The Early Literacy Crisis: A Mom Congress Special Report (Parenting Magazine)

Ten Tiny Babies by Karen Katz

The Early Literacy Crisis: A Mom Congress Special Report (from Parenting Magazine online)

Too few books and too little time are adding up to a disaster for some of the nation's youngest learners.

by Lisa Moran 

Read more...

The Cat in the Hat is coming!

The Cat in the Hat is coming to the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library on Saturday, February 26th, 2011 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.!

Visit Seussville online for fun and games!

 Come meet the famous Dr. Seuss character, the Cat in the Hat, take pictures with him and get a small gift bag, including book recommendations and OPB's kids programming schedules.

Cold, Cozy Weather Books

Well, one minute it's snowing, the next it's raining, and then it's dry! I'm not sure what to expect, but there's a prediction for more snow coming our way. Whatever the weather, it's a great time to cozy up with a good book!

Millions of Snowflakes by Mary McKenna Siddals

 As snow begins to fall, a child counts the flakes, enjoying every one. 

Snow Happy by Patricia Hubbell

Children delight in playing in the snow, building an igloo, sliding, gliding, and getting wet and tired.

Snow by Cynthia Rylant

 Celebrates the beauty of a snowfall and its happy effects on children.

Mouse and Mole: A Winter Wonderland by Wong Herbert Yee

Best friends Mouse and Mole enjoy playing in the snow with Sno-Mouse and Sno-Mole, two more best friends.

Pick of the Week: Itsy-Bitsy Babies

I am a fan of Jan Ormerod's illustrations, especially ones of babies, so when I learned of a new book collaboration between Margaret Wild and Ormerod, I was excited. When the library received copies of Itsy-Bitsy Babies, published by Little Hare Books, I was definitely not disappointed. This book was featured in Infant Storytime this morning and is a great one to read aloud with babies and toddlers. Rhyming text and adorable illustrations feature the things babies love to do - peekaboo, clapping, and playing.

Itsy-Bitsy Babies by Margaret Wild and Jan Ormerod

Valentine's Day Rhymes

Valentine Sock Monkey Image from Everything Monkeys

I'm a Little Valentine (to the tune of I'm a Little Teapot)

I'm a little Valentine,

red and white.
with ribbons and lace,
I'm a beautiful sight.
I can say I love you

on Valentines Day.
Just put me in an envelope

and give me away.

Five Pretty Valentines
Five pretty Valentines waiting at the store.
(name) bought one and then there were four.
Four pretty Valentines shaped like a "V."
(name) bought one and then there were three.
Three pretty Valentines said "I love you."
(name) bought one then there were two.
Two pretty Valentines, this was so much fun.
(name) bought one and then there was one.
One pretty Valentine sitting on the shelf.
I felt sorry for it, so I bought it for myself!

Love Bug
It begins with a grin (smile Broadly).
It turns to giggle (put both hands on mouth and giggle).
You start to laugh (throw head back and laugh out loud).
Your legs start to wiggle (put feet in the air and shake).
You look all around for someone to hug (move eyes back and forth).
What can you do (shrug shoulders).
You've caught the love bug (hug another child or yourself).
ACHOOO!

Looking Back at 2010

Knuffle Bunny Free: an Unexpected Diversion by Mo Willems

The librarians in the Youth Services department have compiled a list of our favorite picture books for children of 2010. Check out the Best Picture Books of 2010 list. What were some of your favorite books this past year? We'd love to hear from you!

Staff Picks for Valentine's Day

What better way to say "I love you" than by spending quality time with your child and sharing a good read. Here are a few picks from the Youth Services Librarians in celebration of love and Valentine's Day:

Slugs in Love by Susan Pearson, illustrated by Kevin O'Malley

Marylou and Herbie, two garden slugs, write love poems in slime to one another but have trouble actually meeting.

My Heart is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall

Depicts in rhyming text how love can be many different things, such as eager as a beaver, steady as a yak, or silly as a seal.

Sweet Hearts by Jan Carr, illustrated by Dorothy Donohue

 A young girl celebrates Valentine's Day by making and hiding paper hearts around the house for her family to discover. Includes directions for making hearts and a brief history of Valentine's Day.

The Day it Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond

One day it rains hearts, and Cornelia Augusta catches them. Each heart is special in its own way. Cornelia Augusta knows exactly who to send them to.

The Way I Love You by David Bedford & Ann James

 A little girl celebrates all of the ways she loves her puppy.

Henry in Love by Peter McCarty

 On the first day of school, Henry the cat vies for the attention of the most amazing girl in class, Chloe Rabbit.

Love, Splat by Rob Scotton

 Splat the cat has a special valentine for a certain someone in his class.

The I Love You Book by Todd Parr

Celebrates the love one person has for another, whether they are dancing or strolling, on snowy days and sunny ones, no matter what.