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!