Book Fair Crew’s Book Fair Photos

Wow, hard to believe that over a month has already flown by since the Book Fair.  During that time I’ve been putting The Library back in order, cataloging all our awesome new books, beginning to tackle the mountain of back-logged check-ins, and editing the over 2,000 photos our Book Fair Crew PhotoJournalists took.

I thought here would be a great place to share some of their photos (and there may be a few of mine, too) so you could see the Book Fair experience from the students’ perspective.  Enjoy!

Planning & Making Decorations …

 

Setting Up … 

Preview Day!

At the Book Fair …

Book Fair is Over … 

What Could Today Be?

Did You Know … Today (March 26) is Make Up Your Own Holiday Day?
There are lots of fun and funny “Special Days”.  Some of them are pretty silly (over the March Break we missed Extraterrestrial Abduction Day, Absolutely Incredible Kid Day, and National Goof Off Day).  Some of them are more serious or official (like World Storytelling Day and World Water Day – both of which happened last week).  Some are simply delicious (like Popcorn Lovers’ Day and Chocolate Covered Raisin Day).  And all of these holidays were created by someone.

So today, on Make Up Your Own Holiday Day, I am trying to decide what day I’d do.

• Librarians Are Helpers Day ~ Today, I had the honour of being interviewed by the SKs for their Community Helpers UoI.  I am very proud to get to represent librarians.  I am super impressed with the variety of insightful questions the SKs asked.  Thanks for inviting me, SKs!
• L.I.Ts Are AWESOME! Day ~ Our L.I.T Library Helpers were back at it today.  They were helping check books in and helping Recess Readers check books out.  They were sorting through the newly cataloged books, giving them each their barcode sticker and finding each books proper place on the shelves.
• Write It-Cite It Day ~ One of the things I get to do both in and outside of The Library is provide help with Research & Writing Skills.  This includes introducing the grade 6s to the exciting world of citations! (yes, that is a bit of sarcasm – citations aren’t the most exciting thing but they are very important).  So, for Write It-Cite It Day we will have fun with citations including a few challenges.  (note: Check out the Write It-Cite It page here on the blog for citation tips).
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• Conquer a Mountain of Books Day ~  For me, that means tackling the mountain of books returned before the March Break (don’t forget to check if you have any outstanding books still at home or hiding in your desk!).  It could also mean getting to those books in your To-Be-Read pile (personally, I have a very long list!).  For Melvil, it means literally climbing a mountain of books …
• Librarian Loves The Letter “C” (Coffee, Cookies, Chocolate, Cupcakes, Cheese,  …)  ~ Just because …

What Holiday would you create?

 

 

… and we’re back!

Hope everyone had a wonderful March Break!
I’ve been hearing all about everyone’s fun times. I hope those of you who were able to hit the beach brought the sunshine back with you to stay.

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The closest I got to splashing in the water was some broken plumbing and a flooded bathroom!  Once we dried out, I enjoyed a quiet break including a lovely visit with my Mom and some walks down memory lane including listening to an old cassette we used to listen to on road trips and a very funny button collection my Dad started in the eighties (I guess that’s where I got the button collecting gene from).

And now, we’re back!
Today our L.I.Ts (finally) had a “training” meeting.  They learned how to do check-ins and started organizing our freshly cataloged books to barcode and shelve.  It makes this librarian’s heart happy to see so many students wanting to take part in making our library the best library it can be.

Did You Know … Today (March 25) is Waffle Day and Pecan Day? 
Do you know who loves Waffles? 
Narwhal from the Narwhal and Jelly books by Ben Clanton.
Do you know where you can find all three books: Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea, Narwhal and Jelly Jolt, and Narwhal: Peanut Butter and Jelly?
In The Library, of course!

I bet pecans would taste yummy on waffles.  What’s your favourite waffle topping?

 

What’s Ms. Hayward Reading?

I just finished a really good book called Girl Squads: 20 Famous Friendships That Changed History  by Canadian writer, Sam Maggs and illustrated by Jenn Woodall.  A perfect read to kick of Women’s History Month.  In Girl Squads, Maggs tells of female friends who played pivotal roles in history in sports, politics, sciences, and the arts.  Did you know about Sharon and Shirley Firth, Canadian indigenous twin sisters who broke down barriers in skiing and competed in the Olympics? Or have you heard about Anne Bonny and Mary Read, two of the most infamous pirates?  Have you heard of the Haneyeo, the Korean divers carrying on a centuries old tradition (some well into their 90s)?  Maggs tells us all about them in a book that is both funny and fascinating.

I am currently reading Sweep: A Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier.  The publisher, Penguin Random House Canada describes the book as:

A brand-new novel by one of today’s most powerful storytellers, Sweep is a heart-rending adventure about the everlasting gifts of friendship and hope.

For nearly a century, Victorian London relied on “climbing boys”–orphans owned by chimney sweeps–to clean flues and protect homes from fire. The work was hard, thankless and brutally dangerous. Eleven-year-old Nan Sparrow is quite possibly the best climber who ever lived–and a girl. With her wits and will, she’s managed to beat the deadly odds time and time again. 
     But when Nan gets stuck in a deadly chimney fire, she fears her time has come. Instead, she wakes to find herself in an abandoned attic. And she is not alone. Huddled in the corner is a mysterious creature–a golem–made from ash and coal. This is the creature that saved her from the fire. 
     Sweep is the story of a girl and her monster. Together, these two outcasts carve out a life together–saving one another in the process. (Ages 8+)

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/567116/sweep-the-story-of-a-girl-and-her-monster-by-jonathan-auxier/9780735264359

So far it’s a great story and I really don’t want to have to put it down (but, sadly, I am not allowed to read all day).

What are you reading this March Break?

It’s Not Easy Being Green …

Today (March 8) is our GREEN DAY in honour of St. Patrick’s Day (since it falls on March Break).  St. Jude’s Academy is a sea of green today (it’s actually invoking a very Spring Time feel – maybe actual Spring will take our lead and follow soon!).

Melvil showing off some of the “green books” in The Library

I’ve never really known a lot about or done a lot on St. Patrick’s day.  It’s my big sister’s birthday so my childhood memories are of grasshopper birthday cake (a delicious chocolate cake with green mint icing).  So, I decided to look up some interesting facts about St. Patrick’s Day.  Did You Know:

• St. Patrick’s Day is a feast day for the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick who, interestingly, was neither Irish (he was born in Britain) nor canonized as a saint.
• The shamrock is the symbol of St. Patrick’s Day symbol of St. Patrick’s Day and each leaf represents something different: Hope, Faith, Love, and Luck (now those are four qualities we can all use in our lives).
• The Shamrock Shake is a popular treat at McDonald’s around St. Patrick’s Day (though I was surprised – but not surprised – to discover one Shamrock Shake contains over 18 teaspoons of sugar! Wow!)  This year, I think I will try to make my own “healthy” Shamrock Shape https://wellnessmama.com/157021/healthy-shamrock-shake/

March 8th is INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Check out today’s Google Doodle in honour of International Women’s Day featuring inspiring quotes from inspiring women.

International Women’s Day has been a United Nations sanctioned holiday since The Year of the Woman in 1975.  It’s a day to celebrate the accomplishments of women throughout history and today.  It’s a day to promote supporting organizations that support women all around the world.  And it’s a day promote and fight for gender equality.  

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #BalanceForBetter .  

What women have inspired you? 
What can you do to help bring about #BalanceForBetter?

Yay, Sports! & YUM! Our First Cookbook Creation!

Today (March 7) is SPORTS DAY.

Ok, I will be the first to admit, I’m not the most sports-minded.  Growing up, you’d be more likely to find me in the music room or library than on the field or in the gym. I did figure skate as a little girl and loved volleyball school (until a rather chauvinistic gym teacher turned me off all things athletics).  I’m not adverse to going to a sporting event, though it’s been awhile (I do recall going to a Blue Jays game back when they played in the Skydome and I thoroughly enjoyed going to some FIFA U-20 games in Ottawa where the stadium was literally rocking with the cheers of Argentinian fans).  And I’m always willing to learn about new sports (just ask my husband who’s very patiently explaining cricket to me!).  But, for me, the closest I get to sports is reading about them.

We are in the process of building our Sports & Entertainment section in The Library.  You’ll find them in the 790s.  We also have some great fiction stories about sports and games in our Everybody section.  What’s your favourite sport or game?

YUM! Our First Cookbook Creation!

There have been lots of requests for cookbooks (in the 640s) and craft books (in the 740s) and I have been happily trying to add to these sections in the library.  I tell the kids that if they make something they can bring it in and I will take a picture of their creation (I will happily taste-test, too!) or they can take a picture at home and email it to me to share here on the blog.

Yesterday, we had our first Culinary Creation
Mac & Cheese from Company’s Coming for Kids: Lunches.
It looks fantastic – Great Job!

sdr

 

Wacky Wednesday!

Today (March 6) WACKY WEDNESDAY!

Growing up, Wacky Wednesday was one of my favourite books!  We had so much fun finding all the wacky things that were happening on each page (perhaps over March Break I will have to dig through some boxes at my Mom’s to see if I can find my old copy to share ….).

It all began with a shoe on the wall … 

I haven’t seen any shoes on the wall. I have seen a pickle on a hat! It’s certainly Wacky around here today!  And we’ve got some new “wacky” books!

Ms. Hayward Needs a Vacation … LOL!

Here is Melvil with just a few of the brand new books we’re adding to The Library.  Some are non-fiction.  Pink is for Blobfish is a fascinating book about pink creatures in nature (there are quite a few, who knew?) and How Rude is about some insects with some rather rude habits. You can find it in the 590s section – Zoology.  Optical Illusions are always cool and this book can be found in the 150s.  In our fiction section we’ve got pranksters (Pickle) and monsters (Goosebump’s SlappyWorld) and even some Punny Cats.  You can create your own wacky Lego minifigures and remix the stories with the Lego Minifigures Mix & Match.  It’s pretty wacky when the other animals think Giraffe is a chair.  Will he get the courage to stand up for himself and tell them that “I Am Not a Chair!” .  Narwhal and Jelly are two funny friends.  When Narwhal changes his name they become Peanut Butter & Jelly!

 

Today’s Read Aloud during Library visits is the very wacky, The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith.  HEE HAW!  (here’s the song that the story is based on)

Princesses & SuperHeroes in The Library

Today (March 5) is SUPER HEROES and PRINCESSES DAY (and TIE-DYE DAY, too).

“Princess in Black” continuing to catalog our hundreds of new books (including new Princess in Black books by Shannon Hale)

I suppose this works well because some superheroes are princesses (like Wonder Woman/Princess Diana)  and some princesses are superheroes (like Princess Marigold/Princess in Black).  Of course, some superheroes are also princes (like Thor and Black Panther).  There are also many princess characters in literature and media that are heroes in their stories such as Princess Buttercup (The Princess Bride) and Princess/General Leia (Star Wars).

Unfortunately, sometimes people think that “superheroes are for boys” and “princesses are for girls“.  Which, I believe, couldn’t be further from the truth.  Heroes and princesses have been part of stories for millennia (most commonly found in classic mythology and fairy tales) enjoyed by all.

Generally speaking, I don’t believe that there are such things as “boy books” and “girl books”.  These are phrases we don’t use in The Library.  Books are for everybody!  It doesn’t matter if the characters are boys or girls or non-binary.  It doesn’t matter what colour the covers are.  It doesn’t even matter if the title includes the words “for boy/for girls” (ex. one of our new cookbooks is from American Girl but that’s just the series name; it’s not just for girls – boys like to eat, too!)  Reading is a great way to experience the perspectives and experiences of others so, I say, READ EVERYTHING!

Looking for Princess Books in The Library?  
Check out our Disney Section, our Fairy Tale Section (398.2), and our “Magical” genre in the Everybody Books.

Looking for Superhero Books in The Library?
We have a whole “Superhero” genre section in Everybody Books.  Also, check out our growing Graphic Novels & Comics section.

Looking for some Real Life Heroes in The Library?
Check out our Biography Section.

Bedtime Stories

Today (March 4) is PAJAMA DAY.  Since we are all comfy, cozy in our pajamas all day today, we’ve been reading Dr. Seuss’ Sleep Book (with lots of yawns). I also thought it would be the perfect time to talk about Bedtime Stories.

Bedtime stories were certainly an important part of my childhood.  It was always a special time in the day and even when I claimed to be “too old” for bedtime stories, I’d still sit and listen to my mother read to my younger brothers and I would read myself before going to bed.

In my adult years, I suddenly seemed to be “too busy” for bedtime stories.  After a long day of studying or working then doing housework and chores, like so many others, I’d find myself zoning out in front of the television.  Then I’d head to bed and promptly turn on my phone for one last email/social media check. Definitely NOT the pleasant routine of bedtime stories (we may think we’re “zoning out” on screens but the blue light and content puts our brains into a heightened waking state, as opposed to the relaxing effects of reading from a page or listening to someone read to you).  That’s why it’s my goal to turn off the screens and get back into some Bedtime Stories.

There are multiple benefits to bedtime stories … 

• Reading together provides bonding time and builds relationships.  It gives you the opportunity to talk together about the book, make connections in own lives, and even open the door to talk about other matters.
• Reading aloud (especially to young children) is important for verbal and literacy skill development.
• Bedtime stories can improve attention span and ability to focus.
• Fiction stories provides spaces to experience different experiences and perspectives, to safely explore difficult emotions and situations, etc.
• Bedtime stories are a time readers and explore and discover their own unique interests through “reading for leisure” as opposed to “reading for purpose” (e.g. assigned school reading).
• Reading at bedtime allows you to unwind and also reset your circadian rhythm (which is very much impacted by the blue light of screens) and proven to help have a better night’s sleep (which we all know is super important!)

So why not put on your coziest pjs (if you’re not already wearing them today!), turn off the screens, and read a Bedtime Story (or two or three) tonight!

Sweet Dreams!

A Trip to Medieval Times

Today I had the chance to step out of The Library and tag along with the grade 4s on their field trip to Medieval Times.  For a moment, we stepped back in time to the Middle Ages to watch Knights joust and sword fight.  We feasted at the Queen’s feast.  And we learned about chivalry (which interestingly aligns with IB characteristics) and the importance of compassion (open-minded), courage (risk-takers), respect (principled), charity (caring), and honesty (communicators).

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The Middles Ages were an interesting era in history and we have some interesting books in The Library all about the Middle Ages.  We have books about knights and castles, Lords & Ladies, and even the worst children’s jobs!  You can find  the non-fiction Medieval books in the 940s.

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