Post Read-a-Thon Update

Although the read-a-thon was not a personal success (meaning it was a comedy of errors), I had so much fun and will be ready for pure read-a-thon madness in April. I have to laugh at myself because the night before the marathon it would make sense to go to bed early, but I was out past midnight. It also makes sense to limit  appointments and errands. I start the day off with less than 6 hours of sleep and a 5 hour meeting. After the meeting I absolutely, positively had to go to the library (in the rain) to pick up items I had on hold. I get home during hour 9 of the read-a-thon, pop some popcorn and settle down with Winnie-the-Pooh and promptly nod off with that "silly old bear."

Book 1. The Best of Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne 79 pages
I had never read Winnie-the-Pooh ( I was/am a Paddington fan ) and my first book of the read-a-thon was a bit of a letdown. Winnie-the-Pooh is not very bright.


Book 2. Alice in Blunderland by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
I wanted to read the Alice series for banned books week, but didn't get to it so this was my opportunity. I enoy Alice immensely. She is quite authentic and reminds me of many of my students. I will read the entire series at some point.

Book 3. 1+1=5 and Other Unlikely Additions by David LaRochelle Illustrated by Brenda Sexton. My favorite read of the read-a-thon. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!

These wacky equations don't add up…or DO THEY?
1 goat + 1 unicorn = 3 horns!
1 set of triplets + 1 set of twins = 5 babies!
1 duet + 1 quartet = 6 musicians!
1 ant + 1 spider = 14 legs!
1 century + 1 decade = 110 years!

The Other Way to Listen by Byrd Baylor Illustrated by Peter Parnall
This was my final book of the read-a-thon and it wins the prize for "most  profound line" Yes, I made that category up, but so what?

"Don't be
ashamed
to learn
from
bugs
or
sand
or anything."

"It's good to
walk
with people
but
sometimes
go alone."

"That way,"
he said,
"you can always
stop
and listen
at the right time."


So here are the official questions and my responses for the end of the event meme:

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Hour 9 of the read-a-thon , but hour 1 for me
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? Gone Girl was a real page turner and I did stay up all night reading that one. Children's classics are very engaging. You can never go wrong rereading your favorite books from childhood.Who wouldn't want to hang out with Ramona and Beezus, Fudge, Ralph S. Mouse, and my beloved Anne of Green Gables?
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? I have no suggestions. It was GREAT!
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? I loved the cheerleaders on twitter and the posts on my blog.
5. How many books did you read? I read four books, but I was totally exhausted and had a hectic day. I will read more books next time.
6. What were the names of the books you read? The Best of Winnie-the-Pooh, Alice in Blunderland, 1+1=5 and Other Unlikely Additions, The Other Way to Listen
7. Which book did you enjoy most? 1+1=5 and Other Unlikely Additions
8. Which did you enjoy least? The Best of Winnie-the-Pooh
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? I wasn't a cheerleader, but the cheerleaders rocked!
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? I am very likely to participate in the Read-a-thon again. I would like to be a reader again.

Preparing for Dewey's Read-a-Thon

Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon begins tomorrow. As I just learned that I did not get the youth services job that I blogged about earlier this week, I will be dedicating my precious reading time to comfort reads. My plan is to read only feel-good books tomorrow,  and that includes all of my favorite picture books, easy readers, middle grade and chapter books.

I doubt my ability to stay awake for 24 hours, but here is the plan such as it is. I will enjoy dinner out with a friend. I will then stop at the market for Mountain Dew, spiced apple cider,  and popcorn to keep me energized. At the official 6 AM start time (I am glad I read the FAQ's because I was planning to start at midnight) I will read my devotional for the 40 Days of Prayer for the Future of Friends, followed by the Seasons of God by Richard Blackaby. I am certain that I will begin to feel sleepy post inspirational fest, but I have a very important meeting to attend , so I will be taking a reading break to attend said meeting. Post meeting I plan to head on over to the public library so I can indulge in a wide range of children's books, and free myself to enjoy some random reading goodness. 

Some of my students suggested Dean Pitchford's The Big One-Oh, so I will definitely be reading that along with my personal favorites. No read-a-thon would be complete in my eyes without a dose of Charlotte's Web, Max's Words, The Boy Who Didn't Believe in Spring, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, Afrotina and the Three Bears, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Winnie the Pooh, and...

40 Days of Prayer for the Future of Friends

Tenth Month is shaping up to be quite an exciting month. I will learn if I am offered my first job as a librarian, participate in my first 24 hour read-a-thon, and participate in the 40 Days of Prayer. These are all exciting events and moments in my life, but at this precise moment I am most excited about the 40 Days of Prayer for the Future of Friends which begins tomorrow.

Our hope for this 40 Days of Prayer for the Future of Friends is that God will, indeed, use this time to gather us and reshape us. As our current FUM Triennial theme declares, we are: A Great People to Be Gathered — in Christ, in Community, for Mission. May we go even deeper in and further on in this season of intentional prayer and listening to Christ together.

As we continue to move faithfully into the 21st century, we are more clearly en­visioning FUM as a global association of orthodox Christian Quakers being gathered by Christ into a life of deep and transforming spiritual intimacy, beloved community, and faithful witness and ministry. We are:

• Gathered in Christ — As individual members and as a whole community, we seek to be transformed by the real presence of the risen Christ in our gatherings for worship and through the disciplined nurture of our communion with God. Through our intentional and faithful listening to Christ, we experi­ence his leadership and the power that transforms us into God’s image and enables us to do God’s will. As a great people being gathered, FUM commits to know, love, and obey the One who speaks to our condition.

• Gathered in Community — In a world often marked by division, violence, and injustice, FUM seeks to make visible an alternative — the beloved com­munity of Christ where love, forgiveness, truth, and compassion are nurtured and practiced. Through our diverse local meetings/churches, yearly meetings, and wider association, we partner together in ways that demonstrate the reconciling power of Christ and unite us in a common purpose. As a great people being gathered, FUM strives to live out Jesus’ prayer for his followers “…that they may be one as we are one” (John 17:11).

• Gathered for Mission — As one expression of the body of Christ, we are called to continue Jesus’ ministry here on earth. As a community of ministers, we partner together across the world to heal, reconcile, work for justice and peace, evangelize and disciple, care for the earth, and gather people into fel­lowships where “Jesus Christ is known, loved, and obeyed as Teacher and Lord.” By equipping and resourcing individuals and groups, FUM seeks to faithfully respond to Jesus’ invitation and command to “go into all the world” in his name (Mark 16:15).

From 40 Days of Prayer for the Future of Friends: Introduction by Colin Saxton

The Best Part of the Interview: Storytime Fun

I recently interviewed for a position as a youth services librarian. As part of the interview process, candidates were required to perform a storytime that was videotaped and later posted to YouTube so that the entire staff could see all of the candidates. I enjoyed storytime immensely, but must admit that it was difficult for me to "perform" for a camera instead of a live audience of enraptured children and parents. Below is my storytime plan.


Welcome & Introduction

Opening songs
Hello, My Friends, Hello (repeated weekly)
The More We Read Together (repeated weekly) 

Clap Your Hands
Clap your hands, clap your hands,
Clap them just like me.
Touch your shoulders, touch your shoulders,
Touch them just like me.
Tap your knees, tap your knees,
Tap them just like me.
Shake your head, shake your head,
Shake it just like me.
Clap your hands, clap your hands.
Now let them quiet be.

Early Literacy Tip: Sing songs like “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” and point out the body parts as you name them. It’s a great way to increase vocabulary.

The theme for this week is Feathered Friends and today we will be working on the letter Bb. Our first book today is Birds by Kevin Henkes.

Book Birds by Kevin Henkes Illustrated by Laura Dronzek
Book Little Quack by LaurenThompson

Fingerplay/Action Rhyme/Song
In the Forest a song in ASL and English (to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus”)

The RABBITS in the forest go hop, hop, hop,
Hop, hop, hop,hop, hop, hop
The RABBITS in the forest go hop, hop, hop,
All day long.

The BIRDS in the forest go flap, flap, flap...
The SQUIRRELS in the forest go climb, climb, climb...
The DEER in the forest go run, run, run...
The FROGS in the forest go ribbit, ribbit, ribbit...
The BEARS in the forest go grr, grr, grr

Book The Perfect Nest by Catherine Friend


Fingerplay/Action Rhyme/Song
*Shaker Song ( to the tune of “London Bridges is Falling Down”)

Shake your shaker in the air
shake it here shake it there
Shake your shaker in the air,
Shake your shaker.

Shake it high and shake it low.
Shake it yes and shake it no.
Shake it high and shake it low
Shake your shaker.

Shake it up and shake it down
Rub your shaker on the ground.
Shake it up and shake it down
Shake your shaker.

One, two, shake it on your shoe.
Three, four, shake it on the floor.
Five, six, stir and mix.
Seven, eight, stand up straight.
Nine, ten, wave to all your friends.

Closing song
Goodbye, My Friends, Goodbye

Thank attendees/Announcements of other relevant programs/Encourage checkout of displayed and/or other books

Craft
Materials: bird pattern, craft stick, crayons, googly eyes, and glue sticks,
Provide materials on a paper plate for caregivers and patrons to complete the craft together
Directions:
1. Choose a bird and color the picture.
2. Glue the bird to a craft stick.
3. Share your storytime adventures with someone.