Performance on the Page
Constructing the Perfect Picture Book Read-Aloud
Join author and librarian Betsy Bird for an in-depth examination of what separates the good picture book read-alouds from the great picture book read-alouds. Librarians have always known that picture books can often break down into two groups: one-on-one titles and read-aloud titles. One-on-ones are great for getting snuggly at bedtime, but if you want to engage a large crowd of kids, you need a text that pops in an entirely different way. Betsy breaks down some of the most successful read-alouds, from classics to lesser known titles to brand new 2020 books.
This workshop presentation contains a 60-minute
video with Betsy sharing her current favorite read-alouds and demonstrates how fun a read-aloud can be. This workshop will make you want to run to storytime!
Also includes a transcript and handout.
"Betsy is a dynamo when it comes to books and how authors construct the
perfect read-aloud. She delivered so many terrific titles. I appreciated
the details she pointed out in all the examples. Betsy opened my eyes
to new ways to think about my stories." _Charlotte D.
"Wow! Her reading and performing didn't stop even when she didn't have a book in her hand. Hugely motivational!" - Patti R.
"Betsy Bird's workshop was 8.9 on the Richter scale of excitement. I'd
never considered writing a READ-ALOUD book. But, after Betsy analyzed
the child-approved minutiae of what works--and what doesn't--in terms of
almost 30 books, I feel the urge to write one!" - Cara F.
Your Instructor
Betsy Bird is the Collection Development Manager of Evanston Public Library and the former Youth Materials Specialist of New York Public Library. Her children's literature blog A Fuse #8 Production is hosted by School Library Journal , and she reviews regularly for Kirkus and occasionally for The New York Times. Betsy is the author of two picture books ( Giant Dance Party and The Great Santa Stakeout ), co-author of the very adult Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature , and editor of the middle grade anthology of hilarious female writers Funny Girl. You can find Betsy either hosting the Story Seeds Podcast, where kids are paired with authors to create stories together, or the podcast Fuse 8 n' Kate where she and her sister debate which picture books deserve to be classics. Betsy's next project will be a middle grade novel with David Small called Long Road to the Circus , on shelves Fall 2021.
Course Curriculum
Frequently Asked Questions
"Betsy Bird has to be one of the craziest, charming, spell-binding people
I've ever watched or met! She's a kick! Kids are lucky to have her at a
library reading. Their mouths would be gaping and their eyes never
wavering. She should have her own show-like a Reading Rainbow/Mrs.
Rogers (although she doesn't have the calm demeanor of him) and that's
just fine. I loved her!"
- BB Brown