Upcoming Author Visit!

Since 2012 isn't quite over, I'll hold off on a "best of 2012" post and talk instead about an upcoming author visit at the library. Alice B. McGinty, resident of Urbana and author of Darwin, Eliza's Kindergarten Pet, Thank You World, and Ten Little Lambs is coming to Allerton Library on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. When she visits, kids will get a chance to learn the "story behind the story" for her books, meet Cookie the guinea pig (star of Eliza's Kindergarten Pet), do a craft, and buy signed books. The presentation, and Alice's books, are great for kids in grades K-5. I especially recommend Darwin for older elementary-aged students. I am really excited about this upcoming visit and I hope lots of kids will jump at the opportunity to meet an author! You can see Alice's website here.

New Children's Music & More

We've been able to add a few new CDs to our children's music collection recently and I grabbed some to listen to in the car. Two of my favorites were Rockin' the Uke by Cathy Fink and Marcy Maxer and Live in Lexington: Under the Copper Beech by Ben Rudnick & Friends. Rockin' the Uke had a really nice, bouncy, happy sound to it that had me smiling and humming along. Listening was just delightful! And Live in Lexington had a nice country/rock flavor to it that I think people will really like.

We have a Christmas storytime and craft coming up at 11 a.m. on December 22 for kids ages 3+. We will make Santa beards, Christmas cards, and hear Christmas stories. Please sign up in advance, as space is limited!

Also, I've started putting together weekly tips for getting kids ready to read in the toddler & preschool years for the parents in my weekly Baby & Toddler Lap Time (Tuesdays at 9:30! Lots of fun!). I thought I'd share them here on the blog with you, too. Here's the first one:

The American Library Association suggests five things parents and caregivers can do with children to get them ready to read: talking, singing, playing, reading, and writing. These activities will help kids start learning about books and reading before they start school. In upcoming weeks I will give you more information about these five activities.

Children learn best when they are calm, relaxed, and happy. Loving physical contact (hugs, kisses, being held in your lap) makes the brain release serotonin, which is a chemical that helps learning and memory formation. You know your child best, so you can pick the best times to read and work on these pre-literacy skills. If your child isn’t responding or is fussy, it’s best to put a book or activity aside and look at it again later.

Some Good Audiobook Choices

If you'll be traveling a lot this holiday season, I highly recommend a good audiobook. They make hours in the car practically fly by! I have listened to quite a few children's audiobooks from our collection, and here are a few of my favorites:

Henry and the Clubhouse by Beverly Cleary, narrated by Neil Patrick Harris. Beverly Cleary's stories are wonderful classics that are enjoyed by pretty much all school-age children who like realistic stories. Since they were originally published around 50 years ago they have a nice nostalgic feeling, but the characters and situations are so universal and true-to-life that kids have no trouble relating to it. Neil Patrick Harris does a wonderful job narrating, with good enunciation and nice subtleties in tone that make for a great listening experience.

The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney, narrated by Hal Hollings. The Humphrey the Hamster stories are incredibly popular with elementary-age children, and no wonder! You won't find a cuter, funnier, or more absorbing hamster than Humphrey. Kids who like books about animals but don't necessarily like fantasy stories will love these. Hal Hollings, the narrator, is the perfect choice because his voice can be high-pitched and hamster-like without being annoying or grating in the least. I had a lot of fun listening to this.

For older audiences (middle school and older) I really liked the Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot, narrated by Anne Hathaway, who starred in the movies. Anne has proven that she can do a fantastic job with Mia's breezy yet sometimes neurotic voice, and the story is full of laugh-out-loud moments. It is kind of girly, though, so the boys might need persuading to give it a shot.

And lastly, there's Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins (yes, the same Suzanne Collins who wrote The Hunger Games) and narrated by Paul Boehmer. Gregor's story is less disturbing but more fantastical than the Hunger Games books, and so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for a middle-school-aged audience. The story is compelling and action-packed, but also sprinkled with some funny bits that help alleviate the tension sometimes. The narrator taps into Gregor's voice perfectly and does a great job with the voices and tones of supporting characters.