I’ve been working the last two weeks and will continue on at a local elementary school as a long term sub for the librarian. They are in the process of hiring a new librarian but have not found anyone to take the position. I wish I had a dual endorsement in teaching AND library science because I would take the position in a heart beat. I love working in the library. I am a bit of a book worm. To say that I have a few books on my side of the bed is an understatement. For Christmas I’m part of the 3 sisters book club with my husbands sisters. Instead of gifts we simply exchange a stack of book that we read and loved. My obsession started as a child and continues. I started reading to my son when he was just a baby and even read to my daughter during the few short weeks of her life. One of my favorite pictures and memories of my daughter is having her on my lap reading Jamberry. In the photograph she is looking intently at the pictures and I know if she had lived she would have followed suit and been a book worm like her mom and big brother, she wouldn’t have had much of a choice in the matter!

What I love about working in the library is finding new books to fall in love with. Today I read to my students, “How I Spent My Summer Vacation” by Mark Teague which is a super cute tall tale good for k-3rd graders. For the older student’s I read a book of poetry by local author Jack Prelutsky. Their favorite poem? “I Made a Noise This Morning” which is all about a kid who farts in class and doesn’t want to admit it was him. I loved seeing what was popular especially with the 4th-5th graders- Diary of a Wimpy Kid was in high demand.

There are hundreds of books lists out there. Books for girl, books for boys, award winners etc. I keep a board on Pinterest of book listings that pop up and have recently found the “what should I read next” sites that are similar to pandora in that they list books you might like when you enter a book/author. http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/

Books to read to your kids before age 10http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/03/67-books-for-kids/?pid=1185&viewall=true

Read aloud chapter bookshttp://chasingsupermom.com/2012/04/100-chapter-books-you-must-read-to-your-children/

Books for Boys http://us.penguingroup.com/static/packages/us/yreaders/books4boys/agegrade_picture.php

Books for Girls http://www.amightygirl.com/books

Books for all types of families http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2010/05/books-about-all-sorts-of-families.html

Books to read online http://www.wegivebooks.org/books

Lastly I’ll leave you with as many books or Authors as I can think of that I love(d)and even some new favorites that I read to my son (and I’m sure that as soon as I push post more will pop into my head!) in no particular order

Chapter:

Nancy and Plum, Sarah Plain and Tall, Charlies and the Chocolate Factory, Babysitting is a Dangerous Job, Judy Blume, True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web, Trumpet of the Swan, Girl of the Limberlost, Witch of Blackbird Pond, James and the Giant Peach, Matlida, Little Women, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, Box Car Kids, A Wrinkle in Time, The Giver, Number the Stars, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, Little House Books, Indian in the Cupboard,

Picture:

Brambly Hedge books, Angelina Ballerina, Where the Wild Things Are, Frog and Toad, Corduroy, Amelia Bedelia, Goodnight Moon, Jamberry, Kevin Henks, Bluberries for Sal, R. Suess, Harold and the Purple crayon, The little engine that could, Olivia, A Visitor for Bear, Click Clack Moo, Miss Rumphius, Peggy Rathmann, Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day, Jan Brett, Stellaluna, Owl Babies, Owl Moon, No David, Skippy Jon Jones, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Not a box, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Duck on a Bike, How I became a Pirate, Go Away Big Green Monster, Harry the Dirty Dog, Lon Po Po, The Rough Faced Girl, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, Mr Gumpy’s Outing, Miss Nelson is Missing, My Teacher Sleeps at School, Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!, My Friend Rabbit, The Napping House, Leo Lionni, Strega Nona,

Oh my and the list just continues…. what is/was/are your favorites