"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!

Today is National Tooth Fairy Day!

What's the going rate for teeth these days??

Check out a great book about this milestone moment! 


http://catalog.einetwork.net/search~S99?/dtooth+fairy/dtooth+fairy/1%2C6%2C26%2CB/frameset&FF=dtooth+fairy+fiction&5%2C%2C18




http://catalog.einetwork.net/search~S99?/dtooth+fairy/dtooth+fairy/1%2C6%2C26%2CB/frameset&FF=dtooth+fairy+fiction&7%2C%2C18



http://catalog.einetwork.net/search~S99?/dtooth+fairy/dtooth+fairy/1%2C6%2C26%2CB/frameset&FF=dtooth+fairy+fiction&11%2C%2C18

You should know Peter Brown.

Just in case you aren't familiar with one of my personal favorite kiddie lit authors, I'd like to introduce you.  His name is Peter Brown and he rocks.  He is both author and illustrator to some fantastical picture books, including The Curious Garden, winner of the E.B. White Award (as in Charlotte's Web author E.B. White), as well as being named an ALA Notable book.  You should definately grab a large handful of his work the next time that you stop in to the library.  Oh, and moms...he's pretty cute, too!

Check out his website

I Love Lists!

I don't know about you, but I go nuts for lists.  Especially when they involve books.  And especially when they involve children's books!  Scholastic's Parent and Child Magazine recently published The 100 Greatest Children's Books.  I found so many that I loved, but I also was disappointed to see some of my favorites left out.  Check it out, and let me know what you think!  http://www.scholastic.com/100books/