Worlds Awaiting

Fathers, Sons, and Reading (3:24)

Mothers have a great influence over their children. But let’s talk today about fathers. Children who like to read - boys or girls – say they saw a male adult in their life – a father, grandfather, or even an older sibling – reading regularly. Three generations meet with Rachel today to talk about this very thing – Gene Nelson, Provo City Library Director; his son Trent, who is teacher in a local middle school; and, Trent’s 9 year old son, Lincoln. We’re going to put a face, three faces actually, on this inter-generational dynamic.  Gene Nelson, director of the Provo City Library in Utah, has participated on many local, regional, and national committees, including the Caldecott and Newbery. He also teaches children’s literature classes at BYU. Gene’s son, Trevor Nelson, teaches English, creative writing, and mythology at Timberline Middle School. And, Trent’s son, is in 4th grade at American Fork Elementary.

 

Mom Book Reviews (21:19)

Now, just to make sure we have some balance on the show today: we finish up with two mothers, Mary Warner and Michelle Wages, reviewing some of their favorite children’s books – that include ones they grew up with and still read to their own families.”

Real Characters (3:33)

When children experience difficulty, loss or pain, they often look for help and comfort from someone who understands – someone who has been there. The best books will often bring us characters who have also ‘been there’. Our first guest today on Worlds Awaiting, children’s book author, Kate DiCamillo, talks about the characters she creates – some of them very close to home and with experiences similar to hers. DiCamillo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and two-time winner of the Newbery Award. Titles such as Because of Winn-Dixie and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane have resonated with readers of all ages around the world. Her latest book, Raymie Nightingale, is a National Book Award Finalist.

Book Review (7:53)

Next, we’ll hear from Erika Adams, a BYU Elementary Education student, who reviews Kate DiCamillo’s book, Flora and Ulysses. 

 

Helping Kids Engage with Writing (10:26)

Rachel welcomes Jill Rudy, professional folklorist and scholar, back to Worlds Awaiting. Rudy shares tips on how we as parents and teachers can help our children engage in the many forms of writing. She is a professor in the BYU English Department who researches the history of American folklore scholarship, folk narratives, fairy tales in the media, family folklore, and foodways.

Growing Up with Books (22:39)

We finish up the show today with Jenna Sawyer, of the BYU Radio Social Media Team, who talks to me about where her love of books came from.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:33 - Real Characters

00:07:53 - Book Review

00:10:26 - Helping Kids Engage with Writing

00:22:39 - Growing Up with Books

Real Characters (3:33)

When children experience difficulty, loss or pain, they often look for help and comfort from someone who understands – someone who has been there. The best books will often bring us characters who have also ‘been there’. Our first guest today on Worlds Awaiting, children’s book author, Kate DiCamillo, talks about the characters she creates – some of them very close to home and with experiences similar to hers. DiCamillo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and two-time winner of the Newbery Award. Titles such as Because of Winn-Dixie and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane have resonated with readers of all ages around the world. Her latest book, Raymie Nightingale, is a National Book Award Finalist.

Book Review (7:53)

Next, we’ll hear from Erika Adams, a BYU Elementary Education student, who reviews Kate DiCamillo’s book, Flora and Ulysses. 

 

 

Helping Kids Engage with Writing (10:26)

Rachel welcomes Jill Rudy, professional folklorist and scholar, back to Worlds Awaiting. Rudy shares tips on how we as parents and teachers can help our children engage in the many forms of writing. She is a professor in the BYU English Department who researches the history of American folklore scholarship, folk narratives, fairy tales in the media, family folklore, and foodways.

 

Growing Up with Books (22:39)

We finish up the show today with Jenna Sawyer, of the BYU Radio Social Media Team, who talks to me about where her love of books came from.

Spirituality and Literacy (3:31)

Isn’t there more to life than just getting a job, paying the next bill, or filing your taxes? If you as an adult want more out of life than that, young students probably do, too. So why should their learning boil down to passing the next test, learning to fill out a job application or career and vocational training? Our first guest, Brad Wilcox, a professor in the Department of Teacher Education at BYU and a literacy expert, believes in the great benefit for our children of going beyond the basics. We can and should help them develop their emotional and spiritual sides. Wilcox has lived in Utah, Ethiopia, and Chile, serving as an advocate for children and learning wherever he has gone. 

Teaching Social and Emotional Skills (14:59)

Next on Worlds Awaiting, Rachel talks to Associate professor, Melissa Heath and Graduate Student, Katie Smith, both in BYU’s Department of Psychology, who offer tips on teaching social and emotional skills to children in the home and in the classroom. Parents and teachers can be partners in this endeavor.

Author's Tips (26:38)

We finish up the show today with three authors, Andrea Davis Pinkney, Ann Cannon, and Marilyn Singer who offer some guidance for youth and adults who want to enter the world of writing We hope some of what they say will spark some new ideas for your own use, as a teacher, writer, artist, parent or mentor.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:31 - Spirituality and Literacy

00:14:59 - TeachingSocial and Emotional Skills

00:26:38 - Author's Tips

Spirituality and Literacy (3:31)

Isn’t there more to life than just getting a job, paying the next bill, or filing your taxes? If you as an adult want more out of life than that, young students probably do, too. So why should their learning boil down to passing the next test, learning to fill out a job application or career and vocational training? Our first guest, Brad Wilcox, a professor in the Department of Teacher Education at BYU and a literacy expert, believes in the great benefit for our children of going beyond the basics. We can and should help them develop their emotional and spiritual sides. Wilcox has lived in Utah, Ethiopia, and Chile, serving as an advocate for children and learning wherever he has gone. 

Teaching Social and Emotional Skills (14:59)

Next on Worlds Awaiting, Rachel talks to Associate professor, Melissa Heath and Graduate Student, Katie Smith, both in BYU’s Department of Psychology, who offer tips on teaching social and emotional skills to children in the home and in the classroom. Parents and teachers can be partners in this endeavor.

 

Author's Tips (26:38)

We finish up the show today with three authors, Andrea Davis Pinkney, Ann Cannon, and Marilyn Singer who offer some guidance for youth and adults who want to enter the world of writing We hope some of what they say will spark some new ideas for your own use, as a teacher, writer, artist, parent or mentor.

Tallulah the Ballerina (3:25)

“Tallulah decided she’d better pay attention. 

She watched closely. 

She turned her feet and curved her hands near her hips in first position. 

She bent her knees in a plié. She did it perfectly. 

I am an excellent ballerina, she thought.”

Hundreds of children know and love this story about Tallulah, a young ballet student, although, it may be new to you. Today we’ll acquaint ourselves with the author of the book series, “Tallulah.” Her name is Marilyn Singer. \[WEB LINK: http://marilynsinger.net/ ] She’s known for touching a variety of subjects in her books – from animals to schools to aliens! She has also invented a thing-a-ma-jig that she calls a “reverso” poem. Singer is the winner of the 2015 National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Poetry. She has over 100 books to her credit.

Audio Books (14:40)

Next on Worlds Awaiting, Rachel visits with Joella Peterson, Children's Services Manager at the Provo, Utah Library, \[WEB LINK: http://www.provolibrary.com/ ] about the value of the often over-looked media, called audio books – many of which you can check out at your local library! She also offers a guide to finding quality audio books. 

Check out the Odyssey Book Awards website for winning audio book titles at  - part of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) – A Division of the American Library Association.  

Poetry (26:27)

We finish up the show today with The Quangle Wangle’s Hat by Edward Lear (known for his humorous poetry and limericks), read by Reed Wolfley.

Tallulah the Ballerina (3:25)

“Tallulah decided she’d better pay attention. 

She watched closely. 

She turned her feet and curved her hands near her hips in first position. 

She bent her knees in a plié. She did it perfectly. 

I am an excellent ballerina, she thought.”

Hundreds of children know and love this story about Tallulah, a young ballet student, although, it may be new to you. Today we’ll acquaint ourselves with the author of the book series, “Tallulah.” Her name is Marilyn Singer. [WEB LINK: http://marilynsinger.net/ ] She’s known for touching a variety of subjects in her books – from animals to schools to aliens! She has also invented a thing-a-ma-jig that she calls a “reverso” poem. Singer is the winner of the 2015 National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Poetry. She has over 100 books to her credit.

Audio Books (14:40)

Next on Worlds Awaiting, Rachel visits with Joella Peterson, Children's Services Manager at the Provo, Utah Library, [WEB LINK: http://www.provolibrary.com/ ] about the value of the often over-looked media, called audio books – many of which you can check out at your local library! She also offers a guide to finding quality audio books. 

Check out the Odyssey Book Awards website for winning audio book titles at  - part of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) – A Division of the American Library Association.  

 

Poetry (26:27)

We finish up the show today with The Quangle Wangle’s Hat by Edward Lear (known for his humorous poetry and limericks), read by Reed Wolfley.

Children’s Book Tribute (3:49)

So very often, a book from childhood becomes a friend for life – A classic we’ll never forget. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats was just such a book for our first guest. In fact, this simple tale was important enough to Andrea Davis Pinkney that she found a way to produce her own tribute to the book, its author, and its impact. Rachel Wadham helps us into this story of love for a book in a conversation with Pinkney, who is the author of many books for children and young adults, including picture books, novels, and non-fiction. Her books have received multiple Coretta Scott King Book Awards, Jane Addams Honor citations, nominations for the NAACP Image Awards, the Boston Globe/Horn book Honor medal, and many other accolades.

Engaging Kids with Poetry (15:16)

Next on Worlds Awaiting, Rachel visits with local poet, Gina Clark about where her love of poetry started. Gina also offers tips on how to help our children and family engage in poetry. Clark is a Utah native and mother of six children ages 15 to five. She completed a Master of Fine Arts degree in poetry at Arizona State University and has taught as an adjunct at Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University. She is currently a writing instructor with BYU's Independent Study. Gina is an avid supporter of her local public library in Orem, Utah, where she has been a volunteer storyteller for over a decade. Her monthly "Storytime" presentations might better be called "PoetryTime," since she fills them with poems for readers – young and old alike.

Favorite Books (25:56)

We finish up the show today with a high school student, Hayden Nielsen, who talked to me about some of his favorite books.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:49 - Children's Book Tribute

00:15:16 - Engaging Kids with Poetry

00:25:56 - Favorite Books

Children’s Book Tribute (3:49)

So very often, a book from childhood becomes a friend for life – A classic we’ll never forget. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats was just such a book for our first guest. In fact, this simple tale was important enough to Andrea Davis Pinkney that she found a way to produce her own tribute to the book, its author, and its impact. Rachel Wadham helps us into this story of love for a book in a conversation with Pinkney, who is the author of many books for children and young adults, including picture books, novels, and non-fiction. Her books have received multiple Coretta Scott King Book Awards, Jane Addams Honor citations, nominations for the NAACP Image Awards, the Boston Globe/Horn book Honor medal, and many other accolades.

 

Engaging Kids with Poetry (15:16)

Next on Worlds Awaiting, Rachel visits with local poet, Gina Clark about where her love of poetry started. Gina also offers tips on how to help our children and family engage in poetry. Clark is a Utah native and mother of six children ages 15 to five. She completed a Master of Fine Arts degree in poetry at Arizona State University and has taught as an adjunct at Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University. She is currently a writing instructor with BYU's Independent Study. Gina is an avid supporter of her local public library in Orem, Utah, where she has been a volunteer storyteller for over a decade. Her monthly "Storytime" presentations might better be called "PoetryTime," since she fills them with poems for readers – young and old alike.

 

Favorite Books (25:56)

We finish up the show today with a high school student, Hayden Nielsen, who talked to me about some of his favorite books.

Reading Aloud (3:37)

Listening to someone reading a story out loud can be magical. When done well, it can transport us to another world. Reading aloud might be with a child at bedtime, with a friend or spouse, or in groups. Our guest today, Rob Eckman, reads aloud on a regular basis to children during Story Time at the Kings English Bookshop in Salt Lake City. Eckman is known as “the genius storyteller,” “emperor of the kids’ room,” and, “best wearer of the Dr. Seuss Story hat.” Whatever you call him, he’s clearly in his element when reading aloud at the King’s English Bookshop, where he also serves as the Marketing Manager. Rob talks with Cole Wissinger, a member of our Worlds Awaiting team. 

 

Creating Picture Book Art (16:14)

Next on Worlds Awaiting, a visit with illustrator/author Julie Olson. Olson has illustrated many books, including Discover America: From Sea to Shining Sea, Dear Cinderella by Marianne Moore and Mary Jane Kensington, and Little Penguin: The Emperor of Antarctica by Jonathan London. Julie Olson also has an interactive website that offers tips for aspiring writers, young and old – from learning how to draw, to keeping business records. She also talks about the variety of mediums she works in to create her picture book illustrations.

Book Review (25:53)

We finish up the show today with a book review from Kim Christensen, Teen Librarian at the Springville Public Library in Utah. Christensen introduces a young adult novel entitled Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo.