Oh, the thinks you can think!

The Camping Trip that Changed America

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Champelli) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:31:00 +0000

Partly because I was pondering the Presidents' Day holiday, and partly because the weather this February has been so springlike, the new nonfiction picturebook The Camping Trip That Changed America, caught my attention. Written by Barb Rosenstock with illustrations by the award-winning artist Mordicai Gerstein, The Camping Trip That Changed America describes what motivated Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, to put huge portions of America's wilderness under the protection of the federal government.

His inspiration stemmed from reading a book by John Muir, a naturalist who feared that the great western forests of America would be destroyed by ranchers and other frontiersmen, unless the government stepped in to save them. Roosevelt wrote to Muir and asked if he would escort him on a camping trip in California's Yosemite wilderness, home to giant sequoia trees. The two men spent three days together in 1903, sleeping under the sequoias, riding by horseback up into the mountains and marveling at the valleys carved by glaciers. Muir impressed upon Roosevelt that as vast as the wilderness appeared, it would be taken over in 10 years time by people who wanted to mine for gold and build hotels, unless something was done to stop them.

Roosevelt responded by persuading Congress to pass laws protecting wilderness areas. He declared large tracts of land National Monuments, including the Grand Canyon. At the end of the book, Rosenstock notes that while Roosevelt was president, the government added 148 million acres to the National Forest and doubled the number of National Parks. Recommended for children in grades 1-4, The Camping Trip That Changed America simply and beautifully describes the lasting impact individuals can have by acting on their concerns.

To learn more about the history of our national parks and the people who were instrumental in creating them, and to find out which national parks you can visit in Indiana, see the PBS website for The National Parks: America's Best Idea. This site for the film series by Ken Burns includes lesson plans and other materials for teachers. Rosenstock's website also includes a section for teachers with suggested inquiry activities based on the book. And of course, a wealth of information about our national parks, including photos and videos, can be found at the website for the U.S. National Park Service - Experience Your America.

See Jane Goodall's Life Through The Eyes Of Two Great Illustrators

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Grabert) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:57:00 +0000

Jane Goodall has had a lovely life. From her childhood love of the outdoors to the chance day she contacted famed scientist Louis Leakey, she always knew what she wanted to do: go to Africa and work to help animals. In her life, Goodall has been many things, including an activist for the environment and a UN Ambassador of Peace; however she is most known for her lengthy career working with chimpanzees. In 2011, two books were created that help us to explore Jane’s life from its roots to the present.

The first, Patrick McDonnell’s Me…Jane, celebrates Goodall’s early life. Through cute illustrations and a few real-life photographs, we see Jane spending time outdoors as a youngster, keeping notes and diagrams of plants and animals. We see her play with her stuffed animal chimpanzee, Jubilee, the reason she first became interested in working with chimpanzees. An ALA notable children’s book, Me…Jane tells a wonderful little story of a girl with big dreams who later grew up to achieve them. Also features a biography and a message from Goodall herself.

Jeanette Winter’s The Watcher is a great companion book to go along with Me…Jane. While The Watcher does begin in Goodall’s childhood, Winter’s story mostly focuses on Goodall’s life in Tanzania where she lived and worked in the Gombe forest, taking rich notes on the lives of chimpanzees. Both books are great introductions to the inspiring story of a woman who has made an impact on our world and our environment.

Me…Jane is recommended for preschool through second grade. The Watcher is recommended for grades 1-3, but both make for great read-aloud books featuring lush outdoor scenes - the perfect warm-up in the cold winter months!

Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans

noreply@blogger.com (Ellen) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:43:00 +0000

February is National African American History Month, and fittingly, Kadir Nelson's Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans, recently won the American Library Association's 2012 Coretta Scott King Author Award. Nelson has provided an overarching introduction to the difficult history of African Americans, told in the voice of an elderly female whose grandfather was born in Africa and was kidnapped and taken to America as a slave at age six. The narrator takes us from the American Revolution, through the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Great Migration, Jim Crow laws, the fight for civil rights, and all the way up through the election of Barack Obama. Nelson ably intertwines important events in the United States with portraits of notable African Americans, as well as with the experiences of all African Americans. Stunning paintings by Nelson illustrate the book, and both words and pictures give powerful voice to the hardships and pain born by African Americans in this country, as well as to their striving for a better, more just, future. Highly recommended for grades 4 and up.

Digital Learning Day is February 1

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Champelli) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:15:00 +0000

For decades now, teachers and others have recognized that technology can play a role in enhancing education and opportunities for learning. To help promote the efforts of teachers who have effectively incorporated technology in their instructional practices - and to encourage others to experiment with digital tools and discover how they may be used to strengthen student learning - the Alliance for Excellent Education has declared Feburary 1 as national Digital Learning Day.

The Digital Learning Day home page features tool kits with lists of resources you can try out. But you might try starting with our list of online resources you can use to Practice Your Reading Skills. Or, you might read an animated storybook available through Tumblebooks. (Connect to Tumblebooks though the Children's Services home page.) Many Tumblebook stories can now be enjoyed on an iPad.

And speaking of iPads, we'll have some iPads out in the Children's Department on Wednesday for you try out. We can show you how to search our collection for children's titles in an ebook or audiobook format, and how to download them for free. And you can try out some of the educational games and activities for children we've saved to our iPads.

No need to worry if you can't visit with us on Wednesday. Exploring how children can use digital media to enhance learning is an ongoing interest. We're especially curious to learn what your favorite digital learning tool is. Or, what digital media do you share with your children? Let us know. We'd love to hear from you. And so would the New York Times. The newspaper invited readers to predict the future of computing. Take a look at the suggestions submitted and vote for ideas you agree with - and find more resources from the New York Times for Teaching With and About Technology.

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things

noreply@blogger.com (Mary F.) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:15:00 +0000

Alvin Ho is afraid of many things including, but not limited to elevators, tunnels, bridges, thunder, substitute teachers, scary movies, shots, and school. Most of all...school. Descended from a long line of Chinese farmer-warriors he loves to run around his house as a noisy superhero called Firecracker Man in a costume his gunggung (that's grandfather) made, complete with a spaghetti drainer on his head. School takes too much of his energy so he is only Firecracker Man on weekends and holidays. It takes a lot of energy for Alvin to make it onto the bus and into the school building. Once he is there he can't think, read, smile, sing, or even scream. Worst of all, Alvin can't talk at school. In spite of his mutism, Alvin is determined to make friends with the help of a list of rules suggested by his brother, Calvin.

Even though Alvin has trouble communicating, he is smart enough to devise strategies for survival. One of those strategies is his PDK or Personal Disaster Kit. It is packed with things that are useful in an emergency. Here is a short list:
A whistle - In case he loses his voice, a whistle would be handy.
A three-leaf clover (because he couldn't find a four-leaf one).
Garlic. For fending off vampires and teachers.
A scary mask. For keeping girls away.

This is a very short list of the creative tools this sensitive second grader uses to manage his life. You will find the whole list and much more when you read Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look.

Recommended for readers in grades 3-5.

Gold-Medal Books Storytime and Reception on Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Champelli) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:49:00 +0000

On Monday, January 23, we will be celebrating award-winning books all day with special programs. The American Library Association announces the 2012 Youth Media award winners at around 8 am that morning. Join us at 10 am for a special storytime where we will feature picture books from years past that have won a Caldecott Award for their illustrations.

Last year's winner, A Sick Day for Amos McGee, is especially popular this time of year when sniffles and sneezes run rampant. Amos is a zookeeper who consistently cares for his friends at the zoo, always making time to play chess with the elephant and run races with the tortoise. When he is too sick to take the bus to the zoo one morning, his friends decide to travel to him! They cheer him up with some quiet, sitting-in-bed activities. Amos feels better by the end of the day, and the visit turns into a sleepover. Since the story concludes with everyone saying goodnight to each other and looking forward to the next day, this soothing picturebook serves as a gentle bedtime story, too, with appeal to ages 3-8.

All ages are invited to attend our "Gold-Medal Books Reception" Monday afternoon. Just stop by any time between 3:30 and 5 pm. We'll have snacks to share while we recall old favorites and learn about the recent winners. We'll also have our new iPads out to show you how you can search for e-book editions of juvenile fiction in our collection. (You can also take a turn spinning the Newbery Award Books spinner, an app that reveals the Newbery Winner and Honor books for each year.)

If you have time to linger into the evening, from 6:30-8:30 pm we'll be showing the movie Holes, based on the 1999 Newbery award-winning book by Louis Sachar. The book is recommended for children ages 10 and older. The movie is rated PG.

Hope to see you at one of these events, but we'll also post the 2012 winners and share some thoughts on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/mcplkids

Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at MCPL!

noreply@blogger.com (Ellen) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:59:00 +0000

Monday, January 16, is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Please come to the library for children's films (including Martin's Big Words) and readings of children's books promoting diversity, tolerance, and equal rights, and last but not least, to do crafts and activities provided by local group Nur Festivals. Most activities will occur between 10 a.m. and noon, and all are drop-in events. Help us celebrate a special day and a remarkable man!

New Ambassador for Young People's Literature

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Champelli) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:03:00 +0000

Award-winning author Walter Dean Myers was named the new National Ambassador for Young People's Literature earlier this week. The position was established in 2008 to raise national awareness of the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education, and the development and betterment of the lives of young people.
A press release issued by the Library of Congress reports:
"The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature is named by the Librarian of Congress for a two-year term, based on recommendations from a selection committee representing many segments of the book community. The selection criteria include the candidate’s contribution to young people’s literature and ability to relate to children."
Myers selection to the post represents an effort to appeal to more young adult readers. (He succeeds Katherine Paterson, the novelist best known for Bridge to Terabithia, and the first appointee, Jon Scieszka.) Myers writes both fiction and nonfiction, including biographies and poetry, but is most well-known for his fiction featuring African American teens.
He chose the banner theme "Reading is Not Optional” as his platform for his term as ambassador. In an interview with the New York Times, Myers states: “People still try to sell books that way — as ‘books can take you to foreign lands.’ We’ve given children this idea that reading and books are a nice option, if you want that kind of thing. I hope we can get over that idea.”
Myers most recent work is a collaboration with his son, Christopher Myers: We Are America: A Tribute From the Heart, a book of poetry highlighting events and people that have shaped America, including Chief Tecumseh, President Abraham Lincoln, and musician Jimi Hendrix. The father-son team discuss We Are America in the video below.

Pop-up Book Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Champelli) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:35:00 +0000

Did you give or receive a book as a gift for the holidays? Did you give or receive an e-book reader for the holidays? PBS's "Mediashift" blog reported recently that despite the ever increasing popularity of e-books and Kindles and Nooks, "Print Books Still Rule the Holidays." The article - and a poster we uncovered in our storage room last week - reminded me that one of my favorite kinds of books to give and receive as a gift is a pop-up book. (A pop-up book is truly, as the old poster stated ... a Gift you Open Again and Again.) I enjoy getting any kind of book as a gift, of course, but as space in my home becomes more limited, I like to own books that I can't borrow from the library. And pop-up books are just not transferrable to e-book format. They are works of art designed for the physical, 3-D world.
Both the Main Library and the Ellettsville branch have collections of pop-up books you can enjoy when you visit the library. We don't permit them to be checked out since traveling back and forth to the building would make them wear out faster. But they are meant to be touched, examined and played with in the library. We own several pop-up books by author, illustrator and "paper engineer" Robert Sabuda - the creator of some of my favorites:
Winter's Tale depicts the sparkly nature of snow in winter and the surprises that await you.
Cookie Count features a delectable collection of cookie confections, baked by colorful little mice. See where they hide when the cat comes by for a taste!
And Brava Strega Nona: A Heartwarming Pop-Up Book is a collaborative effort with Tomie dePaola highlighting the "wise words" prominently featured in an ancestral book of magic - powerful words such as famiglia (family), amici (friends), and amore (love). Ask to see these and other magical pop-up books the next time you visit the library. And visit Robert Sabuda's website to see examples of pop-ups from around the world, and to learn how to make some simple pop-ups on your own!

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

noreply@blogger.com (Ellen) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:44:00 +0000

One request we get all the time at the library is for Star Wars origami books. In the past, we've had to refer people to websites, but now we can finally offer our customers an actual book with instructions for one Star Wars origami figure - speaking of Yoda, I am. Sixth-grader Tommy has an eccentric and socially challenged friend named Dwight, who is somehow able to channel very wise, if sometimes unclear, advice through his origami finger puppet Yoda. Tommy keeps a journal (his "case file") on the advice Yoda offers, in an attempt to determine if people should really listen to Yoda, or if he's just a "green paperwad" like Tommy's friend Harvey claims. Tommy has other classmates write in the journal too, and his friend Kellen provides the accompanying pictures. Despite the humor and overall light touch, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda is also a perceptive look at kids who are trying to figure out what to do in social situations, and how to live their lives in general. Take a look at author Tom Angleberger's website, and read the second Origami Yoda book, Darth Paper Strikes Back. For grades 3-6, recommended these books are!

Creative Crafts for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Mary F.) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:56:00 +0000

When it is too cold to play and you're stuck inside, you might get a little bit of cabin fever. One sure cure for this dreaded, boring condition is to make something fun. The Children's Department has hundreds of books filled with ideas and instructions to help you create colorful crafts.
One great example is Creative Crafts for Kids published by Reader's Digest Children's Books. Here you will find instructions for making fantastic greeting cards, balloon monsters, floral picture frames, and much more. This book will help you get creative with paper, wire, paint, felt, glitter, and glue. Creative Crafts for Kids is right for children in 3rd grade and older, but the library has great craft books for all ages. We also have a wide selection of seasonal craft books to help you and your family celebrate the holidays. So don't suffer from cabin fever...come to the library to find a cure for a boring winter day.

I Want My Hat Back

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Champelli) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:15:00 +0000

Hurrah for end of the year “best of” lists! They often tip me off to some great reads, or games or films, etc. that I hadn’t yet discovered on my own. But they also often affirm that I wasn’t the only one who thought a particular book or movie was worthy of special mention. That’s the case with I Want My Hat Back, a picture book by Jon Klassen. I was pleasantly surprised to see this title included on the New York Times list of Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2011.
The story features a large bear who has lost his hat. When he meets different woodland animals, he asks each one: Have you seen my hat? They each respond in the negative, but the pictures tell a different story, and bear is a bit slow to realize that one of the animals was not telling him the truth! The story itself is slight, but the short sentences, repetition, and mischievous humor will hold appeal for beginner readers looking for a funny story to read on their own – as well as older readers who enjoy a slightly devious tale!
Recommended for ages 4 and up, I Want My Hat Back could also be a contender for the Geisel Award – named in honor of Dr. Seuss and given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the last year. Watch for this and other youth media awards to be announced by the American Library Association on Monday, January 23.

In the meantime, you can watch the book trailer preview of

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen from Candlewick Press on Vimeo.

Annie: A Cardinal Stage Preview Performance

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Champelli) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:44:00 +0000

Go ahead, admit it. You've sung the song "Tomorrow" from the musical Annie, at least once in your life. (After a few straight days of non-stop rain, I'm singing it right now! The sun'll come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun...)

Well, whether or not you know by heart the lyrics to "Tomorrow" or the other catchy tunes featured in the show, we are betting that you'll enjoy the free sneak preview of Cardinal Stage Company's performance of Annie, this Saturday, December 3, from 11-11:30 a.m. in the Main Library Auditorium. Cast members will present a couple scenes, and you'll have a chance to ask some of the children performing in the play what it's like to be in a musical.

In the meantime, here's a little trivia you can share with your friends: The title character of Annie stems from a poem called "Little Orphant Annie" written in 1885 by Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley. The poem inspired the name for the title character in the comic strip "Little Orphan Annie," created by Harold Gray and first published in the New York Daily News in 1924. The comic strip was very popular in the 1930s and enjoyed a long history before it was finally cancelled in 2010. But the character of Annie lives on in movies and musicals.

Cardinal Stage Company's production opens December 12. Check their website for details on show times and ticket sales. And reserve your seats now for the free preview performance on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the library. All ages are welcome!

Wonderstruck

noreply@blogger.com (Ellen) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 23:54:00 +0000

I'm excited about the movie Hugo, opening this week, based on Brian Selznick's amazing book The Invention of Hugo Cabret (winner of the 2008 Caldecott Award). Selznick's newest title, Wonderstruck, is no less incredible. Alternatively told in pencil drawings (Rose's story, set in the late 1920s) and words (Ben's story, set 50 years later), the tales eventually intertwine in ways that are surprising and poignant. Even if you think you're not interested in the history of museums and dioramas, wolves, deafness and deaf culture, constellations, and silent movies, you'll find Selznick's blending of these elements creates a spellbinding read as well as a visual treat. Listen and watch Selznick tell us about his newest masterpiece at Scholastic's Wonderstruck website, and visit Selznick's website for some more insight into the man and his work and interests, including a list of his favorite "weird websites." Recommended for grades 4 and up.

Early Literacy at The Learn and Play Space

noreply@blogger.com (Mary F.) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:30:00 +0000

If you know a child who is 7 years old or younger, the Learn and Play Space in the Children's Department at your Monroe County Public Library is the perfect place to visit. Children and their adult caregivers may explore several learning stations that were designed to help build early literacy skills. Children grow vocabulary when they work puzzles and play with puppets. Imaginary play in the store and the kitchen builds narrative skills which help children make meaning of words when they begin to read. The letter wall is a great place to learn the names of the letters and to practice the sounds the letters make. The writing center is stocked with cards, paper, envelopes, and markers so children can write books, mail letters, and draw pictures. Trained supervisors are available during most open hours to guide learning experiences, play games, and provide craft materials. There is even a dedicated space that is reserved for infants who are not walking and their caregivers exclusively. This engaging space has been made possible by support from the Smithville Charitable Foundation and the Friends of the Monroe County Public Library. Paper supplies for the writing center are received from the Reuse Center at the District.

When you come to the Learn and Play Space, don't forget to share books. Reading aloud to a child is a great way to build early literacy skills. Children learn that books are important when their adult reads to them. When adults read with expression and enthusiasm, they communicate the joy of reading to children. It is also great fun to "take a picture walk." Choose a page in a book with interesting illustrations that show some action. Ask open-ended questions. "What do you think is going to happen next?" "What would you do if that happened to you?" "How would you feel?" "Why do you think that happened?" Expand on what your child says by repeating or paraphrasing, adding details, and using new words.

You can read more about how libraries and caregivers are partnering to promote early literacy in
Early Literacy Storytimes @ Your Library : Partnering with Caregivers for Success by Saroj Ghoting.

Meet Olivia at the Library

noreply@blogger.com (Christina Jones) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:30:00 +0000

Olivia captured my heart the moment I opened her first book, more than ten years ago, and saw a trail of deselected items of clothing littering the floor as she squeezed into her just-right sailor dress. Whether she's taming lions or sailing on a gondola in Venice, Olivia always has the right outfit for any occasion.

While there are lots of opportunities to enjoy Olivia, including her television show on Nick Jr., the best way to get to know Olivia is through her series of picture books. In Olivia Forms a Band, discover Olivia's resourcefulness when she supplies her own music to a fireworks display. Revel in Olivia's amazing power of deduction when she solves the case in Olivia and the Missing Toy. Travel with Olivia by gondola in Olivia Goes to Venice. See astonishing feats of daring and imagination in Olivia Saves the Circus. Along the way you'll meet Olivia's delightful family including her little brothers William and Ian.

Don’t miss your chance to meet Olivia when she visits the library, at both the Main Library and Ellettsville Branch. We will tell a story, watch a film, and make a craft celebrating Olivia’s world. Bring your camera, and have your picture taken with our favorite porcine diva.

For preschoolers and their families.
Please register by calling (812)349-3100 or through our website.

Library Auditorium and Children’s Program Room
Friday, November 11, 2011. 4:30 p.m.

Ellettsville Children's Program
Saturday, November 12, 2011. 11:00 a.m.

For more Olivia fun, visit her official website, Olivia the Pig.

First Snow in the Woods

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Champelli) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:57:00 +0000

While some Monroe County residents grumble about the deer that tread too closely to their homes or raid their gardens, I relish seeing the deer emerge from the woods that surround my home. My son recently reported that he had seen six deer of various sizes while he was playing in our front yard. They observed him cautiously for a moment before stepping quickly across the lawn, confident that his remote controlled car would not harm them!

It's a little easier to spot the deer now that most of the leaves have fallen from the trees. But if you don't have a chance to see deer right in your neighborhood, the picture book First Snow in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy features stunning color photographs that provide a vivid and intimate way to admire deer and other wildlife that live in the woods. The book also profiles the changing seasons as different animals describe how they prepare for the arrival of winter weather.

Recommended for ages 3-8, this book was published in 2007, and last year a companion DVD, First Snow in the Woods: the Movie, was released. The movie adds songs and a story about an anxious scarecrow that preschoolers may not fully appreciate. But, as a whole, the movie includes beautiful and entertaining scenes of deer, squirrels, owls, and a variety of other other woodland creatures (as well as a humorous crow who sounds like he's just flown in from New York!) that are sure to appeal to preschool and younger school-age children.

The movie also includes special segments with the directors who describe how they made the movie, and the challenges of photographing wild animals in their natural habitat. (They also include a collection of silly woodland knock-knock jokes, narrated by the woodpecker, of course!)

First Snow in the Woods is part of a trilogy produced by wildlife photographers Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick. Follow the changing seasons with Stranger in the Woods, a winter-wonderland adventure, and then Lost in the Woods, a story for spring. Each title includes a companion DVD, written and directed by Laura Sams and Robert Sams, siblings and cousins of Carl Sams. For more information about the Sams and their work, to see additional images and hear sounds of woodland animals, and to find some related activity sheets, visit their website http://www.strangerinthewoods.com/.

Festival of Ghost Stories, Friday 10/28

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Champelli) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:41:00 +0000

Several of the Children's Librarians, members of the Bloomington Storytellers Guild, will be telling spooky stories at Bryan Park this Friday, 7-8:30 pm, as part of our annual Festival of Ghost Stories. Not intended for young children, this free event is a chance for older children, teens and adults to enjoy hearing some spine-tingling tales. So grab a lawn chair, or bring a blanket, and join us for some stories - and a couple songs - certain to give you the shivers!

(In case of rain, the event will be held indoors at the Main Library. We'll know by late afternoon, so give us a call at 349-3100, to check on the location.)

MCPL Homework Center

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Wolf) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:46:00 +0000

Do you have a K-6 grader who could use a hand with homework? Is it time for a fresh mind in your nightly homework routine? The MCPL Children's Services Department offers FREE homework help for Kindergarten through 6th grade children, Monday-Thursday from 4:00-7:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1:30-4:30 p.m.

No need to pre-register. You don't even need your library card (but as long as you're stopping by, you might want to check out some books or DVDs). Just come down to the Main Library on Kirkwood and get help in any subject, including reading, from our friendly IU undergrad tutors.

Feel free to call us at 349-3100 if you have any questions, or check out the Homework Center website.

We also offer homework help at the Ellettsville Branch (876-1272) and for Middle and High School Students. Check it out!.

Dead End in Norvelt

noreply@blogger.com (Ellen) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:58:00 +0000

Jack Gantos is one of my favorite authors, especially when I'm in the mood for a quirky, darkly funny read. Dead End in Norvelt is no exception - in fact, it had me laughing out loud in several places about the (fictional?) escapades of the protagonist, also named Jack Gantos! I wish I'd been witness to the real-life childhood of Gantos, to see exactly which of the characters and situations in this novel occurred exactly as he describes. So many favorite scenes - one where Jack is enlisted to dress as the Grim Reaper to determine whether an old person is dead or not, another when his nose bleeds AND he faints after seeing what he thinks is a woman stripping the skin off her arm with her teeth. Set in 1962 in Pennsylvania, there is a wealth of interesting historical information about the town of Norvelt, named in honor of Eleanor Roosevelt, and founded in the 1930s in order to improve the quality of life of impoverished coal miners. Read this book and enjoy the weird and oddly poignant humor that inhabits the world of Jack Gantos. Recommended for grades 6 and up, and especially for those with a high tolerance for the more morbid side of life. Younger children will enjoy Gantos' Rotten Ralph picture books and first chapter books (illustrated by Nicole Rubel), and older school-age kids may enjoy, and relate to, the Jack Henry books and the award-winning Joey Pigza titles.

Slightly Creepy Stories for Fall

noreply@blogger.com (Mary F.) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:29:00 +0000

The nights are growing chilly and the leaves are starting to turn. All of the apple and pumpkin books have been checked out at least once and soon the Halloween shelves will be bare. If you are looking for something slightly creepy to fit the season, you may have to dig a little deeper. We have two booklists to help you suss out books that will give you the shivers. Preschool and early elementary book lovers will enjoy selections from
The Not-Too-Scary Stories booklist. Older readers who have a high tolerance for terror should look for the Horror display and
booklist.

If you like books that are not too scary but are weird and slightly off-kilter you will love the books of author/illustrator Chris Van Allsburg. His book The Stranger is perfect for October. The mystery begins when Farmer Bailey accidentally hits a man with his truck. The stranger isn't injured, but he doesn't speak and can't seem to remember who he is or where he is from. There are some clues to his identity. He is unusually fascinated by the steam that curls off a bowl of soup, his breath is like a chilly draft, and he exhibits a deep, supernatural connection with nature. Van Allsburg's illustrations are typically as sharp and realistic as photographs. The art in this book features that characteristic clarity glowing with the warm amber tones of high autumn.

Van Allsburg was awarded the Caldecott honorable mention for his deeply strange adventure The Garden of Abdul Gasazi . A boy named Alan is dog sitting a bad mannered bulldog named Fritz. During their afternoon walk, Fritz leads Alan over a bridge and through a vine-covered wall into a shadowy garden owned by a retired magician named Abdul Gasazi. When that bad Fritz runs away, Alan must face the fearsome Gasazi to appologize and ask him to help find Fritz. Too late! The magician has already turned Fritz into a duck! Or has he?

Anyone who believes in magic will love the The Widow's Broom . "Witches' brooms don't last forever. They grow old, and even the best of them, one day, lose the power of flight." When a witch crashes in Minna Shaw's garden, she leaves behind her flightless broom. But it turns out that a broom that can no longer fly may still have enough magic in it to help an old widow around the house, at least until the superstitious neighbors find out. And what would a witch's broom do when threatened by two bullies?

To learn more about this award winning author, visit Chris Van Allsburg's website. And remember, if you are in the mood for something mysterious or just a little bit strange, look for our booklists or ask a librarian. We are happy to help you celebrate the season.

Grolier Online and other Homework Help Tools

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Champelli) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:37:00 +0000

I live with a wonderful third grader. But on occasion, he forgets to tell me until late at night that he has a homework assignment due the next day. Now, I'm as big a fan of Google as anyone, but when I need to find information quickly from a trusted source at a reading level suitable for a third grader, or other school-age student, I am grateful to have access to Grolier Online.

Grolier Online is a multimedia encyclopedia that provides you with a wealth of information on a range of topics. Topics include links to related magazine articles and recommended web sites. And most topics include images and maps, when relevant. The Monroe County Public Library's subscription to Grolier Online includes the reference databases America the Beautiful for information on states, and Lands and People for information on countries around the world. MCPL card holders can access all the resources free from home by logging in with their library card number.

So the next time you are tempted to just "Google it," try Grolier Online instead! And take a look at the other Online Homework Help Resources we recommend, too.

Click Clack Moo: A Special Preview Performance

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Champelli) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:46:00 +0000

As a student of journalism, I am a true believer in the power of the written word. And, apparently, so are the cows in Doreen Cronin's hilarious picture book: Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type. When the cows discover a typewriter in their barn, they begin making demands of Farmer Brown. It's cold in the barn. They want electric blankets.

Ridiculous, thinks Farmer Brown, and he refuses their request. But then the cows refuse to give any more milk. And the hens join the cows in solidarity and refuse to give any more eggs. The duck is the barnyard mediator, shuffling typed messages back and forth between the farmer and the cows. But, it seems that even ducks have desires for creature comforts.

Bloomington's own Cardinal Stage Company presents a theatrical adaptation of Click, Clack, Moo. The show opens at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center on October 8, but you can get a sneak preview of the fun in store (or shall we say: on the farm?) at our preview performance on Saturday, October 1 at 11 am. Join us in the Main Library Auditorium when cast members from Cardinal's production of Click, Clack, Moo present scenes from the show. It's sure to be mooooovelous!

I Don't Like to Read! (well, really, I do)

noreply@blogger.com (Ellen) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 19:01:00 +0000

We are just starting our First Grade Tours here in MCPL Children's Services, and it motivated me to try to remember some of my own experiences in the first grade. One vivid memory is going on our first visit to the school library - I was so excited it was lucky I didn't toss my cookies! The thrill was tempered a little by the fact that I could hardly read - in fact, I was in the "lowest" reading group in my first grade class. (Not that the teacher told us which group was the lowest, of course - we just all knew.) I apparently told my mom of my frustration and fear about not reading well, and she told my teacher. Before I knew it, I was reading with the top group, and understanding what I read! I'm still not sure exactly what my teacher did, but apparently that extra bit of attention and encouragement, both at home and at school, made a huge difference. (It didn't hurt, either, that the top reading group had more interesting fare.) After thinking about this, I looked for a picture book that reflected a little of my experience. I've always liked Nancy Carlson, with her colorful and almost comic-like art, her anthropomorphic characters, and her positive messages. I Don't Like to Read! features Henry, a mouse who likes almost everything about first grade except reading. He says reading is "boring" and "dumb" - but really, he's upset that he can't read, while some of his classmates can. His teacher catches on, and with a little help from him, and with extra reading time at home (positive, NON-pressured reading time), he soon is reading and loving it! In fact, when his teacher asks who wants to read the day's lunch menu aloud, Henry is the first to raise his hand. And I can relate, because I love to read, and (ask anyone in my department), I love reading menus the most - especially the part with desserts!

The Book of Songs & Rhymes with Beat Motions

noreply@blogger.com (Mary F.) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:19:00 +0000

Singing is one of the best activities children and caregivers can enjoy together. Singing promotes a love of music in young children and helps build early literacy skills by breaking words down into small pieces. The library is a great source of wonderful songs for early childhood in books, CDs, Books on CD, and DVDs. A particularly good source of engaging songs for preschool and young school-aged children are the materials by Dr. John Feierabend. Look for his books in the Parent-Teacher Resource Room. Adults who spend time with small children will love The Book of Songs & Rhymes with Beat Motions . Here you will find songs, rhymes, and games that encourage moving with the beat. These rhymes and songs have been passed along for generations and are full of magic and imagination. You will also find CDs of songs collected by Dr. Feierabend in the Children's Audio-Visual collection.