Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! I hope that you have found some good Halloween reads this year. One of my favorites is Pumpkin Eye by Denise Fleming. I love Denise Fleming's books. Her artwork is fantastic and it is all made from paper pulp! Check out more of her books here.

Some slightly scary books that I have enjoyed this year are Michael Rex's Goodnight Goon & The Runaway Mummy. These hilarious parodies of Margaret Wise Brown's books are sure to get a laugh out of anyone familiar with the originals.

ACPL Mock Geisel!

Are you looking for the best early readers of the year? Check out the ACPL Mock Geisel blog for some ideas. The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award is given annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author and illustrator of the best early reader book of the year.

At ACPL we hold a Mock Geisel Award program to decide the book that WE think should win. Join us!

Have You Watched the Elecam Lately?

The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee is a 2,700 acre refuge for endangered elephants. In just four years, 24 elephants have made a home there. The Elephant Sanctuary is not open to the public, so the best way to catch a peek of the elephants is through the Elecam. I have to admit that when I looked I only saw some grass blowing in the wind, but I'll keep trying until I see an animal!

If you would like to read more about the elephants at the santuary, click here for a few titles.

Have You Entered the Poetry Contest yet?

Monday, November 2nd, is the entry deadline for our annual Poetry Contest. The theme this year is "I LOVE IT WHEN..."

This contest, now in its 27th year, is open to all poets in Kindergarten through Grade 12. The Contest Guidelines are available by clicking here.

If you know someone in Kindergarten through Grade 12, we hope you will encourage them to use their writing creativity and submit a poem!

Remember! The deadline for entry is Monday, November 2nd!

Art Out of the Box: Self Portraits

On Friday, October 9th the Art Out of the Box kids met to discuss famous self portraits and create some self portraits of their own. See the rest of their amazing work here. Thanks to Scrumdilly-do! for the project idea!

We are looking for a good Paws to Read helper

PAWS to Read is a program in which trained & certified therapy dogs and their handlers assist children from pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade in developing their reading skills. This program is tremendously successful and encourages youngsters to enjoy reading when they otherwise might not.

But it's not all about the dogs -- we also need PAWS attendants to monitor sign-ups and the flow of readers to and from the reading area in Children's Services. If you like working around children and canines and are able to volunteer on Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 7:45, call our Volunteer Services manager, Sandy Screeton, at (260) 421-1233.

Getting a Pet?

Getting your family's first pet can be a very exciting event, but it's also a big responsibility. Help your child prepare by checking out some books from the Library, like the ones in the My First Pet Library, published by the American Humane Association.

For more books about other kinds of "Firsts", like your child's first airplane ride, first sleepover, or first loose tooth, see our "Firsts" Booklist .

The ACPL Kids blog has a new look!

After over two years and 760 posts, the ACPL Kids blog has a new look! What do you think?

A Great Storyteller Is In Town

Over 500 children, teachers and parents enjoyed Storyteller Valerie Tutson on Thursday at the Main Library. Click below to see some of the fun and make plans to attend this internationally-known storyteller's presentation tonight at Plymouth Congregational Church on the corner of Fairfield and Berry Street at 7 p.m.

FotoViewr - Create your 3D photo gallery

A Child's Book Review: Meow Ruff: A story in concrete poetry by Joyce Sidman

Meow Ruff: A Story in Concrete Poetry by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Michelle Berg was reviewed by 5-year-old Helena:

These poems aren't so funny, but it is a good one. It is probably the best poetry.

Submit your child's book review to me via email and you may see it in a future "A Child's Book Review" blog post. Don't forget that kids in grades K through 12 can enter a poem in the 27th annual poetry contest. Entries are due by Monday, November 2nd at 9pm.

Welcome Valerie Tutson!

Children's Services is so happy and proud to welcome

international storyteller Valerie Tutson to the library today.

Valerie will be performing Tales from Around the World

today in the theater at 10:30 am and again at 1:00 pm
for children in grades 3 to 5.

Say Yes to No!

Do you have trouble telling your kids 'no'? Adults and caregivers, join us as we begin to explore a new way of empowering ourselves and our children by introducing the "Say Yes to No" concept. This educational presentation from Great Kids Make Great Communities will provide a brief overview of psychologist David Walsh's book No. Why Kids of all Ages Need to Hear it and Ways Parents Can Say It. Don't miss this informational session tonight at 6pm.

* Participants will be entered into a drawing to win one of three copies of Dr. David Walsh's book: No. Why Kids of all Ages Need to Hear it and Ways Parents Can Say It.

Food for the Fort

In these bad economic times, help us feed our hungry! Bring in items to donate to ACPL's Food for the Fort Food Drive. Non-perishable items will be accepted through Saturday, October 31st at all locations of the ACPL.

Food donations will be divided between Charis House and the Community Harvest Food Bank.

Lego Club!

Don't forget that the Lego Club starts this week! Attend either today or tomorrow from 3:30 to 5:30. We hope to see you there! For kids 5 to 12 years old.

Welcome ILF!

The Indiana Library Federation Conference is taking place in Fort Wayne October 18th - 20th! Expect to see librarians from across the state at the ACPL.

Welcome Indiana Library Federation!

Chapter Books from the New Book Shelf

To find out more about these titles, just click on them. Happy Reading!

Sent
by Margaret Peterson Haddix









Manolito Four-Eyes
by Elvira Lindo









Sylvie and the Songman
by Tim Binding

I'm Not Scared!

"I'm an owl, and owls stay up all night!" declares Baby Owl. He insists he is NOT afraid of the dark...but is he? Read "I'm Not Scared!" by Jonathan Allen, and find out!

For more books about being afraid of the dark or nightmares, see our Fear of the Dark Booklist.

EcoKids: Clean Green

On Monday, Kira Blacketor from the Allen County Solid Waste District visited the library to present her Clean Green program for the EcoKids club.

Kira explained why we should think about the chemicals that we use to clean around the house and then taught the kids this simple recipe for All Purpose Cleaner.

All Purpose Cleaner
3/4 cup warm water
1/4 teaspoon liquid soap
1/4 teaspoon borax or baking soda
1 tablespoon white vinegar

Cleans countertops, floors, walls and carpet.

For more Green Cleaner recipes click here.

The ACSWD is hosting America Recycles Day at Science Central on November 14th from 10am to 2pm. Admission is FREE for the event. Don't miss this chance to learn about reducing, reusing and recycling while enjoying all that Science Central has to offer.

Say Yes to No Program Change

The date for the "Say Yes to No" program has been changed to next Wednesday, October 21st @ 6pm. Please join us then for this informative presentation.

Do you have trouble telling your kids 'no'? Adults and caregivers, join us as we begin to explore a new way of empowering ourselves and our children by introducing the "Say Yes to No" concept. This educational presentation from Great Kids Make Great Communities will provide a brief overview of psychologist David Walsh's book No. Why Kids of all Ages Need to Hear it and Ways Parents Can Say It.

* Participants will be entered into a drawing to win one of three copies of Dr. David Walsh's book: No. Why Kids of all Ages Need to Hear it and Ways Parents Can Say It.

Adorable!

Here are just a few of the highlights from the Children's Department interactive Apple Tree.
The children were asked to fill out an apple or leaf answering the question, "What is your favorite thing about fall?".
Enjoy their charming answers!

FotoViewr - Create your 3D photo gallery

ACPL LEGO CLUB

Join us in the Children's Services department for some LEGO building fun!
Monday, October 19 3:30pm - 5:30pm
OR
Tuesday, October 20 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Children ages 5 to 12 years
We have the LEGOS
You bring the building skills!

Novels Written in Verse?

Novels in verse are becoming more and more popular with kids -- and their grown-ups. They're a great way to introduce kids to poetry and they often make great read-alouds. Imagery and settings can come alive with the spare but imaginative text. Take a look at our Books in Verse Booklist to see the variety that are available.

Early Learning Center Mailbox

Dear Elizabeth,

Thank you for your note and picture. We love books too!

The next time you visit the Early Learning Center with your grown up, please take a minute to tell us about your favorite book. We really like when kids tell us about books that they have been reading.

Sincerely,

The Library

Family Storytime -- This Saturday!

Join us this Saturday, October 10th, at 11:00am for a monstrously good time! We'll be reading about monsters -- silly, goofy, and wacky monsters -- and after storytime you can decorate your own monster headband! Families with children of all ages are invited to attend.


Family Storytimes are held on the second Saturday of the month in Children's Services at the Main Library.

Poetry! Riddles! Together in a Fun New Book!

Do you like riddles? Do you think you know children's books? Then Spot the Plot: A Riddle Book of Book Riddles is the book for YOU!

Here's the first riddle:

The sky shook,
the wind tossed
me in the air
Toto-ly lost.

I came upon
three strangers. We
kept each other
company.

Adventures followed
without pause,
and it was all, well,
just bec-Oz.

How to Protect Your Child Online

This book provides actual methods for real online safety for any child, any age. Not only does it provide tips, it also offers the "How To" and the "Why's" behind the information. The information is presented in an easy and simple, straight forward way that any busy parent can read or refer to. Don't Get PWNed! is full of common sense solutions that are effective.

ACPL LEGO CLUB

Do you love LEGOs?
Do you love to build?
Join us for the first meeting of the ACPL LEGO CLUB!
Monday, October 19 3:30pm until 5:30pm OR Tuesday, October 20 3:30 until 5:30pm in the Children's Services department.
Children ages 5 to 12 years welcome!
You bring your imagination and we'll provide the LEGOs!

Jan Thomas Creates Read Aloud Magic

Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas is perfectly written to be read aloud. I used this title in a recent storytime and oh, how the kids laughed at "The tiny TICKLY bug is out of your mouth, but NOW it's in your SHIRT?" They loved the indecisive ladybug and happily did every single thing she told them to do - no matter now silly it sounded.
The timing, the illustrations, and the humor in this book work together to make read aloud magic. Share it with your favorite child today.

Don't miss Jan Thomas' other delightful books including: What will Fat Cat Sit On? and The Doghouse.

Dinosaur Travel Guide

This morning I was pulling books for a dinosaur display in the Great Hall and came across The Random House Dinosaur Travel Guide by Kelly Milner Halls. Of course, I could not resist opening it to the Indiana section to discover the dinosaurs nearby. Here is what I found:

Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville, IN has incredible exposed fossil beds and the best time to access them is August through October, so plan your trip soon.

If you haven't been to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis to see the Dinosphere exhibit drop everything and go NOW! The chance to speak to a real live archaeologist is worth the price of admission. Did you know that the one and only skull of the Dracorex Hogwartsia (yep, you read that right) is now on display at the museum?

While you are in Indianapolis, stop by the Indiana State Museum to take a tour of the Ice Age.

In Richmond, Indiana you can visit the Joseph Moore Museum of Natural History to see an allosaurus, a giant beaver and other fossils. They also have an Egyptian mummy, which isn't a dinosaur, but it IS really cool.

The Random House Dinosaur Travel Guide has a lot more dinosaur vacation ideas, check it out.

Nominate Your Favorites for the CYBILS

Nominate your favorite book for a CYBILS (Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Award)! Nominations are being accepted now through October 15th.

Nic Bishop Frogs by Nic Bishop won the 2008 non-fiction picture book CYBILS.

Hispanic Heritage Month Continues Through October 15th!

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by visiting the Library and reading some great books about Hispanic culture. Why not try some of the titles from our Spanish Language Words in English Language Books list, or some of the books from our Spanish/English Bilingual Booklist?

In addition, you may want to take a Hispanic Heritage Cultural Tour, a virtual tour provided by the Smithsonian. You can see artwork, tools, clothing, and lots of other cool stuff. Be sure to turn on your computer's speakers!

For more ideas, visit us at the Library. See you soon!