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FSH Librarian Marian McKenzie
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Library
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The library program encourages reading and the love of books, imparts familiarity with libraries, and teaches research, reference, internet, and library skills. The librarian reads aloud to the Pre-kindergarten through fifth grade classes, leading the children in discussions of increasing complexity about plot elements and character development. Pre-kindergarten through 6th grade visit the library weekly.
Each child many sign out any book in which he/she is interested, since the books in our library reflect the School's preschool through grade 6 focus. The librarian offers guidance to each child in choosing a book at his/her level and appropriate to his/her interest, but does not screen out or discourage a child from choosing a certain type of book. Our goals are to foster a love of reading and a freedom to choose. Parents are encouraged to review the books their child has chosen and to discuss them with the child.
The Child Study Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street College suggests these “Tips for Parents”:
Choose books related to the child’s interests.
Offer books with appealing illustrations.
Present several choices without imposing your own preferences.
Invite your child’s opinions on books liked or disliked.
Continue to read aloud to your child even after he or she reads independently.
Read aloud or read together the beginning or an especially interesting part of the book.
Encourage your child to choose a book to read aloud to someone else.
Broaden your child’s horizons by helping to select from a wide range of subjects.
Encourage your child to read whatever he or she enjoys even if it appears to you to be too easy or too hard.
Let the child see your enjoyment of your own reading.
Find time for your child to visit and browse in libraries.
When you are going to buy a gift, consider a book.
First in a New Series of Book Reviews!
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
This book won the 2009 Newbery Medal, chosen as “the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children” published during the preceding year.
The Graveyard Book opens in a home where a family has been murdered. The youngest child, a toddler, escapes to the neighborhood cemetery, where the kindly ghosts decide to shelter him from his pursuer, and raise him as their own. This novel explores the world of the boy, named “Nobody” by his new family, as he grows up very much alive but with some strange powers granted to him by his unconventional upbringing. When the ghosts finally reveal to him the secret of his birth, and the danger that the murderer is still looking for him. Nobody decides to take matters into his own hands so that he can take his place in the world of the living.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s inventive, well-written and very adventurous. Both my older children (5th and 8th grades) loved it, probably more than I. It’s true that the opening, with the murdered family, may be too much for some of our students; but it is not presented with enough detail that I would hesitate to recommend it. Be aware of your own student’s level of comfort.
Katie Loves the Kittens by John Himmelman
This charming new picture book features an affectionate little dog, Katie, who loves the new kittens who have come to her home and wants to play with them – but who only frightens them with her uncontrolled excitement. In the end, Katie manages to master herself and she wins over the kittens with her gentleness.
This book is a winner in many different ways. It’s funny, well-written, and illustrated attractively. More importantly, though, it shows that self-control is truly rewarding, while conceding that it can be very difficult. This is my current favorite among the new picture books, and I’m thrilled to have it in the library!
–Marian McKenzie