Katiem's blog

I originally compiled this list of sing-along picture books for our Mar-Apr 2013 issue of our teacher newsletter.  I am ridiculously proud of it.  Which is why I've made it the third installment in my series of blogs celebrating National Poetry Month.  You don't have to be a trained singer to successfully share these books with your family or your classroom.  In fact, poor singing adds to the entertainment!  So sing on!
All God's Critters by Bill Staines (illustrated by Kadir Nelson)
America the Beautiful by Katharine Lee Bates (illustrated by Chris Gall)

Are you a talented kid?  Do you want to share your talent with the world?  We're here to help!  The Kid Zone is hosting Hoover Has Talent on Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.

I found an extremely cool book series last week when I was browsing the Kid Zone's nonfiction shelves -- On the Job by Lisa Thompson.  There are ten titles in all, each one focusing on a different career path you could take.  I immediately knew I wanted to blog about them, but I couldn't decide when I should add it to the rotation.  Then it hit me!  This is National Library Week.  My chosen career path is librarian.  Perfect.
J  791.43  THO  Art in Action: Have You Got What It Takes to Be an Animator?
J  363.37023  THO  Battling Blazes: Have You Got What It Takes to Be a Firefighter?
J  394.2  THO  Cordially Invited: Have You Got What It Takes to Be an Event Planner?

Let's face some facts about Alabama weather during the month of April.  It is going to rain.  Yes, sometimes it snows in April, but rain is a far more likely forecast.  And this is a good thing.  In fact, it's a great thing!  Because rainy days make great reading days.  So when those April showers hit, curl up on your couch with a good book.  In the mood to be thematic?  Try one of these Rainy Day reads.  (P.S. Take a look at this blog's matching display the next time you're in the Kid Zone.)
PICTURE BOOKS
E  BAR  Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

It's going to be big.  It's going to be fun.  It's going to be here before you know it.  Passport to the World will take over Hoover Public Library from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2013.  It is our all-departments, all-ages FREE cultural diversity event spanning all seven continents.  There will be a lot, and I mean A LOT, of stuff going on during that three-hour timespan.  Passports will be issued at the event to help you navigate, but here's a quick breakdown to help you start making your travel itinerary today.

National Library Week is just around the corner, April 14-20, 2013.  This year's theme is Communities Matter -- which is so true!  Check out Hoover Public Library's official mission: The overall purpose of the Hoover Public Library is to serve all the citizens of Hoover by offering the services, resources, and facilities to fulfill their informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs and interests. The term "citizens" encompasses individuals and groups of every age, education, philosophy, occupation, economic level, ethnic origin, and human condition.  In other words, you matter!  Stop by the library and let us show you how much!
Other NLW "stuff" you probably want to know:
* Use this coupon to make a payment on your overdue fines during National Library Week.
* 2013 is the Hoover Public Library's 30th anniversary.
 

While celebrating National Poetry Month, you don't have to limit yourself to Dewey Decimal number 811.  There are many works of fiction written in verse.  This usually means two things:
1. The language may be sparse, but it is beautiful and very expressive.
2. With fewer words per page, these books are fast reads.

KIDS
Addie on the Inside by James Howe
Eva of the Farm by Dia Calhoun
Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech
Inside Out & Back Again by Thannha Lai
Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie by Julie Sternberg

Mangaka is the Japanese word for a comic artist or cartoonist.  Are you an aspiring mangaka?  Bring your best manga art to the end-of-the-school-year Manga Club on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.  You and fellow anime enthusiasts will "ooh" and "aah" over the showcase of art while you consume pizza.  After the party, grab a drawing book to help you hone your manga skills.
YA  741.5  CAM  Art of Drawing Manga by Sergi Cámara
741.51  HAR  Basic Anatomy for the Manga Artist by Christopher Hart
J  741  HAR  Big Book of Everything Manga by Christopher Hart

Hey, Alvin Ho! Aloha, Calvin Coconut! I bet you're wondering why you're both in today's blog post. It turns out you have a lot in common.
1. Your first names rhyme.
2. You both star in hilarious and mulitcultural book series with your name prominently featured on the cover.
3. You both have a new book coming out today, April 9, 2013.

I'm posting the eighth Reading Snapshot on the eighth day of April.  No, that is not April foolishness.  That is called being thematic.  I'm a children's librarian -- I can't help myself!

APRIL 2013
KIDS
Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle
Captain Awesome to the Rescue! by Stan Kirby (#1)
The Fire Chronicle by John Stephens (#2)
Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool
Ninja Meerkats: The Clan of the Scorpion by Gareth Jones (#1)
Of Giants and Ice by Shelby Bach (#1)
The Prairie Thief by Melissa Wiley