Pick of the Week: My People

My People by Langston Hughes with photographs by Charles R. Smith Jr. (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2009)

"Who are 'my people'?" and how do you translate beautiful words into beautiful images? photographer Charles R. Smith Jr. asks in his afterword of Langston Hughes' My People. Smith notes that Hughes' poem is simple, but so eloquent. Langston Hughes compares the beauty of the night to the beauty of his people. In creating this book, photographer Smith captures the celebration of black people of differing age, shades, and sizes. It is a gorgeous book - and this year's winner of the Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Award, which recognizes an African-American illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults.

2010 Youth Award Winners Announced

The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2009)

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association, announced its 2010 Youth Awards on Monday. For a full list of award winners, including those receiving honorable mention, head to the ALSC site here. Congratulations to all of the authors, illustrators, and publishers receiving awards this year!

New Picture Books to Check Out

Zero is the Leaves on the Tree by Betsy Franco, illustrations by Shino Arihara (Tricycle Press, 2009)

It's easy to count three of something--just add them up. But how do you count zero, a number that is best defined by what it's not?

The Frogs and Toads All Sang by Arnold Lobel, illustrated by Adrianne Lobel (HarperCollins, 2009)

Presents a linked collection of ten short stories in rhyme featuring frogs, toads, and polliwogs.

Princess Party by Joy Allen (G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2009)

Shows the many different ways a princess can be an incredible girl.

With a sparkly cover and large brightly colored pages illustrating the variety of ways a princess can be, what's not to like?

Archie and the Pirates by Marc Rosenthal (Joanna Cotler Books, 2009)

When Archie the monkey finds himself on a strange island, he makes a multitude of new friends who help him defend their home from intruding pirates.

Bye-Bye, Baby! by Richard Morris, illustrated by Larry Day (Walker & Co., 2009)

Felix does not like his new baby sister and thinks his parents should take her back, until a trip to the zoo makes him realize that she might not be as bad as he thought.

Puffling by Margaret Wild, illustrated by Julie Vivas (Feiwel and Friends, 2009)

As his affectionate parents nourish and protect him, a plucky young puffin impatiently waits--but not without some reservations--for the day when he is "strong enough and tall enough and brave enough" to leave his nest on the rocky cliff-face and waddle off to the sea.

Road to Mumbai by Ruth Jeyaveeran (Houghton Mifflin, 2004)

Shoba and her pet monkey, Fuzzy Patel, set out overnight by flying bed to attend Fuzzy's cousin's wonderful wedding in Mumbai, India.

Long Shot: never too small to dream big by Chris Paul,  illustrated by Frank Morrison (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2009)

Although he is shorter than most of his classmates and everyone discourages him from trying out for the basketball team, eight-year-old Chris Paul, future NBA All-Star, just works harder than everyone else so his size will not matter.

Mr. and Mrs. Portly and Their Little Dog, Snack by Sandra Jordan, pictures by Christine Davenier

Snack is a very happy puppy when Mrs. Portly adopts him but when persnickety Mr. Portly returns from a fishing trip, he banishes Snack to a doghouse until their mutual love of art, and a thief, bring them together.

Practical Ideas for Feeding Kids Well Event

It's time for another Growing Families Together event!

"Practical Ideas for Feeding Kids Well" - January 23, 2010

This month OSU Extension Faculty will share easy and inexpensive meal and snack ideas that can help families eat healthy and well. It's a new year - the time of year people are inspired to eat better! What does it mean to "eat better"? Can you really feed your family a healthier diet if they are "picky" eaters? Can you provide healthier food for your family without raising your food bill? Learn tips for shopping that can cut food costs and recipes for quick and easy preparation of snacks and meals. Come and taste the samples and take home the recipes provided. Resources for more ideas will also be available.

Corvallis Public Library - January 23rd Workshop
11 – 12 pm, Resource booths 12 – 1 pm.
Call 541-766-6794 for more info.

Albany Public Library - January 23rd Workshop
2 - 3 pm, Resource booths 3 - 4 pm.
Call 541-917-7591 for more info.

Free child care available at both locations.

Growing Families Together is a series of quarterly mini-workshops for parents sponsored by LBCC's Parenting Education Dept, Corvallis-Benton Co. Library, Albany Public Library, Albany Parks & Rec, Corvallis Parks & Rec, Samaritan Health and OSU Extension.

The Treasure Bath

The Treasure Bath by Dan Andreasen (Henry Holt and Company, 2009)
This is a treat for young imaginations! Have you ever wondered what's happening underneath the bath bubbles at bath time? Maybe not, but the little boy in this wordless picture book by Dan Andreasen is about to find out! After helping his mother bake a chocolate cake, it's time to clean up in a bubble bath and let the adventures begin. Share this one at bedtime or right before bath time to spark imaginations and elicit some giggles! Dan Andreasen is the author/illustrator of numerous children's books including Arthur's Pretending Day, The Baker's Dozen, and Pilot Pups.

Pizza & Literacy

Many families have a regular pizza night. Why not extend the family time fun and create a play "pizza restaurant" with literacy-enriched activities?

Start by sharing a pizza-themed book! Two of my favorite are:

"Hi, Pizza Man!" by Virginia Walter, illustrated by Ponder Goembel

While a young girl waits for the delivery of a hot pizza, she provides the appropriate animal sounds for a variety of pretend animal pizza deliverers.

 

 Pete's a Pizza by William Steig

When Pete feels miserable because rain makes it impossible to play ball outdoors, his father finds a fun indoor game to play with his son.

Children want to do what they see grownups doing. During dramatic play experiences, children act out what they've seen the grownups in their lives doing. Just gather up a few literacy and play props around the house and you can create a pizza restaurant with your child. They'll get to play a role as chef or server as they prepare a pretend pizza meal for you, their guest. Many grownup routines are so full of literacy activities, but we rarely stop to think about this fact. As a guest at a restaurant, you might read the daily specials on a chalkboard and browse the menu at your table. When a server takes your order and writes it down on his order pad, that's modeling literacy skills. When the chef reads the order and refers to the recipe, she is using literacy skills as well. Cooking involves both reading and math skills.

For "pizza restaurant" play, you could use toy or "play" food, or create pizzas with craft supplies. Supplies you could use include:

• a play cash register or a small box to use for collecting "money"
• play money - create your own or use the money from a board game
  
• small pizza boxes, if you have them
• apron
  
• bowls, pizza pans, play food, cups
  
• construction paper for creating craft pizzas
• yarn for the "cheese", different colored construction paper cut into a variety of shapes for the "toppings", glitter for sprinkling with "basil" or "red pepper flakes"...
• pencils, crayons, markers, glue
• paper to create a menu and for taking an order. You can purchase order pads and receipt books at an office supply store for an added "real" touch.
  
• telephone to "call in the order"
• table and tablecloth
• chalkboard and chalk to write out the daily specials
  

Looking to move beyond pretend play? Children are so eager to help and do grownup activities, that they're likely to want to join you in the kitchen as you prepare the real pizza meal. Depending on your children's individual ages, you can give them jobs of varying responsibility helping you cook. Whether it is helping you sprinkle the cheese, spread the sauce, kneed the pizza dough, measure and pour ingredients, or read the recipe with you, there is plenty for them to help with. Delicious fun!

Pick of the Week: How to Get Married, by me, the bride

How to Get Married, by Me, the Bride by Sally Lloyd-Jones and Sue Heap (Schwartz & Wade Books, 2009)

Did you ever think to get your wedding advice from a very young self-proclaimed "expert"? In this cute, funny story, an all-knowing little girl explains to us how to get married. Her advice includes everything from how to choose your partner to advice about your dress to how to get the party going at the reception!