VIDEOS
Watch & Wonder
Welcome to a collection of videos celebrating all things books—from authors and literary conversations to book recommendations, adaptations, behind-the-scenes stories, and the fascinating world of reading. Discover interviews with writers, discussions about beloved and controversial titles, explorations of literary history, and conversations that make us see familiar books in new ways. Whether you’re looking for your next great read or simply love talking about books, there’s always something here to spark your curiosity. Watch, wonder, and get lost in the world of books.
Toni Morrison: On Writing, Storytelling, and Finding a Voice
In this full-length interview, Toni Morrison reflects on her journey as a writer and the choices that shaped her remarkable body of work. She discusses voice, style, storytelling, and the responsibility of creating characters and worlds that feel honest and fully human. Rather than offering simple formulas for writing, Morrison invites us to think about how each story demands its own form and how a writer learns to listen closely to language, history, and experience. The conversation offers a rare opportunity to hear one of America’s most influential authors speak thoughtfully about her craft, her development as a writer, and the power of literature to help us see both ourselves and others more clearly.
Something to consider… How much of a writer’s voice comes from deliberate craft, and how much develops naturally from the stories they feel compelled to tell?
Do Schools Kill Creativity?
A TED talk with Sir Ken Robinson
Sir Ken Robinson’s TED Talk “Do Schools Kill Creativity?” challenges traditional education systems for placing too much emphasis on academic achievement while undervaluing creativity, imagination, and other forms of intelligence. He argues that children are naturally creative and willing to take risks, but that schools can gradually teach them to fear mistakes and conform to narrow definitions of success. Robinson also points to the traditional hierarchy of school subjects, in which mathematics and language are often prioritized while the arts, including music, drama, and dance, receive less attention. He argues that intelligence is diverse, dynamic, and expressed in many different ways, and that schools should recognize and nurture those differences rather than focusing primarily on academic ability. Through examples such as choreographer Gillian Lynne, Robinson illustrates how a child's unique strengths can be misunderstood when schools fail to recognize different ways of thinking and learning. Ultimately, he calls for an education system that develops the whole child and treats creativity as an essential part of education rather than an optional extra.
Book Bizarre takeaway: What if the qualities we sometimes try to “teach out” of children—their curiosity, movement, imagination, questions, and willingness to take risks—are actually some of the very qualities they need most?
“Do You Believe in Me?”
In “Do You Believe in Me?”, Dalton Sherman challenges educators to believe in the potential of every student, regardless of where they come from or the challenges they may face. He explains that when teachers believe in their students, that belief can give children the confidence to believe in themselves and what they are capable of achieving. Sherman expands his message beyond individual students, asking educators to believe in their colleagues, themselves, and the collective goal of helping every child reach his or her highest potential. He reminds educators that their work has a lasting impact—not only on the students sitting in their classrooms today, but on future generations as well. His repeated question, “Do you believe in me?”, becomes a powerful challenge for educators to examine their expectations and commitment to their students. Ultimately, Sherman’s message is that belief matters, and when students know their teachers genuinely believe in them, they are more likely to believe that they can achieve great things.
Sherman essentially asks educators: “What do our students see when they look at us? Do they see someone who believes they are capable, or someone who has already decided what they cannot do?”
Books have the remarkable ability to take us beyond what we already know and invite us to see the world through another person’s eyes. They can introduce us to unfamiliar experiences, challenge our assumptions, spark curiosity, and help us understand perspectives different from our own. This video, “How Books Can Open Your Mind,” explores the powerful connection between reading, empathy, curiosity, and the way stories can expand how we think. It is a wonderful reminder that every book can open a door to somewhere—or someone—we may never have encountered otherwise.
“A Street Librarian’s Quest to Bring Books” tells the inspiring story of someone who takes books beyond the walls of a traditional library and directly into the community. The video highlights the belief that access to books should not depend on where someone lives, how much money they have, or whether they can easily reach a library. By bringing books to people where they are, this street librarian creates opportunities for connection, discovery, and learning. It is a wonderful reminder that libraries are about more than buildings—they are about people, access, and the transformative power of a book.
Books matter because they do far more than entertain us—they help us understand ourselves, connect with others, and make sense of the world around us. In “Why Books Matter,” Balsa explores the lasting value of reading and the unique ways books can shape our thoughts, emotions, imagination, and understanding. The video is a thoughtful reminder that reading is not simply about finishing a book; it is about allowing stories and ideas to become part of how we see the world. For anyone who believes that books can change the way we think, this video offers a meaningful reflection on why reading continues to matter.