The Read-A-Lotl: Over Spring Break BINGO! Get It Here, Friends!

 

With spring break right around the corner, I am getting a few things ready for our readers this week. 

I always share the special Spring Break BINGO cards that Capstone creates for us and this year there is a super fun new one! 

It's called Read-A-Lotl Over Spring Break BINGO and couldn't be cuter! 

On the Downloads page on the Capstone site here, the Read-A-Lotl Over Spring Break BINGO! is at the very top.  You will find English and Spanish versions in color and black & white. 

To go along with the BINGO cards, I also put together a choice board of the new Axolotls series and PebbleGo article about axolotls.  This series is already a hit with our students. It's so much fun. 

You will find the choice board template to copy for your own use here.

Our readers LOVE reading and learning about axolotls so I know this years spring break bingo is going to be such a hit! 

Here is more about the series, and a ton of fun stuff to use with Axolotls! too.  

10 Ways To Ignite A Passion For Nonfiction In Readers...My New Article In The Demco Array Magazine!

 

In the most recent issue of the Demco Array magazine, I am excited to have an article included called 10 Ways To Ignite A Passion For Nonfiction in Readers, based on our Demco webinar series. 

You will find this special digital edition here.  

This latest issue of the Demco Array is filled with practical tips for using AI, ideas for safeguarding your patrons' data and privacy, design articles and ideas, and so much more. 

You can explore all of the Demco Array Issues here on the Demco Ideas and Inspiration site. 

Two Special Choice Boards For St. Patrick's Day!

                 

It's almost St. Patricks' Day, so I have put together a couple of choice boards for our students to use at school and at home to celebrate this special holiday. 

You will find the one above that includes PebbleGo here to share with your students.  They will have to login to PebbleGo but everything else is open. If you would like to make edits, you will find the link here.

I also put together one without PebbleGo. Your students can use this link and if you want to make changes you can make a copy here. 

You will also find the St. Patrick's Day choice board here in the March Choice Board. 

Create a Collaborative Book with Your Students For Be An Author Month....Read How Here, Friends.

 

I am entering my school into the 'Tell Your Story' competition for Book Creator's Be An Author Month.  

We are creating a collaborative book at our school. One of my favorite things about Book Creator is how our students can collaborate and communicate together in one book. They are so excited about this project and opportunity to be part of the Be An Author Month. 

In this NEW post from the Book Creator blog I share how we are creating our collaborative book so you can do the same. It's been so much fun and I can't wait to tell you how we are doing this with our students. 

You can read it here, friends. 

Join Us Today For The FREE Demco Webinar, What Gets Forgotten In Library Design? You Can Register Here, Friends!

 

Today is the day for our March Demco Webinar! 

We would love to invite you to join Dr. Robert Dillion and myself for the FREE Demco webinar, What Gets Forgotten In Library Design?  

As shared online, 

Join Demco for a free webinar featuring Dr. Robert Dillon and Shannon McClintock Miller as they discuss the crucial aspects of library design that are often overlooked (and how you can avoid making those mistakes).

In this webinar, participants will explore:

1. Common pitfalls in library design and how to prevent them
2. Strategies to create flexible, student-centered spaces
3. Ways to design for inclusivity and accessibility
4. Tips for fostering collaboration and creativity through design

You can register for our webinar at bit.ly/DemcoMar

We can't wait to see you, friends. 

A-Z Career Lab From PBS Is The Perfect Addition To Our PebbleGO Choice Board About Careers!

This week I worked on a Career Choice Board with my friends in Long Island.  

We used articles in PebbleGo about Jobs in the Community and articles in PebbleGo Next about Jobs in Science.  I added those to the choice board.

Then I was so excited to find this amazing resource from PBS called the A-Z Career Lab. 

As shared online, 

There’s a cool career for every kid!  Explore career options from A to Z with the Lab Squad kids as they meet and interview career professionals. The kids share lots of career ideas in every episode so be sure to watch them all, A to Z!  If a kid can see it, they can be it! 

Check out all of the career A-Z. 

I love the videos and information they included in each one. 

You will find the A-Z Career Lab here, friends. 

And here is the choice board you can make a copy of and fill in with your own links to PebbleGo too.

Funding Your Library Just Got Easier....Join This Upcoming Literacy For Texas Webinar, Friends.

 

Libraries deserve strong financial support, and we’re sharing the best strategies to help you secure it.

Join Literacy for Texas and special guests Monica Loas and Andrea Colwell on March 18th at 4 PM CT for insights on grant writing, advocacy, and budget planning for school libraries.

Sign up today here, friends. It's one who won't want to miss.

Enable Unified Navigation In Destiny Suite With These 5 Easy Steps!

 

Unified Navigation is the amazing new upgrade for our Follett Destiny® Platform.  It brings us the full potential of our Destiny suite.  

As shared by Follett Software, Unified Navigation gives us...

Access advanced capabilities, seamless integrations, and cutting-edge tools like AI-powered features and in-depth reporting. Enjoy streamlined workflows, enhanced data sharing, and the convenience of secure single sign-on (SSO). Designed to elevate your experience, Unified Navigation empowers librarians and school staff to work smarter, faster, and more efficiently, maximizing the value of your Destiny subscription.

You can enable Unified Navigation in 5 easy steps. 

1. Login in as Destiny Administrator.

2. Select Setup and go to Sites Sub-tab.

3. Next to the district name, click on the little pencil icon. The Edit District page appears. 

4. Select Unified Navigation as shown in the image above.

5. Click save. Close and restart your browser. 

You can read more about Unified Navigation here, friends.  I know you will love it too! 

Celebrating Nevada Reading Week By Sharing Sonia's Digtial World With Readers Across The State!

 

Today, I had the honor of joining over 5,000 students for Nevada Reading Week as one of their featured authors.  

With the theme of Color Our World With Book, Nevada Reading Week inspired and instilled the joy and importance of reading across Nevada. 

I shared Sonia's Digital World, and my upcoming series with Capstone and ISTE, ISTE Digital Explorers. 

It was such a special day and I loved all of the questions from all of the students, teachers and librarians.  Thank you for having me, friends. 

Rock Your Read Aloud...Sparking Curiosity and Confidence in Little Readers! A New Book From Our Friends At Novel Effect!

 

My amazing friends from Novel Effect, Matthew and Melissa Hammersley, have a new book coming out on April 1, 2025. 

It's called Rock Your Read Aloud, Sparking Curiosity and Confidence in Little Readers.  

As shared online, 

Spark amazement, wonder, and excitement with the transformative art of the read-aloud. More than just fun, read-alouds are essential for building literacy skills, fostering a love of books, and setting students up for success. Research proves that reading to children enhances language development, boosts academic performance, and inspires lifelong readers.

I can't wait for the difference this book will bring to libraries, classrooms, and home as we read and inspire our young readers each and every day. 

You will find Rock Your Read Aloud here. 

I Have Some Exciting News, Friends! Sonia and Her Friends Are Back In My New Early Chapter Book Series, ISTE Digital Explorers!

I have some exciting news, friends.

My new early chapter book series, ISTE Digital Explorers, in partnership with Capstone and ISTE, comes out this summer.  There will be 7 books in the series, with the first 4 coming out in August.

Each story in this early chapter book series focuses on one ISTE Student Standard. Young readers will be inspired to engage with technology in thoughtful, responsible, and innovative ways to learn, grow, and connect in our digital world. 

In fact, it features Sonia, her friends, and family, from my picture book, Sonia's Digital World. 

The first one in this new series, Sonia Speaks Up, can be found here on NetGalley. 

As shared online, 

Sonia and her class finally get to use the digital platform for artwork! Sonia is proud of her lion painting, and she can't wait to share it. But after seeing rude comments on the other paintings, she decides not to post it after all. The next day at school, Mr. Thompson reminds the class what it means to be a good digital citizen, perfectly showing this ISTE standard in a relatable classroom situation. Created in partnership with ISTE, this early chapter book offers an engaging introduction to important concepts in technology education.

You can get a sneak peak of the other books in the series on the back of the book posted above.  I can't wait until you see them all, friends.  

And if you will be at the ISTE LIVE 25 Conference this summer, Sonia and I will be too. 

Look What We Brought To Our Classrooms This Week! It's The PebbleGo Companion Book Packs We Paired Up With PebbleGo For Research, Reading and More!

I would love to introduce you to the NEW PebbleGo Companion Book Packs!  In fact, we brought them to our classrooms this week, and our kids and teachers are loving them! 

The PebbleGo Book Packs take student research and engagement to the next level.  There is a PebbleGo Book Pack for every PebbleGo module including...

...PebbleGo Social Studies Book Pack, 

PebbleGo Science Book Pack, 

PebbleGo Health Book Pack, 

PebbleGo Biographies Book Pack, and the...

...PebbleGo Animals Book Pack. 

I LOVE the titles in each PebbleGo Book Pack and I know our readers will too. 

Every PebbleGo Book Pack is available in hardcover, paperback, and read-along eBook. I started with the PebbleGo Animals Book Packs.  

I purchased the PebbleGo Animals Book Pack in hardcovers for our library collection where I will be setting up a special new section in our nonfiction just for our PebbleGo Book Packs. 

And the PebbleGo Animals Book Pack in paperback for our teachers to use in their classrooms. 

As shared by Capstone, 

PebbleGo Book Packs let students dig deeper into passion topics or research subjects, while building reading stamina. Each bundle has been curated by educators to match learning goals. PebbleGo Book Packs make extending learning easy for busy educators – like you! No more searching for just the right book or resource to fuel eager learners. Every pack includes thirty titles aligned to one of PebbleGo’s five modules – Animals, Biographies, Health, Science, and Social Studies. Each title is available as hardcover, paperback, or read-along eBook within PebbleGo. Every PebbleGo Book Pack is available in hardcover, paperback, and read-along eBook! 

You will find the PebbleGo Book Packs in two places. 

Find them on Titlewave.com here and at CapstonePub.com here.

Join Us For The Upcoming FREE Demco Webinar, What Gets Forgotten In Library Design? You Can Register Today, Friends.

 

On March 11, 2025 at 4:00pm CST, I would love to invite you to join Dr. Robert Dillion and myself for the FREE Demco webinar, What Gets Forgotten In Library Design?  

As shared online, 

Join Demco for a free webinar featuring Dr. Robert Dillon and Shannon McClintock Miller as they discuss the crucial aspects of library design that are often overlooked (and how you can avoid making those mistakes).

In this webinar, participants will explore:

1. Common pitfalls in library design and how to prevent them
2. Strategies to create flexible, student-centered spaces
3. Ways to design for inclusivity and accessibility
4. Tips for fostering collaboration and creativity through design

You can register for our webinar here, friends. 

It's Be An Author Month, Friends! Read How Your Students Can Join This Amazing Book Creator Event!

                

Friends, it's Be An Author Month! 

Held annually, this celebration empowers students to unleash their creativity, express their ideas, and find their voices through storytelling and digital publishing.

Hosted by Book Creator, this incredible event highlights the power of student narratives and literacy, turning classrooms, libraries, and school communities into vibrant spaces for creativity, self-expression, and fun!

This year’s theme, Tell Your Story, inspires students to embrace their unique voices, share their perspectives, and celebrate the power of personal storytelling. Through writing, images, and multimedia, they’ll embark on a creative journey to craft meaningful content that reflects their identities and experiences.

I’m excited to share the theme and explore what Be An Author Month will mean for our students as they tell their stories. They thrive on creating and sharing, especially when their stories are personal and uniquely their own. Through this event, we can use Book Creator to nurture every child's literacy skills and creativity, providing them with a platform to share something meaningful—not just with friends and family, but potentially with the world.

Throughout Be An Author Month, I can't wait to inspire creativity within all of our students as they share unique and personal experiences through the story they create. They will use Book Creator to write, find and create images, choose multimedia, and publish their wonderful stories. 

Here is how you and your students can be part of this special event too! 

                         

Go to the Be An Author Month site here. 

The site gives details about the...

...Tell Your Story Competition including The Prizes, 

How It Works, and the Competition Rubric.

Click on Get The Templates to go to the Be An Author 2025 Library for the Tell Your Story templates for each grade level and a super helpful Teacher Guidebook.

At the bottom of the page, it outlines how to Submit Your Book. 

Competition opens March 5, 2025. 

Also on the Be An Author Month site, you will find lots of resources to support this project and the month on March.

As I get ready for Be An Author Month at my school, I think about special moments this year with Book Creator. 

Last week, one of our kindergarteners wrote this in his book about polar animals,

I am Maxwell. 

I am 6 years old. 

I'm a kid. 

You can see what creating a book in Book Creator meant to him. 

As shared on the site, 

Be An Author Month is dedicated to inspire every student to embrace their creativity, articulate their thoughts, and harness the strength of their voice. 

Now, think about your kids. I know they will love to be an author and share their story like Maxwell too.

Go to the Be An Author Month site here to get started today. 

You can learn how to get Book Creator for your school here. 

Join me and our students for this special event. It's going to a wonderful month.