Goings On

I wanted to mention a few things that are going on right now. There is a paper survey available for storytime parents to fill out regarding our Children's Department renovations. They are bright orange and you can grab one right off my desk. Please be candid, your feedback will help us make some terrific changes!

Also, if you haven't already, you still have a few days left to vote on your favorite fish from our coloring contest. Turn in your choice at the circulation desk!

And last but not least, Summer Reading Club is fast approaching, and you will soon see a transformation of the Children's Area. We are hard at work to "Make a Splash," and we can't wait for you to see what we've come up with!

So Many Books, So Little Time...

Spring publishing offers up a ton of great new kiddie books, so much so that it would be nice to spend the day reading! I've come across some terrific new titles, and thought I'd share just a few.

For the youngest reader, Michael Dahl has put out a set of super-fantastic board books that will have you and your toddler giggling each time you read them. Bunny Eats Lunch, Pig Takes a Bath, Pony Brushes His Teeth, and my personal favorite, Duck Goes Potty are full of bright and colorful illustrations, short and silly text, and themes that all parents and kids can relate to.

Also, for the little ones, Dancing Feet! by Lindsay Craig is another wonderful pick. The illustrations are done by Marc Brown (made famous by Arthur, himself) and are a collage of different textures. This rhyming book lets children guess who's dancing across the pages by giving away different clues. I will definitely be using this one in story time!

In the picture book genre, my recent favorites include Woof! A Love Story by Sarah Weeks ( a dog and cat romance) LMNO Peas by Keith Baker (think peas in hard hats working around the alphabet letters), and Miss Brooks Loves Books Loves Books, and I Don't by Barbara Bottner (terrific tale about a librarian who is REALLY into her job and makes it her mission to turn even the most stubborn child into a reader...gee I wonder who that sounds like!)

For kids learning to read on their own, a new Early Reader series called Rico and Robot by Anastasia Suen has been gaining popularity. These two friends find themselves dealing with everything from dinosaurs to pirates. Real kid-friendly stuff!

The juvenile fiction publishing world is churning them out. Rick Riordan (of Percy Jackson fame) has started a new series called, The Kane Chronicles. The first installment, The Red Pyramid, is taking us on an adventure with an Egyptologist. Sure to be a big hit. And remember to bring the kids to the library for Family Movie Night on Tuesday, July 6th at 6:30 when we premier The Lightning Thief DVD! Another great pick is Where the Mountain Meets the Moon ( 2010 Newbery Honor Book) by Grace Lin. This is an enchanting book that has the feel of the old-fashioned Chinese folk tales, but made modern for today's kids. MinLi decides that she is going to find the fabled, Old Man of the Moon to help her desperately poor family.

Parents, you're going to want to sneak this one for yourself!

My newest hobby is reading juvenile graphic novels. I urge you to give them a try. Not only are most of the titles AR, but they are the most fantastic choice for reluctant readers. We have classic books, such as Black Beauty and Dracula in graphic format, as well as the wildly popular Baby Mouse by Jennifer and Matt Holm and the Lunch Lady series by Jarrett Krosoczka. These are perfect for kids who don't have a long attention span when it comes to reading, and they are truly fun.

Let me know if you come across any new picks that you've fallen in love with!

Is there a book that you will always remember from your childhood? One that instantly transports you back to a time when you weren't Mom or Dad, but simply a kid? I actually hate the question, "What is your favorite children's book?" because it feels like choosing my favorite kid. Some of the ones that stick out most are Curious George Goes to the Hospital, Harry the Dirty Dog, Island of the Blue Dolphins, all of Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, and The Secret Garden. Being a Children's Librarian, I think my list of favorites changes on a daily basis. What are some of your favorites??

Summer Reading Club 2010

So, the time has almost arrived. The end of homework assignments, play recitals, packing lunches, running for the bus. Summer is just around the corner, and while things may be winding down around your house, this is the busiest time of the year for Children's Librarians. As many of you know, Moon Library offers a Summer Reading Club program throughout the months of June and July. The beginning of the program starts off with a huge party on the library grounds, and this year is no different. Join us on Saturday, June 12th from 10-12. Our SRC theme is "Make a Splash At Your Library," so prepare for all things water. We will have water gun fights, a Power Shower Dunk Tank, duck ponds, tattoos, crafts, food and fun. This is also the time for you to sign up for all of our summer programs, including storytime, and elementary and family programs. It is going to be a blast!

Moon Library is also having a fundraiser on Kick-Off Day, that has been generously underwritten by Clearview Federal Credit Union. We will be offering lunches, as well as Bruster's Ice Cream for sale to benefit a new and improved Children's Department.

At the SRC Kick-Off Party, you will be able to register for all of our Summer Reading Clubs, including the Read-to-Me club for younger children, as well as the clubs for children and teens. We have set a reading goal of 10 hours for this summer, in hopes that kids will keep reading while school is out. Just keep track of your time spent, come in each week to show how you've done, and pick up a prize. At the end of SRC, we will be giving away some awesome prizes for those of you that have met the challenge. All the children who have participated will also receive something special.

Stay tuned to our blog for future announcements regarding SRC 2010!

New Kid on the Block

Hi there! Welcome to the Moon Township Public Library Children's Department Blog. My hopes for this blog are to provide parents, kids and caregivers a place to hear the latest news about your Children's Department, keep you up to date on programming and events, swap any cool info that relates to the world of children, and talk about some of the best kiddie books around. This department is geared for children birth through fifth grade. Since I am new to this whole Blogging-Universe, I welcome your comments and suggestions.

Miss Megan