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!

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!"

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.

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!

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:

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

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!

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!

National Library Week!

Stop by the Matteson Public Library April 11th through 17th and help us celebrate National Library Week. As a thank you for your support and patronage, all kids are invited to stop by the YS Department, show us your library card and spin our prize wheel! We will be giving out a variety of prizes including scratch and sniff bookmarks, mood pencils, and free books!

And don't forget to participate in our Design a Bookmark contest for Children's Book Week. Forms are available at the library and on our website!

SLJ's "Battle of the Kids' Books", my guilty pleasure

I try to be a good steward to your tax dollars, so I don't generally visit websites that aren't directly related to performing my job while on duty. I even tend to blog during lunch with a sandwich in one hand. For the past two weeks, however, I have gleefully rushed to my "office" (It has three walls, so I am calling it an office, thank you very much!) and logged on to http://www.sljbattleofthebooks.com/. School Library Journal, in case you don't know, is a magazine I use to help me select materials to buy for the Youth Service's Department here at Matteson Public Library. They have created their own version of "March Madness" by pitting sixteen of the best books for children published in 2009 against each other. Then they invited 16 distiguished and talented children's book authors as judges.

This is the first year I have followed the "Battle," and I it has helped to remind me why I do what I do, because I love children's books! Each of the books in the "Battle" are excellent. I am not quite sure how they were selected as finalists for the competition. There are some other excellent titles that I would have also liked to have seen included. Regardless, the author/judges have had to make tough decisions and have done so with style and grace. I can't wait to read the results of tomorrow's battle! So whether you are a librarian, teacher, or parent, check out SLJ's Battle of the Kid's Books. Then stop by the library, and check out some of these excellent titles to share with the young people in your life.

"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" in theaters today!

The Dairy of a Wimpy Kid" series of books by Jeff Kinney has exploded in popularity and become a great hook for reluctant readers. The Matteson Public Library has at least 9 copies of each title, so chances are we always have a few copies available of some of the titles. I found a great way to celebrate by wimping yourself out at the movie's webpage at http://www.wimpyourself.com/!

My daughter and I are going tonight and we wonder if the characters will really be true to the book. Therefore, I am adding a poll to my blog. Did you think the movie did a good job portraying the book? Vote today!

Picture Book Classics

Reading picture books together is a great way to end the day and a great way to get your preschooler ready to read. Here is a list of some of my favorite classic picture books that are still popular today. I Some of these were read to me by my mother, and some I remember being read on TV during the mornings I spent watching the Ray Rayner Show before school on WGN Channel 9 during the 1970's. You may recognize some of them. They are all available at the Matteson Public Library. Share them and your childhood favorites with your child today.

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

The Story of Babar by Jean du Brunhoff

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virgina Burton

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Corduroy by Don Freedman

Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag

Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crocket Johnson

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

Swimmy by Leo Lionni

George and Martha by James Marshall

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

Rikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel

The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

Curious George by H. A. Rey

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

It Looked like Spilled Milk by Charles Shaw

Caps for Sale by Louis Slobodkin

Lyle, Lyle Crocodile by Bernard Waber

Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

Rebecca Caudill Teaser for Trouble by Gary D. Schmidt

Trouble by Gary D. Schmidt, Is a complex and powerful story. 14-year old Henry has been told by his father, that "If you build your house far enough away from Trouble, then Trouble will never find you." Trouble does find Henry and his family, however, when his older brother is hit by a car, left in a coma, and later dies. The last word his brother speaks to Henry is the word "Kadahdin" refering to a mountain in Maine that the two boys had planned to climb together. As Henry plans to climb the mountain in his brother's honor, he learns things about his brother he never knew. The Rebecca Caudill Evaluators Committee recommends this title for Gr. 7-8th, and I would definitely agree. It is worth 12 AR points.

Rebecca Caudill Teaser for Diamond Willow by Helen Frost

First of all, I have to say, I loved this book! It tells the story of 12-year old Willow who lives in a remote area of Alaska helping her father care for a team of sled dogs and dreaming of the day when she can lead them on her own. She faces life or death challenges guided by the spirits of her ancestors. This slight, deceptively simple story is a quick but memorable read! The 2011 Caudill List recommends this title for grades 4-7. It is worth 2 AR points.

Have you had your baby screened?

I recently read a fascinating article from an online newletter that once again confirmed the importance of early screening of babies. The article discussed results of the U.K.'s Millenium Cohort study of 15,000 children born between 2000-2001. The study showed that delays in skills like crawling, a gross motor skill, and holding objects in their fingers, at nine months of age was a good indicator of possible cognitive development delays at age five!

Early screening for children under the age of three is available for Matteson area residents for free. Screening in useful for a wide range of reasons, not just developmental delays. It is another tool available to parents to help keep babies healthy beyond regular visits to the doctor.

If you live in the areas served by Matteson School District #162, you should contact the SPEED Center at 1-708-481-6010 and ask for the Family Enrichment Program. Their knowledgable staff have developed a wonderful and enjoyable way for you and your baby to play and learn together.

If you live in areas served by Matteson School District #159, contact the District's Main Office at 1-708-720-1300, and request information about their Birth to Three program.

Don't forget to bring your baby to our Lapsit program! Lapsit is held each Tuesday at 9:30 & 10:30am. It features songs, fingerplays, stories and bubbles. It is a perfect first playgroup opportunity for your little one. No registration is required.

The 2011 Rebecca Caudill Award Books are in!

Good news! the 2011 Rebecca Caudill Master list is now available, and the Matteson Public Library has copies of books from the list ready for you to check out. I have personally read quite a few and I'm scrambling to finish the rest. I have been keeping track of the list for 15 years now, and this year's has to be one of my all time favorites. I will begin blogging teasers introducing each of the books soon!

There are participating schools in both Matteson School District #159 and # 162. To check if your school is participating next year, ask your lovely school library media specialist!

What is the Rebecca Caudill Award, you ask?

The Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award is an annual award given to the author of the book voted most outstanding by students in grades four through eight in participating Illinois schools. The Evaluator's Commitee selects 20 books for each year's list from recommendations by students, teachers, school media specialists and public librarians.

How can you learn more?

The award has it's own website, http://www.rcyrba.org/ , if you are looking for more information on the award or to view a copy of the 2011 Master List.

Welcome to my blog!

I am hoping to create a useful place for parents, caregivers, kids, teachers, and school librarians in the Matteson, Illinois area. I will recommend great books, tell you about the Matteson Public Library, and give you tips about all kinds of interesting things going on in our area and beyond!