Do you know what I am going to read over the Winter Break?

I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Winter Break so that I can curl up in comfy clothes and enjoy some good books. I have a new obsession with Overdrive and my iPad2. I currently have 4 books I checked out from the Frisco Public Library loaded on my iPad and plan to read some print versions of books as well. Another one of my favorite things to read is magazines, and I have both print and digital versions to enjoy! You might be wondering what print versions of books I am going to read. I have quite a list, but I am going to start with Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick (the author of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which I just finished reading a few weeks ago and I highly recommend)and Kate Klise's Grounded. I have not read any of the Ivy and Bean series that the 1st-3rd grade girls seem to adore, so I am going to try out Ivy and Bean: Doomed to Dance in that series. From there, I am going to delve into the second book of The Books of Elsewhere Series, Spellbound. As you can see, I am going to be quite busy reading over the holidays. Take a few minutes to complete the form about what you will be reading over the break. I can't wait to read your responses! (Be sure to click on the link below the form to fill it out!)

Click here to access the Winter Reading Wonderings form.

It's That Time of Year to Curl Up by the Fire with a Great Book!

If you looked at the weather map this past weekend, you would have seen that the entire Metroplex was covered in cold rain showers! It was a wonderful weekend to curl up by the fire or with some other source of warmth (the family dog or a fuzzy blanket) and read a great book. I read a terrific book that is actually currently showing at the movie theaters, The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (the movie is called Hugo). I cannot wait to see the movie in 3D over Winter Break! I highly recommend this book as a read aloud with someone at home, or if you enjoy reading chapter books with some terrific black and white pictures mixed in with the writing then this book is for you.

When twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toyseller and his goddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized.

A few more great winter weather reads include:
The Snow Day by Komako Sakai
Told from Rabbit's point of view, Rabbit wakes up to discover that Kindergarten is closed for the day and there is snow falling, falling, falling everywhere. Mommy tells him he has to wait for the snow to stop falling before he goes out to play. When it finally stops snowing, it is dark but Mommy and Rabbit go out to play anyway.

The Hanukkah Hop! by Erica Silverman
Rhymed text and illustrations follow a family's activities as they prepare to celebrate Hanukkah.

Avalanche by Michael J. Rosen
A rhyming alphabet book in which a boy tosses a snowball to his dog and starts an avalanche that engulfs the entire universe until it has to reverse itself and become a snowball again, ending up in the dog's mouth.

A Bad Kitty Christmas by Nick Bruel
For all those readers that love Bad Kitty, she's back starring in another alliterative alphabet book on Christmas Eve. Only Bad Kitty can create such a mess! Three different alphabet tales follow Bad Kitty through the tale. After destroying all of the gifts and decorations at home, Bad Kitty escapes from the car on Christmas Eve and finds a new friend, who helps her learn the true meaning of Christmas.

Anna's Wish by Bruno Hachler
It hasn't snowed for many years in the town that Anna lives in until Anna wishes on a magical horse in the bakery window.

Tech or Treat in the Anderson Library

Collaboration is a buzzword often heard in the library world. I am constantly in the mindset of trying to figure out ways to collaborate with teachers and the technology facilitator on a variety of levels in order to impact student learning. I have a passion for technology and enjoy creating lessons and presentations which include technology (especially Web 2.0 tools). On October 31st, the technology facilitator at Anderson, Buffy Edelstein and I collaborated to create a Tech or Treat day for teachers in the Anderson Library. During planning times, teachers rotated through 5 different stations in order to discover new technology tools to enhance their teaching and their students' learning. iPads, MacBooks, and desktop computers were used in the stations. Teachers also got to have a little treat at each tech station as a thank you for taking the time to learn something new! Enjoy the Animoto Buffy and I created showing the fun and learning that took place during this terrific learning experience!

Spelling Bee News

Students and Parents,
I am excited to announce that the upcoming 2011-2012 school-wide Spelling Bee will be held on January 13, 2012. Fourth and Fifth grade students will have the opportunity to compete in a classroom bee the week of December 12th against their classmates. The winner of each classroom bee in 4th and 5th grades will represent their classroom and grade level in the school-wide bee with the opportunity of winning to advance to the local bee held on a later date in McKinney. To learn more about the bee, see the fun video above!

It's Fall in the Library and Baseball Playoff Time Too!

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year! I love the smells, the cooler temperatures, baseball playoff games, and the colors of fall. Fall in love with a great book by visiting the library and checking out the books on the Fall displays. Take a swing at reading a book from the Baseball display. See you soon in the Anderson Library.

Announcing Anderson Library's Preschool Community Story Time

2800 Oakland Hills is Dying to Meet Kate Klise!

On October 3, 2011, Anderson Elementary will host Kate Klise. Last year, Ms. Klise's book 43 Old Cemetery Road: Dying to Meet You was introduced to the Anderson students as a Bluebonnet Nominee. So many students fell in love with the book and Kate Klise's style of writing in a letter format! I too fell in love with this book, the sequel Over My Dead Body, and several of her picture books. If you haven't already turned in your forms to purchase any of Kate Klise books and your check made out to Barnes and Noble, you have until Friday morning to turn these in to Mrs. Littlejohn. (I am extending the deadline by a day.) Be sure to visit Kate Klise's website. You will also learn a little more about her sister M. Sarah Klise, the illustrator of all of Kate's books! I can't wait to share the excitement of having such a wonderful and engaging author share her writing experiences and tips with the Anderson students!