Leapfrog Tag Books

Library customers who own a Leapfrog Tag Reading System will be happy to know that they can now checkout Interactive Tag Books. Tag Books look like and can be read just like other books, but they can also be used with a Tag Pen, which can "read" the words and interact with different elements in the books.

Other Leapfrog items available for checkout at Allen County Public Library locations include:

• Leapster games for Leapster and Leapster2 handheld devices
• Leapfrog DVDs
• LeapPad Backpacks, which include a LeapPad Unit and 2 cartridges/books
• Leappad Kits, which contain 1 cartridge and book for use with a LeapPad Unit
  

Exciting Improvements in the Early Learning Center!

Have you visited the Early Learning Center recently? We've made some changes in the books that "live" there.... Instead of having a hodgepodge of picture books, we are being much more selective in deciding what books go in this special space. All the books are designed to reinforce specific fundamentals of Early Literacy. Six color-coded types of picture books are available:

• Counting Books
• ABC Books
• Favorite Stories
• Rhyming Books
• Books about Shapes
• Books about Colors

And, of course, all books are available to be checked out so you can enjoy them with your child at home.

Visit us soon and check it out!

Fancy February Art

This is the last week to pick up your collage kit in Children's Services at the Main Library. Use the fancy items in your kit and pencils, crayons, markers, glue and/or scissors to create a cool collage. Turn it back in on or before Monday, February 28. We'll display everyone's creations and during the first two weeks of March we'll allow voting for favorites. Artists in three age groups will be named favorites and receive gifts.

Peter Pan

From now through April 10, the Foellinger-Friemann Botanical Conservatory in Fort Wayne has a special Peter Pan exhibit on display in the Showcase Garden.

Brush up on your knowledge of this classic story by visiting the library and picking up a copy of the
original story written by J. M. Barrie ...









... or one of the many adaptations that have been created over the years, such as this one by pop-up illustrator Robert Sabuda.










Happy Reading!

Science Explorers

Homeschoolers, don't forget to come to Science Explorers at the Main Library on Tuesday, February 22, at 2:00 p.m. Should you believe everything you see? Explore OPTICAL ILLUSIONS with experiments, books and activities. Science Explorers is designed for students at K-5 grade levels. Be curious! Think - Do - Learn!

The Great Backyard Bird Count!

Hey, friends! Here's a great chance to help scientists learn about birds.

It's the Great Backyard Bird Count!

To participate, simply watch and count the number of birds you see in your backyard or some other location from Friday, February 18 through Monday, February 21.
Then record what you see here. Anyone can participate -- kids and adults.

Invite a friend or two to get involved -- the more information the scientists can gather, the more will learn. How many birds do you think you will see?

World Book Online for Kids

Recently, the library added a great new online resource for children: World Book Online for Kids. Published by the same folks who bring us World Book Encyclopedias, this collection of kid-friendly databases is a great source of info for school reports, but also so much more!


Early World of Learning provides help for beginning readers, as well as games and activities that help teach numbers, shapes, colors, and more.


World Book Online for Kids offers easy-to-read articles and engaging videos, games, science projects, and activities for younger students.


Info Finder is tailored for students in elementary and middle schools & includes all the articles from the print versions of the World Book Encyclopedia, plus thousands of additional articles, learning resources, and research tools.


World Book Discover includes engaging reference resources for students reading below grade level because of language or learning difficulties.


Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos is a beginner's Spanish language reference tool. The site offers World Book's editorial content, rich media, and engaging features in Spanish.

You may access World Book Online from any computer at the Allen County Public Library OR on your home computer by entering your ACPL library card number. Links are available on the Children's Services web page or under the Reference section of the ACPL Research Databases page.

Brush, Brush, Brush!

Join us for storytime!

On Wednesday morning, February 16, join us for stories in celebration of Dental Health Month. We'll sing songs and read books. We will have a special visitor who will talk about how to brush your teeth and will even give out free toothbrushes!

We have two storytimes for preschoolers scheduled every Wednesday at the Main Library in downtown Fort Wayne:

• 9:30 Storytime for preschool and daycare groups (Call and let us know your group is coming!)
  
• 10:30 Storytime for families (No need to call; just come on in!)

We hope you'll join us for storytime!

National Library Week Bookmark Contest

Have you created a bookmark yet for our annual National Library Week contest? This year's theme is...

Create Your Own Story @ Your Library

The contest is open to children of all ages and adults; winning designs will be made into "real" bookmarks and made available during National Library Week, April 10-16, 2011.

Contest entries may be turned in at any library location between now and February 28, 2011. So, print out the template, grab your markers, crayons, and colored pencils, and get creative!

Preschool Puppet Show Registration

We still have a few openings available for preschool and daycare groups to register for our Preschool Puppet Show coming up next month.

Performances are scheduled Monday through Thursday, March 7 - 10, at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Each show lasts about 30 minutes, and includes plenty of interactive fun!

Families do not need to register for the puppet show. Just mark your calendars, come when you can, and enjoy!

Learn Not To Burn!

Join us on Wednesday morning, February 9th, for a Burn Awareness storytime with special guests from the St. Joe Hospital Burn Unit/Lutheran Health Network. We'll read a story, sing some songs, and practice being safe around things that are hot. After storytime, every child will receive a free Fire Safety Activity Book and a Fort Wayne Fire Department Fire Safety Coloring Book.

We have two storytimes for preschoolers scheduled every Wednesday at the Main Library in downtown Fort Wayne:

• 9:30 Storytime for preschool and daycare groups (Call and let us know your group is coming!)
  
• 10:30 Storytime for families (No need to call; just come on in!)

We hope you'll join us for storytime!

Celebrate African- American History

We are well into February, which means we are well into African-American History Month! Whatever your age, take advantage of the information and resources that are available to learn more about the important contributions the African-American community has made in our country. A good place to start is our African-American History Booklist , where you will find great biographies and non-fiction books, as well as stories, folktales, music and poetry.


You may also want to investigate some of the following websites:

Time for Kids: Black History Month
Library of Congress: African American History
Kaboose.com: Black History Month Crafts and Activities

Have You Tried TumbleBooks?

A new service of the Allen County Public Library, TumbleBooks are e‑books for kids ‑‑ animated, talking picture books which help kids learn the joy of reading.

• You can listen to books, or read along at your own speed.
• Both storybooks and nonfiction titles are included
  
• You can play book-related games and work on book-related puzzles.
• Books are available in English, French, and Spanish.
  

You can use TumbleBooks on any kids' computer at the Allen County Public Library or on your own computer at home. The TumbleBooks link is always available on the top, right-hand side of the Children's Services page, and is also available by clicking on the TumbleBooks link on the Books & Literature portion of the ACPL's Research Databases page.

Check it out!

Mischief -- Stuffed Animal Style

Have you ever wondered what your stuffed animals do at night? After storytime yesterday evening, we tucked all of our friends into bed for the night. They didn't do much sleeping, but it does appear that they had plenty of fun! Check out the photos of last night's Stuffed Animal Sleepover!



Owners may pick up their friends anytime today between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Stuffed Animal Sleepover TONIGHT!

Tonight is our Stuffed Animal Sleepover!
Friday, February 4th @ 5:00 pm

Wear your pajamas, bring your stuffed friend and listen to a bedtime story at 5:00 pm tonight.
After our story time, you will tuck your stuffed animal into "bed" and wish her sweet dreams. While you return home to your own snuggly beds, your stuffed pal will get to have fun in the library overnight! Who knows what they will do ~ where they will go...
Come back on Saturday morning at 9:00 am to pick up your friend and "hear" about all the mischief they got into after hours at the library!
All stuffed participants will take home a photo memory book of their overnight adventures in the library.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Today is the first day of the new year -- according to the Chinese calendar. Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit by learning more about this holiday. You could even make eggrolls or try your hand at a few crafts.

Chinese New Year begins on the first new moon between January 21 and February 20. On what date will it fall next year...?

The Library is Closed Today

Due to the extreme wintry weather,
all locations of
the Allen County Public Library
are closed today,
Wednesday, February 2nd.

We hope you enjoy the snow!

Stay warm!