As a library teacher and lover of all things Picture Book, I have looked forward to November for the past six years. This year, it is with a bruised yet hope-filled heart that I launch into our Picture Book Month celebration. Here's why:
"A Tribute to Picture Book Month Founder Dianne de Las Casas
By Elizabeth O. Dulemba, Marcie Colleen, Joyce Wan, Katie Davis and Wendy Martin
If you hadn’t yet heard, I’m sorry to begin your 2017 Picture Book Month celebration with sad news. Picture Book Month recently lost its Founder and greatest champion, Diane de Las Casas. Sadly, our friend passed away in a house fire this past August leaving an enormous hole in our kidlit universe and in the many lives she touched. As Co-Founders of Picture Book Month, we are devastated by the loss of Dianne, but we are also dedicated to keeping her legacy alive. Dianne put so much work into making Picture Book Month an event looked forward to by teachers, parents, and librarians around the world, we know that the best way to honor her is to keep her dream moving forward. So, with sad, but determined hearts, we bring you Picture Book Month 2017."
So, like many, I am celebrating Picture Book Month in honor of Dianne de Las Casas.
The Picture Book Month Website has many resources to guide your Picture Book Month celebration, including daily blog posts from the #kidlit community and a calendar with reading suggestions for each day.
Here's a look back at previous year's activities in my school library during Picture Book Month:
Picture Book Month 2011
Third graders found a favorite picture book from our Picture Book Neighborhood and shared why they love the book via Voicethread.
Picture Book Month 2012
Students shared via posters or blog comments why picture books are important.
Picture Book Month 2014
Picture Book Month activities and resources
Picture Book Month 2015
Fifth graders use their Web Site Evaluation Criteria to evaluate the Picture Book Month Website, while finding information for posters.
This is an amazing tribute to her. So very sad, indeed. Thank you for celebrating all that is the wonderful world of picture books.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. So very sad.
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