Open Shut Them

Full of hot air!

2012-01-25T10:36:00.000-08:00

This past Monday, the Youth Media Awards (Oscars of the children's publishing world) were held at the American Library Association's Mid-witner conference. I always watch via webcast holding my breath and crossing my fingers for my favorite picture books. This year, I was thrilled that Balloons over Broadway won the Sibert Award, the most prestigious honor for a children's non-fiction book. Using a combination of collage, puppets, paper mache, objects, sketches, and fabric, Melissa Sweet showcases the exciting life of Tony Sarg, the world's most famous balloon maker.

Tony's love for "tinkering and figuring out how things worked" evolved into puppet making, a marionette show on Broadway, and eventually resulted in him being the mastermind behind the balloons in the Macy's Day Parade.

If you have child who love stories about real things and people, or one who is an enthusiastic puppeteer, check this out for a little inspiration!

Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?

2012-01-18T14:00:00.000-08:00

Today after preschool storytime I had a mother of a September-born son approach me with questions about kindergarten. Every year, as spring kindergarten registration approaches, parents agonize over sending or holding back their late summer/early fall babies.

To help alleviate some of the stress surrounding this decision, and any other unanswered questions parents may have about the kindergarten registration process, the library is offering a Kindergarten Ready or Not night on January 30th at 7pm. The event consists of a panel of local kindergarten teachers from a variety of public, private and parochial schools. Participants have the opportunity to hear the unique perspective of classroom teachers and ask them questions about how best to ready their children for the coming school year.

For a good dose of silliness in the meantime, make sure to read Audrey Vernick's hilarious take on kindergarten, where "you learn to get along without using your horns."

Brand new 'Brary Bags!

2012-01-11T15:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks to a grant from Target, the library has created a collection of 'Brary Bags, each with a different theme, that are filled with books, a toy, and a sheet of awesome early literacy activties to do at home. Starting January 16th, we will have bags at both locations that are appropriate for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Hurry in to get your hands on one before they are all checked out!

"Are You Awake?"

2012-01-04T13:30:00.000-08:00

"Mm-mm. No." responds the mom in this story to her pajama-clad visitor. Edward pries her eye open and asks a string of questions along the lines of, "Why is it dark? Why is it still nighttime? Why hasn't the sun come up yet? Why is it Tuesday?..." You get the picture.

The dialogue is comical and authentically conveys a little boy impatiently waiting for his father, an airline pilot, to arrive home. This is a perfect choice for any toddler or preschooler with a parent who works at night, or travels frequently.

P.S. Don't forget to set an alarm (maybe not the toddler-pulling-your-eyelid kind) about Winter Storytime Registration next Monday, January 9th!

New Year's Resolution # 1: Be Less Prickly

2011-12-28T10:15:00.000-08:00

Pearl LOVES to hug. Unfortunately for the recipients of this enthusiastic show of affection, she's a porcupine. Tired of her friends saying, "Ouch! Thanks, Pearl. Ouch!" when they get hugs, Pearl sets out to find a way to be less prickly. She tries pincushions (but she can't reach her back quills), a long bath (quills don't get softer), and even a quillcut (they grow back rather quickly). Finally, inspired by a thorny rosebush and some buzzing bees, Pearl crafts the perfect dress from a rose-printed pillowcase. Her new wardrobe choice protects her classmates from her quills and she hugs everyone...twice!

This new year, make a resolution with your little ones to hug more often and to try being a bit less prickly.

Procrastinators Unite!

2011-12-21T12:31:00.000-08:00

I have four more days to finish my holiday shopping. Every year, after the rush subsides I think, "I am never procrastinating like this again." Yet, here I am.

Luckily, if you're looking for a few last minute gift ideas, the youth services staff knows how you feel. We even made a gift list of our favorite books published this past year (so you can find them in a bookstore, because you've now missed the cut-off for Amazon deliveries to arrive by Christmas).

Good luck braving the crowds. Trust us, for the books on this list it's worth it! You can worry about "planning ahead" next year.

I Want My Hat Back

2011-12-14T13:49:00.000-08:00

It is red and pointy, and frankly, the weather is getting nasty, so it is very important I find it. This is essentially bear's dilemma. Bear looks a bit more like an over-sized otter to me, but who am I to question the masterfully wry illustrations of Jon Klassen. At any rate, this otter-ish looking bear queries an assortment of forest animals as to the whereabouts of his beloved hat. They all agree they have not seen the accessory in question.

Astute preschoolers will notice that a certain bunny is sporting a suspiciously red-ish, pointy-ish hat, but it takes Bear a few more pages to remember this detail about the guilty rabbit. In a climax that may leave some in shock and others rolling on the floor, bear indeed reclaims his hat, and errr..."dispenses" with the rabbit. When squirrel embarks on a similar journey, this time searching for the now-missing rabbit, bear swears, "I haven't seen any rabbits."

This is surely a book that preschoolers, once they are in on the joke, will want to share with others, waiting eagerly to see their reaction when they discover what bear has done. This is also an excellent choice for readers in early elementary grades learning about reading and writing dialogue, as each of the animal's lines appear in a different color. If stories of comeuppance aren't your cup of tea, pass on this one. Personally, I think the rabbit had it coming.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,

2011-12-07T14:04:00.000-08:00

he might just visit the library next week! A very LARGE and merrily dressed version Laura Numeroff's famous mouse will be at the Centerville Library on December 12th from 4-5pm and 7-8pm.

Library programs like character visits provide your children with opportunities to practice social and fine motor skills. Our games and crafts help prepare kids for school success by promoting cooperation, taking turns, cutting, and coloring. Bringing books to life through character visits is another way we try to make reading an exciting, interactive and enjoyable activity for the whole family!

Come prepared for an excited crowd and make sure to bring your camera or smart phone for a photo op with the mischievous mouse!

"Both of these babies,

2011-11-30T07:18:00.000-08:00

as everyone knows, had ten little fingers, and ten little toes."

This repeated refrain in Mem Fox and Helen Oxbenbury's newest collaboration is pitch perfect for sharing with babies and toddlers. The larger format of the book, called a "lap board book", is heavier than a traditional board book, making it better suited for sharing with children not yet strong enough to hurl it like a weapon.

Remember that it's okay to let your little ones rough house with our board books, it's why we have them in such a sturdy format! They are learning the basics of how to handle books before we give them options with flimsier pages. We refresh our collection regularly, so bring in those ten little fingers and ten little toes to check them out!

I'm thankful for parents who read!

2011-11-23T12:14:00.000-08:00

As a teenager, the furthest thing from my mind was being thankful that my mother read to my siblings and I each night when we were little. Sure, I had some vague fondness for the tales of Laura Ingalls Wilder, or Pippi Longstocking, but I didn't quite grasp that simply by reading to us my mother was actually giving us a competitive edge in school, and in life.

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman calls attention to the role parents play in supporting what their children are learning from teachers in classrooms. He highlights research compiled by the Program for International Student Assessment that shows how being read to at a young age affects students' performance even into their teenage years.

According to the study, "students whose parents reported that they had read a book with their child 'every day or almost every day' or 'once or twice a week' during the first year of primary school have markedly higher scores [on international student assessments] than students whose parents reported that they had read a book with their child 'never or almost never' or only 'once or twice a month.' On average, the score difference is 25 points, the equivalent of well over half a school year."

Children are more motivated to read when the adults in their lives value reading and share books with them. When children enjoy reading they become better readers, learners and problem solvers for life. Now that’s something to be thankful for!

No Power Hour

2011-11-16T12:58:00.000-08:00

This past Monday, Centerville Library experienced a brief power outage. One moment the room was bustling with post-storytime activity and the next: total darkness. A collective, "Ummmm?" could be heard as we all fumbled around blinking in the blackness. Thankfully our generator kicked on and the power came back shortly after that, but it reminded me of a picture book appropriately titled, Blackout.

Rocco's gorgeous illustrations depict a city family using the computer, talking on the phone, watching TV, and generally being "much too busy" one summer evening. Then, suddenly, the lights go out and "nothing worked at all." After finding candles and flashlights, the family soon becomes too hot and bored to stay cooped up inside. They head to the rooftop where, much to their surprise, they find a "block party in the sky" illuminated by the stars and attended by all of their neighbors.

Kick off a No Power Hour in your house by sharing this book with your kids. Turn off computers, TV's, videogames and lights if you are REALLY adventurous. You might rediscover an old favorite for reading aloud by flashlight, or find that candlelight charades with excited little ones are worth waiting one more day to watch that sitcom on your DVR.

Hot Wheels

2011-11-02T13:01:00.000-07:00

The wheels on the bus are burning rubber through the jungle in Jane Cabrera's new picture book version of this favorite song.

Singing is a fantastic way to help your child's language development because it stretches out words and makes it easier to hear the smaller sounds within them. Try reading this story and then singing the song to see how your children respond to the slower pace. Children are more likely to sing along with an adult (especially a parent/caregiver) than alone to music. So, even if the rest of the world believes your singing should be confined to the shower or car, it's time to belt it out!

If you need a little help getting started, pick up a copy of our Storytime Playlist next time you are in.

Ten Little Beasties

2011-10-26T08:29:00.000-07:00

Rebecca and Ed Emberley, a wacky, father-daughter picture book-creating duo, have created the perfect Halloween sing-along in Ten Little Beasties. The beasties are graphic black and white creatures with splashes of color and their paper-scrap appearance will give young artists the confidence to try making their own little creatures.

For more ideas about fun ways to play with picture books, check our events calendar for two new Every Child Ready to Read workshops at the Centerville Library next week!

"He was born a really long time ago,

2011-10-19T06:26:00.000-07:00

before computers or cell phones or television." So begins Lane Smith's nature narrative, Grandpa Green. Grandpa's life is told in simple sentences supported by bushes trimmed to resemble things like the time he got the chicken pox (a puny looking boy-shaped bush with red berries), or how he met Grandma in Paris (cue Eiffel tower topiary and a lady with a teacup).

It isn't until the second to last page that the reader actually gets to see the narrator helping a grown-up Grandpa in the garden. The truly magnificent part of the story happens when the last pages fold out to show each bush that Grandpa has trimmed over his lifetime. His garden acts as an horticultural heirloom so that even though he "forgets things like his favorite floppy straw hat, the garden remembers for him."

Smith's lush story honors "the greatest generation" and will likely appeal to parents who recognize their grandparents in the character of Grandpa and want to share his story with their own children. It may also bring comfort to those families struggling with "remembering" for an elderly family member and put memory-loss into context for young children.

All this chicken wants to do is help!

2011-10-12T13:42:00.000-07:00

Poor Deborah Freedman is almost finished with a lovely picture book when a little chicken from her drawing wants to help by painting the barn blue. An ink pot spills paint all over little chicken and the picture book pages, turning the ducklings, a disgruntled cat and a very alarmed cow a bold shade of blue. The concept of picture book characters coming alive propels this mad-cap mess across beautiful full-bleed pages to the jar of water used by the "helpful" chicken to wash off the book and his farmyard friends.

Freedman's originality and expressive illustrations make this title perfect for using to take a picture book walk with your child. This reading technique is great for using with younger children and involves talking about what is happening on each page based on the pictures before worrying about the words in the story. Take a walk with Blue Chicken and you and your little one might be inspired to do water colors of your own!

Dog Sharing

2011-10-05T09:12:00.000-07:00

With the library's annual Barktoberfest coming up this Saturday, I'm in the mood for a creative canine book. Shutta Crum's latest, Mine, is almost entirely wordless and lets the action between two small children and an eager pup tell the story. The dog gets in on the "sharing" once the tots start tossing their toys in his water bowl. What ensues is a very gleeful (and wet) game of fetch.

If you have a dog, or are a dog-lover, join us this weekend from 10am - 2pm on the Centerville Library lawn for a fundraiser benefiting the Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals (SICSA). I'll be there with my two greyhounds who will be "sharing" their slobbery kisses with everyone while we enjoy the many vendor booths and dog-friendly games.

My Toof is Loothe

2011-09-21T12:55:00.000-07:00

I give you a trio of tooth books. These stories are not your average tooth fairy fair, and are perfect for sharing with children who have started losing their teeth.

Bear's Loose Tooth is the latest bear book from dynamic author/illustrator duo Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman. As with previous books, bear has a problem that his cadre of forest friends try to help him solve. This time, you guessed it, they take turns trying to relieve him of his wiggly tooth. Instead of money, this bear's tooth fairy leaves a delicious plate of ripe blueberries.

April and Esme Tooth Fairies is a tale about a tooth fairy family and two sisters who are eager to join the family business by going out on their own tooth run. A glimpse into their tooth fairy abode and interesting info about the strategies and pitfalls of tooth-collecting will make this one a favorite even among those with all their teeth.

The Tooth Fairy Meets El Raton Perez exposes a new audience to a legendary Latino character. The tooth fairy gets a run for her money from an adventurous mouse as they decide whose job it really is to retrieve the tooth from Miguelito, a Mexican-American boy. This story provides a fun way to introduce folktales from other cultures by using a topic familiar to young children.

Whether your children have all their teeth or are starting to lose their baby ones, these three stories will give everyone something to smile about.

Rockin in My School Shoes

2011-09-14T13:01:00.000-07:00

Pete the Cat, the grooviest cat around, is back in his second picture book adventure and this time his shoes don't just change colors, they take him to different places in his school. The book includes music to give you an idea of how the tune goes, and it will be stuck in your head in no time!

Books that have a musical component are a great way to get your child used to hearing the smaller sounds within words. This ability is known as phonological awareness and is important to your child's early literacy development. Syllables within songs have corresponding notes, making it easier for children to understand that words are made up of different sounds. Children who struggle with reading, often have trouble with this skill. Pick up Pete's newest, and rock out while you read.

Back in the Habit

2011-09-07T13:20:00.000-07:00

And I'm not talking about Whoopi Goldberg in a nun outfit (Sister Act II anyone?). It's time to get back in the habit of visiting the library each week for storytime. Creating a reading routine with your children, like attending storytime, is a great way to make a habit of incorporating early literacy into your day. It also reminds you to bring back the bag of books that slid under the seat of the van. Returning to the routine of fall puts me in the mood for pumpkin spice lattes, scarves, and cozy storytimes with mitten-clad toddlers.

Starting on September 12th at 10am, you can register by visiting us at the library (we do like to gab and catch up with our old friends), by calling us, or by logging onto our website. For a list of storytime dates and times, check out our Storytime Page. On the 12th, there will be a large Registration Now Open button at the top right side of our website that will take you directly to our registration page.

Fall classes fill up soon, so mark your calendars, or put a sticky note on the 'fridge. Storytimes start the following week on September 19th. We can't wait to see you and your children!

Donkey Deliveries

2011-08-31T12:39:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine how different reading to our children would be if our only access to books was through a delivery man on a donkey? Lending periods would seem limited in a much different way. "You mean I have to wait THREE WEEKS until I can get another book?!"

Monica Brown's new picture book, Waiting for the Biblioburro, takes readers on a journey to a small village in South America where a little girl named Ana has only one book to her name. She reads her cuento, or story, over and over until one day a librarian, with the help of his two burros, Alfa and Beto, brings dozens of books to her town . Sprinkled throughout with spanish words, this story is based on the author's experience in Columbia getting to know a traveling librarian.

Share this with your budding bibliophiles and make sure to check out the last page containing spanish definitions and a bit about real traveling librarians all over the world. I felt very humbled and grateful that I don't spend my days in a saddle smelling of donkey.

That One With the Big Frog Eye

2011-08-24T13:28:00.000-07:00

This is probably how you and your little ones will remember this unique "I Spy" book.

A die-cut hole in the middle of the cover (and on each subsequent two-page spread) gives children an opportunity to use color, artwork, and text to guess what animal is hiding on the next page. For example a deep blue color shows through the hole on the first page while the text hints: "I am the biggest animal in the whole world." (Did you guess blue whale?)

This is a delightful example of how a book's purpose (teaching a concept like color or an early literacy skill like vocabulary) is blended seamlessly with the text and artwork. Children won't be able to resist peeking through the hole on each page!

Who's Your Daddy?

2011-08-17T13:09:00.000-07:00

If you're a little boy in one of these two picture books, your daddy is a pretty good sport.

In Mitchell's License the title character uses his dad as a racecar when it's time for bed. It takes some practice to get the hang of driving around a grown up, including one fender bender (Dad's nose against a wall), and some practice pulling on his ear to go in reverse. Tony Fucile's illustrations perfectly capture this pajama-clad father and son duo and show that even the most basic rituals can be turned into a sporting event.

Daddy Adventure Day is told from the perspective of an energetic brown-haired boy who manages to rouse his sleepy father at 4:45am for an adventure day. They attend the boy's first baseball game and the day is full of surprises for both of them. The boy's humorous reminders that there are no cell phone calls to work and no newspaper reading on Daddy Adventure Day keep dad in check while the father's patience with his son's ballpark snack spills help give the adventure a realistic and comforting feel.

Share these with the sports-loving fathers and sons in your life...or the ones who are just good sports.

Nudie Rudy

2011-07-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

The premise of this comic strip-style picture book is pure hilarity. Little Rudy escapes after a bath and, refusing to don any clothes, declares, "No dressed!" He proceeds to streak through the house, much to the horror and amusement of his family who keep yelling, "catch that baby!" and, "Nudie Rudy!". His tiny tushie can be seen as he runs past his big sister reading on the couch, Dad in the kitchen, and finally past Grandma and Grandpa gardening in the sunroom.

When the family finally snags Rudy, he's wearing his pants on his head, has his legs stuck through the sleeves of his shirt, and is proudly proclaiming, "Cutie Rudy!" This is sure to tickle the funny bone of every family member with a toddler in the house. Plus, who can resist getting to yell the word "nudie" while reading aloud? Not me.

Library Bug Squad

2011-07-20T13:09:00.000-07:00

Don't panic, we don't have an infestation situation...at least not YET.

Get your wings and antennae ready for Monday, July 25th. The Ladybug Girl will be at the Centerville Library from 4-5pm and 7-8pm, and the library will be positively crawling with costumes! Insect-inspired crafts and games will round out the evening and, as always, there will be photo opportunities with Ladybug Girl herself.

In this particular installment, Lulu (accompanied by her droopy-eared beagle side-kick, Bingo) tries to boss her friends around and instead ends up finding out that cooperation can be fun. Ladybug Girl is a great example of how dressing up and playing outside can go hand-in hand for little adventurers.

Big brothers don't take naps.

2011-07-13T13:48:00.000-07:00

So says Nick, the little brother in Louise Borden's newest picture book. This story highlights the special relationship between brothers James and Nick, and is a stand-out among other sibling books for what it does not contain. Often, picture books portray a younger sibling as an annoyance to an older one. Instead of this approach, Borden showcases all of the fun and loving things big brothers do for their little brothers. Nick explains, for example, that "James can read all the words in our books. "You can be my page turner." he tells me."

The books ends with a new addition to the family, giving Nick the chance to shine as a big brother himself. Share this book with a second sibling who is about to make the transition from a little one to a big one!

Your Library Story

2011-07-06T09:23:00.000-07:00

Most of us can remember plenty of times we were outraged by bad customer service, but can you recall a time when you were surprised by great service? Sadly, those don't stick out in my memory quite as vividly.

Try taking the time with your children to say "thank you" when you receive good service, or when someone goes out of their way to do something kind for you. It will show them that "thank you" can be much more than just what you say after someone passes the ketchup. Composing a thank you note is also a great way to enhance your child's vocabulary. Use descriptive words to help explain how a situation made you and your child feel. Pick up Greg Foley's Thank You Bear for some inspiration to get you started.

If you have had an experience at the library that made you thankful, we would love to get a note from you and your child (and if you've had one that made you feel not-so-thankful, please let us know so that we can make it right)! A new option on our website will allow you to do just that.

So, I'll take my own advice and say that I am thankful for the wonderful families who join us each week for storytimes and children's programs. Consider this my "Thank You" to you for your enthusiasm, sense of humor, and support for our library.
Sincerely,
Miss Jenna

No puppets? No problem.

2011-06-29T09:26:00.000-07:00

Imaginative play is one of the most meaningful and effective ways to teach children...it's also fun and inexpensive (let's face it, those last two seal the deal for me). You don't need elaborate puppets like the ones made by Folkmanis, (although they make great gift suggestions for grandparents who tend toward toys of the noisy and plastic variety).

You can make almost any book into story pieces with your computer (or one of the library's if your printer is like mine and always seems to be out of magenta) and some laminate or clear packing tape. Books with familiar characters or repeating refrains work best for this type of play, and free clip art images are a cinch to find online.

Example: Today in storytime I handed an animal to each child and we did a group retelling of Bill Martin's classic, Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See? The children helped "tell" the story by bringing up the animals placing them on our easel. Making a game out of stories like this one can help children understand and remember the parts in a story.

If a duckling grows and becomes a duck,

2011-06-22T13:14:00.000-07:00

can a car grow and become...a truck? Do You Know Which One Will Grow? is perfect for the perpetually inquisitive kids in your family. The analogies and rhyming predictions will keep your young one guessing while the lift the flap format makes each page unique.

Rhyming books that encourage children to guess the rhyme based on context clues are great for both phonological awareness AND comprehension.

Press Here.

2011-06-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

Does deceptively simple and utterly delightful sound like your kind of picture book? I dare you to pick up Herve Tullet's Press Here and not smile to yourself as you turn each page. Each spread shows colorful dots and instructions for what to do with them. Pressing, shaking, and rubbing make the dots change color and rearrange themselves on the page. The premise is perfect for getting children involved in the reading process. The "instructions" are funny and conversational. After one page asks the reader to shake the book, the following page shows most of the dots have "fallen off." The text reads "Oooops. That might have been a little bit too hard. Stand the book up straight to make those dots drop down again."

If you can't get enough of these shape and color concepts, you'll love Lots of Dots and Dog's Colorful Day

Change the first five years and you change everything.

2011-06-08T12:28:00.000-07:00

A parent or caregiver who is committed to incorporating activities like reading, singing and playing into a child's life has the power to dramatically change who that child will grow up to be. This clip shows the shocking juxtaposition between what a child's life looks like with and without this positive influence.

We have been hosting Every Child Ready to Read workshops for over five years and are excited to present a new and updated version this fall! Through workshops that encourage fun and easy ways to involve early literacy in daily life we can reach parents and caregivers in our neighborhood, encourage the cooperation of other community partners, and most importantly change the first five years for our children.

Schooooooooooooool's OUT. FOR. SUMMER!

2011-06-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, almost out. As you know by now I can't resist a catchy song lyric as a blog title. Plus, it gets me in the spirit for my favorite event of the year: Summer Reading Club. I love the smell of sunscreen that wafts through the building as kids stop in after a trip to the pool, and the pride on their faces when they turn in a list of what they've been reading.

This year our theme is all about heroes, of the local and super variety. We'll be having crafts and programs throughout the summer centered around all things SUPER. Kids get prizes just for signing up and we have a number of raffles and contests to keep them motivated. One of the best ways you can prevent summer learning loss in your school-aged children is to make sure they are reading over the summer.

If you have a baby or toddler, they can participate in the fun too! In addition to an getting activity sheet full of early literacy tips, songs, and games you can play with your little one, you can also win free board books. Join us starting June 6th!

The smell of honey and sunny days.

2011-05-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

Norris, being a wise bear, waits patiently under a plorringe tree. Tulip and Violet (an inquisitive mouse and a snoopy raccoon) clamber down a tree branch stretching their little paws closer toward the mystery fruit. They listen to it (it didn't make a sound), they smell it (you can guess what it smells like), they hug it (it feels soft like cotton candy) and finally, when stretching their little pink tongues to find out what it tastes like, they cause the fruit to fall with a "WHOMP!" onto Norris' expectant head.

Norris peels the delicious fruit and decides to share it with the curious duo who helped do the picking. Because, "Well, Norris was wise. And he was also kind."

The artwork and simple storyline from Scottish Catherine Rayner is nothing short of delicious. Save this one for a sunny-smelling day. It's the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon snack of juicy peaches.

Tattletale Explosion

2011-05-18T08:56:00.000-07:00

Little sisters can be a real pain. Then again, so can big sisters. I should know, I'm the latter. This picture book of poems is an ode to the complex, hilarious, often irritating, but ~~always~~ mostly loving relationship between two sisters. The chaotic pencil sketches capture the endless ways in which they annoy each other, but also the many ways they comfort each other.

One poem, appropriately titled "Snooping," explains that, "One good thing about a little sister / is that if I give her a boost / she can reach / that mysterious box / hidden / on the top shelf. / One bad thing about a little sister / is that she can't keep secrets. / When my secrets / are inside Emma, / they leak out slowly, / like air out of a balloon, / or fast -- / in one enormous Tattletale Explosion."

Pick this up in preparation for summertime squabbles as a way of reminding siblings about the special (if not always friction-free) bond they share.

Antsy Underpants

2011-05-11T08:16:00.000-07:00

I admit, I'm feeling a bit antsy for the library's copies of Underpants Zoo to get here. Brian Sendelbach, the author AND illustrator, is one of our regular storytime dads and he's created exactly the kind of silly story that toddlers and preschoolers will love.

In a zoo where animals are sporting the wildest undies imaginable, the fun really starts when a large white pair becomes infested with ants, much to the owner's dismay. This riotous rhyming book is ideal for reading aloud and is sure to become a family (and storyteller!) favorite.

Brian will be at the library on Monday, May 16th to talk about how he created Underpants Zoo and to sign books! Book sales will be provided by our friends at the Dayton Mall Barnes & Noble.

Me...Jane

2011-05-04T13:29:00.000-07:00

You Tarzan? No, you blog-reader-who-is-most-likely-tired-of-my-nerdy-introductions. Thanks for indulging me anyway. I promise this book is worth the corny 1930's movie reference. Bound and illustrated to look more like a young naturalist's journal, this is much more than just the story of Jane Goodall. It chronicles her early childhood and the sense of excitement she felt when she discovered things about the natural world around her. It even ends with a photograph of the real Jane and a chimpanzee friend.

This is a perfect picture book for nature lovers and anyone with a passion for exploring! Try making a nature journal with your child and recording the observations you make around your neighborhood. Using exciting experiences like outdoor adventures to practice reading and writing with your child can help prevent summer learning loss.

My Side of the Car

2011-04-27T10:58:00.000-07:00

Dads are silly, and sometimes stubborn, but they have a special way of indulging the wild imaginations and the sweet sassiness of their little girls. Kate Feiffer's newest book, My Side of the Car, depicts these humorous exchanges between a father and his daughter, who insists that it isn't raining on her side of the car. Desperate to visit the zoo, Sadie will not be deterred, even by the threat of rain. The playful illustrations were created by none other than her own father, Jules Feiffer (author and illustrator of the riotously funny Bark, George).

Did I mention Kate will be hanging out with us at the library next week? She called today to say that, due to airline luggage restrictions, she wouldn't be able to sneak her father on the plane like we had hoped, but that she's really excited for her trip to Ohio. Help us give her a warm welcome from 4-5pm on May 5th at the Centerville Library and stick around for a special book signing!

The Beauty of Baby Sign Language

2011-04-20T13:21:00.000-07:00

Using sign language with babies and toddlers is a trend that has taken off in recent years due to the great materials available for parents and the fun it inspires when incorporated into daily routines. It also gives very young children a way of expressing themselves before they are able to verbally.

The library is offering a two part workshop for parents and children ages 10-24 months on April 27th and May 4th (registration is required). The delightful Erin Ditzell from Luv2Sign will show participants signs for daily activities like going to bed and bath time as well as important signs for feelings and manners. She is also excited to show parents how to incorporate these signs into fun rhymes and stories for their young children.

Practice your baby sign language with some of the adorable board books we have in our collection like this one!

This route is a hoot.

2011-04-13T13:57:00.000-07:00

Now that the threat of snow doesn't dampen your every outdoor excursion, put Saturday, April 16th on your calendar. Owlexander's Hoot Route is an interactive literacy trail created by the library and the Centerville Washington Parks District and funded by the Yeck Family Foundation. Read Owlexander's story as you enjoy an outdoor hike in Grant Park, exciting games, and literacy activities.

This trail is a great way to involve active children in a reading experience that will hold their attention while helping to improve their narrative and vocabulary skills.

Check out the awesome costumed character planning to visit the library tomorrow!

"Of all the suspicious-looking houses in all the deserted woods in all the world...

2011-04-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

...he had to roll up to hers..."
So begins a delightfully Streetcar Named Desire-esque story about Foxy DuBois and Egg, who gets invited in for a BITE. While Foxy plans to eat Egg, he cleverly postpones each meal until, after an unplanned sleepover, he grows to an ENORMOUS size. When Egg hatches, revealing his identity as a wicked alligator named Alphonso, Foxy is the one who must avoid becoming breakfast.

Multi-layered humor makes this one that adults won't mind reading and the surprise ending will help preschoolers make predictions. The dangers of "always relying on the kindness of strangers" will be appreciated by both.

I spy with my little eye...

2011-03-30T09:17:00.000-07:00

a book! I spy Look! A Book! to be exact. This "zany seek-and-find adventure" is perfect for kids who aren't quite ready for Where's Waldo or more detailed I Spy books. The cut-outs on each page reveal something specific on the next, helping little eyes focus on what to find. The rhyming words near each cut-out are also great for helping children make predictions. For example, one double-page spread reads, "Look! A wheel! A seal! A banana peel! A moon! A spoon! A square balloon!"

Use this with curious toddlers to help them associate print words with individual objects. Make a game of looking through a circle made with your thumb and forefinger at objects around your house.

Oops.

2011-03-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

I joke that I have a Type A mother (I say it with love, Mom). The woman does clean every week as if the First Lady is coming for a visit. Teasing aside, I am very grateful that, despite being the oldest child and my mother's daughter, I never felt pressured to be perfect. Sure, I erased holes into my school papers trying to get my letter "J's" just right, but I never felt terrified of making mistakes. Barney Saltzberg fills his newest book, Beautiful Oops, with pages of mistakes.

Each one shows how an accidental tear, fold, spill or scribble can be turned into something fabulous. It is important to let your children know that it's okay to make mistakes, and to let them do so. Admit that even grown-ups make mistakes. Show them that sometimes messing up isn't an "oops" at all if you take a closer look. This is truly a beautiful book to own, and one that begs to be shared with the children (and grown-ups) in your life who need a little help seeing the beauty in an "Oops!"

Network of Super Sleuths

2011-03-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

The internet is only as useful as your search terms. You can't very well ask it to find your favorite picture book as a child...you know...the one with the yellow cover...and the broken doll...and the...oh, dear.

That's where we come in. On the left side of our website there's an icon labeled Kid's Chat. This link lets you to send an instant message to the Children's Desk. We'll do our very best to answer your question, or track down someone who can!

Truly, some of our favorite questions begin with, "I read this book when I was a kid, but now I can't find it anywhere." Children's librarians are a network of super sleuths well trained in the arts of tracking down cherished childhood favorites.

So, next time you find yourself thinking, "What in the world was that book called?" IM us and we might just be able to reunite you with a long lost book love. This was mine:

Before You Came

2011-03-09T12:24:00.000-08:00

Children love to hear stories about themselves, especially ones that involve their birth, parents, and extended family. These stories captivate a young child's imagination and become treasured family folklore. My own father was a zookeeper before he had his own little wild animals and my four-year-old self imagined that our house was once filled with a menagerie of exotic pets. David Diaz creates the feeling of a magical folktale through his illustrations in Before You Came by Patricia MacLachlan & Emily MacLachlan Charest.

The deep browns of a mother's skin and curls are set against a vibrant backdrop of the adventures she had before the birth of her child. The final pages show the mother and father sharing these special experiences with a wide-eyed little girl. Take this beautiful book home as a way to start a narrative with your own children about their birth and their family history.

Investing In Our Kids

2011-03-02T13:34:00.000-08:00

Learning to read is one of the most fundamental requirements for academic success. Most of us can agree on at least that much. How to facilitate and fund that learning process is another matter entirely. While this is debated on the national stage, educational funding prepares for yet another round on the chopping block.

The library is an integral part of any educational community and independent research proves just how crucial school and public library funding is to a child's academic success. Stephen Abrams, a library innovator and advocate, posted a powerful summary of this key research his blog, Stephen's Lighthouse.

One of his most important points is that "The major item that affects low reading scores and school performance is poverty. Even at the worst levels of poverty, the library is free and everyone is welcome." Cutting funding for school and public libraries affects everyone but hits our children hardest. It is our responsibility as parents, educators, librarians, and concerned citizens to be informed about the research and be vocal about the investment we make in our children's future.

For more meaningful examples of how libraries affect student achievement visit his blog http://stephenslighthouse.com/2011/03/01/reading-scores/ which also contains links to the Federal Education Budget Project.

And, get your children excited about advocacy by teaching them that you don't have to be big to make a big difference!

Don't Stop!

2011-02-23T13:19:00.000-08:00

Believin'...hold on to that feelin'...ah, eighties power ballads. I digress.

Don't stop readin' is what I really meant. Even when your children begin to read on their own, the benefits of being read to don't go away. One of the greatest champions of literacy and reading aloud is Jim Trelease, author of The Read Aloud Handbook. His book is in its sixth edition, and one of the more inspiring arguments for continuing to read to your children at every age.

Trelease fills this handbook with humorous stories, astonishing statistics about the benefits of reading, and a fabulous treasury of read-aloud suggestions. He also has a great website with constantly updated ideas for what to read to your growing reader!

Being a reader is a life-long affair, and just like Journey's famous song, it goes on and on and on and on.

A Picture Book Prescription

2011-02-16T12:19:00.000-08:00

Sometimes what ails a young child is beyond the scope of baby aspirin or dimetapp. When children suffer the loss of a pet, a friend, or worst of all, a family member, we struggle with helping them make sense of their feelings when they are only just learning to name them.

Picture books can offer a great deal of comfort to children dealing with grief or loss. Stories range from ones about the death of a pet to losing a grandparent and include developmentally appropriate emotions like anger and saddness. Sebastian Loth’s Remembering Crystal is a small book, perfect for little hands, with a comforting message about how Zelda, a young goose, deals with the passing of her elderly turtle friend, Crystal.

If you or a little one you know is in need of picture books dealing with grief, or other tough topics like divorce, diversity, or bullying, visit the children’s room. While our recommendations can’t do what the comfort of a loving adult can, they are a place to start.

Catch 'em in the act...

2011-02-09T13:30:00.000-08:00

...the act of doing something right, that is. Part of building a child's sense of autonomy and self-confidence isn't simply praising them no matter what, but praising them for specific good behavior. Set your child up to succeed by giving them small goals that are easily accomplished.

Instead of demanding your two year old sit still for an entire picture book, try dancing to a song or singing a rhyme for five minutes. This practices lengthening his or her attention span with the added benefit of movement and rhythm.

Never fear, someday your child will be able to sit still long enough to listen to a picture book...even a chapter book. Until then, try dancing to Driving in My Car!

Children make terrible pets.

2011-02-02T11:28:00.000-08:00

Seriously. Have you ever tried to potty train one? I hear they also ruin the furniture and tend to wander off if left unattended. These are just a few of the lessons Lucille Beatrice Bear learns when she finds a little boy in the woods, names him Squeaker, and tries to keep him as a pet despite her mother's warnings.

Reading stories where typical roles are reversed helps engage your child's narrative skills. Ask your children to make predictions about where Squeaker might have run away to. Prepare for some wide-eyed gasps when, on the last page, Lucille begins looking longingly at a lost elephant.

Ready or Not

2011-01-26T13:26:00.000-08:00

Here it comes! Registration for Kindergarten is just around the corner. If you have a preschooler headed to school in the fall, you probably have a few (or a dozen) questions. We have the perfect solution! Tomorrow, the library will be offering our annual Kindergarten Ready or Not? program to help you decide where to send your children, how to know when they're ready, and to give you tips on things you can do before the first day of school.

The library provides a number of programs, crafts and storytimes that help your child learn the skills necessary for school. We also love to recommend our favorite picture books to help teach important school-readiness skills like manners and listening. This story about Martha, a precocious otter, is one of my favorites and will appeal to any preschooler (or parent of one, for that matter).

Join us tomorrow from 7-9 PM at the Centerville Library for a chance to ask public and private school teachers the answers to all your Kindergarten questions...and be sure to take Martha home if you have a preschooler who struggles with sharing!

There Are Dots Everywhere!

2011-01-19T12:36:00.000-08:00

Some dots are big,
and some dots are small.
Some dots float,
and some dots fall.

Lots of Dots is a colorful new picture book by Craig Frazier that uses the simplicity of graphic dots to portray a variety of circular or spherical objects in a child's world. It is perfect for beginning a discussion with your toddler about shapes.

Being able to identify shapes is an important skill needed for recognizing individual letters. For example, to us, the letters "b," "d," "p," and "q" are easily distinguishable, but for children they all look like a circle on a stick. Try finding the "dots" in your house, and move on to pointing out the other shapes you see in the world around you.

Will Tumble for Books

2011-01-12T09:57:00.000-08:00

If the current weather conditions have caused you to panic about the lack of entertainment material in your home, I've got a solution. It doesn't require you to run out and buy batteries, an instruction manual, or a fifty dollar game. All you need is an internet connection...and this bit of insider information.

The library has a subscription (i.e. we pay for it so that you can use it for free) to Tumble Books, a website with hundreds of picture and early chapter books that allow kids to follow along on the screen while the story is read to them. So next time you're at a loss for how to enjoy stories during our winter break from storytime, or when your own library bag runs low, check out the fabulously interactive storytelling on Tumble Books. Go to http://kids.wclibrary.info/read/ and click on

If you have a smartphone, this website also works on the go...so bookmark it for the next time the doctor is running behind and you need some entertainment stat!

I can make you say "banana."

2011-01-06T13:30:00.000-08:00

But you'll have to read this book to find out how...

The best way to help your children become familiar with books is to READ to them. Yes, it really is that easy! You may hear someone refer to this as "print awareness," and it simply means your child is starting to grasp that you are reading the black squiggly lines on the page instead of just describing the pictures.

Granted, any book will do, but why not practice with a hilarious option that makes the reader part of the story? Mo Willems' most recent We Are in a Book! does just that and has the added bonus of two familiar favorites, Gerald the elephant and Piggie the pig.

If you love Mo Willems as much as we do, join us for a family storytime featuring some our favorites on Saturday, January 29th at the Centerville Library. It is appropriately called More Mo (I bet you can get the storyteller to say BANANAS)!

Pajama Day!

2010-12-29T09:08:00.000-08:00

Every six weeks or so, that magic Monday roles around and you realize, "It's storytime registration day!" Rather than stuffing little ones into coats and braving treacherous road conditions to arrive at the library with bedhead and fuzzy teeth, try our new online registration.

All of the same guidelines apply, but now you can register at home beginning at 10:00 AM on Monday, January 10th by visiting http://www.wclibrary.info/events. Just find the day and time that works best for you and the age range that applies to your child. Then, enter your names and contact information and click "submit registration."

Of course, you can still visit us to use our computers, for help registering, or just to chat with your favorite storytellers. I'm trying to institute library-wide pajama day to celebrate, but I'm not optimistic. Whether you do get to enjoy registration morning in your PJ's, or you're logging in from work, we hope you like the online process! Feel free to call us at 937-433-8091 (option #3) if you have questions.

Try reading a book with your child to celebrate and prepare for storytime the following week. We can't wait to see you both!

Get Painted!

2010-12-15T13:47:00.000-08:00

Okay, first read Art and Max, and THEN break out the brushes. This perfect combination of vibrant colors and expressive lizards has an unexpected and ingenious plot twist. Set against a drab desert backdrop, Art and Max's paint-splattered antics will encourage children to take up brushes and use their own imaginations.

Holding a paintbrush will help your preschooler with the fine motor skills necessary for writing and having him/her tell you a story about each masterpiece will develop important narrative skills.

Just make sure you've got a drop cloth down before you let your young Picassos loose after this glimpse into David Wiesner's world!

DO wear fancy underwear.

2010-12-08T11:25:00.000-08:00

DON'T hang upside down on the monkey bars.

Underwear Do's and Don't's is just one of the many hilarious and heart-warming books by Todd Parr. His illustrations are bold and simple making them great choices for the very young, and his ability to relay the humorous truths of parenting young children make them great choices for grown-ups of any age.

Some months ago, I found that our final copy of Underwear Do's and Don't's had been loved to pieces. Literally. I was even more upset when I found that I couldn't reorder it. In a last ditch effort to procure another copy, I found Todd's website and sent him an email about how much we love to share his books in our storytimes.

Weeks went by and I'd almost forgotten about my request when a package arrived at the library. You guessed it. A copy of Underwear Do's and Don't's, signed by the author himself. He also sent us this picture with and a sweet note:

Look for one of his many books the next time you're in the library...but please DO keep your fancy underwear to yourself!

Enough wriggling, bottom.

2010-12-01T12:17:00.000-08:00

It's time to be still.

In Andrew Daddo's story, Goodnight, Me, a toddler orangutan says goodnight to each of his body parts. He thanks his knees for holding his legs together and points a tiny finger to his lips saying, "Shhh, mouth, no more questions." On a snowy, blowy night like tonight, tuck your toddler in by saying goodnight to each part. By the time you've named them all, even the wriggly bottom will be still.

Clap it Up

2010-11-24T13:23:00.000-08:00

In addtion to saving the lives of countless Neverland fairies, you can help your children with their motor skills and cognitive development just by clapping. A recent study showed that children who engage in clapping games, songs or rhymes are not only more likely to have neat handwriting, they are also better spellers. Revisit your playground memories with a little Miss Mary Mack...next time you need to kill a few minutes. It's good for you!

For more clapping game ideas, try This Little Piggy by the fabulous Jane Yolen and our very own native Ohioan, Will Hillenbrand.

Dry Pie

2010-11-17T12:38:00.000-08:00

There really is nothing worse…to wait all year long for that perfect piece of Thanksgiving pie, only to find that it sticks to the roof of your mouth and tastes more like cardboard than pumpkin. That’s this lady's problem:

Given the surplus of sickeningly sweet picture books about thankfulness that toddlers and preschoolers aren’t developmentally capable of yet, this rollicking sequence story is the perfect anecdote. It starts out with an old lady and a dry pie, and ends with some hilarious and shocking gastric accomplishments.

So, as you prepare your own Thanksgiving feast, take time to share this classic with the little ones in your family!

NO Problem

2010-10-27T12:28:00.000-07:00

No, really, I’ve got a “No” problem. Would you sometimes like to magically “un-teach” your toddler this word? If you answered YES, here’s a little comic relief to share with your emphatic little tyrant.

Mimi, the mole-ish looking protagonist, finds out what happens after she says “NO.” For example, Moms are good at helping put on tricky purple jumpers, pouring milk on cereal and catching you at the bottom of the slide. Mimi’s final NO is to a hug from her mother. Don't worry, she wants to be the one giving the hug. So, while you stick it out through the "NO" phase, remember that your toddler is developing sense of self and autonomy (the silver lining: big boy/girl underwear is just around the corner). In a few years you’ll remember it fondly when he/she's in the "but-everyone-else-has-one" phase.

Tuck Me In!

2010-10-20T13:34:00.000-07:00

This gem is perfect for those looking to bridge the gap between board books and picture books. The pages are sturdy, interactive, and simple, but not too simple. In this story your almost-ready-for-picture-books-listener gets to be the grown up who “tucks in” a variety of adorable animals beginning with a very wakeful-looking zebra.

A perfect choice for debuting tonight at bedtime. After the last page is turned, your little animal will surely be the one who needs the tucking.

Picture books are so five minutes ago.

2010-10-13T14:01:00.000-07:00

Or so this article would have us believe:
Picture Books No Longer a Staple for Children

It details how both parental pressure to read “big-kid” chapter books, and the variety of digital media available to children have caused a decrease in the number of picture books published each year.

The article leaves out the importance of libraries in the world of picture book publishing. While there are parents who pressure their children to read older books sooner, there are also those that can’t afford the steep price of purchasing picture books. Those individuals rely on the library to provide them with free picture books that are more than just “books with pictures.”

Picture books engage children in a way that no other media can. They contain three times as many rare (or unfamiliar) words as adults typically use when talking to children under the age of five. They also help children understand cause and effect and prepare them for the reading comprehension tests they will face throughout their school years.

On top of all of this they are hilarious, comforting, exciting, moving, physical art-objects that may just be one of the last bastions of childhood left today.

For a fabulous example of just how great picture books can be, check out Mo Willem's latest!

Womb Worries and Reading Readiness

2010-10-06T12:45:00.000-07:00

If you’ve walked past a news stand recently, your eye may have landed on last week’s issue of Time magazine featuring the silhouette of a pregnant woman and an article called How the First Nine Months Shape the Rest of Your Life. Scientists are doing fascinating studies in the field of fetal origins, an area of science devoted to researching how our time in the womb affects things from personality traits to our risk for heart disease.

Pregnant Woman
Heide Benser / Corbis

This new research, coupled with decades of studies done on infant and toddler brain development, may end up making you worry more about what you aren’t doing as a parent than giving you ideas about what you should be doing.

Yeah, we don’t think that is very helpful either. All of our library storytellers are trainers certified to present a workshop called Every Child Ready to Read. There are three sessions, each geared toward the parents or caregivers of children ages 0-2, 2-3, and 4-5. In these sessions we do discuss interesting brain research and powerful studies that show just how important reading to and talking with your child really are. But, the workshops don’t stop there. We show you how to incorporate early literacy skills in your daily life in a fun way using picture books, songs and rhymes.

So, don’t let these news articles send you into paroxysms of guilt about how you have probably already irrevocably messed up your children. Join us at the library this October for fun, realistic tips about things you can do right now to set your child up for success!

For more information, or to register for one of our workshops, go to: http://www.wclibrary.info/storytime/ecrtr.asp

Puff the Magic

2010-09-29T12:38:00.000-07:00

...you thought I'd say dragon right? Nope. I bet you're humming the song anyway! Puff the Magic Storytime Toy just doesn't have a catchy tune. But, these little gems are fabulous in their simplicity and versatile in their silliness. Use them to practice vocabulary by talking about colors (they come in many different sizes and shades) or by putting them on unfamiliar items or body parts like shins, heels, elbows and shoulders. Here's a rhyme to use while pretending your puff ball is a mouse:

Hurry scurry little mouse,
starts down at your toes.

Hurry scurry little mouse,
past your knees he goes.

Hurry scurry little mouse,
past where your tummy is.

Hurry scurry little mouse,
gives you a mousy kiss!

I'm Lost!

2010-09-22T12:44:00.000-07:00

When I ran across this book months ago at the American Library Association’s annual conference in Washington D.C., I wasn't lost at all. I'd made my way to the booth of my favorite picture book publisher, Candelwick Press. I couldn't wait to order Chris Haughton's Little Owl Lost because, as soon as I saw the "uh-oh" on the first page, I knew it would be a giggle-inducing read-aloud. I finally shared it today in my preschool storytime and it didn’t disappoint! Accentuated by a wacky color scheme of greens, fuchsias, and oranges, this is the tale of a googly-eyed owl with a propensity for falling head first out of his nest and losing his mother. A helpful (if confused) squirrel guides little owl and young readers on a trek through the forest to find Mama Owl.

Use this clever story to help your children develop their narrative skills by asking them to predict what outlandish animal squirrel will take little owl to next. On the last page, as owl teeters precariously toward the edge of the nest AGAIN, ask your children what they would do if they were lost in real life. Direct them to un-squirrel-like adults.

"My roommate rolls around and snores!"

2010-09-15T12:49:00.000-07:00

If you were a big black bear on the hibernation train and your bunk mate was a fitful, mouth-breathing beaver you’d find it hard to catch a few winks too. This rollicking picture book about fall from author Michelle Meadows is more than enough to get me ready for wool socks and pumpkin spice lattes. As the leaves begin to fall outside, gather your own little bears together to enjoy the rich illustrations and learn about which animals hibernate and what that means.

For more books on animals, seasons, or topics of your choice, try filling out a teacher collection form. We gather resources for homeschool teachers, school teachers and anyone who wants a group of books on a specific topic. We love putting together materials that enable you and your children to share and learn together. We had twelve requests come in today alone!

Robot Reading

2010-09-08T13:19:00.000-07:00

...is a serious condition and everyone is at risk! Its causes include, but are not limited to, reading when your eyelids are threatening to slam shut, and/or reading when your child is likely to have a meltdown at any moment. This type of reading lacks emotion or enjoyment and is dangerous to your sanity and your child's future reading success! Here are a few tips to help you avoid this dangerous disease.

1. Read to your child when you are both in a good mood. Your child will be more willing to listen to stories if you are enjoying them (i.e. not reading a picture book like you would an IRS instruction manual) and if the child isn't overly tired or stressed out.

2. Reading to your child for twenty minutes each day does not have to be done all in one sitting! Read for small increments of time throughout the day and you're both more likely to enjoy the experience.

3. Find ways to liven up your reading with silly voices, puppets, or songs.

We've got number three covered! As storytellers we try to accomodate your busy schedule and create opportunities for you and your child to enjoy lively storytimes together (especially if you don't have time during the work day to do so). Beginning September 20th we will hold two evening storytimes each week that will incorporate music, rhymes and fantastic picture books for your child and provide you with a chance to meet other parents and learn a few storytelling tips yourself!

Monday @ 6:30pm Tot Tales -- for children ages 18-36 months and an adult
Tuesday @ 7:00pm Preschool Storytime -- for children ages 3-5 and an adult

For more information about our storytimes, check out: http://www.wclibrary.info/storytime/index.asp

Indoor Elephants are Dangerous

2010-09-01T12:29:00.000-07:00

So are really big chickens. Maybe dangerous in the milk-might-come-out-of-your-nose-if-you're-reading-this-while-drinking kind of way. Keith Graves’ new book, Chicken Big is not your typical misfit story. It does deal with themes identity and belonging, but it’s also filled with a hilarious supporting cast including a paranoid frizzy-feathered chicken who is always yelling “run for your lives!” Graves' clever comic strip illustrations highlight the big chicken's unique talents (rain shelter and a fox-chaser) and some outrageous reactions to his unusual size. All of this is enhanced by the author's exceptional ability to include humor for kids AND their grown-ups.

Grab this book for a good laugh after a long day filled with back to school activities. Your children will get a kick out the extra bits like the author’s bio (he’s a Professor Emeritus at the Chicken School in Austin, TX) and you’ll be ready and willing when, at the end of the book, they demand “AGAIN!” Just make sure no one has a mouthful of milk.

Storytimes are Risky Business

2010-08-25T11:53:00.000-07:00

With the amount of parenting info in the media and on library shelves it’s no wonder that parents are often paralyzed with indecision when it comes to the emotional, academic and social well-being of their children.

An example of this overwhelming amount of parenting “advice,” reached out from this week’s newspaper and slapped me in the face: “Teaching reading before age 6 increases risk of learning problems.” The author goes on to make the statement that paying attention to women and doing what women tell you to do are the “two skills most essential to early academic achievement.” Your eyebrows are raised right?

His point seems to be that we are trying to pressure our preschoolers to become readers before they’re ready. I agree that this is not only unrealistic but possibly damaging (not to mention frustrating) for both you and your child. However, reading with your children and helping them develop early literacy skills by talking with them, singing to them and playing with them will help prepare them for academic achievement. It’s also fun.

Join us at the library for storytimes starting September 20th…that is if you’re willing to risk it.

Snail Mail

2010-08-18T08:58:00.000-07:00

Even in this age of email, text, and skype there is still something special about the ritual of opening the mailbox and finding a letter with your name on it, especially if you are a child. Have your child practice writing and storytelling skills by composing a letter or drawing a picture for a friend or relative. Hint: choose someone that you know will write back, so that you can check the mail together in anticipation.

Last week I received a delightful note from one of my former storytime girls in which she “reviewed” a book I recommended to her. The book, A Sick Day for Amos McGee, is about a thoughtful zookeeper and his sympathetic animal companions. The pencil sketches are startlingly beautiful and the relationship between Amos and his friends is filled with subtle humor and the quiet kind of love that comes from knowing just what to say to a friend in need. It comes highly recommended from a certain story-lover I know.

I'm Feeling Bitey

2010-08-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

Children need help learning how to express themselves in appropriate ways. Try telling your two year old that biting isn't one of them. Picture books provide an avenue for discussing feelings like frustration and behaviors like sharing. I love Polly Dunbar's series about Tilly and her friends. She incorporates fabulous comedic timing with whimsical illustrations to address toddler emotions. One of my favorites involves Doodle, an alligator, who wakes up feeling "bitey." His many targets, including Tumpty the elephant's ample backside, get more than just their feelings hurt.

Zero to Three, an organization devoted to promoting the health and development of infants and toddlers, recently conducted a national survey of parents and found that respondents did not have informed expectations of when children reach developmental milestones like experiencing various feelings and being able to share/take turns.

For for more surprising info and excellent tips check out this link on the Zero to Three website: http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/funded-projects/parenting-resources/parenting-survey.html

Slobber Not Included

2010-08-04T10:13:00.000-07:00

Babies explore their environment by touching, tasting and playing. This includes books! Our library children’s room has specially designed book displays that hold our books low to the ground for your children to explore. We also have a pretend book drop to encourage imaginative play.

Because board books have sturdier pages, they are designed to withstand the inquisitive hands (and slobber) of a baby or toddler. It’s OKAY if your baby bangs his/her book on the floor, tastes it or puts it enthusiastically in our book drop! These positive interactions will help your child become familiar with and learn to enjoy books. Look for the The Baby Hustle for its unique interactive elements!

Hint: If you are ever trying to locate books with flaps or moveable parts, search for Toy and Moveable Books as a keyword in our catalog - we have hundreds!

Back Stage Pass

2010-07-28T13:22:00.000-07:00

Famous athletes, movies stars, and musicians are used to posing for pictures and having eager fans ask for an autograph. Authors and illustrators, especially of children’s books, have recently gotten a taste of this type of fame. Think J.K. Rowling, author of Harry Potter series, or Jeff Kinney, author of the wildly popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. We are lucky enough to have a fabulous children’s illustrator visiting us in two weeks and we’d like to give him a rock star welcome. Will Hillenbrand has illustrated many children's books, the most recent of which, Don’t Slam the Door, has gotten rave reviews for its hilarious illustrations and boisterous rhymes.

So, if you’ve got a budding author or illustrator at home, or just a child who loves to read, bring the whole family to see Will on August 11th from 2pm-3pm at the Centerville Library. I’ll be the one jumping up and down in line waiting for his autograph.

Wanted: The Perfect Story

2010-07-21T11:56:00.000-07:00

Occasionally, a story comes along that shows the extraordinary emotional range of children. Fiona Roberton’s latest picture book, Wanted: the Perfect Pet, poignantly conveys what it’s like to long for something, be it a pet or simply a friend.

Henry takes out an advertisement for the perfect pet expecting a dog to arrive on his doorstep. Instead, his plea is answered by a most unusually disguised duck. This story is just right for preschoolers because it uses simple, expressive illustrations to show a child dealing with emotions like longing, disapointment and empathy. The division of the story into three short chapters will help a young listener hone his/her narrative skills without detracting from the plot. Children will empathize with both Henry and the duck and will feel comforted by the final image of the pair asleep, Henry in his bed and duck sprawled at the end.

Dashing through the snow...

2010-07-14T12:52:00.000-07:00

...on a one horse open sleigh. Oh wait, it's July. It may be scorching hot outside, but I've got the tinkling sound of sleigh bells on the brain after playing with finger-bells this morning at storytime. For just a few dollars, you can pick up a package of bells at your local craft store and create your own musical instruments. Bells can be sewn onto strips of cloth or, for the domestically challenged like myself, tied to a loop of yarn. It can be worn around the finger, on the wrist or around little ankles. You can easily make enough to involve an entire class or play group in the fun. So the next time you're draped over an air vent seeking refuge from the 90 degree heat, try playing musical bells with your children for a reminder of cooler weather to come.

Get started by ringing your bells to Laurie Berkner's Chicken Song on her CD, Whaddaya Think of That?

An elephant sat on my tootsies!

2010-07-07T14:44:00.000-07:00

Be silly with your children! Kids adore all things ridiculous and will love you no matter how off key you may be or how tragic your dancing skills are. Singing rhymes with children, especially ones like Willoughby Wallaby, can brighten a boring day with some much-needed silliness. Rhyming also teaches children to listen for the smaller sounds within words, a skill they'll need when they start learning to read.

Willoughby Wallaby wee, an elephant sat on me.
Willoughby Wallaby woo, an elephant sat on you!
Willoughby Wallaby wenna, an elephant sat on Jenna.
Willoughby Wallaby wed, an elephant sat on my bed!

Use the names of your family members or find funny things around the house to add to your song…try using the word "tootsies." It’s impossible to frown while saying "wootsies."

Tuba-Playing Tiger

2010-06-30T13:40:00.000-07:00

By around the third grade, children should be reading well enough to understand what is going on in a story, rather than just being able to sound out the words and sentences. They should be reading to learn instead of learning to read. Even at a young age, children can begin to develop these narrative skills. Try choosing a picture book with a simple plot and asking both “what” and “why” questions about the story. Use “why” questions to involve the child in the story and to discuss more abstract concepts like feelings.

An example:

Yesterday I read an old favorite, Tiger Can’t Sleep, to a storytime group on the lawn at School House Park. I asked the children if they thought the boy in the story was upset with the ball-bouncing, tuba-playing, cart-wheeling tiger in his closet for keeping him up at night. A boy near the front replied, “No, I have a tiger in my closet and we get along fine!”

We all giggled a bit, but his response is a good example of a very effective tool for reading comprehension. He was relating the story to his own life by involving his imagination, ultimately enabling him to better understand what was going on. I told him that I also like imaginary tigers. Much better than real ones, in fact. Especially if one happens to be in my closet playing the tuba and preventing me from getting any shut-eye.

Unlike your cat, we listen.

2010-06-22T16:13:00.000-07:00

We don't ask you to fill out those storytime evaluations just because we think it's cute when you dot your "i's" with smiley faces. We want to know if you and your children enjoy our sessions, if they are at convenient times, or if you just think we stink (we do appreciate your tactfulness if odor is the issue). You asked us to bring back an early morning Tot Tales Storytime at 9:30 am and a mid-morning Preschool Storytime at 10:30 am because they didn’t interfere with lunch or naptime. So we did. Thank you for taking the time to make suggestions. We love making them happen.

And, if you really are distressed about the cat's refusal to listen to your pleas about the carpet, read this new picturebook (spoiler alert: they get a dog in the end).

"Reading is for girls!"

2010-06-16T11:20:00.000-07:00

As a librarian, it’s a sentiment that I am all too famiar with, and one that breaks my heart. Worse, and almost always from boys, is the complaint: “Reading is boring.” Studies consistently show that, on average, boys take longer to learn to read and value reading less than girls. I read an article recently on Reading Rockets explaining that families are at the center of the solution to the idea that reading is for girls…especially dads. “There is only one way to change this perception and that is for men both at home and in the community to read aloud to boys and to show that reading is an activity of value.” What a simple, enjoyable (and free!) way to be able to give our boys an advantage in school!

Here’s a start:

1. Encourage and support his reading choices, whether they are non-fiction, magazines, graphic novels or sports titles.

2. Stop in and take a look at our booklist The Guys Guide to Books that Aren’t Lame.

3. Look at Jon Sczieska’s website, Guys Read, for excellent practical strategies and anything-but-lame book titles.

I’m the Best

2010-06-09T09:31:00.000-07:00

Well, not really. A painfully awkward adolescence cured me of that notion. But, many young children do struggle with needing to win every game, or wanting to be the best at everything. This can lead to poor sportsmanship and, quite frankly, too much pressure!

Lucy Cousins has a creative and colorful book to address this behavior in preschoolers called, as you may have guessed, I’m the Best. Clad in crazy plaid pants, dog is accompanied by a madcap group of competitive friends including a ladybug, a mole, a goose and a donkey. Help your child learn to balance self-confidence and an empathy for others. Make a special time for sharing individual "bests" of the day as a family. My dad, for example, was always best at napping.

Get out of the sun...

2010-06-03T14:16:00.000-07:00

...and into the library this summer! Help foster a love of reading by bringing your child to the library for our Summer Reading Club starting on June 7th. We'll be "Going Places With Great Books" while earning fabulous prizes like free ice cream and passes to the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery.

Even if your little one isn't reading yet, join our Baby and Toddler Summer Reading Club to participate in fun early literacy activities and win board books!

Visit us for new crafts each week, or attend our awesome lineup of summer programs.

How tall are you?

2010-05-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

A life-size growth chart is only the beginning of the wild and wonderful changes you'll see in the children's rooms at WCPL. Join us on June 5th for a party to celebrate our makeover! A coloring activity, stories and a special contest will help children celebrate their new kid-friendly space!

Woodbourne Party: 11am-12pm

Centerville Party: 1pm-2pm

It's a Numbers Game

2010-05-19T12:58:00.000-07:00

A non-fiction numbers game, that is. This section of the children's room is one that most parents and caregivers of young children don't even think to browse. Admittedly, the Dewey Decimal System isn't exactly intuitive. But, once you get the hang of the numbers, you'll find that many of the titles in this section are intended for a young audience and have a narrative more like a picture book.

Bonus for your kids -- One of the most important early literacy skills is a child’s enjoyment of and interest in books and children are more likely to want to learn to read if they think of it as something fun to do.

Bonus for you -- Because all the books on a subject are grouped together, they are easy to browse (i.e. no hunting around for an author last name). If you've got a dinosaur lover for example, the J 567 section will make you a hero.

Abracadabra!

2010-05-12T09:31:00.000-07:00

Last week I overheard a storytime patron whisper to her mother, “I think she has a special reading voice because she’s a librarian. It’s like magic.”

Coincidentally, I just finished reading Mem Fox’s phenomenal book, Reading Magic: Why reading aloud to our children will change their lives forever. She doesn’t just encourage reading aloud, she is persuasive and joyful in her insistence that we must do so from day one. According to Fox, “The best time to start reading aloud to a baby is the day it is born. The lilting rhythm of a simple bedtime book on that first thrilling, exhausting day is soothing for the tremulous parents and the new child and adds to the bonding between them.”

The earlier we expose babies to the fun and fabulous language of books, the earlier they will develop the language skills they need to make sense of the world around them. So, is it magic? No, not really. But, I’ll trade pulling a quarter from behind someone’s ear for the warmth and silliness of reading aloud any day of the week.

If you love Llama Drama…

2010-05-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

…check out Anna Dewdney’s newest book, The Roly Poly Pangolin.

The first time I answered a question about a pangolin I was convinced the child was trying to say “Penguin.” I kept smiling patiently and saying, “Yes, we have penguin books.” I now know there is such a thing, and that it is not remotely related to a penguin. Never again will I question an insistent young scholar.

Dewdney’s book is another fantastic rhyming jaunt great for reinforcing phonological awareness. Most children who have a difficult time learning to read struggle with phonological awareness, or the ability to hear the smaller sounds within words. Enjoy rhyming books and songs with your child to help them develop this awareness!

Check Your Wallet

2010-04-28T09:09:00.000-07:00

If you’ve got a library card, it may be worth more than you think.

Take a look at this recent report done on how libraries stack up to other things Americans spend their time and money on. It indicates that, "for many young people, the first card in their wallet is a library card."

In fact, if you bring your child in, we'll not only give him/her a library card, we'll take a picture, post it in the children's room and in general make a big fuss. We can't help ourselves, getting a library card IS a big deal.

That Elemenopee Letter

2010-04-21T13:38:00.000-07:00

I'll admit that I occasionally catch myself humming the Alphabet Song if I need to alphabetize something in that pesky “elemenopee” range. I was reminded of this when a picture book came across my desk this morning that made me laugh out loud. The title: LMNO Peas. Rather than your standard alphabet book with little plot or humor, this title is populated by tiny charismatic peas demonstrating a different letter and oodles of vocabulary on every page. I find the “Y” page, depicting each pea in a yogi pose, particularly delightful.

Understanding letters becomes increasingly important as your child nears school because they are the foundation of written language. Understanding that each letter has its own name and sound is an important part of letter knowledge. Because as many as 25% of the population are tactile or kinesthetic learners (they need to touch and move things to learn), make sure your child has access to letters that he or she can move around and play with. Try pointing to the letters as you sing the Alphabet Song so your child understands that “L,” “M,” “N,” “O” and “P” are their own letters and not just that one “elemenopee" letter.

Shhh!

2010-04-14T11:36:00.000-07:00

Many different kinds of quiet appear in this beautiful new picture book by Deborah Underwood titled, quite simply, The Quiet Book. The illustrations are delicate and authentically convey emotions ranging from “the first one awake quiet” to the “thinking of a good reason you were drawing on the wall quiet.” The message is poignant, humorous and true. There are many different kinds of quiet, but maybe none as important as one left out of this story: the quiet of a listening parent.

It takes the average toddler 10-14 seconds to process a question. Try counting that out Mississippi-style and you’ll discover what an eternity it really is. Children need that extra time to coordinate the parts of their brain required to process and articulate language. Being able to respond to questions, and understand the parts of a story are part of your child’s narrative skills. The next time you ask a question, practice the fine art of being quiet. What you hear might just surprise you.

It's Past Your Bedtime

2010-04-07T12:52:00.000-07:00

"Around the world, children get an hour less sleep than they did thirty years ago. The cost: IQ points, emotional well-being, ADHD, and obesity." -- Nurture Shock : New thinking about children

This book just might blow your mind. It uses clinical research and neuroscience to re-think the way we raise and educate our children. The writing style is uncomplicated, readable and filled with humorous anecdotes. In the second chapter, The Lost Hour, authors Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman discuss the importance of sleep in children. During sleep we move experiences and information learned throughout the day to a more permanent storage area in our brains. This special type of sleep is called slow-wave sleep and is particularly crucial for long-term learning and retention of things like vocabulary.

According to the authors, "Kid's sleep is qualitatively different than grownups' sleep because children spend more than 40 % of thier asleep time in the slow-wave stage (which is ten times the proportion that older adults spend)." Between school and all of the extra-curricular things that even very young children are involved in, they are in desperate need of a little shut eye! So, set a bedtime and stick to it, your child's brain development (and your sanity) depend on it.

All this talk of sleep has made me want to do just that. I think I'll catch up on some slow-wave sleep under my desk. I've learned a lot today that I really want to remember tomorrow.

My Heart is Like a Zoo

2010-03-31T12:34:00.000-07:00

…and my house looks like one too.

But enough about my domestic distress, this new picture book uses one shape to create a dizzying variety of unusual animals. Before children learn about letters, they must first understand shapes. Because we have seen millions of letters over the span of our lifetimes, we’ve stopped looking at them as shapes for children to decode. Letter knowledge is an early literacy skill that requires children to grasp that each letter has a name and represents a sound. For example, the letter “D” looks like half of a circle and the letter "A" looks like a triangle. Make a game of counting how many hearts make up each animal!

Get Ready

2010-03-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

Sixty-five percent of children in Montgomery County arrive on the first day of kindergarten without having attended any type of preschool program and/or having been in unlicensed childcare. The other forty-five percent of children either spent time in a public or private preschool, a licensed child care, or a head start program. If your child isn't in preschool, don't give yourself gray hairs just yet! There are things you can do to help get him/her ready for school. Bringing your child to the library for storytimes and on days when we have crafts or programs is a great way to foster kindergarten readiness skills.

1. Storytime is a fun way to encourage your child to feel comfortable when he/she is separated from you. Parents also need this practice, not to mention a half an hour of blissful silence in which to do absolutely nothing.

2. Listening to a storyteller and playing well with peers will help build your child’s attention span and confidence.

3. Crafts and programs are designed to help your child practice socializing, sharing, and behaving in a group. Practice using glue away from your carpet and try out a pair of scissors away from the dog!

For more information on how to get your children ready, attend one of our Every Child Ready to Read workshops this month.

I Got a Feelin'...

2010-03-17T06:17:00.000-07:00

Print Motivation is a literacy skill that is especially important in a child's early years and continues to be a crucial predictor of success as he/she attends school. It is simply an individual's interest in and enjoyment of books. This video is an awesome and innovative way to inspire a love of reading in people of all ages.

This was inspired by the flashmob that occured during the taping of a Black Eyed Peas concert on the Oprah Winfrey Show. I challenge you to watch either one without smiling (or dancing in your chair)!

He was still hungry!

2010-03-10T12:54:00.000-08:00

Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar is more than just a story about a worm with an endless appetite, it is an opportunity to feed your child’s vocabulary! Vocabulary is one of the six early literacy skills children learn through reading, talking and listening.

Studies show that children who have been read to on a regular basis know around 20,000 words by the age of six, whereas children who aren’t read to know as few as 3,000 words at the same age.

As the caterpillar eats his way through each page, let your child point to and name each piece of food (I’m partial to the chocolate cake). For a sweet treat, visit the Centerville Library on March 18th to meet the caterpillar and enjoy a room full of Eric Carle crafts.

P.S. Don’t forget your camera for this one…it’s a wild night at the library when we’ve got a character in for a visit!

Searching for Dummies

2010-02-19T13:41:00.000-08:00

Okay, you aren’t a dummy. But let’s face it, it seems like Melvil Dewey was determined to make you feel like one when he invented the library classification system. If you’re searching for a book and simultaneously trying to calm a major I-missed-my-nap-today meltdown, the last thing you are interested in is appreciating the finer points of a librarian’s organizational strategy. Here are a few tips on how to find what you want before you lose your mind.

1. The "Keyword" field is your best friend (though probably less sympathetic). Avoid the "Subject" field which searches only the official Library of Congress description of a book. In case you didn’t know, they file all of the cookbooks under “Cookery.”

2. Make use of the drop down menu to the right of the search field to limit your question to things like “Children’s Picture Books” or “Children’s Non-fiction.” Why look at X-Box games that have “play” in the description when you are trying to find a picture book about sharing?

3. If you can’t find a book on the shelf, just ask. Sometimes WE can’t find things and we are here everyday, so don’t feel embarrassed. We won’t laugh at you, I promise. Well, unless you say something funny, then we will. We like a good joke.

A Web site That's Worth It

2010-02-19T13:29:00.000-08:00

The Internet is filled with Web sites that claim to have a quick fix for every parenting dilemma. I recently came across one that promised potty training in one day. Apparently, walking back and forth to the potty nine times will do the trick.

For suggestions based on reality, check out this site we love to peruse: http://www.zerotothree.org./ It has information about the early literacy skills we discuss in our storytimes as well as developmental tips to help you understand your child’s abilities at any age.

P.S. If you ARE looking for information on potty training, check out these titles for you and your child!

Stress Free Potty Training: a common sense guide to finding the right approach for your child
And
How to Potty Train Your Monster

Talking to Grown-Ups

2010-02-19T13:24:00.000-08:00

Let's face it, talking to grown-ups is a necessity. Even I'd rather not do it sometimes, but that's why I work with kids. This is an especially important skill for children to learn early on. Part of preparing your child for school is helping him/her get comfortable talking to adults other than parents and family members.

The library is the perfect place to practice! Let your child ask the questions. Don’t feel the need to hurry your child; we are fully prepared to be patient while he or she articulates a question. We do our best to work with young children in a way that is warm and supportive so that they walk away with just the right book and a sense of self-confidence.

Question we love to answer: How many books can you check out?
Answer: 100! (Cue squeals of surprise and delight)

Read? My child won't even SIT!

2010-02-19T12:00:00.000-08:00

Your child’s attention span is only about a minute for every year he/she is old. For a two year old, that’s only two minutes. We make use of this active age in storytime by incorporating rhymes that involve moving body parts. Ultimately, even if they are moving around while you are reading or rhyming they are still listening. Try to find small bits of time throughout the day to read, rather than making reading a lengthy event.

Instead of singing the familiar words to The Wheels on the Bus, incorporate animal sounds or sounds you hear in your daily life.

The cow in the barn goes moo, moo, moo
Moo, moo, moo. Moo, moo, moo.
The cow in the barn goes moo, moo, moo
All around the farm.

OR while bathing:

The water in the tub goes glub, glub, glub
Glub, glub, glub. Glub, glub, glub.
The water in the tub goes glub, glub, glub
All around the room.

OR while driving:

The cars on the street go vroom, vroom, vroom
Vroom, vroom, vroom. Vroom, vroom, vroom.
The cars on the street go vroom, vroom, vroom
All through the town.

Judge a Book by Its Cover

2010-02-19T11:55:00.000-08:00

Well, okay, don't judge it, but DO talk about it. Is the book big or small? What does the cover look like? Try to predict what the story will be about. This helps a child’s overall awareness of print and familiarity with books. Plus it brings out their creativity!
Here's an example involving a read aloud we LOVE:

Discussion during storytime about this cover:

Miss Jenna: “Do cows really lay eggs?”
Preschoolers: “NO!”
Miss Jenna: “Who does?”
Preschoolers: “CHICKENS!”
Precocious preschooler probably destined for greatness: “Cows lay milk!”

Welcome!

2010-02-19T11:48:00.000-08:00

Just in case you’re wondering what the term “Early Literacy” actually means, it is simply everything children know about reading and writing before they can actually read and write. Early literacy is a baby who chews on a book, a toddler who wants his favorite book read over and over, and a preschooler who "reads" the story to you from memory.

This blog is designed to highlight all of the fun and engaging things you can be doing with your children before they go to school. I'll highlight favorite read-alouds, developmental tips, updates about our library storytimes, and suggestions to help you as parents and caregivers be your child's first and best teacher.