Fairs Are So Delicious, Too

So far this summer over 2,000 children have learned that Reading Is So Delicious by participating in our summer reading club. Remember that Sunday, August 5 is the last day to receive prizes, so read, read, read. 

If you have finished recording your 16 hours, make sure you try our TASTY Reading Patch Bingo. To play, pick up a BINGO card in the Youth Services Department and complete two rows of activities to earn your patch. You can turn in your card through the last day of August.

A fun way to expand on the patch activities is to visit a local county or state fair. You will be able to actually ask a farmer questions, see what your favorite farm animal likes to eat, and see lots of colorful new foods . You might even want to sip on some fresh-squeezed lemonade.

These are fairs that you might want to visit.

DuPage County Fair is in Wheaton through Sunday, July 29.

Lake County Fair is in Grayslake through Sunday, July 29.

Wisconsin State Fair is in Milwaukee, August 2 - 12.

Illinois State Fair is in Springfiled, August 9 - 19.

New Parenting Books

Be A Great Step-Parent

A practical guide for coping with the ups and downs of being a step-family.

J Parent Collection 306.8747 HAY

Keeping Kids Fit

A simple blueprint for success that help kids keep good habits.

J Parent Collection 613.7042 SAU

How to Find Mental Health Care for your Child

Child psychologist Ellen B. Braaten offers clear and expert guidance to demystify the complexities of child mental health care.

J Parent Collection 618.9297 ALL

Healthy Eating for your Baby & Toddler

Give your baby and toddler the best possible start in life with more than 100 delicious recipes.

J Parent Collection 641.5622 ELL

The Happy Child

Covering the period from birth to approximately seven years of age, this book offers practical, down-to-earth advice on raising happy, enthusiastic and confident children.

J Parent Collection 649.1 BLA

Talking to Your Kids About Sex

Dr. Berman offers an elegantly laid-outguide for when and what to teach your kids about sex.

J Parent Collection 649.65 BER

Geek Dad

Awesomely geeky projects and activities for dads and kids to share.

J Parent Collection 790.13 DEN

Look Mom, I made Art!

This past week in our Food Craft program, children participated in fruit and veggie stamping.  It was tons of fun, and easy to do.  If you, like so many people in this country, are constantly throwing away fruits and vegetables that have gone bad before you have a chance to eat them, try re-using them!  If they are too old to eat, but still holding their shape, you can grab your kids, a couple of colors of paint, and some paper, and you have the makings of a fun afternoon!

At the library, we used apples, pears, bunches of celery, lemons, limes, and grapefruit to create all kinds of designs.  One boy made a fireworks display on his paper.  Have fun!

Dairy Day Trip

All summer we have been telling you that Reading is So Delicious. Hopefully you have participated in some of our tasty food-themed programs and are completing your Reading Patch Bingo card.

Summer is the perfect time to explore local sources of our delicious food, ice cream being one of my favorites. An "edutaining" place to spend the day is Fair Oaks Farms in northwest Indiana. The dairy is home to thousands of cows that are milked three times each day. During the milking process, 72 cows at a time ride a milking carousel. Who would have thought cows would enjoy riding a merry-go-round!

While you are at the dairy you can see how cheese and ice cream are made, enjoy the outdoor play center, and check out the indoor exhibits. You can even watch a baby calf being born in the birthing barn.

Of course the library has some great books to help you get ready for your trip.

Grass to Milk by Julie Murray explains how milk gets from the farm to your table.

If you prefer to stay close to home, check out Ben & Jerry: Ice Cream Manufacturers by Joanne Mattern. After you finish reading, you will have a good excuse to continue your research by trying Chocolate Therapy (one of Ben & Jerry's new flavors).