CSLF Recognizes Bob Logan

    The California School Library Foundation is happy to highlight children’s author and illustrator, Bob Logan, this month.

     Bob grew up in Baltimore, MD. He used his artistic talents at a young age by selling his Star Wars drawings to kids who happily spent their milk money.  He then used this money to buy books at the Scholastic Book Fairs. Then at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania, he studied animation. He has worked as a story artist on feature animations such as Madagascar, Open Season, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.  He is also widely known for his books The Sea of Bath and Rocket Town, both of which have been favorites for children.

      Now living in Thousand Oaks, Ca with his family, Bob enjoys good coffee, sea shanties, a little gardening, sketching, and talking.

     You can see Bob’s sea captain illustration on items featured at the Library Advocacy Store.

Thank you very much, Bob, for your colorful work!

Katie Williams,
Retired Teacher Librarian
CSLF Board of Directors

CSLF Highlights Kazu Kibuishi

The California School Library Foundation is happy to highlight the work of author/illustrator, Kazu Kibuishi. American graphic novel author and illustrator Kazu Kibuishi is best known as the creator and editor of the comic anthology Flight and for creating the webcomic Copper and the Amulet series. You probably recognized his cover illustrations for the paperback 15th anniversary editions of the Harry Potter series.

What to Read? What to Purchase? CDE Provides Recommendations

The California Department of Education (CDE) coordinates the development of the Recommended Literature List—now in an annual updated format and searchable database. The purpose of the list is to support students, teachers, and families in finding books that inform, entertain, and motivate students to become lifelong readers. It should be noted that the titles are suggestions selected by teams of educators and not all-inclusive. The annual list is a tool that can be used to: 

• Encourage students to read quality literature in all curriculum areas
• Aid families in selecting quality literature in a variety of formats and genres
• Promote the latest in children’s and teen literature with a selection of diverse titles relevant to California readers
• Provide a source list for updating school, classroom, and home libraries

CSLF highlights David Shannon’s support for California School Libraries

The California School Library Foundation is happy to highlight the work of author/illustrator, David Shannon. He was born in Washington, D.C, in 1959, and grew up in Spokane, WA

David liked to draw as soon as he could hold a crayon. He went to Hutton Elementary school where his teachers soon realized that if they let David draw murals it would keep him from disrupting class and their classroom would have some pretty good art on the walls, too! David eventually graduated from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, majoring in Illustration. He sold his pickup truck and moved to New York City in 1983 to start a career in editorial illustration.

New First Day Read Alouds

I’m a huge picture book fan—for all ages—so years ago when I stopped at the picture book section during a district library tour, I pulled out a copy of Tadpole's Promise by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross. In case you don’t know the story, here’s the short version. (Spoiler Alert)

A tadpole and a caterpillar fall in love. “Promise you’ll never change,” begs the caterpillar. When he breaks his promise by growing legs, then arms, and then loses his tail, the caterpillar refuses to forgive him. Exhausted from crying, she falls asleep on a branch. Upon waking she decides to forgive him and flies (now she’s a butterfly) to the pond where they used to meet. A frog sits on a lily pad. Before she can finish asking if he’s seen her “shiny black pearl,” he flicks his tongue out and eats her. “And there he sits, thinking of his beautiful rainbow and wondering where she went.” The End. (Insert wild laughter or tears, depending on your own reaction)

CSLF Recognizes Illustrator, Steve Gray

This month, California School Library Foundation shines the spotlight on award-winning picture book illustrator Steve Gray.  Gray has been a freelance illustrator for over twenty years.  Prior to that, he worked in advertising for such clients as Disney, Warner Bros., McDonalds, Coca Cola, Sea World, and Knott’s Berry Farm.   

Gray holds a BA in Graphic Communications from SDSU and a BA in Illustration from the Art Center College of Design.  He originally created his illustrations mostly in pen and ink but now works primarily in Photoshop, at which he has been described by colleagues as a master.  His drawings are, in his own words, “fun, humorous, detailed, colorful and wacky!” 

Enchanting Resources for Fairy Tales and Folklore by Deborah B. Salyer

With thousands of titles in the Fairy Tale and Folklore Collection, TeachingBooks offers bountiful and bewitching resources to support your teaching. Fairy tales and folklore adjust themselves to myriad cultural and narrative experiences. Adapt the ideas below at all grade levels to extend discussions and lessons about the fabulous flexibility of fairy tales!

CSLF Scholarship Opportunity

In remembrance of Rosemarie Bernier, the California School Library Foundation is offering a $1500 scholarship to a student who is pursuing a Teacher Librarian Services credential.

The application deadline is June 30, 2022. The decision will be made by mid July. 

CSLF Celebrates Nancy Hayashi

CSLA/CSLA partnered with CafePress (https://www.cafepress.com/) to sell school library-related merchandise. Several children’s illustrators have donated their artwork to use on these items, and part of the proceeds go to CSLF, which supports school libraries and their workers. 

Summertime and the Reading is Easy

by Deborah Salyer

At the end of a more difficult-than-expected year is the promise of a time of renewal, refreshment, and relaxation—Summertime! With many school doors closing, perhaps you are off to the beach or some other destination. Wherever we go, there is nothing like the simple pleasure of reading a book—just for fun. 

Jazz Up a Classic | April 2022

A recent listserv member asked this question: “What core novels are your 5th graders reading at your school?” One of the answers was: “My 5th-grade team is using these oldies but goodies (in our district in CA there is no budget to replace classroom/grade level sets with new titles, sadly).”

Having seen the same thing (and taught it myself), I started thinking about solutions. While it is sad (and often true) that budget can drive our teaching choices, I wondered, “What can we do about that?” From there I jumped to how I teach teachers about TeachingBooks. I often ask, “What’s a title you always teach?” Usually, it’s a classic that’s been taught forever. I ask them to consider new resources for the same title—jazzing up the classics.

CSLF celebrates illustrator, Sarajo Frieden

CSLA’s CafePress presence includes children’s illustrator Sarajo Frieden. Some of the children’s books that she has illustrated include Noonie’s Masterpiece and The Care and Feeding of Fish. Sarajo has had several group and solo exhibitions since 2005 and has garnered illustration commissions for a variety of clientele: Valentine’s Day Godiva packaging, Honest to Nod bedding, voting posters, positive education publication, and other artists’ art shows. 

Celebrating Women’s History Month

Did you know?…



Madam C. J. Walker was one of the first Black female millionaires in the United States.

Bessie Coleman attended aviator school in France because American flight schools wouldn’t accept people of color or women.

Thank you and Congratulations!

    As we mark the end of the CSLA 2022 conference, we would like to give thanks to one of the directors of the California School Library Foundation (CSLF). David Rojas has completed his term of office and is owed heartfelt thanks for his contributions. David has served as a director since in 2018. He has been an enthusiastic and creative member, coming up with many ideas for fund-raising and offering a valuable perspective in our discussions and decisions. He shall be missed. To celebrate David’s good work, the foundation is happy to announce that we gave away a LEGO Education set (which he donated) to one lucky CSLA conference attendee who visited our booth!