Spring Institute

Last Thursday and Friday Wendy and I were at the Michigan Library Association Spring Institute; which is a two day conference specifically for children's and teen librarians. This was my third year attending Spring Institute and I look forward to going all year.

It is always gratifying to mingle with others in your profession and share war stories, new ideas, and opinions. Spring Institute offers so much more. There are multiple breakout sessions, which are small classes on different topics that pertain to youth librarians. This year I attended a session on Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and how libraries can partner with schools to implement them. Some other sessions were Early Brain Development, Getting Out of the Programming Rut, and Children's Programming on Shoestring Budget. Tomorrow I will head back to work rejuvenated, inspired, and abounding with ideas that I plan to "borrow."

Long before I was a librarian I was and continue to be an avid reader. The part of Spring Institute that I anticipate each year, therefore, are the guest speakers. Usually there are five keynote speakers that are authors and/or illustrators.

Past speakers have been Gary Schmidt, Eric Litwin, and Jonathan Rand.

This year the the keynote speakers included: Daniel Kirk, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Aprilynne Pike, Tim Cusak, and Eugene Yelchin.

 

      

 

It is so intriguing to listen to an author's story. How they began writing, what inspires them, their writing process, etc. Of course, it is also fun to get a book signed by the author. I always tell myself I am not going to spend too much money, but I end up buying at least one book for each of my kids and a couple for myself. 

This year I was most excited to hear Eugen Yelchin (no offense to the other authors who are all amazing). Breaking Stalin's Nose was easily one of my favorite books this year and it is not only a Newbery Honor book, it was awarded the 2012 Mitten Award at this year's Spring Institute. The Mitten is the Michigan Library Association's version of the Newbery Award and even though I was not on the committee that chose the winner Breaking Stalin's Nose would have garnered my vote.

       

  Breaking Stalin's Nose is the story of Sasha Zaichik, a ten year old boy living in communist        Russia at the height of Stalin's tyrannical regime. Sasha is a good and loyal communist who has dreamed of the day that he will join the Soviet Young Pioneers. Everything Sasha has known and believed in crumbles away when his father is arrested. 

Yelchin tells a heartbreaking story with beautiful illustrations, a touch of humor, and a unique style that grabs the reader and pulls them into a historical period that is frequently ignored. The character of Sasha is based on Yelchin himself even though he was born several years after the death of Stalin. Yelchin did grow up in communist Russia, though, and through his book he relates the trauma of living in a country inundated with fear, suspicion, and barbarity.

 His speech at Spring Institute was equally moving, and I admit to having tears in my eyes by the end.

Cursed Pirate Girl by Jeremy Bastian

So it was a pretty exciting evening, because I took my two oldest children to meet and listen to Jeremy Bastian at the Eastwood Schuler Books. Bastian is a Michigan artist and author whose graphic novel Cursed Pirate Girl is a frolicsome adventure that is certain to mesmerize readers of all ages.

Now if you are thinking; "Graphic novel? I would never read a kid's comic book";  please,  please, please do not leave the page! This is not a DC or Marvel superhero comic that men still living in their mother's basement horde and preserve. (If you fit that stereotype I apologize, but I said it in fun. My own husband has boxes of Superman comics he has collected since elementary school.)

Cursed Pirate Girl is totally unique and probably one of my favorite books that I have purchased this year for the library. The story revolves around an intrepid and boisterous orphan known only as the Cursed Pirate Girl (Bastian does not give her a name which only adds to her mystery).  With a sharp cutlass and a parrot that shadows her every move, the Cursed Pirate Girl grapples with  mortal peril while searching for her father on the Omerta Seas.

The story Bastian tells is a homage to fairy tales and classic adventure stories like Alice in Wonderland and In Search of the Castaways. One of Bastian's favorite books as a child was The Adventures & Brave Deeds of the Ship's Cat on the Spanish Maine by Richard Adams and illustrated by Alan Alldridge. Obviously Bastian has an affinity for pirates and intricately detailed illustrations.

In addition to the humorous text, Bastian tells the story of the Cursed Pirate Girl with artwork that is both whimsical and stunningly beautiful. The amount of detail that he packs into each picture is astounding and, therefore, each reading offers something new to discover. 



What is truly mind boggling, though, is that Bastian does all of his illustration with a brush and to scale. Most comic book illustrators draw the pictures large and then the image is shrunken to the size of the comic book. Bastian paints his illustrations at the same size that they will be printed.

How this man is not blind I do not know, but one thing is certain: He is an amazing talent and I cannot wait for Cursed Pirate Girl Volume 2.

Don't Let the Weather Ruin Spring Break

Does anyone else feel that Mother Nature is the one playing the ultimate joke by having it snow in April? With the weatherman forecasting more snow, sleet, and temperatures in the low 30's  for the remainder of spring break I am predicting severe cabin fever. In my home cabin fever leads to petulance, animosity, and, occasionally, take my brother down brawling.



If you did not flee the frozen wasteland that is Michigan for Florida (or some other place where the sun is shining) you are probably wondering how to prevent your children from turning you into a gibbering, drooling, loon by the end of the week.

Since my family does not go away for spring break, my husband and I at least try to take the kids on a couple of fun day trips. Of course, with three kids even a trip to the movies can end up costing more than $40.

Sometimes just a quick change of scenery is all that is needed to avoid open hostility between siblings. I feel so fortunate to live in a community that has a library with a cheerful and spacious children's area that offers so many activities for kids. It probably sounds like I am tooting my own horn a little, but before I worked at the library I was a stay-at-home mom of three kids and the library was one our favorite places to go. Now my kids are 11, 9, and 6 and they still love to come to the library.

If you and your kids need to escape the confines of home this week don't forget the Portland District Library. In addition to our usual story times on Tuesday at 6:30 and Friday at 11, the library is offering a different program every day this week at 2pm.

Today Kristie organized a video game tournament. About a dozen kids had fun competing against one another in MarioKart, Wii Sports, and a couple of other games.

On Tuesday there is going to be a daytime sleepover. Come to the library in you pj's ready to play games, eat snacks, and watch a movie.

Wednesday is Lego day and there will even be a Lego cake  to eat while building your master creations.

Sierra is going to lead kids in making several crafts out of duct tape on Thursday.

Finishing off the week will be a presentation of Rise of the Gaurdians and, of course, who can watch a movie without popcorn!

I am sure that most kids (and parents) would rather be soaking up the sun in Florida. For those of us looking for more local and less expensive entertainment for our kids this week, check out the library. We offer activities that are fun, free, and right in your neighborhood.