CSLA Conference Promotional Video

 

There are many reasons why you need to be at the 2021 CSLA conference. Watch the promotion video to hear some of the exciting ways the conference will help you and your library.

Baxter's Book Review

In honor of Martin Luther King day on January 18th, this month I read a non-fiction picture book: Martin and Mahalia, His Words, Her Songs by Andrea David Pinkney and Brian Pinkney. This beautifully produced book presents the interconnectivity of two crucial people within the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King, Jr and Mahalia Jackson, an influential American gospel singer, and activist. The story alternates points of view from Martin to Mahalia’s stories, with beautiful watercolor illustrations that accompany the simple, yet important and relevant text. Martin’s story manifests in shades of blues and greens, with Mahalia’s in oranges, reds, and purple. Each page offers an image of a white dove, a symbol of peace, which stands in stark contrast to the many challenges and violence the African American people experienced in their fight for equality. As Martin and Mahalia begin to work together, the colors in the pages blend, culminating in a magnificent rainbow that brings us to the conclusion of Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington in 1963. This book is as much a work of art as informational. It would be a welcome addition to any library, grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. It should be included in any discussion or reading of Martin Luther King Day as well as in conversations about the importance, and celebration of Black History Month and the many contributions of African American’s to our nation. Jamie Baxter CSLA Member, North Region Read a great book recently? Want to share it with the School Librarian Community? Please send your requests or written reviews to me at jmeabit@gmail.com.

But Nonfiction Matters Too

Last week we talked about potential award winners for ALA YMA. The clock is ticking down to the Big Announcement. Normally, publishers, authors, and committee members would be traveling to hunker down for a weekend of decision making. As we all know, such is not the case this year. Here are some resources for playing the guessing game of What Will Win??!!

Heavy Medal Blog at School Library Journal is preparing for their online Mock Event on February 22. (I was on that committee once. It cured me of wanting to be on the “real thing.”) Register to watch their final discussion. Pondering the Printz (YA) also promotes its contenders @SLJ. At The Horn Book, you can read (and vote on) Calling Caldecott. Last week I sat in on some online Notable Books Discussions. Check out their posted discussion lists. If you look at TeachingBooks, Recent Book Award Winners & Honorees, you’ll find a compilation of recently published titles. Filter by award year, grade band, and awards/distinctions to find what you need. 

CSLF Celebrates Children's Book Illustrators

The California School Library Foundation is excited to begin a series of monthly posts celebrating the children’s book illustrators who have so generously donated their artwork for use on products at The Library Advocacy Store,  thereby helping us in our mission to support advocacy for school libraries. Their work is timeless and inspiring! 

This month’s illustrator is Aliki. I’m sure that most elementary school libraries have a number of her books on their shelves….she has written and illustrated over 80! 

Aliki Brandenburg was born in 1929 in New Jersey. Drawing seemed to come very naturally to her, and with her parents support she took art classes during her childhood. She graduated from The Philadelphia School of Art in 1951. Before beginning her illustrative career in children’s books, she worked as a freelance artist, taught art classes, worked in advertising, and started a greeting card company. When she decided to learn more about her Greek heritage, she began to travel, met her husband, and wrote and illustrated her first book, The Story of William Tell, after moving to Switzerland with her husband.  However, it wasn’t until she wrote My Five Senses that she chose a career as a book creator. That was the beginning of a remarkable career, writing and illustrating both fiction and non-fiction.

In preparation for an exhibit at the Free Library of Philadelphia, Aliki sat down for an interview in May of 2019 to talk about her life, and her craft.

You can find Aliki’s Library Cat on a number of different products at The Library Advocacy Store.  A percentage of the cost is donated to the California School Library Foundation.

Katie Williams, President, California School Library Foundation

IFLA School Library Manifesto

 After extensive discussions and consultations the work on the ‘IFLA School Library Manifesto (2021)’ is about to be finalized. The IFLA School Library Section invites you to read the updated ‘Manifesto’ and give your final remarks before 26^th February.

Countdown to the Literary Red Carpet

By Deborah Ford-Salyer

It’s the most wonderful time of the year...No. Not winter break. It’s Award Season! In just a matter of weeks, our annual Literary Event will be held completely online. The 2021 Youth Media Award announcements will take place on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, at 8 a.m. CT  during the ALA Midwinter Meeting and Exhibits virtual conference. Libraries, schools, and book lovers worldwide are welcome to follow results by visiting ALA’s streaming platform at http://ala.unikron.com, or ALA’s social media channels, including Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter, by following hashtag #alayma. (You do not have to be an ALA member or conference registrant to watch.)

Displays - January 27 is Holocaust Remembrance Day

"The United Nations General Assembly designated January 27—the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau—as International Holocaust Remembrance Day." (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum)

Each year when the 8th graders read the Diary of Anne Frank Play version in their textbook, I make a display of Holocaust Nonfiction and Fiction. You may also use these displays any time of year your school studies World War II, either in their History classes or in their Language Arts Classes. Each month, I try and feature a nonfiction area of the library collection that pairs up with the curriculum. 

Meet CSLA Treasurer Lori Stevens

 We at CSLA would like to introduce Lori Stevens as CSLA Treasurer 

About Lori

An educator for 37 years, I am currently the District Librarian in Rialto USD.  In addition to words/books, I also love numbers and am completing certificates in bookkeeping, tax preparation, and government/not-for-profit accounting.  Originally from WV, I have now lived in CA for 40 years.  I am married to Brett and we have 4 children/stepchildren (all grown.) We are also the 'parents' of a 13-year-old lab/beagle mix rescue dog named Ginger.

Vision for CSLA

CSLA is a hugely important organization to our profession and everyone should try to get involved in some way! The greater diversity of voices we have, the better we can meet all members' needs and help them meet their students' needs. I hope to continue to be a good shepherd of CSLAs finances in the state treasurer position so that we will be a strong organization for years to come and so we can provide the professional development and advocacy for school libraries that are so vital to California's students.

Why did you Join CSLA?

If you love students, libraries, and learning, then CSLA is for you! Joining CSLA will bring you many benefits, including discount prices on high-quality professional development offered throughout the year. Your CSLA membership also supports advocacy--at the CDE and beyond--for libraries and staffing. Most of all, you will get to know a dynamic array of like-minded folks, from whom you will learn SO much. But don't stop at joining--get involved on committees or run for office! When I was first elected as treasurer two years ago, I quickly realized I had "found my people." The Board is an awesome group and it feels good being involved in activities that further our cause and help make CA school libraries strong and cutting-edge.

Happy National Sci-Fi Day!

National Science Fiction Day Booklist

January 2nd is National Science Fiction Day. Celebrate with some of these great Middle Grade and Young Adult stories published in 2020. See the full list on Bookshop.org.