Sad Days in School Library Land

As National Library Week comes to an end, I'd like to draw attention to a sad current trend in school libraries. Here is a map of school libraries in the United States which have been eliminated or reduced in some capacity. This is indeed a tragic state of affairs. Numerous studies have shown the importance of a school library in students' academic lives. To find out more information about all this, visit the American Library Association website for an update.

National Library Week

Here it is: NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK!

How are you celebrating?
Taking a library book out to lunch?
Giving your favorite librarian flowers?
Inviting a friend to visit the library with you?
Reading your favorite library book to your Mom, Dad, or little brother or sister?

There are so many ways to celebrate National Library Week.
But if you aren't able to visit your library this week, never fear. The American Library Association has a fun list of great web sites you can visit at home.

How am I celebrating National Library Week?
Today I volunteered in the library at St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf. I had a wonderful time reading with Isaiah, Michael, and Giuad. I learned of North American exploration and settlement. I shared the fun adventures of Frog and Toad, and I enjoyed a poetic biography about Coretta Scott King.

So, what are YOU doing to celebrate NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK?

More FUN POEMS

Poems don't always need to be serious. They can be tons of fun. Here is a light-hearted poem I created today:

KITTY ACROBATICS

My clumsy kitty, Henry,
Today was an acrobat.
He leaped from stair to chair
But landed flat upon his back.

He fluffed his tattered tail out
And twisted to a stand.
I pretended not to see his stunt
And giggled behind my hand.

My Henry is not graceful
Or light upon his four feet,
But he purrs most perfectly
And couldn’t be more sweet.

For more fun poems, look for these books at school or at your local library:

A LIGHT IN THE ATTIC by Shel Silverstein
ALMOST LATE TO SCHOOL: AND MORE SCHOOL POEMS by Carol Diggory Shields and Paul Meisel
ROLLING IN THE AISLES: A COLLECTION OF LAUGH-OUT-LOUD POEMS edited by Bruce Lansky
WALKING THE BRIDGE OF YOUR NOSE by Michael Rosen

April POETRY

I know it's hard to believe April is here already.
But when I look out my window and see the trees and daffodils in bloom, I know it's true.
And what a better month to celebrate poetry than in this colorful month of APRIL.

A HAIKU is a perfect poem to start the month off with. A short, simple poem which usually highlights nature--only three lines. The first and third lines each has five syllables and the second line has seven.

WHITE
A scrubbed puppy just
after a bath and just
before a mud puddle.

I gave this Haiku a title, but you don't have to.
See how easy that is. Go ahead--give it a try!

Happy Easter!

Wishing all of you a most blessed EASTER!