Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Be A Star At Your Library
We have been accepting summer reading club registration for 15 days and so far we have close to 750 children registered and reading! Summer reading programs help support your child's reading ability. Children who do not read during the summer can lose up to a whole grade level of reading ability during those summer months. If you have not registered you child, there is still time. Stop by and sign your child up to be a star at the Matteson Public Library!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
New picture books with pizazz!
As summer comes closer, we of the Matteson Public Library are working hard to purchase some new books for fun summer reading! Here are some of my favorite new picture books for young children:
For the "princesses" out there, I would like to recommend Polly's Pink Pajamas by Vivian French. Polly loves to wear her pink pajamas all the time, but she is invited to a party and needs to find just the right outfit! Luckily, she has friends to help her! Pink Me Up by Cherise Mericle Harper is another title for lovers of the color pink! A cute little bunny named Violet is invited to attend a pink party with her mother! Unfortunately, the pink spots on her mother's face mean that she is sick and can't attend. Daddy offers to bring Violet, but boys aren't pink! Violet's Daddy gets in the spirit and he looks "pinktastic!" Finally, for the little ballerinas, try My Friend Maya Loves to Dance by Cheryl Willis Hudson. The illustrations feature a lovely African-American dancer performing everything from ballet to african dance in beautiful costumes. Share this one with the little dancer in you life!
For your fire truck fans, try Firehouse by Michael Teague. Edward and his cousin Judy are visiting a fire station to learn what it takes to be a real firefighter. When there is a real emergency, it's Edward to the rescue! Big Rig Bugs by Kurt Cyrus, combines the appeal of trucks and bugs into one eye-catching package! As the "big rig bugs" work to clean up at mess left by a "litter bug," in the background there are trucks worling on completing there own project. The text is simple enough to be share with toddlers, but the pictures will pull in the preschoolers! For a bedtime treat, choose Willoughby and the Moon by Greg Foley. When Willoughby's closet magically opens onto the moon's surface, he helps a giant snail search there for its favorite silver ball.
Finally, here is a list of great books for everyone:
Love-A-Duck by Alan James Brown
Chavela and the Magic Bubble by Monica Brown
Stuck in the Mud by Jane Clarke
The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks out! (Big Time) by Troy Cummings
What the Ladybug Heard by Julia Donaldson
Kid Tea by Elizabeth Ficocelli
My Garden by Kevin Henkes
Mimi's Dada Catifesto by Shelley Jackson
One Too Many by Gianna Marino
The Sleep Sheep by Anna McQuinn and Hannah Shaw
Nibbles: a gree tale by Charlotte Middleton
Basil's Birds by Lynn Rowe Reed
Wanted: The Perfect Pet by Fiona Roberton
Creak! said the Bed by Phyllis Root
Stop by the Matteson Public Library beginning June 1st and register for the Summer Reading Program, "Be a Star at your Library!"
For the "princesses" out there, I would like to recommend Polly's Pink Pajamas by Vivian French. Polly loves to wear her pink pajamas all the time, but she is invited to a party and needs to find just the right outfit! Luckily, she has friends to help her! Pink Me Up by Cherise Mericle Harper is another title for lovers of the color pink! A cute little bunny named Violet is invited to attend a pink party with her mother! Unfortunately, the pink spots on her mother's face mean that she is sick and can't attend. Daddy offers to bring Violet, but boys aren't pink! Violet's Daddy gets in the spirit and he looks "pinktastic!" Finally, for the little ballerinas, try My Friend Maya Loves to Dance by Cheryl Willis Hudson. The illustrations feature a lovely African-American dancer performing everything from ballet to african dance in beautiful costumes. Share this one with the little dancer in you life!
For your fire truck fans, try Firehouse by Michael Teague. Edward and his cousin Judy are visiting a fire station to learn what it takes to be a real firefighter. When there is a real emergency, it's Edward to the rescue! Big Rig Bugs by Kurt Cyrus, combines the appeal of trucks and bugs into one eye-catching package! As the "big rig bugs" work to clean up at mess left by a "litter bug," in the background there are trucks worling on completing there own project. The text is simple enough to be share with toddlers, but the pictures will pull in the preschoolers! For a bedtime treat, choose Willoughby and the Moon by Greg Foley. When Willoughby's closet magically opens onto the moon's surface, he helps a giant snail search there for its favorite silver ball.
Finally, here is a list of great books for everyone:
Love-A-Duck by Alan James Brown
Chavela and the Magic Bubble by Monica Brown
Stuck in the Mud by Jane Clarke
The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks out! (Big Time) by Troy Cummings
What the Ladybug Heard by Julia Donaldson
Kid Tea by Elizabeth Ficocelli
My Garden by Kevin Henkes
Mimi's Dada Catifesto by Shelley Jackson
One Too Many by Gianna Marino
The Sleep Sheep by Anna McQuinn and Hannah Shaw
Nibbles: a gree tale by Charlotte Middleton
Basil's Birds by Lynn Rowe Reed
Wanted: The Perfect Pet by Fiona Roberton
Creak! said the Bed by Phyllis Root
Stop by the Matteson Public Library beginning June 1st and register for the Summer Reading Program, "Be a Star at your Library!"
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The DS games are now in!
Yes, the Matteson Public Library is now circulating ds games! The games can be found in the Media Room on the shelf above the Wii games. We have approximately 50 games to start with in this growing collecting with more to be added as they become available. Games are free to borrow but must be checked out on your library card from your local library.
To celebrate, this summer we will be hosting a series of open mulitplayer sessions where kids entering 3rd grade and up can come and play games together from a single card! We are going to see how many kids we can get playing the same game at the same time. Maybe we will set a new world's record! Kids will need to register for the sessions and bring their own ds. We will supply the games.
To be eligble to attend, kids will need to be signed up for our summer reading club, "Be A Star at Your Library." Regstration for the summer reading club begins on June 1st and must be done in person at the Youth Services Desk. Club members must read library books during the summer to win prizes and be eligible to attend fun activities. The program is free to all, but you must have a library card from a local library to check out materials.
To celebrate, this summer we will be hosting a series of open mulitplayer sessions where kids entering 3rd grade and up can come and play games together from a single card! We are going to see how many kids we can get playing the same game at the same time. Maybe we will set a new world's record! Kids will need to register for the sessions and bring their own ds. We will supply the games.
To be eligble to attend, kids will need to be signed up for our summer reading club, "Be A Star at Your Library." Regstration for the summer reading club begins on June 1st and must be done in person at the Youth Services Desk. Club members must read library books during the summer to win prizes and be eligible to attend fun activities. The program is free to all, but you must have a library card from a local library to check out materials.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
One Crazy Summer!
Here at the Matteson Public Library, we are putting our finishing touches on plans for our summer reading program, "Be a Star at your Library!" The whole program will be revealed online and in the library in two weeks. I would like to recomend a book that I just read as a great way to get the summer started for kids in grades 4-7.
In "One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia, 11-year-old Delphine is sent to Oakland California with her two younger sisters to spend time with her mother who abandoned them years ago. The year is 1968, and Oakland is a turbulent place with riots and rallys as the community responds to the civil rights issues of the day. Delphine's mom still has no interest in taking care of her children, so they rely on the local Black Panther's sponsored summer camp for breakfast and something to do during the day.
This book teaches children an important history lesson about what the Black Panther's Party was and the positive things it did for African American children growing up during this troubled time. It is also one very funny story with characters drawn so realiatically that I felt I knew them. This is one terrific book. I would not be surprised if we see it mentioned next year in conjunction with a children's book award like the Newbery Award or the Coretta Scott King Award. Remember Matteson, you heard about it here first!
In "One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia, 11-year-old Delphine is sent to Oakland California with her two younger sisters to spend time with her mother who abandoned them years ago. The year is 1968, and Oakland is a turbulent place with riots and rallys as the community responds to the civil rights issues of the day. Delphine's mom still has no interest in taking care of her children, so they rely on the local Black Panther's sponsored summer camp for breakfast and something to do during the day.
This book teaches children an important history lesson about what the Black Panther's Party was and the positive things it did for African American children growing up during this troubled time. It is also one very funny story with characters drawn so realiatically that I felt I knew them. This is one terrific book. I would not be surprised if we see it mentioned next year in conjunction with a children's book award like the Newbery Award or the Coretta Scott King Award. Remember Matteson, you heard about it here first!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Happy Earth Day!
During story time this morning, I read the a wonderful new book to our collection, We Planted a Tree by Diane Muldrow. The story follows the planting of a single tree and how it benefits the whole world. After I was done reading, I asked the kids to hug a tree today! The Matteson Public Library can help you help educate your child or young adult on environmental issues. To start the discussion, try one of my favorites:
An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore (Young Reader version)
Recycle: a handbook for kids by Gail Gibbons
True Green Kids: 100 things you can do to save the planet by Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin
Picture Books:
OK go by Carin Berger
Hey! get off our train by John Burningham
We Planted a Tree by Diane Muldrow
All the World by Elizabeth Garton Scanlon
Just a Dream by Chris Van Allsburg
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Chapter Books:
Annie Glover is Not a Tree Lover by Darleen Bailey Beard
Cam Jansen and the Green School Mystery by David Adler
Judy Moody Saves the World by Megan McDonald
Just Grace Goes Green by Charise Mericle Harper
Flush by Carl Hiaasen
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
My Life in Pink and Green by Lisa Greenwald
Operation Redwood by Susannah French
Nonfiction:
50 ways to save the earth by Anne Jankeliowitch
Get out! 150 ways for kids and grown-ups to get into nature and build a greener future by Judy Molland
Mission, save the planet: things you can do to fight global warming by Sally Ride and Tam O' Shaugh
An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore (Young Reader version)
Recycle: a handbook for kids by Gail Gibbons
True Green Kids: 100 things you can do to save the planet by Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Oh Baby!
Tuesday is my favorite day of the week. That's because each Tuesday morning I get to spend some quality time with some of the coolest people I know...babies and toddlers! Today is "Lapsit" day, a day where I get to sing songs, read stories, blow bubbles, and play! I walk out of each session smiling and thinking, this is so much fun that I can't believe I actually get paid to do this. Now before you think that I qualify for a reduction in pay, let me explain why the Matteson Public Library provides this program.
According to http://www.zerotothree.org/, a national non-profit organization devoted to promoting the health and development of infants and toddlers, "The first three years of life are a period of incredible growth in all areas of a baby's development. A newborn's brain is about 25 percent of its approximate adult weight. But by age 3, it has grown dramatically by producing billions of cells and hundreds of trillions of connections, or synapses, between these cells." Researchers agree that there is much that adults can do to support healthy brain development for children from birth through age three. Hence, Lapsit!
As we are singing, reading, and playing together, we are introducing vocabulary, developing social skills, and stimulating those little brain cells to develop the synapses needed to later learn to read. It really is exciting, and fun too! Every time one of my little friends babbles to me, I look directly into their eyes and respond, whether I understand what they are saying or not. I am modeling how conversation works to them, and boy do these babies "get it." Later on, when they are a little older, and I can actually understand what they are saying, I try to get down to their level to hold a conversation with them for as long as they are interested. I want them to know that words and ideas are powerful and that their ideas have value. These toddlers "get it" too.
Seemingly along for the ride, are the moms, dads, nannies, grandmas, grandpas, and caregivers. Only, they are not just providing transportation. These caregivers "get it" too. They set aside Tuesday mornings to bring their babies and toddlers to the library because they are committed to the best possible start in life for these young children. I thank them all for sharing their children with me and giving me the privilege of watching them grow and develop.
The Matteson Public Library offers it's Lapsit program each Tuesday morning at 9:30 and 10:30am. No registration is required, and there is no fee to attend. Help us spread the word and provide the best possible start for all of Matteson's babies and toddlers. Don't worry, I am always up for more opportunities to play!
According to http://www.zerotothree.org/, a national non-profit organization devoted to promoting the health and development of infants and toddlers, "The first three years of life are a period of incredible growth in all areas of a baby's development. A newborn's brain is about 25 percent of its approximate adult weight. But by age 3, it has grown dramatically by producing billions of cells and hundreds of trillions of connections, or synapses, between these cells." Researchers agree that there is much that adults can do to support healthy brain development for children from birth through age three. Hence, Lapsit!
As we are singing, reading, and playing together, we are introducing vocabulary, developing social skills, and stimulating those little brain cells to develop the synapses needed to later learn to read. It really is exciting, and fun too! Every time one of my little friends babbles to me, I look directly into their eyes and respond, whether I understand what they are saying or not. I am modeling how conversation works to them, and boy do these babies "get it." Later on, when they are a little older, and I can actually understand what they are saying, I try to get down to their level to hold a conversation with them for as long as they are interested. I want them to know that words and ideas are powerful and that their ideas have value. These toddlers "get it" too.
Seemingly along for the ride, are the moms, dads, nannies, grandmas, grandpas, and caregivers. Only, they are not just providing transportation. These caregivers "get it" too. They set aside Tuesday mornings to bring their babies and toddlers to the library because they are committed to the best possible start in life for these young children. I thank them all for sharing their children with me and giving me the privilege of watching them grow and develop.
The Matteson Public Library offers it's Lapsit program each Tuesday morning at 9:30 and 10:30am. No registration is required, and there is no fee to attend. Help us spread the word and provide the best possible start for all of Matteson's babies and toddlers. Don't worry, I am always up for more opportunities to play!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Summer Volunteer Opportunities for Teens!
Help your teen spend some quality time this summer helping out the library and building up his or her community involvment hours for college applications and future job applications.
The Matteson Public Library is now accepting applications for summer reading volunteers. Applicants must be entering grades 6-12th in the 2010-11 school year. Applicants must be residents of Matteson and have a library card in good standing. Applications are available at the YS Desk and are due by Saturday May 1st!
Volunteers perform a variety of tasks including cutting out projects for storytime, helping during programs for younger children, making reminder phone calls, assisting with media-related projects (i.e. filming/editing), acting as a peer mentor during programs for teens, straightening shelves and wiping down books, and other special duties based on thier skills and interests
Late applications will not be accepted, so pick up an application today!
The Matteson Public Library is now accepting applications for summer reading volunteers. Applicants must be entering grades 6-12th in the 2010-11 school year. Applicants must be residents of Matteson and have a library card in good standing. Applications are available at the YS Desk and are due by Saturday May 1st!
Volunteers perform a variety of tasks including cutting out projects for storytime, helping during programs for younger children, making reminder phone calls, assisting with media-related projects (i.e. filming/editing), acting as a peer mentor during programs for teens, straightening shelves and wiping down books, and other special duties based on thier skills and interests
Late applications will not be accepted, so pick up an application today!
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