Snoopy and The Peanuts Gang Have Arrived

A couple of weeks ago I told you about how Snoopy is the official spokesdog for National Library Card Sign-Up Month 2015.  If your library uses library cards, you have to check out the cooler than cool Snoopy library card artwork that you can request (by emailing LibraryCard@Peanuts.com) for your new cards.  All the stir about Snoopy, the upcoming Peanuts Movie, and a Snoopy t-shirt I just received from my dearest for my birthday all inspired me to deck out our library in Snoopy swag for the new school year.  I'm not sure that I'm completely done, but the library is ready for classes to begin on Monday.  Here are a few peeks into our space.

The Peanuts Gang's love of libraries is made clear through many of Schulz' comics.  Our entrance is decked out with favorite Peanuts library quotes paired with Peanuts character cutouts.  The quotations are typed using Peanuts font, which is available for free.

Above the double doors, I used the Peanuts die-cut letters to introduce myself.

Right inside is a bulletin board outlined in Peanuts border. This is where our rules, objectives, and other important classroom information are posted.

Snoopy labels are keeping us organized at centers and on the shelving cart.

I used characters cards to label our tables and my daily binders.

Snoopy bunting above the circulation desk announces the name of our library.

Still on the shopping list are the Snoopy hat I mentioned before, and this Snoopy flash drive.

Visit the American Library Association website to get more ideas about how to leverage Snoopy to promote your library and its programs.

Are you using Snoopy and friends in your library this year?  What are your ideas?

Happy 65th Birthday, Snoopy!

Today is Snoopy's 65th birthday.  His career as the adorable, would-be-writer beagle in Charles Schulz' comic classic, Peanuts has been long and distinguished.  In addition to reaching this milestone and having a new movie debut this year, in November, he will also fill an important roll this September as the official spokesperson (spokesdog?) for National Library Card Sign-Up Month.

If you are a Peanuts fan, you know that Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the whole Peanuts Gang are not just adorable and funny, but they have been lifelong supporters of libraries.  Even though we don't use library cards at my school library, Snoopy and friends are going help spread the love of books and reading with our little readers.  You too can have Snoopy as your library or classroom's official advocate using these great resources and ideas.

Start by setting the scene with Peanuts decorations like these cardboard cutout characters, Peanuts border, and die-cut letters.

Then visit the American Library Association store to find bookmarks, stickers, and posters you can use and share with students.

Let Snoopy pay a visit to your learning space with this adorable hat from Oriental Trading.

Get inspired by this Unshelved Pimp My Bookcart entry that turns a red shelving cart into Snoopy's iconic doghouse.

Let students explore the Peanuts Gang's passion for libraries by sharing some of Schulz' original comic strips like the one when Sally declared that "happiness is having your own library card" and the time Linus proudly described to Charlie Brown about his first time checking out a library book: "There was nothing to it!  In fact, on the whole, it was a rather pleasant experience."  Read more Peanuts comics at Peanuts.com including those that specifically mention libraries.

Kids can find out more about Snoopy, Peanuts, and creator Charles Schulz by visiting the Charles M. Schulz Museum website.

Help students learn to draw Snoopy with this video from Fox Family Entertainment shared in celebration of his birthday.

After all that educational beautification and promotion, you will have worked up an appetite.  Why not try to reproduce this Snoopy breakfast masterpiece share by Instagram user, LilKimKay.

If you're not up to the challenge, never fear.  Just have a root beer, one of Snoopy's favorite treats, while reading A Flying Ace Needs Lots of Root Beer.

Also, Peanuts Movie cross-promotions by Nestle, Horizon Organic, and others will mean plenty of cute Snoopy snacks on the horizon.