tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45834254931832804342024-03-19T00:27:52.051-04:00Library HeartedExploring the lovely intersections of books, children and librariesSarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-21488522828845703632011-01-04T21:19:00.005-05:002011-01-04T22:21:51.741-05:00Playing Catch Up...December has come & gone. Yet I can't quite let it pass without mentioning a fantastic author visit that occurred last month.<br /><br />The lovely <a href="http://www.mitaliperkins.com/">Mitali Perkins</a> visited Flushing Library for a homecoming of sorts. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijn0xqLVoygVmxv4E2kOFNsHmYkEBmNiIqMC_H1ZEl0OrVD6F61y2gQShIUkC3L0xAes3piFWjY3hu23lzRHGXB8q9fwl-1sQQm8JHNWvjMlF8uamUT24_Vx1eNJ5xcempLRPH_tWVtgI/s1600/Mitali+Perkins.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijn0xqLVoygVmxv4E2kOFNsHmYkEBmNiIqMC_H1ZEl0OrVD6F61y2gQShIUkC3L0xAes3piFWjY3hu23lzRHGXB8q9fwl-1sQQm8JHNWvjMlF8uamUT24_Vx1eNJ5xcempLRPH_tWVtgI/s320/Mitali+Perkins.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558535330993207058" /></a><br />As a child she frequented this library each Saturday to borrow seven books (the limit at the time). She fondly remembers the library as a welcome, safe place as she adjusted to life in America, describing the librarians she met there as "her heroes." Currently living in Boston (and around the world in the interim), she is certainly an honorary author of Queens! <br /><br />Ms. Perkins stayed all day to participate in two events. In the morning she joined a professional development workshop for children's and young adult librarians which included a book discussion of her titles along with a presentation on critically examining culture and diversity in literature for youth.<br /><br />In the afternoon she led a writing workshop for young adults where the lucky participants received a signed copy of her latest book, <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781580893282-0"><span style="font-style:italic;">Bamboo People</span></a>. Held in the recently renovated teen space, I love the chalkboard paint on the wall used to promote events.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSjeZu5HG2fmtXxZCo4NHYf1XkDlsioJVcH8swiIvJH3m8sfqPdXyoQdSQymiT5euNd1YWIig9uIfkLtQeAkUMVbSZiw7slFsYfWdhsl4-6LknW6OBDqTqTkNN9MOP1Hlai1DlxjbsMc/s1600/022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSjeZu5HG2fmtXxZCo4NHYf1XkDlsioJVcH8swiIvJH3m8sfqPdXyoQdSQymiT5euNd1YWIig9uIfkLtQeAkUMVbSZiw7slFsYfWdhsl4-6LknW6OBDqTqTkNN9MOP1Hlai1DlxjbsMc/s320/022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558183537739126498" /></a><br /><br />I also enjoyed the informal, adaptable and cozy set up of their room: old school booths and a couch facing a large flat screen tv that easily hosts gaming programs, movie days, as well as Powerpoint presentations such as the one Mitali led. The light fixture hanging over each booth doubles as a speaker for music!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhWrP8YlUkZNNbQDGntG5_5FiGJTIPs64YEYE_qiSXpABvR4LJAM7j3qr72JSU0myzK35XRNc4KsUIh3kpkUtn-qtLMnMFNtOX4Ru9Etdze17dNcJNKhg5OIT24ouseh6pc26eGzvEP0/s1600/Flushing+Teen+Space+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhWrP8YlUkZNNbQDGntG5_5FiGJTIPs64YEYE_qiSXpABvR4LJAM7j3qr72JSU0myzK35XRNc4KsUIh3kpkUtn-qtLMnMFNtOX4Ru9Etdze17dNcJNKhg5OIT24ouseh6pc26eGzvEP0/s320/Flushing+Teen+Space+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558182090976291138" /></a><br /><br />The stacks are further beyond the seating.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yzMWbxeolVR08VJKp0Ze3DEsVwUTanC1Ikj-gtgLKesI5_FCRsiuoM3mM-M5-YPSQA9UigD8aHjehJXlfqm_26AMmPV54LznMFa0lJJystXq3PGKZ2U7L-wi3Aq1zOqW2_0XHWwJp-4/s1600/Flushing+Teen+space+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yzMWbxeolVR08VJKp0Ze3DEsVwUTanC1Ikj-gtgLKesI5_FCRsiuoM3mM-M5-YPSQA9UigD8aHjehJXlfqm_26AMmPV54LznMFa0lJJystXq3PGKZ2U7L-wi3Aq1zOqW2_0XHWwJp-4/s320/Flushing+Teen+space+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558182084028263682" /></a><br />All in all, an inspirational day in a beautiful space!<br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-62173856623882156592010-11-21T21:19:00.006-05:002010-11-22T05:52:11.301-05:00When Mocking Reading is a Good Thing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FHTiKLpmfKp_3rUVPOD34Qdw19y16lymKFVtGdI0ZCyeGPh6bnmB1B4jGX-oZrJ-9B_8NMbgBOc6iubQ0NslXTyJ5FH_h447CK7XNwn_kvCFSCEIrA6ktD9PoPjxkVsbK_AE4LJby5Q/s1600/Newbery+medal.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 185px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FHTiKLpmfKp_3rUVPOD34Qdw19y16lymKFVtGdI0ZCyeGPh6bnmB1B4jGX-oZrJ-9B_8NMbgBOc6iubQ0NslXTyJ5FH_h447CK7XNwn_kvCFSCEIrA6ktD9PoPjxkVsbK_AE4LJby5Q/s200/Newbery+medal.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542161674700335602" /></a><br />The 2011 Newbery Award winner will be announced on January 10, 2011. For the first time, Queens is joining libraries and schools across the country in speculating which book will be awarded this medal for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Mock Newbery titles selected by Queens Library include:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbvmgp7FfunENmqk-tYMsl3al8_D38Zhnco4SOGIVdZq1EtoC_nF4HlNmytmwEAtjNX6kUEarujEzhIEC2QPM6FN20kxMu3yqq_xrfLvXc-q_Fu4dpvQ0DcdT3VRPI76ZMPjf2IWewIE/s1600/Out+of+My+Mind+Draper.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbvmgp7FfunENmqk-tYMsl3al8_D38Zhnco4SOGIVdZq1EtoC_nF4HlNmytmwEAtjNX6kUEarujEzhIEC2QPM6FN20kxMu3yqq_xrfLvXc-q_Fu4dpvQ0DcdT3VRPI76ZMPjf2IWewIE/s200/Out+of+My+Mind+Draper.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542024985794270786" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Out of My Mind</span> <br />by Sharon Draper<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h-GdFNMoBcO1-PHGxB8m_VUXD78S4QYfas65W_dFZBvEB9JIDx2M2ZojRMZZTJ4k-ENTMxjrAR1QbpMDTtlflgst7Rp6sAgNzlsRWOoAcfTcHh40wJdbvlqwSfQo0Mz2u5b6BF-hRp8/s1600/War+to+End+All+Wars+Freedman.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h-GdFNMoBcO1-PHGxB8m_VUXD78S4QYfas65W_dFZBvEB9JIDx2M2ZojRMZZTJ4k-ENTMxjrAR1QbpMDTtlflgst7Rp6sAgNzlsRWOoAcfTcHh40wJdbvlqwSfQo0Mz2u5b6BF-hRp8/s200/War+to+End+All+Wars+Freedman.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542025241634340306" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The War to End All Wars</span> <br />by Russell Freedman<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKc7e2F9R24Y1elG-VhvdXAHfxVzLesQNvGjN8SzaFXBbWyWjF9HX5NQ6J2WtZFLR44HM8rDAe1wTj6nqIozTnUh728WpdB9cAX9r_1rFmrgU-JkbdWkVMux0hOF6IiUZoRKihsbbAa4o/s1600/Waterseeker+Holt.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKc7e2F9R24Y1elG-VhvdXAHfxVzLesQNvGjN8SzaFXBbWyWjF9HX5NQ6J2WtZFLR44HM8rDAe1wTj6nqIozTnUh728WpdB9cAX9r_1rFmrgU-JkbdWkVMux0hOF6IiUZoRKihsbbAa4o/s200/Waterseeker+Holt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542149236207556434" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Waterseeker</span> <br />by Kimberly Willis Holt<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pvCiSKXT6LrE18bKze6gBJVAJc2tY5RLB6D8IfZyq97vXCSxfrqXg29J-Qkl8zPBZNCNr1eEMY6fXUlThJcD_gbRI5lp-jLnrkGkPE2L8CyoitVwFfWV885dCvVXbRjXosbpXwE5nIg/s1600/Boneshaker+Milford.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pvCiSKXT6LrE18bKze6gBJVAJc2tY5RLB6D8IfZyq97vXCSxfrqXg29J-Qkl8zPBZNCNr1eEMY6fXUlThJcD_gbRI5lp-jLnrkGkPE2L8CyoitVwFfWV885dCvVXbRjXosbpXwE5nIg/s200/Boneshaker+Milford.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542147192716399394" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Boneshaker</span> <br />by Kate Milford<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINhLMP0oxmthfaJ3eKXvkF4kLtCw18YjyWwqYUq_p2g9pS0AY8LStBL04k3IMk-TuDopYfjcVI_2JOvcTojo_nsqyZnl_mA1qkVuLU7GB7y_jmtEaaXFexjvn5VfS_CqXxw9EC90kO4M/s1600/As+Easy+As+Falling+Off+the+Face+of+the+Earth+Perkins.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINhLMP0oxmthfaJ3eKXvkF4kLtCw18YjyWwqYUq_p2g9pS0AY8LStBL04k3IMk-TuDopYfjcVI_2JOvcTojo_nsqyZnl_mA1qkVuLU7GB7y_jmtEaaXFexjvn5VfS_CqXxw9EC90kO4M/s200/As+Easy+As+Falling+Off+the+Face+of+the+Earth+Perkins.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542147791846527650" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth</span><br /> by Lynne Rae Perkins<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrV1fvmj4oUA1goE7zqbmWZok4hC0tceK3a7kiWTDguq1xQdX5H5DyOgSdbHIYYYwp_WWlfVXrgSVqnXa5I4Yeyj0bSBHZ_6mUUZqsScoNCNA1au3laUaCFc3RrLLC9zYNHulwlXnYtzI/s1600/One+Crazy+Summer+Williams+Garcia.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrV1fvmj4oUA1goE7zqbmWZok4hC0tceK3a7kiWTDguq1xQdX5H5DyOgSdbHIYYYwp_WWlfVXrgSVqnXa5I4Yeyj0bSBHZ_6mUUZqsScoNCNA1au3laUaCFc3RrLLC9zYNHulwlXnYtzI/s200/One+Crazy+Summer+Williams+Garcia.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542149935287623490" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">One Crazy Summer</span> <br />by Rita Williams-Garcia<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is an enjoyable professional development opportunity to offer librarians serving youth. The process began early this year when the Children's Materials Specialist formed a small committee of interested children's librarians. Suggestions were gathered each month through email with two in-person meetings necessary to narrow and vote out titles. <br /><br />We are holding our debut Mock Newbery event on a morning a few days before the official award winners are announced. As it does require much reading, participation is optional. There will be time to discuss each book, followed by a vote (as detailed in the <a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberycommittee/newbery_manual_9Oct2009.pdf">Newbery Selection Manual</a>)and finally the announcement of the winner and honor books. <br /><br />All children's librarians participate in the Mock Caldecott as part of our regularly scheduled youth services meetings. These titles will be announced shortly!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Mock Newbery Resources:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberyterms/newberyterms.cfm">Newbery Award terms & criteria</a><br />Don't be fooled by authors without American citizenship!<br /><br />Lisa Van Drasek, librarian at Bank Street College of Education, holds a Mock Newbery each year with her students. She posted her <a href="http://www.earlyword.com/mock-newbery-2011/">selections</a> back in September, along with more behind the <a href="http://www.earlyword.com/2009/09/08/back-to-school/">mock process</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/heavymedal">Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog</a> featured on <a href="http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/csp/cms/sites/SLJ/Home/index.csp">School Library Journal</a><br /><br />Allen County Public Library chose an <a href="http://acplmocknewbery.blogspot.com/2010/11/final-reading-list-for-2011-mock.html">impressive reading list of twenty two titles</a> for librarians to discuss, and also offers a more concise list for children in grades 3 -6 who are interested in participating.<br /><br />Kings County Library System narrowed the field down to <a href="http://blogs.kcls.org/newbery/">eight choices</a>, and invites parents and children to join the discussion and voting.<br /><br />Elizabeth Bird, children's librarian at New York Public Library, previous Newbery committee member, and blogger extraordinaire, <a href="http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/tag/newbery-2011-contender/">speculates from time to time</a> on what will be chosen for this award as well as the Caldecott.<br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-52074581581026571582010-11-14T14:46:00.009-05:002010-11-14T21:45:49.145-05:00Locally DrawnConsidering Brooklyn is home to the largest concentration of children's book illustrators on the planet, it must have been difficult to select only thirty four for the latest exhibit at Grand Army Plaza, "Drawn In Brooklyn." I took the opportunity to tour this Brooklyn Public Library show following a meeting this week and it was fantastic! I particularly love the promotional image chosen from <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780670062874-0">Big Red Lollipop</a>. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_tIX7Fxpyn6rtDf5GIjDNDOkhkxnwRoGUJEwT1ll66CDS2wpXYe7OVQcE9cwrSSxTmVf1Kwss_9Q5lGHLtWtJz0Om0KtTzB-35b2SJ9eaZ214RTYHtWTqly5BQ7wQDBwN-k32mZbhRM/s1600/Drawn+in+Brooklyn+Exhibit+016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_tIX7Fxpyn6rtDf5GIjDNDOkhkxnwRoGUJEwT1ll66CDS2wpXYe7OVQcE9cwrSSxTmVf1Kwss_9Q5lGHLtWtJz0Om0KtTzB-35b2SJ9eaZ214RTYHtWTqly5BQ7wQDBwN-k32mZbhRM/s320/Drawn+in+Brooklyn+Exhibit+016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538422210978168338" /></a><br /><br /> Curated by John Bemelmans Marciano (aka the grandson of <span style="font-style:italic;">Madeline</span> creator Ludwig Bemelmans) the exhibit features original art from children's books as well as display cases revealing the creation process of a picture book, installations and <a href="http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/events/drawn/drawnvideos.jsp">short video interviews with many of the artists</a>. <br /><br />Notably two of the illustrators included were featured in the recently announced <a href="http://events.nytimes.com/gift-guide/holiday-2010/best-illustrated-childrens-books-2010/list.html">New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2010</a>: <a href="http://www.sophieblackall.com">Sophie Blackall</a> and <a href="http://www.peterbrownstudio.com">Peter Brown</a>. Other featured illustrators include Bryan Collier, Brian Floca, Brett Helquist, Betsy Lewin, Brian Pinkney, Brian Selznicck, and Paul O. Zelinsky.<br /><br />There's also <a href="http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/events/drawn/events.jsp">exciting events</a> scheduled with various illustrators like art workshops or a chance to meet and hear them read from their work. <br /><br />During the tour it was shared how many of the artists noted the powerful influence of comics in developing their initial interest in drawing as children. Yet another reason to purchase graphic novels for the kids at your library!<br /><br />"Drawn in Brooklyn" will be on display until January 23, 2011.<br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-29995773451717539992010-11-11T08:01:00.003-05:002010-11-11T22:54:51.867-05:00Cook/BookI have a bit of an obsession with cookbooks. Not only do I love to look at pretty pictures of food but also the inspiration of new techniques and ingredients. And all the better if the approach is <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/18-9781439120231-0">seasonal</a>, <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/2-9781615190195-0">vegetarian</a> or <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781933615561-0">health minded</a>. (Or from the<a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/18-9780307238764-0"> Barefoot Contessa</a>! I adore her.) It must be a cookbook time of year because I have in my pending request list at the library <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780307268242-0">many</a> <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=0316083372">a</a> <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/66-9780701184605-0">new</a> <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/18-9780393061031-0">title</a>.<br /><br />Among those in queue with ample programming ideas for school age children is <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/2-9780399536113-0">Turkish Delights & Treasure Hunts: Delightful Treats & Games from Classic Children's Books</a></span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PbbHTucp5Z0dj0xGfwARyQQQJwSoC-q0wqjBRW0AW0epyoYDyaZ9AeznvllJ1opK4nKT9hAlacq2guXBRxFzjJVALUT0ZoZkgw4k5YHR0hL9G-60CWzhrSzZLWcrruCNDGY6hyphenhyphenvDLgY/s1600/Turkish+Delights+and+Treasure+Hunts.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PbbHTucp5Z0dj0xGfwARyQQQJwSoC-q0wqjBRW0AW0epyoYDyaZ9AeznvllJ1opK4nKT9hAlacq2guXBRxFzjJVALUT0ZoZkgw4k5YHR0hL9G-60CWzhrSzZLWcrruCNDGY6hyphenhyphenvDLgY/s320/Turkish+Delights+and+Treasure+Hunts.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538281667062627314" /></a><br />Janet Brocket offers ideas inspired by Winnie the Pooh, Alice in Wonderland, Anne of Green Gables, the Borrowers, and the Chronicles of Narnia among others. The food inspired component could be a fun addition to a traditional book club, or a novel way to introduce many classic titles to youth.<br /><br />There's also <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781603425483-0">Candy Construction: How to Build Race Cars, Castles, and Other Cool Stuff out of Store-Bought Candy</a></span> by Sharon Bowers. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwc9hB-DD8i7_j1b0UgkN-I-xenY7XMi8jDl6DcXbc-2BXgqt6gXxH6f6c4LHdB1qNL-K3jZtDrpPQpYvoquYmW2gT28XEh_M9Rx9aEVjcM1jbylCieZWnwdyn9WYbQk5MkbhXpKnHSOk/s1600/Candy+Construction.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwc9hB-DD8i7_j1b0UgkN-I-xenY7XMi8jDl6DcXbc-2BXgqt6gXxH6f6c4LHdB1qNL-K3jZtDrpPQpYvoquYmW2gT28XEh_M9Rx9aEVjcM1jbylCieZWnwdyn9WYbQk5MkbhXpKnHSOk/s320/Candy+Construction.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538281661790226562" /></a><br /><br />Let candy be your new crafting material! Step by step instructions to create a chess set, spaceship, pyramid, woodland creatures, jewelry, as well as holiday ideas. The author claims that offering an alternative use for candy actually reduced the sugar consumption of her two young children. Use this resource to expand an existing Gingerbread House activity, or with a math, engineering and design bent for a hands on construction program.<br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-1113175153147335482010-11-07T17:56:00.011-05:002011-01-04T22:22:38.807-05:00Queens & TeensCongratulations to my library system who was recently awarded the<a href="http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/adviscns/rac/award/index.html"> 2010 Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award</a> for their "Queens Library for Teens" in Far Rockaway!<br /><br />Those who work in public libraries are familiar with the challenge of balancing the energetic behavior of teens with the needs of other users. A few years ago, the situation at the Far Rockaway library was further exaggerated: the neighborhood is located on a peninsula isolated from the rest of New York City, with high unemployment due to the difficulty of commuting and local housing projects filled with gang activity. The library was a small yet highly used building without a separate space for young adults. With nowhere else in the community to gather, large groups of teens would congregate, disrupting and intimidating others with noise and horseplay. Expanding the current facility wasn't an option.<br /><br />Rather than kicking out those most in need of a positive influence, Queens Library pursued grants to rent an empty storefront a few blocks away from the existing library and completely renovated the space, opening a building just for teens with specialized programs, technology, and collections. <br /><br />Working with an interior design consultant who specializes in teen areas, a contemporary space along with 40 internet computers entices teens, with attendance averaging 120 each day. A recent addition is a sound studio, complete with a vocal booth, a recording computer and three computerized editing stations, funded by New York State Assembly members.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBOY1zexJLK06cHdrdRo2CIpqpBW8xvo5gXU8j7YFGZ-Tx_M-P58aC4P1DRcsoQST5wmbUL0SIK21g6DhCT6ZUC5hEL58WpdUok9Tq0SOawfivE-U9o_4Obf-EdogqYxeIbi17Mhla88/s1600/Far+Rockaway+Queens+Library+for+Teens.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBOY1zexJLK06cHdrdRo2CIpqpBW8xvo5gXU8j7YFGZ-Tx_M-P58aC4P1DRcsoQST5wmbUL0SIK21g6DhCT6ZUC5hEL58WpdUok9Tq0SOawfivE-U9o_4Obf-EdogqYxeIbi17Mhla88/s320/Far+Rockaway+Queens+Library+for+Teens.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537129075565180834" /></a><br />Some notable distinctions:<br /><br />-staffing the library with youth counselors, not librarians. They provide service, referrals and act as positive role models, while librarians at the nearby branch offer traditional reference service. A licensed teacher and social worker are also available onsite.<br /><br />-sign in upon entering. No gang signs or colors are permitted. If someone acts out, they are asked to leave, and if repeated will lose privileges for longer. There have been no incidents beyond this; teens want to use the space and respect the stated boundaries.<br /><br />-after-school hours of service, from 2:30 - 6PM.<br /><br />-specialized programming including pre-GED classes, Wii gaming, urban author visits, job readiness fairs, open mics, college fairs, computer skill workshops and more.<br /><br />-no circulating collection. Due to the cost of duplicating collections and offering circulation staff, teens can browse magazines and online resources, and otherwise go to the regular library to borrow materials. <br /><br />-relaxed rules. Food and cell phones are allowed and multiple teens can crowd around a computer.<br /><br />In 2013, the Queens Library for Teens will be doubling in size in a newly constructed $19.3 million facility funded by Borough President Helen Marshall. More information on this initiative is available from <a href="http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6574016.html"> School Library Journal</a>, <a href="http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6593537.html">Library Journal</a> as well as a <a href="http://queens.ny1.com/content/top_stories/128472/queens-people-of-the-week--teen-library-volunteers-help-students-improve-in-school">video on NY1</a> featuring teen volunteers who mentor their peers.<br /><br />And for even more reading on teens in Queens, visit the <a href="http://qlteenchallenge.blogspot.com/">Queens Library Teen Challenge blog</a>. The Coordinator of Teen Services has promised to donate $500 of her own coffee money to a charity of young adult librarians' choice if 10,000 teens register for Summer Reading 2011. Read it each Thursday to see the amount saved so far, along with ideas and thoughts on teen summer reading.<br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-73584031619511551292010-10-11T17:05:00.003-04:002010-10-11T17:29:05.846-04:00What to do when a class comes to youWorking on a presentation for children's librarians on conducting school outreach, I began to think more about hosting classroom visits to the library. <br /><br />I always looked forward to offering these trips: the excitement of getting one's first library card, sharing a favorite book, disseminating library information, reaching students who wouldn't normally visit the library as well as seeing the regulars in their classroom setting. Not to mention the larger picture of building a relationship with local schools in a particular community. <br /><br />There's always much to share with students like basic library card practices and good book behaviors. I like to take the opportunity to explain to children (and often their accompanying teachers and parents) how library books are organized and that the stickers on the spine of a book refer to the author's last name and *not* the level. It's also a perfect chance to promote upcoming library programs and ongoing activities like "Read Away Your Fines" or afterschool homework help. <br /><br />I break up all the talking with one or more read alouds. Some of my absolute favorites to share are:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Kindergarten, First & Second Grades</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Bark George</span> by Jules Feiffer<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Birds</span> by Kevin Henkes<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Clay Boy</span> by Mira Ginsburg<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Read It, Don't Eat It</span> by Ian Schoenherr<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Chickens to the Rescue</span> by John Himmelman<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The End</span> by David LaRochelle<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Gingerbread Boy</span> by Richard Egielski (I love this version set in NYC!)<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Seven Blind Mice</span> by Ed Young<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Third & Fourth Grades</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Actual Size</span> by Steve Jenkins (This book is beyond cool and elicits wild reactions!)<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale</span> by Demi<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Tikki Tikki Tembo</span> by Arlene Mosel<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Stories to Solve</span> by George Shannon<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Sweetest Fig</span> by Chris Van Allsburg<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Fifth & Sixth Grades</span><br /><br />For older students I might instead do a few booktalks on titles I enjoy with multiple copies available like <span style="font-style:italic;">City of Ember</span> by Jeanne DuPrau, <span style="font-style:italic;">When You Reach Me</span> by Rebecca Stead, <span style="font-style:italic;">The Graveyard Book</span> by Neil Gaiman or <span style="font-style:italic;">The Mysterious Benedict Society</span> by Trenton Lee Stewart. I've also focused on non-fiction at a teacher's request, making it a game to see who can locate a specific non-fiction call number the fastest on the shelf. <br /><br />And if you would like to still offer a read aloud, you can never go wrong with the first chapter of <span style="font-style:italic;">Sideways Stories from Wayside School</span> by Louis Sachar (expect everyone to chime in on "apple").<br /><br />Other fun ideas are to offer a library scavenger hunt after giving students a tour of the collection or ask book trivia questions. <br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-40678996079648500102010-09-27T21:17:00.000-04:002010-09-27T23:11:27.936-04:00These are a few of my favorite thingsI love dogs. <br />I love books. <br />I love love <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780375864490-0">Dog Loves Books</a></span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1x6iYOcVuZe2IPT2t-O9GNGIExevDlSwXY5QLTRmzuHIMHc65-wpDdFFvcbPXVpdTYNQmRH0aVJWzFQslX4uw89ri4cwZvUbfNdj-wuIFgtIJYsKpdi_qGFJpHMXC0Gb7Q9fHcq17Hg/s1600/Dog+Loves+Books.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 202px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1x6iYOcVuZe2IPT2t-O9GNGIExevDlSwXY5QLTRmzuHIMHc65-wpDdFFvcbPXVpdTYNQmRH0aVJWzFQslX4uw89ri4cwZvUbfNdj-wuIFgtIJYsKpdi_qGFJpHMXC0Gb7Q9fHcq17Hg/s320/Dog+Loves+Books.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521779938187682370" /></a><br />by Louise Yates<br />Alfred A. Knopf<br />$16.99<br />ISBN: 9780375864490<br /><br />Dog enjoys books so much that he opens his very own bookstore. As business is slow, downhearted dog begins to read his wares. "When he read, he forgot that he was waiting. When he read, he forgot he was alone." Finishing one book, he chooses another and thus begins a new adventure. <br /><br />As you can imagine, reading so many stories gives him excellent reader's advisory skills. Once customers start coming to his store, he gets to do his most favorite thing of all with books: share them!<br /><br />Naturally the themes of <span style="font-style:italic;">Dog Loves Books</span> made it the obvious choice to share during my <a href="http://libraryhearted.blogspot.com/2010/09/just-like-piggie-i-have-been-invited-to.html">goodbye party last week</a>. And where exactly am I going?<br /><br />I'm thrilled and honored to be the new Assistant Coordinator of Children's Services for Queens Library. I am completely excited to work with children's librarians in a new capacity and serve as a programming resource system-wide. One of my responsibilities this first week is to observe a library program for children on yoga-- which for anyone that personally knows me, knows that I find this beyond cool. <br /><br />It will be curious to see if this change will have any effect on my blog. I hope to continue sharing ideas and inspiration in the form of books, activities, resources and more. If anything, now I will have even more library love to give... 63 to be exact!<br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-63073811577788876762010-09-20T08:36:00.002-04:002010-10-01T06:04:11.135-04:00I Am Invited to a Party!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoxSRK9zkGvtBY53aHkTx_lKnpRC-IWikjGfuRVCldvRdZsIsdHd1Lj6IX1p_C6mG9b-rsyfNRrJIqFDhf-FjxFlXmB5_rBLUeJgYaOA0buRuZ0-nD5qscMnLUFmRYlM8WfiZKeDjbwY/s1600/I+am+invited+to+a+party.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoxSRK9zkGvtBY53aHkTx_lKnpRC-IWikjGfuRVCldvRdZsIsdHd1Lj6IX1p_C6mG9b-rsyfNRrJIqFDhf-FjxFlXmB5_rBLUeJgYaOA0buRuZ0-nD5qscMnLUFmRYlM8WfiZKeDjbwY/s320/I+am+invited+to+a+party.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516969609540350626" /></a><br /><br />Just like Piggie, I have been invited to a party! <br /><br />In fact, it's my honor: a "Sarah Celebration" if you will, as planned and named by a co-worker to say goodbye to the families and friends I've made working at this particular library for nearly five years. More soon on where exactly I'm going!<br /><br />In the meantime, as part of the festivities I will share a book. Considering how often I read stories aloud to groups, this part should be a no-brainer. Except for the fact that I'm oddly blocked on the appropriate choice. <br /><br />Should I stick with the theme and choose a story involving <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780375846823-0">librarians</a>, <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/18-9780375864490-0">reading</a> or <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/17-9780679805274-37">moving forward with new experiences</a>? Read <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780060586751-0">The Giving Tree</a></span> or <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/61-9780920668368-0">Love You Forever</a>?</span> (Smile: joke for us children's librarians.) Choose one of my favorites that <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/66-9780385608121-0">invites</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Play-Forest-While-Around/dp/0439823234/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1284985440&sr=1-1">audience</a> <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/7-9780152024888-0">participation</a>, or a <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/73-9780395353936-0">book that I just personally love</a>? <br /><br />I still have a few days to decide, and will likely bring many choices to see which feels just right. I've been considering this from the perspective of which story ultimately defines me, which may not be the proper question. The best part of being a librarian is sharing books with others, so I should read what moves me to do just that in the moment. <br /><br />What would you choose?<br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-66050955187553044882010-09-17T06:37:00.011-04:002010-09-18T14:42:24.504-04:00Bless YouWelcome to allergy season.<br /><br />It should be stated that I often use movement and various techniques to further engage children when sharing stories aloud. Children and parents quickly learn to repeat the actions I demonstrate and play along, otherwise known as modelling. One recent reminder of the influence of modelling in young children, and the extent to which one is being scrutinized was when, as sneezing during a read aloud, all of the children repeated this unrelated action! <br /><br />This is not to say sneezing doesn't have its place in storytime. I encourage hygenic practices by inserting a sleeve covered pseudo sneeze while reading about the poor little baby with sneezes and chills in, "<span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/7-9780152060572-0">Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes</a></span>" by Mem Fox. This sweet yet not overly sentimental book about the similarities of babies around the world is a rhythmic pleasure to read aloud with the most darling of illustrations.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5Jmbpsj5t4olTBY5cQDHwfZ0iWR5CsjH0-eIJJBRBSx4aFwnWmwMN0ohpfFnpFcljeq3qXEFkmLEETVs_pO0rEEeXJ3oy-iLeiLaT9MUcgjpM4wd0FQGeoj_yG3T5PffqYQqcVelRbE/s1600/10+Little+Fingers+and+10+Little+Toes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5Jmbpsj5t4olTBY5cQDHwfZ0iWR5CsjH0-eIJJBRBSx4aFwnWmwMN0ohpfFnpFcljeq3qXEFkmLEETVs_pO0rEEeXJ3oy-iLeiLaT9MUcgjpM4wd0FQGeoj_yG3T5PffqYQqcVelRbE/s320/10+Little+Fingers+and+10+Little+Toes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517834689412609858" /></a><br /><br />I also add a sneezing extension to the song, "Five Little Monkeys Swinging from a Tree." Some might view this as slightly p.c., but my take is that it provides theatrical closure as well as another opportunity to practice one to one counting correspondence. I learned this trick from a children's librarian (and fellow vegetarian) while doing my library school practicum at the <a href="http://ghpl.org/">Grandview Heights Public Library</a> in Columbus, Ohio. The song goes:<br /><br /><blockquote>Five little monkeys swinging from a tree<br />Teasing Mr. Crocodile, "Can't catch me!"<br />Along comes Mr. Crocodile, as quiet as can be<br />And he SNAPS that Monkey right out of the tree!<br /><br />Repeat with four, three, two, one</blockquote><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDYRek7IVc8">Here's an example of the song</a>, complete with actions, courtesy of Mr. Mike.<br /><br />After singing the last stanza, I note that there are no more monkeys left. The concept of zero is rather advanced for young ones, and something they might not fully grasp until age three or four. I make a zero with a hands, discussing how this means no more, all gone, nothing left etc. <br /><br />But as it turns out, Mr. Crocodile is allergic to monkeys! Achoo! One monkey comes back. Achoo! Two monkeys... and so on, until all of the five little monkeys have reappeared for the next time we sing our song. <br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-9060049137288281372010-08-20T09:43:00.003-04:002010-11-11T08:58:55.262-05:00Future Foodies of AmericaFor my latest summer reading club meeting for children in grades 3, 4 & 5, I decided to choose a popular topic... food! <br /><br />We started broadly, filling out the food pyramid with the basic food groups. We discussed the meaning behind the food phrases, "You are what you eat," and, "Don't play with your food!" <br /><br />Which we of course promptly disobeyed by playing a guessing game involving fruits and vegetables. Children volunteered to come to the front of the room and once blindfolded, had to guess which fruit and vegetable was placed in their hands. At the market earlier I picked up some easy to guess options like an apple, pear, potato and cucumber, as well as some trickier varieties like a fig, pomegranate, ginger and an artichoke.<br /><br />Continuing on the sensory journey, each table of children next received a tray of numbered cups, topped in aluminum foil with small holes poked through. They took turns smelling each cup and contemplating the source of each smell among their group. Most of the items I brought from home, like vanilla, lemon, vinegar, fresh mint, garlic and a banana.<br /><br />Next came dessert: chocolate, to be exact. Starting by asking where chocolate comes from, I read aloud a brief non-fiction title with informative photographs, <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/61-9780822546658-1">From Cocoa Bean to Chocolate</a></span> by Robin Nelson.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YyMsXU9lWbAjv1ou6Pw7Isb9su1NN-fue5-2SXun_Ji808PpYNo836eCEChCodCFUfh7sLSjGFANExsgqTSrjIU_AaBUqPg3x5d1rBjUj2ZWN14qHqYWfjs5meqpwbzxTKiWcqtGMMM/s1600/From+Cocoa+Bean+to+Chocolate.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YyMsXU9lWbAjv1ou6Pw7Isb9su1NN-fue5-2SXun_Ji808PpYNo836eCEChCodCFUfh7sLSjGFANExsgqTSrjIU_AaBUqPg3x5d1rBjUj2ZWN14qHqYWfjs5meqpwbzxTKiWcqtGMMM/s320/From+Cocoa+Bean+to+Chocolate.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507080611210333234" /></a><br /><br />Additionally there are many popular stories about chocolate like <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780375815263-0"><span style="font-style:italic;">Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</span></a> by Roald Dahl, <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780688161330-0"><span style="font-style:italic;">The Chocolate Touch</span></a> by Patrick Skene Catling and <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780142405956-0"><span style="font-style:italic;">Chocolate Fever</span></a> by Robert Kimmel Smith. I gave a brief booktalk on each, and shared a short selection from <span style="font-style:italic;">Charlie</span> as it provided the perfect transition to our next activity. In the passage, taken from the first chapter of the book, it describes Charlie's poor family who, besides having a terribly cramped bed situation, often went hungry. The one thing Charlie longed for more than anything else was chocolate: he ate it only once a year, on his birthday, when he received one small chocolate bar that he would make last for more than a month.<br /><br />After all this talk about chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, the natural progression was to finally eat some. But hold on a minute there! We weren't just going to eat chocolate... we were going to SAVOR chocolate. Each child chose from a selection of mini candy bars, and we all opened them at the same time. Once opened, we smelled the chocolate for a few moments and thought about how it felt to the touch. Finally, we took a bite -- but just a small one. We kept it in our mouths for a few seconds, considering how it felt and tasted while on the tongue. After this group process, children were invited to begin eating the chocolate, with an emphasis on taking as many bites as possible to finish the bar. The competitive encouragement worked, with a range from 19 to 80 bites! <br /><br />And lastly, sweet met salty in our edible craft conclusion of magic wands. Take one long pretzel rod, spread chocolate frosting on the top half, and finish with a generous topping of sprinkles. Eat and enjoy!<br /><br />These activities lasted about an hour, and the total cost was only $25 for 35 children. There are so many other food related programming possibilities. You could offer more chocolate tastings (different types of candy bars, white versus milk versus dark), even incorporating math and science concepts. Or go more crafty, making colorful Fruit Loop paintings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09GRsG6F9npwtxyEh8rNZ5x7H3WvN1zHsJlMmfZiLLUgTyyzlo35BKjRihbpynTGlpSoQkCVtNLF1TPc5SAqxR9bfHJAuoUVeYLCqKIqvrcyDAcT4py2NkOqr-fx_geecmvtY2doqwMg/s1600/Fruit+Loops.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09GRsG6F9npwtxyEh8rNZ5x7H3WvN1zHsJlMmfZiLLUgTyyzlo35BKjRihbpynTGlpSoQkCVtNLF1TPc5SAqxR9bfHJAuoUVeYLCqKIqvrcyDAcT4py2NkOqr-fx_geecmvtY2doqwMg/s320/Fruit+Loops.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507503151303783570" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.arthuralevinebooks.com/author.asp?authorid=3">Saxton Freymann's many books</a> offer great inspiration as he captures such lifelike, convincing expressions using all kinds of fruits and vegetables. It would be fun to purchase a variety of foods and let the kids experiment.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8T-DpVMTcl25vbAZhXgA2mZq-AWFxOTP3EW0eoJ0XwinXHUINcVd_x8wgmIp6QZ86qKvN-a4tqPCF9MgkIc4Z9Wx7jM5Uc5gvOJ87dI7mkKNMKelMJgVHfJ1mSwkhCABkIVjFN8CwEs/s1600/Food+For+Thought.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8T-DpVMTcl25vbAZhXgA2mZq-AWFxOTP3EW0eoJ0XwinXHUINcVd_x8wgmIp6QZ86qKvN-a4tqPCF9MgkIc4Z9Wx7jM5Uc5gvOJ87dI7mkKNMKelMJgVHfJ1mSwkhCABkIVjFN8CwEs/s320/Food+For+Thought.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507454899247327218" /></a><br /> <br />For younger audiences, <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/17-9781840895230-0">We Are What We Eat</a> by Sally Smallwood has fun, playful photographs that create a food character. Whenever parents ask me for simple books about fruits and vegetables, I hand them this along with <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780152244361-0">Eating the Alphabet: Fruits & Vegetables from A to Z</a> by Lois Ehlert.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9H7VMwgGg7nboVJNaGKx7OWja6Oj3rIZ9RsDyvWAks2Lqnbx6BbWyr7V_3m-AvDHVoBmeHsHYzIRHpvq5_ewRLyEW6KhCdS2aGxPmatmuNm7L-sAN7nMY2_ifRSuvZJqa2tYO3x2Elk/s1600/We+Are+What+We+Eat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9H7VMwgGg7nboVJNaGKx7OWja6Oj3rIZ9RsDyvWAks2Lqnbx6BbWyr7V_3m-AvDHVoBmeHsHYzIRHpvq5_ewRLyEW6KhCdS2aGxPmatmuNm7L-sAN7nMY2_ifRSuvZJqa2tYO3x2Elk/s320/We+Are+What+We+Eat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507454899481754290" /></a><br /><br />A final word about safety. I always ask whether anyone has food allergies before passing out anything edible. Also check to see whether your workplace has any specific regulations regarding foods; for example, in my library we must only use pre-packaged items purchased from a store to avoid any possible contamination. <br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-29384375505861844132010-08-06T09:26:00.000-04:002010-08-06T09:38:29.102-04:00Positively Positive!My latest storytime discovery combines my two loves: a positive attitude and, well, shoes. Pretty genius!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIjvv2bmqPZjSzKyVcsHKGR1OvsrJMtc6eyXhiE5Mb7098S_iYzLIyFiMYKMY-2xuyGFVWfjH5uO-BK1OA5DWA8q2SE-J-rhzwCqYiBivxpGJMLCvc9r-EcaFPE1mUdN_9lXfks4PuiU/s1600/pete+the+cat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 249px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIjvv2bmqPZjSzKyVcsHKGR1OvsrJMtc6eyXhiE5Mb7098S_iYzLIyFiMYKMY-2xuyGFVWfjH5uO-BK1OA5DWA8q2SE-J-rhzwCqYiBivxpGJMLCvc9r-EcaFPE1mUdN_9lXfks4PuiU/s320/pete+the+cat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502116328971299586" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780061906220-0"><span style="font-style:italic;">Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes</span></a> <br />by <a href="http://www.ericlitwin.com/">Eric Litwin</a><br />HarperCollins<br />$16.99<br />ISBN: 9780061906220<br /><br />Meet this happy go-lucky cat out for a stroll in his brand new white shoes when he happens to step in a huge pile of strawberries! "What color did it turn his shoes?" <br /><br />Shoe transformation occurs three more times with varying slants (and oddly enough, another mountain of fruit) but each time, "Did Pete cry?" "Goodness, no! He kept walking along and singing his song." <br /><br />Pete's song, "I love my ________ shoes," repeated three times, invites audience participation along with the direct, reoccurring questions above. The rustic, colorful illustrations capture the casual, go with the flow nature of this zen cat whose expression remains the same throughout the story. The moral is clearly stated at the end: "no matter what you step in, keep walking along and singing your song... because it's all good." <br /><br />Whether children will note the lesson of this big picture perspective and find beauty in their own mistakes is questionable, but also beside the point when the story is so enjoyable. <br /><br />There's plenty of video inspiration for the tune of the song via an <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUubMSfIs-U">author bookstore reading</a>, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpZ9mOQ6iSU">two little ones sharing their memorized version at bedtime</a>. <br /><br />Thank you to my amazing co-worker Rebecca for sharing the book with me!<br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-27817140083234306182010-07-23T09:57:00.004-04:002010-07-23T10:07:04.233-04:00Buzz buzzOh hey, what's up? Long time, no see. Excuses abound – the last few weeks have been highly interesting and can be summed up with the phrase, “embracing uncertainty.” <br /><br />First I received a layoff notice due to potential massive library budget cuts. Thankfully much of the budget was restored by the Mayor and City Council, so it has since been rescinded. Next I was temporarily transferred to a busy new library where I am planning Summer Reading Club on the fly. Mostly though, I’m just really enjoying my summer so the last thing I want to do after work is sit in front of a computer. <br /><br />So back to the new library! I'm having such fun getting to know the community in this lively and highly used children's room. This library is the only one in Queens where the circulation of children's materials is significantly higher than adult materials, by a 3 to 1 margin. It is constantly crowded with families that visit the library for hours at a stretch and are eager to attend programs. A bonus is that the neighborhood is predominantly Latino so I often get to practice my newly acquired Spanish skills (thank you NYU continuing ed!)<br /><br />I only learned at the end of June that I would be staying there for the month of July, which required planning and leading programs like, immediately. I've taken the approach of reaching into my programming bag of tricks which, believe it or not, includes hosting a Spelling Bee. <br /><br />I've had great success with Spelling Bees in the past. They meet my general qualifications of accommodating a wide variety of ages, being highly adaptable depending upon the participants and requiring no to minimal budget. In the past I've usually had anywhere from twenty to forty school age children attend; last week, for my summer Spelling Bee over eighty kids showed up! <br /><br /> These are some helpful practices I’ve learned along the way:<br /><br />1) Select words in advance.<br /><br />I print off grade specific word lists for kindergarten through sixth grade (often from the website <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/spellingwords/kindergarten-spelling-words.shtml">timeforlearning.com</a>), along with lists of challenge words. I highlight the words I want to use then have volunteers write them on small slips of paper to be placed into containers labeled, “Kindergarten”, “1st grade”, and so on. When it’s their turn, children choose from their corresponding grade level, making the experience a bit more dramatic and clearly without favoritism.<br /><br />2) Make it as "official" as possible.<br /><br />I always set up a microphone to make it more formal as well as ensure the audience can hear the speller. I instruct the participants in the official spelling bee behavior of first saying the word to confirm they heard it correctly, spelling the word, then repeating the word one more time to signal their answer is final. I emphasize that the audience is not allowed to give clues or assistance and must remain silent until I announce whether the answer is correct or incorrect. And of course, no matter what the outcome, the audience claps for each participant.<br /><br />3) Consider your community.<br /><br />Most children love competition. It could be your neighborhood kids would prefer a cutthroat spelling bee with a clear winner. My approach with many new speakers of English is to focus on the experience, emphasizing trying your best in a fun, supportive learning environment. In my most recent bee I let kids choose any grade level of word they preferred; many chose the “Super Challenge” words, while some selected easier grade levels. In a different library where I offered regular Spelling Bees, children started spelling at their grade and with every round they passed moved up a level. Clearly there are many ways to organize this and it’s quite easy to play it by ear.<br /><br />With so many children at the program last week, I gave everyone who came up to spell a sticker to put on their shirt so I could easily tell who already had a turn. If the word was spelled correctly, two stickers were given. I had envisioned that perhaps at the end I would be able to reward those who participated most or spelled the most words correctly based upon this visual system, but after an hour and fifteen minutes there was only enough time for everyone to spell one word. I did have everyone with two stickers come up to the front for special recognition and another round of applause. <br /><br />Some related materials to display are:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780761143697-0">How to Spell like a Champ</a></span> by Barrie Trinkle, Carolyn Andrews and Paige Kimble<br />Workman Publishing Group (2006)<br />ISBN: 9780761143697<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNQmFp_GGWSqPfFT8zhlN1cD8gKJURKm2Nzr1V9C37B3QpM85f5BnjRgsLqzMsfYdj83_mJjggTH0BV_xTma-66nMkSZKN15LS_RQD3uAyc_4BPE1GRQ3psrNPn-QFsU1rbDqZ2Rnwg8/s1600/How+to+Spell+like+a+Champ.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNQmFp_GGWSqPfFT8zhlN1cD8gKJURKm2Nzr1V9C37B3QpM85f5BnjRgsLqzMsfYdj83_mJjggTH0BV_xTma-66nMkSZKN15LS_RQD3uAyc_4BPE1GRQ3psrNPn-QFsU1rbDqZ2Rnwg8/s320/How+to+Spell+like+a+Champ.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497092028735005442" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780439764216-2"><span style="font-style:italic;">Scholastic Dictionary of Spelling</span></a> by Marvin Terban<br />Scholastic Reference (2006)<br />ISBN: 9780439764216 <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZppMxf5_aQVpzX5mi_A_PEZizGVhhLFS05wQj_c0VnoRuHLfyxuykpqn1-v-tdQPGZ3M0uOxAqf2dDmymMJciqS-2OQBZ5guJHEI3BpeYx9M8yQNHVBOvCRHMwnddG8-g5jDtRkiRt4k/s1600/Scholastic+Dictionary+of+Spelling.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 236px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZppMxf5_aQVpzX5mi_A_PEZizGVhhLFS05wQj_c0VnoRuHLfyxuykpqn1-v-tdQPGZ3M0uOxAqf2dDmymMJciqS-2OQBZ5guJHEI3BpeYx9M8yQNHVBOvCRHMwnddG8-g5jDtRkiRt4k/s320/Scholastic+Dictionary+of+Spelling.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497092038199984930" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9781599610795-0"><span style="font-style:italic;">Pinky and Rex and the Spelling Bee</span></a> by James Howe<br />Various editions, first published 1991<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuvvz1sbIjYp4mDN527uJ_jTPqhnkuTnB2BL6Da8REf6p35XL7g-lDIw23SoOlBx6kn7ZXeEYQion-3-u1mtdtVEsPyuuhG8-53TyA0qpTTkdsmfkVLr7LhP4sMMzZfQLuplJn0B1IaE/s1600/pinky-and-rex-and-the-spelling-bee.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuvvz1sbIjYp4mDN527uJ_jTPqhnkuTnB2BL6Da8REf6p35XL7g-lDIw23SoOlBx6kn7ZXeEYQion-3-u1mtdtVEsPyuuhG8-53TyA0qpTTkdsmfkVLr7LhP4sMMzZfQLuplJn0B1IaE/s320/pinky-and-rex-and-the-spelling-bee.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497093445516911634" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780385735049-0">I Put A Spell on You</a></span> by Adam Selzer<br />Delacorte Books for Young Readers (2008)<br />ISBN: 9780385735049<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWKD6F0Za5Q_HAiQVJ8ppZxWgl5FjpVLxo6MECw7-A_Q-xBg3XDh7-pEhDtx4H9YNeLQOzYFNyxh40c3HecZaJPG2EnBwQmyypZY1PDQzoKNh_wJgbgUkXBx52n1G3INcJxN9adRYhLU/s1600/i-put-a-spell-on-you.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 205px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWKD6F0Za5Q_HAiQVJ8ppZxWgl5FjpVLxo6MECw7-A_Q-xBg3XDh7-pEhDtx4H9YNeLQOzYFNyxh40c3HecZaJPG2EnBwQmyypZY1PDQzoKNh_wJgbgUkXBx52n1G3INcJxN9adRYhLU/s320/i-put-a-spell-on-you.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497092685638821010" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/61-9781416916109-0">Spelldown</a></span> by Karon Luddy<br />Aladdin (2008)<br />ISBN: 9781416916109 <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4XNmwWXkBGMVaiVyMt4xkPMOzaGKcJj3b_eqA5R1MoRY4vxhYaXXZn6gJ_ovLVFs_Z5g0x_33Nrrl5tE7JyCEM9-c7w12SOrHijK0LZ4zXYo20NjfUyPLGPQDQ3vW0nFBzhh3Hp0uL4/s1600/spelldown.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 146px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4XNmwWXkBGMVaiVyMt4xkPMOzaGKcJj3b_eqA5R1MoRY4vxhYaXXZn6gJ_ovLVFs_Z5g0x_33Nrrl5tE7JyCEM9-c7w12SOrHijK0LZ4zXYo20NjfUyPLGPQDQ3vW0nFBzhh3Hp0uL4/s400/spelldown.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497090427917051762" /></a><br /><br />You can also recommended one of my favorite movies of all time, <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/72-00043396030411-0">Spellbound</a></span>. It's an amazing documentary that tracks eight finalists on their journey to the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyoGHsohANlXqc3t1slvR-MCFca-LqbKqnPYKnCWECos5hcE5JyxvR552W-STeQ1sJe1OJe3WZcl7Jx321J598SL1EZ0dkg50SPai-NI_TGuUuOc4NuO5Sn9-gJwxMED9_uLaY1Smwbk/s1600/Spellbound+DVD.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 189px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyoGHsohANlXqc3t1slvR-MCFca-LqbKqnPYKnCWECos5hcE5JyxvR552W-STeQ1sJe1OJe3WZcl7Jx321J598SL1EZ0dkg50SPai-NI_TGuUuOc4NuO5Sn9-gJwxMED9_uLaY1Smwbk/s400/Spellbound+DVD.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497090880303259634" /></a><br /><br />Happy spelling!<br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-80716825931653342562010-06-06T22:16:00.002-04:002010-06-06T22:38:24.564-04:00The Anti-Shush<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9a4n7FgManbjFpHYATf82uImHpS1gCEbrPPO2vaartWQXlSf15tyFZplZG4l24ICnUxIV5GbAoh-l0TSoHRwZEzUsOmPpXJjcbH0Aohpz_Hu1eLY-dPDa0mQAvkF6OCVEPSGH5NEkko/s1600/we+will+not+be+shushed.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9a4n7FgManbjFpHYATf82uImHpS1gCEbrPPO2vaartWQXlSf15tyFZplZG4l24ICnUxIV5GbAoh-l0TSoHRwZEzUsOmPpXJjcbH0Aohpz_Hu1eLY-dPDa0mQAvkF6OCVEPSGH5NEkko/s400/we+will+not+be+shushed.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479850831938555682" /></a><br />Live in New York City? <br /><br />Like libraries? <br /><br />Then you should certainly attend <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://savenyclibraries.org/">We Will Not Be Shushed: A 24-Hour Read-In</a></span> in support of New York City's public libraries. It begins this Saturday, June 12th at 5PM on the steps of Brooklyn Public Library's Central Library in Grand Army Plaza.<br /><br />Library funding for the upcoming budget year is still being determined, and as currently proposed by Mayor Bloomberg would devastate service as we know it. As in, a reduction of $16.9 million to Queens Library, $20.6 million to Brooklyn Public Library, and $37 million to New York Public Library, representing a cumulative 30% decrease in funding since 2008. This would result in 40 library closures citywide, 30% of library staff being laid off, and many libraries open only 2-3 days per week.<br /><br />Unless the City Council votes to restore funding, these drastic measures will take effect on July 1, 2010. Show your support for the local library systems by attending <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://savenyclibraries.org/">We Will Not Be Shushed</a></span> where public library supporters as well as staff will read aloud from books of their choosing. Readings will span multiple genres to reflect the wide range of information found within libraries, along with late night scary stories and a Sunday morning storytime for children.<br /><br />Or if you're unable to come, take action by signing the various petitions in support of <a href="http://www.protectnylibraries.org/joomla-overview/captify-content/87-sign-our-petition">New York libraries</a>, <a href="http://www.savequeenslibrary.org/index.aspx">Queens Library</a>, <a href="https://bpl.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/open/">Brooklyn Library</a> and<a href="http://dontclosethebook.nypl.org/action"> New York Public Library</a>. Write to your <a href="http://www.nyla.org/index.php?page_id=925">elected officials</a> to tell them that library funding is important to you. <br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-59329192569099473152010-05-31T20:48:00.007-04:002010-09-20T08:41:03.971-04:00SLJ Day of Dialogue: the BooksLast week I attended <span style="font-style:italic;">School Library Journal</span>’s Day of Dialogue during Book Expo America. It's a one day free event where librarians, authors, and publishers meet to discuss current issues and trends in children's and young adult literature. <br /><br />Panels were offered on the steampunk trend among teens, the particularities of tweens and their reading habits, and picture books as compared to graphic novels. Additionally fall previews were presented from numerous publishing houses. <br /><br />Some of the titles I’m most looking forward to reading are:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGGRAcrSqaCEpo5iXSHicTkcm_iUYTrvrh74ZC12XlCDqXRMmIIywr3wkxe9zdRGaz5hyphenhyphen7_O-bc4_rxHu2HKbGWLNpQjkCet1ari7ZyAoC_yH7ymq6G40AcAnVTFHedJDlb2BcN3KTnc/s1600/bedtime+for+bear.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGGRAcrSqaCEpo5iXSHicTkcm_iUYTrvrh74ZC12XlCDqXRMmIIywr3wkxe9zdRGaz5hyphenhyphen7_O-bc4_rxHu2HKbGWLNpQjkCet1ari7ZyAoC_yH7ymq6G40AcAnVTFHedJDlb2BcN3KTnc/s400/bedtime+for+bear.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477600913968929554" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A Bedtime for Bear</span> by Bonny Becker<br />September 2010<br />Candlewick Press<br /><br /><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780763628079-0">That particular Bear</a> is back and now that he enjoys visitors, he's ready for a sleepover. Or IS he? <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lwie0yYquz9GW9uHNpexaMigSfcI9id0Tw48Rtvw66wrHCJMggPSZIQLHAp9_VkoLqT8MVtXobjdSoBCxlI90TmR9cSVBBTxHDrDWZ8IqCQSG2qlnrLMARbx91jyFPnLVX1rdkzyjYU/s1600/Knuffle+Bunny+Free.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lwie0yYquz9GW9uHNpexaMigSfcI9id0Tw48Rtvw66wrHCJMggPSZIQLHAp9_VkoLqT8MVtXobjdSoBCxlI90TmR9cSVBBTxHDrDWZ8IqCQSG2qlnrLMARbx91jyFPnLVX1rdkzyjYU/s400/Knuffle+Bunny+Free.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477629279934063842" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Knuffle Bunny Free! An Unexpected Diversion</span> by Mo Willems <br />September 2010<br />Balzer + Bray<br /><br />The final installment of Knuffle Bunny! I heard there's traveling involved. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMboRGXnkVQgDBdkAxUBhnmKep_rP7wN_8F2wNezmPTfHAH9kPRoCW4VxJ55BCTr40HLmNNnZ3gAc0yYqdY9BvpnlVmxl_WA-G2D4-4jpUnNuR1NBYwq0b3nEUd9lky0xzLZe7zBgWUs/s1600/children+make+terrible+pets.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMboRGXnkVQgDBdkAxUBhnmKep_rP7wN_8F2wNezmPTfHAH9kPRoCW4VxJ55BCTr40HLmNNnZ3gAc0yYqdY9BvpnlVmxl_WA-G2D4-4jpUnNuR1NBYwq0b3nEUd9lky0xzLZe7zBgWUs/s400/children+make+terrible+pets.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477606028817949986" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Children Make Terrible Pets</span> by Peter Brown<br />September 2010<br />Little, Brown Books for Young Readers<br /><br />A funny twist on the traditional pet story. A bear finds a small child and begs to keep it even though his mom warns him that, "children make terrible pets." <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Art & Max</span> by David Wiesner<br />October 2010<br />Clarion Books<br /><br />Sadly the cover image isn't yet available. The three time Caldecott Medal winner is back with more of his signature hyper-realistic, detailed style. Two lizard friends with an interest in painting explore various mediums.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz53n9e7yETFjLrLLjol89CjtkEdWduxyh6zlhgPA5ZwjJyJPi9l3JN-n5IjhSL-l6VUDMsmjo90bhSOHM4aFY0-EQOdb7q1LzPZZJdvRieqbWafu6uMMrYyunb_QlJYUjyDy2dWm9HqY/s1600/piggie+pie+po.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz53n9e7yETFjLrLLjol89CjtkEdWduxyh6zlhgPA5ZwjJyJPi9l3JN-n5IjhSL-l6VUDMsmjo90bhSOHM4aFY0-EQOdb7q1LzPZZJdvRieqbWafu6uMMrYyunb_QlJYUjyDy2dWm9HqY/s400/piggie+pie+po.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477626285664966098" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Piggie Pie Po</span> by Audrey & Don Wood <br />September 2010<br />Harcourt Children's Books<br /><br />Another rhyming picture book from this team who are one of my storytime favorites.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnv1G0o9WC-I7IKoBVDCD6zcJsLLm5VJ8VemVSZWo6nOTbSwzligqvOprvFiFspwADAQWTF3iFZX4VjSRdS63C9zbMbISWbfoTHTxidJ6o20Eg7dZ4QRg37otXHU4KkMsDZUYQhivRxE/s1600/little+prince+graphic+novel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnv1G0o9WC-I7IKoBVDCD6zcJsLLm5VJ8VemVSZWo6nOTbSwzligqvOprvFiFspwADAQWTF3iFZX4VjSRdS63C9zbMbISWbfoTHTxidJ6o20Eg7dZ4QRg37otXHU4KkMsDZUYQhivRxE/s400/little+prince+graphic+novel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477626287651251042" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Little Prince Graphic Novel</span> illustrated by Joann Sfar <br />October 2010<br />Houghton Mifflin Harcourt<br /><br />A graphic novel adaptation of this classic book by one of my favorite illustrators. It is being released along with <span style="font-style:italic;">The Little Prince Deluxe Pop-Up Book</span> as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeL3LGiTNc5ozRyJkS6XZrSFRwsnOdlaMmNMzOljC998LxzlR6_3HRaLdUm0bD1KHIZ_z7Ia9XzYaBRDczR4oUiiql_j257VlViZO_WTQPUZeWdQy3EhhBL55qq11wJrvY4Q5uk62ZFA/s1600/reckless.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeL3LGiTNc5ozRyJkS6XZrSFRwsnOdlaMmNMzOljC998LxzlR6_3HRaLdUm0bD1KHIZ_z7Ia9XzYaBRDczR4oUiiql_j257VlViZO_WTQPUZeWdQy3EhhBL55qq11wJrvY4Q5uk62ZFA/s400/reckless.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477630161524929570" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Reckless</span> by Cornelia Funke <br />September 2010<br />Little, Brown Books for Young Readers<br /><br />Listening to Cornelia Funke read aloud from her upcoming book was completely mesmerizing and only partially due to her charming German accent. Prepare your fantasy readers to enter the world behind the mirror as inspired by the Brothers Grimm.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-dhm0GvyeRvLDAVQ_AO8oRN12hRJ5YYgVp3Dvnq8Caaq8zjR934nnf6SL7LYCtA0kI50C87lL9a8lE2KiOMm4Oftf1A5yd8f5swpJb_hS8Z0zqNvGAYEgvhZFjbypi-p1l6EdzHbDQw/s1600/Revolution.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-dhm0GvyeRvLDAVQ_AO8oRN12hRJ5YYgVp3Dvnq8Caaq8zjR934nnf6SL7LYCtA0kI50C87lL9a8lE2KiOMm4Oftf1A5yd8f5swpJb_hS8Z0zqNvGAYEgvhZFjbypi-p1l6EdzHbDQw/s400/Revolution.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477606031595612578" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Revolution</span> by Jennifer Donnelly<br />October 2010<br />Random House Children's Books<br /><br />Two girls, two centuries apart. Yet somehow the story of a modern day Brooklyn teenager becomes linked to another living in France many years past when she finds her old diary.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18HQK39oUhvA2ghlmbLpf5QCLJJGErHtblb8m92qrXdDGLtp4ZE-URJeVsO0Cgcc-8Y-NcHfATkRtOkZyJlDKQS71odVWw2vnIefSh1fuuYdsnH5q1I7QqlNiMsM4a5SiIO9W2vQIrKo/s1600/Bright+Young+Things.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18HQK39oUhvA2ghlmbLpf5QCLJJGErHtblb8m92qrXdDGLtp4ZE-URJeVsO0Cgcc-8Y-NcHfATkRtOkZyJlDKQS71odVWw2vnIefSh1fuuYdsnH5q1I7QqlNiMsM4a5SiIO9W2vQIrKo/s400/Bright+Young+Things.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477629263960640898" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Bright Young Things</span> by Anna Godbersen<br />October 2010<br />Harpercollins<br /><br />From the author of the Luxe books, this new series is set in 1920's New York City and was described as <span style="font-style:italic;">The Great Gatsy</span> meets Gossip Girls (how’s that for alliteration?) Flappers could very well be a new trend, as <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vixen-Flappers-Lila-Fine/dp/0385740344/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275363225&sr=1-1">Vixen</a></span> by Lila Fine is being released as part of a young adult trilogy in December by Random House.<br /><br />One last notable mention: browsing the publisher's tables, I ran into my elementary school librarian Mrs. Burkey! She is still working as a school media specialist and drove all the way from Ohio to attend. How amazingly dedicated is that?<br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-10898851125183794532010-05-17T21:40:00.002-04:002010-08-18T22:53:04.849-04:00I'm From OhioTwo of my favorite authors (and coincidentially ex-Ohioans) are releasing new books! <br /><br />First is Louis Sachar, my go to author for reluctant readers and good books in general. In <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/18-9780385736626-0">The Cardturner</a></span>, seventeen year old Alton is forced to accompany his blind great-uncle to bridge four times a week. If anyone can pull off an engaging book on the premise of bridge, for teens no less, it would be him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qImlOQrdUi41J36gZheMzh0pNydfFPNxK1WRJQ0car-uHxC_5mWtqjET-Trxvd9klblM1vENn9GDQrXZf3nmkCgIe49u8jQp-ZIfTzwHcnN7FwruAB1rS8OuyFV-aZSbRfko_0BOXZM/s1600/cardturner+US.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qImlOQrdUi41J36gZheMzh0pNydfFPNxK1WRJQ0car-uHxC_5mWtqjET-Trxvd9klblM1vENn9GDQrXZf3nmkCgIe49u8jQp-ZIfTzwHcnN7FwruAB1rS8OuyFV-aZSbRfko_0BOXZM/s400/cardturner+US.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472372865387461426" /></a><br /><br />It was just reviewed in the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/books/review/Vizzini-t.html">Times</a> by author Ned Vizzini. Recently I read an <a href="http://www.daytondailynews.com/entertainment/best-selling-author-talks-about-the-cardturner-698754.html ">interview with Mr. Sachar</a> and was surprised to learn he briefly attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, as did I.<br /> <br />I must say I prefer the graphic UK cover over the understated US edition. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyoHQnIDIZvmzksoCU0HOdjToI6y_hf4xkdkzeEwT9ni_uhS-2ThhXVuGdzuMuQBNM7q0vtDEo5b8hz8RHocwXM7OrCDSWDSKQ6HWnjF0sNr5pnNPd6y0GevNvD7gieQDLS7FMMJtb5g/s1600/cardturner+UK.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyoHQnIDIZvmzksoCU0HOdjToI6y_hf4xkdkzeEwT9ni_uhS-2ThhXVuGdzuMuQBNM7q0vtDEo5b8hz8RHocwXM7OrCDSWDSKQ6HWnjF0sNr5pnNPd6y0GevNvD7gieQDLS7FMMJtb5g/s400/cardturner+UK.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472373094929841538" /></a><br /><br />Another author with Ohio ties is Dav Pilkey. Born in Cleveland, he is FINALLY releasing a new book after a notable four year absence since the last Captain Underpants title. This spin-off series, <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780545175302-0"><span style="font-style:italic;">The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future</span></a>, is coming August 10, 2010!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrMB4xIcsRRq3i_jGTjQH3SdYqcdI1zw26HTJOVPutRU0ELxUXVI9aCbZGrL9955FvE-gASEoP6kW8t-oTPc79nOTJ5i2GUXdMPQH7qdQp8Df8dDdi7dOpWI7artgVbtPb_0v3tMCMqQ/s1600/Ook+and+Gluk.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrMB4xIcsRRq3i_jGTjQH3SdYqcdI1zw26HTJOVPutRU0ELxUXVI9aCbZGrL9955FvE-gASEoP6kW8t-oTPc79nOTJ5i2GUXdMPQH7qdQp8Df8dDdi7dOpWI7artgVbtPb_0v3tMCMqQ/s320/Ook+and+Gluk.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506948054114806850" /></a><br /><br />With a title like that, what more really needs to be said? <br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-19919229278202593832010-05-10T11:29:00.001-04:002010-05-10T11:29:04.120-04:00This is scaryFunding in NYC libraries is looking quite grim. Released this week, the City's proposed budget for next fiscal year calls for a further reduction of $16.9 million in Queens alone. This would bring the total cut to $28.3 million -- a 30% cut sustained since 2008. Service levels would be reduced to their lowest ever, with 14 libraries closing and layoffs of over 400 staff. <br /><br />The budget situation is similarly dire in Brooklyn and New York Public. You can help by signing the various petitions in support of <a href="http://www.protectnylibraries.org/joomla-overview/captify-content/87-sign-our-petition">New York libraries</a>, <a href="http://www.savequeenslibrary.org/index.aspx">Queens Library</a>, <a href="https://bpl.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/open/">Brooklyn Library</a> and <a href="http://dontclosethebook.nypl.org/action">New York Public Library</a>. Write to your <a href="http://www.nyla.org/index.php?page_id=925">elected officials</a> to tell them that library funding is important to you. <br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-44830568703826136892010-04-29T06:49:00.002-04:002010-04-29T06:55:28.157-04:00New Storytime Book Alert<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhje4XE1AMwpzKU2iwaEMRIp_lDGLBRTvwDloAhL9XNmx93BHkb9ilmI8S45G_INUE2d_LKqe5fPsHJU8dmCkr0QwkIetxqramHRe2oUbx9qdCTeMbXLktvzSz1gaVkfcCyidBTcHDVfpo/s1600/Jump+Scott+Fischer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 294px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhje4XE1AMwpzKU2iwaEMRIp_lDGLBRTvwDloAhL9XNmx93BHkb9ilmI8S45G_INUE2d_LKqe5fPsHJU8dmCkr0QwkIetxqramHRe2oUbx9qdCTeMbXLktvzSz1gaVkfcCyidBTcHDVfpo/s400/Jump+Scott+Fischer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465142874560966882" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781416978848-0">Jump!</a></span><br />by Scott Fischer<br />Simon & Schuster<br />$14.99<br />ISBN: 9781416978848 <br /><br />Repetitive phrases? Check!<br />Active movements? Check!<br />Humorous illustrations? Check!<br />Rhyming text? Check! (Disclaimer: This can also work against a book unless it's well done.)<br /> <br />This week I read <span style="font-style:italic;">Jump!</span> by Scott Fischer in Preschool Storytime and Family Storytime to a great response. Short rhymes involving one creature sleeping until a larger predator comes by... at which point it’s necessary to JUMP! Witness the lively scene below:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbmDA1GbNA7XAeWe4HIJfHtckfARJjVa5injal0g2KZ2V5ecG8ojldbxyrpKeHnVwEXo1amHaBn6AHSImLltyZry8fUR-yCmRBmu4NW_ZUt9MFo4K9MEYZzCNgT-mFL8_Oh-Kc0W4o24/s1600/Jump+detail.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbmDA1GbNA7XAeWe4HIJfHtckfARJjVa5injal0g2KZ2V5ecG8ojldbxyrpKeHnVwEXo1amHaBn6AHSImLltyZry8fUR-yCmRBmu4NW_ZUt9MFo4K9MEYZzCNgT-mFL8_Oh-Kc0W4o24/s400/Jump+detail.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465142871434822706" /></a><br />As I tend to be a fan of controlled chaos I found it most successful to have all the children stand up at the same time and take one big jump together, after which I would say, "Phew, we got away!" Otherwise, once little ones start jumping it can take some time for everyone to finish (hey, jumping IS fun!) and regroup to sit back down. <br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-48747429836915663832010-04-27T07:41:00.003-04:002010-04-27T08:04:59.729-04:00Yay Earth!So I may have temporarily neglected this blog. Oops. I blame vacation brain. But I am back now and more focused than ever! At least until the weather turns warmer. And summer reading club starts to kill me. But I digress... <br /> <br />Last week, freshly back from some time off, I lead an "Earth Day Everyday" activity for school age kids. I shared the books <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780763641443-0"><span style="font-style:italic;">10 Things I Can Do to Help My World</span></a> by Melanie Walsh and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/We-Planted-Tree-Diane-Muldrow/dp/0375864326/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272294855&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style:italic;">We Planted A Tree</span></a> by Diane Muldrow. <br /><br />Next we played eco games; in Recycling Relay, teams had to sort items into their proper bins (don't be fooled by the yogurt containers!) while Go Green Hangman involved guessing green phrases such as "Take shorter showers" or "Bring your own bags to the grocery store." <br /><br />We concluded with setting an environmentally friendly pledge, written on construction paper cut in the shape of a leaf and posted on a tree drawn by yours truly. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZxnlUf7L9Xl_iaDS_WKC7IgMJVn41tx-G5R2hyphenhyphenYWxD0YNfkoRl4IJ36Cc-EPoxqLiSjwB59I8UQet7XWCIX6uUnEj11g6SxtB2rn1dBBZxoM1c9zMIzdai0jeT8amO4qi7QSIq4XV40/s1600/Earth+Day+tree.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZxnlUf7L9Xl_iaDS_WKC7IgMJVn41tx-G5R2hyphenhyphenYWxD0YNfkoRl4IJ36Cc-EPoxqLiSjwB59I8UQet7XWCIX6uUnEj11g6SxtB2rn1dBBZxoM1c9zMIzdai0jeT8amO4qi7QSIq4XV40/s400/Earth+Day+tree.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464254800346338194" /></a><br /><br />Here's a more detailed view. Recley meaning recycle, of course.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPoKz03U5RFWs9WlFAKCXK4oG55DxJntjQ29Df2yDLK9zRFe9RamaKZBlBFt4d4TKMAngw5XyWvDtIcoTv79YfK2t9lHd1S6J-3n5miwfM1g_6avniRpijJ-JMZsLH6E7EfsqAFZnaPg/s1600/Earth+Day+tree+detail.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPoKz03U5RFWs9WlFAKCXK4oG55DxJntjQ29Df2yDLK9zRFe9RamaKZBlBFt4d4TKMAngw5XyWvDtIcoTv79YfK2t9lHd1S6J-3n5miwfM1g_6avniRpijJ-JMZsLH6E7EfsqAFZnaPg/s400/Earth+Day+tree+detail.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464255253824062354" /></a><br />I still haven't visited the recently opened <a href="http://www.nypl.org/locations/battery-park-city">Battery City Park Library</a> -- NYPL's first green library in Manhattan. I found the most eye candy <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/18/greenest-library-in-new-york-opens-today/">here</a> as well as a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_ZAIb8IRXs&utm_source=eNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=html&utm_campaign=April2010">guided tour</a>. I love the bright orange! <br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-48835745742848084102010-04-09T08:04:00.001-04:002010-07-17T17:07:12.500-04:00Little House RulesSo many books, so little time. Considering all the books I've yet to read, it's not often I indulge in comfort reading of my childhood favorites. I may just have to make an exception this time, as I've been wanting to revisit the <span style="font-style:italic;">Little House</span> series for months, and finding encouragement in various places.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoN1WTufiSvNkSq6g9FyBjagcfmrBF20kgqCKrmZciVENiJYqeqSwH3AWmB5I6XaDeb531FGSbXnLjA04jCNuSkwtGKZRTCzijbhzUlQ6nq0R4Wa3hQS7Y-SeyvN69sKnqlak8D86fVMM/s1600/little+house.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoN1WTufiSvNkSq6g9FyBjagcfmrBF20kgqCKrmZciVENiJYqeqSwH3AWmB5I6XaDeb531FGSbXnLjA04jCNuSkwtGKZRTCzijbhzUlQ6nq0R4Wa3hQS7Y-SeyvN69sKnqlak8D86fVMM/s400/little+house.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457965097003710066" /></a><br /><br />First there was an article by Judith Thurman in the <span style="font-style:italic;">New Yorker</span> last year, "<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2009/08/10/090810crat_atlarge_thurman">Wilder Woman</a>", about Laura Ingalls Wilder's daughter Rose, a writer herself, who influenced the series while typing up manuscript pages. Thurman states Rose "reshaped and heightened the dramatic structure... rewrote the prose so drastically that Laura sometimes felt usurped." However there's no denying the expertise Laura provided on such matters as how to mold bullets, dig a well, press cheese, make a rag doll, smoke a ham and so on.<br /><br />And last Sunday in the <span style="font-style:italic;">New York Times</span> magazine was an article titled, "<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/magazine/04food-t-000.html">Little House in the Hood</a>" by Pete Wells. I always look forward to reading this particular column, "Cooking with Dexter", about a father's exploits in the kitchen with his five year old. He begins perplexed that his wife is reading aloud the assumedly girly, therefore boring, <span style="font-style:italic;">Little House</span> books to Dexter, but soon realizes the appeal: the book begins with Pa Ingalls killing a pig, and otherwise describes in fascinating minutiae daily pioneer life. He draws a parallel to the series and its inspired <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780064460903-0">Little House Cookbook</a></span> to the local DIY food movement in Brooklyn. <br /><br />In fact, the <a href="http://www.thebrooklynkitchen.com/store-info/foodie-book-club/">foodie book club</a> at the <a href="http://www.thebrooklynkitchen.com/home/">Brooklyn Kitchen</a> will be discussing <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/17-9780060264307-0">Little House in the Big Woods</a></span> later this month. Perhaps now is the perfect time for a rereading!<br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-34821393510510222672010-04-01T20:58:00.000-04:002010-04-01T20:59:03.527-04:00Wikki Stix like woahA follow up to my last post about programming over school break. For the Wikki Stix Workshop yesterday nearly fifty children, plus their parents and caregivers, crowded the children's room to make all sorts of lovely things.<br /> <br />The youngest children used coloring sheet templates to fill in butterfly or kite designs. Others made their own "drawing" on white paper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9oJoON_bVkbEtZuyhSz0h_JoG7mUkedmTbvjaoRoKhFPJZc6HuaqoFyzmFxM9L2KI0lO3FnH54OcGiXbm4yKduk2TTJBf95grXeeJtO59rn_-AqfMCE17ewBwgKbYhPZlrpnMvEOkBE/s1600/Wikki+Stix+blank+page.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 358px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9oJoON_bVkbEtZuyhSz0h_JoG7mUkedmTbvjaoRoKhFPJZc6HuaqoFyzmFxM9L2KI0lO3FnH54OcGiXbm4yKduk2TTJBf95grXeeJtO59rn_-AqfMCE17ewBwgKbYhPZlrpnMvEOkBE/s400/Wikki+Stix+blank+page.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455001100367895154" /></a><br /><br />Jewelry and tiaras were quite popular among the young ladies. Check out these rings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBRBu2CS-WvjJTItZG7Oo8rU9aJgryWveCqe2aqon2ILMs_Oh1uYArdAkxxqtvjFxCCt4Q3ANvBDk5eMkGu6stTkyBOsCLnXcWS5SWmzfFKiYL7iwp-c8alDnFLGdv-ein9lYbHMG1G4/s1600/Wikki+Stix+rings.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBRBu2CS-WvjJTItZG7Oo8rU9aJgryWveCqe2aqon2ILMs_Oh1uYArdAkxxqtvjFxCCt4Q3ANvBDk5eMkGu6stTkyBOsCLnXcWS5SWmzfFKiYL7iwp-c8alDnFLGdv-ein9lYbHMG1G4/s400/Wikki+Stix+rings.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455001116097886434" /></a><br /><br />Food was also an inspiration. Go carrot salad!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiwAshitKxo2ucRyyDzIPKP3Q-9bxK7k1WVeNXw9vscfDwDHW8Cvq1l-hn6rcYii_AQbFVOABair4aSLdPfnf6BOLtNRgbNXEe8Vc7FpaF4W0xeqUi7dPjG6ziF9-QzUUqYMF0rgJuLY/s1600/Assorted+foods+Wikki+Stix.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiwAshitKxo2ucRyyDzIPKP3Q-9bxK7k1WVeNXw9vscfDwDHW8Cvq1l-hn6rcYii_AQbFVOABair4aSLdPfnf6BOLtNRgbNXEe8Vc7FpaF4W0xeqUi7dPjG6ziF9-QzUUqYMF0rgJuLY/s400/Assorted+foods+Wikki+Stix.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455001097242596722" /></a><br /><br />And my favorite (oops, probably not supposed to admit that I have one) were the many detailed miniature cupcakes created by our resident artist Margaret, age ten. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzJ_8Iz0XmOe8nLzK9_CYTypLbsSVi_XgGKSFZZXSCAD5RUt8s_Dmm88zqgfIUr01Mvxy5Z6Tk3hAMhcWvGdTRAfKRfVBjJVuAWUZxXCtQljmKtCQTPqNc97nbUJdaFysqDRhOIc6w1s/s1600/Wikki+Stix+cupcake+tray.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzJ_8Iz0XmOe8nLzK9_CYTypLbsSVi_XgGKSFZZXSCAD5RUt8s_Dmm88zqgfIUr01Mvxy5Z6Tk3hAMhcWvGdTRAfKRfVBjJVuAWUZxXCtQljmKtCQTPqNc97nbUJdaFysqDRhOIc6w1s/s400/Wikki+Stix+cupcake+tray.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455001119607926642" /></a><br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-75721547169584241042010-03-30T22:33:00.008-04:002010-03-31T08:24:52.505-04:00School's Out!For the next week and a half, the public schools in New York City are on spring recess. A mere six weeks after taking a week hiatus for midwinter recess, mind you. Sadly there is no spring break for public librarians. <br /><br />Rather my library is at its busiest when school is out of session, as families look for free, enriching activities outside of their New York City sized apartments. My approach is to offer programs on most days for both the sanity of the kids that stay for hours as well as mine. <br /><br />During the school year the programming budget is very limited, so all of these suggestions are quite cheap or "free", using old supplies and left over summer reading club prizes. The targeted age range is kindergarten through sixth grade, to be as inclusive as possible. Attendance can vary from twenty to fifty children. So how exactly do we satisfy many children of different ages with little funding?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Family Film</span><br /><br />Hey, it is school vacation after all! Showing a movie is one of the easiest activities to plan -- the most difficult part is finding something to (legally) screen. Weston Woods DVDs come with public viewing rights, and feature animated adaptations of popular books. Occasionally newly released DVDs will grant libraries viewing rights for a short period of time, as I’ve experienced with <span style="font-style:italic;">Wayside School</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Pinocchio</span>; otherwise, the fee to show a movie can be $75 and up.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Wikki Stix Workshop</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezv0sTcWlziQctrbdaRZtsttVIjw6WMsL8PhfUW7ApPLgCOCyzJPe1vE-71PJa0MZETM0PqDeoX8b6MglitGP3xgrcdIchWF2FiJYWnaMUXO5Qp4aoKY3kN8F7rMYUh3qmu-HTRca6EI/s1600/wikki+stix.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezv0sTcWlziQctrbdaRZtsttVIjw6WMsL8PhfUW7ApPLgCOCyzJPe1vE-71PJa0MZETM0PqDeoX8b6MglitGP3xgrcdIchWF2FiJYWnaMUXO5Qp4aoKY3kN8F7rMYUh3qmu-HTRca6EI/s400/wikki+stix.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454622894324620066" /></a><br /><br />Wikki Stix were truly one of the best summer reading club prizes EVER. Also known as Bendaroos, they are small bendable reusable craft sticks that can be used to create virtually anything. As we still have some left-over from last summer, my co-worker is leading a open ended workshop where kids can place them in designs on coloring sheets or just make whatever they choose. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">April Fools’ Day Fun<br /></span><br />Our program on April 1st will involve sharing tricky books and crafts. Some possible titles to share are <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781416955665-4">Guess Again</a></span> b<a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9781429622752-0"></a>y Mac Barnett and <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780439574952-1">What’s Going On In There?</a></span> by Geoffrey Grahn. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FyNE3VTjNOe_P6wA2258E8N9y8ym7GzMa-JuVMtblHPWAv09xwBKTOcJgk15fmOD3sDbgHkD45Vjikt3g7JEifD1vLYMEDRY2XoYwWI2oJi1alpFUigNhsByxnEbd9ZLQiFmHG8pIlI/s1600/guess+again.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FyNE3VTjNOe_P6wA2258E8N9y8ym7GzMa-JuVMtblHPWAv09xwBKTOcJgk15fmOD3sDbgHkD45Vjikt3g7JEifD1vLYMEDRY2XoYwWI2oJi1alpFUigNhsByxnEbd9ZLQiFmHG8pIlI/s320/guess+again.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454630850979684946" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPF3nhX6hxmfZ84Ex-LMocdUiUhSHPdi07TolGGc2VvWhMGR4g_hemVwgFUk6QOdRnzaSowDSS7k8Af83_DmTNJqOfVBBwsVOwVKJdVuLgeEc0t7lPOW43GmR84X3t8uwhKuikBNq5TE/s1600/what's+going+on.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPF3nhX6hxmfZ84Ex-LMocdUiUhSHPdi07TolGGc2VvWhMGR4g_hemVwgFUk6QOdRnzaSowDSS7k8Af83_DmTNJqOfVBBwsVOwVKJdVuLgeEc0t7lPOW43GmR84X3t8uwhKuikBNq5TE/s400/what's+going+on.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454629882001427986" /></a><br /><br />There’s a great recent non-fiction book too, <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9781429622752-0">The Kids’ Guide to Pranks, Tricks and Practical Jokes</a></span> by Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt . <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU2_X68Nkwm3HyCYI3Ax9Mkypn7iGTadl8noBR4hYMGtb9LHYpR1nwhOpiAM85VtuxvO-7DsI-p_2V-PuZQD-EMB-JvlXh-jYEBtkdrOezprdhwVGOrJOu8V2dzVRfRHrEkLpcyJW5wE/s1600/thekidsguidetoprankstricksandpracticaljokes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU2_X68Nkwm3HyCYI3Ax9Mkypn7iGTadl8noBR4hYMGtb9LHYpR1nwhOpiAM85VtuxvO-7DsI-p_2V-PuZQD-EMB-JvlXh-jYEBtkdrOezprdhwVGOrJOu8V2dzVRfRHrEkLpcyJW5wE/s400/thekidsguidetoprankstricksandpracticaljokes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454630285467052850" /></a><br /><br />Or you could go old school with the original trickster himself, Anansi. <br /><br />There are many funny craft options: a trick cup that drips while drinking, an April’s Fool Day card that won't open, and a fake bug on a string to scare others. We’ll also pass out a word search that doesn’t include any of the listed words… let’s see how long it takes the kids to figure it out! All of the necessary materials we already had, such as construction paper for cards, Styrofoam cups, and plastic bugs left over from an insect themed summer reading club a few years past. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">BINGO & Lanyard Crafts</span><br /><br />Friday is fancy with two options depending on one’s grade level. For children in kindergarten through grade three, Number BINGO it is. There are some serious BINGO addicts at my library -- kids would happily play for hours if allowed. I suppose the simple, competitive element is what is so appealing. Our BINGO set allows up to thirty kids to play at once, and there are small prizes like stickers, tattoos, and erasers (again left-over prizes). My talented, crafty co-worker will be guiding the tweens in making lanyards in the auditorium. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Music & Movement Games</span><br /><br />On the last day of break I’m leading Music & Movement Games, as by this time most kids are quite bored with restless energy. I’ve planned many possible activities to adapt according to the ages and interests of the children who attend. Musical Chairs is always popular, along with the similar Hot Potato, Duck, Duck, Goose, Simon Says, and LIMBO. Surprisingly even the older kids enjoy dancing to Jim Gill’s "Silly Dance Contest", or will try "My Bonnie" and "Knuckles, Knees." You could even do the more generic Freeze Dance using any popular CDs or the radio. If you need to bring down the energy level, some low key possibilities are seeing how many words can be made out of “It’s Spring Break”, playing Hangman, or memory games like Grocery Store.<br /> <br />And this is how I’ll be spending my “spring break”, with countless children, at the library. <br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-34461651950394957472010-03-19T07:09:00.001-04:002010-03-19T07:11:28.997-04:00Oh dearI just realized that my last three picture book reviews have all been books featuring cats! First there was <a href="http://libraryhearted.blogspot.com/2010/02/valentines-day-reading.html">Henry</a>, then my shout-out to <a href="http://libraryhearted.blogspot.com/2010/03/class-visit-favorite.html">Cat & Mouse</a>, and just yesterday <a href="http://libraryhearted.blogspot.com/2010/03/hello-kitty.html">Meeow</a>. It might appear that I'm one of those crazy cat librarians... not that there's anything wrong with that! <br /><br />It's only that I'm more of a dog lover myself. In fact, a dog owner. Meet my dog Baxter!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0rpyOpUu3WRenDEQaJmiWINfkW5XPi33dpvGcJ0-YZ8TyCdlipyzY1LCv8vnVGR2AWRWFwVEehioW6XrfxB24iSlQJ8RueGMCnFnJCOOGsJCPSMEZsRK-bI8DrC_9wjbmho-NIxiSrM/s1600-h/July+08+in+Ohio+(5).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0rpyOpUu3WRenDEQaJmiWINfkW5XPi33dpvGcJ0-YZ8TyCdlipyzY1LCv8vnVGR2AWRWFwVEehioW6XrfxB24iSlQJ8RueGMCnFnJCOOGsJCPSMEZsRK-bI8DrC_9wjbmho-NIxiSrM/s400/July+08+in+Ohio+(5).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450030815378666482" /></a><br />Wishing everyone a lovely weekend, along with the promise of featuring a wider range of characters in upcoming reviews.<br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-69296633889761419402010-03-18T09:29:00.005-04:002010-03-18T13:27:01.196-04:00Hello Kitty<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmK_3KH-sY4w4dxFvMrnfgTvJmhMswiSwaK1TykK0EUapUCN8F8TukBwCTvUrZ1ic45WoEXeNxYY1CHiJotKBplRiyBdStGbm0kQlTWXVJQ3SW2WbHbeCbhv9LozB-Vev_uFFDDD3Sfk/s1600-h/meeow+and+the+little+chairs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 391px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmK_3KH-sY4w4dxFvMrnfgTvJmhMswiSwaK1TykK0EUapUCN8F8TukBwCTvUrZ1ic45WoEXeNxYY1CHiJotKBplRiyBdStGbm0kQlTWXVJQ3SW2WbHbeCbhv9LozB-Vev_uFFDDD3Sfk/s400/meeow+and+the+little+chairs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449055608985175858" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Meeow-Little-Chairs-Sebastien-Braun/dp/190625088X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268827886&sr=1-1">Meeow and the Little Chairs</a></span><br />by <a href="http://sebastienbraun.com">Sebastian Braun</a><br />Boxer Books<br />$16.95<br />ISBN: 9781906250881<br /><br />Meeow first caught my eye with his resemblance to Chococat. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWa77wITGDgVHvR_clA2wDosmtrZkOWVLAAFwIY8d4Uo1Q4TImcf85_EmrMSTJ1vwSk1eIVFuKfovdTv8olme1ARG0QJvJG8zdQV6eLuPaqjx9UZAqhSjoPD1GGPI0iF5JX1ULDikliE/s1600-h/chococat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWa77wITGDgVHvR_clA2wDosmtrZkOWVLAAFwIY8d4Uo1Q4TImcf85_EmrMSTJ1vwSk1eIVFuKfovdTv8olme1ARG0QJvJG8zdQV6eLuPaqjx9UZAqhSjoPD1GGPI0iF5JX1ULDikliE/s400/chococat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449056233271775346" /></a> Chococat was always my favorite Sanrio character, but Meeow brings stiff competition with his fashionable scarf. Plus he has a mouth! Even better than accessorized smiling cats however, is the direct storytelling, presentation and liveliness perfectly considered for toddlers.<br /><br />In <span style="font-style:italic;">Meeow and the Little Chairs</span>, Meeow is introduced along with his four friends who have come over to play. His friends are different animals appropriately enough named after the sound they make: Baa the Sheep, Moo the Cow, Quack the Duck and Woof the Dog. Each is featured carrying various colored props, and working together with the special item Meeow finds in his bookbag, they create a very exciting game!<br /><br />There is a certain genius behind creating the most simple of stories that are engaging for the youngest children. Short, repetitive sentences are combined with dialogic style questions like, "What have you found Meeow?" and "What can they be doing?" to build interest. The concise text integrates concepts of animal names and sounds, colors and imaginative play with opportunities for read aloud extensions using noises and movement. Primary colored cartoon characters are depicted energetically in motion, even more noticeable amid the uncluttered background with boldly sized font. <br /><br />The cheerful, developmentally conscious approach is exactly captured on the inside jacket flap: <blockquote>Say hello to Meeow. Like every young child, Meeow has fun making things! Play and learn with Meeow.<br /></blockquote><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Meeow-Big-Box-Sebastien-Braun/dp/1906250863/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268910679&sr=1-2"><span style="font-style:italic;">Meeow and the Big Box</span></a> was also published in 2009, with the upcoming <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Meeow-Pots-Pans-Sebastien-Braun/dp/1907152350/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268910679&sr=1-3">Meeow and the Pots and Pans</a></span> hitting shelves April 6, 2010.<br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-21914567559884676752010-03-15T07:05:00.005-04:002010-03-16T19:14:32.203-04:00Storytime Tricks: Using the Flannel BoardFlannels! I use these visual props to enhance songs and rhymes during storytime. As I have no budget for purchasing readymade flannels, I make my own as a way to update my storytime repertoire. My method of creating flannels -- a bit of a misnomer as I don't use this fabric -- requires only paper, plastic and sandpaper. <br /><br />Note: for those who may be confused as to what is a flannel board, it's literally a board covered in flannel. There are many versions available, and below is the one that I use complete with pockets.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHYGNTzOIjvh0S_FETEduI2dRAQrCqH43rELhMrJOHqcuQMoj__zDTH_H2CrVL5M7OlmqOnQhrYQdO8nTbqZ8qbgrasP2dGLMcOFUbzBPt-B3HCoXPj2pTgHyTlQt7EB786ps2MHzfjc/s1600-h/flannel+board.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 323px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHYGNTzOIjvh0S_FETEduI2dRAQrCqH43rELhMrJOHqcuQMoj__zDTH_H2CrVL5M7OlmqOnQhrYQdO8nTbqZ8qbgrasP2dGLMcOFUbzBPt-B3HCoXPj2pTgHyTlQt7EB786ps2MHzfjc/s400/flannel+board.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448978736343217090" /></a><br /><br />My flannel making technique in four easy steps:<br /><br />1) Find a coloring page online or draw an image yourself<br />2) Color image (or outsource to your library volunteers)<br />3) Cut out and laminate pictures. You might be fancy enough to have access to a laminating machine. As I don't, I use KAPCO, a hard plastic designed to cover books, which also works wonderfully for this purpose. <br />4) Stick a small square of sandpaper to the back using double stick tape.<br /><br />Voila! The pictures will stick to the flannel board, and I find them much more aesthetically pleasing than using flannel fabric with sharpie markings.<br /><br />The flannels I use most often are "Little Red Wagon" and "Baa Baa Black Sheep". Both have the same concept -- a color themed nursery rhyme/song with an interactive element of guessing which color we'll sing about next. After first singing about the title color, I keep the rest of the options in the pocket of the flannel board and have children predict which color will be chosen at random. Once we've sang with three or four different colors, we'll wave goodbye to each color as a further way to practice color names. As in, "bye bye, blue wagon" or "bye bye, yellow sheep" and so on. <br /><br />This is the "Little Red Wagon" flannel: <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2snW4NHbsZ8ih6yfC4lBOvly9UvhDfLif2iiTDJPaJvWQlJZe89M_HDaxLYMevJhvYi8qlpvUiQzNixDpGY5we84X1cXkpawIJFhscMbBLvlpADc9SV_4I6GmZDzVpkP5dRp92q7xgo4/s1600-h/Little+Red+Wagon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2snW4NHbsZ8ih6yfC4lBOvly9UvhDfLif2iiTDJPaJvWQlJZe89M_HDaxLYMevJhvYi8qlpvUiQzNixDpGY5we84X1cXkpawIJFhscMbBLvlpADc9SV_4I6GmZDzVpkP5dRp92q7xgo4/s400/Little+Red+Wagon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448978729053952818" /></a><br /><br />And the "Baa Baa Black Sheep" flannel:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-zEF5vVWv35DyHlDXXZyiEgfbaUpT1pC7-cmqfCIwbc_bPMuknM37AAthsdI5JU3MC6J_RmlJ7LH9hf_0B_z8-kGwKdIPdULt4Ld1rqnFSQZpA2DQs5TEpMP1ii8kxvT8SGXrX6T9sw/s1600-h/baa+baa+black+sheep.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-zEF5vVWv35DyHlDXXZyiEgfbaUpT1pC7-cmqfCIwbc_bPMuknM37AAthsdI5JU3MC6J_RmlJ7LH9hf_0B_z8-kGwKdIPdULt4Ld1rqnFSQZpA2DQs5TEpMP1ii8kxvT8SGXrX6T9sw/s400/baa+baa+black+sheep.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448978720921191810" /></a><br /><br />A seasonal flannel I adore is "Five Little Snowmen", just because it's rather fun to act out the melting of each snowman. You can even display the lyrics for parents. Last time I sang this song one observant child asked me why there was one snowman whose nose wasn't colored black. Good question! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8n45N7m_5HVQp2DvWTIoEjK4SiCIad9gQVP3WQdncdvMIRAod2QMuf-neHhPix8qESTcI_hOPLwSOoQlYH7T_-hq-jiVjZQQ7Q7d3Ybze57S6TVhBh7cq5sBYq0UaeB7EAUXaQ8gJSw/s1600-h/5+little+snowmen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8n45N7m_5HVQp2DvWTIoEjK4SiCIad9gQVP3WQdncdvMIRAod2QMuf-neHhPix8qESTcI_hOPLwSOoQlYH7T_-hq-jiVjZQQ7Q7d3Ybze57S6TVhBh7cq5sBYq0UaeB7EAUXaQ8gJSw/s400/5+little+snowmen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448977471050318770" /></a><br /><br />Some further resources you can use for flannel ideas are <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/72-9780824209322-0">The Flannel Board Storytelling Book</a></span> by Judy Sierra (H.W. Wilson, 1997), <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/71-9780838909775-0"><span style="font-style:italic;">Storytime Magic: 400 Fingerplays, Flannel Boards and Other Activities</span></a> by Kathy MacMillan and Christine Kirker (ALA, 2009) and <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/61-9780838909119-2">Flannelboard Stories for Infants & Toddlers</a> </span>by Ann Carlson (ALA, 2005).<br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583425493183280434.post-88537219859345281412010-03-08T07:24:00.000-05:002010-03-08T07:26:10.760-05:00Class Visit Favorite<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrAoFXq2YvO2hU77eeKCeIQHkaR2VLg7bw6F-HJroijyplFcL_O96vwT9GXZcS8ZayajdYOnseJEPfm2Q5VGB-dWMBIPwh8H03cLOczmj2RBYtgwgOmk3Xa9GP9q9Ou6kTU2adLhwKj0/s1600-h/readit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 312px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrAoFXq2YvO2hU77eeKCeIQHkaR2VLg7bw6F-HJroijyplFcL_O96vwT9GXZcS8ZayajdYOnseJEPfm2Q5VGB-dWMBIPwh8H03cLOczmj2RBYtgwgOmk3Xa9GP9q9Ou6kTU2adLhwKj0/s320/readit.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435310883201330626" /></a><br />I must admit my love for <a href="http://www.ianschoenherr.com">Ian Schoenherr</a>. <i><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780061363139-0">Cat & Mouse</a></i> was my favorite picture book of 2008 due to the combination of beloved nursery rhymes, the striking layout incorporating the movement of text amidst ample white space, and of course the expressive illustrations (obvious cat owner). Plus he lives just a few subway stops away from my library!<div><br /></div>So I was quite excited to read his next book, <i><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/2-9780061724558-1">Read It, Don't Eat It</a></i>, which has quickly become one of my preferred titles to share during early elementary class visits.<br /><br />I start with reading the inside book flap: "You are holding a book. What should you do with it? Open it and you will find out." The title page features a bear intently reading a book. On the following page he proceeds to smelling it... turn one more page, and as he is shown nibbling at the corner of a spine, the book begins with, "Read it, don't eat it."<br /><br />Each spread offers a short statement of advice on the left side, paired with a humorous drawing on the right. Suggestions range from, "No dog-ears, please" to "Please return it when you're done." The illustrations provide a natural extension for discussion, particularly in the case of "Don't censor, delete or deface." The book closes with, "Share it with a friend, a sister, a brother. Now go out and get another." Sigh... yes indeed. <br /><br />Being presumptuous, I imagine he wrote this book with children's librarians in mind. Not only is it a brilliant introduction to proper book care utilizing such vocabulary as borrow, overdue and renew but it's also a highly entertaining way to transition to my speech about how to use the library. <br /><br />Mr. Schoenherr recently released a new book in February, titled, <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780061724572-0">Don't Spill the Beans!</a></span> I've heard it involves keeping secrets and birthday surprises! Our copy is on order and I'm eagerly anticipating its arrival.<br /><!--RiteCounter--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.ritecounter.com/c/78/77039.js"></script><noscript><div><a href="http://webdesign.ritecounter.com"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/htmlc.php?id=77039" alt="Web Design" style="border:0 hidden"/></a></div></noscript><!--END RiteCounter-->Sarah Hinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11224294289061283365noreply@blogger.com1