Riding the struggle bus

Greetings, readers.  My seemingly never ending journey on the struggle bus continues.  I am even starting to get some opportunities to be children's librarian adjacent again, but not even that seems to get me out of this funk.  I never thought I'd see the day where I would feel this detached from my chosen profession.  Now believe me, there have been many, many days where this job has kicked my rear end, this past Friday being one of them.  I have seen and heard things during my career that I never in a million years expected to when I became a children's librarian, but sadly that's a reality.  Things are rough.  It's not all sunshine, unicorns, and sparkle.  I have cried many tears and have been so utterly broken down by some things.  But I could always count on the joy of a child, the silly dancing in storytime, or a big hug from a child when I find the book they are looking for.  Being with kids, working with them, and teaching them fuels me and keeps me wanting to learn more and be better at what I do.  It's such a motivating factor that has gotten me through the ugly realities of library life.  I don't get that anymore.  Yes, I still see some kids when they come to the library to get books, but it's not the same at all.  When the highlight of my day is putting together a dinosaur book display and seeing a few of them get checked out, I know that it just isn't enough.  I want and need more.  I am still trying to be positive and be the best that I can during this crazy time.

Being a working mom was already a challenge, but it's even harder for me now.  I am so emotionally spent after a work day, especially when I have to keep telling grown adults to follow directions that are so simple a preschooler does it.  When I get home, I struggle to stay engaged and not dive right under the covers to sleep and do it all again the next day.  Then just living in a negative world sucks the life right out of you too.  I am craving peace.  I am craving happiness.  I am craving normal.

There are going to be some interesting books coming out after all this.  I've said this many times, but it's true.  It's already happening.  I saw a book the other day on my new book shelf about what social distancing means for preschoolers.  Ugh.  It makes you wonder about what their developing little minds are taking in from the world around them.  My 7 year old had a dinner "not a date mommy" meeting with her little bestie the other day.  It breaks my heart that they can't be running around playing together instead of talking about what they would do if they could play together.  My almost 9 year old is planning a Zoom call with her friends for her birthday on the 21st.  This is normal life for them.

When is this all going to end?

It's (supposed to be) the most wonderful time of the year!

Here is another one of those random, rambling posts of mine that I am putting out into the universe so that one day I can look back and remember what 2020 was like. 

It's Fall!  It's October!  My favorite season and my favorite month usually bring me so much joy because I know that it's just the beginning of my favorite time of year both personally and as a librarian.  All the cute outfits and footwear comes out of my closet.  The air is crisper.  The pumpkin spice is everywhere like pixie dust!  Fall always brings the really fun programs, especially ones where I get to dress up and act like a kid more than I already do!  The only downer is that it gets dark so dang EARLY which is not cool at all.  Kids are super excited and enthusiastic this time of year.  There's this energy in the air.  Or maybe it's all the candy!  It's all about imagination, pretending, being thankful, and believing.  October - December is my favorite time to work at the library.

Now of course it's all so different now.  While we are starting to find new ways to have our programs, the dynamic has changed.  Virtual programs are great because we are still able to connect, but there is something lacking in the back and forth that naturally happens when people are working together.  The collaboration is missing that extra layer of....something.  I continue to wonder if things will ever go back to some kind of "normal" that even slightly represents life BC (before Coronavirus) or if this is a new reality.  I have an advantage as a Gen Xer because I grew up having to rely on imagination and thinking outside of the box for entertainment.  Those are skills that I am busting out hardcore right now with my kids.  A lot of fellow parents in my generation are doing the exact same thing.

Even though it is going to be completely unlike anything we've ever done before, I plan to continue to celebrate these next three months.  We can tell spooky stories on Zoom while eating our favorite candies of choice (Milky Way, gummy bears, Twizzlers over here.)  These times have truly made us appreciate friends and family a bit more, so maybe take the time to write an actual letter or make a card that lets people know how you feel.  Make paper snowflakes and sing Christmas carols.  Something really cool that's been happening is that I have noticed a lot more houses in my neighborhood decorated for Halloween than ever before.  I look forward to this trend continuing during Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I absolutely LOVE driving around with my husband and my kids looking at lights.  I think there are going to be a lot more displays out there this year!  We have to find opportunities for fun and magic.  Dress up on Halloween!  It's not just for teachers and children's librarians!  Make a handprint turkey!  Not sure if the Macy's parade is happening this year, but have your own!  Don't be afraid to be a little silly.  We have an opportunity to make some great childhood memories for our kids.  While it's not the best thing, use technology like Zoom to connect with family and friends and still be together.  We can still laugh and smile together.

So I say it is STILL the most wonderful time of the year as I sip on my pumpkin spice flavored coffee while rocking my favorite sweater dress and super cute booties that my almost 9 year old wants to steal from me. :)

I Wanna ROCK!!!

YOU GUYS!!!!  Holy cow, I discovered a very cool nonfiction picture book series about rock bands, and they are all groups that I LOVE!!!  Your girl loves rock 'n roll!  For three years in college I had my own radio show where I played classic rock, rock, and pop on 88.7 WJCU FM.  It was mostly me just playing some of my favorites, but I did have a loyal following.  Anyway, back to the books.  I got to see a preview copy of the Ramones one, and it led me to discovering three others, one of which is easily in my top three favorite group EVER!  So far two have been published.  The Ramones and Metallica have yet to come out.

 

 

This is so awesome because it introduces kids of today to groups from the past.  Not to sound like a crabby old man, but back in my day music was so much better than what they have today.  Okay, I have to admit that there are some current songs that I find catchy that I have discovered through TikTok browsing rabbit holes, but overall the quality and artistry just isn't the same as it was.  Seriously, I sound about 85 right now!  Now you're only counting three, but remembering that I said four.  The only thing that would be better would be if this was an Aerosmith book (my ultimate #1 favorite forever and ever), but this series has my #2.  Are you ready?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QUEEN!!!!!

 

The love I have for this group is strong.  I am even a fan of the revamped Queen with Adam Lambert because he is a magical rock god that I feel could be Freddie himself reincarnated even though Adam was born in 1982 and Freddie passed in 1991.  I requested this and the Depeche Mode one through interlibrary loan, and I will be begging my collection development department to secure this series for my system.  Book reviews to come, but I had to share the joy now!

Picture Book Spotlight: Love is Powerful by Heather Dean Brewer

So I just happened to be walking back into my department when this book caught my eye.  The title is what really did it.  Life has been kicking my rear end lately, and the world isn't the greatest of places right now, so when I saw Love is Powerful, I had to pick it up and flip through it.

It just makes you smile, right?  This book did not disappoint at all.  For starters, it has free resources to go along with it!  The author, Heather Dean Brewer has a lesson plan, reading guide, and coloring pages available on her website at www.hbrewerwrites.com.  The story begins with a little girl named Mari who is about to start a coloring project.  Mama says they are going to make a message for the world, but Mari wonders how they will see and hear it.  Mama tells her that love is powerful.  Nestled in Mama's lap, she gets started and imagines her friends, her family, and people all around the world doing the same thing.  They create signs and take them down to the street where people all march together holding signs of their own.  From on top of mama's shoulders, Mari sees a sea of people spreading as far as she can see.  Before long, Mari learns just how powerful love can be as her message spreads far and wide.

LeUyen Pham's illustrations are beautiful, with hearts on every page, traveling along with Mari and getting bigger and more plentiful as the message gets louder and louder.  People of all colors and different backgrounds are represented, and sweet little Mari is just adorable.  You can actually see her happiness radiate off the page!  My favorite part of the book comes at the end where there is a note from the real Mari as well as a picture of her that reflects the illustrations in the book.  The real Mari tells us all to "believe in yourself, be confident, and don't be afraid to speak up.  And remember to speak up not just for yourself, but for other people too."  The world needs more Mari power!

It's book fate that I happened to walk by and see this title.  I needed it today.  Books continue to work that magic on me, finding me when I need them most.

Coming Soon: What Kids Did: Stories of Kindness and Invention in the Time of Covid-19 by Erin Silver

I received a preview copy of this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

 

What Kids Did:  Stories of Kindness and Invention in the Time of Covid-19 by Erin Silver

I love books that have stories about real life things kids are doing, especially when those stories are inspiring and hopeful.  We all could use some feel-good stories right now.  Reading stories about young people doing positive things gives me a positive outlook on the future.  I love talking to kids who come in to the library and tell us about volunteer projects and activities that they are working on.  With a considerable lack of these in-person encounters, books like these have to fit the bill.  This one doesn't disappoint.  These kids are total rock stars!

This book has full-color pictures of children and young adults from all around the world, a beautiful display of humanity that represents a multitude of cultures and backgrounds.  All of them have used their unique gifts and talents to spread joy to those most affected by the global pandemic.  Their creativity is innovative, and it is astounding for me to consider that these ideas came from kids not much older than my daughters.  But seeing my daughters, it is amazing to see just how differently their minds work from my own.  They've grown up with so much more than I ever did, especially when it comes to technology and how people are able to communicate now.  They don't know anything different which makes it easier for kids to use it in so many different ways.

These kids used technology to create 3D printed devices that help minimize touching frequently used surfaces as well as face shields that helped in terms of meeting demand for PPE.  Many of the kids used social media, YouTube, and games such as Minecraft to create hubs where people could share information, as well as things like fitness videos to stay active, a Good News Now broadcast that shared positive stories only, and even a Minecraft graduation ceremony where kids could still interact with each other despite quarantine.  One girl created art kids that could be delivered to kids in need while another developed craft kits.  Two sisters created a cookbook called Lockdown Leftovers that gave kids ideas for how to turn limited food options into new meals.  Proceeds were donated to charity.  In fact all of the funds raised from the various projects were donated to charity.  One of my favorite stories was about a 6 year old boy from British Columbia who set up a drive-by/walk-by joke stand.  He followed a regular schedule, taking time for a quick lunch break each day.

While the publisher has designated this book for grades 1-3, I think it would be great for older kids and even adults who enjoy inspirational stories and want more positivity in their lives.

This book is scheduled to be released on October 27, 2020 and is juvenile nonfiction.

Coming Soon: Covid-19 Helpers by Beth Bacon, illustrated by Kary Lee

I received a preview copy of this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

 

Covid-19 Helpers by Beth Bacon, illustrated by Kary Lee

This book is a great tool for parents and caregivers to use with children to help start a conversation about what is happening in the world in regards to the current pandemic.  It highlights the changes that had the most impact on young lives during Spring 2020 such as schools, parks, movie theaters, and sporting events closing.  Kids weren't able to go to birthday parties and could only stay home where it felt like they were doing nothing.  This book explains that kids weren't doing nothing, and that they were actually doing something extremely important.  All of these changes were being done to help fight a new disease.  Author Beth Bacon does a wonderful job of explaining details of Covid-19 and the importance of our actions in preventing the spread in a way that is on their level.  The facts are accurate, but not complicated for young readers to understand.  She talks about things that are continuing to happen in the world such as wearing masks and social distancing while Kary Lee does a beautiful job of illustrating what the world looks like now through colorful and simple designs that are appealing to children.  A strong message in this book is that everyone in the community is working together as a team and highlights the essential workers such as grocers, farmers, truck drivers, and sanitation workers that were so important during the initial days of quarantine.  Kids are encouraged to continue doing their very important job of wearing masks, social distancing, and adapting to the changes.  Together we are a team, each doing our part.  This book would be appropriate for children in preschool through 2nd grade and for families to share together.

This book won 1st place in a competition that was issued by Dr. Jeffrey Koplan, director of the Emory Global Health Institute and vice president for global health at Emory University and his colleagues.  Dr. Koplan was inspired by questions that he was being asked by his grandchildren and believed that a children's book could help provide answers.  Over 250 entries were submitted by authors and illustrators.

This book is scheduled to be released on October 27, 2020 and is juvenile nonfiction.

www.blairpub.com

www.BethBaconAuthor.com

www.KaryLeeStudios.com

Pandemic status check

So here we are, a little over 6 months since the start of Covid madness.  It's amazing how fast time can fly and drag by all at the same time.  On the one hand, I am in total disbelief that we are displaying our Halloween books, but on the other I feel like I have been stuck in this Groundhog Day time warp where every day is the same as the one before.  This is what happens when Miss Jen doesn't get to create and lead programming!  I get even weirder than usual!  Yes, it apparently IS possible!

Slowly but surely, we are getting busier here at the library, although busy might be a stretch.  Most days there is still a bit of a ghost town vibe.  According to our system stats we are seeing crowds 40% of what we would normally be seeing.  Granted the whole school situation makes things even weirder.  Some of our local schools are in person, most are currently on a 100% virtual, although that will shift to hybrid soon.  Words and phrases like "masks", "social distancing", "synchronous learning", "hybrid model", and "contact tracing" are part of every day vocabulary now.  These are some all around weird times.  It really makes me wonder what kids will be like as adults, having experienced all this during fundamental developmental years.  My kids are 7 and almost 9.  I wonder what they will be telling my future grandchildren about their school years.  My grandchildren will hear stories that seem unbelievable to them just as I sat and listened to my own grandparents talk about their own youth.

This is definitely going to influence children's and young adult literature.  It already has.  Yesterday I was looking at some galleys for books coming out late this year and early next year.  Many of these books are nonfiction titles about community helpers, frontline workers, social distancing challenges, and Covid 19.  I plan on reviewing some in future posts.  What I really wonder about are the fiction books, in particular realistic fiction stories that are based on everyday life experiences.

On the program front, my library system is slowing rolling out plans for regular virtual programs.  That should help my overall ennui that I am currently experiencing.  Sometimes it feels like I just don't have a purpose.  The moments where I can recommend books or see the smiling eyes of my library kiddos are few and far between, but man oh man do I savor them!  I got to read a book to my daughter's 3rd grade class, and I was so nervous because I hadn't read aloud to kids in ages!  It was a very strange feeling because I had been so used to always being "on" and ready to do a storytime with little to no notice.  It was second nature.  It's crazy how much things have changed, and how we have had to adapt to these new ways of doing things.  It's so bizarre that it's shocking to see entire faces during Zoom meetings because we are so used to just seeing eyes.  My normally bustling children's play area is now blocked off by caution tape and slightly resembles a crime scene.  During this time of year the hours between 2 and 5 can get a little wild with big crowds of kids coming in after school, but now we get a handful.  Of course, when our local schools go from virtual to hybrid, that will increase which should be interesting with our new social distance protocols.  When I became a librarian almost 15 years ago, I never even imagined something like this.  The two libraries I have worked in are normally crazy busy.  Usually the big thing to do on my program list is program planning and storytime prep.  Now I write blogs, review books, and film TikTok videos alongside our teen librarian who got me hooked.  Granted, a change of pace is nice, but it is definitely not the norm.  Of course, this might be the new norm.

How are all of you?  How are you holding up during this continued madness?