Join me for a free-ranging discussion of writing and publishing children’s books.

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There’s nothing like watching an experienced librarian working with young kids during storytime. It’s a dance! It’s an art. Experience helps. But what if you are just starting out?

Perhaps this resource will help. It is a checklist for evaluating the literacy value of storytimes.  It is provided by ALA and is based on the literacy work of Elaine Czarnecki and Gilda Martinez and John Hopkins University, Center for Reading Excellence. It’s not written as tips, per se. But you can work backwards to see what techniques enrich the reading experience.

I’ll be at ALA in Chicago.   10:30 am. on Sunday morning is Nonfiction Book Blast: Booktalks for Reluctant Readers. Expand your nonfiction repertoire as 18 authors booktalk their latest work. You’ll leave with postcards with all the booktalks you can use in your library. I’ll be presenting a brief booktalk on bird storytimes, featuring Honk, Honk, Goose and Vulture View.

My signings: Sunday  Henry Holt 2-3 pm

Sunday Charlesbridge 4-5 pm   Stop by and say hello!

Can’t come? Check out the booktalks wiki for booktalk texts.

Author Gwendolyn Hooks (http://www.gwendolynhooks.com/) who has some watery life cycle books coming out soon, gave me the heads up about some wonderful trout-related programs. See more here:

Trout in the Classroom in Martinsville, VA

http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/article.cfm?ID=18966

Trout in the Classroom main page

http://www.troutintheclassroom.org/site/c.juLTJ6MTKvH/b.1302851/k.BD7E/Home.htm

I can see these activities pairing well with 

Trout Are Made of Trees

Trout, Trout, Trout: a Fish Chant

Ant, Ant, Ant: an Insect Chant. 

Oh, why not throw in Honk, Honk, Goose because there are probably geese dabbling around in that stream, too!

Wyoming Reads!  Thanks to the Sue Jorgensen Library Foundation, approximately 7,000 Wyoming 1st Graders will receive a free hardback book. They can choose from six books and one of them is Vulture View! They will receive the books at one of 35 celebrations on May 19th. 

2nd Grade Music Students at Red Bank Elementary studied rhythm by analyzing and marking rhythms for stanzas in my book, Ant, Ant, Ant: an insect Chant. They also performed the text with rhythm instruments. Wow, talk about creative and enthusiastic educators!

My favorite educational technique of the week? Taking a walk!  Lima-Brighton Elementary students and teachers start every school day with a brisk, peppy, 10-minute walk. Outdoors if it’s good weather.

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Okay, so I didn’t know until recently what book talks were. But I visit gobs of schools and so many librarians have told me about Nancy Keane that I had to look her up. Apparently she does fabulously entertaining workshops in which you learn about all the new books. She also has a site with lots of book talks on it. These are intro material/pitches you use to introduce books to students.  To find even more, buy her book or attend her workshops. At least that is what numerous librarians have told me. 

Nancy Keane’s Booktalks

The reason I am learning about booktalks is that I am…um…giving one as part of a nonfiction book talk session at ALA this summer!

There are already booktalks for three of my books on Nancy’s site. Some of the booktalks were contributed by others, not just Nancy.

I just got word. Preparations are now in high gear for the East Coast Vulture Festival this coming Saturday, March 7, 2009 in NJ. Go there for a real vulture view, then go read Vulture View!