Welcome to the Virtual Disney Library Community!
Here you will find the collection of each day's curated resources and activities for the duration of school closure.
June 17, 2020
Today’s library resources feature a family of children’s authors and illustrators, the Pinkney Family! Jerry Pinkney is an illustrator and his wife, Gloria Pinkney is an author. Their sons Myles and Brian are both illustrators. Myles’ wife, Sandra Pinkney, and Brian’s wife, Andrea Davis Pinkney, are both authors. The whole family creates children’s books! You can learn more about the Pinkney Family in this video.
To learn more about Jerry Pinkney, you can visit his website to read about him and view his book covers and a gallery of his artwork, watch his Reading Rockets interview, or access many resources about him on TeachingBooks. There is a biography of Jerry Pinkney available on the CPS Virtual Library and you can read books he has illustrated as ebooks on the Chicago Public Library. You can learn more about Gloria Pinkney here or watch this video from the 2005 National Book Festival. Brian Pinkney’s website includes a short biography about him, his artwork and books he has worked on. TeachingBooks shares interviews about specific books he has illustrated. An ebook illustrated by Brian Pinkney is available on the CPS Virtual Library and you can read books he has illustrated as ebooks on the Chicago Public Library. Learn more about Andrea Davis Pinkney here, by watching this short interview and on TeachingBooks. Andrea Pinkney and Brian Pinkney regularly collaborate to create books together, you can watch an example of how they work together to write and illustrate books in this video from the 2013 National Book Festival. Ebooks written by Andrea Davis Pinkney are available on the CPS Virtual Library and you can read books she has written as ebooks on the Chicago Public Library. Click here to view books Sandra Pinkney has written, and here to view books Myles Pinkney photographed. |
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June 16, 2020
Today’s resources for shared learning in the Disney Library Virtual Community feature Mélanie Watt author/illustrator of Scaredy Squirrel and Chester. Meet Mélanie Watt here. (Did you know she: has a bird named Kiwi? Lives in Canada? Speaks French?)
You can read more from Mélanie Watt on her blog. Read through a list of her books to see if there are other titles you recognize and take a look at their covers. Read more about Mélanie Watt on TeachingBooks.(Email your librarian if you don’t know the username and password). You can learn more about how she creates her characters here. Find e-books by Mélanie Watt on the CPS Virtual Library or through the Chicago Public Library. Can you draw Scaredy Squirrel or Chester? Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]. |
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June 15, 2020
Today’s resources for shared learning in the Disney Library Virtual Community feature Rachel Renée Russell, author of both the Dork Diary series and The Misadventures of Max Crumbly series.
Read more about Rachel Renée Russell on the Dork Diaries website and on TeachingBooks.(Email your librarian if you don’t know the username and password). In this interview, Rachel Renée Russell talks about her inspiration for writing Dork Diaries and The Misadventures of Max Crumbly. Rachel Renée Russell’s daughter Nikki has illustrated several of her books. You can see them discuss Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Secret Crush Catastrophe here. You can see a list of all Rachel Renée Russell’s books here. Find e-books by Rachel Renée Russell on the CPS Virtual Library or through the Chicago Public Library. |
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June 12, 2020
Today’s resources for shared learning in the Disney Library Virtual Community focus on author and illustrator, Oliver Jeffers.
Watch Oliver Jeffers explain his process for creating his books and his daily process here. Due to the schooling from home experience, Oliver Jeffers has shared videos of himself reading his books here. You can find puzzles, coloring activities, and crafts created by Oliver Jeffers here. You can learn more about Oliver Jeffers’s style and hear him talk about what it is like illustrating children’s books. He also shows how to draw the way that he does and specifically shows how to draw a moose! You can read e-books Oliver Jeffers has written and illustrated through the Chicago Public Library and the CPS Virtual Library. Email your librarian if you don’t remember the username and password for the CPS Virtual Library. For a reminder on how to check out books using the CPL website, check out Ms. Albarran’s CPL How-To screencast. Now it’s your turn! Try drawing an illustration in Oliver Jeffers’ style. Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]. If you share, we might share your learning at our Disney Virtual Library Community. |
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June 11, 2020
Today we are highlighting author and illustrator Brian Selznick. Brian Selznick won a Caldecott Medal for The Invention of Hugo Cabret. If you are in first, second or third grade, you may remember the book Baby Monkey, Private Eye. This book was a Monarch nominee this past year. Brian Selznick illustrated and co-wrote Baby Monkey, Private Eye with his husband, David Serlin.
You can learn more about Brian Selznick on his website and learn more about him by listening to this Reading Rocket interview. Covers of the books he has worked on are available to view here. Brian Selznick talks about his intention behind his drawing style in The Invention of Huge Cabret in this interview. You can find books Brian Selznick has written and illustrated on the Chicago Public Library website. For a reminder on how to check out books using the CPL website, check out Ms. Albarran’s CPL How-To screencast. The CPS Virtual Library has books created by Brian Selznick and a biography, if you are interested in learning more! If you create illustrations inspired by Brian Selznick, we would love to see your artwork! Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! |
June 10, 2020
Today’s focus is author illustrator Floyd Cooper. You can read more about him here, see his book covers here, and view samples of his original artwork here. Teaching Books also has multiple interviews with Floyd Cooper about his books (email your librarian if you have forgotten the username and password for CPS databases.) Floyd Cooper talks about his inspiration, artistic style and his process in this interview. Floyd Cooper demonstrates his technique in this Facebook video, hosted by The New York Times.
You can find books Floyd Cooper has written and illustrated on the Chicago Public Library website. For a reminder on how to check out books using the CPL website, check out Ms. Albarran’s CPL How-To screencast. The CPS Virtual LIbrary has books Yuyi Morales has written and illustrated, as well as a biography about her available. Ms. Rowe thinks she saw Floyd Cooper in an episode of Daniel Tiger years ago, but has never been able to find the episode again. She thinks he was showing a child his technique for using an eraser to create pictures in oil paint. If you have seen this too, please let us know! If you create illustrations inspired by Floyd Cooper’s work, we would love to see your artwork! Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! |
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June 9, 2020
Today’s focus is author illustrator Yuyi Morales. Yuyi Morales has won multiple Pura Belpré Awards, most recently for her book Dreamers. You can read about her on her website and see covers of her books. Her website has a gallery so you can view some of her artwork and she shares a few short stories for you to read! You can learn more about Yuyi Morales and the inspiration for some of her books in this interview. Teaching Books also has multiple interviews with Yuyi Morales about her books (email your librarian if you have forgotten the username and password for CPS databases.)
You can find books Yuyi Morales has written and illustrated on the Chicago Public Library website. For a reminder on how to check out books using the CPL website, check out Ms. Albarran’s CPL How-To screencast. The CPS Virtual LIbrary has books Yuyi Morales has written and illustrated, as well as a biography about her available. If you create illustrations inspired by Yuyi Morales’ work, we would love to see your artwork! Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! |
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June 8, 2020
Around the world, people are calling for change.
Kid Lit authors Kwame Alexander, Jacqueline Woodson, and Jason Reynolds created and coordinated KidLit Rally 4 Black Lives, hosted by The Brown Bookshelf this past Thursday. This rally featured poems, words, music and support for equity and justice. There are two separate 45-minute conversations, the first half is a discussion for young people and a second for parents, educators, and librarians. You can find the entire KidLit Rally 4 Black Lives here. The Brown Bookshelf shares resources and book lists to continue the conversation and the work towards anti-racism here. Sesame Street and CNN partnered up to host Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism, a town hall for kids and families, answering important questions for kids. You can find the town hall here. This book list shares titles to open and continue conversations about race, anti-racism and resistance and provides links to ebooks and audiobooks available through the CPS Virtual Library or the Chicago Public Library. New titles are added everyday and the books are organized by picture books, middle grade and young adult books. If you are looking for other titles, the CPS Virtual Library and the Chicago Public Library may have them available. |
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June 5, 2020
Today we are highlighting two illustrators: Vashti Harrison and Melissa Sweet.
Vashti Harrison has been an illustrator focus on the library page before. See the resources we shared on March 30th here. You can learn about Vashti Harrison’s work on her website. You can also hear her talk about her book Little Legends here. Vashti Harrison shares drawing tips on her YouTube channel.
You can find books Vasti Harrison has written and illustrated on the Chicago Public Library website. For a reminder on how to check out books using the CPL website, check out Ms. Albarran’s CPL How-To screencast.
Learn about author/illustrator Melissa Sweet on her website. Take a look at her books here and some of her artwork here. Melissa Sweet talks about her book Some Writer here, see a book trailer for her book The Right Word, and students interview her about that book here.
You can find books Melissa Sweet has illustrated and written through the Chicago Public Library and MackinVia. For a reminder on how to checkout books with MackinVia, use this screencast.
If you create illustrations inspired by Vashti Harrison or Melissa Sweet, we would love to see your artwork! Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]!
Vashti Harrison has been an illustrator focus on the library page before. See the resources we shared on March 30th here. You can learn about Vashti Harrison’s work on her website. You can also hear her talk about her book Little Legends here. Vashti Harrison shares drawing tips on her YouTube channel.
You can find books Vasti Harrison has written and illustrated on the Chicago Public Library website. For a reminder on how to check out books using the CPL website, check out Ms. Albarran’s CPL How-To screencast.
Learn about author/illustrator Melissa Sweet on her website. Take a look at her books here and some of her artwork here. Melissa Sweet talks about her book Some Writer here, see a book trailer for her book The Right Word, and students interview her about that book here.
You can find books Melissa Sweet has illustrated and written through the Chicago Public Library and MackinVia. For a reminder on how to checkout books with MackinVia, use this screencast.
If you create illustrations inspired by Vashti Harrison or Melissa Sweet, we would love to see your artwork! Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]!
June 4, 2020
This week’s focus is on illustrators and their unique artistic style and medium. Art medium is the materials that are used to create a work of art or illustration. Art style is the way artwork or illustrations look. All five illustrators that we will feature this week use materials that you may have in your home.
Today’s focus is author illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal. If you are in first, second, or third grade, you will recognize her book Alma and How She Got Her Name from the Monarch Nominees we read and learned about in the library this year. This book also won a Caldecott Honor for Juana Martinez-Neal’s illustrations and an Ezra Jack Keats Award Writer Honor for her writing this year. Her book La Princesa and the Pea won the Pura Belpré Award for illustration in 2019. Fun fact: when she was growing up in Lima, Peru, she wanted to become a painter, like her father, because having a career as an illustrator was not common at the time. You can read about her on her website. Take a look at the covers of her books here and see if there are books you recognize. In this interview, she draws Alma from Alma and How She Got Her Name and talks about the medium she uses. You can watch an interview where she talks about Alma and How She Got her Name in English here and in Spanish here. She joined Matthew C. Winner on The Children’s Book Podcast to talk more about her inspiration for this book. Teaching Books also has multiple interviews with Juana Martinez-Neal about her books (email your librarian if you have forgotten the username and password for CPS databases.) You can find books Juana Martinez-Neal has written and illustrated on the Chicago Public Library website. For a reminder on how to check out books using the CPL website, check out Ms. Albarran’s CPL How-To screencast. If you create illustrations inspired by Juana Martinez-Neal’s work, we would love to see your artwork! Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! |
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June 3, 2020
This week’s focus is on illustrators and their unique artistic style and medium. Art medium is the materials that are used to create a work of art or illustration. Art style is the way artwork or illustrations look. All five illustrators that we will feature this week use materials that you may have in your home.
Ashley Bryan is an author and an illustrator. He has received multiple awards for his books including the Coretta Scott King Award, Coretta Scott King honor, and the Newbery Honor. He is known for his work creating puppets, painting, and artwork out of found objects. To learn more about Ashley Bryan, you can read about him on the timeline on his website beginning with his birth in 1923 to the present. He received the 2020 Coretta Scott King Author Honor award for his book Infinite Hope. Take a look at his book covers here and see if there are books you recognize. You can watch interviews and hear Ashley Bryan talk about storytelling here. Teaching Books also has multiple interviews with Ashley Bryan about his books (email your librarian if you have forgotten the username and password for CPS databases.) You can find books Ashley Bryan has written and illustrated on Overdrive and on the Chicago Public Library website. For a reminder on how to check out books using the CPL website, check out Ms. Albarran’s CPL How-To screencast. If you create illustrations inspired by Ashley Bryan’s work, we would love to see your artwork! Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! |
June 2, 2020
This week’s focus is on illustrators and their unique artistic style and medium. Art medium is the materials that are used to create a work of art or illustration. Art style is the way artwork or illustrations look. All five illustrators that we will feature this week use materials that you may have in your home.
Bryan Collier is today’s illustrator and author focus. The first book he wrote and illustrated, Uptown, won the Coretta Scott King illustrator award and the Jack Ezra Keats New Illustrator Award. He has won six Coretta Scott King Awards and received four Caldecott honors for his illustrations. To learn more about Bryan Collier, you can read about him on his website. Teaching Books has multiple interviews with Bryan Collier about his books (email your librarian if you need the login information). You can view some of his artwork on his website and listen to him share his artistic process in this Reading Rockets interview. You can find books Bryan Collier has illustrated on Overdrive and MackinVia. Books he has written and illustrated are available on the Chicago Public Library website. For a reminder on how to check out books using the CPL website, check out Ms. Albarran’s CPL How-To screencast. If you create illustrations inspired by Bryan Collier’s work, we would love to see your artwork! Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! |
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June 1, 2020
Today’s featured illustrator is Christian Robinson. He believes it is very important for young readers to see themselves in books and his illustrations share an important message with children: “You Matter.” He talks about this and how he plans his illustrations for books here.
You may remember him from our Daily Resources in March, but since the Stay-At-Order has been in place, Christian Robinson has been sharing videos in “Making Space.” In this video series, Christian creates art focused on a different emotion each week. You can see some of his “Making Space” videos on his YouTube page, but all of his “Making Space” videos are available on Christian Robinson’s Instagram, @TheArtofFun. This past week’s events have brought many emotions to the surface and the most recent “Making Space” focuses on anger. Christian shares an art project that helps identify emotions that can be tied to anger, “sometimes you’re hungry for more than food, and that’s what’s making you upset. Maybe you’re hungry for someone to listen to you, or hungry to be heard, or hungry for justice.” As Christian says, “creativity has the power to heal...our world could really use some healing right now…healing can only come about when there is justice, when systems and ways of thinking that have upheld some and oppressed others have broken. That’s what’s going to bring about justice and healing” because Black Lives Matter. |
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May 29, 2020
This week we are focusing on graphic novel authors and illustrators! Today we are highlighting two author-cartoonists: Svetlana Chmakova and Victoria Jamieson.
Svetlana Chmakova’s comic, Awkward, was nominated for an Will Eisner Comic Industry Award, or Eisner Award for short. The Eisner Award is given to creative achievement in American comic books. Learn more about Svetlana Chmakova on her website. The comics she has written are listed here. To learn more about Svetlana Chmakova, use TeachingBooks to listen, read and watch interviews with Svetlana Chmakova! Email your librarian if you cannot remember the login information. You can see photos of her different styles of work on her website and on her Instagram account. Victoria Jamieson’s book Roller Girl was named as a Newbery Honor in 2016. The Newbery Award recognizes the most distinguished contributions to children’s books each year. You can learn more about her on her website and by watching this interview about Roller Girl. Victoria Jamieson shares tips for drawing comics here. She has created a free e-book that talks about how she writes her stories, the creation of Roller Girl and roller derby! The books and comics she has written are listed here. She also has webcomics available on her website! There is an e-book of Roller Girl on MackinVia (email your librarian for the super-secret username and password), as well as ebooks and audiobooks of Victoria Jamieson’s books on the Chicago Public Library website. Have you read any of these comic authors’ books? Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! |
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May 28, 2020
This week we are focusing on graphic novel authors and illustrators! Today’s highlighted middle grade and young adult author and cartoonist is Gene Luen Yang. He was the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature from 2016 to 2018. In 2007, his graphic novel, American Born Chinese, won the Michael L Printz Award, which is given to the best book for teens each year. Fun fact: he teaches creative writing and was a high school computer science teacher before that! He is an advocate for the use of graphic novels and comics in the classroom. Learn more about Gene Luen Yang on his website. His books and comics are listed here.
To learn more about Gene Luen Yang, watch his Reading Rockets interview here or use TeachingBooks to listen to more interviews! Email your librarian if you cannot remember the login information. In this interview, he shares more about his different careers, his writing and style influences. As the National Ambassador, he began the Reading Without Walls challenge, read his blog for more information about it, watch this video of Gene Luen Yang describing his role as National Ambassador, or watch Gene Luen Yang interview other authors and cartoonists about Reading Without Walls in these video podcasts! You can find e-books by Gene Luen Yang on the Chicago Public Library website. Gene Luen Yang began the Reading Without Walls Challenge; how are you reading without walls? Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! |
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May 27, 2020
This week we are focusing on graphic novel authors and illustrators! Today’s highlighted author and cartoonist is Jerry Craft. His graphic novel, New Kid, won the 2020 Newbery Medal and the 2020 Coretta Scott King Book Awards Author Award. It is the first graphic novel to win the Newbery Medal. Learn more about Jerry Craft on his website.
To learn more about Jerry Craft, read about him on his website and watch this interview in which Jerry Craft talks about his inspiration for his graphic novel, New Kid. On his website, Jerry curates a gallery of photos of him and other authors! Listen to an excerpt of New Kid here. Jerry Craft answered student questions in a CPS Battle of the Books author visit at the beginning of this month. Watch the webinar recording here! You can find e-books and downloadable audiobooks of New Kid by Jerry Craft on the Chicago Public Library website You can find his book on Chicago Public Schools MackinVia. If you need the guest login for MackinVia, email your librarian! Jerry Craft used experiences from his life to write New Kid, can you create a story using your own experiences? Draw or write it and share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! |
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May 26, 2020
This week, we are focusing on graphic novel authors and illustrators!
Today’s highlighted author and cartoonist is Raina Telgemeier. Many of her books have won the Will Eisner Comic Industry Award, or Eisner Award for short. The Eisner Award is given to creative achievement in American comic books. Raina Telgemeier’s comic books that have won the Eisner Award are: Smile, Sisters, and Ghosts. Learn more about Raina Telgemeier on her website. The books she has written are listed here. To learn more about Raina Telgemeier, watch her Reading Rockets interview here or use TeachingBooks to listen to more interviews with Raina Telgemeier! Email your librarian if you cannot remember the login information. You can read and watch videos about how she creates her comics on her website and see how she draws characters from Smile here. Raina is drawing things that make her happy and sharing those drawings on her Instagram page. She got this idea from another comic book writer, Judd Winick! You can find e-books and downloadable audiobooks by Raina Telgemeier on the Chicago Public Library website You can find her books on Chicago Public Schools MackinVia. If you need the guest login for MackinVia, email your librarian! You can watch book trailers for some of Raina Telgemeier’s books here. Raina Telgemeier is challenging herself to draw things that make her happy. What makes you happy today? Draw it and share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! |
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May 22, 2020
This week we are focusing on children's authors that write non-fiction books. Today’s highlighted author is Tanya Lee Stone. She is best known for writing about unknown or little known stories about women and people of color. Her book Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream won the Sibert Medal in 2010. The Sibert Medal is awarded to authors for writing the best informational book of the year for kids. Fun Fact: her mom is a retired school librarian! You can learn more about Tanya Lee Stone on her website as well as see covers and descriptions of her nonfiction books and picture books.
To learn more about Tanya Lee Stone, watch her Reading Rockets interview here, and read this interview focusing on her book Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. TeachingBooks has many interviews with Tanya Lee Stone available! Email your librarian if you need the login information! You can find e-books and downloadable audiobooks by Tanya Lee Stone on the Chicago Public Library website You can find her books on Chicago Public Schools MackinVia and OverDrive. If you need the guest login for MackinVia or Overdrive, email your librarian! Have you read any of her books? Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! |
May 21, 2020
Today’s highlighted author is Sy Montgomery. Her book Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World’s Strangest Parrot won a Sibert Medal in 2011. The Sibert Medal is awarded to authors for writing the best informational book of the year for kids. Fun Fact: she has been described as “part Indiana Jones, part Emily Dickinson” because of her sense of adventure and passionate writing by a reporter at the Boston Globe! Learn more about Sy Montgomery on her website. The books she has written for kids are listed here.
To learn more about Sy Montgomery, watch her Reading Rockets interview here, listen to this podcast where Sy Montgomery talks about the scientific expedition she joined to track snow leopards while researching her book Saving the Ghost of the Mountain, or use TeachingBooks to watch and listen to more interviews with Sy Montgomery! Email your librarian if you cannot remember the login information. You can find e-books and downloadable audiobooks by Sy Montgomery on the Chicago Public Library website You can find her books on Chicago Public Schools MackinVia. If you need the guest login for MackinVia, email your librarian! You can listen to St Montgomery read Search for the Golden Moon Bear: Science and Adventure in Pursuit of a New Species here. Most of Sy Montgomery’s books are about animals and people that study animals. If you were going to research an animal to write a book about, what animal would it be? Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! |
May 20, 2020
This week we are focusing on children's authors that write non-fiction books. Today’s highlighted author is Steve Sheinkin. Steve Sheinkin calls himself a recovered textbook writer. This means he used to write textbooks, but now he writes narrative non-fiction. His books have won many awards including the Sibert Award and Newbery Honor. Learn more about Steve Sheinkin on his website. Take a look at the books he has written here. Have you read any of his work?
You can read more of his writing on his blog. You can see Steve Sheinkin discuss his work here or watch Steve Sheinkin talk about winning the YALSA 2013 Excellence in Nonfiction Award here. You can find e-books and downloadable audiobooks by Steve Sheinkin on the Chicago Public Library website You can find his books on Chicago Public Schools OverDrive and MackinVia. If you need the guest login for Overdrive or MackinVia, email your librarian! If you are a middle or upper grade reader, you might give a Steve Sheinkin book a try. We have found that many readers who don’t think they like non-fiction enjoy Steve Sheinkin’s books. They are also great for adults. (His books are some of our ‘most frequently passed on to my parent to read’ in our library.) If you read one of his books, share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! |
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May 19, 2020
This week we are focusing on children's authors that write non-fiction books. Today’s highlighted author is Carole Boston Weatherford. She has written over 40 books and won many awards including the Coretta Scott King Author Honor and Sibert Honor. She writes poetry, non-fiction, and historical fiction. Her son Jeffrey Boston Weatherford is an illustrator who has illustrated many of her books. You can learn more about her on her website, find photographs of her and her son, and see many of her book covers. The interview in the about section of her webpage shares information about her childhood and start as a poet.
You can watch an interview of Carole Boston Weatherford on Reading Rockets. You can find e-books and downloadable audiobooks by Carole Boston Weatherford on the Chicago Public Library website and on Chicago Public Schools OverDrive. If you need the guest login for Overdrive, email your librarian! Carole Boston Weatherford works with her son on her children’s books. If you could choose a person you know to create books with who would it be and why? Would you be the author or the illustrator? Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! |
May 18, 2020
This week we are focusing on children's authors that write non-fiction books. Today’s highlighted author and illustrator is Duncan Tonatiuh. He is the recipient of both multiple Pura Belpré Honors (for excellence in illustrations and writings that portray the Latino cultural experience) and Sibert Honor (for exceptional informational books.) Learn more about him and take a look at his books on his website.
If you’re in first through third grade you might remember your librarian talking about the Monarch Award; if you’re in fourth or fifth grade, you may remember learning about the Bluestem award. You also might remember that other states have their own children’s choice awards. This video is Duncan Tonatiuh being interviewed for the Texas children’s choice award, the Bluebonnet Award. (Older students might recognize Duncan Tonatiuh’s book Funny Bones and Separate Is Never Equal from previous Bluestem lists.) You can find e-books and downloadable audiobooks by Duncan Tonatiuh on the Chicago Public Library website and on Chicago Public Schools OverDrive. If you need the guest login for Overdrive, email your librarian! You can also see Duncan Tonatiuh talking about his non-fiction books and the inspiration for his art style here. You can see examples of his signature style here. Think about non-fiction topics you love. If you were to write your own non-fiction book what would it be about? (Just because you don’t already know a lot about a certain topic doesn’t mean you can’t choose that. Authors do LOTS of research when they write an informational book.) |
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May 15, 2020
As a reminder, this week’s focus is on illustrators and their unique artistic style and medium. Art medium is the materials that are used to create a work of art or illustration. Art style is the way artwork or illustrations look. All five illustrators that we will feature this week use materials that you may have in your home. If you would like to know how to find the type of medium an illustrator uses listed in different picture books, Ms. Rowe shows you how in this video.
Happy Birthday, Kadir Nelson! Kadir Nelson is today’s illustrator focus. He is an artist, author and illustrator. Many students will recognize him as the illustrator of the book The Undefeated, written by Kwame Alexander. To learn more about Kadir Nelson, you can watch this interview on Reading Rockets or go to the CPS database TeachingBooks to find videos of Kadir Nelson reading excerpts from his books. (You will need the secret CPS database password to log in to TeachingBooks. If you don’t know it, email your librarian!) In this interview from Scholastic, Kadir Nelson talks about meaning within his art style. You can see images of Kadir Nelson’s artwork on his website! You can find books illustrated and written by Kadir Nelson on the Chicago Public Library website. For a reminder on how to check out books using the CPL website, check out Ms. Albarran’s CPL How-To screencast. You can also find a book illustrated by Kadir Nelson on MackinVia and on OverDrive. Ms. Albarran shows you how to checkout books on MackinVia here and on OverDrive here. Kadir Nelson’s illustrations are full of bold, rich colors and often are realistic portraits of people. What else do you notice about Kadir Nelson’s work? Can you create artwork in the style of Kadir Nelson? We would love to see your artwork! Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! Please let us know if we can share your work on the library’s Student Work page or on social media! |
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May 14, 2020
As a reminder, this week’s focus is on illustrators and their unique artistic style and medium. Art medium is the materials that are used to create a work of art or illustration. Art style is the way artwork or illustrations look. All five illustrators that we will feature this week use materials that you may have in your home. If you would like to know how to find the type of medium an illustrator uses listed in different picture books, Ms. Rowe shows you how in this video.
Denise Fleming is today’s illustrator focus. She is an author and illustrator. Kindergarten students will recognize her from our illustrator study earlier this year. You can learn a lot about Denise Fleming on her website! She explains her process for making paper, shares information about her life, and shows the covers of her books. She also provides activities to go along with her books. (Many of the activities do require the use of a printer.) You can find lots of photos of her home and work as well. To learn more about Denise Fleming, you can watch this interview on Reading Rockets or go to the CPS database TeachingBooks to find videos about her artistic process. (You will need the secret CPS database password to log in to TeachingBooks. If you don’t know it, email your librarian!) You can find a book by Denise Fleming on the Chicago Public Library website. For a reminder on how to check out books using the CPL website, check out Ms. Albarran’s CPL How-To screencast. You can also find a book by Denise Fleming on MackinVia. Ms. Albarran shows you how to checkout books on MackinVia here. Denise Fleming’s illustrations are full of bold bright colors and show you what objects, animals, and people look like close up. Can you create artwork in the style of Denise Fleming? We would love to see your artwork! Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! Please let us know if we can share your work on the library’s Student Work page or on social media! |
May 13, 2020
As a reminder, this week’s focus is on illustrators and their unique artistic style and medium. Art medium is the materials that are used to create a work of art or illustration. Art style is the way artwork or illustrations look. All five illustrators that we will feature this week use materials that you may have in your home. If you would like to know how to find the type of medium an illustrator uses listed in different picture books, Ms. Rowe shows you how in this video.
Sophie Blackall is today’s illustrator focus. She is an author and illustrator and has won two Caldecott Medals for her illustrations. Her illustrations in Hello Lighthouse (written and illustrated by Sophie Blackall) won the Caldecott in 2019 and her illustrations in Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear (written by Lindsay Mattick) won in 2016. The Caldecott Medal is awarded to illustrators for creating the most outstanding picture book for children from the past year. You can see books she has written and illustrated on her website. To learn more about how she stays creative with a Squiggle doodle game and how she used watercolors to create the illustrations for Hello Lighthouse, watch this interview with Andrea Davis Pinkney! You can also watch and listen to Sophie Blackall talk more about Hello Lighthouse (and read an excerpt) in this Instagram video. You can find books Sophie Blackall has written and/or illustrated on the Chicago Public Library website. For a reminder on how to check out books using the CPL website, check out Ms. Albarran’s CPL How-To screencast. To learn more about Sophie Blackall’s life and inspiration for her work, read this interview. Sophie Blackall stays creative by turning squiggles into artwork. Can you create an illustration from a squiggle? Do you have watercolors or paint at home to create a painting in the style of Sophie Blackall? We would love to see your artwork! Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! Please let us know if we can share your work on the library’s Student Work page or on social media! |
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May 12, 2020As a reminder, this week’s focus is on illustrators and their unique artistic style and medium. Art medium is the materials that are used to create a work of art or illustration. Art style is the way artwork or illustrations look. All five illustrators that we will feature this week use materials that you may have in your home. If you would like to know how to find the type of medium an illustrator uses listed in different picture books, Ms. Rowe shows you how in this video.
Today’s focus is on the amazing Eric Carle who writes and illustrates books. Did you know he has illustrated over 70 books? You can learn more about Eric Carle on his website. You can learn about Eric Carle in his photo gallery. If you scroll through the photo gallery you can see pictures from his childhood and his art studio. He also shows you how he creates his illustrations using paint and paper. Take a look at Ms. Rowe’s videos as she creates artwork inspired by Eric Carle’s style and choice of medium. There is even a museum called The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA that was started by Eric Carle and his late wife. You can “visit” the museum by taking a virtual tour. You can find books Eric Carle has written and illustrated on the Chicago Public Library website. For a reminder on how to check out books using the CPL website, check out Ms. Albarran’s CPL How-To screencast. Can you create artwork inspired by the work of Eric Carle? We would love to see your work! |
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May 11, 2020
As a reminder, this week’s focus is on illustrators and their unique artistic style and medium. Art medium is the materials that are used to create a work of art or illustration. Art style is the way artwork or illustrations look. All five illustrators that we will feature this week use materials that you may have in your home. If you would like to know how to find the type of medium an illustrator uses listed in different picture books, Ms. Rowe shows you how in this video.
Raúl the Third, or Raúl Gonzalez, is our first illustrator this week. He is an author and an illustrator. Raúl illustrates using material he can find on hand; he illustrated three entire graphic novels using only Bic pens! He won a Pura Belpré Honor this year for the illustrations in his book ¡Vamos! Let’s Go to the Market. To learn more about Raúl the Third, you can watch this interview where he answers reader questions or you can watch Raúl the Third talk about the inspiration for his book ¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat in this video (scroll down to the bottom of the page). Raúl the Third talks about his artistic inspiration in this interview from The Beat: The Blog of Comics Culture. You can see the books he has illustrated and written on his website. You can find books Raúl the Third has written and illustrated on the Chicago Public Library website. For a reminder on how to check out books using the CPL website, check out Ms. Albarran’s CPL How-To screencast. Raúl the Third only used pens to create stunningly complex illustrations for the Lowriders books. Can you create an illustration using only pens? We would love to see your artwork! |
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May 8, 2020
Today’s author and illustrator focus is on Steve Jenkins and Robin Page, a husband/wife author/illustrator team that creates amazing non-fiction books.
You can check out their websites here and here. Watch this interview with Steve Jenkins and Robin Page led by students. TeachingBooks has amazing Steve Jenkins meet-the-author resources with read alouds and information about his work. (If you cannot remember the username and password to this CPS purchased database, email your librarian!) Jenkins walks through his inspiration and steps for making a book on his website. In this video, Steve Jenkins walks through how he researched, wrote and illustrated The Animal Book. He also shares pictures kids created after reading his book and sent to him here. You can read books written by Steve Jenkins and illustrated by Jenkins and Robin Page on MackinVia. If you need help checking out books on MackinVia, this screencast video can help. |
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May 7, 2020
Many of you may recognize Kathryn Lasky from her fiction books like the Guardians of Ga’hoole and Wolves of Beyond series. She is our author focus during this nonfiction week because she has also written so many informational titles!
Look through her work on her website: Non-fiction Series Fantasy Other fiction Picture Books You can read Kathryn Lasky titles on MackinVia, Overdrive and the Chicago Public Library’s online collection. If you would like a guide to check books out on these platforms, these videos can help: MackinVia, Overdrive, CPL Online. Listen to Katheryn Lasky read her nonfiction book, Marvin of the Great North Woods, written about her own father and his experience during the 1918 flu pandemic. Kathryn Lasky shares some of her research notes, how-tos, and videos on her blog! Do some research of your own! Choose one of the topics of Kathryn Lasky’s nonfiction books and conduct your own research on that topic! You can use Abdo Zoom (username: abdo zoom, password: 2020) or PebbleGo (email your librarian if you can’t remember the username/password) at [email protected] or [email protected]! |
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May 6, 2020
Today’s author and illustrator focus is Jason Chin. He is the recipient of both a Caldecott Honor (for excellence in illustration) and Sibert Honor (for exceptional informational books.) Learn more about him and take a look at his books on his website. (Fun fact: Jason Chin’s wife Deidre Gill is also an author and illustrator.)
If you’re in first through third grade you might remember your librarian talking about the Monarch Award. You also might remember that other states have their own children’s choice awards. This video is Jason Chin being interviewed for the Texas children’s choice award, the Bluebonnet Award. (Older students might recognize Jason Chin’s book Grand Canyon from a previous Monarch list.) You can find e-books and downloadable audiobooks by Jason Chin on the Chicago Public Library website. You can also see Jason Chin presenting his book Gravity and talking about his work here. He talks about how much he liked reading non-fiction when he was a kid and now he writes non-fiction! Think about non-fiction topics you love. If you were to write your own non-fiction book what would it be about? (Just because you don’t already know a lot about a certain topic doesn’t mean you can’t choose that. Authors do LOTS of research when they write an informational book.) Have a great idea for your own non-fiction book? Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! |
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May 5, 2020
May the Force be with you!
We know yesterday was Star Wars Day, but why limit the celebrations to one day? Let’s add on to the joy by also celebrating on May 5th - Cartoonist Day! Jeffrey Brown is today’s featured author and cartoonist. He wrote three books in the Jedi Academy series and has written and drawn seven books in the Star Wars expanded universe that re-imagine Darth Vader raising young Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. His Star Wars cartoons put a humorous spin on the originals! (Fun Fact: Jeffrey Brown currently lives in Chicago!) You can learn more about him here and read an interview with Jeffrey Brown about his most recent book, Rey and Pals. You can see all of Jeffrey Brown’s Star Wars books on his website, with all of his other books as well! Here is a book trailer for his first Star Wars book, Darth Vader and Son. Didn’t have enough Star Wars fun yesterday? Try out some of the Star Wars activities posted by the Chicago Public Library or draw your own Darth Vader using Jeffrey Brown’s step-by-step guide! Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! Please let us know if we can share your work on the library’s Student Work page or on social media! |
May the 4th Be With You!
In honor of Star Wars Day, today’s kid lit focus is on Tom Angleberger. He is the author of the Origami Yoda series. (Fun fact, Tom Angleberger and Cece Bell are married!) You can learn more about Tom on his website and by watching this interview!
All of the books Tom has written are listed on his website! You can read novels written by Tom Angleberger on OverDrive. There is a how-to screencast on checking out books from Overdrive available here. Create your own Origami Yoda using these instructions from Tom! If you’d like to create more Star Wars origami, Tom Angleberger has made lots of tutorials and videos! Tom Angleberger also writes graphic novels! You can write your own one-page graphic novel with Tom’s help! There are also LOTS of other stuff to do on Tom’s website! We’d love to see your Star Wars origami and graphic novel creations! Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]! Please let us know if we can share your work on the library’s Student Work page or on social media! |
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May 1, 2020
Today’s author focus is Paul Fleischman. Paul Fleischman won the Newbery Medal for his book Joyful Noise: poems for two voices. A poem for two voices is read out loud by two people at the same time. (Fun fact: his father Sid Fleischman also won the Newbery Medal!) You can learn more about Paul Fleischman on his website.
You can see an interview of Fleischman here. In addition to poetry, Fleischman is known for writing fiction from multiple points of view such as his book Seedfolks. Hear more about Fleischman’s work in his own words here and here. You can find books by Fleischman on Overdrive and MackinVia. The Chicago Public Library also has Paul Fleischman e-books available. There is a copy of Joyful Noise in MackinVia. If you try reading it with a family member tell us about the experience! Was it easier than you expected? More difficult? |
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April 30, 2020
Today’s poet focus is on Marilyn Nelson, who is known for her lyric histories and novels in verse for young adults. You can learn more about her here and see a list of her books written for children and young adults here.
Poetry Foundation has select poems written by Marilyn Nelson available: Arachis Hypogaea Bedside Reading From Miss Crandall’s Boarding School for Young Ladies of Color Green-Thumb Boy How I Discovered Poetry You can find books written by Marilyn Nelson on MackinVia and OverDrive and listen to Marilyn Nelson read her poem “Moonlily.” Marilyn Nelson writes poems about historical events and people. Can you write a poem in the style of Marilyn Nelson? |
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April 29, 2020
Today’s poetry focus is Jack Prelutksy. If you’re looking for funny poetry, his work may be a good choice. He was the first Children’s Poet Laureate from 2006 to 2008 after the Poetry Foundation announced the award.
The Poetry Foundation has a selection of Prelutsky’s poetry available to read. You can see Prelutsky interviewed on Reading Rockets. Jack Prelutsky’s website is full of information, poetry, art, and music. You can listen to his poems, see artwork, and see creations by kids who have written to him! If you go to the section Stuff by Kids maybe you will be inspired! If you decide to create a drawing or poem in response to his work, feel free to email it to your librarian. |
April 28, 2020
Today’s poetry focus is on poet Eloise Greenfield. She won the Coretta Scott King Award for her book Africa Dream as well as multiple Coretta Scott King Author Honor Awards. In 2018 Greenfield was awarded the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement.
You can read more about her on Scholastic’s website and watch a video about her on Brainpop Jr. Read some of her poems online: To Catch a Fish (You can also watch a video of the same poem on Poetry Foundation’s website.) In the Land of Words Harriet Tubman You can also listen to illustrator and writer Ashley Bryan recite “Way Down in the Music” by Eloise Greenfield in this video. |
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April 27, 2020
Today’s poetry focus is on author K. A. Holt. Holt writes novels in verse.
You can learn a lot about K. A. Holt on her website. K. A. Holt is reading her book House Arrest aloud on her YouTube Channel during this stay at home time. You can start with the first chapters here. K. A. Holt reads an excerpt from her upcoming middle grade novel, Ben Bee and the Teacher Griefer. K. A. Holt’s book Rhyme Schemer incorporates a type of poetry called blackout poetry or found poetry (and a great librarian character!) Ms. Albarran walks you through how to create Blackout poetry in her video. Ms. Albarran's final blackout poem is to the right. Ms. Rowe shows you a type of found poetry. Ms. Rowe’s final found poem is to the right. Don’t forget you can use our e-book catalogs to search for books by K. A. Holt as well. Ms. Albarran showed you how to use OverDrive here and MackinVia here. If you create a Blackout or Found poem we would love to see it! Feel free to email your librarian. |
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April 24, 2020
Today’s poet focus is Edward Lear who is known for his nonsense poems. You can learn more about him here. If you know our Brainpop username and password you can watch the poetry video and you will see that one of his poems was used in the video. Brainpop Jr. has a separate poetry entry if you are interested. If you don't know our Brainpop login, email your librarian.
Read more of Edward Lear’s poetry here.
Read some of Edward Lear’s nonsense poems:
The Owl and the Pussycat
The Jumblies
You can find books by Edward Lear on MackinVia.
Read more of Edward Lear’s poetry here.
Read some of Edward Lear’s nonsense poems:
The Owl and the Pussycat
The Jumblies
You can find books by Edward Lear on MackinVia.
April 23, 2020
Today’s poetry focus is Naomi Shihab Nye who is the Poetry Foundation’s current Young People’s Poet Laureate.
Learn more about her here. You can also learn more about Naomi Shihab Nye on Teaching Books, contact your librarian if you need the login information. Hear her read her poem World of the Future We Thirsted and from her book Cast Away: Poems for Our Time. Read more of her poems online here or here, and read her novel, The Turtle of Oman, on MackinVia. Ms. Albarran shows you how to checkout books on MackinVia here. |
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April 22, 2020
Today’s poetry focus is on Francisco Alarcón. He is a bilingual poet and wrote his poems in English and Spanish.
Watch an interview with Francisco Alarcón and read a short biography of him. Take a look at a selected list of his children’s poems. In the video to the right, Francisco Alarcón reads from his book, Poems to Dream Together. Below are a list of his children’s poems printed with permission from the publisher: A Blank White Page Jaguar Ode to My Shoes Words are Birds |
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April 21, 2020
Today’s poetry focus is Kwame Alexander who writes poetry, picture books, and middle grade novels in verse. Read his “kid friendly bio” to get to know more about him or check out this interview on Reading Rockets.
Fourth through eighth graders might remember Kwame Alexander as the author of the book The Undefeated. If you’d like to hear the book again you can listen here. In this collection of videos, you can also find a great video where Kwame Alexander shows you how to create Spine Poetry! If you haven’t started your library assignment for this week this video will show you what to do. Wondering if you’d like to read one of Alexander’s books? Listen to him read an excerpt from Booked and Newbery winner The Crossover. You can find books by Kwame Alexander on Overdrive and MackinVia. Kwame teaches you how to write a haiku in this video. Kwame suggests finding a poem’s topic by thinking about what you love. Write your own haiku about someone or something you love! |
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April 20, 2020
Today’s poetry focus is on poet Nikki Giovanni. You can learn more about her on her website.
Watch a video interview of Nikki Giovanni on Reading Rockets or take a look at a list of her books. Poetry Foundation has biographical information about Nikki Giovanni as well as several of her poems. Read more Nikki Giovanni poets on poets.org by clicking on the title. Try reading them out loud to see how they sound. Which one is your favorite? You can also learn more about Nikki Giovanni on TeachingBooks. (Email your librarian if you cannot remember how to login to a CPS database.) Once you log in you will need to search for NIkki Giovanni and go to “Our Original Resources.” You can find one book by Nikki Giovanni on MackinVia . Ms. Albarran shows you how here. |
April 17, 2020
Today’s poetry focus is on author, poet, and illustrator, Shel Silverstein. Silverstein started drawing at the age of seven by tracing the work of another cartoonist. He grew up in Chicago! His illustrations are black and white cartoons. His illustrations paired with poems capture the meaning of the poem.
You can learn about Shel Silverstien on his website. You can also see covers of all of the books he has published here. You can also watch video of or listen to audio of some of his very funny poetry.
We often think only of Silverstein as a poet but he was a skilled illustrator, too. Take a look at the covers of his books or through some of his poetry books and observe his style.
Write your own silly poem and decide what object or point of view to use for your drawing.
You can learn about Shel Silverstien on his website. You can also see covers of all of the books he has published here. You can also watch video of or listen to audio of some of his very funny poetry.
We often think only of Silverstein as a poet but he was a skilled illustrator, too. Take a look at the covers of his books or through some of his poetry books and observe his style.
Write your own silly poem and decide what object or point of view to use for your drawing.
April 16, 2020
Today’s poetry focus is on author and poet, Mary Ann Hoberman. Mary Ann Hoberman was named the Children's Poet Laureate by the Poetry Foundation in 2008 and served until 2011. She has written upwards of 50 books for children, almost all of which are in verse. Learn more about her through the Poetry Foundation, her website, and through this interview. Teaching Books has additional resources available. If you don’t remember the login information, your librarian can help!
Some of her poetry is available on her website and through the Poetry Foundation. Many of Mary Ann Hoberman’s poems on her website are about science and nature. Can you write a poem about what you observe as the seasons change? Maybe you can write a poem about snow in the spring. “Every day take time to start to learn a little poem by heart.” - Mary Ann Hoberma |
April 15, 2020
Today’s poetry focus is on author and poet, Jacqueline Woodson. Woodson writes picture books, books for middle grade readers and young adults, poetry, and books for adults. From 2018-2019 Woodson was the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. This is a literary honor presented by the Library of Congress every two years. Ambassadors communicate the importance of literature and reading to children.
You can learn a lot about Jacqueline Woodson on her website. One of the first books you will see is The Day You Begin which was one of this year’s Monarch nominees. Watch a video interview of Jacqueline Woodson on Reading Rockets. You can listen to Jacqueline Woodson read from her books Locomotion, Miracle’s Boys, Show Way, and Feathers on the CPS database Teaching Books. (Email your librarian if you cannot remember how to login to a CPS database.) Once you log in you will need to search for Jacqueline Woodson and go to “Our Original Resources.” Don’t forget you can use our e-book catalogs to search for books by Jacqueline Woodson as well. Ms. Albarran showed you how to use OverDrive here and MackinVia here. |
April 14, 2020
Today’s poetry focus is on author and poet, Jason Reynolds, who writes novels and poetry for middle grade and young adult audiences. Jason Reynolds is the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. This is a literary honor presented by the Library of Congress every two years. Ambassadors communicate the importance of literature and reading to children.
Live Read Aloud Alert! Jason Reynolds will be reading from Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks at 9:30am, every day this week on Instagram Live! Interested in learning more about Jason Reynolds and his writing? Check out his website and this interview. Want to read more of Jason’s writing? He posts poems regularly on his blog. You can also find Jason Reynolds' books through CPS SOAR and the Chicago Public Library. For a reminder on how to check out books using SOAR and CPL, check out the SOAR screencast and the CPL screencast. As part of his role as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Jason Reynolds has started a video series for young people, “Write. Right. Rite.” According to Reynolds, the “Write. Right. Rite.” is all about learning the ritual of “authentic”—not to be confused with “correct” or “exact”—expression (from LoC). This series focuses on storytelling, creativity, connection and imagination. At the end of each video, Jason Reynolds shares a prompt to fuel imagination and writing activity. Keep an eye out for the first video and writing prompt! |
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April 13, 2020
Happy National Poetry Month!
For the rest of April we are going to be sharing resources for children’s poets. Today we thought we’d start with sharing resources to read poetry online! Try reading the poems out loud to yourself or to someone in your family. Try Poetry4Kids, a website by poet Kenn Nesbit. Click on the link that says poems. The Children’s Poetry Archive will allow you to explore a variety of poetry and hear it read out loud! Use the American Academy of Poets website to find poems for kids. Read poems for children or watch videos on poems for children on the Poetry Foundation’s website. Don’t forget you can use any of our e-book catalogs to search for poetry books as well. Ms. Albarran walks you through how to find and checkout books on OverDrive in today’s Screencast. Try MackinVia (Ms. Albarran walks you through how here.) If you have your MyOn login you can find poetry books there. Read on the Chicago Public Library Website. (Did anyone remember that poetry books in our physical library have the call number 811?) IF you have flash on a computer at home you can try out the interactive poetry resources on the website Read Write Think. (If flash is not working on your device, unfortunately these interactives won’t work.) If you’re interested in writing some poetry of your own, we would love to read what you write! |
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April 3, 2020
What are you planning to read for fun over Spring Break?
Looking for fun reading ideas? Try this Reading Bingo board! Don’t forget you can read on our different e-book platforms: MyOn Tumblebooks Overdrive MackinVia If you do not know the login for one of our e-book collections please email your librarian. (We will not be on email as frequently throughout each day as we normally are, but we will be checking email every day. ) Looking for activities and author suggestions? Check out the Disney Library’s past Resources of the Day! Kate Messner Grace Lin Todd Parr Mo Willems Cece Bell Kate DiCamillo Ideal Bookshelf Audible Stories and Libby App Vashti Harrison Christian Robinson Dav Pilkey Peter Reynolds |
April 2, 2020
Today’s resources for shared learning in the Disney Library Virtual Community are for the book The Dot by Peter Reynolds.
Read The Dot by Peter Reynolds on Tumblebooks. (Email your librarian if you don’t know the username and password.) Watch Peter Reynolds show you how he draws for the book The Dot. Check out Peter Reynolds’s website here . Peter Reynolds answers questions in a interview with Candlewick Press. Now it’s your turn! Pick a shape and try drawing it multiple times the way that Peter Reynolds does. Stuck thinking of a new or different shape? Try a dot or a line. Share with us at [email protected] or [email protected]. If you share, we might share your learning at our Disney Virtual Library Community or on our Library Twitter @WDMSLibrary, or Library Instagram, @WDMSLibrary. |
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April 1, 2020
Today’s resources for shared learning in the Disney Library Virtual Community are a collection of videos and activities from author/illustrator, Dav Pilkey.
As you may have seen on Disney’s social media posts, starting today, the Library of Congress will be hosting Dav Pilkey At Home here. Meet and learn about Dav Pilkey through his autobiographical comics! In this video, Dav Pilkey teaches you how to draw your own Flip-o-Rama, with help from Ook! Use the CPS Digital Library to find e-books and audiobooks written or illustrated by Dav Pilkey here. (Please don’t forget to return the e-book as soon as you’re done reading it so someone else can have a turn!) If you don’t remember how to check out an e-book re-watch Ms. Albarran’s screencast of how to do so from our update on 3/18. The Chicago Public Library also has Dav Pilkey e-books and audiobooks available. If you need a reminder of how to check out e-books and audiobooks through CPL, re-watch Ms. Albarran’s screencast from 3/25. PSA: Dave Pilkey talks about the benefits of reading comics and graphic novels! Now it’s your turn to create your own Flip-o-Rama! |
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March 31, 2020
Today’s resource for shared learning in the Disney Library Virtual Community is an Instagram video of illustrator Christian Robinson teaching you how to create your own shield.
Watch an animation by Christian Robinson on Vimeo including some of his work for the Sesame Street Workshop. Find an e-book illustrated by Christian Robinson here. (Please don’t forget to return the e-book as soon as you’re done reading it so someone else can have a turn!) If you don’t remember how to check out an e-book re-watch Ms. Albarran’s screencast of how to do so from our update on 3/18. Take a look at the images of Christian Robinson’’s books on his webpage. What do you notice about his work? One of Ms. Riggilo’s kindergarteners noticed all the shapes he uses in his work on the book The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade. Read an interview with Christian Robinson and see pictures of his work in progress here. Now it’s your turn! Create a picture using the style of Christian Robinson or create your own shield! If you share, we might share your learning at our Disney Virtual Library Community or on our Library Twitter @WDMSLibrary, or Library Instagram, @WDMSLibrary. |
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March 30, 2020
Today’s resource for shared learning in the Disney Library Virtual Community is a link to author and illustrator Vashti Harrison's Instagram tutorial, teaching us how to draw her Leaders and Dreamers! Vashti Harrison is the illustrator of the book Hair Love and the author/illustrator of Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World. We are also sharing an interview about her inspiration for Little Dreamers.
Find e-books written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison through the Disney Digital Library or through the Chicago Public Library or the Libby app (Please don’t forget to return the e-book as soon as you’re done reading it so someone else can have a turn!) If you don’t remember how to check out an e-book re-watch Ms. Albarran and Ms. Rowe's screencasts of how to do so from our updates on 3/18, 3/25 and 3/27. Ms. Albarran tries out Vashti Harrison's drawing style with you! What do you dream of doing when you grow up? Draw yourself as a leader and dreamer! Or draw someone you look up to and admire! Remember to draw using Vashti Harrisons’ style (lots of “C”s)! |
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March 27, 2020
Today we are going to focus on audiobooks! And yes, audiobooks absolutely count as reading!
Because so many students are participating in school at home, the company Audible has made a collection of kids stories free to use at home, Audible Stories. (Ms. Rowe is excited to try The Reluctant Dragon.) All you need to do is start listening! Need to stop and come back later? No problem! Your place is automatically saved in your device’s browser. You can also listen to audiobooks from the Chicago Public Library using the Libby App. If you don’t have a public library card you can ask your grown up if they would like to get a digital library card here. The Libby app will allow you to use your library card number to read e-books or listen to audiobooks. Audiobooks have a small icon earbud icon below the book cover to show they are audiobooks. Ms. Rowe shows you how she navigates the Libby app. For any students using school iPads, the Libby app should be installed. Please let us know! |
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March 26, 2020
We’re excited to celebrate books we love in honor of today’s Spirit Week theme of Thumb Through a Book day.
To do that, we’re happy to use the work of idealbookshelf.com. This is a company that says they “paint the books that change people’s lives” (from their “About” page.) We are so excited that The Ideal Bookshelf is offering templates for people to draw the spines of their own ideal bookshelf here. The idea is to “Draw in the spines of the books you love most, the ones that changed your life and helped make you who you are today.” (from https://www.idealbookshelf.com/pages/your-ideal-bookshelf) Don’t have a printer? No problem! Ms. Rowe shows you how she drew her own template in this video. Share your own Ideal Bookshelf with us! Ms. Albarran and Ms. Rowe will be sharing their own Ideal Bookshelves later this week, but for today Ms. Albarran has drawn the Exploratories Teachers’ Ideal Bookshelf with guest appearances by the favorite childhood books of members of our administrative team! In alphabetical order, the teachers/administrators whose books are in the bookshelf are: Ms. Albarran, Ms. Dunne, Mr. Fahrenbach, Ms. Fenker-Vera, Mr. Hoover, Ms. Howe, Ms. Kostecki, Mr. Meade, Ms. Mroz, Mr. O’Neill, Dr. Riskus, Ms. Rowe, Ms. Trilla, Mr. Vacanti, Ms. Zha. Can you match the book title to the teacher/administrator? Send your matches to your librarian! We will post the correct answers later this week and let you know which student got the most matches right. |
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Here's some of the great work Disney students have created!
March 25, 2020
Happy birthday to author Kate DiCamillo! Let’s celebrate by reading some of her wonderful work! Today’s resource for shared learning in the Disney Library Virtual Community is a video interview of author Kate DiCamillo.
Find an e-book by Kate DiCamillo here. (Please don’t forget to return the e-book as soon as you’re done reading it so someone else can have a turn!) If you don’t remember how to check out an e-book re-watch Ms. Albarran’s screencast of how to do so from our update on 3/18. Read more Kate DiCamillo books on Tumblebooks. You can find Bink and Gollie books as well as Mercy Watson. (The username and password were in last week’s library assignments for K-2. Email your librarian if you don’t know the username and password.) This also might be a great time to find e-books on the Chicago Public Library website. Ms. Albarran shows you how to navigate the CPL website and look for Kate DiCamillo books in today's screencast. Did you know you can get a Chicago Public Library e-card if you don’t already have a library card? That means you have (free!) access to all of the public library’s online resources including e-books and audiobooks. Have a parent or guardian use this link to get an e-card if you don’t already have a CPL library card. Let’s help wish Kate DiCamillo a happy birthday! Make a birthday card for her using characters from her books. |
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March 24, 2020
Today’s resource for shared learning in the Disney Library Virtual Community are two links to author and illustrator, Cece Bell, talking about the inspiration for the graphic novel El Deafo and a video teaching viewers how to draw using the letter “U”! Cece Bell is the author and illustrator of the graphic novel El Deafo; it is based on her childhood experiences with hearing loss and hearing aides.
Find e-books by Cece Bell here. (Please don’t forget to return the e-book as soon as you’re done reading it so someone else can have a turn!) If you don’t remember how to check out an e-book re-watch Ms. Albarran’s screencast of how to do so from our post on 3/18 or 3/19! Ms. Albarran tries out Cece’s “U” drawing style with you! Draw yourself as a superhero! Cece Bell uses a trait unique to her and uses that to turn herself into a superhero. What special traits do you have? How do they make you super? Remember to draw your superhero using Cece Bell’s style (lots of “U”s)! Here's some of the great work Disney students have created!
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March 23, 2020
Today’s resources for shared learning in the Disney Library Virtual Community are Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems! Many of you may have already seen these but we can’t leave them out! You all know the Disney library loves Mo Willems’s books.
Find e-books by or about Mo Willems here. (Please don’t forget to return the e-book as soon as you’re done reading it so someone else can have a turn!) If you don’t remember how to check out an e-book re-watch Ms. Albarran’s screencast of how to do so from our update on 3/18. We love to draw like Mo Willems! Take a look at Ms. Rowe drawing her own pigeons. Then try it for yourself. Here's some of the great work Disney students have created!
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March 20, 2020
Today’s resource for shared learning in the Disney Library Virtual Community is a video of author/illustrator Todd Parr reading his book, The Don’t Worry Book.
Find an e-book by Todd Parr here. (Please don’t forget to return the e-book as soon as you’re done reading it so someone else can have a turn!) If you don’t remember how to check out an e-book re-watch Ms. Albarran’s screencast of how to do so from our update on 3/18. Take a look at the images of Todd Parr’s books on his webpage. What do you notice about his work? Pay attention to what his books are about as well the illustrations. Ms. Rowe shows you how she drew a Todd Parr style self-portrait in our next video! Take a look at your Todd Parr-style librarians! Now it’s your turn! Create your own Todd Parr style art. You could draw your own self-portrait. Or you could make a page for The Don’t Worry Book about something YOU do to help you when you worry. Don’t forget to use the key qualities of Todd Parr’s style. Here's some of the great work Disney students have created!
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March 19, 2020
Today’s resource for shared learning in the Disney Library Virtual Community is the link to author and illustrator Grace Lin teaching viewers how to draw a Chinese dragon and sharing a few tidbits about Chinese culture. Grace Lin is the author and illustrator of the recent Monarch nominee,
A Big Mooncake for Little Star. Find e-books by or about Grace Lin here. (Please don’t forget to return the e-book as soon as you’re done reading it so someone else can have a turn!) If you don’t remember how to check out an e-book re-watch Ms. Albarran’s screencast of how to do so from our update on 3/18. MackinVIA is another online library platform that has ebooks and audiobooks available! Ms. Albarran shows you how to read ebooks and audiobooks in MackVIA in today's screencast. Interested in creating a flying dragon with just three materials? Here is a tutorial on how to make a paper plate dragon! Don’t have a paper plate at home? No problem! Construction paper can be substituted for plates! |
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March 18, 2020
Today’s resource is a video of author Kate Messner reading from her new book, Tracking Pythons.
Find e-books by Kate Messner and e-books about invasive species here. Interested in reading an ebook by Kate Messner? Ms. Albarran shows you how to check out ebooks in SOAR in the video below. Continue your research on invasive species at National Geographic and the National Wildlife Foundation. What did you learn about invasive species that WOWed you? AJ and Isabella were WOWED (but not in a good way!) when they looked up invasive species in our area and found this!
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