Author: Deborah

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Have Smokey the Bear visit your library this summer and celebrate his 75th

http://nhlibraries.org/youthservices/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/2019-Smokey-Bear-Library-Smokey-Visit-Application-Form-1.docx

Hello Amazing Librarians—

This summer is Smokey Bear’s 75th Anniversary and one of the things he’d like to do is visit public libraries in New Hampshire to share information about our forests and the importance of wildfire protection. Patrons of all ages will be able to have their pictures taken with Smokey and we anticipate that he and his crew will be distributing information about wildfire protection along with fun Smokey-related materials.

Attached is an application to have Smokey visit your library. Smokey’s Team is working with the N.H. State Library’s Youth and Adult Services Coordinator, Debbi Dutcher, on this project but please know that it is NOT replacing the Blades visits that Debbi runs with the Boston Bruins.

The Team should be able to let you know by mid-May if your library is one of five that has been selected for a visit.

The application is self-explanatory; if you have questions, please contact Captain Doug Miner (douglas.miner@dncr.nh.gov) from the N.H. Forest Protection Bureau. Note, also, that the forms should be returned to Capt. Miner, not to Debbi or to me. It’s especially important that you provide your three choices for dates/times that Smokey might visit. He’s a busy bear!

Thank you for all you do… Shelly Angers
Public Information Officer
N.H. Department of Natural & Cultural Resources

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Supercharged Storytime Learning Groups

Supercharged Storytime Learning Groups are ending. Of the 30+ that initially registered, we had 15 or so that were active participants. A fun couple of hours are being planned for the in-person get together in two locations. This reaffirming workshop is going to be offered to people that have taken the Web Junction self-paced course on their own as well. 

As a bonus:  Using the early literacy planning tool (http://nhlibraries.org/youthservices/forms-resources/) please submit atleast one storytime to me BEFORE the meeting. Someone will win a small Dunkin Donuts gift card from me. I also plan to bring some give-away new books and maybe more.

We will be meeting Monday, May 20th 10-12 at the Hooksett Public Library and Thursday, May 23rd 10-12 at the Lincoln Public Library

Sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9u96bOiZChbQvjzn8W0LNzRbAxxIdPH2HesuAKlXsbvYoTw/viewform?usp=sf_link

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Free Webinar An Introduction to the NH Early Learning Standards

A free webinar titled An Introduction to the NH Early Learning Standards is taking place from 9:30 – 11:00 on May 15th.  Here is the link to register for the session: 

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/8271676951242304257

When you register for the session send me an e-mail at Deborah.Dutcher@dncr.nh.gov to let me know and I will send a colorful hard copy of the NH Early Learning Standards to you right away on the van. The standards are also available online at: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcyf/cdb/documents/nh-early-learning-standards.pdf

 Purposes of the NH Early Learning Standards The New Hampshire Early Learning Standards are a statewide resource for everyone who loves, cares for, and educates young children. The Standards provide essential information to support and enhance children’s development and learning. New Hampshire’s Early Learning Standards: • Provide a resource about children’s development from birth through age five; • Promote a whole-child approach that affirms that learning and development are interrelated and build on previous learning; • Acknowledge, honor, and embrace the tremendous diversity and variation that exists for children and families; • Recognize and celebrate what children learn to help plan for the next stages of growth and development; • Align with the NH Kindergarten Readiness Indicators, which are aligned with the NH College and Career Ready Standards; • Provide a list of resources for more information about children’s learning and development; and • Guide the choice of developmentally appropriate curriculum, teaching strategies, and assessment.

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What if someone challenges this picture book?

Last week the 2019 Ladybug Award nominee titles were announced. The list consist of ten books where illustration and text work together to form an interactive method of conveying some great big ideas. It is a diverse list with fun animals and stories that have us looking into what life is like in other parts of the world.

Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love is a beautiful book that challenges society’s idea of how a boy should look and act. Recently a librarian asked about possible challenges to this book being used specifically in a school setting. In response to that concern:

When planning to use book award nominee titles in your school or story times, having administrator buy-in is important. Presenting the titles to administrators, trustees, staff and other teachers before using them in lessons is a great way for everyone to be familiar with the books and help you to think of connections. In addition, be prepared. Know your book challenge policies. Have the appropriate forms for reconsideration available. Here is the intellectual freedom brochure from AASL. Creating a culture for open communication is crucial. Remember the way we talk about sensitive topics can make all the difference in others being open to our message.

A school librarian recently gave a good reminder to adults about perspective.  When read to children, a picture book is seen through the eyes of a child. To them it may simply be a book about dressing up in costume. Perhaps like Julian, they may have a loving relationship with their Grandmother or Abuela. It may be a book that gives them permission to dream and express themselves creatively.

I am working on and very excited about the resource sheets for all of the Ladybug Award nominees. They will be released one a week on the NH Center for the Book blog  this summer and a complete guide at the end before the new school year begins. Ladybug Award information can be found Here. I would like to remind everyone about the Youth Services blog as well.

I would also like to suggest We Need Diverse Books. Diverse books promote respect and empathy. Everyone deserves to see themselves in books. Shall we open a book, our hearts and good conversations.

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Kevin Driscoll – Driscoll Productions

Contact: Kevin Driscoll

Location: 22 Driscoll Drive, Framingham, MA 01701   

Phone: 617-901-6232  

Email: kevin@driscollproductions.com  

Website: www.driscollproductions.com

Music/Puppetry

The following two corporate sponsored/GRANT funded events are free and OPEN-TO-THE-PUBLIC:

•           7/16/19 – Space/A Universe of Stories Ventriloquist Comedy Show at the Burlington Public Library – 11:00AM  – Our ventriloquist dummies will wear their space helmets and perform WITH the children who volunteer to play our drums and percussion instruments.  Our NEW puppet and “astronaut” Fred the Frog will attempt his first space flight!

•           7/30/19 – Space/A Universe of Stories Ventriloquist Comedy Show at the Littleton Public Library – 7:00PM 

As Boston’s ★★★★★ children’s entertainer and musical ventriloquist, my dummies and I specialize in educational and fun events for children.  All of our reviews on Gigmasters, Gigsalad, facebook, Thumbtack and Google My Business are FIVE STAR ★★★★★ reviews.

Please see our VENThaven Family Excerpt: https://youtu.be/YY4oiemZQWQ

We typically bring our clown car full of drums and percussion instruments for the children to play WITH our ventriloquist dummies.  Children are invited to play the Irish Bodhrán, Tahitian Toeré, Trinidadian mini-steel drum and many other percussion instruments also available for everyone.  ATTENTION CHILDREN:  Doug the Talking Dog will not bite you.  He only bites Mommies and Daddies.  However, he may try to bite your drumsticks, tambourine, or maracas that we distribute to everyone. 

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Universe of Stories resources



As you prepare for this summer’s Universe of Stories themed program, make sure you check out the following:


Stem activities & so much more: http://www.starnetlibraries.org/summer-of-space/


Opportunities for programs and presenters:

https://solarsystem1.jpl.nasa.gov/ssa/home.cfm

https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/

The gathering place for Apollo anniversary info:

https://spacestem.nasa.gov/


The upcoming summer library program theme is heavy in STEM–here are some free online posters you may want to use suggested by the wonderful April Mazza, consultant at the Massachusetts Library System:
Stem Role Models: https://medium.com/nevertheless-podcast/stem-role-models-posters-2404424b37dd>
Books by Andrea Beauty: https://www.andreabeaty.com/>
Women in Science: https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=14570&sfns=mo>


Check out: Story Time from Space