A picture is worth a thousand words: the importance of wordless picture books

I engage in storytelling daily.  As a storytime facilitator, I don't get to explore wordless picture books often.  However, on numerous occasions I've discovered children curled up in a corner in the library telling their own story while reading a wordless picture book.   Although all books inspire creativity, the wordless picture book invites the reader to play an active role in discovery. 

These books are gaining popularity.  The 2014 Caldecott Honor Book, Journey by Aaron Becker is wordless.  Its strong visual narrative hooks the reader immediately and invites them to come along on a story-making journey of creative interpretation.  Since the reader helps create the story, it appeals to a wide range of ages.  Children can spend hours dissecting the images and putting them together in plot sequence.  Wordless picture books offer a wonderful foundation for creative writing.

Wordless picture books help stretch a child's imagination, encouraging them to explore language and creativity. Every time a worldess picture book is read, a brand new story in created!  Please check out more of my favourite wordless picture books that are sure to delight and inspire. 

http://vision.bibliocommons.com/list/show/93864152_libraryloralie/102453781_wordless_picture_books

And the award goes to...2014 Newbery, Caldecott, Printz Awards and More!

For a complete list of all the winners and honors, go to Pragmatic Mom.  Live cast of the awards is here!

Let's build Rube Goldberg machines at the library!

It is my personal and professional philosophy that all school age children should enjoy diverse programming that interests them.  Getting school-age kids involved in library activities is vital and should be made a priority.  It is too often the case that preschool children who have enjoyed regular storytimes and crafting at the library phase out of a library routine when they reach the age of seven.  For more insight on this important subject, check out this blog: The Show Me Librarian

The Fiction Factor program at the Fredericton Public Library invites children 7-12 to participate in interactive project-based activities.  School age kids delve into various subjects like science, art, ancient history, mythology, culinary arts, and engineering.   We offer them the opportunity to explore various topics and ideas that they may not have experienced before.  

Last Thursday kids at the library were introduced to the subject of Rube Goldberg machines and created their own contraption to complete the task of breaking an egg in a complex series of chain reactions! It was awesome! 

Step into WildWood

Guess what? I love my job!

I love my job for many, many, many reasons. Here's a few:

1. I'm surrounded by books.

2. I get to work with children of all ages, inspiring them to develop a love of literacy.

3. The people I work with are A-MAZING! Seriously, I think I work with the best colleagues in the world. (Shout out to Nancy at ReadfulThings and Kim)

4. Our newly renovated children's department is spectacular. I feel very fortunate to work in such a beautiful new space. We have a puppet theatre for children, huge windows offering a 180 degree view of the Saint John River, Fredericton Lighthouse, and Officer's Square, an art wall for children to display their creations, and a WildWood forest complete with towering trees, toadstools, and a mushroom house. Feel free to drop by sometime and experience this lovely children's department. It is truly inviting and makes my job even more enjoyable!

The adventure begins...

Hey inter-web! Today I begin my foray into sharing library adventures (ahem...some misadventures) and delving into the always fascinating world of children's librarianship! Everyday I go home and share these often hilarious experiences at the dining room table. Now, I'm sharing them with you! Follow me as I chronicle storytimes, share my favorite books, dress up in ridiculously fun costumes, report on interactive and innovative programming, and broadcast humorous happenings at the Fredericton Public Library!