Autumn Equinox

Yesterday was the autumn equinox! Did you notice that the day & the night were exactly the same length? Now the days will start getting shorter until the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice.

In celebration, check out our autumn booklist for some cool autumn reads. One of my favorite autumn books is Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert, check it out!

It's Johnny Appleseed Time!

Did you make it to the Johnny Appleseed Festival in Fort Wayne this weekend? If you'd like to learn about Johnny Appleseed, check out the materials -- books, videos, DVDS, and more -- on our Johnny Appleseed Booklist!

Welcome CYPD!

If you visit the Main Library today or tomorrow, you will see LOTS of children's librarians. That's because the CYPD (Children's and Young People's Division of the Indiana Library Federation) Conference is being held at the Allen County Public Library on September 21 & 22. Librarians are visiting from around the state; they all share the commons interests of Libraries and services for kids. The conference schedule includes presentations about children and books, children and technology, children and music, and much, much, more.

Welcome CYPD!

Barr Street Market: Lovely Leaf Collages

Leaves are falling from the trees! Visit us at the Barr Street Market today between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. to use some of those lovely autumn leaves to make a collage. Next Saturday is the last day of the market - be sure to stop by before its gone!

Early Learning Center Mailbox

How colorful, Alissa! Thank you for sharing.

Parenting Read: Last Child in the Woods

I just finished reading Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv and I would recommend that every parent and educator take the time for this enlightening read.

Louv's compelling title showcases nature and the numerous positive benefits that children (and adults) can gain from spending time outdoors - including increased attention span, physical fitness and stress relief.

The 2008 edition includes "100 actions we can take" which range from simple activities for kids and families to suggestions for transforming communities.

Let's Make Music

Let's Make Music this morning at 10:30 a.m. during Smart Start Preschool Storytime. We'll read and sing our way through some great picture books like Punk Farm by Jarrett Krosoczka, Do Your Ears Hang Low? by Caroline Church, and There Was a Bold Lady Who Wanted a Star by Charise Harper.

We'll sing and dance with musicians like Jim Gill, Hap Palmer and Raffi.

Music is a fun and entertaining way to teach kids important skills and information. During storytime today, we'll talk about the early literacy skill phonological awareness, which is the ability to hear the smaller sounds in words. Singing songs is an awesome way to practice phonological awareness with preschoolers.

If you are a teacher looking for ways to bring music into the classroom, check out our music across the curriculum booklist. Music is not just for preschoolers!