When Sarah and Hilary Go to New Orleans Without Us

I begged pleaded threw a temper tantrum à la Pigeon asked nicely for Sarah and Melissa to let me attend ALA in New Orleans this year. But much to my disappointment, it was a no. **dramatic sigh** I mean after all, I actually understand Creole and could have played translator! **humph** AND I could have met MO WILLEMS!!!!!!!!!!!! (<----main reason for wanting to go to ALA)

Though much to my surprise, today I learned I was not the only disappointed one left behind. After getting back from my storytime on Junior sans Junior and sans Driver Jim which caused much disappointment among the young children who couldn't believe I would DARE come AGAIN without MR. JIM!!!!!, I discovered both Mortimer and Sally were also disappointed. Mortimer decided to help Jim and I sticker books in Sarah's office... but he soon got bored and decided to help Sarah get caught up with her work while she was gone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortimer answered Sarah's emails...

,

 ... tried getting Mo's agent on the line for a personal appearance...,

 ... got Sarah caught up on a little paper work...,

... tried his hand at redecorating...,

... and got a bit of lunch. (He did a lot of work for one little puppet!)

 Meanwhile, Sally was missing Hil just a little. She even accidently pulled out a little hair, but we're not going to mention that!

 A few tour requests came in.

 Junior got back from the garage, so she helped out with storytime. Unfortunately, she got a few too many ideas from the book she read....

 Uh, oh!

 Thank goodness she's too short to see over the steering wheel!

 

Help Make Me a Superhero!

See? I already have the superhero outfit!

Apparently Gale/Centerage Learning (aka the most powerful library database people) heard my plea to become a Library Superhero Action Figure. Unfortuantely Gale's unable to just give me the award. They need YOU to nominate me. 

What happens if I win? They make me into a cartoon superhero librarian(!), put me on a lunchbox AND superhero trading cards. (I know.... It's like Oh. My. God!!! exciting.)

So, what do you need to do.... Go to Are You a Librarian Superhero, give them my name (Chriss), where I work (Columbia Public Library) and why you think I'm Da Bombdigity and should have my own superhero lunchbox... staring me... Super Chriss.

Ok, so the "official directions are...

3.     To participate: Visit the Are You a Librarian Superhero Facebook Web page www.gale.com/superhero Post your nomination for an outstanding librarian (each a “Nominee”) on our wall, including: the Nominee’s name; where they work; and what makes them exceptional. Include how this person makes a difference for the community and patrons, and how the library is improved because of their process or presence (each posting, an “Entry” and each participant posting a Nominee, an “Entrant”).

I'll leave it up to you to explain just why I'm the most awesomest....

Remember, only you can make me into a Superhero Lunchbox.... 

Cupcakes (Num num num)

The library recently decided that new books should be shelved by Public Services. While shelving is not my favorite of tasks, it does have it's own benefits. Unbeknownst to me, Martha Stewart recently published a book just for me. What you can't see in the image is the fine print. Real title: Martha Stewart's Cupcakes for Dana to Make for Chriss. Angela later pointed out that in even finer print it says (and Angela).

Well, my picture book twin ALSO just published a book just for me....

 

 Aren't I special? (or something)
 

The Power of ME

Ok, so I admit that I am SLIGHTLY... um... silly... bizzare... creative... ORNERY. Yep, that's the word! I give lots of kids tours at the library, and I always find it important to let kids know people's names and practice what we should say when we need help and and blah blah blah.

Sometimes we even tour the bookmobile. After all, who doesn't think a traveling library is just... like...the coolest? We also practice saying HI to Mr. Eric our bookmobile driver. hehehe No, I'm serious. We smile big, do a half circle wave and say HI MR. ERIC in a bubbly voice. After all, Mr. Eric doesn't get to give tours, but we need to show our love.... Right?

So a few weeks ago, I gave a tour to a fairly large group of homeschoolers... and for some reason, they kept giggling... the whole tour. I did check and there was no broccoli stuck in my teeth. Several parents told me later that their kids think it's HILARIOUS that I say "friends" and "silly geese." Hey, we've all got our quirks.

ANYWAY, a mom came up last week and said that her kids practiced ALL DAY and giggled through dinner one night at just the thought of going on the bookmobile and saying "HI MR. ERIC!!!!" And do you know what? They did it!

Eric's response

Chriss put you up to this, didn't she?

 ** snicker**


Well, we couldn't just leave it right there, could we? Nope. They've been given a new mission for the next bookmobile excursion. I think I happened to mention his love of dancing....

 

Oh, and today.... I was told that Angela is my minion.

Oh, the Power of Me!

If Librarians Had Super Powers

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? from Library Beat on Vimeo.

What would happen if librarians could have a super power? Think they would use it for good?

Librarians at NSLS were asked just that. What super power would you have??? Answers run the gambit from flying to invisibility to "brewing coffee in my mouth." Anyone think Greg has a twin in Illinois? Kinda scary thought, I know.

 

Well, I already know what my superhero costume would look like. We all know how super fly I look in my pink feather wig, lipstick face mask, and Super Grover Super Fly tee. 

But as far as super POWERS???

• Turn into Fancy Nancy at will....
• Convince Sarah that yes, we really DO need to have the Pigeon Party come to town and perform "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" just for me... and have Mo in the audience... and then the audience would BEG me to do my rendition of DLTPDTB... and then I would get standing ovations... and Hollywood contracts... and Mo would dedicate his next Pigeon book to me.... Mo Willems adores me. It's TRUE, I tell you. A person can't just make this stuff up....
• Be awarded the I LOVE MY LIBRARIAN award due to thousands of patrons nominating me as the greatest library lady... ever.
• Oh, yeah, and world peace.

Oooohhhh, then I could get me own action figure....

Would anyone else care to share their own coveted super power?

PROTEST: Library Commercial SANS Moi

I am OFFICIALLY jealous! 




I am DENIED my inalienable right to star in a silly library commercial... and then they put a serious one up on YouTube.  **sigh**   I'm feeling a little unloved here people. A little unloved.

Does anyone else have flashbacks of Pigeon upon seeing Hilary behind the wheel???

My ONLY consolation.... At the time of this posting, MY library YouTube video has more viewings than Jr. Now I'm SURE that if a certain library director would have asked me to do the Banana Chant while wearing a pink boa in the Jr. video, it would have gone viral by now.  **grumbles**  

Maybe next time, they'll learn. 

Mo Willems Adores Me

I know. I know. Who doesn't? Right? Well this is an EXTRA special case. Now almost everyone I know knows just how much I adore Mo.

• I call story time dibs each time a new Pigeon book is published.
  
• I have perfected the Pigeon temper tantrum.
  
• I joined AWLMO… a fan club for Adults Who Love MO.
  
• I made my own Pigeon tshirt.
  
• I even got Aiden his 1^st Pigeon book BEFORE he was born.
  
• Even Esmé has a Pigeon book or two. (Dogs like Pigeons, too.)
  

 

Need I go on? Or do you get just how much I adore Mo? Anyway… back on topic… MO WILLEMS ADORES ME!!!

 

This year, Mo and his BFF Jon Scieszka MCed the Sixth Annual Book Cart Drill Team World Championships at ALA 2010 in DC. I begged…. I pleaded…. I even tried bribing my boss to let me attend, but alas she refused. **humph** I even tried throwing my very bestest Pigeon fit, but Sarah was NOT amused. **grumble, grumble, grumble**

 

What to do? What to do…? Start a Facebook campaign. Aside from being Esmé's godmother, Cindy D., is also the director of a college library… and at the conference. Hmmm….

(Exact quotes from FB)

CHRISS: Are you going to meet Pigeon's most wonderful creator tomorrow??? **sigh** He and Scieszka will be at the Book Cart Drill Team competition. **double sigh**

CINDY: Probably not. They were both in the hall today but the lines were crazy long!

CHRISS: **sigh** I need the Pigeon's autograph. **goes off to bribe Angela to get it** BTW, Esme sends puppy kisses.

**went off to harass Angela**

CHRISS: (Angela) I need Pigeon's autograph. He's in DC Sunday.... Pretty please?!?!? I'll never ask for anything ever again. Pinky Swear!!!... FINE! **throws self down** WAHHHHHH!!!!

BRANDY: I saw Jon at his book signing at the S&S booth. I wish I could have gotten a pic without looking like a creep-o.

CHRISS: Rub it in Brandy, rub it in. **grin** Now, if you see his BFF Mo, I expect you to look like a creep to get me that pic.... I'm on a mission.

ANGELA: Wish I could...would be the best gift ever !!!!

CHRISS: LOL, first Brandy not taking creepy pics of Jon, and now you, too! **sigh** =0)

 Then a few hours later….

BRANDY: Chriss, ask and ye shall receive. Check out my photo album called "Caldecott Magicness."

Now, I'm sure all of you are wondering exactly how Brandy made me squeal with joy and do a little jig….

Shortly after Brandy's first message, she left for the Caldecott/Newberry awards banquet... and seated at her table… Mo's agent Shelly. (Anyone think Karma must like me???)

As Brandy didn't record the whole conversation, I must paraphrase… and try to fill in the gaps.

BRANDY: Like, OMG. I was just torturing Chriss about Mo just a few hours ago!

MO'S AGENT: Chriss?

BRANDY: Chriss ADORES Mo. She won't let anyone else do Pigeon for story times. She designs her own Pigeon tees. She….

MO'S AGENT: (interrupting) WAIT! You mean the SAME Chriss who founded AWLMO?

BRANDY: Yes! She's even researched grants to get the Pigeon Party theatre performance to come to town.

MO'S AGENT: Like… OH… MY… GOD!!! Mo's gonna FLIP. He ADORES Chriss! Where is she??? They've got to meet!

BRANDY: **deep sigh** Alas, Sarah, Chriss's boss, refused to allow her to come to ALA 2010. **brightens** BUT it'll be so much fun to torture her with this story. **claps cheerfully**

**Enter Mo.**

MO'S AGENT: MO! Brandy works with THE CHRISS!!!

MO: Like OMG! The same Chriss who founded AWLMO?!?! Where is she? I ADORE her. We must meet.

MO'S AGENT: **grumbles about "someone named Sarah"**

MO: **steals Brandy's camera and shoves it at passing Jon Scieszka** JON! Brandy knows CHRISS!!! Take a picture of me for her so she will know how much I adore her.

BRANDY: **sigh** That Chriss has all the luck.

And that my friends is how I got a photo of Mo Willems taken just for me.

Other fun Chriss/Mo links...

• "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" Library Program
• Dolly tries to steal the bookmobile after reading Pigeon book
• Mo Willems in the New Year
• "I Love My Librarian" Award (OK, it's not really Mo related, but I'm sure he will be nominating me. **grin**)
• Mo gives Esme ideas
• My Pigeon tee

 

Party with the Stars

Friday, I hosted an afterhours program called Party with the Stars. Dolly grabbed some satin and hopped in the car before I could even ask if she wanted to come to work with me…. I hadn’t a clue as to what she wanted with the material, but… well… Dolly’s weird… and I’ve learned it’s best not to ask questions with her. It makes my head hurt.

We stopped by The International Café for takeout and got some falafel, hummus, tzatziki sauce, and spinach pie. It’s important for Dolly to try new foods. Silly me let Dolly hold the food in the car. SHE ATE ALMOST ALL THE PITA BREAD AND TZATZIKI SAUCE BEFORE WE GOT TO THE LIBRARY!!! **humph** Well, I guess she’s found some new foods she likes. **grumble, grumble** I made her eat off a plate when we got to work. Did I mention how she ate almost all my pita and tzatziki?!?!?!

ANYWAY, Dolly helped me set up for the program. For some reason, she fashioned the satin material into a dress. “Why?” you ask. When Dolly heard “Party with the Stars,” she thought she would be dining with Peyton Manning, Mo Willems, and Fancy Nancy. **head thump**

Luckily she wasn’t too disappointed after getting to see rainbows around the full moon, the International Space Station, Jupiter, and a new comet called McNaught.

Dolly and another little girl had a hard time using the telescope, so I was able to focus my camera through the telescope lens to capture a few pics they could see. Check out the details on the full moon. You can even see rings of green and blue around the edges.


Well, she did get to see some pretty big "stars…." **snicker**

Dolly Misses Mommy

Now we all know that Dolly’s mommy Pam is one crafty lady. My girls absolutely love Pam’s recycled bottle dog toys. Feeling a little homesick, Dolly asked to come with me to my Yarn Party craft program where we teach kids how to knit and crochet. Knowing it was something her mommy would enjoy, she thought learning a new craft might make her feel better.

My friend Kirsten volunteers for the program (and has the patience of a saint), so I asked her to teach Dolly how to crochet during a slow point. We learned a few things... the most important of which is that thumbs are important when crocheting.... 

It got a little busy and I'm ashamed to say that I lost track of Dolly for a few minutes. Imagine my mortification upon seeing Dolly riding Kirsten's service dog Ruby.  **AGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!**  DOLLY!  Get off Ruby NOW!

Ruby gently reminded Dolly that she is NOT a horsey... or a lion statue... or a tiger statue.... 

Thankfully Ruby is patient with little girls and the two parted friends.  **deep sigh of relief**

 

Dolly: Summer Reading Super Star

Summer reading began June 8^th, and we've already signed up over 2,400 kids and 230 teens!!! Dolly saw what fun the kids were having (and saw little kids got a free book if they finished) and DEMANDED to sign up, too. No worries, Pam. I made her ask nicely. I know she was excited, but that's no reason to be rude.Dolly signed her name and age on a yellow ducky.

 

Miss Angela explained the program to her. She's supposed to put a sticker on the calendar every day that someone reads to her. When she uses up all 30 stickers, it means she read for 30 days and can come back and pick out a free book to keep forever and ever.

 

Dolly was so happy that she wanted to shake Miss Angela's hand.

 

Dolly wanted to get started on her reading right away. She picked out Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems (one of my FAVORITE books). She wanted to give Pigeon the keys. Unfortunately the Bus Driver came back early. Mean Bus Driver!

Dolly hung out with the story time puppets while I worked during the afternoon... or so I thought. When I couldn't find her, a thorough search began.... Anyone want to guess where we found her???

That's right.  She was trying to steal the new children's bookmobile. Apparently Eric left the keys in the ignition.

Before leaving for the day, Dolly found her ducky on the wall of other summer reading rock stars.

Dolly Helps Do Story Time

Liz and I had preschool story time today. Our topic was sea life… but could have easily been titled “When Sharks Attack.” (Even after finding out it was a mouse that sank the boat, one girl was INSISTENT that a shark snuck up and bit a hole in the bottom of the boat and thus making it sink.)

 

Now Dolly being a good house guest SHOULD have been a good girl, hung out with the puppets in the work room, and not caused any problems while I did story time. **rolls eyes** Forget that. We’re talking Dolly here. We unlocked the doors to let the kids inside, and does anyone want to take a wild guess as to who walked in? 

You got it.

I didn’t have time to take her back to the work room, so I plopped her down in the audience and told her to behave. 

She didn’t. Surprise. Surprise.

First, she decides she needs to be on the stage… and actually in the story. Dolly, there are no little girls in Who Sank the Boat. There’s a cow, a donkey, a sheep, a pig, and a mouse. No little girls. **deep breath** THANKFULLY we hadn’t started yet, so I sat Dolly down a little FURTHER away from the stage and told her to BEHAVE…. 

Riiiiiiiiight.

The first story was Mitch the Fish. You know the one where Mitch says:

I’m Mitch the Fish.

I swim and I swish.

I can change my color

If I wish.

Well, it came time for Mitch to meet the lobster so he could turn red.  

Missing.

Anyone want to guess where I found it?

That’s right.

Does anyone have any Dolly sized handcuffs I could borrow for the rest of the week?

Oh, and if anyone needs a silly shark song to do for preschool story time, an adapted version of Baby Shark goes over well. (Yes, that is Liz and me rocking it out… sans Dolly.)