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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Library Events for Kids During Spring Break

Many schools in the Fort Wayne area are on Spring Break this week -- why not take some time to visit one of the 14 Allen County Public Library locations? Whether you visit your local branch or try one you've not yet visited, there's sure to be something fun to see and do!

Click here for a schedule of storytimes and other special programs scheduled this week for kids of all ages.

Fort Wayne's Falcons


Did you know that Downtown Fort Wayne has its own resident falcons? A pair of peregrine falcons, named Roosevelt and Freedom, have a nest atop the American Electric Power office building in Fort Wayne. Click here to read more about the falcons and view their live web-cam.

Want to learn more about falcons and other birds of prey? We'll be happy to find some books for you! Just ask!

Monday, March 30, 2009

New Book: Grow: An Environmentally Friendly Book

Check out this great new book for preschoolers about the environment! Grow: An Environmentally Friendly Book takes readers through an environmentally friendly day with simple, thought-provoking illustrations and few words.

Not only is the topic good for the environment, but the package is too. This book was 100% made in Chicago, Illinois using "green" techniques. Check out the book website to see photos of the hand binding process.

To see more books on this topic, check out our booklist.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Early Learning Center Mailbox


Thank you for the drawing Olivia!

We love to see the wonderful drawings that kids and their grown ups create in the Early Learning Center. Stop by today and draw us a picture!

The Early Learning Center is open:
Monday - Thursday 9am to 8pm
Friday & Saturday 9am to 6pm
Sunday 12pm to 5pm

Saturday, March 28, 2009

The Parking Garage is OPEN!

The library parking garage is now open! Hurray! To reach the garage travel:
West on Berry Street
Left on Webster Street
Right on Wayne Street which is temporarily a two way street between Webster St & the library parking garage. You can also now reach the drive-through book drop on Wayne Street.

Check out the map:

Friday, March 27, 2009

Babies Love Books!

Babies love books! They love to touch them, play with them, look at them, bite them and listen to YOU read them. Take some time today to read a book with your favorite baby.

You and your baby are welcome to attend the Babies & Books storytime any Friday morning at 10am. At this short program you can learn a new song or a fun tickle rhyme, listen to stories, dance, bounce and more!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

A Child's Book Review: Howdi Do

Howdi Do by Woody Guthrie was reviewed by 1-year-old Ada:

Good. How-do.

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, March 25, 2009

Children's Literature Resources

Looking for extension activities, discussion questions, or supporting information for your classroom, literature circle, or book club? Take a look at these two websites, graciously provided to us by a homeschooling mom:

Reading Units lists dozens of children's titles with links to questions and activities.

Literature Websites is a source for study guides, literature units, author websites, and lesson plans that extend children's literature.

Happy Reading!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Art Out of the Box: Indiana Quilts

In March the Art Out of the Box kids met to learn about Indiana Quilts. After the discussion, the kids sat down to design a quilt block which will be made into a quilt for Project Linus. To see the rest of the quilt blocks click here.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Mock Caldecott Blog

Adults, do you enjoy reading children's picture books? Do you LOVE great illustrations?

Consider participating in the ACPL Mock Caldecott program this year. Just look at the books listed on the ACPL Mock Caldecott blog and plan to attend the program in January to vote for your favorite. If you can't make it to the program in January 2010, you can still participate throughout the year by commenting on titles on the ACPL Mock Caldecott blog. There are already several titles on the blog for you to comment on, check it out today!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Ask A Librarian


Do you know about our Ask A Librarian email service? If you have a question, you can email it to us and we will get back to you with an answer within 48 hours. Try it today!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Diggers and other Big Trucks



As the city works to lay pipe under the street, the Children's department at the Library is offering some great opportunities for kids -- and their grown-ups -- to enjoy watching big construction equipment in action.


And while you're at the Library, we'd be happy to find some books about big trucks or construction workers for you to take home.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Happy Spring!

Today is the first day of Spring! Hurray! From now until the Summer Solstice in June the days will be getting longer.

Celebrate the new season by checking out a book from our Spring booklist.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

New Book: Advertising to Children

It is estimated that children between the ages of 2 and 11 see over 25,000 ads a year on TV alone! So what does it mean? It means that advertising to children is a big business and a hot topic. If you would like to learn more about this issue check out the new book: Advertising to Children by Marcia Amidon Lusted. After reading this title you will be able to weigh the pros and cons of advertising and better understand the impact that it has on your life.

Parents interested in learning more about this topic can check out Susan Linn's Consuming Kids.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Puppet Show!


Don't miss the Spring Preschool Puppet Show! Just two more days:

Today at 9:30 am, 10:30am & 1:30pm
Tomorrow (Thursday) at 9:30am & 10:30am

See you at the Library!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy Retirement Steve Fortriede!

Yesterday, ACPL and friends said, "Happy Retirement" to Associate Director Steve Fortriede. He has been at the library for 40 years! Steve was named a Distinguished Hoosier in recognition of all of the work that he has done to make a great library for our community. He has even been seen driving with Harry Potter. Thanks for everything Steve!

Monday, March 16, 2009

A Child's Book Review: The Mouse and the Motorcycle

Robert, age 4, says of Beverly Cleary's The Mouse and the Motorcycle:

I like ALL of the book. I liked when the mouse lost the motorcycle.


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.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Early Learning Center Mailbox

What a lovely flower! A great reminder that Spring is almost here.

Today at 2pm, visit the library to see the puppets put on a show and then stay to play in the Early Learning Center. The puppets have been practicing for weeks and they can't wait to see you at the show!

If you can't make it today, there are plenty of puppet shows this week. Click here for a schedule.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Spring Preschool Puppet Show


Spring is just around the corner. That means it's time for Children's Services' Spring Puppet Show! Our puppets and puppeteers can hardly wait to share their stories with you. Performances are scheduled on the following dates and times:

Sunday, March 16, 2:00 p.m. (Dress Rehearsal)
Monday, March 17, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, March 18, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 19, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 20, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Due to space limitations, registration is required for groups, but individual families are welcome to just come and enjoy the fun!

Friday, March 13, 2009

New "Firsts" Booklist

Their first "big bed", first pet, first haircut...children have many "firsts" throughout their childhoods. We now have a list of books for children to help celebrate or prepare for these events.

All titles listed are available through the Allen County Public Library!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Learn about the Star Spangled Banner!

The Smithsonian Museum of American History has published a COOL website about the Star Spangled Banner. You can:
  • Explore the original flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem using an interactive tool...
  • Take a quiz to test your knowledge...
  • Enter a Star Spangled Banner singing contest...
  • and more!
Teachers and Homeschoolers -- clicking on the Resources button at the top of the site will give you access to a great many lesson plans, book lists and other resources for your classroom!

Click here to check it out!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Letter L Play Day!

Today is Letter L Play Day! Start the day with Smart Start Preschool Storytime at 10:30 a.m. and then stay to play with the letter L in the Early Learning Center.

Letter L Play Day activities will be available from 9am to 8pm today! Don't miss this chance to work on letter knowledge with your preschooler. Letter knowledge is knowing the names and sounds of letters and is an important early literacy skill. For more information about early literacy skills, click here.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Eco-Kids Club: Wormy Composting

In February, the Eco-Kids Club met to learn about Wormy Composting with Kira Blacketor from the Allen County Solid Waste Management District. After her talk, Kira let the kids dig through a pile of worms, half composted food, soggy paper bits and worm castings. What fun!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Blog Event!

Share a Story - Shape a Future
Click the above picture to attend a blogging event this week and tour several Children's Literature Blogs. Topics covered each day are Raising Readers, Selecting Reading Material, Reading Aloud--It's Fun, It's Easy, A Visit to the Library, and Technology and Reading--What the Future Holds.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Reading Rocks! Homeschool Book Club Dictionary

On Friday, homeschoolers in Grades 3-6 gathered at the Main Library to discuss Frindle, by Andrew Clements. We had a very animated discussion about words and where they come from; we even made up a few of our own "new" words, which you will find in the list below. Who knows? ... maybe we'll be seeing one of these words in a dictionary someday!

bickle (noun) \bik-ul\ : a female sibling

blee (noun) \blee\ : the page of a book

blingle (noun) \blin-gl\ : a bell

bloop (noun) \b.l.o.o.p\ : a lizard

chaiea (noun) \ca-ya\ : something that grows from the ground; a flower

elbat (noun) \el-bat\ : a piece of furniture with legs and a smooth, even, and level top that rests on the legs

drenair (noun) \dren-eer\ : your hair

flick (noun) \fl-ick\ : fog

flith (noun) \flith\ : a growing, flowering plant

goaleade (noun) \go-ah-led\ : a small, round, copper penny

habble (verb) \ha-bble\ : to crab, to complain

halabbable (verb) \hala-babble\ : to speak too much or too quickly

higafuhaba (adjective) \hi-gu-fu-ha-ba\ : pointless, meaningless, unbelievable, strange

hwwo (noun) \huh-wah-wah\ : a person that does not have a beard

manack (noun) \ma-nack\ : a fizzy, sweet drink with caffeine

murp (noun) \murp\ : a device used for finding your way

plreph (noun) \pl-ref\ : a shiny sea

puvvy (noun) \puv-vy\ : an apple

sningle (noun) \znin-gle\ : the military

speeder (noun) \spee-der\ : a car

thingamagiggerus (noun) \th-i-ng-ah-mah-gih-g-err-ous\ : a bookshelf, or anything else. Derived from Latin.

tocelt (noun) \toe-celt\ : a book

zipidydoda (verb) \zip-idy-do-da\ : run, running

For more word fun, take a look at Merriam Webster's Word Central, where you can "Build Your Own Dictionary", play fun word games, and more.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Special Visitors

Look who came to visit kids at the ACPL on Thursday morning! Mickey and Minnie took a break from their busy schedule with Disney on Ice and stopped by the library for a special meet and greet in the Main Library Theater. Thanks for visiting Mickey & Minnie, we'll see you next time!

Friday, March 6, 2009

Art Out of the Box: Mail Art

In February the Art Out of the Box kids met to learn about and discuss mail art (art that uses the postal service as a medium). We viewed and discussed mail art pieces in a traveling gallery from the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft and after the discussion the kids responded to the approximately 90 pieces of mail art that they had received from kids at schools and libraries across the U.S. To see all of the mail art photos, click here.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Think Baseball!

I know, Opening Day is still a whole month away for Major League Baseball fans, but if you just can't wait for Baseball Season you might want to check out some of these titles:

Six Innings: A Game in the Life by James Preller











Ballpark: The Story of America's Baseball Fields by Lynn Curlee










We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson









For more suggestions, come in to the Library, give us a call at 421-1220, request a Custom Collection, or submit a question via Ask-a-Librarian. Whatever method you choose, we want to help!

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Early Learning Center Mailbox

Hi Trista,

Thank you for telling us about your visit to the library. We love to see children in the Early Learning Center playing (and learning) with their grown ups. By telling you silly stories while you played, your Grammy was helping you to improve your narrative skills. Way to go!

We hope that you and your Grammy come back to see us again soon!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Fabulous Fridays Homeschool Book Club!

Last month, the Early Reader Roundup kids met to discuss Good Night, Good Knight by Shelley Moore Thomas. After talking about the book, everyone made a story spinner like the one that you see pictured here.

Don't miss the Fabulous Fridays Homeschool Book Clubs this Friday at 2pm:
  • Reading Rocks! (Grades 3 to 5) will be discussing Frindle, by Andrew Clements

Monday, March 2, 2009

This Week in Children's Services


This is a week full of events in Children's Services at the Main Library:
  • Today at 2pm and 6:30 pm Fairies and Other Dancing Forest Creatures with the Fort Wayne Ballet. Bring the entire family to this free mini-performance by the Fort Wayne Ballet featuring selections from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Look for fairies and other forest creatures during this magical presentation.
  • Wednesday, March 4 at 10:30 a.m. Smart Start Preschool Storytime: Colors! Colors! Colors!
  • Wednesday, March 4 at 1pm and 2:15pm Elements of Music with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Learn about the elements of music and hear them demonstrated by members of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Instrument demonstrations will include the Bass, the Harp, and the Xylophone.
  • Thursday, March 5 @ 10:30am Disney on Ice Presents: Mickey & Minnie's Magical Journey. Come hear the story of Peter Pan followed by a special meet and greet with the stars from Disney On Ice presents Mickey and Minnie's Magical Journey. The first 100 children will receive a Peter Pan pennant. Tickets are required for this free event. Pick up your free tickets in Children's Services after 9am on Thursday, March 5th.
  • Thursday, March 5 @ 6:30pm Paws to Read. Come to the library and read a story to a book-loving dog.
  • Friday, March 6 @ 10am Babies and Books: Peek-A-Boo!
  • Friday, March 6 @ 10:30am and 11am Toddler Time: Peek-A-Boo!
  • Friday, March 6 @ 2pm Fabulous Fridays Homeschool Book Club: Early Reader Roundup (Grades K - 2): Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa, by Erica Silverman & Reading Rocks! (Grades 3 - 5): Frindle, by Andrew Clements

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Event Reminders

Did you know that the Library will send you email reminders about events that you want to attend? It is true. Search the event calendar, find something that looks like fun and then click on the event. This window will open:
Just click the "remind me" button and input your information and you will get an automatic event reminder. You can also email friends about the event, sign up for notification of similar events and download the event to your calendar from this page.