Hey, Kids! Which Book is YOUR Favorite?

All children in grades 3 to 6 are invited to participate in the ACPL Mock Newbery for Kids program -- to be held on Saturday, December 3, 2011, from 2:00-3:30 p.m in Children's Services at the Main Library.

So far, we have included the 4 titles pictured above on the Mock Newbery for Kids reading list --- with one more soon to come -- that we hope you'll read and then come to the library to talk about (snacks included).  We'll also learn a little about the Newbery Award, and then you'll get to cast your vote to help pick the winner of the 

2012 ACPL Kids' Mock Newbery Award!

Interested?  Click here to register!

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!

Surprise Author Visit!!

We were thrilled today to have a surprise guest visit us at the library! Author David Elliott was in the area visiting a school, and decided to drop in and say "Hello!" To say we were pleasantly surprised is an understatement!

David Elliott is the author of many great books, including In the Wild, a book of animal poems. In the Wild was listed on last year's Mock Caldecott reading list, which highlights the best picture books published each year.

Thanks for visiting, Mr. Elliott! And thanks for writing such wonderful books for children!

What is happening on the Mock Caldecott blog?

The discussion has started already over at the ACPL Mock Caldecott blog. New, wonderfully illustrated books are being released every day! Check out the blog to see the best of the best & join the discussion.

My favorite illustrated book (so far) of the year, is not on the blog yet, but I am going to suggest that the moderator add it. Can We Save the Tiger? by Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Vicky White is absolutely gorgeous! Be sure to suggest some of your own favorite books too.

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 Winners!

Two Mock Newbery Elections were held at the Main Library this weekend.

In the Mock Newbery Election for adults, held on Saturday morning, the winning title was:
Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Honor books were also chosen:

They Called Themselves the K.K.K. - The Birth of An American Terrorist Group by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

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On Sunday, we held our Mock Newbery Election for Kids. Although our group was small, we had a very lively and thoughtful discussion.

The winning title was:
The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz

Honor books were
A Nest for Celeste by Henry Cole
Mirror, Mirror by Marilyn Singer

Thanks to all who participated this year!

Mock Elections this Weekend

We have 3 Mock Elections happening this weekend in Children's Services!

Saturday, December 11:
Mock Newbery Election -- 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Mock Sibert Election -- 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 12:
Mock Newbery Election -- for Kids -- 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Don't worry if you haven't had time to read all of the books on the reading lists! You'll have a great time learning about the wonderful variety of new books published for children this year. There's still time to register, if you'd like to attend! Call us at 260-421-1220, or click on the links above to register through the Mock Election blogs.

ACPL Mock Geisel 2011 Award Winners

The ACPL Mock Geisel 2011 Award goes to:

Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same! by Grace Lin

Three honor books were named:
Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Spring Babies by Erica Silverman, illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Scat, Cat! by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Paul Meisel
We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems

Congrats to all the winners!

ACPL Mock Coretta Scott King book Awards

Every January, the Coretta Scott King Book Awards, given to an "African American author and illustrator for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions," are announced. Here at the library, a group of people very interested in excellent children's literature spends the year reading currently-published children's books by African American authors and illustrators. Then we announce our own "mock" award selections. The "real" awards will be announced by the American Library Association at 7:45 a.m. PST, Monday, Jan. 10. Here are our favorites:

Author Award: Ninth Ward, by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Honor Books: Zora and Me, by Victoria Bond & T. R. Simon; One Crazy Summer, by Rita Williams-Garcia; and Ruth and the Green Book, by Calvin Alexander Ramsey

Illustrator Award: Black Jack, The Ballad of Jack Johnson, by Charles R. Smith Jr., illustrated by Shane W. Evans
Honor Books: Back of the Bus, by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Floyd Cooper and Ruth and the Green Book, by Calvin Alexander Ramsey, illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Many Thanks to all of you who participated, virtually and in person. And to all of the authors and illustrators who gave us so many fantastic reading hours this year, our gratitude -- we'll do our best to put your work into the hands and hearts of children.

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!

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.

Scientists in the Field series

Some of the most interesting books I've read recently are a part of the Scientists in the Field series.  

One such book is Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot about a species of bird that is nearly extinct.  There are only 122 kakapo in the world, but scientists and volunteers are working hard to make sure that this number continues to grow.  You can learn more about their efforts at the Kakapo Recovery Program website.

After you've read the book, let us know what you thought of it on the ACPL Mock Sibert blog.

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!

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!

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.

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!

Children's Mock Newbery Election

Here is the list for the 2010 Children's Mock Newbery Election program!

Kids in third grade through sixth grade are invited to attend our Mock Newbery Award program for children on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 2:00pm until 5:00pm. Read the books from the list, add comments to our blog, and join us for a discussion of which was the best children's book of the year! Advanced Registration required.

We will have refreshments, door prizes, and a lively discussion.

• Anything but Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin
• The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
• The Great and Only Barnum: the Tremendous, Stupendous Life of P.T. Barnum by Candace Fleming
• The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
• Melonhead by Katy Kelly
• When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Happy reading!

Tillie Lays an Egg via HENCAM!

One of the books on our ACPL Mock Caldecott list is Tillie Lays an Egg by Terry Golson with photography by Ben Fink.

The fun photographs show the adventurous hen, Tillie, laying eggs all over the farm. Tillie and all of her hen friends in the book belong to the author Terry Golson and you can see them LIVE via a webcam any time you want! Check out the Hen Cam now. I can see one sleeping in the nesting box right now :)