2007 - The Year in Review

2007 was a big year for Children's Services and the ACPL!

On January 27, 2007 the renovated Main Library opened in downtown Fort Wayne.

In February 2007, Children's Services kicked off the year of programming with many wonderful programs, including Paws to Read.



In March 2007 we sang Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss and the Cat in the Hat.

In April 2007 the installation of the Reading Tower began.

In May 2007 many families played together in the Early Learning Center.

In June 2007 we released our painted lady butterflies out on the Library Plaza.

In July 2007, Pinkerton stopped by for a visit.

In August 2007, kids watched a rocket launch out on the Library Plaza as part of the 3, 2, 1, Blast Off! program.

In September 2007 kids met some of the sea dwellers in the aquariums up close during a special program.

In October 2007 the Art Out of the Box participants painted an art car on the Library Plaza.

In November 2007 over 500 people made crafts and shared memories as part of the Day of the Dead program.

On December 31, 2007 we prepared for another year of questions, programs and fun at the Library!

Mock Caldecott

The Randolph Caldecott Medal is given each year by the American Library Association to the illustrator of the most distinguished American picture book for children published during the preceding year.

Each year our Children's Services department hosts a Mock Caldecott Election program for adults who are interested in children's literature.


Seven books have just been added to the list:

Brett, Jan. Three Snow Bears.
Cate, Annette Le Blanc. The Magic Rabbit.
de Seve, Randall. Toy Boat. Illustrated by Loren Long.
DiCamillo, Kate. Great Joy. Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline.
Sayre, April Pulley. Vulture View. Illustrated by Steve Jenkins.
Skeers, Linda. Impossible Patriotism Project. Illustrated by Ard Hoyt.
Willems, Mo. Knuffle Bunny Too.

If you would like to participate, the rest of the Mock Caldecott Award reading list can be found here. If you can't join us in person for the discussion, please take a moment to post your comments about any of the books online.

This year the Mock Caldecott election will be held on Saturday, January 12, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art in downtown Fort Wayne. Participants will have the opportunity to view the art of illustrator Allen Say as part of the program. To sign up, call the Children's Services department at (260) 421-1220 or send an email.

For information about the ACPL's other Mock Elections, click here.

See you at the Mock Caldecott!

Science Fair

Are you looking for a science fair project? If you like to take pictures, you might like to build your own pinhole camera. This book tells how and gives good background information on the science behind photography. It's part of a series by World Book. Click here to see all of the other experiment topics in this series. ACPL is the place to visit for science fair help.

Snowflake Craft Tomorrow

The Main Library will be open 9 to 5 p.m. tomorrow, Monday, December 31st.

Please stop by Children's Services to make a hanging snowflake craft.

See you at the ACPL!

Art Out of the Box: Fiber Art

Homeschoolers in grades 2 to 6, join us for Art Out of the Box: Fiber Art on Thursday, January 10th at 2 p.m.

You will have the chance to interact with pieces of fiber art, talk about different ways to make fiber art, learn about a few artists and hear about some great books. Then we will all work together to create a work of fiber art to donate to a child in need through Project Linus.



Art Out of the Box meets every second Thursday of the month at 2 p.m. through May 2008.

Future topics:
February: African American Art
March: Traditional Crafts
April: Wood Art
May: Photography

For more information about this program send an email or call Children's Services at 421-1220.

Winter Babies Wear Layers

Michelle Sinclair Colman and Nathalie Dion, the creators of Urban Babies Wear Black, have a wonderful new board book available: Winter Babies Wear Layers. The charming illustrations are reminiscent of the 1950s and they are the perfect compliment to the spunky text. Snuggle up with this book and your baby in front of a cozy fire.

Mock Sibert Award

The Robert F. Sibert Award is given each year by the American Library Association to the to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book for children published in English during the preceding year.

Each year our Children's Services department hosts a Mock Sibert Election program for adults who are interested in children's literature. If you would like to participate, the complete Mock Sibert Award reading list can be found here. If you can't join us in person for the discussion, please take a moment to post your comments about any of the books online. We'll be sure to read your comments as part of our discussion.

This year the Mock Sibert Award election will be held on Saturday, January 5, from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.at the Main Library in downtown Fort Wayne. To sign up, call the Children's Services department at (260) 421-1220 or send an email.

Here is the fourth and final reading list for the ACPL Mock Sibert Award:

Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art
We Are One: The Story of Bayard Rustin by Larry Dane Brimner
Emi and the Rhino Scientist by Mary Kay Carson
Who Was First?: Discovering the Americas by Russell Freedman
The Many Rides of Paul Revere by James Giblin
An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis of Global Warming by Al Gore
War in the Middle East: A Reporter's Story by Wilborn Hampton
At Gleason's Gym by Ted Lewin
City Hawk: The Story of Pale Male by Meghan McCarthy
Tuttle's Red Barn: The Story of America's Oldest Family Farm by Richard Michelson
The Real Benedict Arnold by Jim Murphy
Footwork: The Story of Fred and Adele Astaire by Roxane Orgill
Nothing But Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson by Sue Stauffacher

For information about the ACPL's other Mock Elections, click here.

See you at the Mock Sibert!