Miss Kitty Presents

Friday, October 14, 2011

Happy Fall dear readers

Almost time for the Great Pumpkin!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Regarding the Lexile reading system

photo from weheartit.com

One of my regular library families is reading the fun Regarding series by Kate Klise. When the girls come into the library they laugh and begin their request to me with, "Hello Miss Kitty! Yes, regarding the......<hold I placed yesterday> <the upcoming teen workshop> <the next book in this series>" I always laugh too.

Thusly, regarding the large number of families coming in with Lexile recommended reading lists handed out at school, I say check with me before you spend too much time hunting down the exact titles. Often series books are listed and if the exact title is checked out, an equally appropriate title is on the shelf. Many of the suggested titles are fine but some are not a good fit. Often recommended titles on the same list will vary wildly in age appropriateness and reading complexity. Lexile is a respected reading-ranking system and a fine place to start, but I can help you fine-tune the list for books for your child that are a more suitable match, will appeal to your child interests, and satisfy their teacher's concern for reading level correctness. See my post on September 12, 2011 for more information about Lexile.

Regarding the fountain? A perfect choice for 4th to 6th grade readers and especially *"reluctant readers."

* a term Miss Kitty really doesn't like. Ask me why.

What librarians and Google are for

Librarians are there:To help, aid, assist. To teach, collate, enthuse. To catalogue, index, arrange, organise. To find, discover, promote, display. To interest, intrigue, amuse and amaze. To instill wonder. To help children, adults, old people, the underprivileged, the rich, the poor, those with voices and those without. To protect resources, to archive them, to store them, to save them for the future. To provide differing viewpoints, to engender thought, conversation, research, fun. To provide the best answer possible, to match the answer to the enquirer, to provide just enough information without overwhelming the user, but enough to always help. To better a local community, a company, a school, a college, an organisation, a country, the world.

Google is there:To make money.

From UK librarian Phil Bradley's blog.

To be sure, librarians are an endangered species and I fervently agree with Mr. Bradley's position on libraries and librarians. It's true that Google is there to make money, but Google is pretty terrific too. I think we can coexist in harmony if we teach our young readers to start with a real live librarian, and I do mean a professional librarian, and then further explore with Google. So come see me at my library, give me a hug, and ask me a question. I'm here for YOU.

Librarians looking at display of early English Children’s books by Christchurch City Libraries on Flickr.
I love Kekabette's comment, "The eternal allure of the besmocked librarian." Check out her Tumblr blog, Manifesto.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Puss in Boots

Before Dreamworks' movie Puss in Boots hits theaters this month, be sure you check out the book.There are many versions available in the library but my very favorite is illustrated by Fred Marcellino. Look at those colors and Puss' expression! I also love Phillip Pullman's version. I covet Puss' awesome hip boots; so chic! Alas, I don't think I have the bravado to pull them off.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Gallery Nucleus

I'm not fond of southern California's freeways, but I would make an exception and brave LA's scary freeways for a trip to Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra, California. Gallery Nucleus features an impressive line-up of talented artists and often children's illustrations are featured. I adore this giclee print by Caroline Hadilaksono.