By the Book: Vala’dee Tanner, Rosecrest Elementary

Vala’dee started as a media clerk substitute at Rosecrest Elementary 13 years ago and took over the regular position 9 years ago. She is always willing to try new things and has been an all-star coordinator this school year while we pilot our Battle of the Books program.

What books are currently on your nightstand?


Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo, Pax by Sara Pennypacker, and The Stolen Chapters by James Riley.

What was the last great book you read?

The special illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling.

The last book that made you cry?

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly. My heart ached for Ada.

The last book that made you laugh?

Elephant and Piggie: The Thank-You Book by Mo Willems. It is sad that this is the last one in the series, but it still made me laugh!

What kind of reader were you as a child? What childhood books and authors stick with you the most?

I was a ‘sneak a flashlight to bed and read under the covers all night’ kind of reader. One of my favorites as a child was No Flying in the House by Betty Brock. I also loved The Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner, Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene, and Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

What is the best book you were required to read as a student?


Books written by Jane Austen, especially Pride and Prejudice and Emma.

What book did you hate reading as a student?

Moby Dick by Herman Melville

What is your favorite book to recommend to children?

One Hundred Dresses. I loved it as a child and the lesson it teaches is timeless. I also love to recommend books by Utah authors- Shannon Hale, Jessica Day George, Matthew Kirby, Brandon Mull, Richard Paul Evans, James Dashner, etc. Students are always excited to know that so many great books and authors are from Utah.

If you could only bring three books to a desert island, which would you pack?

The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, and Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (I can’t decide which one though!). This is like asking me which of my three kids would I take with me. Nearly impossible to answer.

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5 thoughts on “By the Book: Vala’dee Tanner, Rosecrest Elementary”

  1. I really enjoyed reading about Vala’dee and her library and her favorite books. Thanks for the reminder to tell students about great Utah authors!

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