It’s Friday again!
This week has been all about the story times. I have four scheduled story times each week, three for preschoolers and one for toddlers. I visit several inner city YMCA daycares / preschools to bring library story times to children who might not otherwise be able to experience them. It can be…a bit wild, at times – many of the children have other factors that impact their ability to self-regulate their behaviour, so even a half-hour program can sometimes feel like a bit of a marathon!
But, it’s totally worth it. If you ever want to feel like a rockstar, become an outreach librarian. Trust me – it doesn’t matter how absolutely rubbish your last program was (and it probably wasn’t all that rubbish – we’re always our own harshest critics), you will always be greeted with sticky-fingered hugs and enthusiastic cheers when you pop into the room.
And so, a short verse inspired by my very immersive and interactive story time style, as evidenced by these older but still very relevant photos. The image above is my interpretation of a very hungry shark – hence the haiku below!
Open Up a Book
Leave Your Worries at the Door
And Become the Shark!
Happy Friday everyone – I can’t wait to read all your poetry posts!
What a fabulous opportunity to share a love of story, Jane. Unfortunately your second two pictures didn’t work for me – but your words created heartwarming visual images.
Oh dear! I’ve reloaded the pictures, so hopefully they work. But thank you for your kind words! ?
You never know when your words or a book might devour a kids’ fears and make them feel less alone. Great work!
So true! I want these kids to feel like librarians are friendly, approachable grown-ups who care about them. If that means making silly faces and voices, then so be it! ?
Love the middle line–Leave your worries at the door! Libraries and stories and poems take us new places!
Loved your post today! Awesome haiku! It should be posted on the door of a library.
Your pictures aren’t visible on the site, just so you know. I’d love to see that shark!
As a “guest teacher” I have experienced reading stories during the library pull outs. It is a wild time. I just wish the class sizes were smaller to better keep everyone’s attention.
It’s wonderful that you carry your stories to share with those kids, Jane. Opening a book can take us away from worry. FYI, maybe it’s me, but I cannot see your pictures. Sorry!
So much goodness in story times – for the children AND the adults. I read every Monday at two preschools and one 2nd grade class. It truly is the highlight of my week! Rock star, indeed, Jane! Rock on!
I love your haiku, you’ve probably won over many ferocious sharks out there!
Oh, you make me want to drop everything and just find a group of kids and a book. I totally get what you are saying. My school is surrounded by much wealthier schools. Students in my school have lots of things that challenge them to stay focused and learning…..but I love them with all my heart. Today, we did Chinese New Year mad libs and I gave the warning that there might be some giggles….one girl giggled so much she just couldn’t read her story out loud! I mean really….what seventh grade boy WON’T think of “fart” when a verb is called for?
I love your poem…..I may just have to hang that on my reading sign at work. You rock for being an outreach librarian. It IS so totally worth it.
I’m sure they do feel like marathons! Being a librarian or a teacher can be a lot more like being an actor than people generally realize! Loved the photos.
Let books absorb the children’s lives. Your style is probably one that rocks the children’s hearts.
From the photos I can imagine a story time session with you is wonderful–and exhausting, but fun for you!
Thank you for sharing the story and pictures from your adventures as a rock star outreach librarian. You’re awesome! I love how your poem invites children to become the shark as they enter the book. Hopefully, they will devour a love of books along the way.
Become the shark!
Love it – and love that you are taking storytie to kids who might not otherwise get there. bravo.
You’ve just given me another item to add to my “After Retirement” to-do list!
I love these storytime pictures! Thank you. Sharks are so often portrayed negatively… love this positive spin… and yes, we can learn so much from these children… why stress over yesterday’s not-good-enoughs? Sweet hugs for everyone!
I love this, Jane. Become the shark, indeed. Throw yourself into it is what I’m taking from this and thank you for that!
Love your post, Jane! Become the shark, indeed! What I take from that is throw yourself into it, whatever it is and thank you for that!
Scary shark, Jane! There is such value in your words and your ability to bring stories to life for kids is so endearing.
There is nothing better than reading a great story aloud. What a wonderful job you have! (And so do I, though the kids I read to are older than the ones in your post.)