April Program Bonanza!

This may sound very un-librarian-like, but I don't feel comfortable when the library is quiet.  Being in the children's department, I'm used to laughing, talking and often noisy children.  That's where I'm comfortable.  Therefore, I don't enjoy a lot of downtime!  In order to make sure that the library is a lively, jovial place, I like to pack in the programs.  We have a storytime or children's program nearly every day of the week.  Each month, we have special programs for children and this April is no exception. 

On April 5th, we're having the folks from Gateway to the Arts perform a storytime program of Eric Carle's Head to Toe.  Being a huge Carle fan, I am really looking forward to this one!  April 11th will bring our monthly Reading With Ruby the Dog!  On April 22nd we will have our monthly Lego Club meeting and on April 26th we will have our monthly Books 'N Cooks meeting.  This has turned out to be a really successful bookclub for the elementary crowd in which we talk about our featured title, have fun with some related activities and then cook up something yummy!  Last month we made fruit kabobs with sweet yogurt dip...delicious!  On April 28th, Miss Beth has some gooey fun in store with our Super Sloppy Saturday Science Club!  And finally, we will wrap up the month with a visit from the Queen of Hearts on April 29th.

I think I have the noisy library thing covered!

Get Your Battle On

Tonight is the 21st Annual 5th grade Battle of the Books Tournament.  Each year teams from Moon Area and Rhema schools compete against one another in this literary event.  Children form teams of five and read a total of 15 books chosen by school and public librarians.  This year we have an amazing assortment of titles including a few classic loved books and brand new favorites.  Over several months they study these books and prepare their teams for battle.  Tonight these teams will go head-to-head in 3 trivia battle rounds to see who is the most well-read team in Moon Township.  The Battle of the Books has been a radically popular and successful program for the last two decades.  Children voluntarily sign up to read these books and work as a team.  This year we have 28 teams competing for the title.  In today's world where books are often overlooked in favor of video games, iPods and the like, it thrills me to see so many kids participating and getting so excited over reading! 

One Book, Every Young Child

Each spring, Pennsylvania chooses a local author to feature in the One Book, Every Young Child program.  This is the seventh year that we have participated and we are excited to reveal this year's title!  Stop Snoring, Bernard! by Zachariah OHora was published in 2011, and follows the loveable sea otter Bernard as he tries to find a place in the zoo where his loud snoring won't disturb the other animals. Stop Snoring, Bernard! encourages young readers to appreciate what makes each of us different. Stop Snoring, Bernard! is OHora's first book for children and it is the recipient of the 2011 Society of Illustrator's Founders Award.  Look for storytime programming around this fantastic book during the month of April.

We Love Babar!

Although one of the best parts of coming to the library is checking out our new book section, it's also super fun to meet an oldie-but-goodie.  Jean de Brunhoff began his series about the beloved elephant back in 1931, and they hold up to this day.  Did you know there are 43 books in the Babar series? 

Check one out today!

"Mom, Let Me Do It!"

I think one of the best things about bringing kids to the library is watching them pick out their own books.  I know that there are many opinions out there regarding sticking to a certain reading level or genre of books, but I really encourage parents to allow their children to choose on their own.  I remember my own son wanting to check out a Harry Potter book when he was in preschool.  We took it home, he listened for about 20 minutes, and decided instead on Harold and the Purple Crayon.  However, I think the act of letting him decide for himself made him understand that books provide an open world and that the library is really his library. 

And remember, if you ever need any help finding something...I know all the books!

~Miss Megan

Home Alone

One of the tough decisions that parents face is when to begin leaving their child home alone.  The American Red Cross website has some great tips to help kids stay safe when they're on their own.  Check out the link below. 


Red Cross Tips

My Baby Only Tries To Eat Books...Why Should I Read To Her Now?

Have you ever wondered what the best age is to start reading to a child?  It may seem silly, but reading from birth has amazing results.  Science has showed us that by the time babies celebrate their first birthday they will have already learned all the sounds needed to speak their language. The more stories you read aloud, the more words your child will be exposed to and the better he or she will be able to talk. Hearing words helps to build a complex vocabulary in a baby's brain. Kids whose parents frequently read to them know more words by age 2 than children who have not been read to. And kids who are read to during their early years are more likely to learn to read at the right time.  And you guessed it, this means that they will most likely do better in school. 


When reading, your child hears you using many different emotions and expressive sounds, which fosters social and emotional development. Reading also invites your baby to look, point, touch, and answer questions all of which promote social development and thinking skills. And your baby improves language skills by imitating sounds, recognizing pictures, and learning words.

But perhaps the most important reason to read aloud is that it makes a connection between the things your baby loves the most which is your voice, being close to you, and naturally, books.

Check out some of these great titles for our youngest readers!

Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?  by Eric Carle
Hello, World! by Winnie Ho
Hooray for Fish! by Lucy Cousins
Jamberry by Bruce Degen
Mommy Hugs by Anne Gutman
More, More, More Said the Baby by Vera B. Williams

What a special day it is!

Not only is today Dr. Seuss' Birthday, but it's also Read Across America Day!  Share a story with your child today, and let them know how important reading is!

You can also stop by the library today and pick up a free children's book in honor of today!