Week 3: Author/Illustrator Study
This project proved to be more challenging than I initially anticipated. I knew I wanted to focus my assignment on Chris Raschka and his books, and while locating a few of his titles was relatively easy, deciding which ones to include required careful thought. Although I enjoyed exploring his works, I struggled to find substantial biographical information about Raschka. While I eventually located what I needed, the available information was limited.
The most difficult aspect of the assignment was the presentation. I’ve had to complete similar projects in other courses, and I find it uncomfortable to listen to my recorded voice. If it were up to me, written scripts alone would suffice. I also discovered that I struggle to convey enthusiasm in audio recordings, even when I am passionate about the topic. On a positive note, I realized the importance of using criteria like Vardell’s in my professional work to guide book selection effectively.
Author Illustrator Assignment link
Week 2: Childhood Reading Memories
As a young reader, I was really into all things horror—scary books and even movies I probably shouldn’t have been watching. A big part of my childhood was the Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine. One of my favorites was Night of the Living Dummy, which came out in 1993.
Libraries were a big part of my childhood. I spent a lot of time at two branches: the main one and the one closest to my house. I loved the activities they put on, and at first, the library was the only place I could use the internet. I’d spend hours every week on the computers there.
One of my favorite things was going to ASL storytime at my local branch. That’s where I first got interested in American Sign Language and started building friendships in the Deaf community. I later studied ASL in college, and when I began losing my hearing as an adult, knowing ASL became a huge help in my life.
This is an example of what ASL story time was like at my library.
During my childhood, my parents weren’t the type to read to me every night, nor did they push me to read. My interest in reading developed naturally on my own. What they did insist on, however, was studying music. My mom was a violinist, and I took up the cello. Music was a constant presence in our home, and practicing my instrument was non-negotiable.
Surprisingly, it was music that sparked my interest in reading. I became fascinated with composers and read as many biographies about them as I could find. I also loved exploring books on music history. This early exposure to music-related reading ignited my passion for non-fiction. Growing up, I mostly read a mix of scary stories and non-fiction, which became a big part of my life.
