Editor’s Note

By Sharon Verbeten

I’m a people person. Even those of you who don’t know me personally could probably intuit that from my Editor’s Notes.

Meeting new people and greeting customers is my favorite part of being a librarian. And, sure, I get plenty of opportunity to do so at the library—but outreach is even more exciting for a gregarious soul like me. I’ll share some of my favorite “people meeting” moments over the years.

• Standing in a bathroom line at an ALA Conference many years ago and saying hello to Kevin Henkes as he exited the men’s room.
• Telling the bouncers at an invite-only event (also at an ALA Conference) to let the amazing Jon Scieszka—then the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature—in, and repeatedly singing his praises.
• The many fangirl moments I’ve had over the years meeting some of my favorite children’s authors—Gennifer Choldenko, Christian Robinson, Jon Klassen.
• Viewing my idol Maurice Sendak—from not-too-afar—at several lectures and events.
• Sitting next to, and being silly with, author Henry Cole at a conference dinner.
• Wearing our library’s mascot costume and riding on the bookmobile in a local parade.
• Having parents come up to me and tell me their child loves coming to the library to see Miss Sharon.
• Starting up a pen pal friendship with author Hayley Rocco.
• Meeting amazingly talented ALSC members throughout the years who have contributed to CAL.

Enjoy the photos below from some of the events I’ve enjoyed over the years. It really is a wonderful life! &

ZOOM! Miss Sharon, right, and Valley View Elementary Teacher Ann Brennenstuhl collaborated on a library/school family night that brought about 100 attendees to the Brown County (WI) Library. Special storytime guest was Zoom Squirrel from the beloved Mo Willems’ Unlimited Squirrels books.

NO POLITICS HERE! In summer 2022, Miss Sharon was able to make one of her first post-pandemic outreach visits to a local park during its Independence Day celebrations. Here she was greeted by the very tall, very patriotic Uncle Sam himself!