What Have Children's Books Taught YOU?

In this title, Anita Silvey asks over 100 people from all walks of life "What children's book changed the way you see the world?" the answers are both insightful and funny; inspiring and unexpected.

One of my favorite responses was from Jerry J. Mallett, the founder of the Mazza Museum in Ohio, who remembered The Twenty-One Balloons: "From it I learned that it is never too late to have your life changed by a children's book."

This is a fun and fascinating book for anyone who enjoys reading. Check it out! You won't be disappointed!

Oobleck, Slime and Dancing Spaghetti

Are you looking for a fun science experiment to share with your child? Check out Oobleck, Slime and Dancing Spaghetti by Jennifer Williams.

This creative book includes 20 science experiments for children preschool to 5th grade which are inspired by favorite children's books.

One of the 2nd grade experiments was inspired by the book Everybody Bakes Bread by Norah Dooley. During the experiment, children lock yeast & sugar in bags and measure the expansion to discover why dough rises. Included is an opportunity to take the experiment further, an oral history component and this great link to the Exploratorium's bread page.

Cowboys and Coffin Makers

I couldn't resist picking up Cowboys and Coffin Makers: One Hundred 19th Century Jobs You Might Have Feared or Fancied by Laurie Coulter up off of the new book shelf. The book begins with a time line of changes that took place in the 19th century to get the reader a little perspective on this portion of our history.

Some of the jobs in this book you may have heard of such as lighthouse keeper or explorer, but others may be new to you. Here are a few that I just learned about: jimmy duck, mule spinner, iron puddler, ship biscuit maker, and limner. Have you ever heard of these careers?

February is Black History Month

Celebrate Black History Month with a good book! Here are a few that I highly recommend:

• Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
• Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
• Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose
• Carver, a life in poems by Marilyn Nelson
  

The Bad Beginning

The first book in Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events, The Bad Beginning, is now available online for FREE. In fact, you can get it right here on this blog post by clicking "Browse Inside this book" above. Enjoy!

Redwoods by Jason Chin

One of my favorite new picture books is Redwoods by Jason Chin. In this book a young boy is magically transported from the city to the redwood forest to experience firsthand the majesty of these incredible, ancient trees.

The text of the book focuses on facts about the trees and never mentions the boy; his story is told only through the beautiful illustrations. Chin has created a perfect nonfiction book, one that allows readers to use their imaginations while absorbing the interesting information.

I just had the opportunity to see the redwoods in person and enjoy the wonderful smells of the forest. If you can't make a trip to California, pick up Jason Chin's book to experience the look and feel of the forest, the only part you will miss is the smell!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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

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!

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!

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.