2007 - The Year in Review

2007 was a big year for Children's Services and the ACPL!

On January 27, 2007 the renovated Main Library opened in downtown Fort Wayne.

In February 2007, Children's Services kicked off the year of programming with many wonderful programs, including Paws to Read.



In March 2007 we sang Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss and the Cat in the Hat.

In April 2007 the installation of the Reading Tower began.

In May 2007 many families played together in the Early Learning Center.

In June 2007 we released our painted lady butterflies out on the Library Plaza.

In July 2007, Pinkerton stopped by for a visit.

In August 2007, kids watched a rocket launch out on the Library Plaza as part of the 3, 2, 1, Blast Off! program.

In September 2007 kids met some of the sea dwellers in the aquariums up close during a special program.

In October 2007 the Art Out of the Box participants painted an art car on the Library Plaza.

In November 2007 over 500 people made crafts and shared memories as part of the Day of the Dead program.

On December 31, 2007 we prepared for another year of questions, programs and fun at the Library!

Mock Caldecott

The Randolph Caldecott Medal is given each year by the American Library Association to the illustrator of the most distinguished American picture book for children published during the preceding year.

Each year our Children's Services department hosts a Mock Caldecott Election program for adults who are interested in children's literature.


Seven books have just been added to the list:

Brett, Jan. Three Snow Bears.
Cate, Annette Le Blanc. The Magic Rabbit.
de Seve, Randall. Toy Boat. Illustrated by Loren Long.
DiCamillo, Kate. Great Joy. Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline.
Sayre, April Pulley. Vulture View. Illustrated by Steve Jenkins.
Skeers, Linda. Impossible Patriotism Project. Illustrated by Ard Hoyt.
Willems, Mo. Knuffle Bunny Too.

If you would like to participate, the rest of the Mock Caldecott Award reading list can be found here. If you can't join us in person for the discussion, please take a moment to post your comments about any of the books online.

This year the Mock Caldecott election will be held on Saturday, January 12, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art in downtown Fort Wayne. Participants will have the opportunity to view the art of illustrator Allen Say as part of the program. To sign up, call the Children's Services department at (260) 421-1220 or send an email.

For information about the ACPL's other Mock Elections, click here.

See you at the Mock Caldecott!

Science Fair

Are you looking for a science fair project? If you like to take pictures, you might like to build your own pinhole camera. This book tells how and gives good background information on the science behind photography. It's part of a series by World Book. Click here to see all of the other experiment topics in this series. ACPL is the place to visit for science fair help.

Snowflake Craft Tomorrow

The Main Library will be open 9 to 5 p.m. tomorrow, Monday, December 31st.

Please stop by Children's Services to make a hanging snowflake craft.

See you at the ACPL!

Art Out of the Box: Fiber Art

Homeschoolers in grades 2 to 6, join us for Art Out of the Box: Fiber Art on Thursday, January 10th at 2 p.m.

You will have the chance to interact with pieces of fiber art, talk about different ways to make fiber art, learn about a few artists and hear about some great books. Then we will all work together to create a work of fiber art to donate to a child in need through Project Linus.



Art Out of the Box meets every second Thursday of the month at 2 p.m. through May 2008.

Future topics:
February: African American Art
March: Traditional Crafts
April: Wood Art
May: Photography

For more information about this program send an email or call Children's Services at 421-1220.

Winter Babies Wear Layers

Michelle Sinclair Colman and Nathalie Dion, the creators of Urban Babies Wear Black, have a wonderful new board book available: Winter Babies Wear Layers. The charming illustrations are reminiscent of the 1950s and they are the perfect compliment to the spunky text. Snuggle up with this book and your baby in front of a cozy fire.

Mock Sibert Award

The Robert F. Sibert Award is given each year by the American Library Association to the to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book for children published in English during the preceding year.

Each year our Children's Services department hosts a Mock Sibert Election program for adults who are interested in children's literature. If you would like to participate, the complete Mock Sibert Award reading list can be found here. If you can't join us in person for the discussion, please take a moment to post your comments about any of the books online. We'll be sure to read your comments as part of our discussion.

This year the Mock Sibert Award election will be held on Saturday, January 5, from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.at the Main Library in downtown Fort Wayne. To sign up, call the Children's Services department at (260) 421-1220 or send an email.

Here is the fourth and final reading list for the ACPL Mock Sibert Award:

Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art
We Are One: The Story of Bayard Rustin by Larry Dane Brimner
Emi and the Rhino Scientist by Mary Kay Carson
Who Was First?: Discovering the Americas by Russell Freedman
The Many Rides of Paul Revere by James Giblin
An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis of Global Warming by Al Gore
War in the Middle East: A Reporter's Story by Wilborn Hampton
At Gleason's Gym by Ted Lewin
City Hawk: The Story of Pale Male by Meghan McCarthy
Tuttle's Red Barn: The Story of America's Oldest Family Farm by Richard Michelson
The Real Benedict Arnold by Jim Murphy
Footwork: The Story of Fred and Adele Astaire by Roxane Orgill
Nothing But Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson by Sue Stauffacher

For information about the ACPL's other Mock Elections, click here.

See you at the Mock Sibert!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret - Audio

Several weeks ago in a blog post about the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret -- which I LOVE -- I asked people whose first experience with this story was as an audio book to report back what they thought. We've received a response back via our Mock Newbery Discussion Board. You can read the entire post, and respond with your own comments, but here is a brief excerpt from someone who experienced the book first as an audio book rather than as a book of bound paper.

What did I think of the story? I loved it. It was great. Yes, I cared deeply for Hugo and the struggles he was in. I was hoping the automaton would give him that message from dad. On and on, I can say that I thought the story was gripping and echo all of the positive comments others have already posted about the book.

I really did not feel that I missed out on anything by not having pictures. The story felt very complete in its text.

Is there anything special to note about the audio version? There is some use of sound effects, though not a lot. The sound of the train and the clicking of heels stands out. The author states in his interview that he used sound effects similarly to the way they were used in silent films. He says he used the sound effects to move the story along in the same way he used the illustrations in the print version. However, in the book there are A LOT of illustrations, while I don't feel the audio used a great deal of sound effects.

Thanks, JLB! We really appreciate your comments!

BIG BOOKS!

Do you like BIG books? I mean, REALLY, REALLY BIG BOOKS? At the Library, we have lots of BIG BOOKS that you can look at, and even check out and take home! Big Books are a fun way to read, and a great way to enjoy the beautiful illustrations in children's books. Why not come to the Library and see some for yourself?

The Empty Pot, by Demi, is a classic Chinese folktale about a boy who loves to grow flowers, but can't seem to grow any for the emporer's contest. You can find this book at the Library, both in regular size AND as a Big Book!








For a list of all the Big Book titles we have in Children's Services, click here:
http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/children/bigbooks.html .

See you at the Library!

Pinewood Derby

We've just gotten more copies of two great books about Pinewood Derby cars.

Check them out if you want more information about designing or building a cool and FAST Pinewood Derby racing car.

You might also want to look at The Ultimate Pinewood Derby Site. This website includes songs, history, and a variety of links related to the Pinewood Derby.

Encyclopedia Prehistorica Mega Beasts

Check out this awesome new pop-up book about prehistoric beasts! Learn about the amazing Ice Age beasts like the woolly mammoth. Also, read about the gargantuan hornless rhinoceros, the saber-tooth cat, and the flying lizard, called a pterosaur.

If this sounds interesting to you, check out Encyclopedia Prehistorica Mega Beasts by Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart.


See you at the ACPL!

Mock Newbery Award

The John Newbery Award is awarded each year by the American Library Association to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

Each year our Children's Services department hosts a Mock Newbery Election program for adults who are interested in children's literature. If you would like to participate, the complete Mock Newbery Award reading list can be found here. If you can't join us in person for the discussion, please take a moment to post your comments about any of the books online. We'll be sure to read your comments as part of our discussion.

This year the Mock Newbery Award election will be held on Saturday, January 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.at the Main Library in downtown Fort Wayne. To sign up, call the Children's Services department at (260) 421-1220 or send an email.

Here is the fourth and final reading list for the ACPL Mock Newbery Award:

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate
Revolution is Not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine
Land of the Silver Apples by Nancy Farmer
The Entertainer and the Dybbuk by Sid Fleischman
Who Was First? Discovering the Americas by Russell Freedman
When I Crossed No-Bob by Margaret McMullan
Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (Poems) by Linda Sue Park
Freak by Marcella Pixley
The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex
The Wall by Peter Sis

For information about the ACPL's other Mock Elections, click here.

See you at the Mock Newbery!

Fabulous Fridays Homeschool Book Club

Homeschoolers in grades K to 6: Every month we will get together and talk about a different book. We'll also have book related activities, food and fun! Pick up your copy of these titles to participate in the January meeting:

Early Reader Roundup (Grades K to 2): Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel

Reading Rocks (Grades 3 to 6): Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

The meeting will be held: Friday, January 11th 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Merry Christmas!

It is Tuesday, December 25th and the Library is closed today. The Main Library will re-open tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.

Visit Children's Services this week for a Craft Extravaganza! Each day this week we will have a new craft project for you to make and take home. Tomorrow you can make your own bookmark.

See you at the ACPL!

New Socks by Bob Shea

Today is December 24th and the Library is closed, but boy do we have a great book for you to hear about!

A chicken in socks? You bet! Check out this fantastically funny picture book to hear all about these fabulous new orange socks.

If you can't wait to read this book, check out Bob Shea's New Socks website for lots of New Socks fun!

We'll see you back at the Library on Wednesday, December 26.

Track Santa!

Did you know you can track Santa as he makes his annual world-wide trip on Christmas Eve? NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) has been tracking Santa since 1955; with this website, you can watch the action as it's happening. There are also plenty of games, and great information about the history of Santa Claus. Find it at http://www.noradsanta.org/en/home.htm.

Emi and the Rhino Scientist by Mary Kay Carson

Have you ever seen a baby rhinoceros? If not, you should take a look at this book. In Emi and the Rhino Scientist, you'll read about one rhino who has a difficult time becoming a mother. However, thanks to a little help from Terri, the rhino scientist, there's a happy ending to this rhino story.

After you've read the book, you can visit the Cincinnati Zoo website to find out what Emi and her family are doing now.

It's the Winter Solstice!

Today is the shortest day of the year! Read more about the winter solstice in Ellen Jackson's The Winter Solstice.

Mock Geisel Award

The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year.

Each year our Children's Services department hosts a Mock Geisel Award program for adults who are interested in children's literature. If you would like to participate, the complete Mock Geisel Award reading list can be found here. If you can't join us in person for the discussion, please take a moment to post your comments about any of the books online. We'll be sure to read your comments as part of the discussion.

This year the Mock Geisel Award election will be held on Saturday, January 12th from 2 to 6 p.m. in Children's Services at the Main Library. To sign up, call the Children's Services department at (260) 421-1220 or send an email.

Here is the fourth and final reading list for the Mock Geisel Award:

Arnold, Tedd. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Fly Guy.
Baker, Barbara. One Saturday Evening.
Bloom, Suzanne. Treasure.
Egan, Tim. Dodsworth in New York.
Gregorich, Barbara. Waltur Paints Himself Into A Corner.
Rylant, Cynthia. Annie and Snowball and the Dress-Up Birthday.
Rylant, Cynthia. Annie and Snowball and the Prettiest House.
Seeger, Laura Vaccaro. First the Egg.
Yee, Wong Herbert. Abracadabra! Magic with Mouse and Mole.

For information about the other Mock Elections, click here.

See you at the Mock Geisel!

Another Perfect Day for Singing!

This morning a group of students from Emmanuel St. Michael Lutheran School stopped by the great hall and gave a wonderful performance!

World Almanac for Kids

Have you ever looked at an Almanac? If not, you've GOT to check out the World Almanac for Kids! It's packed with all kinds of cool information, like...world records, great animal facts, holidays, sports, movies, websites...just about anything and everything you could imagine! New Almanacs are published every year, why not head to the library and check one out? Or, click here to go to the World Almanac for Kids Website.

A Perfect Winter Day to Sing at the Library!

This afternoon students from Hickory Center Elementary presented a lovely concert in the Library's great hall. Listen to them here:

The Time 2 Chime Homeschool Handchime group was wonderful in their
Holiday Concert today. Nearly 100 people enjoyed the afternoon concert
in our art gallery.



Above you can see the beginner group playing a selection entitled "Found My Notes."

Below, the advanced group plays "Jingle Bells."



Thank you Time 2 Chime! The music was beautiful! We look forward to enjoying your music even more when your group reconvenes at the Library in January.

Time 2 Chime Live: Holiday Handchimes

The Library's homeschool handchime choir, Time 2 Chime, will be performing a holiday handchime concert in the Great Hall of the Main Library on Tuesday, December 18th at 2:30 p.m. Come and enjoy the wonderful music of our talented homeschoolers!

Make Your Own Snowflakes!

It's Monday, and the Library is open, but many schools have another snow day!! Maybe you've just come inside from playing out in the snow, or you need to warm up with an inside activity, why not make some paper snowflakes? Here are some cool websites that show you how:

Make-A-Flake is an online snowflake-maker. Just use the virtual scissors to create tons of snowflakes -- no paper required!

Or, if you prefer real paper, try this site: Make a Snowflake.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Snow Day!

The Library is closed today due to the winter snow storm and a county-wide Level Two Snow Emergency. We'll be open tomorrow, ready to help you find lots of good books to enjoy. Enjoy the snow!

Falling Snow
by Anonymous

See the pretty snowflakes
Falling from the sky;
On the wall and housetops
Soft and thick they lie.

On the window ledges,
On the branches bare;
Now how fast they gather,
Filling all the air.

Look into the garden,
Where the grass was green;
Covered by the snowflakes,
Not a blade is seen.

Now the bare black bushes
All look soft and white,
Every twig is laden,
What a pretty sight!

Winning Poets recognized

"If I Could Go Anywhere" was the theme of this year's annual poetry contest for children and young adults. We received over 900 entries in this year's contest.

This morning we were excited to honor over 20 young poets for their creative writing efforts. An audience of nearly two hundred proud family members, friends and teachers watched as children in Kindergarten through Grade 5 read their poems and were recognized for their efforts.

This afternoon the young adults will take the stage as poets in Middle School and High School are recognized. The booklet of winning poems will be bound into a hard-copy book, cataloged, and added to the permanent ACPL book collection.

Stuffed Animal Fashion Expo pictures

We had a lot of fun at the Stuffed Animal Fashion Expo last Saturday! As promised, the pictures have been uploaded, and you can view the entire collection here. What a beautiful group!

Saturday Fun at the Library!

There is always something fun to do at the ACPL!



Tomorrow you can make this mosaic turtle to take home. See you Saturday at the Library!

Extra-Crunchy Website of Fun!

Are you a Captain Underpants fan? Then you've got to check out Dav Pilkey's Extra-Crunchy Website of Fun!

I could tell you all about it, but I really wouldn't be able to do it justice. Just go to http://www.pilkey.com/ to see it for yourself.

And, if you click on the Captain Underpants book, you can find more Captain Underpants books to read in the Library Catalog.

Babies & Toddlers Storytimes: Toys!

Join us every Friday for Baby & Toddler Storytimes

Babies & Books at 9:15 a.m.

Toddler Time at 10 & 10:45 a.m.

Tomorrow you and your child can enjoy stories and rhymes about toys! Try this rhyme at home:

Jack in the Box

Jack in the box, you sit so still (Kneel on floor with arms covering head.)

Won't you come out?

Yes, I will! (Pop up with arms in the air.)

The Story of Charles Atlas, Strong Man

Do you want to read about one cool dude? Charles Atlas came to the U.S. when he was a boy, spoke almost no English, was bullied in school, but through lots of persistence became one of the world's strongest men. This picture-book biography, written by Meghan McCarthy, has fun cartoon-style illustrations. Why not check it out, and see what YOU think?

One Little Chicken: A Counting Book by David Elliott

If you like to see chickens dance, then this is the perfect counting book for you. You can see chickens hula, twirl and cha-cha all the way from one to ten. Check out this book and join in the fun!

If I Could Go Anywhere...

For 25 years, the Allen County Public Library has held an annual poetry contest for kids. This year, nearly 900 kids and young adults entered the contest. This year's theme was If I Could Go Anywhere.

Here's the winning First Place entry in the Kindergarten division, written by homeschooler Shira Hansen:

If I could go anywhere, I would
like to go to Barbieland
and stay there for one week
And when it's time to go, I would
sing them a lullaby
and come back after every
breakfast, lunch and dinner!

All winning poets in Kindergarten through Grade 5 will be honored at a special Awards Ceremony to be held at 10:30 this Saturday morning at the Main Library. The kids will each be invited to read their winning poem, receive a trophy for their writing efforts, and enjoy some cookies and punch. Family and friends of the poets, as well as anyone interested in supporting children's creative writing efforts, are welcome to attend. A booklet of all the winning poems will also be available.

Shakespeare's Globe: an interactive pop-up theatre by Toby Forward

You can put on your own plays with this amazing pop-up theatre book. Included is a scale model of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, scenes from Shakespeare's plays, characters that are just the right size for the pop-up theatre and a booklet of information about the Globe. Don't miss this chance to be a part of theatre history!

Winter Wonderland presented by the Fort Wayne Ballet

Don't miss the Fort Wayne Ballet at the ACPL!

"Winter Wonderland", a selection of ballet pieces, will be presented tomorrow at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Main Library theater. The program is free and will last 30 to 45 minutes.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

A chapter book I've really enjoyed this year is The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. This book incorporates both written word and full page pictures -- often a series of full page pictures -- to move the story forward. And what an incredible story it is!

It is because the pictures are so important to the story that I've been anxiously waiting to get copies of this book on CD. And now our Library has copies!! I am anxious to hear from people whose first experience with this story is as an audio book. Is it great? ('Cuz I thought the print version was GREAT!) I'll be waiting for all you listeners to report back what you thought! Just
send me an email.

Do you need a special collection of Library materials? Check out our Custom Collection service!

Are you working on a project and need 10 books about ants? Are you a homeschooling mom and want some specific books to support this month's curriculum or your children's current interests? Are you a college student and want to check out a variety of Cinderella stories to compare and contrast for a paper? You might be interested in using the Library's Custom Collection service!

This special service is available all of our customers, including classroom and substitute teachers, as well as homeschooling families and student teachers. Librarians will prepare thematically based collections at your request. These collections are not limited as to the format of the materials; let us know if you need books, DVDs, software, etc.

Ridin' Dinos with Buck Bronco as told to George McClements

Yer in fer a fair amount of fun and learnin' with Buck Bronco. This here book has all y'all need to know about ridin', saddlin', feedin' and carin' for all them dinos on yer ranch.

Stuffed Animal Fashion Expo

Don't forget to bring your favorite stuffed animal to the Stuffed Animal Fashion Expo at 2:30 pm tomorrow. Bring your favorite stuffed animal - we provide all the goodies. It's going to be so much fun!

Kids love the Reading Tower

One of the most loved structures in our Children's Services department is our Reading Tower. Big kids between the ages of 7 and 12 use this two story structure to read, relax, and (sometimes) do homework.

As Mitch demonstrates, a wide variety of reading styles are used in the Reading Tower.

Drawing With Objects

Drawing With Objects by Godeleine De Rosamel teaches you how to trace a simple object and turn it into a cool picture. This is the snail that I drew with a little help from a tape dispenser. The book includes instructions for drawing with bottles, tools, spoons, and more. Check out this or other titles in the Drawing is Easy series for great drawing ideas.