Collections
Collection Materials
Thanks to a grant from the Coalition for Diversity in Children’s Books, Dewey Primary School is proud to expand the library collection to include 15 “story bags,” special compilations of books, toys, and learning activities centered on specific themes.
The Chapel Hill Public Library and Seattle Public Library’s theme kit topics provided a base from which to build our story bag collection. From there, themes were chosen based on areas that were lacking in the general collection.
To further incorporate diversity and encourage censorship awareness among parents and teachers, the bags also include banned book titles as well. The ALA’s Frequently Challenged Books page was used as a guide for incorporating banned children’s book titles, as well as for providing information to parents and teachers as to why the book was banned or challenged.
Books were chosen for subject and quality after consulting children’s book review journals, such as the School Library Journal, the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, and the Horn Book Review. Books were also chosen for reading level, as each bag is directed at a particular reading and skill level within the scope of Dewey’s emergent reader student population (Pre-K through 2nd grade).
Each bag includes 5 titles, toys, and activities that help with building a particular skill. For instance, a bag directed at young emergent readers may work on counting or alphabet skills. In addition, each bag includes an informational sheet for the child’s caregiver or teacher with material about the banned books, included activities, and any notable information about the included authors.
The Chapel Hill Public Library and Seattle Public Library’s theme kit topics provided a base from which to build our story bag collection. From there, themes were chosen based on areas that were lacking in the general collection.
To further incorporate diversity and encourage censorship awareness among parents and teachers, the bags also include banned book titles as well. The ALA’s Frequently Challenged Books page was used as a guide for incorporating banned children’s book titles, as well as for providing information to parents and teachers as to why the book was banned or challenged.
Books were chosen for subject and quality after consulting children’s book review journals, such as the School Library Journal, the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, and the Horn Book Review. Books were also chosen for reading level, as each bag is directed at a particular reading and skill level within the scope of Dewey’s emergent reader student population (Pre-K through 2nd grade).
Each bag includes 5 titles, toys, and activities that help with building a particular skill. For instance, a bag directed at young emergent readers may work on counting or alphabet skills. In addition, each bag includes an informational sheet for the child’s caregiver or teacher with material about the banned books, included activities, and any notable information about the included authors.
"Families" Story Bag
For example, our “families” story bag includes: And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson*, The Family Book by Todd Parr*, Mothers, Fathers, Sisters, Brothers: A Collection of Family Poems by Mary Ann Hoberman, Who’s in My Family: All About Our Families by Robie H. Harris, and All Kinds of Families by Mary Ann Hoberman. It also includes a plush penguin, a notebook and pen to track the penguin’s “journey,” multiethnic family finger puppets, a vocabulary-building family-themed matching game, and a make-your-own family tree activity.
*Commonly banned/challenged titles
Other examples of story bag themes include: The Environment, Friends, Feelings, Holidays, ABC’s and 123’s, and Health.
*Commonly banned/challenged titles
Other examples of story bag themes include: The Environment, Friends, Feelings, Holidays, ABC’s and 123’s, and Health.
Sources of Materials
After comparison pricing, books were purchased through Dewey Primary’s usual book vendor, Follett’s. Toys were purchased from various sources depending on price and quality. Library staff compiled information sheets included in the bags. Following consultation with Dewey teachers, library staff also created materials for the learning skill activities. All material and purchase costs were covered by grant funds.
Anticipated Use
Our story bags are available for checkout by Dewey students (grades Pre-K through 2) and teachers. The story bags are intended as a reading enrichment source for students. Students may, with teacher permission, checkout one story bag at a time for home use with parents or for use with classroom aides working with the students on a one-on-one basis.
These themed story bags are also available for checkout by teachers as they search for story time books or additional materials to go with a specific classroom unit. In addition, the information packet provided on the learning skill, banned titles, and included theme will provide a stepping stone from which parents and teachers can approach new topics with their students.
Seeing as how the collection includes commonly banned titles, we can anticipate some challenges. However, this collection is in line with school policy and Dewey Primary School Library’s investment in a child’s right to read. Please see the Dewey Primary School Library’s collection development policy for more information.
These themed story bags are also available for checkout by teachers as they search for story time books or additional materials to go with a specific classroom unit. In addition, the information packet provided on the learning skill, banned titles, and included theme will provide a stepping stone from which parents and teachers can approach new topics with their students.
Seeing as how the collection includes commonly banned titles, we can anticipate some challenges. However, this collection is in line with school policy and Dewey Primary School Library’s investment in a child’s right to read. Please see the Dewey Primary School Library’s collection development policy for more information.
Sources
- Begin with Books. (2013). Retrieved on November 28, 2013, from Seattle Public Library website: http://www.spl.org/audiences/children/chi-for-parents-and-caregivers/begin-with-books
- Book Kits. (2013). Retrieved on November 28, 2013, from Chapel Hill Public Library website: http://chapelhillpubliclibrary.org/txp/?s=services&c=03-book-kits
- Frequently Challenged Books. (2013). Retrieved on November 28, 2013, from Banned & Challenged Books website: http://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks
- Shragal, S. (Photographer). (2013). Activities for Our Family Themed Story Bag. [Photograph].
- Shragal, S. (Photographer). (2013). Books for Our Family Themed Story Bag. [Photograph].
- Shragal, S. (Photographer). (2013). Material List and Learning Skill Sheet for Our Family Themed Story Bag. [Photograph].