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Despite some great training at the Brooklyn Public Library (thanks Ellen Loughran!), I was never much of a booktalker. I got nervous. Forgot the narrator's name. Dropped the book…you get the picture. But I know a good booktalk when I see one, and after watching the video of Betsy Bird booktalking The Black Book of Secrets by F. E. Higgins, I’m ready to find my library card and check out a copy.
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| Interview |
| Sharon McQueen Talks about Her Fascination with The Story of Ferdinand |
 Picture books may come and go, but The Story of Ferdinand—a tale about a little bull who prefers to sit under a cork tree smelling flowers rather than butt heads with other bulls—is still one of the most beloved stories for kids and adults. Why has this 72-year-old story of peace and contentment by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson been so successful and controversial? Sharon McQueen, a children's librarian and doctoral candidate at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, School of Library and Information Studies, is determined to find out in her dissertation: "The Story of the Story of Ferdinand: The Creation of a Cultural Icon." McQueen recently received the
Jesse H. Shera Award for the Support of Dissertation Research.
Why is The Story of Ferdinand both successful and controversial?
Everyone's got their own opinion, their own take. I think that's why the book was controversial—due to these various interpretations and the fact that it happened to be published, and successful, during a period of widespread conflict. The book was successful because a high percentage of readers strongly identify with Ferdinand. They see him the way the author did, as an individual choosing his own path. As Munro Leaf himself said, it’s "a happy-ending story about being yourself." Also, it's funny, darn it! read more... |
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| News and Views |
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| Encyclopaedia Britannica Gets 'Wikified' |
Encyclopaedia Britannica is about to go the Wikipedia route—sort of. In the coming weeks, it will launch a new project that will allow experts and the public to create, document, and share knowledge on its site.
"The main thrust of this initiative is to promote greater participation by both our expert contributors and readers," says Britannica. The hope is that the new Britannica site will create an online community that will engage thousands of scholars and experts. read more... |
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| Library, Literacy Center Honors Kanye West's Mom |
| A library and literacy center in Sierra Leone will be named after rapper Kanye West's late mother, Donda West, to honor the contributions she made to the children there. The Los Angeles-based charity Shine On Sierra Leone says the Donda West Library & Literacy Center is scheduled to break ground this fall in Bongema. It will serve students at the local Muddy Lotus Primary School and also offer free literacy classes to parents. The goal of the literacy center is to help the 80 percent illiteracy rate in the community. read more |
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| Remarkable Reads |
| In the Muslim World |
With the Middle East and Islam being front and center in the news, it is important to offer readers a variety of resources that discuss Muslim life from different perspectives. Each fiction title below includes a young person's experience growing up in the Islamic faith. Also included is a nonfiction guide for Islamic teens living in the Western world that every high school and public library needs to have on its shelves.
ABDEL-FATTAH, Randa. Does My Head Look Big in This?. Scholastic/Orchard. 2007. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-439-91947-0
Gr 7 Up– When Amal decides to return to class after break wearing her hijab, things get very interesting at her private high school. read more... |
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| Librarian's Internet |
| Summer Fun |
| www.educationworld.com/holidays/archives/summer.shtml |
| Now that kids are out of school, public librarians, parents, and daytime caregivers want to know where they can find both entertaining and educational summer activities for kids. This great Web site contains lots of creative ideas for keeping kids entertained and active, as well as a ton of links to other sites that are chock-full of more great activities for both indoors and out. Check out "Keep Kids' Brains Active in the Hot Summer Sun" and the list of online scavenger hunts, as well as the many excellent summer reading lists (arranged by both topic and grade level) and the six different "book-tivity" articles. Don’t miss the summer solstice crafts, activities, songs, and recipes for a bit of June 21st fun. Summer doesn’t have to be a bore!
— Gail Junion-Metz |
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| Library Director |
New Canaan Public Library
New Canaan, CT
Join us as we create a new future for one of Connecticut's most highly regarded public libraries. The New Canaan Library Board of Trustees is seeking an energetic and visionary leader to become the next library director. read more...
To see all positions available through the SLJ Career Center, click here...
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