Lancaster County’s public libraries will participate in the 12th annual One Book, Every Young Child statewide early learning initiative, to highlight both the importance of early literacy development in preschoolers, ages 3-6 years and specifically the vital role that adults have fostering that development. The initiative is a collaborative effort of Pennsylvania public libraries, museums, early childcare centers and other youth-oriented associations in the Commonwealth. This year’s book selection is Daniel Finds a Poem written and illustrated by Micha Archer. Published in 2016 by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin House LLC, this book is for children ages 3 to 6.
Early learning starts in Pennsylvania’s Public Libraries. During story time, youth librarians foster early childhood literacy and school readiness skills. Now in its 12th year, One Book, Every Young Child is a valuable program that highlights the importance of early literacy development in preschoolers and the significance of reading early and often to children, as well as engaging them in conversation and other activities around books. Public Librarians during the reading of the book, engage children in open-ended discussion about the story line and characters, introduce new vocabulary, talk about alphabet letters and make a point that reading books builds a critical foundation of knowledge, readying a child for school. Encouragement is given to parents to “Read to One’s Child Every Day”. Libraries have additional copies of Daniel finds A Poem for parents and caregivers to borrow.
About the book…
Daniel wants to participate in the Poetry in the Park event, but first asks his animal friends for help. After a week of discovery, he is able to share a magical poem that incorporates the essence of the entire book. The collage illustrations help to celebrate a sense of wonder and poetry everywhere.
Daniel Finds a Poem is the first book Micha has both written and illustrated. The idea came to her from a sketch of a little boy on a stage. Daniel’s journey through the park, and through a week, asking his animal friends in the park what poetry is leads him to a poetry reading where he proudly reads the poem he has been gathering all week.
The Reviews Are In…
“In accessible yet colorful language, Archer reminds readers that poetry exists all around us. A vividly illustrated, inventively told opportunity for early readers to grasp the power of language to observe, entertain, and mystify.” ~ Kirkus Reviews
“In illustrator Archer’s first book as author, rich, multi-layered collages illuminate a celebration of nature’s beauty.” ~ Publishers Weekly.
For more reviews, visit Micha’s website at www.michaarcher.com/about-micha/
Story Times/Traveling Trunk Programs @ Public Libraries
List of scheduled events celebrating early literacy; libraries may require registration.
Please contact your local public library for more information.
Saturday. April 1 at 10:00 am
Lititz Public Library
Tuesday, April 4 at 10:00 am
Adamstown Area Library
Wednesday, April 5 at 10:00 am
Adamstown Area Library
Wednesday, April 5 at 11:15 am
Pequea Valley Public Library (Intercourse)
Thurs. April 6 at 10:30 am
Adamstown Area Library
Friday, April 7 at 10:30 am
Salisbury Township Branch Library (Gap)
Monday, April 10 at 12:30 -2:30 pm
Strasburg-Heisler Library
Tues. April 18 at 10:30 am
Lancaster Public Library (Lancaster City)
Wed. April 19 at 10:30 am
Moores Memorial Library (Christiana)
One Book, Every Young Child
Author Visits: April 24
Monday, April 24 at 10:00 am
Manheim Township Public Library
Monday, April 24 at 5:00 pm
Ephrata Public Library
Tuesday, April 25 at 10:30 am
Elanco Library (New Holland)
Tuesday, April 25 at 10:30 am
Quarryville Library
Friday, April 28 at 10:30 am
Lancaster Public Library WEST- Mountville Branch
Tuesday, May 2 at 10:30 am
Lancaster Public Library EAST – Leola Branch
Wednesday, May 3 at 10:00 am
Manheim Community Library
Thursday, May 4 with Manheim Community Library at 10:00 am
Held at local Farm Show Complex, 502 E Adele Ave, Manheim, PA 17545.
Wednesday, May 10 at 10:30 am
Milanof-Schock Library (Mount Joy)
Thursday, May 11 at 10:30 am
Milanof-Schock Library (Mount Joy)
About the Author…
Micha Archer grew up in a family that travelled everywhere and around the world twice. At home, her mother insisted that her five children go outside! and not watch TV, so Micha spent many hours keeping up with her three older brothers; running, biking, skating, climbing trees and building small worlds for little trucks. They made forts in the front yard, forts in the back yard and snow forts in the winter. When she finally had a little sister, she played school with her and taught her to read at the age of three. Micha’s room had stuffed animals and real animals with cages stacked like a little zoo. She made her own dolls and sewed their clothes. And she drew. She drew and she drew and she drew some more.
The things Micha did as a little girl led her to what she does today—she teaches, travels, hikes, bikes, gardens, paints and even built her own house with her husband. Her travels and love of nature filled her memory with the colors, patterns, textures and architecture that appear in the pages of her books. If there are trees in her books, you know she is imagining herself climbing them.
When she had her own children, they made weekly trips to the library and spent hours reading aloud every evening. With no television in the house, her two children filled their time with drawing and creating books of their own at the kitchen table and playing in the woods and gardens around their house. Her children, now grown, have remained creative artists, readers, builders and environmentalists.
For a complete list of Micha Archer’s books, visit
For more information about the One Book, Every Young Child early learning initiative visit: www.paonebook.org
Previous selections for the Pennsylvania One Book, Every Young Child program are:
- 2016 – Kite Day by Will Hillenbrand
- 2015 – Number One Sam by Greg Pizolli
- 2014 – Stripes of All Types by Susan Stockdale
- 2013 – The Bus for Us by Suzanne Bloom
- 2012 – Stop Snoring Bernard by Zachariah OHora
- 2011 – Whose Shoes? A Shoe for Every Job by Stephen R. Swinburne
- 2010 – What a Treasure! by Jane and Will Hillenbrand
- 2009 – If You Were a Penguin by Wendell and Florence Minor
- 2008 – Up, Down, and Around by author Katherine Ayres and illustrator Nadine Bernard Westcott
- 2007 – A Splendid Friend, Indeed by author and illustrator Suzanne Bloom
- 2006 – Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse by author and illustrator Lindsay Barrett George
# # #