We Know the Value of Book

So a kindergartner returned a picture book the other day that was wet. Not just a little damp--I'm talking wring-it-out wet, fuzzy-mold growing inside it already. I sent it back home with a note about the damage, writing that even though it was probably an accident, the family is still responsible for paying for it.

And I get a scathing, SCATHING letter back from the dad about how I accused his son of damaging the book and how if we needed money for the library, they would consider helping out, but it is WRONG for me to demand payment for a book his son did not damage. "We know the value of book in our house," he wrote.

Hmmm...the note came back with the book, which was completely dry. Yet the dad is trying to tell me that the book was damaged before his son ever checked it out?!?!? It came in soaking wet yet was completely dry the next day and he thinks that someone got it wet the week before his son checked it out? I think not.

I sent a very kind letter back, even cc'ing my principal on it, and haven't heard a word since. Sometimes it just feels good to get the last word in.

So far, at least...

The Thing on the Sofa

One of our state-award nominated books was He Came with the Couch by Rob Scotton. The first time I read it, I did not love it. The second through fourth times I read it, I still did not love it. After the 5th time, though, I started to like it just an eensy-weensy bit. The students, however, LOVED IT FROM THE GET-GO.

I should've remembered earlier that we do not have the same funny bone, me and the kids. Usually, though, if they like it, I like it. And I guess that's what happened here.

This week, I've been reading a line or two from a well-known children's book on our morning announcements. We call it Mystery Book, and the students can enter a guess as to what book I am reading. Yesterday, I read a little bit from The Old House (written and illustrated by my friends Pam and Henry).

This one little guy didn't get it right, but he did make me laugh. On his scrap of paper, he wrote "The Thing on the Sofa". I knew exactly what he meant.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

I have had such a fun time this week with the fifth graders reading "Casey at the Bat". I showed them several illustrators' versions, and then I read Christopher Bing's aloud. I met him back in 2003, and even though he's a Red Sox fan, he signed my book for me. After reading it, I went back and clarified much of the text for the kids. "The rest clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast": this phrase got giggles almost every time!!

Then we did a readers' theatre of the poem, and the kids were really good about it!

Every class had the same reaction of disbelief when I got to the end of the poem. How could they not have heard it before? I think this might be my greatest contribution to the education of children.

Out Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is our regional librarians' conference, and I have a professional day to attend. It'll be a great time of recharging my batteries and seeing lots of professional friends. I hope my sub does okay. She only has 4 classes tomorrow, so it should be fine. Fingers are crossed...