April Flowers Bring May Flowers?

 @ your library™

http://www.kentfieldschools.org/bacich/library

Contact Susan Warnick at 925-2220 ext. 262 or swarnick@kentfieldschools.org with 

comments/questions

April Is National Poetry Month

Ms. Warnick's Picks

April is Multicultural Communications Month, Let's Celebrate Diversity!

Read a Book with Diverse Characters

The Name Jar

The Story Of Ruby Bridges

The Sandwich Shop

Stella Diaz Never Gives Up

    Sofia Valdez Future Prez

                   Sulwe                  

                            I am Enough                     Last Stop on Market Street 

           This is How We Do It 

            Let's Talk About Race 

       A Kids Book About

            Racism                        

Eyes That Kiss In The Corners                                              

So Begin Reading Today!                            

It is Also April Fools Day, Ramadan continued until March 19th., then Eid began, Math Awareness Month, National Frog Month, Easter, Passover, Autism Month, Take Your Daughter/Son to Work Day, Kindergarten Day, Earth Day, National Arbor Day and National Library Week.

P.S. Don't forget to turn off your screens on April 30th! Read a book instead of watching or reading a screen!

Thanks to all the students and parent volunteers who surprised me this year and made my birthday so very special!

                                               With Gratitude,

                                                Ms. Warnick

March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb?

 

Read Across America, Women's History Month, Holi, Nowruz, Ramadan and St. Patrick's Day!

@ your library™

http://www.kentfieldschools.org/bacich/library

Contact Susan Warnick at 925-2220 ext. 262 or swarnick@kentfieldschools.org withcomments/questions

March is a busy month. My lesson this week is to introduce the  nominees for the California Young Reader Medal 2025. We vote in three of the five Categories. In the Primary Category we will read the five nominated picture books. They are: "Creepy Crayon?," by Aaron Reynolds, "Endlessly Ever After", by Laurel Snyder. " The Eyebrows of Doom", by Steve Smallman "Letter for Bob", by  Kim Rogers and  "YJefferson Actually", by Kathleen Trejo. In the Older Picture Book Category there are three nominees I read to the intermediate students. They are: "The Great Stink", by Colleen Paeff," Let Liberty Rise",  by  Chana Stiefel, and " Listen, by Shannon Stocker. The final category we participate in that students are encouraged to read and vote for are the three chapter books in the Intermediate Fiction Category. This year the nominees are: " DogTown " by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko,  "Coyote Lost and Found", by Kelly Dan Gemeinhart, and "The Labours of Hercules Beal" by Gary D. Schmidt. Many students have already read some of these chapter books.

  We will also be reading and sharing the lives of famous women for our study of Women's History Month and the students will read biographies.

The Hindu "Festival of Color" known as "Holi" will be celebrated on March 4th this year and I will be reading the books below to discuss this holiday with our students the week of March 6th:         

"Holi" is a happy occasion. Family and friends wear white clothing and can be seen daubing colored powders over each other and drenching unsuspecting passers-by with water! Everyone is considered " fair game" celebrating Spring, a new beginning and an opportunity to have a fresh start. Many families gather together and celebrate at Piper Park in Larkspur.

Another celebration of Spring, celebrated by Persian families for centuries is "Nowruz," which is celebrated by Kurds in Iraq and Turkey, Iranians, Shias and Parsis in Iran as well as in Los Angeles, Toronto, Cologne and London. It means "new day" and marks the beginning of Spring. It begins on March 20th, the vernal equinox at 2:24 P.M., and ends on March 21st at 2:24 P.M. Nowruz is a celebration of Spring and a"A New Year" for 300 million people worldwide. I will be reading the books below to our students the week of March 20th:

Ramadan begins in the month of February this year. Ramadan begins at sundown on February 28th and ends the evening of March 29th. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is a month of fasting,  reflection, prayer and community. We will be learning about Ramadan this month by reading these books in the library:

  For St. Patrick's Day I will be reading these titles to our students and sharing a wee bit of Ireland. I will, no doubt be hearing about the mischievous leprechauns visiting your homes !

We will also study plagiarism in third and fourth grades soon and the Atlas in second grade. Stop by to see the Family Shields created by our second graders for their "Then and Now" unit coming next month. This month the library is showcasing the Fourth Grade Rancho Day plates. They are so colorful and creative. Stop by and take a look. 

 Suggested activities for the month of March:

March  1st  -  Yellowstone National Park was established. Read about it!

March  2nd -  Read Across America Day. Read your favorite books all week.

March  3rd  -  The Iditarod Dog Sled Race begins today. Read about it. Our second annual Read-a-thon is March 22nd this year.

March 4th   -   It's National Craft Month. Make wind chimes from recycled plastic cutlery and paper plates at: www.kinderart.com/recycle/cutlerywindchimes,shtml.

March 5th   -    It's Mem Fox's birthday. Read one of his books or visit his website.

March 6th   -    It's Chris Raschaka's birthday. Visit his website to learn how to illustrate or read his books.

March 7th.  -    Explore the secrets of the Whippet Hotel in Patrick Carmen's "Floors."

March  8th   -    It's Robert Sabuda's birthday. Go to his website and learn how to make pop-ups!

March 9th    -    Who says there are no good books for boys? Visit Jon Scieszka's "Guys Read." at:

www.guysread.com  Did you know the Barbie Doll debuted on this date in 1959?

March 10th  -    The first paper money in the U.S. was issued today in 1862. Do you know which denominations? $5, $10, and $20. It's a classic! Read "Bears on Hemlock Mountain."by Alice Dagliesh received the Newbery Award for best written children's book in 1953. 

March 11th   -    It's Wanda Gag's birthday. Honor women writers and read her book, "Millions of Cats." for Women's History Month. Then read about more famous women.

March 12th  -    What howls and whispers but cannot speak? " The Wind."

March 13th  -    Read a book about how to fly a kite and then fly one. Daylight Savings Time begins.

March 14th  -    Read a story about the mythical Irish Giant Finn McCool. 

March 15th  -    Today is the "Ides of March." Read a story about Julius Caesar or ancient Rome.

March 16th  -    It's American Red Cross Month. Visit the Red Cross website at: www.redcross.org for tips on how to to help kids stay safe. Why do frogs like St. Patrick's Day? Because they are always wearing green. Read the book "How to Trap a Leprechaun." Try to trap one tonight!

March 17th  -    Happy St. Patrick's Day! Celebrate with Corned Beef and Cabbage, Irish Soda Bread and Irish folktales and stories. Make an Irish gumdrop tree. Wear green. Eat green ice cream. What's on the yard all summer? Paddy O Furniture!

March 18th  -     It's National Poison Prevention Month. Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison emergencies.

March 19th  -     The swallows return to San Juan Capistrano, Ca. Find it on a map. Read about swallows. 

March 20th  -     Spring begins! It's Lois Lowry's birthday. Read a book she wrote.

March 21st.  -     A kind word is like a spring day. - Russian Proverb

March 22nd  -    Did you know there are 43 books in the Babar series? Read one.

March 23rd   -    Did you know the first email application was created today in 1971?

March 24th   -     It's Harry Houdini's birthday. Learn a magic trick or read a book about him.

March 25th   -     It's Kate DiCamillo's birthday. Read a Mercy Watson book or a chapter book by her. Maybe " Because of Winn Dixie," or " The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane."

March 26th   -     Share Filipino culture with your family. Read " Cora Cooks Pancit." Make it.

March 27th   -     Did you know the first shoelaces were invented on this day in 1791? It is Dick King Smith's birthday. Read the book "Babe" or watch the movie.

March 28th   -     Colorful crayons. Visit crayola.com to learn the history of crayola colors and how to pronounce their names in four languages. 

March 29th   -     Visit Celebrating Cultural Diversity through Children's Literature at: multiculturalchildrenslit.com for links to a variety of booklists for K-6 students.

March 30th   -      The pencil was patented on this day in 1858.  "A #2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere " -  Joyce A. Myers. Can you name your state bird, flower and tree?

March 31st    -      Today is the anniversary of the building of the Eiffel Tower in 1889. Join Jack and Annie's Magic Tree House adventure " Night of the New magicians" set in Paris during the World's Fair that year. Or read a book about the Eiffel Tower. Today we also celebrate Caesar Chavez Day. This year it is also Easter Sunday.

As I said, March is a VERY busy month!

                                                       Happy Spring Everyone!

                                                        Ms. Warnick

Happy New Year! January/February 2026

 

@ your library

 http://www.kentfieldschools.org/bacich/library

Contact Susan Warnick at 925-2220 ext. 262 or swarnick@kentfieldschools.org with 

comments/questions

Happy New Year everyone! Our library is back in full swing and bursting with energy and activity. 28 classes visit the library weekly plus students visit before school, some snack recess days, lunch recess and after school. 

Thank you, Vicki Song, Claire Tsuruga, Hiromi Nakano, Diana Hedrick, Elaine Lai and Megan Smith for all your help in the back room! Thanks to all the parents who are volunteering in our library. The library could not run as smoothly without all of you! It has been so nice to get to know all our new volunteers this year.

We have a lot to celebrate this month! The Groundhog saw his shadow. The Winter Olympics starts. The Super Bowl, Presidents celebration, Lunar New Year, Ramadan, Mardi Gras and of course, Valentine's Day!

What's Happening in the Library: This month we are celebrating the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday with some special biographies about him and the Civil Rights Movement. I recommend the following: 

• My Brother Martin by C. King Farris (inspires students in your class by giving them a picture of Martin as a brother and a little boy, that he wasn’t a perfect child, and that none of us are. That doesn’t mean that you cannot one day be a great leader like him!)

• Martin’s Big Words by D. Rappaport (Best Illustrated Book by NYT 2001)

• My First Biography- MLK, Jr. by M.D. Bauer (K level)

• I Am Martin Luther King, Jr. by Brad Meltzer (Students love this biography series by Meltzer with Eliopoulos’ comic book- inspired drawings. Important part- when narrator (MLK) tells us about the first time he realized as a child that certain people were going to treat him differently, only because of his skin color. So hurtful and important for our students to touch this hurt that POC endure to this day:( Also explains segregation, discrimination, prejudice, and other key words that we want our students to begin to understand and be familiar with)

• March On! The Day by C.K. Farris(illustrations give children an accurate picture of the enormity of that day)

• A Place to Land by B. Wittenstein (the timeline up until MLK’s delivery of the speech and the last-minute changes he made up until an hour before the speech- incredible)

• I Have a Dream illustrated by Kadir Nelson (actual text of speech with CD recording of speech itself. Very powerful)

• My Brother, Martin a Sister Remembers by Christine King Farris. His sister rellects on growing up with MLK.

Kindergarten is learning the parts of a book and the difference between the author and illustrator to prepare them for the Newbery and Caldecott Award announcements. First Grade is beginning a unit on community helpers,, and Second and Third Grades are beginning or finishing their nonfiction animal reports. Second Grade is beginning their unit on "Then and Now" which used to be their "Heritage Unit" culminating in a Heritage Day. Mrs. Monelli, a favorite guest from Italy, ( Ms. Warnick) will visit to talk about what Oral History is and what it was like "then" when she arrived in America and what it is like "now."

Fourth grade will begin learning about Rancho Days. Every grade is learning about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. Second Grade is being introduced to "Genres" for the first time. Third and Fourth graders are revisiting Fiction and Nonfiction genres this month. Third Grade will be learning about Marin County soon and locating information in the library.

Lunar New Year will begin next month. It begins later this year this year on February 16 and lasts for two weeks ending on March 3rd. This year is the "Year of the Horse." The library always celebrates with a festive bulletin board display, puppet show, read a - louds and lessons on traditions and culture. Vicki Song has once again offered to teach us how Korean Families celebrate Lunar New Year.The students and parent volunteers share their family traditions. All students really enjoy learning about Lunar New Year!

Our Lunar New year Dragon donated to our library by our creative First Grade students several years ago in Mrs. Eynon's class. (Room 1 now 15)

Ms.Warnick tells the story of why rat comes first in the Chinese Zodiac. Children are delighted. They learn in what zodiac year they were born and what the animal characteristics for that animal are.

Ms. Warnick reads various versions of why rat comes first depending on the grade so students learn there are many. 

Here are some book recommendations for Lunar New Year:

In this picture book by Vickie Lee celebrating Chinese New Year, animals from the Chinese zodiac help a little girl deliver a gift to her grandmother.Ruby has a special card to give to her grandmother for Chinese New Year. But who will help her get to grandmother’s house to deliver it? ..

Library Display: Stop by the library to see the wonderful birch trees, snowflakes, snow people and winter scenes created by our talented third grade artists in their classrooms for our Winter bulletin boards. Also, enjoy the Lunar New Year and Dr. Martin Luther King displays. Learn about and see previous winners of the Newbery and Caldecott Awards.

Ms. Warnick tells the tale of how the Koi Fish outwitted the vain dragon to become one.

January is the month when the ALA Awards are announced. I will be introducing the students to the winners of the Newbery Award for best children's literature, the Caldecott Award for best illustrations, the Coretta Scott King Awards for literature and illustrations, the Theodor Geisel Award for best beginning reader of the year and any other awards appropriate for our students. Many times we have already purchased the books for our library and will have them for displaying. Sometimes it takes awhile to receive them when we have to place an order. Stay tuned! The winners will be announced by January 26th.

January we are continuing to celebrate equity and inclusion in the Kentfield School District as per the School Board Resolution and guidance from our Social Justice Committee. "Everyone is Welcome" in our library. I want to share with you the books we will be reading to recognize diversity and gender identity, non-conformity this month. Some books will be read in the library, some books will be read by teachers in each grade level and some books will be read as appropriate or I have recommended them for parents as we celebrate with books and lessons this month:

Marmee, Meema, and the kids are just like any other family on the block. In their beautiful house, they cook dinner together, they laugh together, and they dance together. But some of the other families don't accept them. They say they are different. This book is about acceptance and respect and kindness and understanding. I highly recommend this heartwarming book. I read this book in the library to our Fourth Grade classes.

A blue crayon mistakenly labeled as "red" suffers an identity crisis in this picture book.  It emphasizes the importance of being true to your inner self and follow your own unique path despite the obstacles that one faces along the way. This book will be read to our Second Graders this year.

Very sweet story about the real childhood worries of having a family that doesn't fit the 'norm'. "Stella Brings The Family" is a wonderful way to introduce family nonconformity. ...Stella's class is having a Mother's Day celebration, but what's a girl with two daddies to do? It's not that she doesn't have someone who helps her with her homework, or tucks her in at night. She just doesn't have a mom. Ages 5-8

This will be read by our Second Graders in the library.

This cheerful love-your-body picture book for preschoolers through Second Grade is an

exuberant read-aloud with bright and friendly illustrations for students to discuss. This fun picture book celebrates all the different human bodies that exist in the world...  I read this book to every grade last year and it was well received and lively discussions were generated. I plan to read it to all again this year to remind students we all look different. Accept everyone and celebrate their unique differences.

This picture book tells the story of a boy and his abuela. Julian wants to become a mermaid and participate in the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. It is a story about being seen for who you are by someone who loves you and accepts you. This book is read to our Third Graders.

With colorful illustrations, this fun picture book for kids ages 4-8 is written by Todd Parr. In simple language, easy for kids to understand,  they can relate to the universal message "Just be YOU!" I read this book in the library to our TK and K students.

This book, teaches tolerance and diversity with contrasts and unusual situations is presented in simple language with colorful illustrations. Written and illustrated by Todd Parr for ages 2-5. I read this book to our TK and K classes in the library.

Just like dancing shoes, figure skating, hockey, soccer, softball, gymnastics, and many other hobbies and activities, toys, dolls and trucks are for everyone. This book teaches children and adults alike - gender cannot define who you are or want to become. For ages 4-8. This book is shared with our TK-3rd graders in the library.

This book is the Fifth book in the "I Have" series. It is told by a daughter with two dads. (her daddy and papa.) She talks about her home life and the love they share in their happy if not so traditional family. I share this book with our second, third, and fourth grade students in the library.

"Plenty of Hugs"  follows two mommies who spend a sunny day with their toddler in this sweet rhyming book. A loving celebration of family, it is a good bedtime story. I read this book to our TK and K classes in the library.

 Adorable! a book about being accepted for who you are. This book is about a boy who loves sparkly things. Starting with a common sibling interaction, Casey wants something his older sister, Jessie, has - a sparkly skirt. A pattern develops. Casey draws inspiration from Jessie's skirts, and glittery nail polish after she comes home from a party with them, and abuela's jewelry.  When abuela visits and gives Jessie one of her sparky bracelets, Casey gets one too. The adults in his life embrace his interests.  They explain that  even though his interests are unconventional, they are in no way unacceptable.In the beginning of the book Jessie is upset, "boys aren't supposed to wear sparkly, glittery, shimmering things." Casey also likes blocks and puzzles and his dump truck. Jessie finally realizes that Casey has a right to be himself and wear what he wants. This is a sweet, heartwarming story about acceptance and respect. Sparkly things are for everyone! I read this book to first and second graders in the library.

This book will resonate with any child who has missed a parent. In this tender story, a little girl stays home with her mommy while her mama goes off on a work trip for a week. All of them talk on the phone but it is hard to decide where to sit at the table. Mama finally returns. There is no place this little girl would rather be than sitting in between Mommy and Mama. A thoughtful, touching story of a little girl missing a parent. I read this book to our Kindergarten and first graders.

A heartwarming story of a boy's concerns about being an older sibling. This groundbreaking book is the winner of the 2020 Stonewall Book Award and celebrates the changes in a transgender boy's life and focuses on Aiden's role as a brother and not on gender identity. (When Aidan was born everyone thought he was a girl). His parents helped him fix the parts of his life that didn't fit anymore. Aidan was worried about being a big brother but with the help of his parents, he settled happily into being who he was. Recommended for 5-6 years. I highly recommend this books for celebrating gender identity and becoming an older sibling. It is very sweet.

This book reviewed by parents and posted on Common Sense Media, uses simple and warm language and expressive illustrations to explain what it means to be transgender. Follow his journey, as he makes new friends, reveals his feelings to his parents about his identity as he starts school and asks the teacher to call him a boy's name. This book is written with sensitivity, warmth and the book is age appropriate and very sweet. Ages 5+ and I recommend it for any parental discussion of gender identity.

This impactful story of Calvin, who has always known in his heart and his brain that he was a boy. So, as the first day of school approaches, he introduces himself to his loving family who have always seen him as a girl. They are supportive and help him get ready for the first day by taking him shopping and for a haircut. Calvin begins to worry about his friends and teachers. When he tells them his name, all his "what if worries" melt. This joyful book is about acceptance and understanding and respect. 4 years and up. I recommend this book for any discussions of gender identity.

This book is based on the true story of Jazz Jennings, a transgender child, who is now a spokesperson for transkids. I recommend this book for parents and teachers to share with children transgender or not. It is honest yet simple. From the time she was two years old, Jazz says she knew she had a girl's brain in the body of a boy.. Based on a staff development Kentfield teachers attended, we learned children know their gender by age seven. Jazz didn't feel like herself in boy clothing. Students are read this book in Fourth Grade classes. Jazz wishes she had a book like this when she was growing up. And now there is. She is 22. This book is not just for transgender children but for everyone. 4 years and up. I recommend this book.

Big Bob and Little Bob share the same name but that is about all they have in common. So it isn't very easy to become friends. They discover that they are very different. Big Bob is loud, likes balls and trucks and Little Bob is quiet, likes dolls and bracelets. They don't do anything the same. Can they ever be friends? In this tender story, James Howe ( The Bunnicula Series) creates a humorous story about the efforts and struggles of becoming friends despite being so different. Teaches about differences and acceptance. This book helps abolish gender roles and is read in our Kindergarten classes. I highly recommend this book. Ages 4 and up.

An empowering and educational picture book that proves colors are for everyone, regardless of gender. Pink is for boys . . . and girls . . . and everyone! ... This book is read to our TK classes. Did you know Pink used to be for boys?

A heartwarming story about unconditional love. This book is read by our First Grade classes.

Note to Parents: If while reading to your child, you discover torn or dirty pages, broken spines of books, etc. please ask your child to bring it to our attention when he or she returns it so we can have our book repair volunteers, Megan Smith, Elaine Lai, Claire Tsuruga and Hiromi Nakano to fix it. Thank you, Claire and Hiromi.!

Thank You! A big thank you to all the families who donated books to the library during the book fair. Thank you to Tiffany Rowe, and Neda Rassouli for all their hard work and long shifts.

The generosity of the parents in our school district continues to overwhelm me with gratitude. On behalf of all the children who enjoy these books and will for years to come, I thank you so much!

Sincerely,

Susan Warnick