Happy Birthday Winnie the Pooh!


It's Winnie the Pooh's Birthday and we're going to celebrate!  Join us for a birthday bash for our favorite honey-loving bear.

10:30 AM at the library!

Books 'N Cooks

This year we're starting a new book club for kids called Books 'n Cooks.  Each month we will be reading a new book and making something scrumptious to chomp on while we talk.  Our first pick is My Weird School:  Ms. LaGrange is Strange by Dan Gutman. 

I've ordered multiple copies that are available at the library for you to pick up!

Call for information or register online.

Help Me!


One of my favorite things to do as a Librarian is....buying new books!  I try to read as many of the new books that come in so that I can help your children find something they will love.  Therefore, I love to get feedback on what that is!

So here's the question: what are your or your children's favorite books and/or series?


Are you an Pinkalicious fan? Do you dream about the Elephant and Piggie? Or are you thrilled by spooky tales and puzzling mysteries?

I want to know! If we don't already own copies of your very favorites, I will make sure to get them :)






Our new Rhymes&Songs section. Photo courtesy of Flickr user Gretchichi.





You can tell us below in the comments or send us an email at crstaff@darienlibrary.org.



Happy Reading!

Reading=Happy Kids!

Can reading aloud to children help with temper tantrums?


According to a new study in Early Childhood Research Quarterly, it can! Researchers found that toddlers who possess a spoken vocabulary at 24 months show an increased ability to eventually control their emotions and self-regulate. The rationale behind the findings is that children who have the ability to verbalize their frustrations are able to more effectively control their own behavior.



And what time-tested method have parents and caregivers used for generations to help babies and toddlers begin to develop language skills? Reading aloud to them! So, stop by our Children's Library and check out some Tantrum Stoppers...BOOKS!

Kids Love the Web

Looking for fun and educational websites for kids? The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), which is a division of the American Library Association, just launched a fantastic, newly-designed resource: Great Websites for Kids.



The site compiles exemplary websites geared to children from birth to age 14 and are selected by a committee of librarians from around the country. To help narrow down the many choices and select only the best of the best, the committee uses the following guidelines (adapted from the Great Websites for Kids Selection Criteria):

Storytime Rocks!

It's that time again!  Story Time!! 

I often get questions from parents and grandparents about which story time best suits their child.  Here are some guidelines when deciding.

Little Listeners

This is a fantastic, high-energy, BUSY program!  We have children anywhere from 3 months to 5 years that attend one of our Monday sessions.  We do not read any books, but instead we focus on literacy through music, rhymes, fingerplays and songs.  This class is repetitive, as professionals agree that this is the best way for young children to learn and they thrive on routine.  You'll quickly get the hang of this class and hear favorites such as "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "The Wheels on the Bus."  This is a great opportunity for children to begin socialization.  The success of this program depends on parent participation and is an excellent time to bond with your child.

I Am 3!

This storytime is a transitionary program for children who are at least 3 years old.  It is a 1/2 hour class in which we read short, repetitive stories, sing songs and learn new fingerplays.  Afterwards, the children will make a simple craft.  Parents are invited to join their child if they are new to the class, but our goal is to get the children to attend on their own.

Book Buddies

This story time is perfect for the 4,5 & 6 year old child.  It is a bit longer, usually 45 minutes.  We will typically read about 3 picture books, and also sing some fun songs.  We will end with a craft that is related to our theme.  This class is for the independent child who can sit for an extended period of time on their own.

Family Bedtime Stories

This is our evening program that usually follows the same format as Book Buddies.  Parents are required to attend with their children, and it is open for ages 2 and up.

We hope that you will join us for a program this winter!!

Easy Readers? Hard to understand!

Understanding Leveled or Easy Readers
One of the most asked question for a children's librarian is how to find books in a child's reading level. Parents, caregivers, and children will frequently come to us with a Leveled Reading list or instructions from their teachers to find books for AR (Accelerated Reading).

Here are a few ways to find great books for your child:

1. Ask a Children's Librarian.

We pride ourselves on knowing great children's literature and enjoy making recommendations. We will usually begin by asking you or your child what kinds of books you've read recently and whether those books felt "just right" or not. We can help you find similar titles, ones that are a little harder, or a little easier.



2. Check out our Easy Reader section.
For children just learning to read on their own, a great place to browse is in our Easy Reader area.  These books, also known as beginning readers, are designed to help newly emerging readers recognize common vocabulary, anticipate rhyming words, construct meaning through carefully placed illustrations, and build confidence. These are arranged by Levels 1-3.  Our books will typically have the AR point value and reading level written on the inside front page. 


3. Use the Five Finger Rule.

What do the levels really mean? It can be frustrating for both parents and children to locate books on their assigned reading level. Oftentimes, the lists given to parents contain titles that are out of print or unavailable.

One simple and effective way to judge whether any given book is too hard or too easy is The Five Finger Rule. Here's how it works:



- Ask your child to start reading a page from the book. Anytime they come to a word that they cannot pronounce or don't understand, hold up a finger.



- One finger means the book in question is probably too easy.



- Four or five fingers means the book in question is probably too hard.



- Two or three fingers means the book is probably JUST RIGHT.

Happy Reading!