Share a Modern Classic Today: The Stinky Cheese Man

Yes, I used the word "classic" and the word "stinky" in the same sentence. It is true, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales is a modern classic. A classic laugh riot. Or in other words: a kind of new, but also kind of old unbelievably stupid book that will make you laugh until you cry. And the great thing about this book is it is not just for kids. In fact, the older you are, the funnier it gets*. Really: It. Gets. Funnier.

And the illustrations are pretty okay too. Lane Smith won a Caldecott honor for his artwork. Not bad for a fairly stupid book.

*Reader must have an appreciation for really, really stupid humor mixed with a few fairy tales.

Where Else in the Wild?

Look carefully at the orchids on the cover of Where Else In the Wild?. Can you see the Orchid Mantis?

The creatures featured in this book are experts at camouflage. Each page features a gorgeous photograph with camouflaged creatures for you to find. Then you can open the flap to see them revealed and read a little information about their lives.

Did you know that as many as 10,000 snowshoe hares can live in a square mile? I didn't.

Do you have visitors?

Bring them to the Library!

Since the new building at 900 Library Plaza opened in 2007 we have noticed a new local tradition...Fort Wayne families LOVE to show off their new library to out of town visitors during the weekend after Thanksgiving.

So if you are looking for something fun and warm to do this weekend, bring your friends and family in to meet us.

Reading Babies!

Read to your baby, start early & read often. Celebrate reading by visiting the library and attend baby storytime whenever you can.

Today at the Main Library we have:

Babies and Books at 10AM
Toddler Time at 10:30AM & 11AM

These programs are always a lot of fun, join us!

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

The library is closed today and will reopen tomorrow morning. Have a great day :)

It's Time for Snow!

As part of the Downtown Fort Wayne HolidayFest, the Children's Services department will be offering a special "It's Time for Snow!" program tonite from 4:30 to 6:00 pm.

Here's what we have planned:

• Create a night-time snow scene using chalk
• Color a snow-related coloring sheet
• Make a snowflake on the computer
• Fold and cut out your own unique snowflake
• Make a packing peanut snowman
• Check out a book all about snow
• Make some (pretend) snow of your very own

We hope you stop by with your family!

What are you thankful for?

What are you thankful for? Let us know by posting a comment here.

I am thankful for good books and a fun preschool storytime program! You are welcome to join me for storytime today at 10:30 am. (9:30am for preschool & daycare groups.)

See you there!

Frogs, Mermaids, Geese, and Mount Everest

Question: What do frogs, mermaids, geese and Mount Everest have in common?

Answer: Books on these topics all appear on the ACPL Mock Sibert Blog.

If you enjoy non-fiction books, take some time to look at the titles on the ACPL Mock Sibert blog. These books are the best of the best of this year's non-fiction for children. Plan to attend the Mock Sibert program in January to help us pick the BEST non-fiction book of the year.

America Recycles Day

Children's Services celebrated America Recycles Day on November 14th at Science Central. Our booth featured a recycled book game and examples of fun stuff to make from old books and magazines, including this tree made from an old worn out book. Look for some more ideas for recycled arts and crafts on our booklist.

Need a tutor?

Looking for a fun educational field trip for your students or children? Does your fifth grader need a little extra math help?

Check out the resources on our Local Learning and Literacy Resources page.

Children's Mock Newbery Election

Here is the list for the 2010 Children's Mock Newbery Election program!

Kids in third grade through sixth grade are invited to attend. Read the books from the list, add comments to our Mock Newbery blog, and join us for a discussion of which was the best children's book of the year! Advanced Registration required.

We will have refreshments, door prizes, and a lively discussion.

• Anything but Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin
• The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
• The Great and Only Barnum: the Tremendous, Stupendous Life of P.T. Barnum by Candace Fleming
• The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
• Melonhead by Katy Kelly
• When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Happy reading!

The Library is Closed Today

Today is Staff Development Day and the library is closed. The Main Library will reopen at 9am tomorrow and the branch libraries will reopen at 10am tomorrow. See you then!

Your Library is a STAR!

Library Journal identified 258 star libraries in the United States and the Allen County Public Library is one of them! ACPL was rated a 4 star library - hooray!

It's Letter K Playday!

Calling all preschoolers! Join the fun of Smart Start Storytime at today at 10:30; then grab your grown-up and spend some time exploring the

Letter K
in the Early Learning Center.

Activity stations designed for adult and child play will be set up and available for use throughout the day, until the Early Learning Center closes at 8:00 p.m.

The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions

Would you like to mix up your own invisible ink? What about finger paint? Do you know how to make your own stickers? Check out the Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions, and you'll have the instructions you need to whip up your own paints, doughs, glues, and more!

Memory Wall 2009

The memory wall in the Children's Services department was created during our Day of the Dead celebration to allow our patrons to remember a loved one who had passed away. While these memorial marigolds ranged from honoring parents to pets, they were all written with love and respect.

FotoViewr - Create your 3D photo gallery

How Do You Read with a Baby?

Parents and caregivers of babies and young children -- and expectant parents, too -- are encouraged to attend our Early Literacy program on Print Motivation this Wednesday, November 18th, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Come and learn what kinds of books are appropriate for the babies and toddlers that you care for, and find out how to make reading time FUN!

America Recycles Day!

Visit the Children's Services booth to celebrate America Recycles Day at Science Central today between 10am and 2pm. Admission to Science Central is FREE, but you need to visit this site to print out an admission flyer.

Day of the Dead 2009

Over four hundred people visited Children's Services to enjoy Day of the Dead activities and share memories of loved ones. We took a LOT of pictures of dancing skeletons! If you would like to see more photos of our Day of the Dead events including selections from the marigold arch and board of memories click here.

Fractured Fairy Tales Storytime -- This Saturday!

Join us at 11:00 a.m. this Saturday, November 14th as we take a new -- and silly -- look at some of our favorite stories. Families with children of all ages are invited to attend.

After storytime, spend some time exploring the Children's Department. Younger children and their grown-ups may want to spend time in our Early Learning Center; older kids (ages 7-12) can catch a good read in our Reading Tower.

Whatever your age, there's something fun for YOU at the library this weekend!

Award Winning Art

Illustrations by Beth Krommes told the story of Susan Swanson's The House in the Night well enough to win the 2009 Caldecott Medal in January. Which one of this year's beautiful books will win the 2010 medal? If you're in grades 3-6, you can have a vote in our own Kids' Mock (pretend) Caldecott Election this January. Register by calling 421-1220.

And join us tomorrow (Thursday, 11.12.09) from 2:00-3:00 or 4:00-5:00 to talk about picture book art and create some art of your own in the style of a past Caldecott award-winner.

This Thursday, we'll look at past award winning books, and make a mock wood-block print in the style of Mary Azarian's Snowflake Bently . Next Thursday, we'll explore the elements of design, look at this year's best new picture books, and make a shape collage to take home.

Oggie Cooder is the New Junie B Jones!

Oggie Cooder is a quirky but endearing fourth-grader who is considered the class weirdo, but he remains blissfully unaware of his fellow students' opinions as he engages in a host of eccentric activities. Your child will love the hilarious antics in which Oggie finds himself!

Cooking Together!

Introducing your children to cooking is a great way to spend time together and teach them a life long skill.
Cook It Together takes 10 common ingredients that kids love, including tomatoes, potatoes, and chocolate, explains where each food comes from and how it's made, then offers 20 healthful, easy-to-follow recipes for delicious dishes.

A Busy Saturday at the Library!

Two big events today at the Main Library:

Meet Patricia Wrede in Young Adults' Services at 10am.

Enjoy Day of the Dead activities in Children's Services from 2pm to 4pm.

See you at the Library!

Looking for an Indiana author?

If you are looking for a list of Indiana authors and illustrators, check out this site. You can search by genre, location, name and even publication date.

Have you thanked a youth worker today?

Today, November 5, 2009, is Thank a Youth Worker Day. Check out the Thank a Youth Worker Day website and take this opportunity to thank some of the many people who help our kids grow and learn!

Youth workers of all types are important -- teachers, childcare providers, moms, dads, pediatric doctors & nurses, men & women in social service agencies, nannies, children's therapists & psychologists, caseworkers, school counselors, music teachers, coaches -- the list goes on and on! You are all appreciated and valued. Thank you!

Day of the Dead

Visit Children's Services at the Main Library this Saturday & Sunday for a Day of the Dead Open House from 2 to 4pm.

Learn about this joyful Mexican holiday that celebrates the lives of the departed. Decorate your own sugar skull to take home, get your photo taken as a dancing skeleton at the new photo op board, add your memories to the community memory board, create your own button, make marigolds & masks, taste bread of the dead and more!

Saturday, November 7th, 2 to 4pm
Sunday, November 8th, 2 to 4pm

Secret Ways to Freedom

Susie Hague recently presented a program in Children's Services so that we could all learn about the Underground Railroad. It wasn't a real railroad, of course, but all of the secret ways that people escaped slavery in the United States in the 1800's. Many walked hundreds of miles to Canada, staying in safe houses if they were lucky enough to find them. And one man, Henry Brown, mailed himself to Philadelphia. You can read all about it in the book, Henry's Freedom Box . The kids at the library program got to climb into a crate the size of the one that Henry used. Check out these pictures and later, check out a book about the Underground Railroad:

Patricia Wrede This Saturday!

Patricia Wrede author of many science fiction and fantasy favorites for children and teens will be here at the Main Library on Saturday and she wants to talk to you!

Join Ms. Wrede in Young Adults' Services this Saturday at 10am for an informative and interesting presentation. For more information click here.

Today's the Deadline for the Poetry Contest

Today, November 2nd, is the last day to get your I Love It When.... poetry contest entry submitted for the annual poetry contest. This contest is open to all kids in Kindergarten through Grade 12. Bring your poem to the Allen County Public Library's Children's Services department by 9:00 pm tonite.

Want to look over the other rules for the contest? Click here!

In November

Don't forget to set your clocks back an hour!

Enjoy November, it is a beautiful month. If you need a little reminder of the joys of this month, check out Cynthia Rylant's In November.