Black History Art Contest

Stop by the Children's Services department to see the wonderful art in our display cases.

The Fort Wayne African/African American Historical Society held the Black History Art Contest for children in April of last year. The contest's focus was African American inventors and researchers who have made landmark contributions to the scientific advancement of society. The keyboard, the pencil sharpener, the lawn mower, the cell phone and the traffic light are just some of the inventions of African Americans interpreted by the students' artwork. All area public, private, parochial schools and youth centers and clubs were invited to participate.
We are thrilled to have this art on display!

Suddenly Stories!

Join our volunteers for Suddenly Stories this Saturday morning at 10am. The theme for this program is The Amazing Alphabet! Families with children of all ages are invited to listen to stories, songs and rhymes shared by our volunteers. Stay after the story session for a special bear craft project.

New Picture Book - I Can Be Anything!

I Can Be Anything!
written by Jerry Spinelli
illustrated by Jimmy Liao

At this time of year, when many folks are looking forward to the end of the school year and graduations, this book will get the imaginations of readers of all ages soaring with the
many, many, many
possibilities of what they can be! After reading, I'll bet you'll be able to think of even more...after all, why limit yourself?

Get Ready for Summer Reading!

The Library has a whole summer planned for families with fun events and reading incentives!

Take a look at the Make a Splash! website for more information on this year's Summer Reading Program. It's all free, and it's happening at all Allen County Library locations.

New Series for Children

When Luke Watson turns into a werewolf for the third time, the Government Housing of Unusual Lifeforms (G.H.O.U.L.) moves his family to Scream Street a frightful community of vampires, zombies, witches, and sundry undead. Though Luke quickly makes friends, he vows to find a way to take his terrified parents home. The secret to opening the exit, he learns, is collecting six powerful relics the founding fathers left behind. But with a sinister landlord determined to thwart Luke at every turn, will he even get past the first hurdle alive?

National Playground Safety Week

This week is an opportunity for families, community parks, schools and child-care facilities to focus on preventing public playground-related injuries. More than 200,000 children (that's one child every 2 1/2 minutes) require emergency room treatment due to playground injuries every year.
Visit the Playground Safety website to learn more.

New Magazine in Children's Services!

Kiki is an award-winning magazine and creativity journal for girls ages 8 and older. Kiki helps each reader develop her personal style and gain self-confidence. Kiki features (7) departments in every issue: Art Bin, Biz Buzz, From the Studio, Kiki Care, Kiki Fun, World Beat, and Your Style.
	√ Quarterly √ No advertising √ 80 pages per issue

Meet Curious George!

You can meet Curious George tomorrow during the FREE YMCA Healthy Kids Day event at Parkview Field.

George will be at the ACPL Children's Services booth at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. & 1:15 p.m.

Bring your camera with you and be sure to enter to win a bag of Curious George goodies while you are there!

Dogs in the Library?!?

Yes! Paws to Read is tonight at 6:30pm - 7:30pm in the Children's Services department!
Please visit the Library and read a story to a book-loving dog. A trained therapy dog will be here tonight with her handler -- and they want to listen to you read! Research shows that children enjoy improving their reading skills by practice reading to animals. Morgan or Samantha and their handlers will have an hour to spend at the Library -- readers will take turns as time allows.
What could be more fun?!?

Mirror, Mirror

Look at this book!
You'll be so surprised.
Backward and forward,
Everything changes.
You'll see!

You'll see!
Everything changes.
Backward and forward,
You'll be so surprised.
Look at this book!

Monkeying Around

Curious George stopped by Children's Services to say hello the other day! Hello, Curious George!

You can meet Curious George on Saturday during the FREE YMCA Healthy Kids Day event at Parkview Field.

George will be at the ACPL Children's Services booth at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. & 1:15 p.m.

Bring your camera with you and be sure to enter to win a bag of Curious George goodies while you are there!

Two Questions for the Writer in Residence

Last week we had two questions for Fredrick McKissack, Jr.

Dear Mr. McKissack: I would like to know how to become an author? How do you write and make covers? - Bethany

For both fiction and non-fiction, it all begins with an idea. With "Shooting Star" I wondered what if a high school students started taking performance-enhancing drugs; with "Black Diamond" the idea originated with the book's editor, Ann Reit, who thought children and young adults would be interested in what baseball was like before Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier. After the idea, I start researching and outlining, and from there, I write a rough draft. That’s just the beginning, because what happens next is what all writers go through: rewriting. That's where the idea really blossoms, because you see plot holes and dead-ends, as well as chances to revamp scenes and either beef up or cut characters. This is where a good editor is great to have. The editor helps the writer focus the story. It's good to have another set of eyes to see and ears to hear. Even with your schoolwork, it's good to get feedback from someone else.

As for covers, the publishing house and editor works with art directors and illustrators who read the book and figure out the most creative way to get a potential reader to pick up the book. It's an art since covers are not just there to protect the pages. The cover has to catch the reader's eyes and communicate what's inside.

Thank you for the question. - Fred

Dear Mr. McKissack: How do you publish your books? - Lindsay

Lindsay,

I work with publishing houses that have editors, book designers, booksellers who help turn a story into a book. You'd be surprised at how many people work to make and sell a book. It goes beyond the writer and editor.

Thank you for the question. - Fred

If you would like to know more about how to write and publish books check out these great titles:

• Look at My Book by Loreen Leedy
• Write Now! by Joe Rhatigan
• In Print: 40 Cool Publishing Project for Kids by Joe Rhatigan
• The Young Writer's Guide to Getting Published by Kathy Henderson
  

Do you have a question for Fred McKissack, Jr.? Send it to me.

Chester's Masterpiece!

Chester's Masterpiece is a delightful story written by none other than Chester himself...with "NO help from Mélanie Watt", as he has written on the cover with his red marker...

...however, as you make your way through the book, you will see the sticky notes left by the Canadian author and illustrator, as she tries to assist Chester with his story...

In the end, the two work together to create a fun story. And who knows? Maybe after sharing this book with your youngster, he or she may be asking to write their OWN story!

Click here to see other books about Chester by Mélanie Watt.

Chance to win FREE Youtheatre Tickets!

Would you like to win FREE tickets to Fort Wayne Youtheatre's production of Princess and the Pea at Arts United Center? Visit the ACPL Kids Facebook page and leave a comment by Tuesday, April 20 @ 10am. Let us know which performance you prefer: Saturday, April 24th or Sunday, April 25th at 2pm.

Not on Facebook? Email me your name and preference.

FWMoA Chalk Walk 2010

Sign up for the Fort Wayne Museum of Art
Chalk Walk now!
The Chalk Walk is based on an Italian tradition of street painting that dates to the 16th century, known as i madonnari (street painters). Using pastels, they may choose to reproduce existing artworks or create their own.
As part of the Three Rivers Festival, Chalk Walk is truly a community event and will draw on the amazing talents of area, regional and national artists. Individuals and families with no training in art are just as welcome.
There is no charge to particpate and it is a wonderful opportunity for young and emerging artists, a fun family event, and a wonderful way to meet a variety of amazing people.

Suddenly Stories!

Join our volunteers for Suddenly Stories this Saturday morning at 10am. The theme for this program is Bears, Bears, Bears! Families with children of all ages are invited to listen to stories, songs and rhymes shared by our volunteers. Stay after the story session for a special bear craft project.

National Library Week

Check out this awesome National Library Week slide show with the winning bookmarks and photos from the Day in Allen County 2010 project. Stop by the library today and ask for your National Library Week book bag!

Spring Puppet Show Re-Cap

Created with flickr slideshow.

Hopefully, you were able to attend one of our Preschool Puppet Show performances a few weeks ago. Here are some shots of the action -- and if you'd like to see the entire performance, tune in on the following dates and times to the Library's Public Access Channels:

Comcast Channel 55 or Verizon FIOS Channel 25:
April 16: 8:42 a.m.
April 17: 2:42 p.m.

Comcast Channel 57 or Verizon FIOS Channel 27:
April 13: 10:00 a.m.
April 15: 8:00 p.m.
April 19: 8:00 p.m.

Communities Thrive @ Your Library

National Library Week celebrates libraries, librarians and the pleasures and importance of reading.

We invite you to come and visit YOUR library!

National Holocaust Remembrance Day

The United States Congress established the Days of Remembrance as our nation's annual commemoration of the Holocaust and created the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as a permanent living memorial to the victims. This year the Holocaust Remembrance Day is today, Sunday, April 11. This year's theme is Stories of Freedom: What You Do Matters.

For more information, visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, or check out a book to read more about the subject.

It is Springtime in the ELC!

We can tell it is Spring in the Early Learning Center when we start to find drawings like this one in the mailbox. Stop in with your preschooler and spend some time at the writing center drawing pictures and writing stories. Everything you do in the Early Learning Center together, helps your child build important early literacy skills.

We can't wait to see you!

The Early Learning Center is open:

Monday through Thursday: 9am to 8pm
Friday & Saturday: 9am to 6pm
Sunday: Noon to 5pm

PBS Kids Trash to Treasure Contest

Do you love to invent? Do you enjoy using old stuff to create new stuff? Here is a chance for kids ages 5 to 19 to invent something with trash and win a trip to Boston to be on TV! Check out this link for more information about the PBS Kids Trash to Treasure contest.

A Question for the Writer in Residence

Last week we had one question for Fredrick McKissack, Jr.

Dear Mr. McKissack: Do you have any pets? Do you ever write about them? Sincerely, Mary

No, we don't have any pets. My son Mark has cat and dog allergies. Mark would like an elephant or a snake, but he may have to settle for a small, non-poisonous turtle. When I was a boy, we had two dogs, two cats, some gold fish, and a box turtle that may have joined the circus. I was never given the full story. Thanks for the question Mary.
-Fred

Do you have a question for Fred McKissack, Jr.? Send it to me.

Have you entered the Writing Contest?

Time is running out to enter the PBSKidsGo! Writing Contest.

Entries from children in Kindergarten through Grade 3 will be accepted at the Main Library until 6:00 pm, Friday, April 9th. Bring your entry to the Children's Services desk.

We're looking forward to reading your stories!

Fox and Hen

Oh, no! Henrietta Hen laid her very first egg today but sly Red Fox has tricked her into giving it to him! And now he plans to gobble it all up. But Henrietta doesn't want her precious egg boiled, poached, scrambled, or fried. Whatever will she do? Together, Henrietta and her friends on the farm hatch a cunning plan to fool Red Fox--and save her egg from becoming an omelet. A wittily told tale, beautifully enhanced by Eric Battut's charming and earthy illustrations.

Babies and Learning

There are many ways to help children thrive in their earliest years of life. Babies in the Rain explains the theories behind the best practices for infant and toddler care as well as preferred methods for doing so. In a personable, humorous voice, Jeff Johnson shares his own stories about the amazing ways infants and toddlers learn. He offers valuable information on how to spend quality time with young children by building strong emotional environments, nurturing meaningful relationships, and promoting child-centered, age-appropriate learning.

Happy Easter!

The library is closed today. We'll see you tomorrow morning!


Have a wonderful Easter!

It's Time to Plan Your Garden!

The warm, sunny weather we've enjoyed recently here in Allen County has me thinking about what I'd like to see growing in my yard this summer! If you're thinking the same thing, why not stop by the Library and pick up some gardening books for your family? We have loads of books to inspire young gardeners.

Cosmic!

I just finished reading this book, and I can't wait to tell you about it!

Imagine being 12 years old, but looking more like you're 30...and...imagine all the stuff you could do! ...like, pretend to be a teacher on the first day of school! ...or...talk a car salesman into letting you test drive a new sports car! Liam, the main character in Cosmic, does just that...and more!

Liam pretends to be his friend Florida's dad, and together they enter a contest...little do they know that the contest will end up taking them all the way to China, and then....into space! Liam, who is a self-proclaimed video game expert and in the "Gifted and Talented" group in school, thinks he knows all there is about being a grown-up, but finds out there's more to it than he realized...

To find out what happens, read Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce.

At the end of the book, you'll find several links to some fun websites, like
NASA's Space Your Face
and
NASA Kids' Club .

Happy reading!

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