Our library foundation is planning a big year-end fundraising appeal and my outreach program is one of the things they fund. They wanted to feature the program, so our graphics department wanted to get some new photos of me. I agonized (not really) over what to wear (solid, bright colors are best) and which books would show up best in the picture, and went to pretend to read to our graphics manager while the photographer snapped away.
One thing I’ve known for a while is that I make a “storytime face.” I’ve seen it in pictures before and know it involves raising my eyebrows and looking slightly manic. However, the two pictures the graphics manager sent me really highlight the difference between my actual, non-crazy, non-performing face and my “storytime face.”:
Normal person you might not run from if you met her on the street:
Totally caffeinated, crazy-eyebrowed storytime clown:
Oh yeah. That’s my storytime face. WHEEEEE! By the way – the book I’m reading is Ed Vere’s Bedtime For Monsters, a current favorite. With bonus Pete the Cat photobomb.
What’s YOUR “storytime face?” C’mon, I know you’ve got one.
missmaryliberry.com 
Yep. Wide open mouth seems to be the youth librarian trademark. (second photo) http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jan/31/no-2-us-kids-library-vancouver-community-lauded/
Oh, Carol, the “Wide Mouth Frog” story brings a whole new level of crazy-face. Been there.
I’m cracking up here. I think I do the same thing– especially the wide open mouth like Melissa. However, when reading “Wide-Mouthed Frog” by Faulkner, it gets even worse.
This made me laugh out loud! I performed on stage for 15 years back in the day and every photo of me during that time is like your storytime face, but with a wide open mouth and jazz hands. I totally find myself making ‘natural’ faces when I know a camera is in the story time room. Fun post!