(In no particular order)

I am the sole librarian at a Prekindergarten-12 school so I need all the help I can get! I am with first through fifth graders more than other grade levels, so most of these resources are tailored towards younger students.

1. SLJ online. While the full magazine is free online to librarians right now, I often visit the SLJ website to explore the range of noteworthy blogs, particularly “The Classroom Bookshelf” and “100 Scope Notes.”

Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. I have used his “Name that Lego Book Cover” and “One Star Review, Guess Who?” (ridiculous reviews from Goodreads) for library contests.

2. Lucas Maxwell’s Portable Magic Dispenser! Lucas Maxwell is a school librarian at Glenthorne High School in London. He’s quite creative and very generous. When I need book suggestions, library lessons, research and tech tips, literary games, book displays and things I didn’t even know I needed, I refer to his blog and newsletter.

3. Teachingbooks.net. This subscription is worth every penny even though I could probably find most of the resources independently. I use it every single day.

4. Talented authors who generously share their creativity, and so many have stepped it up big time since Covid -19!

Mo Willems’ wonderful website and inimitable resources can be found here: Mo Willems/Kennedy Center (Also, if you haven’t watched Mo Willems making slop, you are missing out:  I Really Like Slop!)
If you found this entertaining, try Carnivores from the talented and truly funny Dan Santat: Carnivores

Jerry Pallotta has a terrific website: JerryPallotta. He visited our school last year. He’s hilarious and student – focused.

Grace Lin Activities are well worth a look; there’s games, crafts, drawing and writing activities to supplement her books.

My students love Dan Gutman’s books and enjoy visits to his website for trailers, writing tips, videos with Dan and games: Gutman.

Jarrett Krosoczka’s Draw Every Day with JJK is a program designed to “educate, entertain, and empower young artists.”

Jason Reynolds’ “Write. Right. Rite” series: GrabtheMic. On January 13, 2020, Jason Reynolds was appointed the seventh National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.. Our English teachers AND their students have fully embraced this series sponsored by the Library of Congress. It’s superb.

Jarrett Lerner Jarrett’s Doodles & More: JarrettLerner. An abundance of FREE writing and drawing prompts, and activity sheets that marvelously supplement literature.

Read, Wonder and Learn– read alouds from a variety of authors and illustrators curated by author Kate Messer.

5. Ted Ed Talks/Videos. I use these videos all the time as they are well done, engaging and include review and discussion questions. The Electoral College video was a game changer for me in teaching lower and middle school students how our voting system works.

6. AISL BLOG! I refer to it constantly – thank you!

7. Twitter. This is my go to and sole social media platform. Twitter provides me with a plethora of information from the authors, librarians, educators and colleagues I follow.

8. Shannon Miller. Her blog, TheLibraryVoice, is outstanding.
Shannon shares technology tools, incredible library rotation choice
boards, and ways to connect with classroom content.


9. ReadBrightly. I love ReadBrightly! I use it to locate
book recommendations, printables, activities based on books,
and read alouds.

10. DAISLA – We are a very supportive and flourishing group of
Dallas and Fort Worth librarians. Our organization is beginning to offer more
PD opportunities including guest speakers, virtual field trips (for
now), and member presentations.

I continue to be inspired and energized by the people who share their brilliance and creativity! And, to the many librarians who have taken the time to mentor me, particularly Renee Chevallier!