Happy Halloween!

We hope that you have a great Halloween!

Yesterday, Junie B. Jones & Pippi Longstocking spent some time reading at the Reading Tower in Children's Services.

Note: Pippi can't really read. She doesn't have time with all of the thing finding that she has to do to learn about reading and plutification. Junie B. is in first grade now and is a big important reader and that is all.

Bees are Fascinating Creatures!

If you are interested in bees or other insects, or if you are just looking for something new and interesting to read, then you will want to check out this book!

You'll find fabulous photos and really cool information about honey bees, such as how they make honey and how they build their hives. You'll also learn some interesting ways scientists have been studying honey bees over the last few years.

The Hive Detectives: Chronicles of a Honey Bee Catastrophe
by Loree Griffin Burns

Pippi Visits the Library!

Pippi Longstocking dropped in at Main Library this week! Actually, it was Delaney, but she sure looks like Pippi. Delaney just finished reading Pippi Longstocking and came in to pick up Pippi Goes On Board and Pippi In the South Seas, all by Astrid Lindgren.

If you're trying to think of some way to dress up, book characters make great costume ideas. We love your costume, Delaney!

Ninja Cowboy Bear presents...

The Way of the Ninja by David Bruins and Hilary Leung

Fans of ninjas, cowboys or bears will love this hilarious new picture book series. Join ninja, cowboy and bear as they learn about friendship and fun AND get in a little trouble.

Don't miss the first book in the series: The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear

Have YOU Submitted Your Poem Yet?

There are only a few days left to submit your poem in our annual Poetry Contest; the deadline is Monday, November 1st. This year's theme is Happy, Mad, Sad -- Poems About Feelings.

The complete rules are available here.

We're looking forward to reading your poem!

Superhero Photos

Thanks to all who attended our Superhero Party, here in Children's Services on Saturday, October 23rd! As you can see, we all had a super-fun time!

We love new visitors!

This was Natalie's first visit to the Main Library and she loved the whole experience!

Natalie is 21 months old. She particularly enjoyed the bubbles, the fish, the coloring room, all the books to look at, and pretending to use the computer.

Natalie's mom promises they'll be back often!

A beautiful and elaborate alphabet book

A is for absolutely adorable! Beloved artist Gyo Fujikawa teaches toddlers
their alphabetin a picture-packed A to Z.
Each letter is illustrated by a multitude of marvelous things to help build a child's vocabulary, including chicks, chocolate cake, and cuckoo clock for C

and moon, mouse, and monkey for M.

As always, Fujikawa has created a charming collection of cute children

and huggable animals

of all kinds.

I'm Scared!

Children have many fears -- of the dark, of storms, of monsters, and other things. The library has a variety of books written to help children deal with their fears -- and you can find many of them on our Fears Booklists.

Titles may be placed on hold, or call or visit us and we'll be happy to help you find the materials you need.

Scenes from a self checkout...

Super Hero Party!

Kids of all ages -- join us tomorrow for our super-duper Super Hero Party! We'll have super-stories, super-games and super-crafts for you to enjoy. And, of course, we'll have plenty of super-books for you to read here at the library, or to check out and take home with you.

Costumes are welcome, but not necessary.

Super Hero Party at the Library
Saturday, October 23
2:00-3:00pm

Coretta Scott King Book Award Mock Election

It's time to sign up to be part of the ACPL Coretta Scott King Book Award Mock Election. If you're an adult and interested in the latest children's literature by African American authors and illustrators, please go here to register. Local author Fred McKissack will begin our discussion with a special presentation at 1 p.m., Sunday, December 5, then we'll choose our favorite books. Information about all of the ACPL Mock Awards and Blogs can be found here.

It's Smart Start Storytime Day!

Preschoolers -- join us at Main Library at 10:30 today! Hooray! We'll be reading stories, singing songs, making a pumpkin craft (glue alert!) and playing with the little sounds that make up words. Grown-ups call that Phonological Awareness because they like to give big names to the skills kids need to learn to read when they're older. We just call it Storytime Fun! Click here to find the days and times for storytimes at all of our ACPL locations.

Join us today for LEGO Club

We have thousands of Legos and we would love to have you join us
for "free build" at the downtown library.
Join us today, Tuesday, October 21 at 3:30 pm in the
Children's Department downtown.
What will you build?

What is inside YOUR head?

Your brain is the most complicated and mysterious part of your body. It contains more than 100 billion brain cells! Every second, billions of electrical signals dart between these cells at speeds of up to 250 mph!
This awesome book helps make sense of the brain's mind-boggling structure and explains how it controls everything you do. It does this in a colorful and engaging format that kids will respond to.

• Discover why your internal clock makes it so difficult to get up in the morning
• Find out why you dream or feel deja vu
• Test your personality

amazing photographs

Nic Bishop is an author and photographer of many award winning books for children. He has a doctorate in biological sciences and a passionate interest in animals. His books are filled with the most amazing photographs of animals. We all get so excited when a new Nic Bishop comes across our desks. Check out his website for a taste of what he does www.nicbishop.com
His latest offering is Lizards and it does not disappoint; the photographs are beautiful.
Stop by the library and check out our selection of Nic Bishop books - you will love them.

Music Fun for Everyone!

Join us tomorrow, Saturday, October 16, to make MUSIC at the library!

The whole family is invited to a toe-tapping, hand-clapping, good time at 11:00 AM in the Globe Room.

Poetry Contest for Kids

Kids and young adults in Kindergarten through Grade 12: Have you written a poem for the annual poetry contest yet?

This year's theme is "Happy, Mad, Sad - Poems about Feelings."

The deadline for entries is Monday, November 1st.

The winning poets will be honored at at Award Ceremony in December and the winning poems will become a permanent part of the ACPL book collection.

The complete rules are available here.

We look forward to reading your poetry!

From the New Book Shelf...

Here's a fun new picture book for your preschooler! Bright and bold illustrations highlight each letter of the alphabet, and fun rhymes describe animals that go along with each letter.

What a fun way to help develop your child's letter knowledge and their vocabulary!

ABC Animal Jamboree
by Giles Andreae
illustrated by David Wojtowycz

Meet Abe Lincoln's Friend!

Storyteller Doyne Carson shares tales of Abraham Lincoln's growing-up years in Indiana. Join us for performances Wednesday, October 13, at 9:45 and 12:45 in the Main Library theater!

Celebrate the Beautiful Fall Season...

...with some books from our Autumn Booklist! You'll find non-fiction books about pumpkins and leaves as well as poetry, picture books and early readers, all with an autumn theme.

Rainbow Magic fairies have it all...

The Rainbow Magic series has something for every child who loves fairies and...

• dancing? the Dance Fairies!
• weather? the Weather Fairies!
• parties? the Party Fairies!
• sports? the Sports Fairies!
• music? the Music Fairies!
• flowers? the Petal Fairies!
• gems? the Jewel Fairies!
• days of the week? the Fun Day Fairies!

Visit the Rainbow Magic website and play games and create your own fairy!

This is a fun series and your child will have a hard time finishing the complete set! Although, we have a certain patron, by the name of Helena, who rifles through them pretty quickly!

What's inside?

As you walk through the Children's Department of the downtown library, do you ever wonder what is inside the big blue bags? Or what is inside the small blue and yellow bags? Or what is inside the boxes in the PTC section?
Well, if you have ever wondered about any of these things, the display in our glass case is for you!
We have displayed the "insides" of these items.
The big blue bags are our Kits for Kids. The Kits for Kids encompass an enormous array of subjects. They hold eight picture books, one DVD or CD and usually a book from our PTC collection.
The smaller blue and yellow bags are our Parent and Child Sets. Each bag focuses on one letter from the alphabet or one number. Inside the Parent and Child Sets are applicable books to help your child learn their letters and manipulatives that might be a lacing letter or a letter stamp. There are also activity sheets to provide ideas to further your child's letter and number knowledge.
The Character Education boxes are from our Parent Teacher Collection. Each box contains a DVD, a picture book, an activity book, an evaluation book and a home ties book. These boxes are great and fun ways to teach character.
Please stop by our Children's Department and let us help you find the perfect kit, set or box!

Pre-Reading Skills

There are six early literacy skills that your child must master before beginning school in order for them to become proficient readers. Once you know what the skills are, incorporating them into your daily interactions with your child is easy!
Bringing your child to the library for storytime is one easy way to reinforce those pre-reading skills. We explain briefly what the skills are and then we model using them in fun and exciting ways!
Join us every Wednesday morning and Friday morning for storytimes at the downtown library!
Our storytimes are fun and they really will help prepare your child for reading!
Please join us!

Smart Start Storytime for Preschoolers
Wednesdays at 9:30 am for preschools, daycares and other groups
Wednesdays at 10:30 am for children and their adult caregiver
Storytimes for Babies
Fridays at 10:00 am
Storytimes for Toddlers
Fridays at 10:30 am
Fridays at 11:00 am

He gives me goosebumps....

Today is the birthday of prolific author, R. L. Stine. He is the author of the Goosebumps series, the Rotten School series and Goosebumps Horrorland series. In total, he has written more than 300 books! Visit his website for fun, creepy games and you can even listen to a story!
His favorite book that he has written is The Cuckoo Clock of Doom. Stop by your library and check it out!
Believe it or not, R. L. Stine is also in the 2003 Guinness Book of World Records as the #1 best-selling children's book series author...
Happy birthday, Mr. Stine! Thanks for the goosebumps!

Special Opportunity for Homeschoolers!

Tomorrow, Thursday, October 7th, at 10:00 in the morning, homeschoolers will have a special opportunity to visit the Main Library's Rare and Fine Book Room. Have you ever wondered what is kept behind lock and key in the Rare Book Room of the Allen County Public Library?

Maybe it's some papyrus from the 9th or 10th century.



Maybe it's an original letter signed by General Anthony Wayne. -->



Kids in 3rd through 6th grade -- and their families -- will meet in Children's Services at 10:00. We will all head downstairs for a behind-the-scenes look at some of the items kept in this special climate-controlled, temperature-controlled room.

What do YOU think you'll find?

Dog Loves Books!

Dog loves books SOOOO MUCH that he opens his own bookstore ... and wonderful things happen!

Share this new picture book with the children in your life, and introduce them to the wonder that can be found in books.

Dog Loves Books
by Louise Yates

Roslyn Rutabaga

We just put this darling book on our shelves! It is the latest offering from the immensely talented author and illustrator Marie-Louise Gay. Roslyn Rutabaga and the Biggest Hole on Earth! is a sweet story of a little bunny who spends the day, of course, digging the biggest hole on earth. She encounters a cast of grumpy characters including a worm and a mole who do not appreciate her endeavors, but throughout it all she maintains her determination. Only after an encounter with a disgruntled dog does her enthusiasm wane. Enter her wonderful father: his interaction with Roslyn is worth the read alone.

Enjoy this new book!

Storytime with the New American Youth Ballet

Make plans now to join us for a special storytime on Tuesday afternoon, October 5, at 2:00, in the Globe Room at the Main Library.

The New American Youth Ballet will bring a portion of the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to share with us.

The ballerina portraying Snow White will be here and some of the Seven Dwarfs as well. It promises to be great fun for younger children and their families! (We will also have lots of books about Snow White available to check out.)

We hope you can join us!

When: Tuesday, October 5 at 2:00 pm

Who: Kids in preschool through 2nd grade and their families

What: Special Snow White storytime featuring dancers from Fort Wayne's own New American Youth Ballet

September LEGO Club Creations!

Please join us for our next meeting:
Tuesday, October 19
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Downtown Library
Everyone is welcome!
p.s. we beat Georgetown's challenge ~ 46.5"