Debbie Ridpath Ohi's Blog, page 32
May 23, 2017
May 18, 2017
Donalyn Miller's 9th Annual Summer #BookADay Challenge and how I'm using it this summer
(Shortcut URL to this post: http://inkygirl.com/2017bookaday)
Yay, it's time for Donalyn Miller's annual summer #BookADay Challenge!
I do read all year round, but I find the #BookADay event a fun extra excuse to do some extra reading, plus I love the community aspect and book-sharing suggestions. You can see my own #BookADay archives here.
As Donalyn points out in her kickoff video below, it's not a competition. It's about rediscovering your reading mojo. From her blog post: "The summer #bookaday event endures as an annual opportunity to hit the reset button on our reading lives, connect with other readers, celebrate books, and remind ourselves how much reading matters to our lives and the young people we serve."
"It doesn’t matter if you actually read a book every day or not. Dedicate more time to read. Celebrate your right to read what you want. Make reading plans. Share and collect book recommendations. Connect with other readers.The #bookaday challenge is personal, not a competition. Finish that series. Tackle that epic historical your mother gave you for your birthday (last September). Try audiobooks. How would you like to grow as a reader this summer?"
What I do: I read books I haven't read before but I also reread books as well, including picture books. I listen to audiobooks while I'm doing housework or other repetitive activities. I embrace all formats, not just print. I have books on-the-go everywhere in our house. How are YOU using the #BookADay Challenge?
Donalyn also suggests taking Gene Luen Yang's Reading Without Walls Challenge, which encourages us to read outside our comfort zone. Browse recent #ReadingWithoutWalls posts on Twitter.
Here's where you can find more info about #Bookaday:
Donalyn Miller's #BookADay kickoff video on the Nerdy Book Club FB page
Donalyn Miller's blog post about the history of #BookADay plus guidelines
Browse #bookaday posts on Twitter
If you're interested in encouraging lifelong reading habits in young people and haven't read The Book Whisperer and Reading In The Wild, I encourage you to do so!
Teachers, librarians and others who work with young readers: I'm collecting useful resources to help encourage summer reading as well as providing free print-read summer book recommendations sheets.
May 17, 2017
May 15, 2017
Comic: It's Still A Book
I embrace reading in ALL formats but I do still love the tactile experience & focus of a print book, especially for picture books.
Thanks to Paul Carroll for the comic caption!
May 12, 2017
May 11, 2017
Writers and illustrators: Be brave. Fail. Try again. Succeed. Rinse & repeat. - Jenny Bent
Morning doodle inspired by one of my favourite pieces of advice, from Jenny Bent:
Writers and illustrators: "Be brave. Fail. Try again. Succeed. Rinse and repeat."
May 10, 2017
I may not look it, but I have Southern in my soul: SEA MONKEY & BOB Book Tour Thoughts (and a POEM)
I'm back from my Sea Monkey & Bob book tour through the Southern states! My head and heart are so full.
Thank you SO MUCH to Simon & Schuster Children's, Quail Ridge Books (NC), Little Shop Of Stories (GA), Books & Books (FL), Parnassus Books (TN) and Lemuria Books (MS), Fred A. (Raleigh, NC), Partnership Elementary (Raleigh, NC), Friends School Of Atlanta (Decatur, GA), The Heritage School (Newman, GA), Silver Ridge Elementary (Davie, FL), Sunny Isles Beach K-8 (Sunny Isles Beach, FL), Battle Ground Academy (Franklin, TN), Julia Green Elementary (Nashville, TN), Rouse Elementary (Brandon, MS) and Madison Avenue Elementary (Madison, MS) for making my trip so amazing.
You can see photos and read about some of my highlights below:
Part 1: Sea Monkey & Bob Book Tour prep, packing tips for writers & illustrators going on book tours. Read the post.
Part 2 (Raleigh, NC): Quail Ridge Books, Olds Elementary, Partnership Elementary plus thoughts on book tour organization and media escorts. Read the post.
Part 3 (Decatur, GA): Little Shop Of Stories, Friends School Of Atlanta, The Heritage School plus amazing student art and meeting a future children's book editor. Read the post.
Part 4 (Miami, FL): Books & Books Miami, Silver Ridge Elementary, Sunny Isles Beach K-8 Plus One More Reason I Love Aaron Reynolds. Read the post.
Part 5: (Nashville, TN): Parnassus Books, Battle Ground Academy, Julia Green Elementary, student art and celebrity sightings. Read the post.
Part 6: (Jackson, MS): Lemuria Books, Rouse Elementary, Madison Avenue Elementary plus Southern comfort food and a poem. Read the post.
Part 7 (Final Summary): Final thoughts, most interesting question I was asked by a young reader, answers to frequently asked questions about my book tour, diversity in children's books, what I'm glad I took and what I wouldn't take next time. Read the post.
One of my media escorts, Pam McCollough, sent me a poem after we parted ways. It's sweet and funny, just like Pam (who made me laugh a LOT when I was in Mississippi that last day), and she's given me permission to post it:
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SOUTHERN AT HEART
by Pam McCullough
A writer/illustrator came down from the North
On a book tour she set forth.
At the schools, she was met with art and a smile
Because in the South, that's always the style.
And the food, oh the food, she found in the South
Fried chicken, okra, turnip greens just melt in your mouth!
Then came that double chocolate fudge Coca-Cola cake
Her taste buds danced when the first bite she did take!
Her new friend, Pam, was funny and smart
No doubt now Debbie is Southern at heart!
(Written with love for my new friend, Debbie Ohi. Please come back and visit again! - Pam McCollough)
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From Debbie: I do want to come back and visit again someday!
