Do you have a favorite series?
I do. For my own reading I am a Harry Potter Girl. That’s my favorite series for me to read on my own. I read them every single year. Then for reading with my kindergarteners my favorite series is the Elephant and Piggie series.
What do you like to read on (eReader, tablet, or print)?
I only read print books. For a Christmas present one year I got an eReader and I couldn’t do it. I like to have the book in my hands.
Do you have a favorite book? Did you have a favorite when you were growing up?
I have so many I can’t really choose one. Oh gosh this is hard! Well, the only book I really loved when I was younger was Number the Stars because I was not much of a reader when I was your age. Then I really got into reading when I read Harry Potter. It’s so hard to choose just one favorite though. One of my favorite adult books is called Wicked. There is a play based on it.
When and where do you like to read?
I usually read every night before I go to sleep. In the house that I just moved to last summer I have an extra room where I have a library and an orange chair that I like to curl up in and read.
In the summer I have a book with me wherever I go. I like to walk around with my dog and my book and stop by a lake and read.
Which genres do you like to read?
I love fantasy. It’s my go-to genre. Any sort of fantasy, fairy tale, or fractured fairy tale. I like stories that take me away to a place or world that I’ve never seen or imagined before. That’s why I love books like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.
What do you like about reading?
I like that reading forces me to take time to relax and experience something that I never have before. One of the best parts of reading is that it can take you on an adventure in your own home. I love to go to new places and explore but during the school year I can’t do that much, so I read in order to go on those adventures.
Who is your favorite author? Favorite illustrator?
I love Mo Willems with all my heart. His books are some of my favorite books to read to my kids. His illustrations alone tell a story. I really like Rick Riordan too. He wrote the Percy Jackson books and other series. He has a new series out called Magnus Chase.
Are you in a book club?
I would love to be in a book club but I have not been in one since I was little. When I was a kid my mom and I were in a book club with some of my friends and their moms. It’s one of those things I would love to do but I haven’t found one to be in right now.
Who is your favorite character? Do you think you are like him or her?
I’ll go to my favorite series for this, Harry Potter. Ron Weasley was always my favorite character in those books. I’m like him in some ways in that in my classroom I’m kind of lighthearted and in general I try not to take things too seriously. A lot of my favorite characters though, I would say I am not so much like them. They are people I’d like to be more like. They tend to be more outgoing and brave and have huge personalities.
How often do you read? For how long?
I try to read every night. It depends on what I’m doing. Sometimes I’ll just read for five minutes. Last night I meant to read for about ten minutes and I ended up reading half a book before I stopped. I’m a fast reader and I get very into the stories and sometimes it’s hard to stop. It can depend on when I get into bed and where I am at in a book.
Do you use the library? How often?
When I was a kid I used it a lot but then we started getting a lot of fines because we would forget to return our books. For a while then I didn’t use it so often, but now I use it a lot again, especially for books that I want to try reading with my kindergarteners. For my own reading I usually end up buying the books that I want to read. I usually ask for Barnes & Noble gift cards for my birthday and for Christmas so I can add books to my library.
Ms. Keenan’s turn to ask a question:
What is one of your favorite series or books?
A: The Girl, the Dragon and the Wild Magic. I also like the Amulet graphic novel series.
Oh yes - I learned about that series in college. When I was growing up I read comics because I wasn’t into books. That’s how I learned to read actually, by reading comics.
M: My favorites are The Dirt Diary and The Dork Diary series.
J: I like the Mo Willems picture books.
I know, I love them so much too. Did you know Mo Willems just ended the E&P series? I just read the last book (The Thank You Book) to my kids last week and I teared up a bit.
A: It’s a hard decision. A Series of Unfortunate Events maybe but I can’t really decide.
I know, it's so hard to choose, isn't it?