Picture Book Series

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By Leslie Grant, Graduate Assistant, McLure Education Library

We have several picture book series at McLure in the curriculum materials library downstairs. These books are great because they enable kids to read new books while still feeling comfortable with familiar characters. Also, if they like a book, you have a ready list of recommendations for further reading. A few popular series at the library include:

Olivia by Ian Falconer
“Whether at home getting ready for the day, enjoying the beach, or at bedtime, Olivia is a feisty pig who has too much energy for her own good.”

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Olivia
Dream big : [starring Olivia]
Olivia … and the missing toy
Olivia and the fairy princesses
Olivia counts
Olivia forms a band
Olivia goes to Venice
Olivia helps with Christmas
Olivia saves the circus
Olivia’s opposites

Pigeon by Mo Willems
“The bus driver turns over the duty of watching the bus to you, with one instruction, don’t let the pigeon drive the bus.”

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Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus
Don’t let the pigeon stay up late!
The duckling gets a cookie!?
The Pigeon finds a hot dog!
The pigeon has feelings, too!
The pigeon wants a puppy!

 

Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor
“A young girl who loves fancy things helps her family to be fancy…”

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Fancy Nancy
Fancy Nancy and the boy from Paris
Fancy Nancy and the posh puppy
Fancy Nancy, poison ivy expert
Fancy Nancy sees stars
Fancy Nancy’s favorite fancy words

 

David by David Shannon
“A young boy is depicted doing a variety of naughty things for which he is repeatedly admonished, but finally he gets a hug.”

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No, David!
David gets in trouble
David goes to school
It’s Christmas, David!

 

 

Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner
”Skippyjon Jones is a Siamese cat with an overactive imagination who would rather be El Skippito, his Zorro-like alter ego.”

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Skippyjon Jones 1-2-3
Skippyjon Jones and the big bones
Skippyjon Jones and the treasure hunt
Skippyjon Jones Cirque de Olé
Skippyjon Jones. Class action
Skippyjon Jones : color crazy
Skippyjon Jones in mummy trouble
Skippyjon Jones in the dog house
Skippyjon Jones– lost in spice
Skippyjon Jones shape up
Skippyjon Jones up & down

 

What are your favorite picture book series?

 

Television Show Read Alikes

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By Leslie Grant, Graduate Assistant, McLure Education Library

For fans of popular television series, there’s never an episode long enough to satisfy, and the wait between seasons can feel like an eternity. To bide your time until then, you might be interested in reading some similar stories. Here’s our list of read alikes for a few of your tv favorites:

If you like The Bachelor, you might like…

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The Selection by Kiera Cass.

PZ7.C2685133 Sel 2012

“America Singer is chosen to compete in the Selection–a contest to see which girl can win the heart of Illea’s prince–but all she really wants is a chance for a future with her secret love, Aspen, who is a caste below her.”

 

If you like Once Upon a Time, you might like…

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The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley.

PZ7.B882323 Fai 2005

“Orphans Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are sent to live with an eccentric grandmother that they have always believed to be dead.”

 

 

If you like Hannibal, you might like…

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Chew by John Layman and Rob Guillory.

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“Tony Chu is a detective with a secret. A weird secret. Tony Chu is Cibopathic, which means he gets psychic impressions from whatever he eats.”

 

 

If you like The 100, you might like…

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The Maze Runner by James Dashner.

PZ7.D2587 Maz 2009

“Sixteen-year-old Thomas wakes up with no memory in the middle of a maze and realizes he must work with the community in which he finds himself if he is to escape.”

 

You can find all of these suggestions at McLure. Let us know in the comments if there are any other tv show/book comparisons you think we’re missing.

Midnight Snack: Where to Eat on Campus

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By Leslie Grant, Graduate Assistant, McLure Education Library

WImage courtesy of Bama Dininghile you’re studying and finishing up those last minute papers and projects, you might choose to take advantage of the library’s extended hours. If those late night hours work up an appetite, you’re in luck! Many dining locations on campus will be staying open later. For those studying at McLure, you might be interested to know that the Alston Bistro & Subway (located in the business courtyard behind the library) will be staying open until 2am during finals week. To find out about other locations and hours, check the Bama Dining website. Also, our library is food-friendly, so feel free to bring in outside food or drink as a study snack. You can even order food and have it delivered here, just don’t expect us to pay for it! : )

Longer Library Hours

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McLure will be open longer hours starting next week to provide more time for studying during dead week and finals.

Here is our schedule for the next two weeks ( April 20th-May 2nd):

  • Sunday:
    1:00pm – 12:00am
  • Monday:
    7:00am – 12:00am
  • Tuesday:
    7:00am – 12:00am
  • Wednesday:
    7:00am – 12:00am
  • Thursday:
    7:00am – 12:00am
  • Friday:
    7:00am – 6:00pm
  • Saturday:
    10:00am – 6:00pm

For more information, including exceptions and other library hours, click here.

Also, you may want to note that McLure will be opening two hours earlier than the rest of the libraries on campus this Sunday, April 2oth.

The Praxis: What to Expect on Test Day

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this guy is smug because he knew what to expect on test day (picture from the Praxis website)

By Leslie Grant, Graduate Assistant, McLure Education Library

Many College of Education students will soon be taking the Praxis. In order to help you be more prepared on test day, we would like to share some Praxis resources. For more about the Praxis and how to find library study aids, read our previous post on the topic here.

The Praxis is currently is the process of moving to a completely computerized version of the test. For those of us used to paper and pencil standardized tests, this can add a level of uncertainty to an already stressful situation. Luckily, the Praxis has released some guides that will ease the process.

First, you can check out their Computer-delivered Testing Demonstration. This site shows you what the test will look like and how to navigate through it. It even includes a demo version where you can practice with log in and sample questions. By practicing with this demonstration, you can feel more comfortable with the format of the test because you have seen and used it before.

You can also watch a Computer-delivered Test Center Tour. This will guide you through computer testing procedures, including proper identification, how to store your belongings, and entering and exiting the testing area. The video shows what to expect on test day, and I found it very similar to my own experience with ETS computerized testing. It’s a great resource to get an idea of what the testing facility will look like, especially for those who have never been to one before.

For those taking the computer-delivered test, I would highly recommend spending the time to look over these websites to get more familiar with the test format and testing centers. You can also find additional help with studying on the Preparation Materials page of the Praxis website.

Best of luck!

What is Manga?

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manga

By Leslie Grant, Graduate Assistant, McLure Education Library

If you’re ever perused the shelves of our graphic novel section, you might notice that some of the books appear to be printed backwards. The cover illustration appears on the back, rather than the front of the book. You may know this already, but these books are called manga. For those unfamiliar with the genre, we thought it would be good to provide a short explanation.

Manga originates from Japan. The word itself means comic or cartoon. Manga is a style that developed in the late 19th century, and the stories can be about a wide range of topics. It has risen in popularity in Europe and North America, especially after the influx of Japanese animation.

The reading direction in a traditional manga (image from Wikipedia)

Rather than a being misprint, manga only appears “backwards” if you’re used to reading from left to right. This is because manga is usually written from right to left. Some publishers choose to flip the images to accommodate western readers. However, this inversion can cause other problems by changing the illustrations and directions within the text.

The image to the left demonstrates the direction in which the story is read within traditional manga. You can also see a more detailed explanation with examples by following this link.

 

Now that you understand the basics, we have several series to get you started, including:

  • Vampire Knight
  • Oh My Goddess!
  • Hikaru No Go
  • Neon Genesis Evangelion
  • Gravitation
  • Someday’s Dreamers: Spellbound

You can find all of these and more by browsing the graphic novels downstairs at McLure or searching the catalog. Enjoy!

Simplifying Citations with RefWorks

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Basic RGB

By Leslie Grant, Graduate Assistant, McLure Education Library

It’s the night before the big assignment is due. You’ve finished writing, and the only thing standing between you and your pillow is the bibliography.  Despite that fourth cup of coffee, you’re fighting a losing battle with your eyelids, and the source notes from this afternoon suddenly resemble ancient hieroglyphs. That’s where RefWorks comes in.

RefWorks is a tool for organizing references and creating citations. Through the website, you can produce a list of cited works, either by entering the bibliographic information manually or importing it directly from a database or webpage. You can also save these references in a folder, letting you access and share them later. Once you’ve finished adding your sources, RefWorks allows you to generate a bibliography from the list. Simply add it to the end of your work, give it a quick proofread, and you’re done!

If you have not used RefWorks before, there is a wonderful guide on the University Libraries’ website with instructions on creating an account and using its different functions. This libguide can be found here. Also, by creating an account now, you will be able to use RefWorks even after you graduate.

Now go get some sleep, and don’t forget your promise not to wait till the last minute next time. : )

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Markus Zusak and the 2014 Margaret A. Edwards Award

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By Leslie Grant, Graduate Assistant, McLure Education Library

Congratulations are in order for Markus Zusak, winner of the 2014 Margaret A. Edwards Award. The Edwards Award is for “significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature.” His books I Am the Messenger, The Book Thief, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, and Getting the Girl are honored specifically by this award. The prize will be awarded this summer at the 2014 ALA Annual Conference. For more information, you can read about it here:

http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2014/01/markus-zusak-wins-2014-edwards-award-book-thief-fighting-ruben-wolfe-getting

The Book Thief, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, and I Am the Messenger can all be found at McLure in the Education School Library downstairs.

Zusak’s books available at our library

Take a Literary Journey with These Spring Break Reads

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By Leslie Grant, Graduate Assistant, McLure Education Library

Spring break is right around the corner. Whether you’re going on a trip or planning a staycation, we’ve got plenty of books you’ll want to have on hand. Any of these would be great for reading on the beach. However, if you’re staying a little closer to home, never fear! Save money by traveling via book. All of these reads feature trips you can enjoy without leaving the comfort of your couch.

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Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

(PZ7.M43151 Am 2010)

“After the death of her father, Amy, a high school student, and Roger, a college freshman, set out on a carefully planned road trip from California to Connecticut, but wind up taking many detours, forcing Amy to face her worst fears and come to terms with her grief and guilt.”

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Paper Towns by John Green

(PZ7.G8233 Pap 2008)

“One month before graduating from his Central Florida high school, Quentin “Q” Jacobsen basks in the predictable boringness of his life until the beautiful and exciting Margo Roth Spiegelman, Q’s neighbor and classmate, takes him on a midnight adventure and then mysteriously disappears.”

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Going Bovine by Libba Bray

(PZ7.B7386 Go 2009)

“In an attempt to find a cure after being diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob’s (aka mad cow) disease, Cameron Smith, a disaffected sixteen-year-old boy, sets off on a road trip with a death-obsessed video gaming dwarf he meets in the hospital.”

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The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

(PZ7.J634145 Nam 2011)

“Rory, of Bénouville, Louisiana, is spending a year at a London boarding school when she witnesses a murder by a Jack the Ripper copycat and becomes involved with the very unusual investigation.”

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The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

(PZ7.B73759 Si 2001)

“During their first summer apart, four teenage girls, best friends since earliest childhood, stay in touch through a shared pair of secondhand jeans that magically adapts to each of their figures and affects their attitudes to their different summer experiences.”

Best of all, each of these books can be found at McLure library. But if you’re planning to leave town, be sure to come ahead of time, as we will close at 5 pm on Friday and won’t open again until Monday morning, March 24th.

What are you reading during spring break?

Prepping for the Praxis

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By Leslie Grant, Graduate Assistant, McLure Education Library

With spring approaching, it’s time for many education majors to start thinking about the Praxis. Praxis testing has begun already at The University of Alabama, and the testing window for April has been expanded to accommodate the high demand. McLure is here to help as you prepare for the exam.

The Praxis is a series of tests for teaching certification. The Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) covers reading, writing, and math. A passing score is generally required for entrance into a teacher education program and may also be necessary in some states in order to apply for a teaching license or certificate. The Praxis II assesses subject-specific knowledge and teaching skills. Necessary exams vary by discipline. Passing the Praxis II is usually a requirement for teacher certification. For more information about the Praxis, including test locations and dates, visit their official site at ETS – The Praxis Series.

For those taking the Praxis, McLure library has free study aids available. These resources are no longer kept as physical copies, but can be accessed online instead through Learning Express Library. A detailed guide on how to locate Praxis resources can be found on the library’s website. Look for “Praxis Practice Test” under the heading “Research Help” on the McLure library page or follow this link.

Good luck!