Local Literacy Initiative Provides Parent Training and Free Books to Prepare Kids for Kindergarten

Leap into Literacy, a local initiative formed to help Forsyth County preschoolers develop the early literacy skills required for success in kindergarten, springs into action again with a special parent education program, preschool storytime, and a book character visit next month.

Leap into Literacy with Peter Rabbit will be held in the Cafeteria at Cumming Elementary School, 540 Dahlonega Street, on Tuesday, March 12. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Families with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are invited to the event to enjoy a simple dinner, stories, a puppet show, and early literacy activities. Older siblings are also welcome to attend and admission to the event is free.

Parents and preschoolers practice writing at a Leap into Literacy event at Cumming Elementary in December.

“Spring is the perfect time for planting a garden, so we’ll be reading popular children’s books about gardens and animals you often find nibbling on garden plants at this season’s Leap into Literacy event,” says Programming Manager Tracy Walker.

Beatrix Potter’s beloved classic The Tale of Peter Rabbit, featuring a young bunny who sneaks into Mr. McGregor’s garden for a tasty treat, is just one of the stories participants will hear. Then, children will enjoy a visit from Peter Rabbit himself!

“Reading a book and then meeting one of the characters in person is a great way to help a child find joy and excitement in reading,” explains Walker.

Another way to help preschoolers get excited about reading and practicing pre-reading skills is to show parents simple ways to make those skills a part of daily activities at home.

“Our goal with Leap into Literacy is to help families understand how important it is to read, talk, sing, play, and write – even with very young children. Engaging in these simple activities is critical to helping children master the language and literacy skills needed to be successful in Kindergarten and later grades,” explains Forsyth County Schools Title I Director Amy Chang.

Amy Chang demonstrates shape identification and color matching as part of the take-home activity kit participants received a December’s Leap into Literacy event.

Chang and a team of librarians, educators, volunteers, and translators will lead activities during the event to show parents and caregivers how easy it is to practice the skills learned at Leap into Literacy at home.

“Our purpose with the Leap into Literacy initiative has always been to educate parents and caregivers so they can help their children become fully prepared to enter kindergarten,” explains Pamela Burlingame Miller, Executive Director of Literacy Forsyth.

Each participating child will receive a free book courtesy of Barnes & Noble at The Collection and Scholastic, as well as an activity kit created by the Leap into Literacy organizers.

The excitement on each child’s face as they learn to write their name or as they choose the book they want to take home from a Leap into Literacy program is an indicator that the program is having the desired effect, says Charity McDaniel, Outreach Coordinator at Georgia Highlands Medical Services.

“That spark of interest and excitement makes it more likely that the child will go home and ask a family member to read the story with them or help them practice drawing and writing, and using those skills at home is what we’re trying to encourage at every Leap into Literacy event,” adds McDaniel.

Leap into Literacy is sponsored by Forsyth County Public Library, Forsyth County Schools, Georgia Highlands Medical Services, and Literacy Forsyth. Leap into Literacy is also supported by a Community Impact Grant from the North Georgia Community Foundation and contributions from Scholastic, Inc., Forsyth County Public Library Friends and Advocates, Barnes & Noble, and other local businesses.

For more information on upcoming early literacy events, including this summer’s Leap into Literacy with Skippyjon Jones event, please visit www.forsythpl.org.

Celebrate National Day of Unplugging at Your Library

Have you noticed that your nose is glued to your phone or tablet just a little too much lately? If you're missing out on important moments with your family and friends, it's time to unplug!

Celebrate National Day of Unplugging at your library on Saturday, March 2! We'll help you disconnect with your device and reconnect with your friends, your loved ones, and your own creative side with these special events:

Unplugged at Your Library: Family Fun and Games
Saturday, March 2
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cumming Library

Come to the library to UNPLUG! Spend time playing board games, working on a puzzle and making new friends. Celebrate National Day of Unplugging and reconnect without technology.

Add this event to your calendar.

National Day of Unplugging: Drop Your Tech and BE!
Saturday, March 2
10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Hampton Park Library

We're challenging you to drop your tech and reconnect IRL! We'll provide you with a sleeping bag for your phone, and you can take time to breathe, enjoy crafts, board games and giant games, and each other. This program is for all ages. Drop in anytime throughout the day.

Add this event to your calendar.

Unplugged at Your Library: Drop Your Tech & Make Something!
Saturday, March 2
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Post Road Library

We are celebrating the National Day of Unplugging at Post Road Library. Disconnect with us in the Hot Spot and make something fun during our adult drop-in craft program.

Add this event to your calendar.

Unplugged at Your Library
Saturday, March 2
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sharon Forks Library

Get unplugged at the Sharon Forks Library and celebrate the National Day of Unplugging playing a variety of board and card games. All ages welcome.

Add this event to your calendar.

Aspiring Authors Invited to Free Writing and Publishing Events at Forsyth Writes Together

Local authors are expected to converge on all branches of the Forsyth County Public Library this spring to join free showcases, author talks, writing workshops, and publishing seminars as part of the library’s Forsyth Writes Together series sponsored by the FCPL Friends & Advocates.

“We offer so much support for local writers all year round, but this spring’s Forsyth Writes Together series delivers five events with a powerful combination of instructors, authors, and publishers to help aspiring authors in our community find their voice, hone their craft, and get their work in front of an audience,” explains Programming Manager Tracy Walker.

Forsyth resident Ginger Garrett, author of The Last Monster published by Delacorte Press, will give the keynote address at the Forsyth Writes Together Community Authors Showcase at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 3 at the Sharon Forks Library, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming.

Ginger Garrett

“Ms. Garrett leads a writing group for teens at our Post Road branch and her experience in writing fiction for both adults and younger readers gives her a unique perspective on how to find your audience,” says Walker.

Following Garrett’s remarks, participants can meet more than 15 local authors to learn about their writing styles and habits, check out their books from the library’s collection, and even purchase books and have them signed by the authors.

The Community Authors Showcase features works of fiction and nonfiction for adult audiences. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.

Author and lecturer M. Jayson Graham will lead a seminar on epic story creation the following weekend.

M. Jayson Graham

After graduating from Howard University, Graham spent six years in Los Angeles working with independent production companies to develop television series pilots, show bibles and feature film scripts. Graham is a frequent speaker at Momocon, Dragoncon, Gencon, Onyxcon, and Dreamhack and his seminar at the library will help aspiring writers learn techniques for crafting their story ideas into novels, comic books, and film series.

An Introduction to Epic Story Creation will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 16 at the Post Road Library, 5010 Post Road, Cumming. Admission to the 2-hour seminar is free and open to the public.

After learning about idea development and world building for long-form stories, writers can perfect their character creation and plot pacing in a hands-on workshop with Dr. Leverett Butts, author of the award-winning Guns of the Waste Land series, at the Sharon Forks Library on Saturday, March 23 at 10:15 a.m.

During his 2-hour workshop, Dr. Butts will discuss helpful writing habits and lead exercises to improve brainstorming, planning, and drafting initial ideas for writers at any stage of the process, from imagining a first story to completing a work in progress.

He will also explain how tools like Joseph Campbell's stages of the hero's journey and Carl Jung's archetypes can guide writers in advancing the plot and provide insight to make characters more vibrant.

Admission to Creative Writing Workshop: Character Creation and Plot is free and the workshop is open to the public.

Several successful children’s book authors also make their homes in Forsyth County. Two such authors, Shanda McCloskey and Kristy Hamby, will appear as part of a panel discussion on how to publish books for children on Saturday, April 6 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hampton Park Library, 5345 Settingdown Road, Cumming.

McCloskey’s debut picture book, DOLL-E 1.0 published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, was recently recognized by the National Science Teachers Association as one of the best STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) books of 2019 and she is expected to speak about the unique challenges of both writing and illustrating a children’s book.

Shanda McCloskey

McCloskey will also take questions about her second book, T-Bone the Drone, explaining the steps in the publishing process and the work to be done before the book is released this fall.

Hamby’s debut picture book, Chicken Lips, is the story of a cow on a mission to find the meaning behind his seemingly silly name. Before school is out for summer, Hamby will have visited more than 50 elementary schools and preschools to read her book, lead creative writing exercises, and share songs inspired by the story and recorded by local musicians.

Kristy Hamby

Hamby is expected to speak about the joys and challenges of working with an illustrator to tell the story, as well as her experiences in promoting Chicken Lips in-person and online.

Angela DeCaires, CEO of Alpharetta-based publisher BookLogix, and Steve Floyd, CEO of Atlanta-based August House Publishing, will also join the panel.

Angela DeCaires

DeCaires and Floyd are expected to discuss the differences between independent and traditional publishing. They will also share strategies to help aspiring authors navigate the publishing business,

Steve Floyd

Questions from the audience will be welcomed and admission to the How to Publish a Children’s Book event is free and open to the public.

“Though writing events at libraries are generally intended for people writing books, our community is rich with talented people who aspire to write for television and movies, and Georgia’s reputation as a great place to film continues to grow,” says Walker.

There’s something for budding screenwriters at Forsyth Writes Together, too.

Writer, director, and producer Michael Lucker will teach Screenwriting 101 on Sunday, April 14 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cumming Library.

Lucker helped pen more than 30 feature screenplays including the animated sequels to Disney's Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, The Emperor’s New Groove, and 101 Dalmatians. Lucker also worked on the Academy Award nominated animated film Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.

Michael Lucker

In this seminar, Lucker will share what he's learned working as a Hollywood screenwriter to help participants develop a base of knowledge to succeed in the film industry and master the skills required to tell great stories.

Admission to Screenwriting 101 is free and open to the public.

“We want all local writers to know that their library can support their efforts with free resources like online writing tutorials, research databases and reference materials, and we even host groups for writers to share their ideas or work-in-progress and receive constructive feedback from their peers,” explains Walker.

Both the Post Road and Sharon Forks libraries host writing groups for adults, while the Cumming and Post Road branches host writing groups for teens.

“Forsyth Writes Together is a valuable opportunity to connect with other writers, learn from their unique experiences, and be inspired to publish your own work. All the events in the series are free – you don’t even need a library card to participate,” encourages Walker.

Forsyth Writes Together 2019 is sponsored by the library and FCPL Friends & Advocates.

Find details on all Forsyth Writes Together author talks, workshops, and seminars on the events calendar at www.forsythpl.org.

Staff Picks: An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin (Adult Fiction)

An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin

A cunning twenty-something shoves friends, lovers and ethics aside as she manipulates her way through the New York art scene. An Object of Beauty is an interesting character study set in the world of art auctions, gallery opening and sales commissions that fine art lovers and those who enjoy stories of ruthless ambition will appreciate.

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist

Library Limelight: Karla Rodriguez, Information Specialist, Sharon Forks Library

Library Limelight is intended to be a quick read to help FCPL patrons get to know our librarians, staff, and volunteers. We hope you enjoy learning about the people who make our libraries great!

Karla Rodriguez
Information Specialist
Sharon Forks Library

Where is your hometown?

I started in Guatemala, then moved to Panama, then Colombia, then Florida, then Ohio, and now Georgia…so maybe that makes the Americas my hometown!

How long have you been at FCPL?

One year (Yay!)

What other jobs have you had at FCPL?

I was an IS at Cumming for a year, but now I’m here at Sharon Forks! 

Why did you choose to work in a library?

It was through the resources available in public libraries that I was able to learn English in the first place. Naturally, I wanted to be just like my childhood heroes and become a librarian.

Describe your job in five words or less.

Every day is totally different. 

What is unique about your job?

I get to talk with people of all ages, backgrounds, and personalities. The number of things I learn in one day from everyone is staggering, but it is always fun to receive so many reminders of how big and diverse the world really is!

What is your favorite part of your job?

Libraries are one of the few places left that provide services without profit being the main focus. It always feels great to be able to help folks find solutions to their problems, no matter how big or small. 

What’s the most interesting place you’ve lived or traveled?

Through a study abroad program I was able to visit a few places in Spain and even Gibraltar. I also took a family trip to Niagara Falls a while back, but nothing can beat the very first time I went to Ohio. I had never seen snow, corn fields, deer, geese, or so much flat open land before. The whole thing felt surreal! 

What are your hobbies?

I love a good food adventure, playing video games, traveling, watching movies, working with animals, and most shocking of all…reading!

What are you reading right now?

I’m hoping to start Elevation by Stephen King soon, but currently I’m finishing up Acceptance by Jeff Vandermeer.

Paper books, eBooks, or audiobooks?

All of them! (But paper feels the most fun.)