El Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead

The sugar skulls and frosting have been prepared...







The papel picado has been strung...










It's time for Children's Services annual celebration of El Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead!!  Join us and learn about this joyful Mexican holiday that celebrates the lives of the departed. 

Decorate your own sugar skull to take home, add your memories to the community memory board, taste bread of the dead, make marigolds and masks, and bring your camera along to have your picture taken in our holiday photo booth.   To learn more about Day of the Dead, check out this booklist!

Saturday, November 5th, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 6th, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Read for the Record!

On Thursday, October 6, 2011, we'll be joining with millions of others around the country who will be reading Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney.  Help us set a reading world record AND call for an end to America's early education achievement gap.

We'll all have fun -- and we'll be standing up for kids!  Join us for our special storytimes at any of the following locations this Thursday, October 6, as we participate in Jumpstart: Read for the Record.

• Children's Services, Main Library, 10:00 a.m.
• Aboite Branch, 10:30 a.m.
• Dupont Branch, 10:30 a.m.
• New Haven Branch, 10:30 a.m.
• Shawnee Branch, 11:00 a.m.
• Woodburn Branch, 1:00 p.m.
• Little Turtle Branch, 1:30 p.m.
• Grabill Branch, 7:00 p.m.
• Hessen Cassel Branch, 6:30 p.m.
• Waynedale Branch, 7:00 p.m.

Have You Read To Your Child Today?

Reading aloud to your children -- at any age, from birth on up -- is one of the most important thing parents can do to help your children's reading development.  From sharing short, simple board books with your infant or toddler ... to sharing picture books with your preschooler...to reading snippets of chapter books with your school-age child ... reading aloud has been shown over and over again to be beneficial, in many, many ways.  Just a few minutes a day is all it takes, but you may find you're enjoying it so much, you'll be spending more time reading together!

Checkout Reading Rocket's Top Ten Resources on Reading Aloud for some great tips.

One of my all-time favorite resources on reading aloud with children is the The Read-aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease.

Of course, you can always visit us at the library, where your friendly children's librarians will be happy to share their favorite read-alouds with you!  Happy Reading!

Science Explorers: A Program for Homeschoolers

Homeschool students in kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to take part in Science Explorers at the Main Library in Children's Services. At our first meeting, we'll have fun exploring the science of bubbles!

Tuesday, August 23, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.: Blowing, Bouncing, Bursting Bubbles

Upcoming Science Explorer programs include:
Tuesday, September 13, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.: Flying Things
Tuesday, October 25, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.: Dramatic Static


We hope you'll join us as we have fun exploring the wonders of science. Think - Do - Learn!

Those Stuffed Animals Kept Us Up Late...

...but we all had so much fun!  Thanks to everyone who came -- we thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet and play with you and your stuffed friends.  Below are some photos we took of our adventures in the library.

It's Time for Another Stuffed Animal Sleepover at the Library!

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,

Turn around!

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,

Touch the ground!

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,

Turn out the light.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,

Say "Goodnight".

Kids are invited to bring their stuffed animals to the Main Library in downtown Fort Wayne on Friday evening, July 22.  Wear your pajamas!  We'll have a bedtime storytime, and then we'll tuck your stuffed friends into bed for the night.  Stuffed friends may be picked up anytime on Saturday during library hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., along with a memory book of their overnight adventures.

Crafts Around the World

What's a didgeridoo?  Ever heard of Kente cloth?  What about matryoshka dolls?  Visit Children's Services on Thursday, July 21 to learn about AND make these crafts -- and more.  We'll have all the supplies you need, just come and craft away!  We'll have programs from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Crafts Around the World is part of One World, Many Stories -- this year's Summer Reading Program for children.  There's still time to participate!  Pick up a time sheet at any library location, or print out your own.

Roz Puppets are Coming to the Main Library!

This morning at 10:00, the Children's Services department of the Main Library will have a special puppet show featuring the Roz Puppets. The program will be repeated at the Main Library at 2:00 this afternoon and 7:00 tonight. Come and enjoy this creative interpretation as the puppets bring the classic story, The Emperor's New Clothes, to life.

Roz Puppets are traveling around the Allen County Public Library system as part of this year's Summer Reading Program. Want to know dates and library locations for all of their performances? Click here.

Are You Looking for Great Kids Books...?

Then don't miss our Mock Election Kick-off, coming up soon! School-age children and adults are invited to attend and hear some stories from award-winning books...find out how to find great books for kids...and learn more about our Mock Elections, in which you are invited to vote for YOUR favorite children's books.

It's all happening on Tuesday, June 14, from 2:00-3:00.

Hope to see you there!

Team Read!

Reading through the summer time is important and fun -- in addition to the FREE Summer Reading Program offered at the library, parents will also want to explore Team Read. Team Read is a FREE reading program for children entering 1st - 3rd grade next year. Children are paired up with trained teen reading coaches for weekly summer reading activities.

Team Read runs from June 20 - July 28, 2011.

Fill out an application and turn it in at any Allen County Public Library location to attend the program at the New Haven or Georgetown branch libraries. There is limited space at library locations for this program, so turn in your application early!

Team Read will also be offered at local Boys & Girls Clubs, Old Fort YMCA and several local parks. For more information about Team Read, contact Nancy Magi at 260-421-1260.

We're Counting Down the Days...

...till June 6. That's the day we've been waiting for! The day the Summer Reading Program starts!! Woo hoo!! We can hardly wait!!

Have you checked out the


Summer Reading Program website yet?
You'll find lots of great info there, like WHO can participate, HOW to get started, WHEN things are happening, and WHAT gifts kids and adults can receive. Coming soon, kids will find some fun interactive games and online stories, as well as a place to submit their own stories and artwork!

Gifts? Did I mention gifts? Yes, I did, and here's the scoop:

At Sign-up, children will receive a voucher for a FREE Tincaps baseball ticket.

Upon completing Level One, pre-readers (babies, toddlers and preschoolers) will receive an FREE egg shaker toy; readers (kids who can read on their own) will receive a FREE throw-yo toy!

Upon completing Level Two, children will receive a FREE tote bag!

Upon completing Level Three, children will get to pick out their own FREE book!

Adults may participate as well. Starting Monday, June 6, adults 18 and older may pick up a Reading Partners bookmark, complete 6 of the 14 reading activities with a child, and fill in and return the bottom portion of the bookmark to any library location for a chance to win a FREE $100 gift card to Walmart, Meijer or Target.

It's all about reading! It's all about fun! And it's all happening at the Allen County Public Library this summer! We hope to see YOU and your family!

LEGO Club!

Calling all LEGO fans!
Don't miss LEGO Club in Children's Services at the downtown library!
Come and join other LEGO-loving kids and build to your hearts content.We have lots and lots and lots of bricks, so don't be shy!

Our next meeting is Tuesday, May 24:
10:00 - 11:30 a.m. (for homeschoolers)
3:30 - 5:00 p.m. (for all kids ages 6-11)

Great news about LEGO club -- during the summer,we'll be offering this super-cool program
EVERY WEEK at the downtown library!
Beginning June 15 and continuing through August 17, 2011, LEGO Club will be offered every Wednesday from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
So take some time during the summer to get out of the heat, visit us at the library and have some creative-building fun!

Spring Break Smorgasbord!

Looking for something fun to do during Spring Break? Check out the Spring Break Smorgasbord events in Children's Services. We'll have a different activity each day from 2 to 4pm. Don't forget our Art Room is available for you to use anytime the library is open - this Spring Break stop by to create a fantastic collage.

Monday, April 4th 2 to 4pm - Letterboxing at the Library
Tuesday, April 5th 2 to 4pm - Do You Like Legos?
Wednesday, April 6th 2 to 4pm - Games Plugged and Unplugged
Thursday, April 7th 2 to 4pm - Art Room Extended
Friday, April 8th 2 to 4pm - Swashbucklin' Search

We hope that you will spend some of your Spring Break with us!

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.

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.

Career Info for Kids

The American Library Association publishes a Great Websites for Kids page -- and their featured website this month is...

What Do You Like?
published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Kids can click on activities they enjoy, like Music & Arts or Helping People or Managing Money, and they are directed to career options for those interests, as well as specifics -- what is that job like? how do you prepare? what does it pay?

This site could be a great conversation starter -- it's never too early to start talking with your children about their interests and life goals.

Mock Caldecott Elections

Don't forget -- we have two Mock Caldecott programs coming up this weekend. You won't want to miss this opportunity to see, learn and talk about some of the best picture books published in 2010.

Saturday, January 8, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: Mock Caldecott for Adults
Sunday, January 9: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.: Mock Caldecott for Kids

Did I mention that Indiana librarians will earn 4 LEUs and teachers will earn 4 professional development points? Registration is required; click on the links above to register.

Mock Newbery Election -- for Kids!

Hey, kids -- have you ever wished the grown-ups would ask YOU which books should win the big book awards each year? Well, here's your chance to be heard! Join us for the
Mock Newbery Election for Kids,
coming up on Sunday, December 12, 2010
from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Main Library.

Children in 3rd - 6th grade are invited to attend. Simply read the books from the list below, add your comments to the Mock Newbery Blog, and attend the program on December 12 to discuss which book was the best children's book of the year! Advance registration is required.

Here is this year's reading list:
A Nest for Celeste by Henry Cole
The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz
Dark Emperor and other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman
Mirror, Mirror by Marilyn Singer
Countdown by Deborah Wiles

We'll have refreshments, door prizes, and a great discussion!

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