This is a two-part training and is limited to 30 participants from Arizona libraries. Registration for this event includes both sessions.  The second part of this two-part training, Whole Book Approach Storytime Stories will be on January 13, 2022, 1:00pm - 3:30pm.

Megan Dowd Lambert will present an Introduction to the Whole Book Approach to storytime using her book: How to Shake Up Storytime and Get Kids Talking about What They See. Using diverse picture books as examples, she will place emphasis on highlighting the distinction between co-constructive and performance-based storytimes.

The Whole Book Approach is a co-constructive storytime model that Megan developed in association with The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Each participating library will receive the Whole Book Approach Storytime Set. The Whole Book Approach Storytime Sets from Steps to Literacy will be introduced so that participants can feel confident about integrating the Whole Book Approach into their storytime practice.

Participants from the first training will be given the opportunity to ask questions and discuss experiences using their Whole Book Approach Storytime Set.  Additional resources to link the Whole Book Approach and Critical Literacy Practice will be presented by Megan Dowd Lambert and Hannah Gomez.

Megan Dowd Lambert grew up in Vermont and earned her BA at Smith College where she majored in African American Studies and Government. She earned her MA in Children’s Literature at Simmons University where she taught in some capacity for over a decade. Megan reviews and writes for Kirkus and the Horn Book, is a consultant with Embrace Race: A Community about Race and Kids, and serves as a member of the Curation Team of OurShelves. Megan’s books include Reading Picture Books with Children: How to Shake Up Storytime and Get Kids Talking About What They See which introduces the Whole Book Approach to storytime that she developed in association with the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Hannah Gomez is a former school librarian and fitness instructor. She is the author of three novels for middle grade readers. She hosts two podcasts at Book Riot, Read Harder and Hey YA!, and also serves as contributing editor and bibliologist for their Tailored Book Recommendations service. Her research focuses on middle grade and young adult literature.