Pick of the Week: One World, One Day

One World, One Day by Barbara Kerley (National Geographic, 2009)

This gorgeous photographic book follows one day from sunrise to sunset in our shared world. The photographs capture the everyday things we all do - such as eat breakfast, head to school, enjoy recess, laugh, do chores, and rest together. Bringing a sense of commonality and respect among the diverse people and places in this world, this book does a fine job illustrating that while we all have our differences, there's quite a lot that unites us.

Yum! Delicious Books about Food

The forecast for this week calls for rain. On rainy days, I love to spend time in the kitchen, trying new recipes, and sharing meals with friends and family. Young children often love to join you in the kitchen, too! Cooking helps build vocabulary skills, early math and science skills, and can be a lot of fun (especially if you don't mind a little mess)!

Here are a few recommended food-themed books to share with a young child:

Baby Food by Margaret Miller (Board Book)

Margaret Miller's photographs of adorable babies with spoons, bottles, tasting crackers, and getting messy!

Foodie Babies Wear Bibs by Michelle Sinclair Colman, illustrated by Nathalie Dion (Board Book)

Hip, modern "foodie" babies are fed, play in the kitchen, browse the farmer's market, "read cookbooks" and more in this board book for the youngest foodies.

Lunch by Denise Fleming

A hungray gray mouse nibbles up a large quantity of food for lunch. This is one to share with toddlers and preschoolers who are learning their colors and names of food. Delicious!

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert

Perfect for harvest time! A father and son plant and grow the vegetables they use to make delicious vegetable soup. A good read for young gardeners, and those helping make homemade soup. A delicious soup recipe is included.

Martha Speaks by Susan Meddaugh

Martha the dog learns to speak after eating alphabet soup. Look out, Martha's family, the trouble has just begun! A fun, silly book to read right before eating alphabet soup!

The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Marla Frazee

Think you have a picky eater at home? Read this! "Peter wants only milk, Lucy won't settle for anything but homemade lemonade, and Jack is stuck on applesauce. Each new addition to the Peters household brings a new demand for a special meal. What's a mother to do? Even though Mrs. Peters picks, peels, strains, scrapes, poaches, fries, and kneads, the requests for special foods keep coming. It isn't until her birthday arrives that a present from her children solves the problem with a hilarious surprise that pleases everyone." (Summary courtesy of Syndetics) 

New Picture Books

Looking for something new to read with your child? Here is just a few of the new titles in the Juvenile Easy (Picture Book) collection at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library:

Apple Countdown by Joan Holub, illustrated by Jan Smith

Rhyming text describes a school field trip to an apple orchard, where the students count down all the things they see, from twenty nametags to one apple pie.

Big Cat Pepper by Elizabeth Partridge, illustrated by Lauren Castillo

Big Cat Pepper has always been part of the family, but after he grows very old and dies, the boy who loves him comes to understand his mother's reassurance that "his spirit is forever and can fly, fly, fly."

Boo to You! by Lois Ehlert

When the neighborhood cat tries to crash the mice's harvest party, the mice have a plan to scare the intruder away.

How Do You Wokka-Wokka? by Elizabeth Bluemle, illustrated by Randy Cecil

A young boy who likes to "wokka-wokka, shimmy-shake, and shocka-shocka" gathers his neighbors together for a surprise celebration.

Starred Review - School Library Journal

Maisy Goes to Preschool by Lucy Cousins

Join Maisy and her friends for a busy day at preschool! Experience many school activities: painting, music, story time, and more!

Only a Witch Can Fly by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo

A young girl wants to fly like a witch on a broom, and one special night, through enormous effort and with the help of her brother, her black cat, and an owl, she fulfills her dream.

Red Sings from Treetops: a year in colors by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski

In spring, Red sings from tree-tops: cheer-cheer-cheer, each note dropping like a cherry into my ear With original and spot-on perceptions, Joyce Sidman brings the colors of the seasons to life in a fresh light, combining the senses of sight, sound, smell and taste. Illustrator Pam Zagarenski's interpretations go byeond the concrete, allowing us to not just see color, but feel it. (Summary from Syndetics)

Anthony Browne: Britain's New Kids' Laureate

Author/illustrator Anthony Browne is the United Kingdom's latest Children's Laureate. You might know Anthony Browne from his picture books like Gorilla or My Dad. Read what he has to say about picture books:

"I believe picture books are for everybody at any age, not books to be left behind as we grow older. What excites me about them is how often the pictures can tell us so much more than the words. I like the way they can reveal clues as to what a character is thinking or feeling. Picture books are special – they're not like anything else. Sometimes I hear parents encouraging their children to read what they call "proper books" (books without pictures), at an earlier and earlier age. This makes me sad, as picture books are perfect for sharing, and not just with the youngest children."

(For more on this story, see: http://www.childrenslaureate.org.uk/For-children) Watch a video interview with the author here: http://www.childrenslaureate.org.uk/Anthony-Browne/Find-out-more!

If you haven't checked out Mr. Browne's work, take a look at these picture books the next time you're at the library. This is just a small sampling of the titles the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library owns.

Little Beauty by Anthony Browne

When a gorilla who knows sign language tells his keepers that he is lonely, they bring him a very special friend.
 

 

 My Brother by Anthony Browne

A child describes the many wonderful things about "my brother," who can fly, write amazing stories, and stand up to bullies.

Silly Billy by Anthony Browne

To help with his anxiety, Billy uses the worry dolls his grandmother recommends, but he finds that they do not quite solve his problem.

Pick of the Week: The Sleepy Little Alphabet

The Sleepy Little Alphabet: a bedtime story from alphabet town by Judy Sierra, with illustrations by Melissa Sweet (Alfred A. Knopf, 2009)

Alphabet books abound, but this new title from Judy Sierra and Melissa Sweet is worth checking out. Judy Sierra (author of Counting Crocodiles and Preschool to the Rescue among other titles) works magic with rhyme as she tells the story of a little alphabet that won't go to bed. Each letter has a no-bedtime excuse. I is busy jumping on the bed..."m is mopey, n is naughty. Oops!  o and p upset the potty". But eventually, as we reach the end of the alphabet, the little ones are in fact growing very sleepy. The parents in this animated alphabet are represented by upper case letters, and the little ones are rendered in lower case. This is a fun take on a perennially favorite preschool topic!

Grocery Store Literacy from Reading Rockets.org

I saw this post from Reading Rockets earlier today: (see http://ow.ly/phLE) about "Grocery Store Literacy". Using everyday activities, like a trip to the grocery store or post office, can be a great opportunity to teach young children about letters, words, environmental print, and narrative skills. Reading Rockets has developed "take-along" activity sheets for you to download, print, and use to turn your routine errands into fun, learning times! These activity sheets feature some of the characters from PBS Kids.

Here's a screen shot of a sample activity sheet from the Reading Rockets website:

New Easy Non-Fiction Books

We often highlight new picture books in the library's collection, but young children are also very interested in finding out about the world they live in through reading non-fiction books written for children. Youth Services Librarians collect non-fiction books for children up to a 7th grade level. (Non-fiction titles for older readers in middle school and high school are found in the Young Adult Non-fiction collection and the Adult Non-Fiction collection.) The library actively collects non-fiction materials for the youngest of children, including books written to be shared with pre-readers and beginning readers.

Do you have a child interested in animals? He or she might enjoy these new titles:

Dogs Bark! by Pam Scheunemann (Abdo Publishing, 2009)

Cats Meow! by Pam Scheunemann (Abdo Publishing, 2009)

 Cows Moo! by Pam Scheunemann (Abdo Publishing, 2009)

Signup for C.A.R.E. Kit service!

Do you provide child care to children (kindergarten-aged and younger)? If so, the library has a free literacy program just for you!

C.A.R.E. Kits: Children Are Reading Everywhere
Outreach Library Service for Family Childcare

To participate in this free rotating "book bag" program, a family childcare provider has to be:
* Residing in Benton County Library Service District
* Caring for 3 or more children who are NOT yet attending 1st grade (kindergarten or younger)
* Able to or is currently taking care of children from families receiving childcare help through the state.

Participants will receive:
* An initial visit from the Early Literacy Coordinator
* A bag of children's picture books along with other literacy materials that will be rotated out every month
* Free pick up and exchange of book bags
* Storytime visits for children
* Early literacy information

This early literacy program is made possible through an Oregon State Library Ready to Read Grant and the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library.

Questions? Ready to sign up? Please contact Peik-Kuan Lim, Early Literacy Coordinator, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library at 541-766-6481 or email peik-kuan.lim@ci.corvallis.or.us.

For more information for childcare providers, see http://www.thebestlibrary.net/joomla/content/view/171/179/ .

Blankets & Snugglies

With a new season approaching and the weather growing colder (today at least!), my mind is turning toward cozy fall days and one of the favorite objects of childhood - the blanket. Many children have a blanket they are attached to (or "snuggly," or "lovey" or a different beloved object of affection). In honor of blankets, the security they can give children, and the often difficult transition of parting with this object of affection, here are a few  favorite blanket-inspired stories:

Flora's Blanket by Debi Gliori

Flora, a little rabbit, does not want to sleep without her missing blanket, so her family helps her look for it.

Kiki's Blankie by Janie Bynum

Kiki the monkey has many daring adventures with her polka-dot "blankie," but when it sails away without her and lands above a sleeping crocodile, she may not be brave enough to come to the rescue.

No More Blanket for Lambkin! by Bernette Ford, with illustrations by Sam Williams

Ducky wants to play laundry day and wash Lambkin's blanket. But an unexpected event occurs when the blanket is washed.

Owen by Kevin Henkes

Owen's parents try to get him to give up his favorite blanket before he starts school, but when their efforts fail, they come up with a solution that makes everyone happy. (A Caldecott Medal Honor Book)

New Book Series for Toddlers

Meet Tilly and Friends - a new picture book series by Polly Dunbar (author/illustrator of Penguin, Down the Back of the Chair, and Dog Blue). Tilly and her friends all live in a yellow house. Tilly is an adorable little girl with a toddler friend named Hector - a very cute pig. These picture books are full of sweet, whimsical illustrations and sing-song text sure to please toddlers (Rooty-toot-toot! and Whump! Bump! Whoops!). In the first book of the series, Hello Tilly, Tilly and her friends have fun playing in their yellow house - making music, dancing, enjoying a "feast", and reading stories. In Happy Hector, all of the other animals want to play with Tilly. This leaves Hector a bit unhappy until he realizes there's a way he can have fun even if he doesn't have Tilly all to himself. Additional Tilly and Friends titles coming soon: Pretty Pru, Where's Tumpty? Doodle Bites and Good Night, Tiptoe.

Notable Site: Speakaboos

Find of the week: www.Speakboos.com.

Speakaboos (Beta) brings classic stories and nursery rhymes to life using animation, song, and spoken word performed by celebrities. There is even an option for you or your child to record their own voice (option coming soon). For example, you can listen to Wilmer Valderrama recite "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" or hear and watch actor John Krasinski tell the story of Aladdin. If you're a teacher, there are story guides, worksheets, and arts/crafts ideas to peruse. For parents, there are activity sheets to download and print out, as well as links to parenting resources. Another fun way to help encourage and build literacy skills with your child!

Take a video tour here:

Pick of the Week: Llama Llama Misses Mama

Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney (Viking, 2009)

Llama Llama is starting school for the very first time and is feeling shy, scared, and lonely without mama there. This is a gem for sharing for first-day jitters with the preschool set. Anna Dewdney has once again done a fabulous job of capturing the emotions, the love, and the "llama drama" that young children will recognize in their own experiences. Llama Llama finds that while he loves and misses his mama, he can also love school!

New Pregnancy Books

The library has a lot of resources for pregnant mothers and fathers-to-be, including books, DVDs, magazines, and audiobooks. Take a look at a few of the library's newest books on the subject of pregnancy:

What to Expect Before You're Expecting: the complete preconception plan by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel
The author of the classic expectant parent guidebook, What to Expect When You're Expecting, offers couples who are planning (and trying) to conceive a wealth of practical advice on everything from tracking ovulation to seeking help for infertility.

Your Pregnancy for the Father-to-Be: everything dads need to know about pregnancy, childbirth and getting ready for a new baby by Glade B. Curtis and Judith Schuler
This full updated and expanded edition includes: Essential pregnancy information -- Lifestyle changes for you as an expecting couple -- Ways to support your pregnant partner -- Changes in your life as an expectant dad -- Your couple relationship -- You're part of this pregnancy, too! -- The financial realities of parenthood -- If there are pregnancy problems -- Preparing for baby's arrival -- Childbirth preparation, and labor and delivery -- Now you're a dad! -- Before the next pregnancy.

Mindful Motherhood: Practical Tools for Staying Sane During Pregnancy and Your Child's First Year by Cassandra Vieten, foreword by Sylvia Boorstein
Vieten, a psychologist specializing in mood disorders as well as a mom herself, presents a mindfulness training program developed to help new mothers parent their children and manage changes in mood, stress levels, and behavior.

Full of Life: Mom-to-Mom Tips I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was Pregnant by Nancy O'Dell
Extraordinarily helpful and filled with honest, candid tips on everything from unusual cravings to sudden pre-baby breast leakage, "Full of Life" presents straightforward advice on pregnancy and motherhood. b&w illustrations throughout.

Expect the Best: Your Guide to Healthy Eating Before, During, and After Pregnancy by Elizabeth M. Ward
Includes health information, healthy eating tips, fourth trimester information, food safety, and infertility and other common issues.

New Subject Resource Guide for Picture Books

Check out the library's new Picture Book subject resource guide here.
The library is in the process of updating and expanding our online resource guides for our customers. Hopefully these newly created guides will be useful for you. We welcome hearing your comments and suggestions.

Pick of the Week: Will I Have a Friend?

Will I Have a Friend? by Miriam Cohen, illustrated by Ronald Himler (Star Bright Books, 2009)

In this newly illustrated version of Miriam Cohen's classic book about starting school, a young boy named Jim has a lot of anxiety about starting school. Will he have a friend there? Lucky for Jim, his anxieties are put to rest when he meets Paul, who shares his toy car with him. Share this one with young children who are nervous about starting school for the first time or transferring to a new school. The new illustrations by Ronald Himler give great new life to this classic back-to-school title.