AUTHOR AIMEE REID SHARES LIBRARY LOVE

Welcome to Library Lions interviews. Author Aimee Reid is stopping by LL this month to share her  books and her Library Love.  

Aimee is a mom, children's author, former teacher, avid reader, and library lover. Her book, Mama's Day with Little Gray is published by Random House Children's Books. Aimee's next book, Welcome to the World, will release from the Nancy Paulsen imprint of Penguin Random House.

 

School Visit

Library Love When I was a Cub
Thanks to the wonderful Beginners Books series from Random House and regular storytimes at home, I was reading when I entered Kindergarten. My teacher discovered this about me when she noticed me squatting by the classroom shelves, turning pages and moving my lips. She asked me to read the books to her, which I did. At first, she thought I had memorized them. Gradually, she realized that I had read all of the books in our classroom library.

[Beginners Books from Random House]

My teacher called home and arranged to take me to the bigger school library so that I could pick out more books to read. Wow! I clearly remember looking up, up, up at the tall shelves filled with books of every size and description. "How many books can I take out?" I shyly asked. "As many as you like, dear," was the answer. I'll always be grateful to that teacher for noticing my appetite for books and feeding it.

 

More Library Love
From the moment my first book sold, I knew that I wanted to have my book launch in a library. I wanted to throw a party to which everyone was welcome. I wanted to celebrate all that is good about connecting children with books. And my wonderful local library system said yes!  

We had a wonderful time! Friends new and old enjoyed music from a local children's musician. We read and made crafts and sang and rejoiced. So many people came to enjoy the fun that we couldn't all fit in the room at once! No matter— we ran two programs so everyone could be included. This spirit of offering welcome to all is a key reason why I love libraries. 

 

Author's Roar
Libraries are equalizers. As a former teacher, I have at times been keenly aware of the disparity between the high level of resources--computers, books, and enrichment opportunities--available to some students from their homes versus the restricted supports available to others. I was proud to be a part of a public education system that offered learning for all regardless of socio-economic status. I can tell you this: books and access to knowledge are essential. We need to make certain that all students can readily find the resources they need to thrive. What better way to do this than to keep school libraries healthy and pay librarians to be the expert guides our children need? I am proud to roar out my support for libraries.

 

A Lion's Pride of Programs

  NYPL Lion

Libraries are places of discovery and opportunity. I enjoyed taking my children to story times when they were younger. Now that I am a children's author, I love visiting libraries. My visits are highly interactive. After all, I learned from those wonderful librarians who entertained my children!

At a recent library visit, the children and I moved like elephants and chanted elephant poems. We got creative with elephant crafts and tried on elephant tattoos. The children (and the adults) loved meeting Mama Gray and Little Gray in the form of my wonderful Folkmanis puppets. Finally, we read my story together. What a rich time of connecting to story and to one another.   

 

Let's Link Up

Aimee's blog, Good Books to Share, celebrates the good that sharing children's books brings to the world. Follow along to gain inside information from children's authors and illustrators and hear about how sharing children's books has changed people's lives for good.

Website: http://www.aimeereidbooks.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aimeereidauthor

Twitter: @AimeeEReid

Thank you, Aimee for sharing your books and your library love with us.

Love Libraries? Give a Roar in “Comments” below.

Note to Librarians: If you’re a Youth Librarian working in a school or public library we’d love to hear about you and your library. Contact Janet at jlcarey@hotmail.com for an interview slot. The calendar for 2015 is currently wide open J

Note to Authors: If you’re interested in Roaring for Libraries on this blog, contact Janet at jlcarey@hotmail.com for an interview slot. 

 

AMANDA NOLL LIBRARY LOVE

Welcome to Library Lions interviews Raising a Roar for libraries and the outstanding librarians serving youth in schools and public libraries across the U.S. Please Roar today’s Author Spotlight guest Amanda Noll. Amanda is stopping by to share her Library Love with us.

 A Bit About Amanda

I was born and raised in Canberra, Australia. I immigrated to the United States as a teenager. After I married my college sweetheart, I began working in the purchasing division of a private university (ironic, since I despise shopping). I left the business world to attend to the business of raising children and concentrate on my writing. I currently live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband and four children.

Amanda's Book I NEED MY MONSTER Flashlight Press
A Story About Bedtime, Monsters, Imagination

Library Love When You Were a Cub

For me, the library was a place of refuge. It was always quiet, full of books and people who loved them, and it was air conditioned (a real bonus when you grow up in a warm climate!) Reading was important to my family, so there were regular visits to the public library. I also spent a great deal of time in my school library. My home was (and still is) bursting with books!

More Library Love

I love librarians! They are my connection with schools and public libraries. They are supportive and encouraging. Librarians are passionate about reading, a quality that resonates with me! I spent many hours with librarians growing up and I find that I still spend a considerable amount of time with them as a grown up.

Author’s Roar

I see librarians struggling to redefine their role as they are required to drastically reduce their print collections. I shudder to imagine the world without librarians. They were always available to recommend books, be a friend, and be the guardians of my imagination. I sincerely hope people recognize their value in this increasingly digital world.

Awards

I was privileged to be honored as the 2011 GrandCanyon Reader Award winner in the picture book category.

I was able to attend the Arizona Library Association 2011 Conference. It included an award ceremony and author panel. The presentation of the award was done by local elementary students. What a thrill to be so connected with both my readers and champions of my work!

At the author panel from left to right Amanda Noll, Jody Feldman, Jillian Cantor, and Jennifer Ward. We answered questions about the publishing industry, how to connect with readers, writing, and storytelling. I find many librarians are also closet writers, anxious to learn how to become part of the industry.

Host Note: You can see the full list of Awards and Honors for I NEED MY MONSTER here !

Roar for School Visits  

I love being able to directly connect with my readers. There’s nothing quite like hearing a child share their own imagination. Children aren’t afraid to ask any questions, they’re always fascinated with my age.

Children still believe they can change the world. I always meet children who are convinced that they have something wonderful to contribute to the world. They lack that inner critic that haunts my days. After a school visit I’m always exhausted but amazed at our young people, and those who choose careers to help guide them. 

My school visits include a reading of my picture book, a brief bit of my background, but mostly revolves around the student’s questions and answers. I feel strongly that children should know that hard work and persistence pays off.

Let’s Link Up

Amanda's Website:

Amanda's Facebook:

Thanks again for sharing your Library Love with us, Amanda!

Love Libraries? Give a Roar in “Comments” below.

Note to Librarians: If you’re a Youth Librarian working in a school or public library we’d love to hear about you and your library. Contact Janet at jlcarey@hotmail.com for an interview slot.