2016 has been a difficult year, full of disappointments and depressions. When I am discouraged my answer is to look to books. Picture books can help you get through any occasion. If they are not the full solution, they are indeed the beginning. Picture books help you cope with the loss of friends; whether through promotions, graduations, or death. Picture books help you talk to students about celebrating differences and sowing seeds of kindness. Picture books help you talk about inclusion and seizing the moment with grace and gratitude. Picture books help you understand that family is who you make it. The picture book is ready for all occasions.
On the occasion of a friend being transferred or students graduating from High School try
I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld.
On the occasion of a wonderful librarian with 20+ years of sharing the joy of reading being killed in an accident try Always Remember by Cece Ming.
On the occasion of instilling inclusion after some bullying is noted on the playground try
It’s Ok to Be Different by Todd Parr
and If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson.
On the occasion of taking action now instead of waiting to see try
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson.
When we feel like the world has shifted under our feet and our spirits have been deflated but not destroyed, look to the book. The picture book...it has the power to heal.
********************
Kathy M Burnette knows the power of books and spreads her knowledge as a K-8 School Librarian in South Bend, Indiana. Kathy collects coffee mugs and is most proud of her World’s Okayest Mom mug which she feels proves hardly working pays off. Kathy can be found on twitter @thebrainlair and occasionally blogs at www.thebrainlair.com. Kathy’s passion for books has landed her on several book committee’s, most recently the 2018 Printz Committee. She looks forward to discussing books and telling people why they should love the books she does!
No comments:
Post a Comment