Monthly Archives: April 2017

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The Power of the School Librarian

April 30, 2017 8:36 pm ,

I would dress like a high school librarian if he had his way. He’s old-fashioned in that way.
~ Cate Blanchett on her husband playwright Andrew Upton’s fashion likes

An interesting article in the latest Pople Magazine Style Section titled Cate Blanchett Says Her Husband Likes Her to ‘Dress Like a High School Librarian’ made me think about the lasting influence school librarians can give their students.

51 year old playwright and director Andrew Upton’s school education would have ended over 30 years ago and over the years his subconscious has changed the obviously strong influence his high school librarian has had on him into a desire for his wife to resemble her, at least in regard to her clothing style.

He is a writer of plays and film scripts – this career may have developed out of his love for writing and literature which would have been nurtured in his school library, possibly by a librarian that favoured wearing the combination of a cardigan, a tweed skirt and a pair of spectacles?

Posted in: Blogging

Gandalf’s Exam Tips 2

April 28, 2017 9:32 am ,

The second poster in the Gandalf’s Exam Tips series

Posted in: Posters

Gandalf’s Exam Tips

April 27, 2017 2:46 pm ,

Not an original idea, I have seen several versions over the past few years and thought I would make my own version. If anyone else would like to use it in the run up to the exams feel free to download an A3 pdf by clicking on the image below.

Posted in: Posters

Peppa Goes to London

April 25, 2017 2:44 pm ,

The record skips, there is a screech as the needle runs across the surface… Peppa Pig appearing in Teen Librarian?

Surely Peppa is more suited to a younger readership? Yes – yes she is!

However… Peppa Goes to London is one of my daughter’s current favourite books of the moment.

I know that if I wish to attract her attention then all I have to do is pick it up and concentrate furiously on the story and ignore her; moments later as if by magic I will see her smiling, cherubic face peer round the side of the book before she pushes it aside to sit in my lap and wait for me to read the story, sometimes she will grab the book and tell me all about it – I may not be able to understand what she is saying, but she is emphatic in her love for this book.

Featuring recognisable London landmarks from Buckingham Palace to Tower Bridge and ending up at Trafalgar Square with Her Majesty the Queen acting as a daredevil bus driving tour guide. Any story that ends with the Queen, Peppa and all her friends joyfully jumping in muddy puddles is great for all ages!

Look – Peppa Pig is phenomenally popular, appearing as she does on TV, in books, as plush toys and stickers and more! All the books that feature her are exceptionally popular as small children around the world love her and her family. I know too that much like Tellytubbies and other popular child-centric characters that appeared in pop culture before her that some adults are not massive fans but my daughter loves reading and watching her.

But don’t just take my word for it. Check out my daughter below:

Daddy Pig is also the ‘face’ of The Book Trust’s Bath Book Bed programme to help weary parents get their children to sleep at night.

Posted in: Books, Reviews

Exhausted new parents lose out on over 650 hours of sleep a year

April 25, 2017 10:48 am ,

Research finds sleep deprivation is the most stressful challenge about becoming a parent

Research out today by children’s reading charity BookTrust reveals new parents are completely sleep deprived in the child’s first few years, losing out on a whopping 657 hours per year, which equates to almost four weeks of less sleep a year.

BookTrust, the UK’s largest children’s reading charity also found:

  • Sleep deprivation is the most stressful challenge about becoming a parent, second only to worries about children’s health
  • A fifth of new parents (21%) have taken a day off work in order to catch up on lost sleep
  • Children not following a Bath, Book, Bed routine are less relaxed at bedtime, get up more often during the night and get fed more frequently
     
    The survey polled over 1,000 families on bedtime routines and sleeping habits and revealed that half of parents who don’t follow a Bath, Book, Bed routine would favour a night of uninterrupted sleep over romantic weekends and nights out with friends. Health, productivity and sense of humour also suffer in those who aren’t following the nightly routine with 34% eating poorly, 24% nodding off during the day and 34% taking a knock to their sense of humour.

    BookTrust’s annual Bath, Book, Bed campaign aims to solve these problems in three easy steps, encouraging parents to stick to a simple bedtime routine and asking families to share stories as a regular part of bedtime to help their little ones sleep soundly.

    Jo Frost, worldwide parenting expert and BookTrust Ambassador said:

    BookTrust’s Bath, Book, Bed campaign is a really straightforward approach to tackling a problem that most parents with young children face – the bedtime battle. Bedtime routines do not need to be complicated for especially-tired parents on their last legs. Implementing healthy sleeping habits, and a consistent bedtime routine will not only calm down the child and parents but, provide an environment so that both child and parent can read together helping them both relax and wind down. Meaning everyone will be well-rested, happier and healthier.

    Diana Gerald, CEO of BookTrust said:

    BookTrust understands how troublesome it can be for parents to get young children to sleep and we know that sometimes it can feel like a never-ending struggle, so we’re sending out 450,000 copies of our Bath, Book, Bed booklet filled with advice and tips to help families tackle bedtime head on and ensure everyone gets a good night’s sleep.

    Sweet dreams start with a simple routine. Families can get involved by attending events or visiting www.bathbookbed.org.uk to register for tips, advice and recommended bedtime books. Get involved on social media @booktrust #bathbookbed

    • Posted in: News

    #TeenLibrarianMonthly April 2017

    April 24, 2017 12:53 pm ,

    Download (PDF, 706KB)

    Posted in: Teen Librarian Monthly