Elementary Library

READER’S ADVISORY, CIRCULATION PROCEDURES & DISMISSAL

Resource & Discussion Guide

Dear Librarian by Lydia Sigwarth (E SIG) In this story based on the author's life, a young homeless girl finds a different kind of home in the library

Discussion prompts: ●​ What does it mean to experience homelessness? ●​ How is a library a safe place for everyone? How can we make it a safe place? ●​ What books have been important to you?

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Story-teller Pura Belpre by Anika Aldamuy Denise (E) An illustrated biography of the life of Pura Belpré the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City. Discussion prompts: ●​ Look at the front cover of the book. Where are the flowers growing from? What do you think it might mean to “plant stories”? ●​ Why do you think it is important to use Spanish words in a story about someone from Puerto Rico? ●​ Why is it important for a library to represent all cultures? Does our library have books representing your culture? ●​ What gift did Pura Belpre` give to the world that lasts today? How can the stories of your family and culture make the world a better place? Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller by Breanna J. McDaniel (E) A . . . picture book biography about librarian and storyteller Augusta Baker, the first Black coordinator of children's services at all branches of the New York Public library Discussion prompts: ●​ What problem did Augusta Baker identify in her library? Why is this a problem? ●​ Why is it important for a library to represent all cultures? Does our library have books representing your culture? ●​ How can we make sure all students feel welcome in our school library? Open This Little Book by Jesse Klausmeier (E) Die-cut pages open to reveal different animals, each opening a book of a different color and reading about the next . Discussion prompts: ●​ Why did the illustrator decide to make the book this way? ●​ Why do the books keep changing sizes? ●​ Why do readers prefer different kinds of books? Can readers disagree about a book?

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