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I want to express my sincere gratitude for being my library fairy, for all support you have provided me as a teacher, and for the invaluable assistance you have given to my two daughters as they begin their journey as readers.

Your dedication, love of books and inquiry learning has been truly inspiring. Your enthusiasm for literature and authors is contagious, and I do not doubt that it has played a significant role in instilling a love of reading in Olivia and Madilyn. They are always excited to visit the library.

As a teacher, I greatly appreciate your willingness to go above and beyond to support me and my classroom. Whether helping me find the perfect book for a lesson or providing valuable resources to share with my students, your expertise has been invaluable.

Thank you again for all that you do. We will be forever grateful and will be following you on Instagram! I wish you all the best in your next chapter and adventure.

Sabrina

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"maybe - a story about the endless potential in all of us" by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Gabriella Barouch

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A testament to your skills not only as a librarian, but also as a friend and general good human, is how well you know those around you. You have a gift for finding and sharing the book that we each *need* in a particular moment. This is THE reason HKA has the incredible community of readers it has today!

Now, you and my students all know that I have a "type" 😂, or should I say more like 🥲📚💗 but this one was very special. The right book at the right time. We all know and see your talents; thank you for knowing and seeing ours.

"There is something powerful, even magical, about you." Thank you.

Kim

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You embody what it means to be passionate, committed and inclusive in building a community's love for reading. We have benefitted so greatly from the warmth and care you have brought to our library, and by extension our entire learning environment, and I hope that every day in the future brings you the same levels of personal enrichment that you contribute to young people each day. Thank you for your authentic and valued contributions to HKA!

-Jen Swinehart

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thank you ms tanya for being a great listener, always ever so patient and inspiring a relunctant reader to pick up a book and read by herself.  You always remembered the other members of the family and we will miss you.  Sad that seraphine get to experience you as a teacher but what a treasure Singapore is receiving.   All the very best

yen

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You are no doubt the best teacher librarian I have ever worked with, with your passion, knowledge and collaboration. Time for a new adventure just like I did! Yet we are all still connected. Here’s to the next stage of wonder. Much love Carla

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Dear Tanja,

It is a pleasure working with you and get to know you in person. I will miss our morning chats and the pot of hot water you prepared for everyone. You led and inspired me to be a reader. I wish all the best with your transition and hope I can see you someday in Singapore !

Best Regards,
Mei Shu

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All the best Ms. Tanja! Thank you for the lovely journey! Francesco & Beatrice

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I wish that you have the best time there and make new friends there in singapore. I hope that you find as much joy and you have given us. Your passion and caring have been an inspiration!

From Ryushi and Shannon

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Everything tastes better with a true friend :) 

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I can only imagine that this smile will get wider with all of the deliciousness that Singapore will have to offer, and, of course, your new dining companions! 👩🏻🐈

My other wish... for a food tour of Singapore in '23-'24 please! 🤗

Kim 🫶🏻

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Dearest Tanja!
I'm so glad I got to know you this year! Thank you for who you are and for all of your wonderful support this year!
I'm wishing you an incredible amount of luck to you as you step into a new chapter of your life!

Lana

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Thank you thank you Tanja! Thank you for all the times I have burst into the library wanting a random book that had specific sounds so I could work on with my students, and always doing an amazing job at accommodating and finding the perfect selection! I wish you all the best in your new adventure - i hope to see you soon in either Germany or Singapore. Much love Rachel T.

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You are truly a one-of-a-kind (unicorn) Teacher librarian and human being! You are kind, gentle, calm and ALWAYS more than happy to help anyone with anything. I'm so grateful for your time and effort you spent in creating and modelling inquiry circles with our classes. The kids (and teachers) loved this whole process and time with you. You put so much purposeful thought and preparation into everything you do to help enhance everyone's experience.
I loved doing the graphic novel lit circles with you in Grade 4 - the kids' faces just lit right up when they found out ALL BOOK CHOICES were graphic novels! What an awesome way to inspire the kids and just get them all reading and wanting more!
We have moved to Canada, but my family still talks about you and how amazing you were and how you inspired us all in some way or another with our book choices.
Thank you for being you. HKA will miss you, but we are so lucky to have had you in our lives!
ALL THE BEST to you in Singapore on your next amazing adventure. XO
Sonya

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Create a book title (and original cover drawing, if you feel inspired) that sums up Ms. Tanja

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Create a book title (and original cover drawing, if you feel inspired) that sums up Ms. Tanja

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Dear Tanja,

I still miss the sanctuary of your library at HKA and your love of reading and books. Thank you for the wonderful memories, book recommendations and introduction to authors, I would not have discovered otherwise.

Wishing you all the best for your next adventure in Singapore.

Best wishes,

Thida

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Tanja!! I miss having your library sessions w/ the kids. You are calm, gentle, knowledgable and inspiring. The kids will miss you soo much, to be said, I wish you have a super fun  relaxing life with your family soon (with lots of hike and outdoor I guess, right!)

Love,
Candice

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Dear ms tanja thank you for showing us some books that we might like. I really interested about invisible string.I really like this book. I like the dog man book. I like how you teach us how do authors write different books.I really appreciate having you in school.thank you for being a kind and caring teacher. I hope you have a wonderful day!

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This would most definitely be a series, with books set on the trails of Lantau, on the streets of Sham Shui Po, and of course, in our beautiful Sai Kung. Most are adventure, some have elements of historical fiction, and a couple are fantasy (as she dreams of delicious HK treats!)... However, what they all have in common is a strong protagonist with a big heart, a love of nature that is as great as her love of books, and rich storytelling about the beauty of her home city of Hong Kong.

However, hot off the press -- a spinoff is happening soon! We are so excited for when this eagerly anticipated new release comes out -- this time, set in sunny Singapore! 🇸🇬🤩 We can't wait to read the first of many books in this amazing series.

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I hope you have a wonderful and nice day

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Thank you for teaching us lots of things! Thank you for helping us choose books. Thank you for teaching us how to read books. Thank you for reading books to us.

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Hi Tanja,
I want to thank you as a teacher for all you have taught me in one short year! Inquiry circles, bringing books to life, hooks, book recommendations, it seems impossible that one person can bring so much to a school as you obviously have.

Also as a parent, Molly and Elise love library more than you can imagine. It's the highlight of their week to choose books and they really see themselves as readers. I have no doubt that both their love of reading and their skills in reading are thanks to you (and their fabulous teachers of course). Thanks for making the library the hub and heart of HKA.
Rhena

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Dear Tanja,

The students are very grateful for you!

Kind regards,

5ren

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Stars and Wishes for a great librarian and human 

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Stars and Wishes for a great librarian and human 

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Tanja,

It was such an absolute pleasure working alongside you. Firstly, and I’ve seen it echoed among many messages here, your warmth, then your incredible love and knowledge about books, and your willingness to help those around you. You are an inspiration in life, and in work for me.

For every time I visited you and you issued a warm greeting, thank you. For every time I giggled with delight or wonder during one of your inquiry lessons, I thank you. For every time I cried, or laughed, held my hand to my heart, couldn’t stop thinking about something I read, thank you. Most especially, for every time I witnessed joy, wonder, or a newly awakened sense of justice for a character in a student while reading  one of your many thoughtfully suggested books, I thank you!

Wishing you the absolute best in your next journey Tanja!

Sarah Konopka

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Dear Tanja,

A true inspiration for all readers and book lovers. I wish you all the best on your exciting adventure in Singapore and your new school is so lucky to have you.

Take care (and see you in Singapore 😉)
Aisha

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To a woman who has taught hundreds to love books….

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To a woman who has taught hundreds to love books….

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Tanja! You are the Johnny Appleseed of literacy, awakening the love of reading in so many young (and not so young) minds. I have been inspired by our every interaction, and honored to have been in dialogue with you. Hopefully our paths will cross again, in Singapore or somewhere else on the planet.
In admiration
Dan Feigelson

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Nerdiness + Deliciousness = Successful PD trip! 

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Grey Aesthetic Spring Moodboard Polaroid Photo Collage Your Story

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There are so many wonderful memories I have from working together with you Tanja! Your calm presence, knowledge and passion are an inspiration. I loved seeing what books were available for book stacks, literature circles and books to support inquiry. I loved book week dress ups and read alouds and just talking books (kids and adult) with you in general. All the very best for your next adventure. You will be greatly missed. Thank you for sharing your story with us all over the years and making us believe our story mattered.

"Everyone's story matters," said Morris. And all the books agreed.

From Stacey

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I remember the first library lesson I had with you as a co-teacher. I was amazed at how engaged the kids were, and after you did your quick review of 10 books kids who normally didn’t take out a book did! It was enlightening to say the least. I also enjoyed your read alouds and although I heard some of them many times each time I learnt something different. I then tried my best to model my read alouds on your style. You gave the kids, parents and teachers at HKA so much and your next school is going to be amazed at how much they learn and change due to your being there. It was a privilege working with you over those 10 years. Thank you Tanja. From Deb

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Tanja,
You were truly an inspiration and introduced me to so many new ways to teach literacy. I wish you all the best in your next adventure!
All the best,
Karin

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You were a wonder to watch in the library - so calm, so patient! I still clearly remember an email you sent to a parent explaining the virtues of graphic novels and letting kids choose their own books. In fact I’ve stolen this mantra and spouted it at many a parent this year.

You have made a difference for so many kids, including my own, Annabelle’s love for reading is off the charts, and it all started with your read alouds. Wishing you all the best in Singapore.  Keira x

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The Curious Case of the Librarian and the Elite Runner

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The Curious Case of the Librarian and the Elite Runner

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This work of fiction is based on true events about a librarian who lives a double life as an Elite runner.

By day, she stacks shelves, teaches lessons, recommends bookstacks to every single student and teacher in the PS, creates inquiry circles and arranges Literature week with a host of authors and guest speakers.

By night (or sometimes before sunrise), Tanja runs the trails of Hong Kong and dreams up juicy lessons, book looks and recommendations for a variety of units of inquiry.

One day, whilst on the trail, Tanja gets embroiled in a crime when she witnesses a terrible murder and she has to use all of her skills as a runner and research she has naturally done in the library to evade the killer and make it back home to safety.

But is she really safe? Little does she know that a drone caught the whole thing on camera and she has been implicated in the murder and the Hong Kong Police are out to get her.

And so follows a story of intrigue, deception and redemption as Tanja sets out on a journey across South East Asia (reading and eating local delicacies on the way) to prove her innocence and bring down the real kingpin behind this heinous crime.

Can Tanja outwit the Police, as well as the Triads, to stay alive long enough to clear her name? Not an easy feat when there are classes to teach, stock to order/scan in/scan out and numerous PD Wednesdays to attend.

Join Tanja on this 'edge of your seat' crime caper and see how foolish it is to underestimate the lengths that one librarian will go to to be left alone to sit for a couple of hours with a good book, a cup of green tea and a jar of salad.

You don't want to miss this Newberry Medal Award winning book by first-time author, Benjamin Thomas.

Thanks for everything, Tanja, and good luck on your next adventure - the sequel awaits.

Regards,

Ben

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…what you put into the world comes back to you a million times over. So,with this next big change, at last reunited with your darling Jess, get ready for an avalanche of goodness. 😘

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There is no single recipe for success. But there is one essential ingredient: Passion.
Tanja, I want you to know that your hard work, dedication, and PASSION for teaching are truly appreciated by all the students, and the whole HKA community alike. All the very best in Singapore! We'll miss you! ~ Kitty

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Dear Tanja,

I am so grateful for the wonderful memories that we've been able to create the past two years. BoB is able to run smoothly thanks to your support and leadership.

I wish you all the best for your new adventures in Singapore. I hope you have a good time at your new workplace and am sure you are going to be an amazing addition.

Stay well,

Amber

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For creating that magic space where reading can transport people to another world. I was taken back to my childhood by watching your lessons with students. I also really appreciate what you do for authors from around the world by introducing their work to us

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You've been an incredible force in HKA for so long and you will be profoundly missed. I have so much gratitude for the way you've nurtured Elliott as a reader. We wish you all the very best on your new adventure in Singapore!
From: Ellen, Benson & Elliott

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Dear Tanja,
Thank you so much for all the care and support you have given to the Shanahan Family! We appreciate your kind and gentle nature as well as your incredible book knowledge. You will certainly be missed. We wish you all the best on your next chapter in Singapore.
Love, Jack, Juliette, John & Cheryl

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My, did we have fun. Did we laugh. Did we cry. Did we advise. Did we…Lean in. Step back. Support. Learn. Oh, did we ever. I’m forever grateful for how you opened my heart to learn to work with those little ones. For hearing your voice share so many stories. For never getting irritated when you had to remind me for the 99-millionth time to take photos for the blogs. For instilling confidence in me through kindness and calm. And allowing me to be the bad cop — when a cop was needed. I’ll never, ever forget our evening at Madonna. I didn’t know you could see someone blush in the dark. I will miss you, my friend. xxoo

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If Tanja's taught us anything, it's that there is a treat (and a book treat) for every occasion!

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Recommend a book that Ms. Tanja inspired you to read

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Recommend a book that Ms. Tanja inspired you to read

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Share a reading memory you will cherish with Ms. Tanja. 

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Share a reading memory you will cherish with Ms. Tanja. 

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Ms. Tanja enjoying some noodles in Yuen Long

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Wish for Tanja to discover all the local delicacies of Singapore and share her experiences with us! - Cindy N.