During Picture Book Month we have a Mock Caldecott. This year students in Ms. Anderson and Mr. Sena's class are reading and evaluating 15 books on the Gwin Oaks Mock Caldecott list. Before we started I shared last year's Caldecott winner, This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen with not only the Mock Caldecott Club but with the entire school on Book Trailer Thursday. It was a perfect way to kick off Picture Book Month.

Even though Halloween has ended, I couldn't resist sharing the new Sacredy Squirrel book. I love Scaredy Squirrel and his apprehension to try new things, but then how he ends up enjoying it in the end.

Although this book has only been out for a few months it has become just as beloved as the other Scaredy Squirrel in our library.

During February and March 4th grade students at Gwin Oaks worked on creating book trailers during their technology special. The project was a collaboration between the art teacher (Mr. Fields), computer teacher (Ms. Mimms), and myself. 

Students began by selecting a book they loved and wanted to make a trailer about. Mr. Fields worked with the students to draw a scene from the book on a bookmark. Once their bookmarks were finished I scanned them so they would be ready for the QR codes when the book trailers were finished. 

During their technology special the students  worked with Ms. Mimms and me to summarize, select images, and create a book trailer using Animoto. Finally the students made their Animoto link into a QR code and copy and pasted onto their bookmarks. Since these would be the April bookmarks in the Media Center they made six per page, 1 for them to keep and 5 to give away.


This was a long project, but so worth it. The students are so proud of their finished bookmarks and the other grades love that these bookmarks lead them to a book trailer about the books.

Working in Animoto to enter text, upload pictures, and select music.

Finished book marks with QR codes from Animoto video.

Student with her finished bookmarks.

Book marks cut apart and ready for the check out desk.

Book marks ready for students to take on their next visit.

A couple of examples. Scan to watch the trailers

The promotion of picture books continue. Today's book, Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein is a favorite since I like a book that makes me laugh. Check out Interrupting Chicken the next time you visit the Media Center and tell me which part of the book was your favorite.

Today's Picture book is Bad Apple by Edward Hemingway. I loved the message of in this book- just be yourself and don't let others negatively influence you, and your true friends will like you just the way you are. Children will identify with the characters and this book while enjoying a pleasing and well written story.  

Today's book is Chalk by Bill Thomson. Chalk is a wordless picture book and my girls and I feel in love with it over the summer. It is amazing how Thomson is able to immerse the reader into the story, even though there are no words. We loved the the children used their imagination while drawing with the chalk and the wonderful drawings. Check out Chalk the next time you visit the Media Center.

Today's book, Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watts,  is one of my favorites. I love this book because it is about overcoming fears while at the same time being completely hilarious. Melanie Watts has written several Scaredy Squirrel books which include, Scaredy Squirrel, Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach, Scaredy Squirrel at Night, Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend, Scaredy Squirrel, Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party, and her new book Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Christmas. In addition to the Scaredy Squirrel books Melanie Watts is also the author of the Chester series.  Be sure to check out the Scaredy Squirrel or any of Melanie Watts other books the next time y

Today's featured picture book for Picture Book Month is Baghead by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. This book is funny and readers will enjoy the surprise ending of why Josh is wearing a bag over his head. Jarrett J. Krosoczka is also the author of the popular Lunch Lady series. Check out Baghead or any of Jarrett J. Krosoczka's books the next time you visit the Media Center.

The promotion of picture books continue. Today's book is Stuck by Oliver Jeffers.
 I love this book because the story is funny and unexpected. Check out Stuck the next time you visit the Media Center.

Celebration of Picture Book Month continues at Gwin Oaks. Today's picture book is Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino. Check out Boy + Bot on your next visit to the Media Cetne