What to Read Next: finding the book of your dreams!

Beth van Kan

You have found the podcast dedicated to helping you find the book of your dreams! We are the Olentangy Local School's elementary librarians, and as a community of professional librarians we are dedicated to finding and sharing great stories. We have set aside time to create interesting podcasts during the school year and talk about some of the books we love best! Sharing our knowledge with the students, staff, and parents of the OLS community is our passion and we can’t wait to get started!

Episodes

  1. Bringing Books to Life: Stacy McAnulty and the Power of Author Visits

    SEP 30

    Bringing Books to Life: Stacy McAnulty and the Power of Author Visits

    In this episode, we’re shining the spotlight on author visits and the joy of meeting the writers behind the books we love. Today, we’re focusing on Stacy McAnulty—an author known for her creative, funny, and thought-provoking stories that connect with readers of all ages. Join us as we share how author visits inspire curiosity, bring books to life, and help us discover what to read next! Music Credit: The Road to Success — Stock Music from WeVideo

    11 min
  2. Tackling the New School Year

    AUG 27

    Tackling the New School Year

    Hosted by Beth van Kan and Amy Chisek Welcome to Season 3 of the What to Read Next podcast! We’re a team of elementary school librarians from the Olentangy Local School District, here to help you find the book of your dreams. Every episode, we share stories we love and ones we think you’ll love too. To kick off this new season, we’re diving into books with grit—stories about characters who show courage, determination, and strength when things get tough. Whether you’re looking for an inspiring read or a character who won’t give up, we’ve got you covered. So settle in, and let’s explore some unforgettable reads together! Featured Books: "Ronnie and His Grit" by Ronnie Lott and Leslie Harter, illustrated by Jonathan Sundy "Because of the Rabbit" by Cynthia Lord "The Year of the Book" by Andrea Chang "Allergic" by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter Music: "The Road to Success" from WeVideo Free Music Library Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images

    13 min
  3. May 2025: Summer Reading

    MAY 20

    May 2025: Summer Reading

    Join school librarian Mrs. Beth van Kan and public librarian Ms. Melissa Dougherty as they team up to share everything you need to know about Summer Reading and the Summer Reading Club at the Delaware County District Library! Discover fun book recommendations, exciting activities, and how your whole family can join the adventure of reading all summer long. Whether you're a student, teacher, or parent, you won't want to miss the tips, laughs, and library love in this special episode! Featured Books: The Wild Robots series by Peter Brown; Eerie Elementary series by Jack Chabert under the pen name, Max Brallier; Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey; Wings of Fire series by T. Sutherland; Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson; Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Academy series by Diane Walker; and this list of books by Stacy McAnulty, Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years, Sun! One in a Billion, Moon! Earth's Best Friend, The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl, The World Ends in April, The Evers Series: Forever 12 Music: Spring in My Step by Silent Partner (no copyright music from the Free Audio Library) Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images

    12 min
  4. April 2025: National School Library Month

    APR 14

    April 2025: National School Library Month

    Hosted by Laura Laughbaum with Amy Chisek and Collin Combs Celebrating school libraries, school librarians, and great books during National School Library Month Featured Books: Everything in Its Place written by Pauline David-Sax and illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow; Matilda written by Roald Dahl; The Library Dragon written by Carmen Agra Deedy illustrated by Michael P. White; and All Are Welcome written by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman Music: Spring in My Step by Silent Partner (no copyright music from the Free Audio Library) Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images

    12 min
  5. March 2025: March Book Madness Part 2

    MAR 14

    March 2025: March Book Madness Part 2

    Hosted by Beth van Kan and Amy Nietfeld Recording Date: February 14, 2025, this episode is Part 2 of the March Book Madness Episode Featured Books: The Yellow Bus by Loren Long Zuni and the Memory Jar by Aisha Saeed The Book That Almost Rhymed by Omar Abed I Lived Inside A Whale by Xin Li I’m Sorry You Got Mad by Kyle Lukoff More Than Words by Roz MacLean Dear Unicorn by Josh Funk Amah Faraway by Margaret Chiu Greanias Not Yet - The Story of an Unstoppable Skater by Zahra Lari/Hadley Davis Harold the Iceberg Melts Down by Lisa Wyzlic The Boy Who Said Wow by Todd Boss I Do Not Each Children by Marcus Cutler Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando by Andrea Wang The Spaceman by Randy Cecil Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang Wings of an Eagle - Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills by Billy Mills and Donna Janell Bowman Music: Locally Sourced by Jason Farnham (no copyright music from the YouTube Free Audio Library) Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images

    13 min
  6. February 2025: March Book Madness Part I

    MAR 4

    February 2025: March Book Madness Part I

    Hosted by Beth van Kan and Amy Nietfeld Recording Date: February 14, 2025 Featured Books: The Yellow Bus by Loren Long Zuni and the Memory Jar by Aisha Saeed The Book That Almost Rhymed by Omar Abed I Lived Inside A Whale by Xin Li I’m Sorry You Got Mad by Kyle Lukoff More Than Words by Roz MacLean Dear Unicorn by Josh Funk Amah Faraway by Margaret Chiu Greanias Not Yet - The Story of an Unstoppable Skater by Zahra Lari/Hadley Davis Harold the Iceberg Melts Down by Lisa Wyzlic The Boy Who Said Wow by Todd Boss I Do Not Each Children by Marcus Cutler Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando by Andrea Wang The Spaceman by Randy Cecil Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang Wings of an Eagle - Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills by Billy Mills and Donna Janell Bowman Music: Locally Sourced by Jason Farnham (no copyright music from the YouTube Free Audio Library) Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images

    13 min
  7. January 2025: Books to Inspire Curiosity

    JAN 14

    January 2025: Books to Inspire Curiosity

    Hosted by Beth van Kan and Amy Burchinal Recording Date: January 3, 2025 Featured Books: The Curious Why by Angela DiTerlizzi, Are You Big? by Mo Willems, The Book that can Read Your Mind by Marianna Coppo, Maker Projects for Kids Who Love Games published by Crabtree Publishing, Be a Maker by Katey Howes, and the Percy jackson Olympians series by Rick Riordan. Also discussed were a variety of historical fiction books by the authors Mary Pope Osborne, Kate Messner, Michael Morpurgo, and Lauren Tarshis. Music: Locally Sourced by Jason Farnham (no copyright music from the YouTube Free Audio Library) Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images

    18 min
  8. December 2024: Winter Reads

    JAN 14

    December 2024: Winter Reads

    Hosted by: Angela Moore and Laura Laughbaum Recording Date: 12/13/2024 Air Date: 12/16/2024 Featured Books: The House Without Lights by Reem Faruqi, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by CS Lewis and Very Rich by Polly Horvath Links mentioned in this podcast episode: Infohio - 12 days of Literacy Choice Board Music: Locally Sourced by Jason Farnham (no copyright music from the YouTube Free Audio Library) Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images

    12 min
  9. November 2024: Native American Heritage

    JAN 14

    November 2024: Native American Heritage

    Hosted by Beth van Kan and Amy Chisek Recording Date: November 26, 2024 Featured Books: Powwow Day, We Remember, Wilma Mankiller, Contenders, and At the Mountain's Base by Traci Sorrell Music: Locally Sourced by Jason Farnham (no copyright music from the YouTube Free Audio Library) Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images

    12 min
  10. October 2024: Unlikely Friends

    JAN 14

    October 2024: Unlikely Friends

    Hosted by Beth van Kan and Heather Savage Recording Date: September 30, 2024 Featured Books: Orris & Timble by Kate DiCamillo and The Puppets of Spelhorstby Kate DiCamillo Music: Locally Sourced by Jason Farnham (no copyright music from the YouTube Free Audio Library) Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images

    12 min
  11. September 2024: Buckeye Book Award Nominees

    JAN 14

    September 2024: Buckeye Book Award Nominees

    Hosted by Beth van Kan Recording Date: September 30, 2024  Featured Books: Big by Vashti Harrison, The Big Cheese by Jory John, Frank and Bert by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros, Simon and the Better Bone by Corey R. Tabor, Stinkbird Has a Superpower by Jill Esbaum, illus. by Bob Shea, The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers, The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle, The Secret Letters (Mysteries of Trash and Treasure Book 1) by Margaret Peterson Haddix, Sweet Fire by J. P. Mitchell; illus. by Fuuji Takashi, and The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown Music: Locally Sourced by Jason Farnham (no copyright music from the YouTube Free Audio Library) Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images

    11 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

You have found the podcast dedicated to helping you find the book of your dreams! We are the Olentangy Local School's elementary librarians, and as a community of professional librarians we are dedicated to finding and sharing great stories. We have set aside time to create interesting podcasts during the school year and talk about some of the books we love best! Sharing our knowledge with the students, staff, and parents of the OLS community is our passion and we can’t wait to get started!

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