Category Archives: Children’s books

Opinionated for 25 Years

Posted on January 12, 2019 by sdlempke

There aren’t many things that our newest Supreme Court Justice and I have in common, but I will admit to one: I, too, have held onto many calendars over the years.  And I stumbled across this one today, and casually … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's books, Reviewing, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Help! I’m drowning!

Posted on January 26, 2018 by sdlempke

Do you ever just feel crushed under the weight of the books that you should be reading? I am finally getting around to Middlemarch, and the further I read the more I love it. It clearly is a book that … Continue reading →

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Recipe for Storytime Success

Posted on March 30, 2016 by sdlempke

My Storytime for Big Kids is the high point of my week, which is otherwise occupied with budgets and HR and planning and communicating with board and staff and the public. I actually enjoy that work too, and I like working … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood reading, Children's books, storytime, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

The new young adult books

Posted on January 13, 2015 by sdlempke

Language changes. It always has, and probably it always will, but that won’t stop those of us who enjoy language from railing against awful usage and mistakes that become common practice. Who doesn’t enjoy a good argument about the Oxford … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood reading, Children's books, Uncategorized, YAs and their books | Leave a comment

Read or Be Written

Posted on April 17, 2014 by sdlempke

Yes, it is time for the annual Bookmark Contest Slogan post, to celebrate National Library Week! Yay! Yay! These were all written by my library’s grade school kids, submitted along with artwork for a bookmark. My favorite slogan is probably … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's books, Library marketing, patrons, Uncategorized, Youth Services | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Battle of the Books

Posted on February 9, 2014 by sdlempke

34 years is a long time. That is how long my library has collaborated with our area schools to run a Battle of the Books competition. 34 years! Last night we celebrated  with an awards ceremony for the winning team … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood reading, Children's books, Programs, Public libraries, Reading Incentive Programs, Uncategorized, Youth Services | Leave a comment

The Worst Children’s Books

Posted on August 14, 2013 by sdlempke

I love classical music, but I don’t love ALL classical music. Some kinds of classical music–the pieces I think of as “circus music”–make me change the channel when it comes on the radio. I don’t love Sousa. I don’t love … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood reading, Children's books, Parents, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

ALA 2013–Chicago!

Posted on July 1, 2013 by sdlempke

ALA conferences have a particular arc to them. A couple of weeks beforehand, I am scrambling to get everything done so I can take some time out to immerse in professional development. I worry and worry, with a little fussing … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's book awards, Children's books, Public libraries | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Celebrating Frog & Toad Day, May 22

Posted on May 26, 2013 by sdlempke

Last year, I commented here that although I am a great admirer of Dr. Seuss, I’m a little tired of Dr. Seuss’s birthday being a big event every year. I suggested that maybe we could celebrate the birthday of another … Continue reading →

Posted in Child Development, Childhood reading, Children's books, Parents, Personal heroes, Public libraries, storytime, Youth Services | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Reading rewards…for some

Posted on May 8, 2013 by sdlempke

Many of my memories of being a mother to young boys are wonderful. Not all, mind you, but many. But someone recently posted on Facebook something that brought one of my least favorite memories back. Here’s what Paul Hankins wrote … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood reading, Children's books, Parents, Public libraries, Reading Incentive Programs, Youth Services | Tagged , , | 3 Comments