Time for the Annual Community Read-In

The public schools have an annual tradition of inviting community workers to visit the classrooms, talk a bit about the jobs they do and read a book to the children.  This year’s community read-in will take place the week of April 11th. If you are interested in being a reader, sign up here!  http://vols.pt/ReadIn

owl_readingWhen folks come to the public library looking for advice for books to read to the children, we try to match the readers to books they truly enjoy.  Maybe it is a favorite from their own childhoods, or maybe it is something they enjoy reading to children.  Reading in front of a classroom of children can make people nervous.  It helps to have a book you love.

We have a list of some classic picture books for you to consider.  If you find some books that interest you on the list, place a hold on them to pick up at the library.  Give us approximately 5 days for them to arrive.  (They often come sooner than that, but what would your teacher say about procrastination?)

We have dozens of books about fire fighters, fire trucks and fire stations as well as police, police cars and police stations.   It is definitely an advantage when you walk into a classroom in uniform.

Children love hearing that principals were once classroom teachers.  What a concept!  I hate to give away the fact that one of my favorite books is Miss Nelson is Missing.
Image of itemI’m afraid that it will become too popular.    I walked into a classroom with this book one year.  The children said, “We love this book.  Our teacher read it this morning.”  I said that was great.  I had other books with me.  “No” they said, “We want to hear it again.”  If readers love the books they are sharing, children love to listen.

Speaking with a community member one year, I found out that his Image of itemfather had worked as a school janitor.  I was very excited to introduce him to the book Hey, Al. This is a great book to read when talking about respect and empathy.  It won the Caldecott Medal in 1986, which means it was judged as the best illustrated book that year.

All of our students learn about PRIDE in school.
Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Empathy.  The schools are looking for stories to reinforce these core values.  I know I’ll be able to tie Miss Nelson is Missing into these core values, and I’m sure you can do the same with many of your favorite books.

If you are stuck and want specific suggestions for books that deal with those values, we have some lists for each:
Perseverance
Respect
Integrity
Determination
Empathy

Have a great time sharing books you love.

~Maureen