I am so excited to be co-chairing the 2020 Institute for the Association of Children's Librarians. This day-long event will feature authors writing inclusive, informative literature for youth as well as innovative presenters speaking about issues that impact library service to youth. Organizing this event has been an expansive experience and I am so lucky to have had the opportunity.

This week, in my school library, third graders got messy with collage. The project is a culmination of a month-long illustrator study in which we poured over the work of collage artists like Ed Young, Javaka Steptoe, and Christian Robinson. For weeks, students donated scraps and ephemera to our growing collage library, with a focus on recycling. As you can see, they were ready when it was finally time to dig in. Creative experiences like this build on students' natural and diverse talents and open a gateway for those who don't connect with the traditional concept of library as 'just a place to read'. Libraries are about stories and people and experiences. This project brings all of this to life.

Chimera at the Octopus Literary Salon, May 25
Chimera is an unusual instrumental quartet presenting totally original music for harp, violin, viola, and cello
7:00   $10
https://oaklandoctopus.org/

Ukulele for Teens Workshop   June 25
Moutainview Library, 6:30

April 20 at the Octopus Literary Salon in Oakland with Katy Stephan and Lisa Mezzacappa. An evening of pure delight with old friends and an excellent audience.

We had a great time in Vallejo today performing "My Words, My Music". Alan read some great kids books with fun musical accompaniment as well as some of his poetry. The finale was an original composition by the audience (with a bit of improvisation on our part).