Critters on Tuesday!

Don't miss your chance to see all kinds of critters at the library. Tonight at 6pm please join us for a special Butterfly Release program. Celebrate butterflies with stories and activities and then head outside to Library Plaza to let the butterflies go! Then come back in at 7pm for the Mark's Ark program in the theater on Lower Level 2. Mark always brings interesting animals, we've already seen a baby alligator, a chinchilla, and snakes!

Summer Reading Program Events

This week in Children's Services at the Main Library:

Monday, June 29th @ 11:30am - Team Read (registration required)
Tuesday, June 30th @ 6pm - Beautiful Butterflies Release
Tuesday, June 30th @ 7pm - Mark's Ark Amazing Animals
Wednesday, July 1st @ 10:30am - Smart Start Preschool Storytime: Imagine That

Please note that all branches of the ACPL will be closed Friday July 3rd through Sunday July 5th.

Serious About Series

Books in a series are a great way to keep your child reading through the summer and beyond.

Series books come in all levels, from beginning readers to advanced chapter books.

Mysteries to sports to fairies to dragons - there is something for everyone!

Stop in and let one of our friendly librarians help you and your child find a series that will hook them on reading!

If You Like Children's Picture Books...

...then you'll definitely want to check out the ACPL Mock Caldecott Blog. Here is where you can find many of the best American picture books published this year. And, if you like talking about books or book illustration, feel free to leave some comments and let us know what YOU think of the titles we've posted!

What are the tiny, shiny balls in the aquarium?

The clownfish have laid eggs! This means they are feeling safe and well-fed. The male and female clownfish are very protective of their eggs.

Want to learn more? Click here to find out more about the fish in the Children's Services aquariums. And ask us where to find books about clownfish and other fish. We are happy to help you find the information you need!

Butterfly Release Program

What an exciting month it has been, watching our caterpillars grow and change from

caterpillars







to

chrysalises








to

butterflies!








Next Tuesday evening, June 30, at 6:00 p.m., all are invited to attend our annual Butterfly Release. Not only will we have butterfly stories, but local naturalist and butterfly enthusiast Karie Divelbiss-Harding will be here to share some of her butterfly wisdom! During the program, we'll head outdoors to release our butterflies into their natural home. And, of course, we'll have plenty of books and other materials about caterpillars and butterflies for you to check out and learn more about these amazing insects!

Clifford at the Library!

Join us for a dog-gone good storytime!

Listen to fun stories, create a nifty dog-related craft, and meet Clifford the Big Red Dog today at 2:00pm and tomorrow (Thursday June 25th) at 10:30am!

Clifford will be visiting the library branches throughout the Summer Reading Program, click here to see which library he will visit next!

Click here to find out how this program supports Indiana Academic Standards

New Picture Book: Moon Rabbit

If you're looking for a fun new picture book to share with your preschooler, you might want to try Moon Rabbit. It's a charming story with delightful illustrations, by Scottish author and illustrator Natalie Russell.

We get new books almost every day in Children's Services! Ask us for more suggestions the next time YOU come to the Library.

Summer Reading Program Events

This week in Children's Services at the Main Library:

Monday, June 22nd @ 11:30am - Team Read (registration required)
Monday, June 22nd @ 2pm - Wii Love Games!
Tuesday, June 23rd @ 2pm & 7pm - Hand Chime Concert
Wednesday, June 24th @ 10:30am - SmartStart Preschool Storytime: Express Yourself
Wednesday, June 24th @ 2pm - Clifford Visits the Library
Thursday, June 25th @ 10:30am - Clifford Visits the Library
Friday, June 26th @ 10am - Babies & Books: Babies! Babies! Babies!
Friday, June 26th @ 10:30am & 11am - Toddler Time: Babies! Babies! Babies!

Don't miss your chance to Be Creative this summer! Sign up for the summer reading program today!

YOU Can Help Scientists Track Fireflies!

Are lightning bugs disappearing? That's the question that the Museum of Science in Boston is working on. YOU can help with the Firefly Watch by becoming a citizen scientist.

All you need to do is observe your own backyard and report online the number of fireflies you see. Even if you don't see any lightning bugs, your information is still valuable. Learn more about this project by clicking here.

Tornadoes! by Gail Gibbons

Have you ever heard of the Great Tri-State Tornado? I just read about it in the new book Tornadoes! by Gail Gibbons. The Great Tri-State Tornado was on the ground for over 3 hours in 1925. The tornado traveled from Missouri through Illinois and into Indiana.

To learn more about this famous tornado and more, check out this great new non-fiction picture book.

Father's Day Craft Tomorrow!

Children of all ages are invited to stop by the Children's Department at the Main Library to create a portrait of their special someone for Father's Day.

We will have several art stations set up between the hours of 9:00 am and 6:00 pm on Saturday, June 20th.

We will also have many books honoring fatherhood available for checkout.

Wii Love Games! Today!

Wii love games -- ALL kinds of games. Join us from 2 to 3:30 this afternoon in the Globe Room at the Main Library. We will have Wii games on the Big Screen, Disney Dance Dance Revolution for Wii on the TV Screen and lots of Board Games for you and your friends or family to enjoy. Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! Don't miss it!

Smart Start Storytime -- I Like Me!

Preschoolers! Join us this morning at 10:30 for storytime -- our theme will be
I Like Me!

We'll be doing some fun rhymes and songs and stories, to celebrate the specialness that is in each one of us.



Our Early Literacy Focus this week will be on Print Motivation, which simply means having an interest in and enjoyment of books and reading.

Some ways to encourage this are:

• Keep books in every room, in the car, in the diaper bag...you can catch a few minutes here and there when you and your children can enjoy sharing books.
• Play along, sing, or act out the motions in a story. By making stories fun, we are motivating children to want more!
• When you are reading a book with your child, don't worry about finishing the book. Engage your child as much as you can, and when your child loses interest, just continue another time.
  

For more Early Literacy tips, see our Everybody Reads page, or visit us at the Library!

Mark's Ark

Mark's Ark visited the Library on Thursday, 6/11 for a GREAT Summer Reading Program Adventure. Mark and his Ark will be back at the Main Library on Thursday, 6/18 at 10:30 a.m. He plans to bring some new animals and some of the favorites also. Join us in the Theater. Seating is first come, first served. Click here for a schedule of Mark's Ark appearances at all of our ACPL Branches.

Summer Reading Program Events

This week in Children's Services at the Main Library:

Wednesday, June 17th @ 10:30am - SmartStart Preschool Storytime: I Like Me!
Thursday, June 18th @ 10:30am - Mark's Ark Amazing Animals
Thursday, June 18th @ 2pm - Wii Love Games!
Friday, June 19th @ 10am - Babies & Books: My Day
Friday, June 19th @ 10:30 & 11am - Toddler Time: My Day

Be sure to pick up a reading log for the Summer Reading Program at your local library or by clicking here.

New Board Book: In My Nest

Pick up In My Nest to share with your baby or toddler today. Each page represents a layer of a baby bird's nest and on the last page you will find a movable puppet surprise!

You can also check out the companion board book In My Pond.

Early Learning Center Mailbox

Look at all of these wonderful jelly fish faces! I wonder what they are thinking about.

Visit the Early Learning Center today and create a drawing with your preschooler. The Early Learning Center is open:

Monday through Thursday 9am-8pm
Friday and Saturday 9am-6pm

ACPL Mock Newbery Reading List

Do you enjoy reading new children's books? Do you have a favorite book of 2009 yet? It is just about time for the first Mock Newbery reading list and YOUR input is needed. Check out this post to find out how to submit your favorite book for consideration.

If you are still looking for something good to read, check out the ACPL Mock Newbery blog to learn about some of the best books of the year.

Mark's Ark TODAY!

Meet Mark today at 2 p.m. in the Theater (Lower Level 2) at the Main Library. He's bringing a creative collection of animals for you to see!

Seating is first come, first served, and doors will open at 1:40 p.m.



Mark's Ark will be presented again at the Main Library at these times :

• 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 18
• 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 30

Click here to see all of the times Mark and the animals will be visiting our library branches.

Happy Birthday Wild Thing!

Today is the birthday of children's author and illustrator, Maurice Sendak. He has written and illustrated many books over fifty years, but he is probably best known for his book, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, which brought him international acclaim.
It is the story of a young boy named Max, who is sent to his room only to find his imagination has created a new world there, populated by wild geographies and monsters of all kinds. Before long it was a favorite among children everywhere. It has been translated into fifteen languages and has sold more than two million copies!

Letter Play Day! Letter C

Start off Letter "C" Play Day by attending our Smart Start Storytime at 10:30 am today!



After storytime, spend some time exploring the letter "C" in the Early Learning Center. Activity stations designed for parent and child interaction will be available for use throughout the day, until the Early Learning Center closes at 8:00pm

Letter Play Days are a fun way to work on the early literacy skill letter knowledge with your preschooler. Letter knowledge is knowing the names of letters and the sounds that they make.

Musical fun at the Library

As part of our Summer Reading Program, the Children's Services department hosted a Musical Fun program this afternoon. Nearly 100 kids enjoyed the interactive musical program which featured Larry Ford using a variety of found objects to make music. Check out some of the fun:



If you missed it, don't despair! We're offering it again throughout the summer. Click for the complete schedule for all of our agencies. (Larry Ford will be bringing his fun back to the Main Library tonight. Bring your family!)

Summer Reading Program Events

The Summer Reading Program: Be Creative began yesterday. Visit your local library location or click this link to get a reading log sheet and start the program today!

These great events are happening this week in Children's Services at the Main Library:

Today @ 2pm & 7pm - Musical Fun with Larry Ford
Wednesday, June 10th All Day - Letter 'C' Play Day
Wednesday, June 10th @ 10:30am - Preschool Storytime: Wiggle Your Fingers, Wiggle Your Toes
Thursday, June 11th @ 2pm - Mark's Ark Amazing Animals
Friday, June 12th @ 10am - Babies & Books: Get Moving
Friday, June 12th @ 10:30 & 11am - Toddler Time: Get Moving

Be Creative today!

Summer Reading Program Begins TODAY!

Yeah!!! It's Summer! How do I know? It's time for the Summer Reading Program!

Kids from birth through those going into 5th Grade are invited to keep track of the time they spend reading or listening to books. As each row on the record sheet gets filled in, bring it in to any library location, and we'll give you a prize!

You'll find lots more great information about this year's Summer Reading Program at our Official Summer Reading Website. Older kids, in Grades 6 - 12, will want to check out the Young Adults Program: Express Yourself.

Germanfest at the Library Tomorrow

Please join us tomorrow, June 8th at 2:00 at the main library for an hour filled with German vocabulary, songs, stories, a craft and yes...the Chicken Dance!
We will also have lots of books for you to take home, like these versions of the German folktale, Little Red Riding Hood!

African Journey Opens Today!

The new African Journey exhibit at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo opens today!

Before you visit the zoo to meet the lions, zebras, hyenas, vultures and giraffes, stop by the library to pick up some non-fiction books about these animals. Read books to discover why zebras have stripes, what a group of hyenas is called, what vultures like to have for dinner and more!

Thomas the Tank Engine Game Helps Kids with Autism

Check out the interactive "Emotions Game" developed by Autism Spectrum Australia in partnership with Thomas and Friends, Australia designed to help kids learn to identify emotions.

Can you tell if Emily is Angry or Thomas is Happy? Can you tell who is Sad, Surprised, or Scared?

(Thanks to SLJ's Extra Helping for the heads-up on this great game.)

Come See Our Caterpillars!

Our Painted Lady caterpillars have arrived, and they are growing FAST! Come to Children's Services often during the month of June and watch our caterpillars as they grow and change. At the end of the month, Tuesday evening, June 30 at 6:00 p.m., we'll be releasing them at an extra-special Butterfly Release Storytime.

To find some great books about caterpillars and butterflies, try our Butterfly Booklist!

ACPL at Freimann Family Night!

Be sure to visit the Children's Services table at Freimann Family Night tomorrow night (Thursday, June 4th, 2009) from 6pm-9pm.

Don't miss out as Freimann Square will be transformed into a fun filled flurry of activity that is sure to delight the child in all of us.

Local vendors will provide a variety of activities for the little ones along with live music, food from local restaurants and of course - the annual balloon launch!

Admission to this event is free.

Count-down to Summer Reading!

You may be counting down to the LAST day of school, but here at the library we're counting down to the FIRST day of Summer Reading! This year's program is titled "BE CREATIVE" and it starts on June 8. The children's program is for kids from birth through those entering 5th grade and there's a young adult program for the older kids.

If you didn't get a reading record sheet at school, stop in at any of our branches anytime, starting on Monday, June 8, and start reading!

(Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com)

A Child's Book Review: Jake the Philharmonic Dog

Jake the Philharmonic Dog, by Karen LeFrak, was reviewed by 9-year-old Xavier:

This book is quite funny; it's about a dog named Jake. Jake liked music but when he heard the sound of the drum in the orchestra he got scared because it sounded like thunder. He started running around in circles until he heard the violins . . . what a beautiful sound!!!

Thanks, Xavier! Submit your child's book review via email and you may see it in a future "A Child's Book Review" blog post.