Mlynowski, Myracle, and Jenkins Meet Us at The Lamp-Post

At the Lamp Post with Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins

“The consolation of imaginary things, is not imaginary consolation.” (Roger Scruton, via Emily Jenkins) This August, we’re looking at Fantasy books. There’s a lot to explore in the Upside-Down Magic series from authors Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins. We thought it would be fun to interview the trio together and we were right. … Read more

Zetta Elliott and Thomas Taylor Meet Us at The Lamp-Post

at the Lamp- Post - with Zetta Elliot and Thomas Taylor

We can’t get enough Fantasy in August at The Lamp-Post.   We learned so much from the authors of the Upside Down Magic series about building a magical school world.  After reading and writing about books based in two other very different magical worlds – Brooklyn and Eerie-on-Sea – we were delighted to have the chance … Read more

4 Years of One School, One Book at T. Baldwin Demarest

Kids showing off new books

Since their inaugural program in 2018, the staff at T. Baldwin Demarest Elementary in New Jersey considers One School, One Book to be one of the highlights of their year. With each book, it becomes easier to find ways to ensure their program remains fresh and fun for students. “The program grows each year,” says … Read more

Wendy Orr and Vivian Vande Velde Meet Us at The Lamp-Post

At the Lamp-Post - Wendy Orr, Vivian Vande Velde

Happy Summer! At the Lamp-Post, our summer thoughts are filled with books that are playful and fun! Can books be part of play? Of course! Especially Wendy Orr’s Nim’s Island and Vivian Vande Velde’s 8 Class Pets + 1 Squirrel ÷ 1 Dog = Chaos. It turns out that writing these playful books is fun, too!  … Read more

Six Books with Unusual Animals

Six Books with Unusual Animals

Animal characters are a staple of children’s literature, and for good reason. Many young readers gravitate to animals, giving these stories wide appeal. Peruse the children’s department at your local library, and you will find lots of books featuring farm animals, pets, and – for reasons I’m not sure I understand – rodents. Here at … Read more

Advocates, and Other Tools for Deeper Understanding 

At the Lamp-Post

You’ve probably never sat down, scratched your head, and said, “You know what I ought to do? Look at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.” If you have, you were probably pretty certain that you’re already checking off all five boxes, but you might be surprised. Because smack-dab in the middle of that color-coded pyramid, is the … Read more

Four Years of One School, One Book With Booth Tarkington Elementary

Booth Tarkington had their very own Humphrey, a beige and white hamster, to celebrate their OSOB reading program.

Booth Tarkington Elementary in Wheeling, Illinois has been actively participating in One School, One Book for four years. As Ryann Rivers, the librarian at Booth Tarkington, looks back on their previous reading events, the growth between their first and most recent event is like an acorn to a tree.  “The first year, I gave families … Read more

Sharon M. Draper and Elana K. Arnold Meet Us at The Lamp-Post

At the Lamp Post

Join us at The Lamp-Post as we discuss understanding with Elana K. Arnold (A Boy Called Bat) and Sharon M. Draper (Out of My Mind). In this reflective and personal conversation, we learn how both authors approach their storytelling as a vehicle for readers to find their own meaning, rather than teaching a planned lesson. There … Read more

Delve into Resource Creation at Read to Them

Resource Creation at Read To Them Graphic

As long time Read to Them participants know, there are three keys to a successful reading event.  A great book, school-wide enthusiasm, and an inspiring, constructive set of resources.  Read to Them’s distinct book packets provide opportunities to explore the rich material in each book and the inspiration that gets schools and families wanting to … Read more

Learning to Laugh at Yourself 

At the Lamp-Post

From “a list of twenty supplies you need to survive middle school when you don’t have arms.”   A sense of humor. I’m being very serious here – you’ve got to have one. Seriously.   — Aven Green (Dusti Bowling, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, p. 255)    For centuries philosophers have analyzed humor. … Read more

Interview with Angela Dominguez, author of Stella Díaz Has Something to Say

Since Stella Díaz Has Something to Say joined the Read to Them catalog of books in 2021, thousands of students across the country have shared this special book for their school-wide reading program, and the feedback from schools has been overwhelming. Students, teachers, and families all fall in love with sweet Stella as they root … Read more

Betsy Bird Meets Us at The Lamp-Post

This month at the Lamp-Post, we talk about the role of humor in children’s literature with the always funny Betsy Bird.   Betsy is a Renaissance woman in the world of children’s literature – a librarian, author, blogger, and podcast host, and we are quite sure she has read almost everything published for children…ever. She edited … Read more

Join Read to Them for Children’s Book Week!

Since 1919, Children’s Book Week has endeavored to celebrate and bolster books for younger audiences. It’s the longest-running literacy initiative in the United States, and you can participate on an individual, small group, or even community-wide level. Be sure to check your local libraries and bookstores to see if there are any in-person events in … Read more

8 Years of One School, One Book at North Shore Elementary

One School, One Book has been a staple at North Shore Elementary in St. Petersburg, Florida since 2015. The program has even remained strong during the pandemic thanks to the combined efforts of Tracy Leskanic, co-chair Gifted Program Teacher, and Tamara Gramlich, co-chair Library Media Technology Specialist. The dynamic duo build excitement with the support … Read more

A Million Little Villages

“Connectedness. One thing leads to another. Often in unexpected ways.”  ― Holly Goldberg Sloan, Counting by 7s  Recently, I had the pleasure of moving my young adult son halfway across the country. In truth, it wasn’t pleasurable. It was hard and sad and scary. But I pretended like it was pleasurable. Because – after graduating … Read more

Lynne Rae Perkins Meets Us at The Lamp-Post

In celebration of Earth Day, listen to our conversation about Conservation in children’s literature with Lynne Rae Perkins, author of Nuts to You.   We talk about unexpected inspirations for stories, a subconscious interest in rodents, the fine art of writing about connections (those missed, and those made), and how writers choose phrases and metaphors that … Read more