If I Won the Lottery…

I heard a news clip on the radio this morning.  The journalist was asking people what they would do if they won a mega-millions lottery.  There were answers like world travel and beautiful homes.

It started me thinking.  There are places I’d love to visit.  South Africa.  Alaska.  Israel.  (The reasons are as varied as the locations.)  And there are things I’d like to buy.  New furniture.  Flooring for at least one bathroom.

But then I thought about my ankles.  They’ve given me headaches (or is it footaches?) in the past.  But this winter, both of them decided to wreak havoc in quick succession.  My left one seems to have developed a torn ligament or two.  Because I found life too interesting, or too busy, to take a step back until notable damage was done, ankle #2 staged a protest.  It simply did not like having to carry all that excess weight and developed intense swelling and pain.  The result?  I am unable to walk unassisted, and must undergo physical therapy.  (The initials of this treatment, according to a practitioner, stands for Pain and Torture.)

So what would winning mega bucks really do?

But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like the money.  I’d love to share it with the kids and grandkids.  And, when I’m back on my feet, there’s always South Africa…

Springing into Reading

I woke up yesterday morning, dressed, and rushed off to work.  Once there, I checked the calendar–and sure enough, spring had arrived.  There was no sudden fanfare: the weather has been uncharacteristically warm for weeks (months?) now, and our oft-written-about quince tree and tulips are showing increasing signs of beautiful things to come.  Soon it will be time to plant the marigolds…

Last Year’s First Marigold

Perhaps it has been an early bout of spring fever that has kept me away from this blog, or my Seussing it up at the library, or the necessity of completing my annual book orders in a timely fashion–but I have returned to sharing literary delights with fellow bibliophiles. 

Ella loves stories, and she knows exactly what a book should contain to be perfect: words like Once upon a time, characters like princesses and fairy godmothers, and exciting and funny parts.  She also knows what stories do not need: BEARS.  So our young author begins to tell a bear-less story to her audience.  However, unknown to the storyteller (but obvious to the reader and listener), a bear shows up, wearing a honey-bee-decorated dress.  Kids will delight in pointing out her presence and involvement in Ella’s story.  The funny illustrations match the zaniness of this read-it-again fairy tale.

In another hot-of-the-press blockbuster, we meet Aluna.  The thirteen-year-old is a member of the Coral Kampii, a people who (in the face of severe overpopulation) left the land and adapted themselves to life at sea.  For centuries, they have relied on breathing shells to obtain oxygen from the water.  However, the technology is now failing–but the elders, of whom Aluna’s father is one, refuse to accept the reality of the situation.  And so, the plucky teen decides that if the Kampii leaders are playing ostrich, she will be the one to find the answer–and leaves the ocean for the first time in her life.

World Read Aloud Day 2012

Not only are we bibliophiles in the midst of Seussemania, today is World Read Aloud Day 2012!  What better way to begin the commemoration than to combine both, and read a book by the Doctor of Bookology to an eager group of 2nd graders.  The kids were so mesmerized by The Lorax that nobody even commented that they saw the recently released movie until I finished reading.  One student made a comment I was delighted to hear: she noticed the major differences between the motion picture and the Dr. Seuss masterpiece.  Her observation gave the teacher and me the perfect opportunity to point out the superiority of most books to their movie counterparts.  If only time had permitted, we could have had quite a discussion…

If you haven’t read to anyone yet, it’s never too late!  There’s always someone who would love hearing a story, poem, or anything else you care to share.  It doesn’t have to be today: any day can be Read Aloud Day!

What a Week It Was

Two funny things happened in the library that I feel like sharing.  (Readers know I love to toot my own horn.)

Story #1: As I was doing background research for a Dewey Decimal System lesson I was planning for a 4th grade class, I was struck by what I came to call a conspiracy of the computers.  The school ones were not operational because the powers that be were changing the system, and mine at home developed an uncooperative printer.  To make a long story short, I was still printing out the handouts for the class 20 minutes before class time, and begged the nice man who works in the copy room to provide enough for everyone asap.  As I was speaking to the class, I was simultaneously making out the activity cards (a Dewey number that the kids were supposed to match up with a book).  The students actually found books for many of them.  For the rest, I told the searchers that if there was none for their number, it might be checked out, and they should write down a nearby title.  I was uncertain how well the lesson went over until this past Monday (six days later), when students in the same class came in with the assignment to read nonfiction animal books.  Some kids actually asked me for the Dewey numbers, and when I told them, either found the books on the shelves or told me the book wasn’t there!  (The latter turned out to be a misshelved book, which I found.)  When I shared this story with the teacher, she was impressed.  I’ve been patting myself on the back all week.

Story #2: Several weeks ago, I promised a 2nd grade class that we would do a reader’s theater at their next visit.  In the meantime, the teacher and I thought that since the next session was scheduled for March 2, I might do something on a Dr. Seuss theme.  When the class arrived, as the kids were returning their books, they excitedly talked about the reader’s theater.  A promise is a promise, I thought, and dug out the scripts.  As we were about to begin, the teacher commented that 2nd graders are probably too old for Dr. Seuss books.  I mentioned that there are a number of titles that are definitely of interest to children this age, and handed her The Lorax.  After the “production,” which the kids enjoyed so much that they wanted to do it again next time, the teacher said there was time to at least begin reading a book.  I picked up The Lorax, which is what I had chosen (although Yertle the Turtle came a close second.)  Unfortunately, this was the end of the school day, and dismissal time arrived.  The kids were so disappointed, and begged me to continue next time.  (They might give their teacher no peace.)  And I think the teacher learned something today as well.