Holiday Pick: Ghosts in the House!

Ghosts in the House! by Kazuno Kohara (Roaring Brook Press, 2008)

Tired of living in a haunted house, a young witch captures, washes, and turns her pesky ghosts into curtains and a tablecloth.
(Summary courtesy of Syndetics)

The vivid illustrations are top-notch. This is a fun, not-too-scary Halloween-themed picture book that toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy.

Parks & Recreation hosts annual Children's Halloween Party

Children's Halloween Party
Parks & Recreation is once again hosting a Children's Halloween Party. This fun event gives kids ages 2-10 years a chance to show off their costumes at a party designed especially for them. The party is held in the dark, but not too spooky, parking garage of the Corvallis Library. Healthy refreshments are provided. Lots of games to choose from, where kids can win trinkets. The entire family is invited to attend and encouraged to dress in costume. If you'd like to volunteer at the party, please call Deb Curtis at 766-6918.

Ages: Everyone invited; activities for kids 2-10 years (children must be accompanied by an adult)Location: Corvallis Library parking garage

Date: Friday, October 31st

Time: 4 pm to 6 pm

Cost: FREE!

book pictured above: Peek-a-Boooo! by Marie Torres Cimarusti

Emotions & Literacy

Young children are just beginning to learn and understand their emotions. Very small children can have extreme highs and lows throughout the day. As a parent, you have probably experienced the dreaded temper tantrum with your child. Sometimes words are the weapon children use when expressing their anger. You can find books about emotions for young children at the library. Sharing books about feelings can give children the vocabulary they need to help express what they're feeling. A new picture book by Robie H. Harris addresses those unfortunate times when someone says something in anger that he wishes he could take back. In The Day Leo Said I Hate You!, author Robie H. Harris teamed with Molly Bang to bring an honest account of the day when a small boy, Leo, just can't seem to stay out of trouble. After numerous warnings from his mother - "No dropping string beans in the fishbowl! No dancing on the table!" - Leo utters those three terrible words that he instantly regrets. What happens when someone can't take their words back? What does Leo's mommy do? Will she still love him? Addressing similar themes found No David! by David Shannon and When Sophie Gets Angry --Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang, this book successfully discusses the issue of dealing with angry emotions and expresses the unconditional bond between a parent and child. For more information about emotional development in children, in particular tantrums, check out this resource from Talaris Research Institute: http://www.talaris.org/spotlight_tantrums.htm. A companion video on the site also addresses this topic.

Pick of the Week: Market Day

Market Day by Carol Foskett Cordsen, illustrated by Douglas B. Jones
(Dutton Children's Books, 2008)

In Market Day, we follow the Benson family (from The Milkman) to an apple farm as they rise early in the morning to prepare for the farmer's market. As the early morning sun rises, the Bensons shuffle around to fill their farm truck with freshly picked apples. Unfortunately, as they hurry to get ready for market day, the Bensons not only forget to feed the cow, but also fail to close the gate to their farm as they drive away. What ensues is comedy, as one very hungry cow heads to the market herself, looking for her meal! Carol Foskett Cordsen's text has great rhyme and rhythm, which makes for a good read-aloud. Paired with Jones' vintage-style illustration, this book is a good one to share in fall, farm, and market-themed storytimes.

Nearby Reading & School Readiness Class for Parents

Here is an opportunity available nearby in Albany, Oregon on the subject of getting your child ready for school:

Is your child is ready for the social and academic challenges of the early school years? If your child is age 2 to 7 - either in their early school years or not yet started - this class is for you.

This reading and school readiness course helps parents teach their children the skills they need to succeed in school. Led by a skilled parent educator, a fun and fast-paced program will take place over four Saturday sessions in November. Based on The Incredible Years, a curriculum that has been researched and proven effective, the class uses short video clips to illustrate parent/child interactions and kick-off discussion. You will come away with many activities to do at home to stimulate your child’s creativity, expand their vocabulary and boost their pre-reading skills. Learn what activities will expand your child’s attention span, and how you can promote understanding of numbers, colors and shapes. In addition, you’ll learn how to support the development of friendship skills such as being cooperative, sharing, helping, waiting and taking turns.

● Dates: Saturday, November 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2008
● Time: 11:15 – 1:15 (Bring a sack lunch!)
● Location: Albany Public Library, 1390 Waverly Drive SE, Albany, Oregon
● To register call The Children’s Room at the Library: 917-7591

This program is made possible through a partnership with Albany Public Library and Linn-Benton Community College, Parenting Education Department.

Originally posted by LBCC on the PEC - Parenting and Education Connection listserv.

Big Kicks for Little Kickers

Big Kicks by Bob Kolar (Candlewick Press, 2008)

It's soccer season and Biggie Bear is just what the team needs! No matter the fact that Biggie Bear is not athletic. In fact, he happily spends his days collecting stamps, listening to jazz, and enjoying time alone. But when Brown Dog comes down with fleas, the town's soccer team needs Biggie Bear to step in. Everyone is in for a treat on (and off) the soccer field - learning about each other's own unique gifts.

Other books about soccer for little athletes:


Froggy Plays Soccer by Jonathan London (Viking, 1999)

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.






Morgan Plays Soccer by Anne Rockwell, illustrated by Paul Meisel (HarperCollins, 2001)

Morgan Brownbear has trouble playing soccer until his coach, Mr. Monkey, finds the perfect position for him.

Fall Harvest & Literacy

The Fall Harvest is a theme in the library's Fall Early Literacy Newsletter. It's also a popular theme in early childhood settings such as preschools and childcare centers this time of year. After sharing books about the fall harvest, including books on apples and pumpkins, why not take a trip to a local farm to see how fruits and vegetables grow? This makes for a meaningful expansion on a topic after reading a book on the subject. It helps children create their own narratives about harvest time. It also gives you - the parent or care provider - a chance to talk about the harvest, farms, and fruits and vegetables and add to your child's growing vocabulary! Meaningful and enjoyable interactions like these provide the perfect backdrop for helping build their early literacy skills.

In Apple Picking Time by Michele Benoit Slawson, illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray (Crown, 1994) , a young girl and her family spend a fall day picking apples with others from their small town.

To find a local pick-your-own farm, visit: http://www.pickyourown.org/.