Sunday, June 20, 2010

Summer Reading and Dyslexia article

A recent article in LD Online (a website dedicated to information on learning disabilities and ADHD) discussed research on dyslexia and summer education:

On Summer Loss

By: National Summer Learning Association (2004)
Studies also show that the magnitude of summer learning loss varies significantly by grade level, subject matter, and family income. Most importantly, research identifies the cumulative effect of summer learning differences as a primary cause of widening in-school achievement gaps between students by family income.

A recent study by Harris Cooper, professor of psychological sciences at the University of Missouri, estimates that summer loss for all students equals about one month on a grade-level equivalent scale. Read more here....

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Soccer-Themed Books for the World Cup

Although Froggy is very excited when his Dream Team plays for the city soccer championship, he makes a mistake on the field that almost costs the team the game.

Big Kicks by Bob Kolar
 Kids of all sizes and soccer abilities are sure to get a kick out of this droll, vibrantly illustrated story about a lovable (but clumsy) bear and his endearing (but unlucky) soccer team.
The Wild Rabbits want to win the Big Bad Badger Soccer Challenge Game.
Plant-eating dinosaurs face meat-eating dinosaurs in a soccer match.
Although Tomasito's spina bifida keeps him in a wheelchair, where he often feels as confined as his flightless and featherless pet bird, he discovers that he can feel free when he is on the soccer field.
Morgan Brownbear has trouble playing soccer until his coach, Mr. Monkey, finds the perfect position for him.
All over the world, children in places as different as Germany, Kenya, Japan, Australia, and India are practicing and playing soccer, all dreaming of winning the World Cup. 

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Picks of the Week: Dad and Pop & Fiesta Babies


It's Father's Day this coming Sunday, June 20th, which means it's a day for celebrating the wonderful and amazing men in the world, known to many as Daddy or Papa or Pop... There's that quote about fathers, that you may have heard before: "Any man can be a father, it takes someone special to be a dad." Author Kelly Bennett's website states that Dad and Pop is a "celebration of fathers - all kinds of fathers." Bennett goes on to state that her own children have two fathers - a biological father and a stepfather -  and even a great friend they fondly call uncle. Bennett notes that when she was reflecting on how lucky her kids were to have so many wonderful male figures in their lives, she found the idea for writing the book Dad and Pop. As she writes, "it really doesn’t matter how a man becomes a father, what matters is love." Happy Father's Day to all of the fathers! Don't forget to wish your father a Happy Father's Day this weekend!








In this fun, brightly colored picture book, we follow happy babies enjoying a fiesta with dancing, kisses, singing, and hugs. And did you know? The Corvallis-Benton County Public Library is proud to host la Fiesta de su Biblioteca on the third Saturday of every month in the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, from 11:00 - Noon. Come and enjoy a fun bilingual English/Spanish program! Children of all ages are welcome. Crafts are made at many of the programs.



Monday, June 7, 2010

New! Early Reader Family Book Club

Early Readers Family Book Club

New this summer at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library! A book club just for beginning readers! Join us to discuss a new book each month, read together, and participate in crafts and activities. This is a family book club, so parents are encouraged to attend! Copies of each month's book are available at the Youth Reference Desk at the Corvallis Library. Call 541-766-6794 for more information.
 The Littlest Leaguer
June 29th, 2010 1:30-2:30 p.m.   
Youth Activity Room 
Corvallis-Benton County Public Library

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Online Storytime

Here at the library, we've thought many times about ways to bring storytime to you in a variety of formats. Attendance at our storytimes can often be pretty large, so finding new and more ways for us to bring stories to life for children is something we've discussed here in Youth Services. Until then, you might enjoy several online options for listening to and viewing your favorites stories. 

BookFlix from Scholastic, Inc.:
Scholastic BookFlix pairs classic video storybooks with related nonfiction eBooks. This online resource is geared for children in preschool - 3rd grade. To access BookFlix, head to http://www.thebestlibrary.net/joomla/content/view/205/160/ then click on the appropriate link. From outside the library, you'll need your library card # to login. We're featuring this online resource this month during our Storytime Plus programs. Last week we featured BookFlix at Infant Storytime and Preschool Storytime.

Storytime from Barnes & Noble:
According to Publisher's Weekly, "This week, Barnes & Noble.com debuted its Online Storytime program, videos featuring pan-and-scan filming of picture books accompanied by readings by authors or celebrities. A new Online Storytime entry will be added to the site on the first Tuesday of each month. The inaugural offering features Jane O’Connor narrating her Fancy Nancy: Bonjour, Butterfly (HarperCollins) along with displays of Robin Preiss Glasser’s illustrations" Give it a try here: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/storytime/.

Storyplace
Fun animated stories for preschoolers and school-age kids. Activities and reading lists too.

Storyhour
Read illustrated stories. For young and older children.

Classic Fairy Tales
Read a story and play a game. Hans Christian Andersen and Brothers Grimm fairy tales.

International Children's Digital Library
Read children's books online in a wide variety of languages.

Lil Fingers Storybooks
Stories to read for toddlers and preschoolers. Games and coloring pages too.

Online, streaming videos featuring Screen Actors Guild members reading children's books aloud.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Father's Day Picks

In anticipation of Father's Day later this month, I wanted to share a few new titles about daddies and grandpas that just might bring a smile to the face of a father near you!
I Call My Grandpa Papa by Ashley Wolff (Tricycle Press, 2009)

Students respond, in rhyming text, to their teacher's question about what each calls his or her grandfather, offering examples of things they like to do together. Includes a list of "grandfather names from around the world." 


A girl goes fishing with her papa and watches intently, learning all of the special ways he fishes. The little girl finds that she has her own special way of doing things as well. Each way is different, but each way is special. And spending time together makes it a wonderful day!
    

This book describes, in rhyming text and soft colored-pencil illustrations, the many different ways that fathers and sons spend time together. Different and diverse father and son pairs are represented throughout the book. There is a great montage at the end depicting all of the fathers and sons doing all the things the boys will do with their children when they grow up.


"Daddies can be...funny and loveable and really, really silly. Oh, Daddy!"
A young hippopotamus shows his father the right way to do things, such as getting dressed, watering the flowers, and especially giving big hugs. Bob Shea's illustrations are adorable. By the way, if you're a Bob Shea fan (you might also recognize him from his books New Socks and Dinosaur vs. Bedtime and his new one, Race You to Bed!), you should definitely check out his YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/newsocksrock.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Summer Reading Registration begins Today!

Summer Reading is here!
The Corvallis-Benton County Public Library invites all children ages birth to 5 years-old to participate in the Curious? READ! Reading Program. The reading program incorporates reading and sharing books together with fun-filled activities you can do with your child to support early literacy development. The single most important activity for raising a successful reader is reading aloud with your child. To get started, visit the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library and ask for your Curious George packet, sponsored by The American Library Association and Houghton Mifflin Company.  
Sign-up begins June 1st, 2010. For more information about program schedule, visit the Curious George Reading Program site here: http://www.thebestlibrary.net/joomla/content/view/527/423/.
  • Your family will receive a Curious George gameboard to record each day you read with your child.
  • Receive a sticker for each day you and your child read together!
  • When your child completes the gameboard, stop by the library for a certificate and book prize!
Do you have children ages 5 - 12? The "Make a Splash READ!" Summer Reading Program is just right for them. (Children ages 5 years-old can choose to participate in the Curious George program or the Make a Splash program.)
“Make a Splash READ!”  is the theme of the 2010 Summer Reading Program for school age children; and the library is the perfect place to dive into a good book. Read or listen to 10 books this summer and get a free book! Find out more here.
 
The Corvallis-Benton County Public Library has so many books, books on CD, magazines, and databases that it will make your head swim! Keep your mind active and your brain cells revved. Programs are planned for preschool and school age children. Not all programs will be suitable for all ages. Enjoy crafts, storytimes, live entertainment, movies and more @ Your Library. Sign up begins June 1, 2010. Please call 541-766-6794 for library hours and program questions.
Curious? READ! Curious George Reading Program images are copyrighted by the American Library Association. Curious George and related characters, created by Margaret and H.A. Rey, and are copyrighted and trademarked by Houghton Mifflin Company and used under license. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing, Inc. All rights reserved.
Make a Splash images are copyrighted. For more information, contact CSLP: 1-866-657-8556 or info@cslpreads.org or the Copyright/Rules of Use Chair at http://www.cslpreads.org/committees.html.This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it