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.

Brush, Brush, Brush!

Join us for storytime!

On Wednesday morning, February 16, join us for stories in celebration of Dental Health Month. We'll sing songs and read books. We will have a special visitor who will talk about how to brush your teeth and will even give out free toothbrushes!

We have two storytimes for preschoolers scheduled every Wednesday at the Main Library in downtown Fort Wayne:

• 9:30 Storytime for preschool and daycare groups (Call and let us know your group is coming!)
  
• 10:30 Storytime for families (No need to call; just come on in!)

We hope you'll join us for storytime!

National Library Week Bookmark Contest

Have you created a bookmark yet for our annual National Library Week contest? This year's theme is...

Create Your Own Story @ Your Library

The contest is open to children of all ages and adults; winning designs will be made into "real" bookmarks and made available during National Library Week, April 10-16, 2011.

Contest entries may be turned in at any library location between now and February 28, 2011. So, print out the template, grab your markers, crayons, and colored pencils, and get creative!

Preschool Puppet Show Registration

We still have a few openings available for preschool and daycare groups to register for our Preschool Puppet Show coming up next month.

Performances are scheduled Monday through Thursday, March 7 - 10, at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Each show lasts about 30 minutes, and includes plenty of interactive fun!

Families do not need to register for the puppet show. Just mark your calendars, come when you can, and enjoy!

Learn Not To Burn!

Join us on Wednesday morning, February 9th, for a Burn Awareness storytime with special guests from the St. Joe Hospital Burn Unit/Lutheran Health Network. We'll read a story, sing some songs, and practice being safe around things that are hot. After storytime, every child will receive a free Fire Safety Activity Book and a Fort Wayne Fire Department Fire Safety Coloring Book.

We have two storytimes for preschoolers scheduled every Wednesday at the Main Library in downtown Fort Wayne:

• 9:30 Storytime for preschool and daycare groups (Call and let us know your group is coming!)
  
• 10:30 Storytime for families (No need to call; just come on in!)

We hope you'll join us for storytime!

Celebrate African- American History

We are well into February, which means we are well into African-American History Month! Whatever your age, take advantage of the information and resources that are available to learn more about the important contributions the African-American community has made in our country. A good place to start is our African-American History Booklist , where you will find great biographies and non-fiction books, as well as stories, folktales, music and poetry.


You may also want to investigate some of the following websites:

Time for Kids: Black History Month
Library of Congress: African American History
Kaboose.com: Black History Month Crafts and Activities

Have You Tried TumbleBooks?

A new service of the Allen County Public Library, TumbleBooks are e‑books for kids ‑‑ animated, talking picture books which help kids learn the joy of reading.

• You can listen to books, or read along at your own speed.
• Both storybooks and nonfiction titles are included
  
• You can play book-related games and work on book-related puzzles.
• Books are available in English, French, and Spanish.
  

You can use TumbleBooks on any kids' computer at the Allen County Public Library or on your own computer at home. The TumbleBooks link is always available on the top, right-hand side of the Children's Services page, and is also available by clicking on the TumbleBooks link on the Books & Literature portion of the ACPL's Research Databases page.

Check it out!