A Child's Book Review: The Featherless Chicken

The Featherless Chicken by Chih-Yuan Chen was reviewed by 5-year-old Helena:

He's a funny little guy. He just wants to get on the boat so he does whatever he needs to do. He puts on some fancy clothes.

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.

Paint Pollock with Your Mouse

Visit this fun website to paint like Pollock with your mouse. Make sure you have plenty of time to spare, this is an addictive activity!

Happy Birthday, Rosemary Wells!

You may know Rosemary Wells as the author and illustrator of popular picture books and board books for younger children, such as the Max and Ruby series, but you may not know that she has also written...

...historical fiction for older children:

Lincoln and His Boys

...and non-fiction:

Mary on Horseback: Three Mountain Stories

Click here to find more items by Rosemary Wells in the Library Catalog.

Storytellers on the Move!

You may have noticed that your favorite programs are not on the Children's Services calendar this week or next. We have taken a break from most of our regular programming so that we can focus our energy on Storytellers on the Move. Storytellers on the Move is a wonderful program, providing children in preschools & daycares throughout Allen County with a storytime program and boxes of books. If you would like Storytellers on the Move to visit your daycare or preschool, please call us at 421-1220 and we will put you on the list for our next outing.

Check out this video about Luis Soriano Bohorquez who provides outreach library services on his biblioburro (Library Donkey) in Colombia.

New Books! New Books! New Books!

Wow! We've been getting SO MANY new books here in Children's Services! Our New Book Shelf is crammed full of picture books, graphic novels, chapter books, board books, and more. Come in and check some out today -- it's always fun to check out a shiny new book!

Author Focus: Beverly Cleary

Beverly Cleary's books are favorites of many children AND adults.

Ralph S. Mouse..., Ramona Quimby..., and Henry Huggins

are just a few of her endearing characters that have stood the test of time. Find out more about this librarian-turned-author at her website: http://www.beverlycleary.com/ .


To see a list of other books and materials by or about Beverly Cleary that you can find at the Library, click here.

NLW ACPL Bookmark Contest!

In honor of National Library Week, the bookmark contest is back!
Design a bookmark with this year's theme, Communities Thrive @ your library.
If your design is chosen, your bookmark will be available April 11th-17th
during National Library Week.
The contest is for all ages and entry forms are available at all ACPL locations!

Our Latest Interactive Display Wall in Children's Services

School Science Fair - Arghh!

Don't let the school science fair project get you down!
We have books filled with science experiments geared for school science fairs.
They range in difficulty, too, from the "Let's just get it done" level to the "I think I might win this year" level with everything in between.
Visit the library where one of our librarians will be thrilled to help you find the perfect book!

Take a Virtual Tour

Take a virtual tour of the Children's Services department at the Main Library.
Our incredible aquarium alone is worth the visit!

The Declaration of Independence Signers

Signing Their Lives Away is a new take on our founding fathers and the men who signed the Declaration of Independence.
It is a kind of 'everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask' book!
Each chapter in the book highlights one signer with a catchy title.
You will have to check out the book in order to discover who the authors are profiling in the chapters titled, The Signer Who is Two Degrees from Kevin Bacon, The Signer Who Slept in Caves and The Six Finger Signer!
This is a great book for older readers interested in quirky tidbits of history.

Teaching Children about Money

In this economic climate, many parents are teaching their children early about how to manage and budget their money. We have several books that address these issues and make the subject matter easier to grasp for children. It is never too early to teach children how to make smart money decisions that will last a lifetime.

I'm Bored...

January and February can seem to drag on, especially for children stuck in the house!
We can help!
Visit your library and check out one of the MANY craft books we have in our collection!
Paper airplanes, knitting, beading, drawing, recyclables, papier mache, salt dough...
We have it all!
Ask a librarian to help you find a book that suits your interests.

And the Winners Are...

This morning, the American Library Association announced the winners of its annual book and media awards for children and teens. This year's winners and honor books for children are:

John Newbery Medal Winner:
When You Reach Me
by Rebecca Stead

Newbery Honor Books:
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
by Phillip Hoose

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
by Kelly

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
by Grace Lin

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
by Rodman Philbrick

Caldecott Medal Winner:
The Lion and the Mouse
by Jerry Pinkney

Caldecott Honor Books:
All the World
illustrated by Marla Frazee
written by Liz Garton Scanlon

Red Sings from the Treetops
illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
written by Joyce Sidman

Coretta Scott King Book Award (Author):
Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

Coretta Scott King Honor (Author):
Mare’s War
by Tanita S. Davis

Coretta Scott King Book Award (Illustrator):
My People
illustrated by Charles R. Smith Jr.
written by Langston Hughes

Coretta Scott King Honor (Illustrator):
The Negro Speaks of Rivers
illustrated by E. B. Lewis
written by Langston Hughes

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award:
Benny and Penny in the Big No-No!
written and illustrated by Geoffrey Hayes

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Books:
I Spy Fly Guy!
written and illustrated by Tedd Arnold

Little Mouse Gets Ready
written and illustrated by Jeff Smith

Mouse and Mole: Fine Feathered Friends
written and illustrated by Wong Herbert Yee

Pearl and Wagner: One Funny Day
written by Kate McMullan
illustrated by R. W. Alley

Robert F. Sibert Medal Winner:
Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream
by Tanya Lee Stone

Sibert Honor Books:
The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors
written by Chris Barton
illustrated by Tony Persiani

Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11
by Brian Floca

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
by Phillip Hoose

Pura Belpré Award (Author):
Return to Sender
by Julia Alvarez

Pura Belpré Honors(Author):
Diego: Bigger Than Life
by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand
illustrated by David Diaz

Federico García Lorca
written by Georgina Lázaro
illustrated by Enrique S. Moreiro

Pura Belpré Award (Illustrator):
Book Fiesta!: Celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day; Celebremos El día de los niños/El día de los libros
illustrated by Rafael López
written by Pat Mora

Pura Belpré Honors (Illustrator):
Diego: Bigger Than Life
illustrated by David Diaz
by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand

My Abuelita
illustrated by Yuyi Morales
written by Tony Johnston

Gracias Thanks
illustrated by John Parra
written by Pat Mora

Schneider Family Book Awards:
Django
by Bonnie Christensen

Anything but Typical
by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Marcelo in the Real World
by Francisco X. Stork

Odyssey Award:
Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken
written by Kate DiCamillo
narrated by Barbara Rosenblat

Odyssey Honors:
In the Belly of the Bloodhound: Being an Account of a Particularly Peculiar Adventure in the Life of Jacky Faber
written by L. A. Meyer
narrated by Katherine Kellgren

Peace, Locomotion
written by Jacqueline Woodson
narrated by Dion Graham

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball
written by Kadir Nelson
narrated by Dion Graham

Andrew Carnegie Medal:
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
based on the book by Mo Willems
narrated by Willems and Jon Scieszka

Mildred L. Batchelder Award
A Faraway Island
written by Annika Thor
translated by Linda Schenck

Batchelder Honors:
Big Wolf and Little Wolf
written by Nadine Brun-Cosme
illustrated by Olivier Tallec
translated by Claudia Bedrick

Eidi
written by Bodil Bredsdorff
translated by Kathryn Mahaffy

Moribito II: Guardian of the Darkness
written by Nahoko Uehashi
illustrated by Yuko Shimizu
translated by Cathy Hirano

Book Award Day!!

And the winner is: Lousy, Rotten, Stinkin' Grapes, by Margie Palatini, illustrated by Barry Moser -- according to our ACPL Kids' Mock Caldecott group. They chose to give honor awards to Tonya Hegamin's Most Loved In All the World: A Story of Freedom, illustrated by Cozbi Cabrera; The Lion and the Mouse, by Jerry Pinkney; and Mo Willems' Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed.

You can compare their picks with the winners of the REAL Caldecott award by clicking here after 8:30 a.m. today. The Caldecott Award is given annually to the illustrator of the most distinguished picture book published. The winner will be announced today along with the Newbery, Geisel, and Coretta Scott King awards, among others. It's an exciting day for book-lovers!

Black Diamond Author at the Library TODAY!

From 1 to 2 p.m. we'll have a conversation about the Coretta Scott King Book Award with author Fredrick McKissack Jr. who will share his perspective.
Mr. McKissack along with his mother, Patricia McKissack, received a 1995 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award for their book, Black Diamond: Story of the Negro Baseball League.
His book, Shooting Star, is one of the titles to be discussed at our first ACPL Mock Coretta Scott King Book Award Discussion and Election, which follows the conversation, and will take place from 2:15 to 5:00 p.m.

Today is the Day for Mock Elections!

Today is the day of the ACPL Mock Caldecott & Mock Geisel election programs. Check out the great discussions on the blogs:

ACPL Mock Caldecott
ACPL Mock Geisel

Or join us for the programs if you can. The Mock Caldecott is from 9am to 1pm and the Mock Geisel is from 2pm to 6pm in the Globe Room at the Main Library.

Stay tuned for the announcement of our Mock Award Winners!

I Have A Dream

Please stop by the Children's Service's department
and check out our display of books on
the courageous Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
and the heroic civil rights movement.

Learn to Draw Manga

Do you love to draw?
Do you love manga?
Do you want to learn to draw manga?
Visit the Children's Services department at the Main Library and check out one of our many drawing books. A librarian will be so happy to help you!

Coming Soon! Mock Caldecott and Mock Geisel Elections!

Check it out! The best American picture books of 2009 AND the best American beginning reader books of 2009 will be discussed and debated this
Saturday, January 16th,
right here at the Main Library in Fort Wayne...and YOU can be a part of it. At the end of each program, we'll vote and elect our own Mock Award winners. There's still time to register, if you'd like to attend.

Mock Caldecott
9:00am to 1pm
Picture Books for Children

Mock Geisel
2:00pm to 6:00pm
Beginning Reader Books for Children

The "real" Caldecott and Geisel Awards will be presented on Monday, January 18th, by the American Library Association.

Heard any Good Jokes Lately?

What was the turtle doing on the highway?
About one mile/hour.

Why is 6 afraid of 7?
Because 7 8 9.

What do you call a pony with a sore throat?
A little hoarse!



Check out a joke book from the library and brush up on some jokes to share with your family and friends.

(Do you want to know the answers to the jokes listed above? Just highlight the areas underneath each joke and the answers will "magically" appear!)

Conversation with Author Fredrick McKissack, Jr.

Join us on Sunday, January 17th at 1pm for a conversation with award winning author Frederick McKissack, Jr.

Since 1969, the Coretta Scott King (CSK) Book Awards have honored African American authors and illustrators for outstanding children’s literature that reflects the African American experience. Join us for a conversation about the award with author Fredrick McKissack Jr. who will share his perspective. Mr. McKissack along with his mother, Patricia McKissack, received a 1995 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award for their book, Black Diamond: Story of the Negro Baseball League. Indiana librarians can earn 1 LEU credit for attendance

2010 ACPL Mock Newbery & Mock Sibert Winners!

The winner of the 2010 ACPL Mock Newbery is:

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.

Two honor books were selected:

Crossing Stones by Helen Frost
Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson.

The winner of the 2010 ACPL Mock Sibert is:

The Frog Scientist by Pamela S. Turner

Two honor books were selected:

Redwoods by Jason Chin
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose

Mock Newbery for Kids!

Today is the ACPL Mock Newbery for Kids Discussion and Election!
Check out our informative and exciting blog!

Or better yet, please join us today in the Globe room at the Main Library from 2:00pm until 5:00pm.
Children in grades 3rd through 6th are welcome ~ we have snacks!

Look for the post announcing all of our Mock Award winners!

Today is the Day!

Today is the day of the ACPL Mock Newbery & Mock Sibert election programs. Check out the great discussions on the blogs:

ACPL Mock Newbery
ACPL Mock Sibert

Or join us for the programs if you can. The Mock Newbery is from 9am to 1pm and the Mock Sibert is from 2pm to 6pm in the Globe Room at the Main Library.

Stay tuned for the announcement of our Mock Award Winners!

If You Liked Diary of a Wimpy Kid...

Jeff Kinney's popular series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, is just flying off the Library's shelves! If you're looking for something similar, here are some other series to try...

Alvin Ho by Lenore Look

Shredderman by Wendelin Van Draanen

The Time Warp Trio by Jon Scieszka

Need more suggestions? Call, visit, or email us at the Library!

Moving Can Be A Tough Time for Families

Here at the Library, we have books to help kids understand the changes that go along with moving to a new neighborhood, a new city, or a new country.

In The Lost and Found House
by Michael Cadnum,
a boy explains the feelings he and his parents have when they leave their old house and move to a new town.

For more books on moving, see our Fear of Moving Booklist.

Get them reading...

Graphic novels are a great way to entice the reluctant reader to read.
They combine illustrations and text to hold the reader's attention.
Please, stop by the Children's Services department and ask one of our librarians to show you our extensive collection of graphic novels and graphic comics.

ACPL LEGO CLUB

We are not meeting in January, but please join us Tuesday, February 16th,
3:30 until 5:30 for our next ACPL LEGO CLUB meeting.
Children ages 5-12 are welcome.

Mo Willems Pops Out!

What happens when a book character is just TOO BIG to fit inside the cover of the book?? Well, he has to POP OUT!

Big Frog Can't Fit In is a fun new pop out book from Mo Willems with paper engineering by Bruce Foster. Check it out today.

Literacy Connections

Those interested in literacy -- parents, teachers, caregivers and tutors -- will want to look at the resources available at Literacy Connections. Practical advice, activities for babies, preschoolers, school-agers and adults, recommended books and links to other sources can all be found at this website.

For more literacy resources, see our Everybody Reads page:
http://www.acpl.info/children/everybodyreads.html .

If you heard it reviewed on NPR...

then we probably have the book available to check out.
This lovely collection of poems, songs and lullabies
compiled by Julie Andrews was a recent segment
on Morning Edition.

Happy New Year!

Hurray, it is a new day and a new year! We hope that you have a great one. Many people have added wishes for the new year to our interactive display in Children's Services. What is YOUR wish for the new year?

All locations of the Allen County Public Library are closed today. We'll see you tomorrow!