Introducing Our New Co-Host - Kahla Gubanich

Image: Headshot of Kahla Gubanich

Courtesy of Kahla Gubanich

Today I'm excited to bring you an interview with our newest co-host, Kahla Gubanich. While Amanda is taking time off from blogging to focus on the birth of her own beginning reader, we're happy to have Kahla's wit and editor's eye to help us out. Kahla and I worked together for several years (we coordinated mock award discussions together, among other things), and I'm thrilled to have the chance to do so again, even if we're still thousands of miles apart. Without further ado, let's get to know Kahla!

What's your current position and what's your favorite part of the job? 
As it happens, I'm transitioning! I currently manage my library's makerspace in Carroll County, Maryland. The makerspace is designed to help kids of all ages develop STEAM skills through hands-on experiences. My favorite part of the work is seeing young customers learning entirely new skills; and they often reach a point where they can turn around and explain or teach those skills to someone else. It's so rewarding to watch someone go from feeling intimidated and overwhelmed by something to feeling confident and proud of their hard work and persistence. Very soon, though, I'll be moving to a position as Children's Services Supervisor in neighboring Frederick County, and I'm so excited to face the new challenges that will come with the change! 

What are you most excited about as a new co-host for Guessing Geisel? 
I'm really looking forward to engaging in the conversation around beginning readers with all of the blog's contributors and readers! The old stereotype is that librarians enter the field because we love to read; but I think it's more accurate to say we love to talk about books. And what better place is there to talk about beginning readers than Guessing Geisel?! 

How many years have you been guest blogging for Guessing Geisel? 
This will be my fourth year (check out Kahla's past posts), and I'm super excited for another season of high-quality books and thoughtful reviews from my colleagues around the country. 

What do you love about the Geisel Award? 
I love that the Geisel is open to so many different formats and genres; the award really embraces the idea that a child can learn to read (and learn to love to read) with any book! That said, I'm crossing my fingers for some more nonfiction titles to work their way into the winner and honor slots in the coming years... 

What's your beginning reader pet peeve? 
I tend to get annoyed by sentences that span a page turn. Especially for readers who are truly just learning, it can be challenging to hold the thread of a sentence across multiple pages. It also makes it more difficult for readers to sound out the full sentence and then repeat it again for comprehension. 

What's your all time favorite beginning reader or Geisel winner/honor? 
I Want My Hat Back (2012) gets me every time; I always love a bit of woodland drama and resulting carnivorous behavior. But I also have a soft spot in my heart for You Are (Not) Small (2015) for its almost magical ability to convey so much childhood truth with so few words. And the final page always makes me chuckle. But then again, the humor and imaginative play in Fox the Tiger (2019) is completely delightful. Oh, I'm sorry, you asked for just one favorite...?! 

Image: Book covers side by side

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen, 

You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang, illustrated by Christopher Weyant, 

Fox the Tiger by Corey R. Tabor

When you're not librarian-ing, what do you like to do? 
Old hobbies include knitting, drawing, hiking, camping, and frequently losing my mind over the general cuteness and hilarity of ducks. Newer hobbies include hammocking, archery, and occasionally pretending to be a tiger.