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Heise Reads & Recommends

A School Librarian Sharing Books & #ClassroomBookADay

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An Update.

An Update.

August 25, 2022

WSRA (Wisconsin State Reading Association) Resignation. Image text: We, the undersigned, are resigning from our chair and leadership positions on WSRA’s Children’s Literature Committee, effective immediately. This decision was not made lightly, nor quickly, but is a result of our collective experiences in the organization over several years. We believe that now is the right time to step away and… Read More

Filed Under: Other

#cbadSpotlight 2022-2023  |  September – November

#cbadSpotlight 2022-2023 | September – November

August 14, 2022

Three years ago, for the 5 year anniversary of #ClassroomBookADay, I started curating monthly recommendations to provide deeper book knowledge, support of a broader range of book creators, and create a way to have common books for participating educators to discuss. I called it #cbadSpotlight. Each month, September-May, I share four titles that I think deserve special attention and a… Read More

Filed Under: #cbadspotlight

Try This… Update Your Name Stories Read Aloud

Try This… Update Your Name Stories Read Aloud

August 5, 2022

A few days ago I posted a list of alternative options to update your first day read aloud by replacing First Day Jitters with newer titles. Today I’m sharing updated alternatives for the classic (and somewhat overused in classrooms) Chrysanthemum. Classics can be beloved for a valid reason, but I know that books that are 20+ years old may not… Read More

Filed Under: Picture Books, Thinking Out Loud

My Weeding Manifesto

My Weeding Manifesto

August 4, 2022

Weeding Steps in a New-to-You School Library (or a not so new but hasn’t had a good weed in awhile library) Many would say not to weed until you’ve seen students using the collection. While I understand the basis of that advice, now taking over a 3rd library, there are a few things that I know can be done before… Read More

Filed Under: Professional Learning, Resources

Try This… Update Your First Day Read Aloud

Try This… Update Your First Day Read Aloud

July 28, 2022

As I have deepened my picture knowledge over the last eight years of doing #ClassroomBookADay, and now as a school librarian, one of the things I notice is that many teachers have a tendency to stick with tried & true favorites for read aloud. Especially for back-to-school time. I think a lot of it comes from always feeling a bit… Read More

Filed Under: Picture Books, Thinking Out Loud

Cover Reveal: Harold the Iceberg Melts Down

Cover Reveal: Harold the Iceberg Melts Down

July 20, 2022

I need to preface this post with a disclaimer that the author of this upcoming picture book is a dear friend of mine and I was able to be a beta reader for this manuscript. However, I also hold my promotion of picture books to a high standard as a crucial element of supporting teachers and students with #ClassroomBookADay and… Read More

Filed Under: Picture Books

A Year of #ClassroomBookADay Recommendations: 2021-22 School Year

A Year of #ClassroomBookADay Recommendations: 2021-22 School Year

July 6, 2022

As part of my partnership with Follett, for each month of the school year, September – May, I curate a themed booklist with 20 recommended picture books that would be great for your #ClassroomBookADay read alouds. Below are links to all of the lists from the 2021-22 school year. My themed picture book recommendation lists are also housed in Titlewave,… Read More

Filed Under: Themed Booklists for Follett

Pride Month Reads 2022

Pride Month Reads 2022

June 1, 2022

33 picture books to share in celebration of Pride Month🏳️‍🌈#SayGay #ProtectTransKids #ReadWithPride Also visit my post with info on supporting LGBTQIA+ representation in the classroom (includes video booktalk & 20 title booklist) Be sure to read my Q&A interview with the authors of And Tango Makes Three! 33 Picture Books to Share in Celebration of Pride Month | June 2022… Read More

Filed Under: Picture Books

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Latest Resources

Instagram Posts

#ReadAcrossAmerica Day is Monday. How are you cele #ReadAcrossAmerica Day is Monday. How are you celebrating literacy? If you need some ideas, consider Reading Across the Diverse Regions of America with titles set in various states. 
Grab the link in bio / on my blog.
bit.ly/heiseRAA2024
#WNDB #ClassroomBookADay #LibraryLife #LibrariansOfInstagram #TeachersOfInstagram
Weekend mindfulness task accomplished.✅ Lego wil Weekend mindfulness task accomplished.✅
Lego wildflower bouquet from the niblings. 💕 Headed to my library tomorrow.💐
Current commute audiobook read. "The Small and the Current commute audiobook read. "The Small and the Mighty is the encouragement we all need in an age of doomscrolling and division."
Being reminded of our common humanity & inspired by the hope of it all from America's Government Teacher™️ @sharonsaysso. ❤️🤍💙
#amreading #audiobook #bookaday #ReadingWithMyEars
Wishing I was back here with @jenseiler79 & @msgue Wishing I was back here with @jenseiler79 & @msguerrette!!🫶🏻 Holding tight to the small joys & friendships that will get us through to the other side of all of this.
Kicking off #BlackHistoryMonth with @elaineweltero Kicking off #BlackHistoryMonth with @elainewelteroth's More Than Enough for this week's commute audiobook.
#WNDB #LibraryLife #HeiseReads
It's the start of #BlackHistoryMonth & one way you It's the start of #BlackHistoryMonth & one way you can support diverse books and ensuring that we continue to have Black creatives in publishing is by reading, recommending, sharing, reviewing, and purchasing their books. And if sharing read aloud videos, please seek out ones that abide by copyright and don't take away from their ability to earn an income from their writing & art.
Due to committee commitments this year, I can't post about 2025 books, but I can share my resource from last year. This Virtual Picture Book Read Aloud Library is a Google Slideshow covering 233 titles, in 7 categories, with book covers linking directly to copyright-compliant video read alouds of recommended picture books. 
Categories include:
(a purposeful, intentional start with positive portrayals)
Black Joy & Magic
Families
Natural Hair
Empowering Stories
Black History
Excellence / Innovators / History Makers (Biographies)
Racial / Community Awareness
Use for February and any month! 
Blog Post: heisereads.com/bhm2024-ralib/
Shop Link: bit.ly/heisebhm2024
#ClassroomBookADay #WNDB #LibraryLife #KidLit  #TeachersOfInstagram #LibrariansOfInstagram #TeachersFollowTeachers #HeiseReads
The most exciting day of the year is here - it's t The most exciting day of the year is here - it's the ALA Youth Media Awards announcements! And we get to be in the room where it happens! 
This is like the Oscars / Super Bowl / "whatever big award honor thing you can think of" for the children's literature community.
An extra exciting way to head into the start of my Caldecott Committee year. 🏅
#ALAYMA25 #ALALLX25 #NerdyBookClub #LibraryLife #HeiseReads
Current status. Writing & finalizing #NCTE25 propo Current status.
Writing & finalizing #NCTE25 proposals poolside at my parents' house in PHX with @msguerrette & @jenseiler79 before heading back down to #ALALLX25 this afternoon.
It's too cold to have school, but it's perfect tim It's too cold to have school, but it's perfect timing to get to stay home curled up under my @unhide Marshmallow Blanket in my @softiespjs Marshmallow Slouch Turtleneck Lounger on Onyx Storm release day. 
#amreading #OnyxStorm #bookaday #HeiseReads
We're off of school & it's negative temps outside, We're off of school & it's negative temps outside, so I am choosing to focus on dreaming boldly & the inherent possibilities of using children's literature in educating our young people while working on #NCTE25 proposals today.
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