Thursday, January 31, 2019

Start



"Someday we will become something we haven't even yet imagined." ~Yuyi Morales

“The best way to start over is to start.” ~unknown  

I've written that anonymous quote more times than I care to think about. Or maybe I do want to reflect upon it. What's the saying about each day is a chance to begin anew?  A fresh start each day. There should be no shame in doing this. New Year’s resolutions are fresh starts for many people who want to strive to make a better a life for themselves. For some in recovery of some sort, each minute is at times the opportunity to work through a recovery process a moment at a time, an opportunity to start over or begin again.   

So, there should be joy in starting anew, starting fresh. Simply starting. How many times have we started a diet or attempted to change our habits for a healthier lifestyle of eating?  Or an exercise routine that will help to improve our bodies?  That fitness routine that will help us maintain a healthy body weight?  

For me it seems that living my life, being a mom, a daughter, a librarian,  a reading specialist, a writer, a reader, a professional speaker, a mentor to a lovely young girl, an astunn a sister,  a widow, a friend, a dog mom, a creator, an artist, a collector of books, a creator of art, a chef, a baker,  a blogger
, a poet, an explorer, a shopper, a traveler, an antique browser, an empath, a clairsentient, a listener, a storyteller, a poetry reciter, a booktalker, an artist, a teacher, s human, a prayer, a seeker . . .  are all of the things that I am. I am these things and so much more.   Each day I begin anew to strive to be the best of all that I can be. There are days when I am not at my best. There are days when I am ok. And there are days when I am the best. One thing that is for sure though, is that I am always trying my best. That's all that any of us can do. The beauty abut this life we are living on earth, is the opportunity that we are given each day, each hour, each minute, is that we can start over. How are we to do that?  Just start. Just do it. Just be what we can.  Be what we want to be. Be what we imagine we want to be!

I have the control, the ability, the power, to start my life again today. As I watch the sun rise on this extremely cold Thursday morning in January of the year 2019, I know that I'm happy and blessed to be here on this earth. God has a plan for me. He has made clear to me, on more than one occasion that I walk this earth for a reason. My purpose here may not always be clear to me. But I will simply start today and discover what awaits my attention. What will I be today?  What role or roles await my attention today?  Starting my day with prayer, affirmations, reading, and writing, and creating will lead me down the path to the doors that I am to knock at and walk through.  These paths, these doors, will no doubt be revealed to me as I go in faith. I start over today. How can I do it again?

My answer is clear. Start. 

Yuyi Morales’ exquisite picture book, Dreamers, , resonates with me, coupled with my impending return to work date (yet again!), in four days, has Stuck with my heart, readers learn about her wonderful  experiences in the library as an immigrant to the United States. She and infant daughter took a chance one day and simply started,not knowing what was in store for her. What is it that you imagine?  Which path will you take today?  Which doors will you knock on?  



Thursday, May 11, 2017

Another Way to Share Poetry!

"Poetry Break!"
Happy Poetry Friday!
Day 11 of my kidlit book-a-day inspired wardrobe!


Last week I decided to celebrate Children's Book Week by wearing clothes and accessories that coordinate and match with children's books and their characters. I had so much fun and better yet, the students in my school library were excited and motivated to hear about and read the books that I was promoting!  Oh, and I decided that even though Children's Book Week ended for the year, my bookish wardrobe doesn't have to!  

Matching books and poems to your clothing and accessories is an excellent way to promote literacy!  So go check your closet and coordinate with your bookshelf!  

Scroll down to my previous post if you're interested in seeing my other book inspired outfits. 

For more Poetry inspiration, visit A Teaching Life for the Poetry Friday Roundup.

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Children's Book Week 2017

Every week in my library is a celebration of children's books, storytelling, artwork, and of course Poetry!  But this past week I shared with students and staff the wonderful celebration that began in 1919. We admired Christian Robinson's poster that he created for this year's celebration and discussed the theme: "One World, Many Stories". We had guest readers share their favorite books and talk about special memories surrounding their favorite books. I read various favorite books of mine and read aloud some lovely poetry. 

I love to Booktalk and promote reading in lots of different and fun ways. This week I decided to match my wardrobe to different books. 

Here are some of my book-inspired outfits from this week.















  














Happy Children's Book Week and Happy Reading!

Sunday, April 30, 2017

Celebrate Children' Book Week!

Every Child a Readers


This week I'm celebrating Children's Book Week in my elementary Library, as well as everywhere I go!  Be sure to check back each day this week to find out how I'm spreading some book love and the joy of reading!  Join me in becoming a @CBCBook Children’s Book Week Champion, celebrating children’s books and the joy of reading http://bit.ly/2gDgWt6! #CBW17

To kick off #cbw17, I am giving these away!








Another amazing sign created by Bird Branch Designs! 

Bird Branch Designs

Happy Reading!

Friday, April 14, 2017

Poetry Break Has a New Look!

Today I'm celebrating my passion for sharing poetry by revisiting how I originally got started with presenting poems to children. Although I've always shared poetry in small ways, about ten years ago I began doing "Poetry Breaks" - popping into classrooms with an announcement of, "Poetry Break!" with a sign and whistle or bell to signal that, much like D.E.A.R. (drop everything and read), we pause for a poem.

In my first post participating in Poetry Friday (from 2012!), I share how I got started with conducting Poetry Breaks. I also share a brief video Booktalk that features Caroline Feller Bauer's Poetry Break! book. Check it out here.







In a Poetry Friday post from 4 years ago, I wrote a Tribute to Caroline Feller Bauer and my inspiration and mentor for sharing poetry with children.

always searching for
the perfect poem to share
it's "Poetry Break!" ~C. F. B. 

I now take time out for "Poetry Breaks" in my school library. I incorporate them into lessons when students in grades pre-k through 5th grade visit the library on a weekly basis. Poems relate to seasons, holidays, curriculum topics, student interest, and much more!  I also use "Poetry Breaks" as a way to Booktalk Poetry books, as well as many other books and magazines in the library. The poem possibilities are endless.


I was so excited when my new sign arrived in the mail, just in time for National Poetry Month. My cousin, Tara Sawyer designed and created my amazing new and improved, "Poetry Break" sign, which is proudly on display in my library, just waiting to announce the arrival of a "Poetry Break!"

Add






Be sure to check out Tara's beautiful designs at Bird Branch Designs.





Celebrate today, celebrate #nationalpoetrymonth, celebrate #slm17 by pursg the Poetry Friday  Roundup, hosted by Doraine at Dori Reads

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Rediscovering My Poetry Wiki




Several years ago, while I was in my school library and information technology program at Mansfield University, I created a poetry wiki as a project for one of my courses. I had a great deal of fun creating it, as well as using as a resource for sharing and teaching poetry. Although the wiki has not been updated or used in quite some time, it is certainly worth revisiting, especially this month, as a way to celebrate National Poetry Month and School Library Month.

Why not take a peek into my virtual poetry library by visiting, A Pocketful of Poems!  The site is filled with links to poetry resources as well as descriptions about how I incorporate poetry into the day.

A sweet bonus treat as I was browsing through the pages of my forgotten wiki: these adorable pictures of my girls "eating their peas with honey" as we recited the classic nursery rhyme!

Sienna eating her peas with honey.
(Age 4)

Sarah eating her peas with honey.
(Age 2)

Happy Poetry Reading!

Sunday, April 9, 2017

BARC Booktalk Extravaganza ~ 2017



Flyer that BARC put out to advertise my presentation.


Sharing must-read books!
Photo credits: Ellen Mouillesseaux
On Thursday April 6th, I presented Booktalks for some of the more recently released best books.  In addition to a handout that listed books of various genres and formats, I created a Pinterest board for my presentation. The board contains many of the books, book trailers, and songs that I recommended.


If you are not already a member of your local literacy council, I highly recommend that you consider joining. Here is a link to mine - Binghamton Area Reading Council.


BARC Booktalk Pinterest Board.

April is School Library Month. Visit your school library to check out these excellent book recommendations. Happy reading!