Now that school is back in session, what better way to celebrate than a contest?!
What will you win?
Two lucky people will win autographed copies of Carmen Agra Deedy’s new book Return of the Library Dragon along with a Library Dragon Flip Doll! (Thanks to our wonderful rep from Peachtree!)
How do you enter to win?
It’s easy! Simply leave a comment about your favorite back-to-school book, back-to-school memory, or anything that has to do with back-to-school.
We’ll announce the two winners next Friday!
Good Luck!
Lori C.
Mackin Books In Bloom
Mackin Guest Blogger
Mindy R
Ryan H.
Tracey L
Tuan N
Margo Jantzi said,
September 21, 2012 @ 5:07 pm
As a young Mennonite farm girl, I loved going back to school. It meant I could go visit our librarian and check out books. I could leave the long days of hoeing weeds in our sugar beets and navy beans. School time was a time of independence and freedom to learn. Now as an elementary librarian, I love seeing young eyes sparkle as we sing PETE THE CAT in his Rocking School Shoes as a back to school book/song.
Margo in Virginia
Elizabeth J. said,
September 21, 2012 @ 6:54 pm
My favorite back-to-school memory is shopping with my mom for new school clothes and school supplies! Thanks for the chance!
A Wright said,
September 21, 2012 @ 6:57 pm
I always loved heading back to school when I was younger. Now as a preschool teacher I am the same way. My favorite book to read is the Kissing Hand, then I send home a cut out of a hand that mom and dad’s “kiss” for those hard first few day (or weeks) of adjusting to preschool. The students keep the hands in their cubby and when they are missing mom and day they go to their cubby and press the hand to their cheek. This seems to help with the students…I am thinking that maybe I need to do it next year for the parents.
Dawn K said,
September 21, 2012 @ 7:03 pm
One of my favorite memories is how excited I was to enter third grade with a purple tie died notebook and a bright orange pencil holder that had a lid that retracted. Amazing how school supplies made a little girl so happy!
Dawn K said,
September 21, 2012 @ 7:06 pm
(Second try to post… hope this doesn’t show up twice!) I was thrilled to have a purple tie dyed binder and a bright orange retractable lid pencil case when I went into third grade. I can still see them to this day, and remember the excitement I felt.
Gloria Wilson said,
September 21, 2012 @ 7:08 pm
My favorite back to school memories involve shopping for new clothes and school supplies for my kids. They were always so excited to be starting school after the summer.
Helen Wagner said,
September 21, 2012 @ 7:18 pm
Back to school: This year, on our system-wide in-service ( the day before students started), our guest speaker was a young man who was present and survived the Columbine shootings. His sister did not make it. She was the first one killed. I wondered how he connected with our annual motivational speaker day…the day we traditionally get pumped up for the new year. He told his story briefly with not a dry eye in the house. But, the purpose of his talk centered on his sister and the foundation his family has established for her. Rachel’ s Challenge encourages students as well as all of us to start a Chain Reaction, by doing good things. As Rachel wrote in her journal before her death, “I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go.” This year was the most motivatingly simple and meaningful back to school message that I have ever had! So now I try to start a chain reaction with my students every day!
Debby Guardino said,
September 21, 2012 @ 7:32 pm
I am a veteran Early Childhood Special Education Teacher who has been teaching for 20 years. The thing that gets to me about Back to School is seeing all those adorable – happy faces the first day. Each year I lay awake the night before we go back to school. I am so excited to get back I just can’t settle down. I don’t think it will matter how long I teach, I will always have those first day butterflies and sleepless night anticipating the first day of school. I love to read my students “The Kissing Hand” a traditional book and Pete the Cat a modern story the first day.
Jackie L said,
September 21, 2012 @ 8:13 pm
I can’t pick just one!!! I love books, but I think I love the Ms. Nelson is Missing book and some activities to go with it. It’s a great lesson for the first time the teacher is absent
Jen A. said,
September 22, 2012 @ 7:22 am
I love Open House night and meeting my students’s parents.
Kelly Beam Brown said,
September 22, 2012 @ 8:20 am
My favorite back to school book is Kissing Hand. I teach Kindergarten and there are always a few who worry about leaving mom and missing mom….precious story! Love learning about new books. Thanks so much!
Tara Thomas said,
September 22, 2012 @ 9:41 am
My favorite back to school book is We’re Going on a Book Hunt. My senior kindergarten girls are using the shelves for the first time, and I love involving them in reading the book with me while teaching them important library procedures.
Ashley Cahill said,
September 22, 2012 @ 11:52 am
As an elementary school teacher, back to school always brings new memories. One that sticks out is from my first year of teaching… I was teaching kindergarten, and felt really great about all the procedures and expectations I was getting through in the morning. Finally it was time for their first recess and excitedly I announced, “lets line up for recess!” One very timid little boy raised his hand with tears welling in his eyes and said, “but teacher, i don’t know how to do recess.” Who would have guessed the announcement of recess would bring anxiety! Lesson learned : ) No matter how much you teach, you’ll always forget something!
Abby Chavez said,
September 22, 2012 @ 7:57 pm
I love sharing the book ‘Llama Llama misses Mama.” It helps the children feel more comfortable talking about their parents and knowing that they will be back later to pick them up! It’s a cute story to share!
Mary Berning said,
September 23, 2012 @ 1:18 pm
This year, I started a new tradition with the kindergarten classes in the Media Center; together, we sang and read “Pete the Cat: I Love my White Shoes”. It was an instant hit. Another year, I read “First Day Jitters” by Julie Danneberg to 1st-5th grade classes.
Lisa Rodriguez said,
September 23, 2012 @ 7:41 pm
My favorite back to school book for me…is DON’T EAT THE TEACHER by Nick Ward…I used to read it to my boys every year..LOL
Stephanie Quinn said,
September 24, 2012 @ 9:04 am
My first book this year was The Teacher from the Black Lagoon. I like this because it confronts first day expectations and fears while making those fears seem less intimidating. The author takes first days jitters to such an extreme that the kids can breath a sigh of relief that at least the first day won’t be like that.
Holly Baker said,
September 24, 2012 @ 10:32 am
Absolutely loved writing out a calendar of what to wear each day for the first 2 weeks of school with my sister: our back-to-school tradition!
Amy said,
September 24, 2012 @ 12:53 pm
I love the first time the students come to the library each school year. They have already been in school for at least a week and are so excited when they finally get to check out books! Our campus is grades 3-5 so it especially exciting for our 3rd graders as they begin learning all about their new library!
Dawn Gorr said,
September 26, 2012 @ 7:53 am
Reading the Kissing Hand to my boys as they went off to Kindergarten…a happy and sad memory all rolled into one! They still love this story even today as a 3rd and 6th grader!
Book Review: Endangered « Books in Bloom said,
September 27, 2012 @ 7:08 am
[...] with you long after you’ve turned the last page. **Also today is the last day to enter our Back to School Contest! If you haven’t entered already, check it [...]