Winter Early Literacy Newsletter

Image credit: "Winter Wonderland" by stashabella http://www.flickr.com/photos/31726799@N05/2970643412/

It might not be snowing here in town, but last night's wind and rain definitely made me want to stay inside and find something good to read. Perhaps you, too, are looking for something new to read on rainy days like these. You'll find suggestions from the Youth Services Librarians in the latest edition of the Early Literacy Newsletter here. If you're a fan of children's book illustrations, you might also want to check out my list of favorites from 2011 that I posted a few weeks ago here.

Favorite Books from Childhood

Every holiday season we get requests for recommendations for books to give as gifts to children. Many people will probably hit the stores for copies of Inheritance by Christopher Paolini for teens or The Invention of Hugo Cabret or Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick or Cabin Fever (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #6) by Jeff Kinney. In an earlier post, I blogged about some of my personal favorites for illustrated children's picture books. This led me to thinking back about some of my favorite books that I received as gifts growing up. We'd love to hear from you. What are some of the books you received as a child that you particularly enjoyed?

The Visit by Joan Esley, illustrated by Eloise Wilkin

This was my favorite picture book as a child, which is unfortunately now out of print. This young girl pictured above, Abigail, visits her great-aunt Lavinia. She's nervous about the visit until she gets to play with her great-grandmother's toys and clothes, and makes a special new friend. I loved the illustrations as a little girl.

Storytime Rhymes

We wanted to share some of our most oft-recited rhymes from storytime at the library with you. The great thing about sharing rhymes with your child is that it not only creates a bond between the two of you, but it also can introduce vocabulary and new concepts (like counting, colors, sizes, shapes, and seasonal topics) and contains a lot of early literacy value like repetition, alliteration, and beginning narrative skills. Rhymes that involve movement are also great ways to transition to new activities, burn some extra energy - and a great boredom buster during "wait times" at the grocery store, doctor's office, etc.

A few of our favorites:

Two Little Red Birds
Two little red birds
Sitting on a hill
One named Jack
One named Jill
Fly away Jack
Fly away Jill
Come back Jack
Come back Jill

(This rhyme is also traditionally heard as "blue birds" or "black birds", but since I have cardinal bird finger puppets, I have always said "red birds" during storytime.)

Elevator Ride (from Infant Storytime)
Let's go riding on an elevator
Let's go riding on an elevator
Let's go riding on an elevator

1st floor, 2nd floor, 3rd floor, 4th floor, 5th floor...
Down!

Smooth Road
A smooth road, a smooth road, a smooth road
A bumpy road, a bumpy road, a bumpy road
A rough road, a rough road, a rough road
And a hole! 

Beehive
Here is a beehive
But where are the bees?
They're hidden inside
Where nobody sees
Soon they'll come out, out of the hive
1, 2, 3, 4, 5...buzzz!!!

Way Up High in the Apple Tree
Way up high in the apple tree
Two red apples were smiling down at me
So I shook that tree as hard as I could
And down came the apples
Mmmm...they were good!

Trit Trot to Boston
Trit trot to Boston
Trit trot to Lynn
Watch out little baby
Don't fall in!

Mother and Father and Uncle John
Mother and Father and Uncle John
Went to the market, one by one
Mother fell off,
Father fell off,
But Uncle John went on and on and on!

Bicycle
I have a little bicycle
I ride it to and fro
And when I see a big green light
I go, go, go!
I have a little bicycle
I got it at the shop
But when I see a big red light
I stop, stop, stop! 

Stay tuned - We'll feature more rhymes from wobbler, toddler, and preschool storytime soon! 

Ebook Drop In Clinic: Friday 11-1

Image from Jessamine County Public Library Blog

Considering an ebook reader or tablet purchase this season? Stop by the library this Friday to ask questions and test out a few of the ereaders on display at the library before you make your decision!

This Friday, 12/16, from 11:00-1:00 PM, the Adult Services Librarians will be hosting another one of their popular ebook drop in clinics for anyone who has specific or general questions about library ebooks and ereaders.

The event is informal and driven by the needs of the public.  At this drop in session librarians will be available to answer questions about ebooks and ereader gadgets. People are encouraged to bring their own gadget or try out one of the ereaders on display which will include Sony, Kobo, Amazon Kindle, Kindle Fire, Samsung Galaxy, Barnes & Noble Nook and Nook Color as well as Apple iPad and iPod Touch.

The drop in session will be in Conference Room C on the second floor of the library.  Please call 541-766-6793 with any questions.

Food for Fines next week!

Image Credit: Victor Free Library

 The Corvallis-Benton County Public Library will be accepting donations of non-perishable food as payment for library fines the week of December 12 through December 17. One can or package of food will be equivalent to $1 in fines. Maximum payment of $5 in food will be accepted per library card. The food will be donated to Linn-Benton Food Share.

Food for Fines has been a popular event over the years. In June 2010, the last time the Library offered this payment option, 980 pounds of food were collected. Circulation Supervisor Lori Johnston explained, “Our patrons like to help the community at the same time as taking care of their library accounts. It’s a win-win situation for the Library and Linn-Benton Food Share!” She noted that Library employees also donate food during these events. The goal for this year’s drive is 1000 pounds of food.

Community libraries in Alsea, Philomath, and Monroe will also be participating in Food for Fines during the same time – December 12 through December 17. For more information about this event, call 541-754-1746.

Pick of the Week: Ian's New Potty

Ian's New Potty by Pauline Oud (Clavis Pub., 2011)

Potty training books are always in demand here at the library. What I love about this new one from Pauline Oud is that it's so realistic. [Of course, having said that, I don't mean to insinuate that toilet training is always complete and successful after the second try as is depicted here. But, rather, the child's interest in the process and experience with negotiating the new skill is pretty accurate.] Ian's first attempt at using his new red potty doesn't go as he'd hoped and then he has an accident before real success comes. Everything is handled in a positive, gentle, and informative manner. The illustrations are great - big, colorful and cheery - and would work well for sharing with a crowd or one-on-one. Do you have a potty training book for children that you recommend to other parents?