Caldecott Medal Winner 2015 Announced - iiiiiittt's BEEKLE!

It was an exciting month in the library -- the biggest awards in children's literature were announced in early February.

 
The Caldecott Medal is awarded to the best picture book of the year.  This year's winner has been a fan favorite in our library.  It's called The Adventures of Beekle, the Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat. Kids all ages have oo-ed and ahh-ed at the beautiful pictures and the touching story.  Everyone has loved finding the hidden surprises and special meanings in many of Santat's illustrations.  There is a lot more to this story than first meets the eye.

For example, take a look at this picture of the end pages of the book.  (The end pages are the very first pages when you first open the book.)   Do you see how each boy or girl has an imaginary friend next to them?  The students and I looked carefully at all the pictures and noticed that each pair has something in common.  Like the girl who likes to jump rope--so her imaginary friend is a snake.  Ha!  How clever! 
Everyone has been dying to check it out.  Well, good news! The book has finally been processed for the library and is ready to be checked out by students.  Oh wait!  Someone just checked it out!  Better come in and put it on hold today!

California Young Reader Medal - YOU choose!

The 1st and 2nd graders are doing a very important job in the library this month.  They are deciding which book should win the California Young Reader Medal for 2015.



Here's how it works.  There are five nominees that I'm reading to all the 1st and 2nd graders.  After they have read all five books with me, then they must deliberate and vote on which book they think should win the California Young Reader Medal.  The Alisal Library will be transformed into a polling station the week before Spring Break starts.  Students will vote for their favorite book and I will submit the votes.  We'll find out in May who the winner is!  All primary students in California are eligible to vote.  No grown-ups can vote!  Only kids!  The students have been excited about taking on such a huge responsibility.  They all wanted to know if the book will get a "gold medal" like the Caldecott winner gets.  I assured them it does.   Each week, the kids get to take home a special bookmark that has the book we read decorated on the bookmark.  Kind of a fun memento of our activity.  Please use the bookmarks as a reminder to ask your child about the nominated book they heard in the library that week.  Hopefully, they can recall what they heard and retell you the story!  Here are this year's nominees:

Randy Riley's Really Big Hit by Chris Van Dusen

Miss Brooks Loves Books! (And I Don't)

Too Tall Houses by Giana Marino

Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems

TombQuest Author Visit = Success!

Well, February 12th was an exciting day in the library world.  Author Michael Northrop came to Alisal and talked to all the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students.  He got everyone really excited about his new book, TombQuest #1: Book of the Dead.  I thought it was interesting to learn that as a kid, Mr. Northrop didn't love reading and actually struggled in school.  It sure goes to show you that you should never give up.  Look what Mr. Northrop was able to accomplish!  I know the kids enjoyed squirming as he talked about how mummies were prepared back in ancient Egyptian times.   It actually inspired me to buy some Egyptian mummy books for the library.  After the assembly, Mr. Northrop signed books for many students who bought his books.  I've been hearing from different kids that they've enjoyed Book of the Dead.  If you haven't read it, what's stopping you?  The library has two copies - put one on hold today!