Guest Post: Lara Cain Gray asks - Are You Reading the WHOLE Picture Book?

Writer and librarian Lara Cain Gray visits today to highlight the importance of all the parts of a picture book beyond the words. Covers, endpapers and even the white space on a page play a part in fully experiencing a book, with learning and literacy benefits. Get ready to be enthralled and enlightened. 

We talk a lot about the role kids’ books play in developing literacy. But ‘literacy’ isn’t just about decoding the dots and squiggles that make words. 

Being literate means enjoying a whole range of comprehension and problem-solving tools that may begin with children’s books, but soon become integral life skills. 

Guest Post: Teacher Librarians: The Aunty Of The School

With Book Week a mere week or so away, we welcome back, Cherie Bell to discuss the importance of not only school libraries but those special individuals that run and man them: teacher librarians. 

If the classroom teacher is the ‘school parent’, then the teacher-librarian is an aunty. They are a caring, supportive presence in a child’s life. A person with responsibility and a high level of investment in the child, they are a central part of the safety net all kids need from time to time.

Announcement: Imagine The Wonder Of Picture Books Exhibition - NSW State Library

NSW State Library celebrates the changing world of picture books.

 

Some of the most beautiful picture books and original artworks in the State Library of NSW's collection will go on public display - many for the first time - in the Library's major new exhibition, Imagine ... the Wonder of Picture Books, opening Saturday 9 July. Stories and characters from much-loved Australian picture books will come to life in this celebration of children’s literature.

According to State Librarian John Vallance: 'Some of the very best books published today are for children.'

Imagine … the Wonder of Picture Books celebrates the powerful and changing world of picture books through original illustrations by 44 illustrators, video and audio content featuring established and emerging authors and illustrators talking about their work, inspirations and creative processes, as well as hands-on activities.

Guest Post: Leslie Gang on Changing the Story - Hindi's Libraries

'We're not here for much time. We have to live to our maximum capacity, to give, to understand, to make a real difference…' - Dr. Hindi Krinsky

How many times have we heard: 'it’s who you know' or 'you must have proper connections'?

Often, we are inspired to do good after reading an empowering article, hearing a motivational speaker or watching a moving documentary. 

We feel the urge to make a difference somehow, and then suddenly, we pause. It’s been engrained in our minds that to make a significant impact in the world we need either a) a network of “influencers” or b) ample funding.

The truth is, while those resources may be helpful, they certainly are not the be all and end all. Making an impact is simple and only requires one crucial component: willpower. 

Look What I'm Reading! Karys McEwen

Karys McEwen is the librarian across both Prahran High School and Richmond High School in Melbourne, Australia. 

She is the current President of the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Victorian Branch and a judge for the Older Readers category in the 2020 CBCA Book of the Year Awards. She is also the 2019 Books + Publishing Junior columnist. 

She is passionate about the impact of literature and libraries in the engagement and wellbeing of young people.

Look What I'm Reading! Robyn Burns

Robyn Burns, Co-ordinator Youth Services (Whitehorse Manningham Libraries)

After more than 30 years, I still find Children’s and Young Adult library services enormously varied and stimulating. Reading makes young people into better human beings, and libraries can literally change and even save lives! The community values are huge, and I love being part of that.

Which children’s book are you currently reading?
I’ve just finished The Tides Between, by Elizabeth Jane Corbett.

Announcing New Team Member: Karen Mitchell

Keeping things fresh in the world of Children's Literature is one of the key elements for keeping kids hooked on fantastic kids' stories.

KBR is elated to welcome another dedicated professional to our superlative reviewing team, Karen Mitchell.

Karen is no stranger to the what excites children and young adults on literary levels having worked in NSW public libraries for nearly 30 years.

Discover more about our newest team member with her 12 Curly Questions.

Welcome aboard, Karen!

Guest Post: Holly Godfree on Students Need School Libraries Launch

Everyone knows that school libraries are vitally important for:

● Connecting students and teachers with high quality literature
● Saving time finding quality physical and digital resources

Librarian's Shelf: Canines and Cooking Meet Reading

It can be difficult to find the right strategy to help struggling readers, especially one that can be easily applied at home. Two programs initiated by libraries have taken unusual approaches to supporting literacy skill development and can be easily applied at home.

Inspired by an American program called Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ), Story Dogs offers children short one-on-one sessions where they read aloud to a dog. When reading to the dog, struggling readers become the ones in control, which lets them relax and lose the fear that their reading skills are being judged. Consequently, reading confidence increases.

There are many variations of this program around the world, including Reading Paws and Listening Dogs. If you have your own dog, they could be the perfect reading partner for your child. If you don't have a one, a friend, relative or neighbour might have a willing canine friend.

Another approach to improving reading skills is through cooking. Last year, the Free Library of Philadelphia launched its Culinary Literacy Centre, which features a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen, and works with many community partners. The Centre's stated mission is to teach literacy skills through cooking as well as explore culinary literacy (nutrition, disease prevention, healthy lifestyles, budgeting etc).

The cooking experience requires participants to put reading skills into practice in order to follow recipes, and use maths skills to measure ingredients. Problem solving is important for working out how to adapt recipes to make different quantities, too.

Trying this approach at home means you can also incorporate writing a shopping list and menu into the activity: yet another way to practice reading and writing.

Try reading to dogs or making a favourite meal and see how it motivates young readers in your family.

Sarah Steed is our Consultant Librarian and reviewer. A former Children's and Young Adult Librarian, she has more than 18 years' experience working in public libraries. Sarah comes from a family of readers and has shelves full to bursting with books. 

Librarian's Shelf: Feeding Imagination

Imagination, reading and libraries are closely linked. Bestselling author Neil Gaiman points out that it is by imagining things can be different, that people can learn how to change the world. He also reminds us that Albert Einstein recommended the best way to make children intelligent was to read them fairy tales.

Another bestselling author, Susan Cooper, has described how her own life was shaped by imagination, and the experience of reading and writing books. Both Neil Gaiman and Susan Cooper have built successful careers by using their imagination.

It’s not just in the field of writing that imagination is important, either. The Walker Library of the History of Human Imagination celebrates many achievements, which are the result of imagination.

A research study on the effects of reading novels found that reading fiction enabled people to empathise with others, in a way that was similar to the idea of muscle memory. This experience of empathy has a physiological effect that connects different parts of our brain.



So when you read a book - when you use the library - remember you are feeding your imagination, and you never know where it might lead.

‘Imagine’ is the theme of Library and Information Week, 25 - 31 May 2015.

Read more about reading and imagination:

• Neil Gaiman: Why our future depends on libraries, reading and daydreaming (The Guardian)

• Susan Cooper: Libraries are the frontline in the war for imagination (The Guardian)

• Reading fiction improves brain connectivity and function (Psychology Today)

• Using your imagination (The Reading Agency)

• Lessons from Sherlock Holmes: Don’t underestimate the importance of imagination (Scientific American)

• The neuroscience of imagination (Psychology Today)

Sarah Steed is our Consultant Librarian and reviewer. A former Children's and Young Adult Librarian, she has more than 18 years' experience working in public libraries. Sarah comes from a family of readers and has shelves full to bursting with books. 

Librarian's Shelf: Book Clubs

Book clubs are all the rage for adults, and they can be fun for younger readers too. Many libraries host book clubs and librarians are often asked about how you can join or start a book club.

The most common way to run a book club or discussion group is to have the participants all read the same book. Here are some other approaches you might like to try (all are suitable for children and adults):

• Bring any book you’ve read over the last month and share it with the group, it doesn’t matter if no one else has read it because this is an excellent way to find out about new books and authors.

• Choose an author who has written more than one book, and have everyone read one of their choice, then discuss them.

• Invite everyone to read a book that fits a particular genre (e.g. spy fiction, graphic novels or historical fiction). You could change genres for each meeting or perhaps use a single genre to explore over a longer period (e.g. The Mystery Book Club).

• Focus your discussion on a different non-fiction topic each month. This can be a good way to encourage boys to get involved. (i.e. bring your favourite dinosaur book to share).

Parents, teachers, librarians and other enthusiasts of children’s books can have fun with a picture book club, too. It’s a great opportunity to talk about books that you have enjoyed sharing with your children, as well as new stories and authors you’ve discovered.

You could even start an informal family book club. Involve your whole family in talking about what they’re reading. Make books a regular topic of conversation at the dinner table. Discussing books doesn’t have to be a formal activity, so give it a go and see what happens.

Sarah Steed is our Consultant Librarian and reviewer. A former Children's and Young Adult Librarian, she has more than 18 years' experience working in public libraries. Sarah comes from a family of readers and has shelves full to bursting with books. 

Librarian’s Shelf: Library Makerspaces

Makerspaces are collaborative learning environments where people come together to share materials and learn new skills. This is what libraries are all about - learning and sharing information and ideas.

Some examples of Makerspaces activities around the world include 3D printing and laser cutting, Lego robotics, digital media and making ‘green screen’ videos, e-textiles, electronics, and computer programming.

So it should come as no real surprise that many libraries are embracing the concept as an exciting way to engage children (and adults) in learning, particularly in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects. After watching and having the chance to play with these activities, children are bound to find science books fascinating!

At the same time, these activities are an opportunity to connect them with more traditional aspects of the library – ie: books.

Makerspaces make learning fun and are usually open to a wide range of ages. They motivate, inspire and encourage problem-solving. They’re all slightly different, but they’re all creative and hands-on. Ask your local library about makerspaces and see if they have plans to start one. They might already be offering these activities under a different name.

Sarah Steed is our Consultant Librarian and reviewer. A former Children's and Young Adult Librarian, she has more than 18 years' experience working in public libraries. Sarah comes from a family of readers and has shelves full to bursting with books. 

Librarian's Shelf: Beat the Summer Slide

Children who love to read will do so without much encouragement, but there are also those who may not pick up a book at all for the six to eight weeks they have off school over summer.

Research conducted in the USA has shown that reading proficiency can decline quickly over the holidays, particularly when children either reduce their reading or do not read at all during that time. This means their literacy skills are lower than expected when they return to school, and has been called the ‘summer slide’ or ‘summer learning gap’. It makes encouraging and motivating children to read over the summer holidays incredibly important.

Many public libraries help by offering fun activities, and there's a national Summer Reading Club available online with recommended reading, plus games, competitions and downloadable activities, all linked to an annual theme. This year they’re celebrating adventure, and registrations have already opened!

Here are a few tips about helping your children avoid the summer slide:

• Read aloud every day
• Remember that reading isn’t just about books - read other things too (menus, street signs, labels etc)
• Have lots of reading material of all kinds available
• Visit your local library regularly
• Listen to an audio book
• Play games and activities that involve words, like scrabble, crosswords and find-a-words
• Ask your children about what they are reading
• Keep a holiday diary or scrapbook
• Encourage children to have a go at writing their own stories
• If you watch a movie inspired by a book, find a copy of the book to enjoy as well
• Give books or book vouchers as Christmas gifts!

Want to know more about the ‘summer slide’? Try starting with these quick links:

• Lasting Consequences of the Summer Learning Gap (AdolescentLiteracy.org)
• Why Summer Learning Deserves a Front-Row Seat in the Education Reform Arena (Johns Hopkins School of Education)
• Summer Reading Loss (Reading Rockets)

Sarah Steed is our Consultant Librarian and reviewer. A former Children's and Young Adult Librarian, she has more than 18 years' experience working in public libraries. Sarah comes from a family of readers and has shelves full to bursting with books. 

Librarian's Shelf: Reading Doorways

When you find a book that you enjoy, or that your child enjoys, you will probably find that there is something about the way it is written that is particularly appealing. This can be helpful when looking for other books to enjoy.

Librarian Nancy Pearl explains this using the concept of books having ‘reading doorways’. It’s the idea there are four main appeal characteristics - story, character, setting and language - and that each book has a dominant characteristic, or doorway, that attracts the reader. This doesn’t mean there is only one doorway to that book, or that readers only like stories with the same doorway, but they may find that the books they enjoy most tend to have the same doorway.

Librarian's Shelf: Where do library books come from?

Libraries house far more books than our own homes ever would, but just where do those books come from? Who chooses and buys library books?

Most libraries buy their books from specialist suppliers - companies whose job is to source both new and existing titles on behalf of libraries. It’s a collaborative effort which starts with specific information provided by librarians, and acted upon by the suppliers, many of whom are librarians themselves. There are two particular methods used: standing orders and profiles. This is what helps get books on library shelves as soon as possible when they are released.

Librarian's Shelf: Poems and pictures

For the uninitiated, including many children, poetry can be confusing or boring, but the right book can change that, and there are many to choose from. Aside from a growing body of verse novels, there are also some fabulous picture books to read and enjoy, and they are the focus here. There’s an important rule for these books though, they really must be read aloud for the best effect.

One of my personal favourites is Mulga Bill’s Bicycle. The rollicking poem was written more than 100 years ago by Banjo Paterson. In the 1970s sisters Kilmeny and Deborah Niland visually captured Mulga Bill’s hilarious, wild ride perfectly. It’s a wonderful way to introduce children to Australian poetry, and just as entertaining today as it was fifty or a hundred years ago.

Librarian's Shelf: Getting into character for Children’s Book Week

Every August, public and school libraries around the country celebrate Children’s Book Week. Amongst the activities that take place, particularly in many schools, are Book Week parades. The idea is usually to dress up as a favourite book character, although oddly enough some of the characters I’ve seen are not often from books, which is a shame.

Given that Book Week is only a few days away, I thought I’d share some ideas for costumes linked to books, as inspiration for those of you who need to come up with a costume for your children - they're some simple ideas you can build on. Creative masks can be a great start, or if there’s an animal character your children are keen on, an easy option is to find one of those crazy, furry animal hats that seem to be everywhere these days and team it with suitable clothing. Whatever you choose, remember to find a copy of the book to go with the character so it can be read and enjoyed as well.

Librarian's Shelf: Questions of Censorship

Every so often, librarians are asked questions like ‘Why does the library have this book?’ or ‘Why did you let my child borrow this?’ In fact, most librarians will have been asked these questions at some point, and probably more than once. You may have asked them yourself.

The answer stems from a cornerstone philosophy of libraries, that of freedom of information, and the principle that 'freedom can be protected in a democratic society only if its citizens have unrestricted access to information and ideas.'1 This means libraries, particularly public libraries, don't censor; they provide and promote access to the widest variety of information possible, regardless of individual beliefs. It means striving to reflect the diversity of society, to help encourage the community to engage in conversation and promote understanding and tolerance.

We have to remember that a book which gives a particular point of view might be seen as wrong by one person, but right by another. And that's okay because a book is just one perspective, and is a snapshot in time.

What libraries do is provide a window into the past, present and future. Take a history book, for example. It might explain events of a specific period in time and from one perspective. Five, ten, or fifty years later, we may have discovered more about those events and a new book has been written, providing a new perspective. Is one right and the other wrong? Maybe, but maybe not. They're just different.

By making such books freely available through libraries (who it must be said don’t condone all the content of books, or the lives and opinions of those who write them), we can explore them, talk about them, gain a better understanding, and hopefully make our own informed decisions.

Similarly, librarians cannot monitor or restrict what children borrow unless they are legally required to do so, even if parents want them to. They can offer advice about books, which titles and authors are popular and why, though it’s impossible for them to have read all the books.

Libraries also offer guidance about the suitability of material by placing them in collections which indicate a target audience (eg: young adult fiction), however, every parent has a different opinion about what they consider appropriate for their children to read, and at what age. It's simply impossible, therefore, for librarians to decide what a child can and cannot borrow. Parents have an important role to play in being aware of what their children read--guiding their reading when they feel it’s appropriate, and discussing their book choices with them.

Someone once described libraries as having something in them to offend everyone. It’s true, and if books did not provoke us to think more, the world would be poorer for it. So next time you encounter a book that makes you think, remember the importance of libraries in making information and reading freely available.

1 Statement on Free Access to Information (Australian Library and Information Association).

Sarah Steed is our Consultant Librarian and reviewer. A former Children's and Young Adult Librarian, she has more than 18 years' experience working in public libraries. Sarah comes from a family of readers and has shelves full to bursting with books. 

Librarian's Shelf: Meeting Book Creators

Have you ever been to an author event at the library? It’s a must-do for anyone interested in books, or if you want to interest someone else in them.

Meeting authors and illustrators, the creators of books, is an inspiring experience for readers of all ages. As a librarian, I've been fortunate to be there when many authors have visited the library to share their work. It’s almost inevitable that the children (and adults) become enthusiastic about reading a new book, or trying their hand at writing themselves. I remember meeting an author at my school library and being fascinated by the process of developing a story--the 'behind the scenes' perspective of creating a book.

It’s lots of fun to hear from the creators of your favourite books, or if you don’t know anything about them, to hear about new books and authors and expand your reading interests.

Each author or illustrator will have a different approach to their visit, but they usually have some things in common. They will probably, for example, talk about how they got started, where their ideas come from, or how they work in collaboration. Most will leave plenty of time for questions, and sometimes you might get a sneak peak at a story that hasn’t been published yet.

Often, there will be books for sale so you can get a autographed copy (if you already have one you’d like signed, that’s usually okay, too). Watch out for writing workshops which are occasionally offered as well.

Keep an eye out for any author events at your local library and make the most of them. They can be popular though, so if bookings are necessary, it’s important to make one as early as possible.

Sarah Steed is our Consultant Librarian and reviewer. A former Children's and Young Adult Librarian, she has more than 18 years' experience working in public libraries. Sarah comes from a family of readers and has shelves full to bursting with books. 

Librarian's Shelf: The Value of Bi-Lingual Reading

Language and culture go hand in hand, and one important way to share them is through books, especially bilingual books. Bilingual picture books feature stories written in both English and another language, generally by displaying both languages side-by-side on the page.

I asked a linguistics expert what they considered the main benefits of sharing bilingual books with children. Their response may surprise you, as these books help those who don’t speak a second language, but also those who do.

'... If your child doesn’t speak a second language, reading bilingual books will show them that there are other languages and ways to write (even finding that letters and words come in different scripts), something that is valuable to learn at a relatively young age. If the book is about another culture, they will also get to learn about that, too, through exposure to people who have different ways of dressing, who look different, and so on, but are otherwise the same. This is important in developing an understanding of the world and conceptualising what is “normal”.

Reading bilingual books will not necessarily teach a child another language - they need other language learning opportunities, too - but some words might stick, and perhaps even develop into an interest in learning languages. 

When children do speak both languages, bilingual books help them get them used to literacy in two languages. When a bilingual child has a dominant language (e.g. English) it’s common for them to only develop literacy in that dominant language, so fun literary experiences in another language will encourage them to continue experiencing their other language in books. It also shows them some of the differences and similarities between the languages, and when read in each language, it offers them a different experience ...'

So how do you find bilingual reading material? Most libraries will have bilingual books of one kind or another, usually found either on the non-fiction shelves (look for the 400s), or as part of a separate language collection. Some libraries also have bilingual story time sessions which share stories in English and another language.

If you’d like to explore some research into bilingual literacy, you can read: The Importance of Literacy in the Home Language: The View From Australia.

Sarah Steed is our Consultant Librarian and reviewer. A former Children's and Young Adult Librarian, she has more than 18 years' experience working in public libraries. Sarah comes from a family of readers and has shelves full to bursting with books.