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.