CSLF Celebrates Rafael Lopez

 

 

This month CSLF is recognizing the multi-award-winning artist and children’s book illustrator Rafael López. Among Rafael’s many awards are multiple Pura Belpré Medals for Illustration in 2020 for Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln, written by Margarita Engle; in 2016 for Drum Dream Girl was also written by Engle, and in 2010 for Book Fiesta by Pat Mora. He has also received three Pura Belpré honors, two Américas Book Awards, in 2017 the Tomás Rivera Children’s Book Award and Society of Illustrators Original Art Silver Medal, and a Schneider Family Book Award in 2020 for Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You, written by Sonia Sotomayor.

We need Diverse Books! - September is Hispanic Heritage Month

"Imagine a world where all children can see themselves in the pages of a book." This is the slogan for a movement that is growing in our libraries called "We Need Diverse Books."  Because Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15th to October 15th this is a good time to do a diversity audit to see how well your collection represents your Latinx student population.

New Releases of Anticipated Titles

What happened to Peter and Pax and where are they now? What new challenges will Mia encounter at the Calavista Hotel? Where is Billy Miller? Has anyone seen the Underwear Dragon? What sacrifice will Tarisai have to make? 

These stories and more continue in new 2021 book releases. Start your wish list and find out what happens next in these titles. Check out this TeachingBooks List K-12 for more newly released titles and their resources. See resources for all 2021 Titles. 

Meet CSLASR Section 3 Representative Lesley Ogle

 Meet Lesley Ogle

I am currently the high school and district librarian at Arcadia Unified near Pasadena. I am originally from Shafter but spent the first part of career working in Tulare. I made the big move to Los Angeles 4 years ago and am loving it! I really enjoy traveling, trying new restaurants, and watching live theater and comedy shows. 

Vision for CSLA

I am so excited to represent my section on the southern board! I use CSLA as a way to connect with other school library employees, so I'm hoping to continue to build our southern region networking events. CSLA is a powerful organization for us, but it can only succeed when members are willing to step up and make these events happen. I thought about running for years but always chickened out. Now that I have met more people and have gotten more involved, it was an easy choice to run for a position myself. When you work with good people for a good cause, it's much easier to get things done. I can't wait to get started!

Why did you Join CSLA

CSLA has provided a wealth of networking opportunities for me. Most of us work in districts with very few library employees, so it can be hard to collaborate with coworkers on a regular basis. Having a network of competent and caring library workers has been so helpful. The annual conference obviously provides a full weekend of growth and interaction, but the smaller, local events throughout the year provide even more ways to meet others in the field and grow from their experiences.

Follow Lesley

@bookedallyear 

CSLF Appreciates Support from Mary Ann Fraser

In the California School Library Foundation’s ongoing effort to support advocacy for school libraries, we celebrate children’s book authors and illustrators who have freely donated artwork to The Library Advocacy Store. 
This month, we celebrate Mary Ann Fraser. Her work includes over sixty children’s books, with a recent foray into young adult literature. Starting her writing career while working as a commercial illustrator and muralist, Mary Ann Fraser’s catalogue gives glimpses of both original and reimagined literature for children. And despite illustrating so many books, she continues to love painting wall murals.

Why Reading Aloud in the Library (or Anywhere) is Important

 “I don’t have enough time to do anything more than a read-aloud.”

A statement I have heard over the last several years from elementary school library staff.  Many elementary school libraries have fixed library schedules, and these schedules often don’t allow for more than thirty minutes with each class, so library staff find themselves with just enough time for a single book read aloud.  And sometimes, it feels like this storytime is not enough.  However, research suggests that reading aloud to children on a regular basis promotes good reading habits, inspires curiosity, exercises critical thinking skills, and nurtures a love of reading.  Storytime creates a positive experience with literature and inspires students to become independent readers and ultimately, independent learners.

Book Hook: Games

Bob Watson of Coshocton has completed 80 puzzles since last spring. Puzzle Warehouse increased its sales from 1000 a day to nearly 10,000 a day. Other puzzle makers report that their sales increased 300-400% during the pandemic. Perhaps you are one of those who joined the puzzle craze. (I was!)

What caused such a change? The need for screen breaks? The cost? The relaxation? The ability to listen while you work?

Everyone has a different reason, but at TeachingBooks, you’ll find—if you haven’t already—that there is a free puzzle on every book page. Simply type the title you want to see and look for the puzzle piece on the left below the share tools.

After you click on the puzzle piece, a new window will pop open. Turn on the sound, choose the number of pieces you want, and solve the puzzle.

Not only is it fun, but you also sneak in a bit of learning—how words connect, title vs. author or illustrator, and thinking about visual imagery components.