School Visits...Public Library Visits...Author Visits

I have been incredibly lucky to have gone to graduate school with some awesome teacher-librarians and met even more role models through professional associations like the Western PA School Libraries Association, a division of the PA School Library Association & ALA.  They work tirelessly to create programs that incorporate information literacy through the use of technology and STEAM.  I have visited Mr. Lebanon, Hampton, Quaker Valley and even Frank Elementary in Houston, TX.

In addition to school visits, I also witnessed Sensory Storytime at the Mentor and Akron Public Libraries in Ohio, along with the Squirrel Hill Library right here in town.  I went to lectures by Mo Willems along with Zacariah Ohora, to name a few.  Each visit was special in its own right, and I felt such excitement to learn from professionals whose only goal is providing a quality education for children.

Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures....Words & Pictures Series

We are so lucky to live in Pittsburgh for many, many reasons.  One reason, which many people may not be aware of, involves the Pittsburgh Arts & Lecture Series.  The above image is actually a screen shot of their website announcing the 2017 - 2018 author series.  Each year we have the chance to hear from authors who have a major impact on children's and young adult literature.  

I have attended many of these lectures in the past, but this year I was looking forward to hearing Mo Willems.  I had actually first heard him speak as he moderated a panel of authors when I was at the Eric Carle museum back in October.  Although I was able to see and hear him in person, his role as moderator did not give much insight into he himself as an author.

Elementary aged children really seem to love Mo's books.  Some of his more popular books are "Knuffle Bunny", the "Pigeon" series along with "Elephant & Piggie" books.  While I believe his books are more for Pre-K and Kindergarten, I have to admit that all grades will check out his books when given the chance.  They have simple words and illustrations that tend to always make the children laugh.  Mo talked about some of his previous jobs and also about his new exhibit which is now on display at the Pittsburgh Children's Museum through September 2, 2018.