This Week In The Children's Room

We have some fun programs coming up this week in the children's room. Stop by if you have a chance! Also, don't forget to sign up for summer reading. If you have already signed up, please start reading and fill out your reading logs to win some fun prizes. :)

Wednesday, June 3rd
Program: Preschool Story Time
Time: 10:30 am
Ages: 3-5 year olds
Description: Join us in the Children's Room for stories, songs, rhymes & more!

Saturday, June 6th
Program: Crafternoon
Time: 2:00 pm
Ages: any, younger children should be accompanied by an adult
Description: Join us in making a fun seasonal or story inspired craft.

Calling All Shutterbugs!

I just found out about a really cool photo contest being sponsored by DCPL. To celebrate some of the wonderful images of the DC Metro area put up on the DCPL Flickr Commons, the public library system is hosting a photo contest.

To enter, simply:
1. Browse photos at the DCPL Commons and look for buildings or locations still around today

2. Photograph a building or locale in a fun or interesting way

3. Add your photographs to the DC Then & Now group on Flickr. You are free to represent the content in anyway (collage form, black and white, etc)

4. In the description of your photo you must include a link to the original photo from the DCPL Commons.

5. Assign a Creative Commons license to your entry. An easy way to do this is under “Additional Information” on your photo’s page.

Photos must be submitted by July 3rd. On July 10th the winners will be announced!

There are some great prizes for the winner, first, and second runners up, including a Flip MinoHD Camcorder, Wireless SD Card, and a Holga Starter Kit! This a fun way for adults and kids to be creative this summer using resources from DCPL.

Teen Book Making and Journaling Workshop

On Thursday, June 4 at 1:30 pm, we're hosting our first Teen Summer Reading Guest!
Adjoa Burrowes, local author and illustrator, will present a workshop on paper making, book making, and journal writing. Join us for "Beyond Just Words." For ages 11 - 17.

Birds and Other New Picture Books

We are getting some great new picture books in the children's room. Some titles are perfect for our summer reading theme (Be Creative @ Your Library) and some are just perfect for other reasons. One great new book I think everyone should check out is Birds.

Birds, written by Kevin Henkes and illustrated by Laura Dronzek, is a wonderful new picture book just in time for bird watching weather. The wondrous simplicity of this book and the bold illustrations make it a perfect introduction to the carefree world of our feathered friends. Concepts such as color, size, and amount are worked into the text. Told from the perspective of a littler girl, the observations of bird behavior are fresh and imaginative. For example, when describing a flock of black birds perched in a tree, Henkes writes “If there are lots of birds in one tree and they all fly away at the same time, it looks like the tree yelled,” and when you turn the page, “SURPRISE!” as the illustration shows the black birds taking flight. This is definitely a delightful book to share with your young ones. Find it on the new books display today!

Here are some of the other new titles we've received this week:
Can You Hear It - by William Lach
Muriel’s Red Sweater - by Dara Dokas
The Travel Game - by John Grandits
I Know a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Cello - by Barbara S. Garriel
Belinda and the Glass Slipper - by Amy Young
Which Puppy - by Kate Feiffer
Froggy Plays in the Band - by Jonathan London

(Image courtesy of the Kevin Henkes website)

NEW: Text Message Holds Notification

As you may already know, if you provided your e-mail address when you signed up for your Library Card, you can receive e-mail notifications from DC Public Library when a reserved item becomes available or when you have overdue items.

A new feature DCPL is offering also allows you to receive a text message notification (in addition to your e-mails) when your reserved items are ready for pickup and/or when you have overdue items.

To enroll simply go to the on the enrollment page on the DCPL website and complete the following steps:

1.) Enter your Customer ID or your Onecard/License#.
2.) Enter your PIN.
3.) Enter your mobile phone number.
4.) Choose your carrier.

That's all it takes! If you have questions, please ask a librarian.

Preschool Story Time Tomorrow

Just a reminder that we will be offering our neighborhood Preschool Story Time tomorrow morning. We hope to see you there.

Program: Preschool Story Time

Date: May 20

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Ages: for 3-5 year olds

Description: Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and more!

Coming Up in the Children's Room

We have some great events coming up in the Children's Room this week. Children's librarian Miss Rachel will host the ever popular PJ story time and dont' forget weekly preschool story time.

Next Monday, as part of the special events schedule for Summer Reading, we will host a special performance by Nicolo Whimsey.

Program: PJ Story Time
Date: May 12

Time: 7:00 p.m.
Ages:0-6 w/an adult
Description: Snuggle up with stories, songs, & snacks. Feel free to wear your pjs and slippers and bring your stuffed animal or lovey.

Program: Preschool Story Time
Date: May 13
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Ages: for 3-5 year olds
Description: Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and more!

Program: The Nicolo Whimsey Show

Date: May 18

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Ages: 4-9
Description: This show combines juggling, music, poetry, and storytelling. Nicolo emphasizes language skills and encourages children' to discover and voice their creativity.

(Image courtesy of About Faces Entertainment)

Be Creative @ Saturday Crafternoon

This past weekend our "Be Creative Saturday", which is one of many Summer Reading activities, was a huge success. Inspired by picture book art, children used a variety of media to make their own story book characters. Birds and Dogs were a popular theme.

Just a note that our Crafternoon and Be Creative events will take a brief hiatus for the rest of May. We will pick up again with 2 Crafternoons and 1 Be Creative Saturday in June. The dates for arts and crafts in June will be the 6th, the 13th, and the 20th. Stay tuned for future detail.

Summer Reading Book Spotlight "Art" by Patrick McDonnell

The summer reading theme this year is not only about the importance of literacy. It is also about showing children the power of imagination and creative expression. As librarians, we are trying to give them the power to engage in their imagination not only through thoughtful and inspiring words and artful illustrations, but also through active creation and participation. We are trying to give the youth of DC a forum to unleash their vision and the tools to harness and actualize their creative power. Through art, dance, music, and story we hope to enthrall and amaze everyone who participates in the summer reading program. I'm quite sure they will entrhall and amaze me as I see them reach their reading goals, create beautiful art, sing their hearts out, and have a great time.

As the summer reading progam has just begun, I realize now is the perfect time to assess the collection and find some books that truly embody the spirit of this year's summer reading theme. One such book I found is "Art" by Patrick Mcdonnell. This picture book is about a boy named Art who loves art. He loves to scribble and squiggle, zig and zag, doodle and dream. He creates worlds with his art. Readers can see power in the simple beauty of a child's art, really of any art. I so LOVE the enthusiasm of the boy in this book. "Art draws and draws till he flops in a heap." Now that is dedication! The end of the story shows Art being gently hugged by his mother as his art is displayed proudly on the fridge. For a budding artist, the small gesture of hanging Art's creations on the fridge is equal to all the greatest accolades from all the most respected art critics in all the universe. It is a gesture of love and of sincere apprecation. I'm sure Art will continue to scribble and squiggle, zig and zag, doodle and dream. Will you?

New Link - Boys Read

My colleague Rachel informed me about a great website dedicated to boys and literacy. The website, called Boys Read, is a great resource full of articles, book recommendations, learning practices, etc. The mission of the organization is to engage boys in reading and to help them begin the journey of turning into lifelong readers. With content and contributions from parents, eduators, librarians, mentors, authors, and booksellers, the Boys Read website is an essential resource for everyone working with young boys and teenage boys. I also added a link to the website in our links list.

(Image Citation: Battles, Kris "Illustrations for FCAT Prep Book" URL: http://www.krisbattles.com/images/Fig_2.1_Boy_Reading.JPG)

Summer Reading Starts Today!

Today is the official first day of summer reading. This year’s summer reading theme for children is Be Creative @ Your Library. For Teens, it is Express Yourself @ Your Library. We have a lot of great plans for this summer, including wonderful programs, crafts, and performers for children, teens, and the whole family!

How The Program Works

1. Children and Teens ages 0-17 register for the reading program at your local library. At Takoma Park, children 0-14 sign up with Either Ms. Lindsay or Ms. Rachel. Teens register with the YA librarian. Those participants 12-14 are able to sign up for both the children's and the teens program if they so desire.

2. Once you register you will receive a book log to keep track of the books you read. Set a reading goal for yourself and ask a librarian if you have questions how to keep track of your books.

3. For every 3 books you read, you can show your reading log to a librarian and receive special prizes and incentives. The first 3 books read earn a level I prize, the next 3 read earn a level II prize.

4. Throughout the summer DC Public Library will be offering various presentations, programs, contests, and performers. Pick up a list of events from the library or check back to the blog for performer and program updates.

5. Everyone who completes the program by finishing their reading goal/submitting a complete book log will be entered into a drawing for more prizes and rewards, including the huge prize pack awarded at the end of the summer. You can earn more entries into the prize pack drawing by reading beyond the initial 6 books.

Participants are reminded to only sign up at one library. While you can attend events at any public library, it is encouraged that you only sign up and return your book logs to one location.

Just a reminder that our Summer Reading Kick-Off event is on May 5th at 3:30 in the children’s room. Stop by to get creative and help us make our summer reading display board!

For more information on upcoming programs or if you have any questions, please contact the Takoma Park Neighborhood Library, visit http://www.dclibrary.org/, or check back to this blog.