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Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween!

Click here to find this book in the Library Catalog!Take a trip down the "spooky" Halloween streets with Denise Fleming's Pumpkin Eye. A perfectly written and vibrantly illustrated preschool glimpse of the holiday.

Or read a Halloween book online at LookyBook. They have a nice selection of holiday books including one of my new favorites: Frank Was a Monster Who Wanted to Dance by Keith Graves. I just love Frank's positive attitude!

Happy Halloween!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Computer Software at the Library

Did you know that you can check out computer software at the library? We have tons of titles to choose from, for all kids of all ages.

Click here to find this software in the Library Catalog!
You can practice your keyboarding skills with SpongeBob...





Click here to find this software in the Library Catalog!
...land on Mars...







Click here to find this software in the Library Catalog!...and even learn a new language!






Stop by Children's Services today to browse the software collection and take a few home.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Letter B Play Day!

Celebrate letter B play day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today in the Early Learning Center. You will find activities and games focusing on the letter 'B'. If you can't make it in today, make it a letter b play day at home with your preschooler. Work together to find all of the things in the room that start with the letter 'B', practice writing 'B' together, see if you can make the letter 'B' with your body or draw a picture of something that starts with the letter 'B'.

You can also celebrate the letter 'B' at the Smart Start Preschool Storytime "Bats are Beautiful" at 10:30 a.m. today.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Justin Roberts in Concert

Click here to find a CD to check out!Justin Roberts in Concert!
Friday, November 7th at 10:30 a.m. & 1:00 pm.


Theater, Main Library

Preschoolers and families: Popular children's musician, Justin Roberts and his 4-piece band will present a rousing performance of songs from his many sound recordings. Seating is limited; tickets will be available in Children's Services beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 7th. Classes should call Children's Services at 421-1220 to register for the 1:00 p.m. performance.

To learn more about Justin and hear some of his music online, click here. To find a CD to check out, click here.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Eco Kids Club: The Water Cycle

On Monday, October 13th, Matt Jones from the Allen County Partnership for Water Quality shared a wealth of amazing information about water with the homeschool kids and parents in the Eco Kids Club. The photo above shows the kids out in the Great Hall getting ready to put together a water time line. We all learned a lot from this informative presentation.

If you are concerned about the environment, join the Eco Kids Club now! Just come to the next meeting on Monday, November 10th at 2 p.m. to learn about Trees, Beautiful Trees with a speaker from Trees Indiana.

Or if you can't make it to the program, check out some of the books on our Environmental Issues Booklist to learn what YOU can do to make a difference!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Goodnight Goon by Michael Rex

There are many treasures to be found on the new book shelves in Children's Services; among them is Goodnight Goon: A petrifying parody by Michael Rex.

This delightfully spooky spin is perfect for the child who has graduated from Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon and is ready for a chilling bedtime book.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Early Reader Roundup: On the Go with Mr. & Mrs. Green

The Early Reader Roundup kids met on Friday, September 5th to discuss On the Go with Mr. & Mrs. Green by Keith Baker. After the discussion, the kids created their very own board games with words from the book. Check out more pictures of the program here.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Day of the Dead!

Explore Day of the Dead, the joyous Mexican holiday, at the following locations:
  • Tecumseh Library, Wednesday, October 29th 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. (all ages)
  • New Haven Library, Thursday, October 30th from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. (teens)
  • Pontiac Library, Saturday, November 1st 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. (all ages)

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Art Out of the Box: Printmaking



Art Out of the Box: Printmaking took place on Friday, October 10th. We had the wonderful opportunity to meet local artist Kay Gregg and hear her speak about screen printing. We then talked about several other printing methods, discussed art works and practiced a few techniques. The kids each made a styrofoam print and a sponge print. Check out more photos of their amazing work here.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Reading Tower Time!

Isaac finally, finally, finally turned 7 this month! He has been anxiously waiting to go up in the reading tower since it arrived last April. Congratulations Isaac!
His sister Sierra still has three more years to wait, but she enjoys reading in the red bubbles downstairs.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The Tales of Beedle the Bard Essay Contest

Calling all Harry Potter fans! The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a companion title to the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling, will be released in the U.S. on December 4, 2008. To celebrate the event, Scholastic, the publisher of the Harry Potter books, is sponsoring an ESSAY CONTEST, open to kids ages 8-17. Entrants must submit an essay, 200 words or less, about how they've helped others. Five winners will be chosen to receive a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, for a special event at the National Library of Scotland!

The contest ends soon -- all entries must be received by October 30, 2008! Read more about the contest and the new book on the Harry Potter Website at Scholastic.com.

Smart Start Preschool Storytime: Feelings

Click here to find this book in the Library Catalog!This Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m. we'll be featuring stories about Happy & Sad and Other Feelings at the Smart Start Preschool storytime.

We'll laugh, we'll cry, and we'll get really mad; it will be loads of fun! Please join us!

Monday, October 20, 2008

In a Dark, Dark Wood

Click here to find this book in the Library Catalog!In a Dark, Dark Wood by David A. Carter is the perfect "scary" story for preschoolers. This wonderfully creepy and amazingly simple book pulls the reader in until the scary surprise at the end literally jumps off of the page!

After just a few readings, you and your preschooler will have the story memorized and can tell the story together. This is a great way for your preschooler to practice his/her narrative skills, an important part of early literacy.

For more scary books for kids of all ages, check out our Scary Stories Booklist. Or if you like books that jump out at you, check out our list of Pop-Up Books.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Early Learning Center Mailbox


Look at the wonderful drawing that we found in the Early Learning Center mailbox. We are lucky to receive so much mail. We hope that you enjoy seeing some of it on the blog!

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Donuts!

Click here to find this book in the Library Catalog!I love, love, love donuts & I love, love, LOVE Bob Staake's illustrations of donuts. The Donut Chef is the story of two chefs creatively battling for the biggest donut sales in town. Read this book to see (possibly for the first time ever) a calamari shaped donut!

The illustrations are so wonderfully fun that I recommended that this title be added to the ACPL Mock Caldecott blog for further discussion. If you know of a book with great illustrations that was published this year, feel free to send an email about it to the Mock Caldecott blog coordinator.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Bugs are Insects by Anne Rockwell

Click here to find this book in the Library Catalog!So what are bugs? Do you REALLY know what makes a bug, a bug? Did you know that not all insects are bugs, but all bugs are insects?

If you are a little unsure about the answers to these questions, check out Bugs Are Insects by Anne Rockwell. This book is a Stage One Let's Read and Find Out Science Book, so the facts are explained so that preschool & kindergarten children can understand them. I learned a few things from this book, maybe you will too!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

A Child's Book Review: Dog Breath

Click here to find this book in the Library Catalog!Robert, 3, reviewed Dog Breath by Dav Pilkey:

Dog Breath is stinky. Dog Breath is VERY stinky. Dog Breath makes burglars pass out.

Submit your child's book review to me via email and you may see it in a future "A Child's Book Review" blog post.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

True Green Kids: 100 Ways to Save the Planet

I just saw this brand new book and had to tell someone about it!

True Green Kids, by Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin, has tons of easy things anyone can do to help save the environment -- at home, at school, on vacation -- anywhere! And it also provides plenty of resources, so you can keep learning about this important issue.

For even more books and resources for kids about the environment, take a look at our Recycling and Environmental Issues Booklist.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Fabulous Fridays Homeschool Book Club: November Titles

Calling all homeschoolers in Grades K through 6! The Fabulous Fridays Homeschool Book Club will be getting together on Friday, November 7, at 2:00 p.m. to talk about books and to do some fun book-related activities! Our titles for November are...

Early Reader Roundup (Grades K - 2): Mouse Soup, by Arnold Lobel










Reading Rocks! (Grades 3 - 6): Holes, by Louis Sachar










If you'd like a copy of our November titles, please stop by Children's Services to pick one up today!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Don't Tell the Children: Homeschoolers' Best-Kept Secret

The article "Don't Tell the Children: Homeschoolers' Best-Kept Secret", which appears in the September/October 2008 issue of The Horn Book Magazine is a celebration of books and reading. The author, Sherry Early, shares how books are used (and loved) by her homeschooling family.

This issue is full of Stories Out of School including "Splinters" by Megan McDonald (the author of the Judy Moody books), "An Art School?" by David Wiesner (two time winner of the Caldecott Medal), and "Fortification" by Shannon Hale (winner of a Newbery Honor) to name just a few.

If you enjoy reading about books, visit our Parent Teacher collection where you will find a year's worth of The Horn Book Magazine to check out.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Art Out of the Box: Art Cars II

Click here to see more photos of the ACPL Art Cars!
Click here to see more photos of the ACPL Art Cars!
Click here to see more photos of the ACPL Art Cars!On Friday afternoon, the Art Out of the Box kids met to talk about Printmaking, but since it was such a beautiful day we took a few minutes to finish up the Art Car portion of our program out on Library Plaza. To see more photos of the cars & the kids at work, click here. To see the miniature cars that the kids painted in September, click here. If you would like to see the car that the kids painted in 2007, click here.

Check back in a few days to see the photos from the Printmaking portion of Friday's program.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Marion Vannett Ridgway Award

Have you heard of the Marion Vannett Ridgway Award? I just learned about this award which is given to the author or illustrator of an outstanding debut picture book. Two of my favorite new author/illustrators won in 2008! Check out the entire list of winners since 1993, you are sure to find a few picture books that you love on the list.

2008 Winners:
First Prize: Tae-Eun Yoo author and illustrator of The Little Red Fish
Honor award: Kevin Sherry author and illustrator of I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean

Friday, October 10, 2008

Cool Stuff Exploded: Get Inside Modern Technology

Click here to find this book in the Library Catalog!What is better than cool stuff? Cool stuff exploded, of course! Cool Stuff Exploded: Get inside modern technology by Chris Woodford is overflowing with amazing 3-D computer generated images of, well, cool stuff! Included is an animated CD-ROM featuring some of the images.

Have you ever wondered what is inside of your microwave? Check out pages 110 & 111. What about a watch? The watch on pages 144 to 149 is made of 140 tiny pieces!

Don't miss this book!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Comics Contest


If you've enjoyed the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books by Jeff Kinney, you'll love this contest! It is a Do-it-yourself comics contest for kids ages 6 to 16. The prizes are AWESOME, including a visit from Jeff Kinney, a framed "Wimpify Your Family" original comic by Jeff Kinney, and more.

Entries are now being accepted. The contest closes on January 31st 2009. Click here for all the contest details. Good luck!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

A Child's Book Review: Tails

Click here to find this book in the Library Catalog!Robert, 3, reviewed Tails by Matthew Van Fleet.

We like the foxes wagging their tails. We like the fluffy tales. We like the shiny tail; it's so pretty. We like the alligator and the eggs hatching. We like all of the book.

Submit your child's book review to me via email and you may see it in a future "A Child's Book Review" blog post.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Early Learning Center Mailbox


Emma, this drawing reminds me of springtime. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Happy Anniversary Kits for Kids!

Did you know that your Library has been creating Kits for Kids for 10 years now! We have a wide range of topics available. From Adoption to the Zoo, you will be able to find a topic that interests you. Each kit contains approximately 8 books on a topic, one parent-teacher item and a media item. Last year, we started creating Book Group Kits - which include 15 paperback copies of a title, parent-teacher information, a movie and more! Click here for an entire list of Kits for Kids.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Project Reads

Project Reads starts tomorrow! This program is for children in 1st through 3rd grade who need a little help with reading. Participants meet every Monday afternoon at 4 p.m. for an hour of reading practice and games with a volunteer tutor. Pick up an application at the Library. For more information check out the Allen County Educational Partnership website.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Fabulous Fridays Homeschool Book Club: Danny and the Dinosaur

While gathering information for the Fabulous Fridays Homeschool Book Club on Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff, I found some great dinosaur information. Here are a few of the highlights:

Websites:
Books:
Click here to find this book in the Library Catalog!The Kudlinski book was fascinating to me because most of what I know about dinosaurs I learned in the 3rd grade and the thinking has sure changed since then!

Friday, October 3, 2008

Student Success Magazines

This year the Indiana Department of Education has started a new publication for students. On Track: Your Guide to Success is a mini-magazine for students in grades K to 5. Check out the link to your grade here. The magazines include information on the ISTEP tests, "What You Need to Know in ___ Grade", ideas for planning for the future, a quiz, 10 tips for parents and more!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

A Child's Book Review: Bone Soup

Click here to find this book in the Library Catalog!
Robert, 3, has been enjoying Bone Soup by Cambria Evans every night this week. He says:

I like when the town is empty and there is no feast. Please write that I like the witch and the mummy.

Submit your child's book review to me via email and you may see it in a future "A Child's Book Review" blog post.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

The Cybils 2008

Click here to visit the Cybils webpage!It is time to start nominating titles for this year's Cybils (Children's and Young Adult bloggers' literary awards). Nominations will be accepted between today and October 15th - so don't wait - nominate your favorite titles today. Nominated titles must have been published between January 1, 2008 and October 15, 2008.

You can nominate one title in each of nine genres. To nominate a title, just click the link found below. This will take you to the Cybils blog where you can post a comment with the title & author of your favorite book.

Early Readers
Fantasy & Science Fiction
Fiction Picture Books
Graphic Novels
Middle Grade Novels
Non-Fiction Middle Grade/Young Adult Books
Non-Fiction Picture books
Poetry
Young Adult Novels