Remembering 9/11



America Is Under Attack
by Don Brown

  Explaining the events of September 11, 2001 can be difficult, especially with children. Here are some books and websites that may be helpful for parents and teachers.

Books

14 Cows for America
by Carmen Agra Deedy with Wilson Kiimeli Naiyomah
illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez

Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey
by Maira Kalman


Websites

9/11 Memorial: Teach + Learn
The official website of the 9/11 Memorial includes tips for talking with your children about the events.

PBS.org: America Responds
Provides information on the events of 9/11, as well as tips and resources for parents and teachers.

Our History is Our Strength: Women's History Month 2011

Eleanor Roosevelt...Harriet Tubman...Dolley Madison...Rosa Parks...Susan B. Anthony...Mother Teresa...these are just a few of the many, many famous women who have made their mark on history.

March is Women's History Month, and is the perfect time to read up on the contributions women have made!

Visit us at the library to explore the biographies...

...or explore the Biography Center in World Book Online...

... or try some of the following websites:

• Women's History Month @ History.com
• FactMonster.com: Women's History
• World History Timeline: Famous Women
  

Celebrate African- American History

We are well into February, which means we are well into African-American History Month! Whatever your age, take advantage of the information and resources that are available to learn more about the important contributions the African-American community has made in our country. A good place to start is our African-American History Booklist , where you will find great biographies and non-fiction books, as well as stories, folktales, music and poetry.


You may also want to investigate some of the following websites:

Time for Kids: Black History Month
Library of Congress: African American History
Kaboose.com: Black History Month Crafts and Activities

ArtSmart

Teachers and homeschooling parents...check out ArtSmart! Developed by the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette and the The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, ArtSmart provides a wealth of information on Indiana artists, complete with lesson plans and activities to encourage the study of the art, history and culture of Indiana. Developed originally to support the Indiana history studies of 4th graders, its many ideas can be adapted for use with a variety of grade levels.

You can find a link to ArtSmart, as well as other resources about Indiana and Fort Wayne history, on our Fort Wayne and Indiana History Booklist.

Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com.

Today is King Tut Day!

On this day -- November 4th -- in 1922, the entrance to King Tut's tomb was discovered in Egypt's Valley of the Kings by Howard Carter and his workmen.

Check out some books about Tutankhamen and/or Ancient Egypt, and learn more about the pharaoh known as the "boy king".

Happy Fourth of July!

The Children's Services department of the Allen County Public Library

wishes you a peaceful, happy and fun-filled holiday

on this Fourth of July!

Amazing Olympic Athlete Wilma Rudolph

The amazing Wilma Rudolph was born today in 1940. Not only was she the first woman to win three gold medals at the same Olympics, she overcame many adversities in her young life. She contracted polio at age six, survived the depression and was subjected to school segregation.
There are many books about this inspirational woman ~ read one and get inspired!

February is Black History Month

Celebrate Black History Month with a good book! Here are a few that I highly recommend:

• Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
• Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
• Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose
• Carver, a life in poems by Marilyn Nelson
  

The Declaration of Independence Signers

Signing Their Lives Away is a new take on our founding fathers and the men who signed the Declaration of Independence.
It is a kind of 'everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask' book!
Each chapter in the book highlights one signer with a catchy title.
You will have to check out the book in order to discover who the authors are profiling in the chapters titled, The Signer Who is Two Degrees from Kevin Bacon, The Signer Who Slept in Caves and The Six Finger Signer!
This is a great book for older readers interested in quirky tidbits of history.

Milton Meltzer 1915-2009

Please stop by the Children's Department and check out our display highlighting
author Milton Meltzer.

In the fall of 1956 Milton published his first book, A Pictorial History of the Negro American, co-written with Langston Hughes.

Four of Milton's books went on to become National Book Award Finalists. He has written books on topics ranging from the history of the potato to a biography of George Washington.

Join us in honoring and remembering this great author.

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!

Presenting the Past: Natural heritage in the classroom

On Friday, February 27, 2009 the Indiana Council for History Education will be holding the conference Presenting the Past: Natural Heritage in the Classroom here at the Main branch of the Allen County Public Library. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to spend a day immersed in the natural and human history of Indiana. For more information about this, click here.

Stitchin' and Pullin': A Gee's Bend Quilt

Stitchin' and Pullin': a Gee's Bend Quilt by Patricia McKissack with illustrations by Cozbi A. Cabrera is not to be missed. History and art are intricately stitched together by the author & illustrator to create this lovely picture of the Gee's Bend community. Don't skip the introduction or the author's note!

Our Children's department has changed through the years!

This is what the Children's Services department looks like now:




Click on this link to see what the Allen County Public Library Children's Services department looked like in 1928.

Check out the Allen County Community Album to see other great pictures of our Library and of our community.