This has been a tough few weeks for the world. Racially motivated crimes are in the news constantly. It’s difficult to wrap my mind around the hate exhibited, and impossible to fully understand the experience of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People Of Colour) in these times. These past couple weeks I’ve sought out stories that involve… Read More Read YA and Middle Grade fiction written by BIPOC Women
It has been over a year since I last did a What I Loved post. Where did the time go!? I have loved so many amazing books and experiences since my last post that I’m kind of overwhelmed! I’ve picked my very most favourite reads of 2018 to highlight. Sadie Sadie is a Canadian YA novel… Read More What I Loved #20: Victoria Schwab, Heather Smith, Courtney Summers, a puppy, and … a new job!
Sparkly, twirly, precious fun! A tutu workshop is a valuable addition to your library’s program calendar. Not only is it easy to teach, but the attendees leave with a legitimately beautiful product (that would have cost $30 – $50 to buy from the store)! I always try to be intentional about planning programs where the… Read More Tutu Workshop at the Library
I was so inspired by other Children’s Librarians doing displays like this that I had to take it on myself! It’s such a great passive, interactive display for little ones and their parents. It gets kids talking and thinking. Plus, it’s easy to change and add to as needed! I created the silhouettes by using… Read More Guess Who Children’s Character Display
It’s small town front page news! Kids can learn how to play the ukulele at the library. Teaching ukulele skills is a fun way to engage children with music education – and it might even inspire a life long passion! Parents are so appreciative for a cheap and casual alternative to expensive and intense music… Read More How to Teach Kids the Basics of Ukulele Playing
One day, a tween asked me if we could make Pop Sockets for Tween Club. I said I’d look into it. He squealed in delight. The next day I asked three 5th graders if they’d be excited to hear that we were making Pop Sockets at Tween Club. Their eyes widened and they nodded enthusiastically.… Read More DIY Pop Sockets
I’ve decided to rebrand my all ages evening storytimes into themed party events. We still do the same things: songs, 2 – 3 picture books, 1 or 2 crafts, and freeze dance. But because of the engaging themes and party atmosphere, we get a much larger crowd. I had over 70 people at the Unicorn… Read More Unicorn Magic Party
This week I was thrilled to attend the OLA Child and Youth Expo in Toronto. I was also thrilled to present my first ever poster board, all about how to build community at your library with Tween Club. I loved connecting with other librarians who serve tweens, and sharing ideas about how to improve their… Read More Tween Club: How to Build a Tween Community at Your Library
Hack That Painting is the slightly more refined cousin of Bad Art Night. Kids are given pre-painted canvases, and get to add whatever they’d like to the image. Do they imagine a dinosaur stomping down the mountain? A monkey climbing in the tree? Or a kraken-demogorgon hybrid erupting out of the water and eating a shark?!… Read More Hack That Painting – Program Outline
NetGalley Reviews I have started reviewing advanced reading copies of books for NetGalley! If you’re a librarian and you’re not part of this amazing service, I highly recommend joining. You can request copies of upcoming books and read them on your Kindle, computer, or phone. I will be using the ARCs to inform purchasing decisions… Read More Book Reviews – October 2018
Ontarian Librarian 