Carly Gorga’s Post

Is everyone feeling like April flew by more quickly than anticipated? Did I just forget that the first quarter of the year is a total slog and that from here on out 2024 is going to whip by? My monthly newsletter today shares professional and personal highlights along with publishing-related links. I also write about a book I am enjoying for a second time. https://lnkd.in/eS_kkVGt

For many children, the decodable readers they read when they first start school are their first experience of reading. Even if they’ve been fortunate enough to have parents that have read to them every night, this is still one of the first opportunities they have to actually read for themselves. Therefore, it’s so important that these early decodable readers inspire them to want to read more. Initially, the process of reading might seem more like hard work than reading for enjoyment but, with the right books, the enjoyment comes from the wonderful books they are beginning to unlock and inspires them for the reading opportunities that lie ahead. Early decodable readers are one of the first opportunities we have to inspire children to want to read, to unlock more, to know more. That’s why these readers should be engaging, varied, diverse and inclusive. Children should be able to read about different characters, learn about different topics and see themselves reflected in the books they’re reading. Just because the sounds authors have to play with are restricted, it doesn’t mean the books have to be restrictive. 

Are personal growth books overwhelming? Here's how to extract maximum value: 1. Focus on actionable content: Seek "to-dos" 2. Create mind maps for complex concepts 3, Engage in a community discussion post-reading Books are doors. Are you opening the right ones?

Useful article on Beta Readers!

Booktalks are brief, in this case uber-brief, pitches to “sell” young readers on a given title. We invite readers to give it a shot, submit a stellar video booktalk not to exceed 30 seconds. #30SecondBooktalk

There is no better feeling than when a project I launch for the sheer enjoyment of creativity, plus passion for the subject matter, develops a life of its own and takes off! I started BooksByJohnnies.com back in 2019. ("Johnnies" means graduates of St. John's College, the quirky and wonderful little school in the mountains of northern New Mexico I went to for four years.) A lot of us are writers, but there was no central place for us to show off our work so we could see what other members of the alumni community were up to. Also, some of us didn't have much web exposure at all. My intention was to help other Johnny writers, especially those not already online, get more exposure for their work. The site was met with great appreciation by its intended users, and for the last few years it's been chugging along, doing its thing. Some months ago I was contacted by Carol Carpenter, vice-president of communications and strategy in Santa Fe, to begin discussions about making the site an official part of the College. Together with Sorakamol Annette Prapasiri at Creative Santa Fe (who is also a Johnny!), I have been working and planning the transition. Today I can announce that in the very near future, BBJ will exist in a whole new form, on a whole new server, but with the same principle behind it: giving Johnnies a place to share their work with the world. Awesome! #creativityunleashed #passionproject #launching

📚 Dive into deep discussions with our dynamic literacy bookmarks! 🌟 Are you ready to supercharge your student-led conversations and save precious resource-building time? Look no further! 🚀 Introducing our bestselling bookmark, crafted to ignite engaging discussions around literacy texts. Two sides packed full of thought-provoking prompts. The ultimate tool for exploring fiction with literacy circles in depth. 🌊 Whether you're diving into Tim Winton's "The Deep" or exploring another captivating tale, our bookmark has you covered! 💫 Drop a 📖 in the comments below and snag your FREE downloadable bookmark! It's yours forever, so you can spark discussions and inspire curiosity with all your classes!

A great post from Karra McFarlane on the power and importance of decodable readers. I'm proud to see my titles Bats vs Bugs, Paper Engineer and I am like an Elephant! in this library. Sometimes people in the press make disparaging comments about early readers, based on their memories of books from decades ago. I can promise you just as much creativity, care and love goes into these small but perfectly-formed titles as goes into any trade titles. So what *is* the difference? Well, for many children who are learning to read, being presented with a non-decodable trade title feels like being given a grade 4 or 5 piece of music when you've only just begun to learn what noises your instrument makes. Yes you can enjoy hearing someone else perform it, but it would be a daunting, discouraging and downright daft way to begin your own musical journey. Being able to practise the new skills you are learning at the level you are at really helps to build confidence quickly, and give readers the opportunity to feel right from the beginning the joy and pride of reading a whole book yourself. It also shows readers how there are many different kinds of books to choose from, from exciting real life adventures to instructions on how to make brilliant stuff. And from my point of view as a scientist and science writer, there is another very important benefit – the opportunity for families to share informal science learning together, making a little bit more space for 'science for pleasure' in a very crowded curriculum. I've heard that Bats vs Bugs is already a favourite among children learning to read with this ELS series... but no spoilers as to just how long cave centipedes grow, or which of these gravity-defying creatures prevails!

Dive into the world of books on Goodreads - the go-to social media platform for readers and authors alike! Engage with the community, optimize your profile, and get ready to share your passion for reading. #goodreads #startyourownblog

Transforming our classroom library wasn’t just about stocking new books; it was about creating new storytellers. By weaving our students' interests into every corner of our reading space, we’ve seen shy readers turn into enthusiastic bookworms and hesitant speakers into eager storytellers. Want to know more about this transformation? Our blog post spills all the details! #Storytellers #LibraryMagic