> Ladybug Award Promotional Ideas

Nancy Keane has created Booktalks for the 2005 nominees.

Ideas to Share gathered and for the book award promotion program at NHLC May 2004 by Christine Tarrio, Jaffrey Public Library:

• Create a booklet for each child with each book read becoming a page. Each page included the cover of the book and a space for the child to draw their favorite part of the story. Then they answered the question "Did you like this book?" by coloring in a happy or sad bug face. This helped them to think about their choice rather than pick the last one read. Contributed by Ellie Schwartz from Memorial School in Bedford. She used this with first graders.
• Create a 3-D poster of daisies, with the titles of each book in the center of the flowers. The children place a ladybug sticker on the stem or petal of the book they are voting for, which creates a very visual account of the favorite title. Contributed by Beth Strauss for Wilson School in Manchester.
• Create bookmarks (with ladybugs of course) or magnets that state "I voted". Hand out "Bug Bites", red and black jelly beans in small bags. Contributed by Bev Everett from Monroe Public Library.
• Send a letter to your local schools and caregivers introducing the award and volunteering to come and introduce it. Create a Powerpoint presentation and speak at teacher meetings, staff meetings, etc. Encourage school administrators to be readers. When kids vote, have their name go into a drawing for a free book. Implement a multi-week story time around the list of titles and do ladybug crafts, finger plays and flannel boards with voting at the end. Create edible ladybugs with Oreos, red frosting, chocolate bits and red licorice! Contributed by Deb Hoadley from Plaistow Public Library.
• Create a ladybug watch or necklace with one egg section of an egg carton, red tissue paper to cover, black dots (from a hole punch), and wiggle eyes. Thread red ribbon through holes in each side and wear. Contributed by Adele Boeske from Derry Public Library.
• Introduce the award in the school newsletter and post the winning book. Go back to groups who voted and read the winner and use props this time if story allows for it! (For I Stink, dress as a garbage collector and bring a trashcan with the A to Z items. Pull items out as the book is read.) It creates enthusiasm to participate next year. Contributed by Christine Tarrio from Jaffrey Public Library.

If you have an idea that worked well to promote the Ladybug Picture Book Award please send it to us and we will add it to the list!