BROMANN, Jennifer 1972-

PERSONAL: Born January 4, 1972, in Fort Gordon, GA; daughter of Henry Charles (a quality disability examiner) and Barbara (a kindergarten teacher; maiden name, Picros) Bromann. Education: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.A. (rhetoric), 1994; University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, M.L.I.S., 1996; Dominican University, school media certification, 2001; doctoral study in reading and literacy at Northern Illinois University.

ADDRESSES: Home—Chicago, IL. Agent—c/o Publicity Director, Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc., 100 Varick St., New York, NY 10013. E-mail—bromannj@ hotmail.com.

CAREER: Prairie Trails Public Library, Burbank, IL, head of youth services, 1996–2002; Lincoln-Way Central High School, New Lenox, IL, library department chair, 2002–.

MEMBER: American Library Association, Young Adult Library Services Association, Illinois School Library Media Association.

AWARDS, HONORS: Davis Cup, Illinois Library Association, for outstanding contributions to youth services.

WRITINGS:

Booktalking That Works, Neal-Schuman Publishers (New York, NY), 2001.

Storytime Action!: 2,000+ Ideas for Making 500 Picture Books Interactive, Neal-Schuman Publishers (New York, NY), 2003.

Contributor to School Library Journal.

WORK IN PROGRESS: More Booktalking That Works, for Neal-Schuman Publishers.

SIDELIGHTS: Jennifer Bromann writes books designed to assist librarians and educators in challenging the ways in which both children and young adults think and encouraging new methods of communication. In Booktalking That Works Bromann addresses various aspects of youth culture, discussing young people's interests, the things that hold their attention, and the books they prefer to read, all of which provide insights into how to engage this age group. Mary Lankford observed in School Library Journal that Bromann conveys the information "in a breezy, conversational style."

Storytime Action!: 2,000+ Ideas for Making 500 Picture Books Interactive explains how storytime can become a physically, active time for small children. The book lists five hundred titles appropriate for children from approximately three to five years of age, and then suggests activities librarians and teachers can incorporate into the reading process, including the use of music, play-acting, and the use of props and puppets. In a School Library Journal review, Shauna Yusko pointed out that some of the suggested activities are "obvious, mundane, or not very creative"; however, she went on to state that many of the ideas are worthwhile. Sharon Cohen, reviewing Storytime Action! for Booklist, felt that Bromann's work is "packed with practical and fun activities," and she recommended it "for all who lead storytimes." Janice M. Del Negro commented in the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books that "new librarians and novice programmers will find here a plethora of suggestions for expanding their storytime activities."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, September 1, 2003, Sharon Cohen, review of Storytime Action!: 2,000+ Ideas for Making 500 Picture Books Interactive, p. 169.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, October, 2003, review of Storytime Action!, p. 85.

School Library Journal, November, 2001, Mary Lankford, review of Booktalking That Works, p. 195; October, 2003, Shauna Yusko, review of Storytime Action!, p. 211.