bc-list

Thursday, May 30, 2013

The Importance of Summer Reading

You hear us say it all the time up here on the 2nd floor of the library, "You have to read over the summer, you might as well get prizes for it!" 
 
There is a certain level of enthusiasm that comes along with Summer Reading Club each year on the part of the staff here, but it isn't just because we love putting together the booklists, programs, and picking out prizes... it is because we know just how important reading over the summer is, and we know that our excitement rubs off on the children who come to the library.
 
As your child's school year winds down, take the time to read this article by Julie Wood, a literacy expert.  Studies show that children who read over the summer do better in school than those who don't, something most of use knew already.  But did you know that by middle school, children who don't read over the summer have already lost a total of two full years of reading?  That is a lot of time to be behind in a key skill of education. 
 
Julie gives some great tips on how to help your child be ready to read wherever he or she might be and how to get them excited for exercising their 'reading muscle' over the summer.  I especially love that she suggests joining a library's summer reading program to encourage your child to read. 
 
We here at DPPL hope that you bring your enthusiasm for summer and reading during it as well.  As the person that your child looks to for guidance, it is most important for you to set an example - let your children know how important it is to practice reading (and hey, YOU can get prizes too by joining the adult summer reading club).
 
We hope to see you in here over the summer, check back for more information on the upcoming Summer Reading Club, Have Book, Will Travel, next week!

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Free--That's Right, FREE Downloadable Audiobooks!

Audiobooks are one of my all time favorite things. Audiobook narrators do an amazing job of bringing the story to life and create a different way to view a story. For instance, I love reading the Harry Potter books but listening to Jim Dale read them is an entirely different experience. Audiobooks are great for a long car trip or just listening to as your getting ready for bed. Knowing my enthusiasm for audiobooks, you can understand why this is my favorite time of year. The SYNC free downloadable audiobooks are about to begin!

For the past two summers AudioFile magazine, which lets you in on the best audiobooks, and audiobook publishers have been bringing listeners SYNC! For twelve weeks you have access to download a free YA modern title and a classic which is a fitting companion. That's 24 free titles! The only catch: you only have the week they are available to download them, but once you do, it's yours to keep.

Here are all the titles available this summer and when. Now some of these titles might be more suitable for older teens. So make sure you tell your high school teen, or download it anyways for when your child is older. Or for you to listen to! This is a fantastic deal that only happens in the summer. Make sure you download them all!

May 30-June 5
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
The Tempest by William Shakespeare

June 6-June 12
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, #1 by Maryrose Wood
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

June 13-June 19
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya

June 20-June 26
Once by Morris Gleitzman
Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr.

June 27-July 3
Rotters by Daniel Kraus
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

July 4-July 10
Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford
She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith

July 11-July 17
The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

July 18-July 24
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
Hamlet by Charles Dickens
July 25-July 31
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
August 1-August 7
Death Cloud by Andrew Lane
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

August 8-August 14
Enchanted by Alethea Kontis
Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

August 15-August 21
Sold by Patricia McCormick
Let Me Stand Alone by Rachel Corrie


All you need to do to download the books is click on the link below and follow the directions. In summers past, all you've needed to get the books was your name and email address. Then you'll need OverDrive Media Console to play them (which, if you already download e-audiobooks from our library you'll have already). The whole process is quick and easy!

When your teen is looking for some good books for their summer reading have them check out the SYNC titles! It's a great way for them to get their summer reading in. Post us a comment and let us know which book your teen liked best. I've read Death Cloud, which imagines a young Sherlock Holmes just starting to solve mysteries, and it was fantastically eerie. The top titles I can't wait for? The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, The Raven Boys, The Peculiar, Grave Mercy, and The False Prince. I'm going to have a busy summer!

Visit www.audiobooksync.com to start downloading your books on May 30th.



Saturday, May 18, 2013

Extreme Makeover for Our Library Loving Fish!

Spring is here and with spring comes thoughts of spring cleaning and decorating. Our fish are no exception! You'll be noticing some changes to our fish tank starting this week. Perhaps they got some ideas from Pinterest (maybe they took the class at the library?) or talked to some of their fish friends, but their digs are getting an upgrade!

Please excuse our "hard hat area" and rest assured that the fish are in good hands and will be happily overlooking the remodel. We are expecting to unveil their new habitat, including the plan to "go natural" by having living coral put into the aquarium on Friday, May 24th.

If you haven't been here lately, now's a great time to stop by with the kids and show them the new design. The picture to the left shows the fish you can see in our tank.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

A Change is A-Comin'

Today, one of our lovely staff is getting married.  You may have noticed her excitement building as her wedding came closer when you saw her at storytime! Sometimes we walk down the aisle toward change willingly (like her), but sometimes we drag our heels into change hoping it doesn't disrupt the status quo too much.  Children can approach change in the same ways adults do, and there are things you can do to help them through it.  Whether it is a marriage, a divorce, a new sibling, or the loss of a family member or pet, there are lots of books to help your child cope with the changes going on around them.

Here are some great books (some for even the youngest listener or reader):


Brand New Baby Blues by Kathi Appelt
The arrival of a new little brother has his big sister singing the blues.

Harry and Hopper by Margaret Wild
One day when Harry comes home from school, his faithful companion Hopper isn't there to greet him, in a touching story about the process of healing after losing a beloved pet.

Nana's Getting Married by Heather Hartt-Sussman
A young boy disapproves of his grandmother dating her boyfriend, Bob, because she spends more time with Bob than with him, and he tries to find ways to separate them before their wedding.

Standing on My Own Two Feet by Tamara Schmitz
Addison's parents are divorced and he lives in one house with his mom and another with his dad, but one thing he knows above all is that both his parents love him and they always will.

That Summer by Sarah Dessen
During the summer of her divorced father's remarriage and her sister's wedding, fifteen-year-old Haven comes into her own by letting go of the myths of the past.

Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff
After her brother Jared dies, ten-year-old Annie worries about the hidden dangers of everything, from bug bites to bicycle riding, until she is befriended by a new neighbor who is grieving her own loss.

 
Remember that even if change is happening to a friend, your child might be able to better understand what they are going through by reading a book.  We also have lots of titles in the Parenting Collection to help you in your efforts to assist your children.  Stop in and ask about them today!

Thursday, May 2, 2013

The Eyes Have It

Babies spend a lot of time staring at things. As their vision develops, newborns like to look at contrasting colors and shapes. The pictures in many children's books have strong color contrast to aid in this development. Your baby will enjoy gazing at them. Prop open a book with a bright illustration at the side of your baby's bed. They will enjoy the picture!

These books have bold illustrations which babies will enjoy:
 

Machines at Work, Picture Book by Byron Barton
My Car, Board Book by Byron Barton
Ten Black Dots, Picture Book by Donald Crews 
Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf, Picture Book by Lois Ehlert 
"More More More", Said The Baby, Picture Book by Vera B. Williams
Red, Blue, Yellow Shoe,  Board Book by Tana Hoban