Category: Why Libraries Matter

Public libraries innovating and serving during COVID-19

4/20/2020

Public libraries are a pillar of many communities, and people of all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, abilities, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, (etc.) rely on them daily. They could be using the library for free educational and/or entertainment resources, internet access, technology help, a quiet study or meeting space, somewhere to get warm and dry, a safe public restroom, human connectedness ... and the list goes on and on. Public libraries are one of the only places you can go today where you're not expected to to buy something, and they're frequently referred to as "last bastion of democracy in America." So what happens when a global pandemic causes libraries to shut their doors?

They adapt!

The COVID-19 Pandemic has made libraries innovate and market their services like never before. Lucky innovation is where libraries thrive. Some of the popular talking points and trends regarding nontraditional library services in the profession right now include the following:

Libraries 3D printing PPE for first responders and medical professionals
Providing resources to some of the most at-risk populations
Digital programming including storytimes, nature scavenger hunts, escape rooms, and more!

According to a Wired article called COVID-19’s Impact on Libraries Goes Beyond Books,

"...libraries have also become much more forgiving about item return dates and library card expirations. Some libraries have started offering even more robust online offerings, from upping the allotment of streaming media rentals to hosting online reading sessions. On March 24, the Internet Archive announced it was creating a 'National Emergency Library' by suspending wait lists for the 1.4 million books in its digital lending library. The organization says the suspension will remain in place until June 30, or the end of the US national emergency, whichever is later."

We are living in unprecedented times. Essential employees like medical staff, grocery store employees, truckers, farmers (the list goes on!) have probably never been more overworked or more appreciated. Despite public libraries not being deemed as "essential services" during this pandemic, librarians and library workers across the country have been working remotely to continue to serve their communities.

Here in Wisconsin, public libraries will be able to resume curbside check-out services when abiding by certain health and safety guidelines beginning Friday, April 24th. But normal library operations, including returning library materials, attending in-person library programming, and browsing the shelves, are still a ways off. While library administrators (and everyone else!) figure out how to most safely and effectively resume normal operations, please know that if there's one thing that is "essential" for a public library, it's their community. It will always be that way. We can't wait to see you in the stacks again soon!

PS: Happy National Library Week!

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Tessa's Top Titles of 2019!

12/30/2019

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Well here we are again – the end of the year! This was another great and constantly improving year for picture books as they continue to impress with their ability to address complex subjects, and embrace diverse faces, voices and intersectionality (well, at least the best ones do!). Without any further ado ... here are my favorite picture books of the year! Click on the covers for more book details.

Tessa's Favorite Picture Books of 2019

There were a lot of great additions to picture books this year, so many that I couldn't limit it down to just 20 like last year! Many of my top contenders in 2019 celebrated black children, including titles like I Am Perfectly Designed (Karamo Brown), M is for Melanin (Tiffany Rose), and Hair Love (Matthew A. Cherry). I also picked some books that really highlighted and embraced intersectionality and celebrating our differences, like When Aidan Became a Brother (Kyle Lukoff) and IntersectionAllies: We Make Room For All (Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council & Carolyn Choi).

It was hard not to pick books that so beautifully captured the love of family, culture, and familial traditions, including Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao (Kat Zhang), Grandpa's Stories: A Book of Remembering (Joseph Coelho), Bilal Cooks Daal (Aisha Saeed), Where Are You From? (Jamie Kim) and You Made Me a Dad (Laurenne Sala,) ... WARNING: Tissues needed for that last one.

I also, of course, chose books that also (age-appropriately) tackled contemporary issues like immigration with Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story From the Border (Mitali Perkins); Islamophilia with Under my Hijab (Hena Khan); toxic masculinity with Big Boys Cry (Jonty Howley); feminism with I Will Be Fierce! (Bea Birdsong) and Mary Wears What She Wants (Keith Negley); and confronting personal biases in What If Everybody Thought That? (Ellen Javernick). The ability picture books have to introduce complex issues like these to young children is one of my many favorite things about them!

But there can only be one absolute favorite ... and for 2019, it is easily Fry Bread: A Native American Family Tradition (Kevin Noble Maillard). It is a beautiful story that captures contemporary Native people's present, past, and future.

Fry Bread is truly something special. In a world where Native voices are often silenced or erased, this title demands to be heard. It breaks the misguided and wrong(!) stereotype that far too many people still ascribe to when they think of of Native Americans – that they walk around in buckskin and headdresses, and live in teepees.

This wonderful gem also shatters the image of what Native people look like. The book features a ton of helpful back matter that breaks down every page, including a note from author Kevin Noble Maillard regarding this representation. He states:

"Most people think Native Americans always have brown skin and black hair. But there is an enormous range of hair textures and skin colors. Just like the characters in this book, Native people may have blonde hair or black skin, tight cornrows or a loose braid. This wide variety of faces reflects a history of intermingling between tribes and also with people of European, African, and Asian descent."

Looking for, reading, and enjoying books about Native people shouldn't be something only done around Thanksgiving – though sadly that seems to be the case for many. Fry Bread is undoubtedly a book that could and should be enjoyed year-round by all types of readers. Don't miss it!

While I try to keep track of all my favorites throughout the year, but I inevitably miss a few. Here are some amazing titles from 2018 that I missed in my wrap up post at the end of last year!

Tessa's Favorite Picture Books of 2018 (Continued 1 year later...)

Here's to another great year of picture books in 2020!

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Libraries are breaking down walls – not building them

1/30/2019

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"The Castle" brick wall installation art by Jorge Méndez Blake. Image retrieved from MyModernMet.com.

The Power of a Book.

Books change lives – even save them – and at the right time, a single book can have that same power.

A recent article from School Library Journal, discussed how libraries across the country are seeing diverse titles on the rise. After all, many readers – kids in particular – want to read about people and things they can relate to, and sometimes that means judging a book by its cover. Who's image do you see on the cover? What about the author's photo on the back? Do they look like you? Why not? The fact is, these images should be diverse as the plot lines in the stories that line the shelves. And thanks to a big push by librarians, that's becoming more of a reality.

The SLJ article Can Diverse Books Save Us? shows that in today's divided world, librarians are on a two-fold mission. First, to address the need of representation and make sure readers can find characters, authors and illustrations who are like them on their shelves. The second is to deliberately give readers access to books with characters, authors and illustrators who are not like them, in hopes of building empathy and understanding by getting a glimpse of someone else's lived experience and point of view.

According to the article, "Across the board, librarians are buying more diverse books – two-thirds of the sample, 68 percent of survey respondents – report purchasing an increased number of children’s/YA (young adult) titles with diverse characters in the last year." Not surprisingly, the level of importance of access to a diverse collection varies in communities where populations tend to be more homogenous.

Infographics retrieved from the School Library Journal article "Can Diverse Books Save Us?"

While there has been a lot of progress made thanks to the work of individual librarians and organizations like We Need Diverse Books, there's still a long way to go. My own experience as a librarian and a few quotes for the SLJ article make this clear:

“Please, more books about Muslim kids. Also Black Muslim kids. My students are Somali—there are no books that I can find published by big publishers,” commented Anna Zbacnik, a media specialist at Brimhall Elementary in Roseville, MN.

In Brunswick, Melissa Orth has difficulty finding contemporary stories of East Asians. Other librarians also seek non-historical portrayals of various cultures and ethnicities and ones that bust stereotypes and “single story” narratives.

“I am trying to find books where there are kids or teens just living life while black / gay / trans / fat / Muslim, etc.,” says Libby Edwardson, youth services librarian at Blue Hill (ME) Public Library. “Not that they ignore the challenges that accompany being a minority, but kids want to see mirrors of themselves in books. They don’t want to always have to see characters that represent or teach something bigger than themselves.”

I encourage you to read the entire article to draw your own conclusions, but mine is this: There are lots diverse voices writing books, and more readers are reading them. Librarians are buying diverse books now more than ever, which is great – but that can't be it. Now let's see the school curriculums change to reflect this, and let's support publishers who use their resources to make these types of books a reality. Let's hold each other accountable and not build any more unnecessary walls. Let's work together to keep tearing them down, brick by brick.

Image retrieved from the School Library Journal article "Can Diverse Books Save Us?"

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This November ... Vote Libraries!

10/12/2018

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BIPARTISAN ISSUE ALERT

- I REPEAT-

BIPARTISAN ISSUE ALERT

Bipartisan. Now there's a word we haven't heard much lately ...

I hope you're voting in the upcoming Midterm Election – there's a lot on the line for a lot of people. Since November 2016 it feels like we've been focusing so much energy on the things that drive us part ... whether you're right-handed or a lefty, if you prefer the color red to blue, or whether you like donkeys more than elephants – You know ... the important stuff!

Joking aside, there's something on the ballot this November that shouldn't divide us – and that's supporting libraries. I mean ... who wouldn't want to do that?

Libraries Rock!
(Especially the public ones)

But you know the thing about public libraries, right? They're "free" because they're funded by the property taxes paid by the people who live in the communities they serve. This, at its fundamental core, makes the public library a political issue. And October is the perfect time for library lovers to bring their #PowerToThePolls.

I could go on and on all day about the value and importance of the public library. But frankly I have other things to on my Friday of off work, like go grocery shopping and visit my grandma – so I'm just going to link to this awesome post from Bustle about the 7 Reasons Libraries Are Essential, Now More Than Ever.

(See what I did there?) Now that you've read those seven reasons ... how can you not appreciate that and want to help support that sort of thing?! Exactly!

So to help get the word out about how awesome public libraries are, EveryLibrary (the first and only national organization dedicated exclusively to political action at a local level to create, renew, and protect public funding for libraries of all types) decided to use its super powers and start the Vote Libraries campaign. According to VoteLibraries.org,

Vote Libraries 2018 is a national marketing campaign designed to reach more Americans who believe in libraries and ask them to take the Pledge to Vote Libraries prior to the November elections. In dozens of communities, a library's local funding is on the ballot. Across the country, this election will set the direction for local, state, and national library funding by our elected officials. How you vote this November matters to the future of library funding. That's why we're asking you to sign the pledge to vote for libraries and for politicians who support libraries," – VoteLibraries.org

Visit VoteLibraries.org to sign the pledge to #VoteLibraries this November. While you're there, take some time to learn more about how you can get involved, make a donation, or show your support for the Vote Libraries movement. Then go research what (and who) is on your local ballot and ...

GO VOTE NOVEMBER 6th!

Hey Wisconsin, here's a link if you don't know how/where/when to vote:
MyVote.wi.gov

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2018: A new year, a new focus

2/1/2018

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Happy 2018!

. . . But Tessa, today's the first day of February – you're a little behind –

– Like I said, 'Happy 2018!'

As my crazy, hectic and totally insane 2017 came to a close, one of my intentions I set for the New Year was to blog more regularly – at least once a month. As we've just mentioned, I have already failed that goal now that we've entered the second month of the year and I am just making my first post of 2018. But I figured if I used not posting in January as an excuse to abandon something I really wanted to do, than that would be pretty stupid. So here we are – February 1st, 2018.

I've made a million excuses about how and why I've only had one post in 2017 – and that was the first in almost a year before that . . . Yikes! Life happened! After some reflection I realized the scope of my blog was just too broad to try and dial it in for consistently good and varied posts each week (which, to my credit, I had been doing for about two years before I started working full-time). I was burned out, so I let the blog slide – and there's nothing wrong with that. After all, you got to put your own well-being first!

As I was gearing up for 2018 I realized that if I really wanted to stick to my intention of working more mindfully and consistently with my blog, I would need to become more inspired and motivated to regularly carve out some time to do so.

That being said, there's one topic within the realm of public libraries, within the deeper realm of youth services, within the still deeper realm of youth materials that I never shut up about – and that is the diversity, authenticity and intersectionality of children's books. I mean, really this is true of all books and media, but picture books are the best and one of the biggest reasons I became a youth librarian . . . so that will likely be the majority of what I'm talking about.

1) Diversity: Who is being represented in these books? Why does a person of color, or varied abilities tend to be a sub-character, instead of the main protagonist? Are librarians including books about LGBTQ history as part of their "Celebrating American's History" book displays, or only during PRIDE week? Is HERstory included in your HIStory collection?

2) Authenticity: Who is the one telling those stories, and how are they telling them? It's not enough for an author/illustrator to simply give a few characters darker skin – the characters need to be written like they have darker skin and have lived the lives of someone with dark skin (This on top of avoiding stereotypes). As much as race is a socially constructed concept, it provides different worldviews and how the world views you. Those real experiences need to be taken into account by authors and illustrators – especially if they are coming from a culture different than the one they are working with. Coloring a character's skin a few shades darker as an after thought or a half-hearted attempt to be diverse is not enough! #WeNeedDiverseBooks!

3) Intersectionality: Life is complicated. Characters should be too! People are not just about one thing or the other. There can be a character who is muslim and gay, someone who is bi-racial and deaf, someone who checks more than one box – because, guess what? That's real life.

These three components of representation are essential to keep in mind while evaluating, consuming and purchasing media – whether its selecting a library book or anything else in your everyday life. So from now own, I'll be using this platform to dig into these topics a little deeper for myself, other library professionals, and anyone else who feels like reading!

From providing multicultural book lists to tips on how to make storytimes more inclusive, my goal for this blog is for it to help keep the conversation going, to get people thinking more critically about representation, and to ensure that everyone feels they can see themselves represented on their library's bookshelves!

Write soon (I promise – for real this time!),
-Tessa

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Any new homebuyers should know their best friend is ...

8/17/2016

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THE PUBLIC LIBRARY!

While an unlimited flow of cash might be the ultimate pal of someone who recently purchased a house (like me!), a much more realistic and almost as helpful best bud is your local library.

Buying a house is exciting, and if it's your first one like mine, even more so. But it can also be daunting and a bit overwhelming, particularly if you plan on doing any renovations to your new abode. While the Internet can be a great source of decoration inspiration (thank you, Pinterest), it's not always the most reliable or easy for getting reliable professional opinions – design or otherwise. And if you don't have wifi hooked up at your new house (also me, for the time being), having a physical copy of a book to look at could also be more beneficial than having YouTube tutorials eat up all your phone data.

Since my fiancé Taylor and I will have had just over a full month to work on house before we move in mid-September, we're making all (or at least most) of the cosmetic changes we want on the main floor while we are still living at our apartment. This means a couple coats of paint in every room, new hardwoods throughout, a facelift for our fireplace and a few other odds and ends ... like a new roof and new gutters, but those aren't nearly as fun or glamorous. Here are a couple of books available at my local library that I've already paged through for some design inspiration (If you belong to a public library in Kenosha, Racine or Walworth counties, just click on the book to reserve your copy today).

It just wouldn't be right if my new home did not include some built-in bookshelves, and those will be in the works soon enough. While I'm not so confident in my personal aptitude for doing the job and will be paying someone else to do it (see why the unlimited flow of cash would be nice?), if you feel handy enough to do some woodworking projects yourself, your local library also has materials that will have that covered. Looking for some landscaping ideas and tips? Your library has that too! Plumbing basics? Check. From books about being your own contractor to The Everything Guide to Flipping Houses, your library has your back. Not to mention most also have a subscription to HGTV Magazine!

So if you've recently relocated, decided to finally tackle that DIY project or are unable to suppress your HGTV obsession any longer, make sure you add a trip to your local library to your to-do list. You, your house and your wallet will be sure to thank me!

Our new home!

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Pokémon Go: 'Gotta catch 'em all' at your local library

7/27/2016

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Photo via Akron-Summit County Public Library's Facebook.

So I realized I only posted one blog entry in June and now July is almost over and I still have yet to publish anything new! This summer is flying by, and I'll be honest — I've been spending my time enjoying it rather than blogging ... not that blogging isn't enjoyable, haha.

One of the latest crazes to surface during my blogging hiatus is the Pokémon Go phenomenon. And while I personally don't want to waste my time, data or phone battery playing the game, I can already tell you that I love it. Why? Because it is a perfect match for public libraries.

Perhaps the best way to familiarize people with the library's resources and services is to get them in the door. Once you get someone inside, it's almost impossible for them to not find something of interest. And Pokémon Go is definitely bringing people into the library — particularly millennials who might not regularly step foot inside a brick-and-mortar library branch.

Photo via Community Library's Facebook.

Whoever was responsible for deciding to make public libraries Pokéstops and/or Poké Gyms deserves a high five, a bear hug, a pat on the back and maybe a foot massage too. This decision is not only bringing people into the library, but it's giving librarians new and creative programming ideas as well. Some libraries have even reinvigorated their old Pokémon clubs in addition to creating new programming for the next generation of Pokémon enthusiasts. Between hosting group walks to catch Pokémon, setting off lures and inviting people to libraries to battle for control of a gym, this new mobile game is breathing some fresh air into youth services provided by libraries everywhere.

Well there's no telling just how long this trend will stay in the spotlight, public libraries have been quick to embrace the mobile game's growing popularity. While Pokémon originally got big in the early 2000s, many libraries have seen a rise in circulation for their Pokémon materials since the games exponentially successful launch earlier this month.

We'll see how long Pokémon Go remains a "thing," but I'd be willing to bet a super rare Pokémon that it won't be nearly as long as public libraries last!

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Celebrate National Library Week 2016: Libraries Transform

4/8/2016

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It's that time of year again folks, National Library Week! This year's theme "Libraries Transform" could not be any more accurate of what libraries do. Looking to improve your health? Libraries have tons of books about healthy eating, diets and exercise. Want to make your daily commute more productive (and fun)? Check out an audiobook and listen to it on your way to work! Searching for technology classes to better your computer skills? Libraries offer many *FREE* programs (both technology-based and otherwise) for patrons of all ages. Not only libraries transform their patrons, they also transform their communities!

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. This year's celebration is April 10-16. The week designates a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and advocacy. All types of libraries – be it school, public, academic or special – are recognized and participate in this honorary week of recognition.

Celebrations during this year's National Library Week include the following:

Monday, April 11: State of America's Libraries Report released, including Top Ten Frequently Challenged Books of 2015.
Tuesday, April 12: National Library Workers Day, a day for library staff, users, administrators and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers.
Wednesday, April 13: National Bookmobile Day, a day to recognize the contributions of our nation's bookmobiles and the dedicated professionals who make quality bookmobile outreach possible in their communities.

This year's Honorary Chair of National Library Week is Gene Luen Yang, an award-winning graphic novelist and the 2016-2017 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. His 2006 book, American Born Chinese was the first graphic novel to be a finalist for a National Book Award and the first to win the American Library Association’s Printz Award. It also won an Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album.

Looking for ways to honor your library this week? Here's
what you can do:

1. Join the ALA's Libraries Transform
public awareness campaign
2. Help spread the word on social media
3. Take part in the Because _____________. #LibrariesTransform promotion
4. Take part in the Libraries Transform
Video Challenge
5. And most importantly: Visit your public, school or academic library!

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Using the power of books to combat Islamophobia

11/25/2015

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This semester in my multicultural children's literature course, we were assigned to pick a topic to write a 20 page research paper about in addition to reading and reviewing 10 books of our choosing that may or may not relate to the topic of the paper. With worldwide political unrest at one of its highest peaks since WWII, choosing a topic about Muslim representation and identity in YA literature (particularly from a female character's point of view), seemed like a no brainer.

While I have not yet started my 20 page paper (oops), I have read all and reviewed most of the YA titles I chose for the class. Above is a booktalk of Ask Me No Questions by Marina Budhos (2006), a book about a Muslim family from Bangladesh living in the United States illegally in a post-9/11 world. With the ongoing refugee crisis, it seemed relevant and timely to discuss.

Additional YA books about Muslim Youth that I read and reviewed for this project include the following:

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'Tessa Fox Reads' celebrating one year since launch!

9/30/2015

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Look who's turning one!

One year ago today I launched this website. Looking back on the past year has been interesting to say the least. I've started working two part-time library jobs, finished my first semester of graduate school and have gotten tons of library experience and knowledge that will help me land a full-time gig after graduating with my Masters of Library and Information Science this spring. With the passing of each of the last 365 days, I truly feel as though I have gotten an even stronger affirmation that public librarianship is something I'm meant to be doing.

I'm not sure if I've shared this tidbit with you before (it's been a long year), but when I was a little kid, I used to say that I wanted to be a "Rock 'n' Roll librarian." This was (what I thought was at the time) the ingenious idea of loaning people CDs instead of books. I wanted to work at a "library" with Tom Petty playing through the speakers and tons of people rifling through an endless collection of music from all genres. I guess I ignored the fact that, maybe minus the Tom Petty, this already happened at libraries on a daily basis. Not only that, but this innovative career already existed in the form of record stores owners, only they actually sold their wares for profit. I wasn't in it for the money, I just wanted to share good music with good people.

That desire to share something important to me with others has manifested itself into my career choice more than two decades later. But as a librarian you do much more than loan people books and CDs. Librarians share access to ideas. They give you their time and they offer you their expertise. And to my younger self's joy, I am sure, they do this for no charge.

I went from alphabetizing my childhood bookshelf — homemade spine labels and all — to getting to do that and so much more at an actual library. I went from reading aloud to my parents to reading stories for an entire room full of eager children at storytime. And now I'm well on my way from wanting to become a Rock 'n' Roll librarian to actually becoming the real thing.

I am so thankful for a great first year of blogging. I appreciate all of you who have taken the time to read along with me on this journey. So happy first birthday, Tessa Fox Reads! Bring on the terrible twos!

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<<Previous

Public libraries innovating and serving during COVID-19

They adapt!

PS: Happy National Library Week!

Tessa's Top Titles of 2019!

Tessa's Favorite Picture Books of 2019

Tessa's Favorite Picture Books of 2018 (Continued 1 year later...)

Here's to another great year of picture books in 2020!

Libraries are breaking down walls – not building them

The Power of a Book.

This November ... Vote Libraries!

BIPARTISAN ISSUE ALERT

- I REPEAT-

BIPARTISAN ISSUE ALERT

Libraries Rock!
(Especially the public ones)

GO VOTE NOVEMBER 6th!

Hey Wisconsin, here's a link if you don't know how/where/when to vote:
MyVote.wi.gov

2018: A new year, a new focus

Happy 2018!

– Like I said, 'Happy 2018!'

Any new homebuyers should know their best friend is ...

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY!

Pokémon Go: 'Gotta catch 'em all' at your local library

Celebrate National Library Week 2016: Libraries Transform

Using the power of books to combat Islamophobia

'Tessa Fox Reads' celebrating one year since launch!

Look who's turning one!

Author

Connect with me online!

Archives

Categories

They adapt!

PS: Happy National Library Week!

Tessa's Favorite Picture Books of 2019

Tessa's Favorite Picture Books of 2018 (Continued 1 year later...)

​Here's to another great year of picture books in 2020!

The Power of a Book.​

*BIPARTISAN ISSUE ALERT* ​- I REPEAT- ​**BIPARTISAN ISSUE ALERT**

Libraries Rock!(Especially the public ones)

GO VOTE NOVEMBER 6th!Hey Wisconsin, here's a link if you don't know how/where/when to vote:MyVote.wi.gov

Happy 2018!

– Like I said, 'Happy 2018!'

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY!

Look who's turning one!

Author

Connect with me online!

Archives

Categories

Here's to another great year of picture books in 2020!

The Power of a Book.

BIPARTISAN ISSUE ALERT

- I REPEAT-

BIPARTISAN ISSUE ALERT

Libraries Rock!
(Especially the public ones)

GO VOTE NOVEMBER 6th!

Hey Wisconsin, here's a link if you don't know how/where/when to vote:
MyVote.wi.gov