We're Moving!

We are in the midst of a system wide social media upgrade. Our Facebook presence has changed –  and so will our blogs.   Please join us at http://acplkid.wordpress.com/ for our new look and new name: One Book, Two Book, Old Books, New Books.  

We hope you will find it full of information about children's books and events for children throughout the Allen Count Public Library system. Please check back often! We look forward to your feedback on our new look.

Poetry Contest Award Ceremony

2009 ACPL Poetry Contest Winners

This Saturday, December 3, at 11:00 a.m., join us in the theater at the Main Library as winning poets from the library's annual Poetry Contest are honored with an award ceremony and reception.  Over 800 students in kindergarten through grade 12 entered this year's contest with the theme Snowballs and Sandcastles: Poems of the Seasons.  

Congratulations to the winners and their families, and many thanks to all who entered and supported our young poets! 

Books so sweet you may cry

After I had my first child, I was surprised at the intensity of emotions I felt.  I loved that tiny baby more than I even realized I could.  I felt very protective of him and fell even more in love with my partner.  As I prepare to have my second child in the next few weeks, I'm remembering the books we read when our son was little.  These titles are especially memorable to me, because I couldn't get through any of them at the time without crying.

Read to Your Bunny by Rosemary Wells

Little Gorilla by Ruth Bornstein

Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers










Watching your children grow up is a wonderful, bittersweet experience. I try to remember to savor each day. I hope your family might enjoy reading these books together as much as we did.



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Thanks, Sara Patalita - our Children's Librarian from the Georgetown Branch - for writing this post.

Wordless Books! Wordless Books! Wordless Books!

Did you know...wordless picture books are a GREAT way to help your child with pre-reading and reading skills.  When you share a wordless book with your child, try taking turns telling the story.  This helps children learn how stories work AND helps teach new words!  Pictured on the left are some of my favorite wordless books -- click on them to find their availability in the library's catalog.

Do you have favorite wordless books?  Click here for a list of more titles!

Come see the dancers perform!

Kids of all ages and their families are invited to join us for a special, mini-performance by the Fort Wayne Ballet on Tuesday evening, November 15th at 7:00 pm - doors open at 6:45. This special ballet presentation will feature Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

You'll love watching this classic children's book dance to life!  We will follow a caterpillar eating its way through a wide variety of foods before turning into a glorious butterfly. A delightful story of life with a very big appetite! This FREE mini-performance by the Fort Wayne Ballet will be held in the theater at the Main Library on Tuesday evening, November 15th, at 7:00 pm.

Doors open at 6:45 for the 7:00 pm performance.

(And did I mention that it's FREE?!?!)

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!

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.