Book Review: Your Baby's First Word will be Dada!!-Jimmy Fallon

For most new moms and dads, when their child starts talking, they hope their first word will be "Mama" or " Dada". But in the animal world, it is most likely that a piglet will " Oink", a puppy will " Woof" and a duckling will " Quack". And while it might be frustrating, in time ( and in some form), they may one day say " Dada".

This is a really cute book from Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show. I love the oddly-cute animals like the triangular-shaped mice and the half-circle chickens. I would have like a bit of a plot, but I'm assuming that the intended audience is for the under 3 set, they can just point at the pictures and say the animal sounds in the bubbles (or  perhaps I could use  this for the animal/farm section of Mother Goose on the Loose.) Perfect for new dads.







Your Baby's First Word will be "Dada" by Jimmy Fallon
Age Range: 2 and up
*** (3 stars)



Looking for more books celebrating Dad ? Here are some recommendations:

• Daddy Hugs  by Nancy Tafuri
• Saturday with Daddy  by Dan Andreasen
• Hero Dad by Melinda Hardin
• The Fathers are Coming Home by Margaret Wise Brown

By the way, Fallon wrote a children's book long before he was married and had kids. It's called Snowball Fight!! and it's a good read aloud for winter.

Bookworm List: Summer!!!

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Hello all!!

So this weeks marks the start of our Summer Reading Program, Every Hero has a Story ( and runs until August 1st). This week, it's all about summer!!! Is anyone heading to the beach or planning a big vacation? Or are just planning to relax and have some fun reading before school starts?

Well, about reading some books all about .... Summer!! Here are some recommendations-

• At the Boardwalk by Kelly R. Fineman
• The Night Before Summer Camp by Natasha Wing
• Sun Dance, Water Dance by Jonathon London
• A Couple of Boys have the Best Week Ever! by Marlee Frazee
• Bats at the Beach by Brian Lies
• Totally Polar by Marty Crisp
• Happy Birthday, America by Mary Pope Osborne
• Beach Day by Karen Roosa
• Sand Castle by Brenda S. Yee
• Fun in the Sun by David Catrow

To close, I felt like posting a Beach Boy song ( especially since I used one for tonite's Family Storytime and tomorrow's storytime for ages 2 and 3 and ages 4 and 5. ) Here is " True to Your School". Enjoy!!

Book Review: Bow Wow's Nightmare Neighbors-Mark Newgarden

About 7-8 yrs ago when I did my first outreach programs at the Merrillville public schools, I read a wordless, comic-like picture book called Bow Wow Bugs a Bug, in which a little yellow dog had some fun with a flea.  In his latest adventure, Bow Wow ventures to a spooky house to deal with some cats who bit him on the tail while napping and stole his doggie bed. With creeks and scares around very corner ( not to mention an even bigger tail-biting cat ), can Bow Wow retrieve his bed on a dark and stormy night?

Like the first Bow Wow, I laughed and laughed my head off ( plus felt the need to make spooky sounds and spooky music, like "Dun-Dun-DUNNNNN"). I'll have to keep this book in mind for upcoming Halloween programs ( or when things go bump in the night).


Bow Wow's Nightmare Neighbors by Mark Newgarden
Age Range: 2 and up
***** (5 stars)

Looking for more books featuring dogs? Here are some suggestions:

• Bow Wow Bugs a Bug by Mark Newgarden
• Traffic Pups by Michelle Meadows
• Homer by Elisha Cooper
• Shaggy Dogs, Waggy Dogs by Patricia Hubbell

Book Review: Show Time with Sophia Grace and Rosie-Sophia Grace Brownlee and Rosie McClelland

Yay, Sophia Grace and her cousin Rosie are back!! The school's having a talent show and they're planning a big song and dance number with lots of glitter and purple tutus. And so much more. It's going to be grrrr-eat!!

Once again  my inner sparkle princess giggled and delighted at Youtube's and Ellen DeGeneres's favorite singing British cousins ( who are once again recaptured adorably and glittery through Shelagh McNicholas's pencil and water color illustrations). I especially love the BIG surprise ending that says everyone is a star.

Show Time with Sophia Grace and Rosie by Sophia Grace Brownlee and Rosie McClelland
Age Range: 5 and up
Lexile: 540
**** ( 4 Stars)







Looking for more glittery, girly reads? Here are some recommendations:

• Tea Time with Sophia Grace and Rosie by Sophia Grace Brownlee and Rosie McClelland
• Pink Me Up by Charise M. Harper
• Puptastic! by Victoria Kann
• Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor

By the way, the girls also have a direct to DVD movie, Sophia Grace and Rosie's Royal Adventure. 

Every Hero has a Story- June Programming

 Summer is just around the corner, and so is the library's summer reading program. Starting June 8th, and continuing until August 1st, children ages 2 to 14 can earn prizes by reading  library books. All they have to do is read one  book, magazine, or audio book and return it  to the Children's Department, where our teen volunteers will record each book read  on a special card, and eventually earn prizes for every 10 picture books or 500 chapter book pages read.

We will also be having programming during  the summer, too. Here are some programs that will happening next month in the Children's Dept at the Central Library. Please visit Library Events for information and register.

 Tween and Teen Volunteer Meeting-Wednesday, June at 4 pm or Thursday, June 4 at 6 pm 'Tweens and teens, ages 11 (must be 11 by August 2014) through 17, who are interested in volunteering during the library's Summer Reading Program, must attend a Volunteer Meeting in order to sign up. A parent or legal guardian must be present to sign a permission slip at the meeting.

Bea the Bea Story hour-Saturday, June 6 at 10am-Audience: All Ages

 Mother Goose on the Loose-Monday, June 8 and June 20 at 10 am-Audience:Infants 6-23 Months and caregiver.

 Family Story hour-Monday June 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 6pm-Audience: All Ages

 Story Time for 2 and 3 yr Olds- Tuesday, June 9, 16, 23, and 30 at 10 am Audience:2 and 3 year olds and caregivers.

Story Time for 4 and 5 yr Olds-Tuesday, June 9, 16,23, and 30 at 11:15 am- Audience: 4 and 5 year olds

 Lego Club-Tuesdays at 4pm-Audience: K-5

 Read to the Dog!-Tuesday, June 23 and 30 at 3:15 pm-Audience:K-5

 Family Movie Day ( Wednesday at noon) Patrons can bring a lunch or snack. No red or dark colored drinks! 
June 10-Alexander and the Very Bad Day
 June 17-Incredibles
June 24-Big Hero 6 Audience: All Ages. Children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older

 Gaming with Heroes-Wednesday, June 10 and 24 at 6pm-Audience: K-6

Board Games with Heroes-Wednesday, June 17 at 6 pm-Audience: K-6

Comic Con Kick-Off- Saturday, June 13 at 10 am- 4 pm- Audience: All Ages

Superhero Training Academy-Thursday, June 18 at 10:30 am-Audience: K-5

 Comic Club- Thursday, June 18 and 25 at 3:00 pm-Audience: 3-6th grade

Merrillville Fire Department-Friday, June 19 at 10:30 am-Audience: All Ages

Spies vs. Ninjas-Thursday, June 25 at 10:30 am-Audience:K-5

 Tie-Dye T-Shirts- Friday, June 26 at 10:30 am-Audience: All Ages

See You Soon!!

Book Review: The Best Part of the Day- Sarah Ban Breathnach

 As day folds into night, have you ever ask yourself " What was the best part of the day?" Was it tending the garden or picnics with friends? Or the sand in your toes or catching summer's fireflies? Snuggle in safe and warm and celebrate " the best part of the day."

A beautiful written  book from the author of Simple Abundance (and beautifully illustrated by Wendy Edelson), this book helps children remember life's little moments, every day of the season. It may even encourage parents and grandparents to start a new bedtime ritual. Perfect for all ages.

The Best Part of the Day by Sarah Ban Breathnach
Age Range: All Ages
***** (5 stars)

Looking for more books that teach thankfulness? Here are some recommendations:

• Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
• Thanksgiving Day Thanks  by Laura Elliot
• The Thankful Book by Todd Parr

Book Review: Yoda: The Story of a Cat and His Kittens-Beth Stern

Once upon a time there was a Persian cat named Yoda, who dreamed about being a supercat. But then his owners do not want him, so he is taken to a animal shelter, where his fur becomes dirty and becomes skinny as a string bean. But then a lady named Beth adopts him, and while it is heaven, something is missing. Perhaps some kittens will help.

This is such an adorable, funny illustrated  book from Howard Stern's wife(and yes, this really is a true story). I especially love  all the little, sarcastic cartoon bubbles from big, blue-eyed Yoda ( especially when he is trying to keep the kittens out of trouble). A must have for animal ( and cat) lovers.

Yoda: The Story of a Cat and His Kittens by Beth Stern
Age Range: 6-8
Lexile: 530
**** ( 4 Stars)

Want more books featuring cats? Here are some recommendations:

• My Name is Bob by James Bowen
• Little Lola by Julie Saab
• Cheetah Can't Lose by Bob Shea
• I Love Cats  by Sue Stainton

Storytime for 2 and 3 yr old: Love Your Mama

For our final 2 and 3 program for Spring 2015, we celebrated moms ( since this Sunday is Mother's Day). The kids heard three books ( A Little Bit of Love by Cynthia Platt, Over in the Meadow by Olive Wadsworth, and When Mama Comes Home Tonight by Eileen Spinelli), rang some bells, and made a handprint card for their mom.

Here are one of the songs we did for today-

Daffodils fingerplay added 3-23-00 Original Author Unknown
(Show fingers or make daffodil puppets from cupcake liners and craft sticks!)

One little daffodil had nothing much to do,
Out popped another one, then there were two.
Two little daffodils were smiling at a bee,
Out popped another one, then there were three.
Three little daffodils were growing by the door,
Out popped another one, then there were four.
Four little daffodils were glad to be alive,
Out popped another one, then there were five.
Five little daffodils were wearing golden crowns,
They danced in the breeze in green satin gowns.

For background music, I played a classic compilation CD called For Sunday Brunch ( part of the For Your Life CD series). Here is Concerto in A major for two violins in Scordatura and Continuo by  Georg Philipp Telemann. Enjoy.

 This summer, Storytime for 2 and 3 will be  every Tuesday starting June 9 at 10 am, followed by 4 and 5's Storytime at 11: 15 am.  Starting Monday, June 8 at 6 pm, we will be having a Family Storyhour.
Stay tuned for more details.

Upcoming Programs in May

Here are some programs that will happening next month in the Children's Dept at the Central Library. Please visit Library Events for information and register.



Story Time for 2 and 3 yr olds- Monday, May 4 at 10 am- Audience: 2 and 3 year olds and caregivers.

Mother Goose on the Loose-Tuesday,May 5at 10 am-Audience: Infants Birth to
23 months and caregiver (s).


Story Time for 4 and 5 yr olds- Tuesday,May 12 and  at 10 am - Audience: 4 and 5 year olds.


Lego Club-Monday, May 11 at 4 pm-Audience: Grades K-5


Board Game Fun-Wednesday, May 6 at 6:30 pm- Audience: Grades K-5




Mother's Day Craft Class-Thursday, May 7 at 4 pm-Audience: K-5

Gaming Night- Wednesday, May 20  at 6 pm- Audience: Grades K-5


Coming This Summer- Every Hero has a Story ( June-August 2015)

See You Soon!!

Storytime for 2 and 3 yr olds: A Day at the Pond

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 Well, the weather almost a damper to our pond visit, but it happened ( rambunctious toddlers and all). The kids heard three stories ( Do Like a Duck Does  by Judy Hindley , Kipper's Book of Opposites  by Mick Inkpen, and Trout Trout Trout by April Pulley Sayre), tap some sticks, and made a rainbow fish.

Usually with the crafts, I like to play some background music ( and normally something that is tied to the program theme besides the activity CD). So with pond, I figure bluegrass ( even though I am not a bluegrass fan) and found Sarah Jarosz  Song Up in her Head  ( because of the cute cover). Here is one of the tracks, enjoy.

 

Our last  Storytime for 2 and 3 yr olds for Spring 2015  is Monday, May 4 at 10 am.  We'll be celebrating Moms. 

See You Soon