Sonoma County Library’s Winter Reading Challenge

Video: During Winter Break, I’m logging my minutes for Sonoma County Library’s 2022 Winter Reading Challenge.

‘Gift of Literacy’ for California students

California students can enjoy the “Gift of Literacy” from now through Jan. 31, 2022: unlimited access to thousands of digital books and news articles through the Renaissance myON digital library.

What I’m reading : Foundations of Library and Information Science

Foundations of Library and Information Science, by Richard E. and Rachel G. Rubin, is a book that I will reach for again and again as I advance in my studies, and in my professional development, for Library and Information Science. I am reading the fifth edition of this book (published in 2020), and am finding it timely and relevant. The book includes discussion of the COVID-19 pandemic and how the shutdown of physical libraries affected delivery of services. The subject of library outreach during COVID was “still being written” at the time of publication, and this book does an excellent job encapsulating a situation that continues to evolve.

Book-Talk : Solimar, by Pam Muñoz Ryan

If you like adventure stories that feature resourceful princesses, Solimar, by Pam Muñoz Ryan, is a book you’ll want to read. For my video book review, I dressed up as a princess to honor the protagonist, who is the princess of a fictional kingdom: San Gregorio, in Mexico. Princess Solimar’s kingdom is home to a forest that’s a migration stop for Monarch butterflies. Wanting to sit with the butterflies when they arrive in the forest, Solimar is caught up in a magical experience: she has been chosen to be protector of young and weak butterflies that cannot survive on her own, and, while she serves as protector to the young butterflies, Solimar will be able to predict the near future.

Book-Talk : The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow

I recently received a mystery box from Simon & Schuster featuring middle-grade graphic novels. Among promotional copies included in the box was The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow, by Emma Steinkellner (July 2021). I heartily recommend this graphic novel, which features compelling characters, a strong plot, a valuable lesson about being able to accept yourself, and being able to promote positive changes within your community.