stories from America's favorite
storytellers: [KL BL]{GL 1yr-12,398.2} -- August House
Publishers, Little Rock : 10/1994, 224p
0874833809
A multicultural collection of traditional tales contributed by more than
forty of America's most experienced storytellers, with tips for telling
the stories.
TR
1
29.95
29.95
Len Cabral's storytelling book: Cabral, Len.[SL]{372.64} -- Neal-Schuman
Pub., New York : 1/1996, 234p
1555702538
Includes bibliographical references (p. 225-231) and index. Discusses why
storytelling is an important part of culture and education and
offers a selection of stories that are easy to memorize, can help children
learn to focus, and require hand movements, the children's
participation, and some concentration.
PAP
1
32.95
32.95
Thirty-three multicultural tales to tell: Despain, Pleasant[BL HB KR
SL]{GL
1yr-12,398.2} -- August House : 8/1993, 126p
0874832667
"A Merrill court press book";Old Joe & the carpenter -- The
tug of war --
The listening cap -- Rabbit's last race -- Alexander, the dwarf
& the troll -- Medicine wolf -- Senor Rattlesnake learns to fly --
Grandfather Spider's feast -- The mirror -- Damon & Pythias -- The
lion's whisker -- How the mosquitos left Kambara -- Clever Gretel -- Ah
Shung catches a ghost -- Coyote steals spring -- The chirimia
-- Natural habits -- The magic pot -- Ada & the rascals -- The miser
-- The
Bonsung Pohoo -- Little Jack & Lazy John -- The colossal
pumpkin -- Grandfather's sled -- Juan's maguey plant -- The devil's luck
--
The officer of Heaven -- The king who believed everything --
Hungry spider -- The first lesson -- Peder & the water sprite -- The
goat &
the rock. A collection of folktales from around the world,
selected for their "tellability.".
TR
1
15.00
15.00
How And Why Stories: World Tales Kids Can Tell: Hamilton, Martha[SL]{GL
1-7,398.2} -- August House : 5/2000 <World
storytelling from August House>
0874835941
"For all ages"--Cover. A collection of traditional stories
explaining why
an animal or plant or natural object looks or acts the way it does.
CAS
1
12.00
12.00
How And Why Stories: World Tales Kids Can Tell: Hamilton, Martha[SL]{GL
1-12,398.2} -- August House : 5/2000 <World
storytelling from August House>
0874835968
"For all ages"--Cover. Thiscollection of traditional stories
explains why
an animal or plant or natural object looks or acts the way it does.
CD
2
16.95
33.90
How And Why Stories: World Tales Kids Can Read And Tell: Hamilton,
Martha[SL BL]{GL 2-6,398.2} -- August House :
10/1999, 96p
0874835623
A collection of twenty-five traditional stories explainingwhy an animal,
plant or natural object looks or acts the way it does. Following
each story are storytelling tips and short modern, scientific explanations
for the subject of thestory.
TR
1
21.95
21.95
Through The Grapevine: World Tales Kids Can Read And Tell: Hamilton,
Martha[SL]{GL 2-6,398.2} -- August House :
10/2001, 128p
0874836255
A collection of thirty-one fairy tales and folktales from around the
world.
Includes activities.
TR
1
24.95
24.95
Spiders In The Hairdo: Holt, David{GL 7-12,398.23} -- August House :
10/1999
0874835739
UNAB 48MINS RB:DAVID HOLT & BILL MOONEY This collection of urban
legends
contains such favorites as \"Spiders in the
Hairdo\" and \"Tongue on the Tracks\". Based on the
authors\' two-man
stortelling show. A collection of urban legends revolving around
topics such as college, crime, jerks, and others.
CAS
1
12.00
12.00
Spiders in the hairdo : modern urban legends: Holt, David.[WS SL LJ KL]{GL
7-12,398.23} -- August House, Little Rock, Ark. :
4/1999, 111p
0874835259
Includes bibliographical references (p. 110-111). A collection of urban
legends revolving around topics such as college, crime, jerks, and
others.
PAP
1
7.95
7.95
Spiders in the hairdo sound recording : modern urban legends: Holt,
David.{GL 7-12,398.23} -- High Windy Audio, Fairview,
NC : 9/1997
094230313X
David Holt, Bill Mooney.;Produced by David Holt, Bill Mooney, Steven
Heller; music: Dick Hyman; liner notes: David Holt, Bill
Mooney.;Spiders in the hairdo -- Losing in Las Vegas -- The flying cat --
Shot in the head -- The motorcycle gang -- The $100
Corvette -- The outrageous phone bill -- The Mexican pet -- The deadly
dress -- The vanishing hitchhiker -- The choking dog -- Do
you know who I am? -- The bluebook scam -- Tongue on the tracks --
Attention KMart shoppers -- The slasher. David Holt shares his
interpretations of several well known urban legends for children.
CAS
1
9.98
9.98
Buck Meets The Monster Stick: Lepp, Paul{GL 7-12} -- AUGUST HOUSE : 3/2002
0874836646
Five original stories has a legendary fishing rod and a gun-shy dog
encountering everything from a purple hot air balloon to 19,364 tons
of pure West Virginia bituminous coal.
CAS
1
12.00
12.00
Buck Meets The Monster Stick: Lepp, Paul{GL 7-12} -- AUGUST HOUSE : 3/2002
0874836654
Five original stories has a legendary fishing rod and a gun-shy dog
encountering everything from a purple hot air balloon to 19,364 tons
of pure West Virginia bituminous coal.
CD
2
16.95
33.90
Improving your storytelling: beyond the basics for all who tell stories in
work or play: Lipman, Doug[SL LJ BL PW]{GL 10
and up,027.62} -- August House Publishing, Inc. : 6/1999, 219p
0874835305
Presents a series of frameworks designed to help storytellers improve
their
skills, discussing the transfer of mental imagery through oral
language; and exploring the storyteller's relationships with each feature
of the storytelling triangle.
PAP
1
14.95
14.95
The storytelling coach : how to listen, praise, and bring out people's
best: Lipman, Doug.{372.64} -- August House, Little Rock
: 9/1995, 250p
087483435X
TR
1
24.95
24.95
Storytelling games : creative activities for language, communication, and
composition across the curriculum: Lipman,
Doug.[ES]{372.6} -- Oryx Press, Phoenix, Ariz. : 1/1994, 169p
0897748484
Includes bibliographical references (p. 143-146) and indexes. Presents
games that utilize storytelling to define the action, divided into
categories that focus on developing skills in various areas of the
elementary curriculum.
TR
1
29.95
29.95
Fish Tales: Fish Stories From: Simms, Laura -- Lyrichord : 1/1999
200080901
CD
2
16.98
33.96
The Gift Of Dreams: Magical Tales Of The Wandering Jews And The Gypsies
>From The Black Sea: Simms, Laura{GL
5yr-3,398.2} -- Sounds True : 1/2001 <Storytelling from the Black Sea;
Secrets of the world>
1564557383
Notes on accompanying poster. 2Cs Rb: Laura Simms
CAS
1
19.95
19.95
Spooky Classics For Children: Weiss, Jim{GL 5-12,813} -- Greathall :
10/1997
1882513185
Abrg 1Cs 1hr Rb:Jim Weiss Children will find this presentation of
19th-century literature more atmospheric than spooky. The stories are
by Oscar Wilde, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and others. Children will find this
presentation of nineteenth century literature more atmospheric
than spooky. The stories are by Oscar Wilde, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and
others.
CAS
2
9.00
18.00
Total Titles
19
Total Quantity
23
Total List Price
$408.24
List Notes
------------------------------
End of PUBYAC Digest 975
************************ |