Kristen's Book Looks

ALA Award Lists

2012-01-26T07:21:00.000-08:00

ALA (the American Library Association) came out with its annual award lists on Monday. These include the Newbery medal, the Caldecott medal, and the Printz award. I have not yet read any of the winners (which are Dead End in Norvelt, A Ball for Daisy, and Where Things Come Back, respectively) but I have read a few of the honor titles such as The Scorpio Races (see, I told you my opinion was the minority one!), Grandpa Green, Me...Jane, and Inside Out & Back Again. So I'll have to get busy reading this new batch of winners. If you're interested in seeing the winners in other areas such as the Geisel award or the Coretta Scott King award, you can start here.

Have you read any of the winner or honor books? What did you think?

Support School Libraries!

2012-01-19T07:28:00.000-08:00

I subscribe to the blog Tiny Tips for Library Fun. Not only is it useful for my day-to-day work, but it also helps me stay current with developments in the library world. Marge, the librarian who writes Tiny Tips, has recently posted about a petition on the White House website that supports school libraries. Her post includes a report from Library Research Service News that shows the value of school libraries and school librarians that you can read to get yourself familiar with the topic. In short though, having a school library plus a full time, certified school librarian running it improves children's test scores. School librarians also do incredibly useful work in teaching kids digital literacy skills and critical thinking skills, which are vital to have in today's wired world.

I really hope you'll support this important cause by signing the petition and spreading the word! School libraries are so important, and every voice counts.

Books and Crafts

2012-01-12T09:20:00.000-08:00

We are selling some of our children's books! They are only 25 cents apiece, but free to teachers and other educators. At Allerton Library, we don't have a lot of space, so for every new book we buy, we have to get rid of one. Please take advantage of this great opportunity - many of the books are in great condition and I'd really like to see them go to good homes!

We're going to have a Craft Explosion here at Allerton Library on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. Kids can do crafts from past programs or make their own crafty creations. Please register if you're interested. We also have a Boredom Busters treasure box out at the library filled with cool ideas indoor crafts and activities for kids, since it's sometimes too cold to play outside.

Also: the Newbery award will be announced in less than two weeks! Check here on Monday, Jan. 23 to see what this year's winner is.

Websites to Try

2012-01-05T10:34:00.000-08:00

I ran across an interesting site called Great Websites for Kids. It's run by the American Library Association and it features a different website every week, plus it has links to all sorts of educational and kid-friendly websites. You can sort the websites according to popularity (among other things) and one that pops up near the top is Great Group Games. There's also one called Cool Science for Curious Kids. Try it with our new "Here Comes Science" CD!

Looking for a science project idea? Try Steve Spangler Science. You can also get science-based toys and just plain old fun ideas to try at home on a rainy day.

Kids who are animal fans could try looking at The Encyclopedia of Life. It's a neat-looking website with a simple search right at the top, so kids who are looking for something in particular can get right to where they need to go. Some kids (younger ones especially) might not like this website's emphasis on Latin genus and species names, though.

Try 'em! Let me know what you think.

My Best of 2011 List

2011-12-29T07:40:00.000-08:00

I realized today that I could probably put together my own Best of 2011 list based on my Goodreads page. I tend not to record any books for small children like picture books or easy readers, and very few chapter books, but most of the middle grade and teen books I've read are on there, along with my reviews and ratings.

However, I do remember a few books for younger kids I particularly liked that came out in 2011. Two picture books in particular stand out in my memory: You Will Be My Friend by Peter Brown and Is Everyone Ready for Fun? by Jan Thomas. Both books are delightful to read during storytimes, though they are designed for slightly different audiences. I also really liked all the Elephant and Piggie easy readers that came out this year, especially Happy Pig Day! and I Broke My Trunk.

For middle grade readers, I loved The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall. In fact, I love ALL the Penderwick stories. They're charming, funny, and they give you nice squishy feelings when you're all done with them. I also really liked The Outcasts by John Flanagan, which is a cool fantasy adventure story and a promising new series beginning.

Some books for younger teens I really liked include The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson, Divergent by Veronica Roth, and Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt. The Name of the Star is a cool paranormal mystery set in London. The main character is an American teen studying abroad, and she tries to figure out who is committing a bunch of copycat Jack the Ripper-style murders. Divergent is a compulsively readable, action-packed dystopia that will go over well with fans of The Hunger Games, though Divergent is less violent. Okay for Now was also very absorbing, but in a completely different way: the story was very realistic and the main character was so true-to-life that he seemed like a real person. Plus, there's a very cool librarian in the story which earns it bonus points. :P

For older teens, Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Beauty Queens are my two favorites. (That is, if you don't count The Gray Wolf Throne, which is the third book in the Seven Realms series and can't be read as a stand-alone.) I have trouble talking about Daughter of Smoke and Bone properly because the plot is hard to describe. The scope is huge, and the ideas are complex and profound, yet the story stays really grounded in the main character and that's what keeps it readable. It's just something you have to read and see for yourself... but people who don't like speculative fiction won't like it. I also really liked Beauty Queens, which is not nearly as popular as Daughter. I think Beauty Queens just struck my funny bone in exactly the right way, so I was able to adapt to the growing absurdity of the plot with good humor rather than confusion or impatience.

So there you have it. I realize that The Scorpio Races is absent from this list, and it's not because I haven't read it - it's because I didn't like it much. I couldn't swallow the initial premise of the story, or understand the necessity of the race in the first place. My opinion is definitely the minority one though, so don't keep it from trying the book out yourself. In fact, tell me what you think about the books on this list: did you like them too? Hate them? Did I miss anything really good? Let me know in the comments.

Another Book List And A Mystery

2011-12-15T15:46:00.000-08:00

Horn Book has released their Best of 2011 list, which can be seen here. I agree with: Swirl by Swirl, Balloons Over Broadway, and Where's Walrus?. I'm not as enthusiastic about The Scorpio Races, Chime, and The Money We'll Save. What do you think?

I've also been trying to read more chapter book mysteries and thought I'd mention one I finished today called Floors by Patrick Carman, who is famous for his Skeleton Creek books. Floors is completely different from Skeleton Creek. It's about this boy who helps his father take care of a wacky hotel reminiscent of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. The boy, named Leo, finds a box with his name on it which contains a riddle to solve, which leads him to another box, and so on. Kids will like this one not just for the mystery and puzzle-solving, but also because the sheer inventiveness and huge scope of wackiness in the hotel is fabulous. Give it a try!

Best of 2011 Lists

2011-12-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

The Best Books of 2011 lists are starting to come out! So if you're looking for gift ideas and want to go beyond Amazon's recommended list, you should probably take a look at these lists.

Kirkus's list for children

Kirkus's list for teens

School Library Journal's list

Personally, I'm keeping an eye on these lists for a couple of reasons: first, I want Allerton Library's collection to be the best it can be, and second, next year's Newbery, Caldecott, and Rebecca Caudill books might very well be on those lists. Let me know what you think of them!

Music for Kids

2011-12-01T15:49:00.001-08:00

I recently listened to a few new children's CDs we purchased for the library. They were Wake Up Clarinet by Oran Etkin, Here Comes Science by They Might Be Giants, and Flying! by Recess Monkey. Flying! was by far my favorite. I loved the musical style, which evoked the 90s alternative rock I grew up with. It also featured some great lyrics and song subjects, one of which was "Your Favorite Book." I also enjoyed some of the songs in Here Comes Science, especially "I Am A Paleontologist" and "Why Does the Sun Shine?" I was kind of hoping their song "Particle Man" would be included, but it wasn't.

Wake Up Clarinet wasn't bad at all, but it was very jazzy and had lots of dialogue between the songs. It might be nice for listening to as an individual or in a small group, but it would be drowned out during one of my programs.

The (Final?) Update on the Champaign Situation

2011-11-22T10:47:00.000-08:00

On Saturday I saw an article in the News-Gazette saying that the Champaign library board has decided to rescind the Mahomet/Tolono fee policy. Instead, they will limit all non-resident patrons (except for Urbana) to 2 items at a time.

You can see the article here. What does everyone think? Will this make you less likely to use the Champaign library? As always, let me know if you have questions and I will do my best to answer them for you.

All Books, All the Time

2011-11-17T15:14:00.000-08:00

I know some people are frustrated by not being able to use the Champaign or Urbana libraries this month. It might help to know that we just got a big shipment of brand-new children's books in this week, and we have lots of new titles and series like Happy Pig Day! (the newest Elephant and Piggie) and You Will Be My Friend! by Peter Brown. We also got the new Lego Ideas Book for all those Legomaniacs out there.

Also, I'm always willing to take suggestions. I'm very interested in what Monticello patrons are reading and what they want to read, so please let me know if there's something you want that we don't have! I will do my best to get it, budget allowing.

Today I've been super busy getting ready for the Star Wars party on Saturday. Be sure to sign up if you're interested in testing your light saber skills, designing a droid, or making paper airplanes. Kids can also dress up if they want to. Call us at the library for more details. May the Force be with you!

Star Wars Party & Teen's Top Ten

2011-11-10T08:45:00.000-08:00

Join us on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 11 a.m. for a Star Wars party for kids ages 3 and older. At the party, kids will test their Jedi light saber skills, make & fly paper airplanes, design droids, and enjoy snacks like Yoda Soda and Princess Leia Cinnamon Buns. Kids can come in costume if they want to. Please register by Nov. 17 if you're interested.

I've been working on getting all the books on the Teen's Top Ten list read... except for Angel by James Patterson. I decided a while ago that I was done with that series, because it just lost focus and I stopped enjoying it. So far I haven't encountered anything I hated, but nothing I was crazy about either (that I hadn't already read when the list came out).

The Plot Thickens

2011-11-03T15:03:00.001-07:00

Last week I posted about big changes coming to the library system. You can see that if you scroll down or by clicking here.

Now it seems that the Champaign Public Library could lose its membership in the Illinois Heartland system altogether. This is the direct result of Champaign's policy of charging Mahomet and Tolono patrons $200/year if they want to use the Champaign library. I posted a blog about that back when it happened - you can see that here. The News-Gazette has the story about the suspension here. The suspension will have several effects on Champaign library patrons, all of which are outlined on the Illinois Heartland FAQ page seen here.

What does everyone think? Will the Champaign library board cave and drop the policy? Or will they decide to strike out on their own?

Big Changes Coming for Our Library System

2011-10-27T08:20:00.000-07:00

Many of you probably know already that the Champaign and Urbana libraries are getting their own circulation system. If you haven't heard about that yet, you can get more details here.

This will have some effects on Monticello library patrons. First, no one with a Monticello card will be able to use the Champaign or Urbana libraries between Nov. 1 and Dec. 7. Then, starting Dec. 8, you can bring your library cards and photo IDs to Champaign or Urbana to be entered into their new circulation system. Then you will be able to borrow items from Champaign and Urbana directly.

However, interlibrary loan delivery will be changed. We strongly advise against dropping Champaign or Urbana items off here in Monticello, because we won't be able to check the items in. They will be put in transit back to Champaign or Urbana, which could take many days, and they will be checked in only after they arrive back, meaning you could end up with late fees. The same goes for Monticello items being dropped off in Champaign or Urbana.

Also, if you want to request something that belongs to Champaign or Urbana, you will have to place a special order with a librarian here if you want it delivered to Monticello. Once you are registered in the new circulation system at Champaign/Urbana, you will be able to access their catalog online and place requests, but you won't be able to get them delivered directly to Monticello.

Quick Updates

2011-10-20T15:50:00.000-07:00

I've been so busy today getting ready for the Fairy Tale Ball on Saturday! I hope lots of you can come out and dress up as fairy tale characters. We'll have lots of fun stuff to do and things to eat, and when you're done you can go down to the library and get lots of stuff to read. What could be better?

This year's Teen's Top Ten list has been released. Check it out here. I'm glad to say we already own five of the 10 books listed, but I've read only 3 of them so far. I'll have to work on getting the other 7 read.

I've been telling people lately about Goodreads, which is a great website for all kinds of readers. Make book lists, give ratings and recommendations, and lots more! You can see my profile here.

Scary Stories!

2011-10-16T12:32:00.000-07:00

I've been getting into the spirit of the season and reading a bunch of scary stories! I finally picked up the Prinz Honor book The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancy, and I read about 150 pages of it. I ended up putting it aside not because it's badly written, but because there's a LOT of blood & guts and I'm not a big fan of the character of the doctor. Kids who liked Cirque du Freak and maybe fans of the Last Apprentice series should probably give this book a try, though.

I'm also reading Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore. So far it's a fairly good ghost story, and will go over pretty well with fans of her first series, Maggie Quinn: Girl vs. Evil. However, I don't like Amy Goodnight (the main character in Texas Gothic) as much as Maggie Quinn, because I think Amy crosses the line between feisty and just plain mean too often. It's a light, breezy read, with an element of romance running through which compliments the spooky bits nicely. Fans of Meg Cabot's Mediator series will like it.

Don't forget, we're only 6 days away from the Fairy Tale Ball, so if you haven't signed up yet and you want to come, now's the time.

Upcoming Programs & New Picture Books

2011-09-29T07:27:00.000-07:00

We'll be having a Fairy Tale Ball on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. for children ages 3+! We'll be in the ballroom above Allerton Library and the kids will make crowns or princess hats, decorate & eat gingerbread men, get supplies for growing their own beanstalks, have juice and sandwiches made with the Little Red Hen's bread, and try to answer Rumpelstiltskin's trivia questions. Kids can also dress up as a fairy tale character if they like. Please register by Oct. 20 if you are interested.

I'm also working on improving my regular weekly programs by learning new songs and incorporating puppets and flannelboard components (work in progress!) So please do stop by for a Baby Lap Time on a Tuesday morning or a storytime on a Thursday morning.

Speaking of regular programs, I'm also excited about some new picture books that I'm going to try out with my storytime audience. One of them is a new release by Jan Thomas called Is Everyone Ready for Fun? I'm also going to try Dot by Patricia Intriago and 999 Tadpoles by Ken Kimura. Come check them out!

New Middle Grade Books

2011-09-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

I've been reading quite a few books lately that I think of as "middle-grade": on the older side of chapter books, or maybe the younger side of the teen books. A brand-new contribution to that set is Brian Selznick's new book Wonderstruck. I wouldn't be the least surprised if it won as many awards and as much recognition as his first book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Wonderstruck is done in the same arresting visual style, and has a similar feel in terms of the story and characters. It is a bit more complex then Hugo Cabret, but in a way I think kids will enjoy.

I also read a couple of books that aren't quite as new in terms of publication date, but are new to me at least: the first book in the Dork Diaries series by Rachel Russell (titled Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life) and as I mentioned before, the first book in Patrick Carman's Skeleton Creek series (titled Skeleton Creek). I liked the Dork Diaries book fairly well, and I think it's a good choice for female fans of the Wimpy Kid series. I wasn't very impressed with Skeleton Creek, though. It was meant to be spooky but wasn't at all, and I found the videos tedious and badly acted. Maybe this is just my adult cynicism preventing me from enjoying the story. Kids really seem to like these books. Oh well.

New Books This Fall

2011-09-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

Some exciting new children's and teen's books will be released this fall. I'm looking forward to several of them, including the new Bloody Jack book in October (titled The Mark of the Golden Dragon) and a new title by picture book genius Mo Willems called Happy Pig Day!. November will be exciting as well, since the new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book (titled Cabin Fever) and Christopher Paolini's long-anticipated final book in the Inheritance cycle are both coming out that month. Fans of the Maze Runner series by James Dashner will be pleased to see the new book The Death Cure out in October, and a new Richard Peck title will be out that month as well.

I have picked out a new batch of chapter books and teen books to read on my lunch breaks, including the first book in Patrick Carman's Skeleton Creek series, which was much-requested when I was doing school visits back in May. I also got the first book in Andrew Clements's new series, Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School, titled We the Children. If you have suggestions or recommendations for me, please do let me know!

Crafts & Fall Events

2011-08-25T07:20:00.000-07:00

Join us this Saturday for a Back-To-School storytime for kids ages 3 and older. We will read books about school and make school bus magnets. Please register if you are interested.

I have been working on fall programs and I'm really excited about what we'll be offering in October and November. On Saturday, Oct. 22 we'll have a Fairy Tale Ball with crafts, activities, and snacks relating to fairy tales like Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rumpelstiltskin, The Little Red Hen, and more. And on Saturday, Nov. 19 we'll do another Star Wars party! Stay tuned for more details on those events as they get closer.

I'm also excited to start up my traveling storytime again for Kairos preschool and the Monticello Christian Academy kids. I can read all my old favorite stories and appreciate them through new eyes. As always, feel free to stop by and ask for suggestions!

Time for School

2011-08-18T08:50:00.000-07:00

School starts again today for most Monticello students, and I hope everyone gets off to a great start. I want to remind everyone that we're here to help at Allerton Library. We have lots of great books and other resources to help kids with homework assignments. We also have some research tools online that people can get to from home with an Allerton library card. Kids will especially want to look at our World Book Online for state reports, animal information, games, and more.

To get to World Book Online, start at our website at www.monticellolibrary.org. Click on Online Resources. Then click World Book. Then you'll be asked for your library card number, which you should type in without any spaces or dashes.

There are three versions of World Book for you to choose from. World Book Online for Kids will be best for younger students (K-4). World Book Online Info Finder is best for middle grades (4-7). World Book Online Reference Center is most helpful to the oldest students (grades 8+.) (The age ranges aren't definites; they're just to give you a general idea.)

If you need help, we're always happy to explain something while we're open. You can also send me an email at klawson.allerton@gmail.com. I can also help with general research questions if you're not finding what you need at World Book.

Some Great Choices for Teens

2011-08-11T07:55:00.000-07:00

While I was on vacation I read Libba Bray's new book, Beauty Queens. I absolutely loved it! The book starts with a plane full of teen beauty contestants crashing on a tropical island. The story gets wacky at times as the girls pull together and discover more about the island, but I loved it because it's full of smart social commentary and sharp, edgy humor. Teens will devour this book.

I also finally read Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi, which won the Printz award. I enjoyed that one too, but for different reasons. It's another dystopian novel featuring a main character who is up against crushing poverty and powerful bad guys, one of whom is his own father. There's action, tension, and great character writing. Teens will like this one too.

Odds & Ends

2011-07-28T14:20:00.000-07:00

The end of summer reading is here! I hope everyone had a great Midsummer Knight's Read! Remember, turn in your reading logs by August 15 to be considered for at Top Ten Reader prize.

I will be having a storytime this Saturday, July 30 at 10 a.m. so please do stop by if you are in a listening mood.

I'll be gone on vacation next week, so there won't be any children's programs. That means there will be no Teen Book Club meeting, no Thursday morning storytime, and no Lap Time. Everything will start up again on Tuesday, Aug. 9.

Being on vacation means I'll have time to read! I have lots of books picked out, such as Mike Lupica's The Big Field, Sharon Draper's Out of My Mind, and Alex Sanchez's Getting It. I'll also be reading a few books for grown-ups like Ann Patchett's State of Wonder and Kat Richardson's Greywalker.

I'll see everyone when I get back, and I'll have more books to talk about. I hope you will, too!

Summer Reading is Over Soon

2011-07-21T07:38:00.001-07:00

Next week is the last week of our summer reading program! If you are counting minutes or books, please stop counting on Friday, July 29. You will have until Monday, Aug. 15 to turn in your reading logs in order to be considered for a Top Ten Reader prize.

Next week is the last week for tons of programs, too. On Monday the 25th at 10 a.m. we will be doing games from the past such as juggling, and learning about calligraphy. On Tuesday the 26th at 2:30 p.m. we'll be doing puppets and plays. This is all thanks to a "Playing With Shakespeare" kit that will be loaned to us from the Museum of the Grand Prairie (formerly the Early American Museum) in Mahomet. Please sign up for these programs if you're interested. Next week will also be the last Monday afternoon storytime until next summer.

There will be some programming changes in August! There will be no programs during the first week of August, since I will be on vacation. However, starting on Aug. 9, there will be a Baby Lap time every Tuesday morning at 9:30. Teen book club meetings will continue on Wednesday afternoons on Aug. 10, and Thursday morning storytimes will continue at 11 a.m. on Aug. 11. These three programs will run year-round.

Please let me know if you have questions about anything. Stay cool this week!

Gary Paulsen

2011-07-14T13:20:00.001-07:00

Lately I've been a bit puzzled about a few of Gary Paulsen's newer books. Two of them are Lawn Boy and Lawn Boy Returns. Another is called Liar, Liar and its sequel, Flat Broke. These books are all REALLY short - ranging from 88-119 pages - which indicated that maybe they should go in our chapter book section. But as I read jacket flaps and reviews of these books, it seemed to me like they featured older characters and slightly more mature situations (a boy trying to get a girl to go out with him in Liar, Liar for example), making me think they might not be a good fit in the chapter book section. However, the problem with just tossing all of them in the Teen section is that they may not circulate very well if the kids think they look too babyish.

I'm planning on reading them before deciding for sure, but if you all have read them or have an opinion/advice, I'd love to hear it.

Summer Fun Continues!

2011-07-07T08:09:00.000-07:00

We still have three more weeks of exciting summer programs for kids here at the library! On Monday, July 11 we'll have a presentation by the Macon County Conservation District about Animals of the Night. The children will get to see and learn about live animals at the program. And then on Tuesday, July 12 at 2:30 we'll have a Royal Ball, where kids will make crowns or princess hats and play a Find the Royal Slipper game.

The week after that, we'll have a Wands program on Monday the 18th. Kids will make edible wands from pretzel sticks and frosting, as well as wood and paper wands to take home. And on Tuesday the 19th, we will have a unicorn craft at 2:30. Please call me or stop by if you have any questions or to sign up.

Jan Thomas

2011-06-30T08:11:00.000-07:00

I was delighted to discover that Jan Thomas's book Rhyming Dust Bunnies won the 2011 Monarch Award. I just love all of her titles and use them often in storytimes. Dust Bunnies works really well, in addition to What Will the Fat Cat Sit On? and The Doghouse. She has a great gift for telling simple, funny stories both kids and adults will enjoy. They are even short enough to be used with younger preschoolers who aren't used to the storytime format yet. Her bold colors and lines really make her illustrations pop, and the way the characters are drawn is easily imitated by children. She reminds me of Mo Willems in that respect. Anyway, if anyone is looking for a good read for younger, wiggly children who are part of a mixed group, you should definitely take a look at her books.

Dragon Week & More

2011-06-23T07:44:00.000-07:00

Next week is Dragon Week here at the library! Monday morning at 10 a.m. we will have a Dragon Egg Race program. Kids will race to collect dragon's eggs, and then solve the clues on the eggs to find where the dragon's treasure (chocolate!!) is hidden. Then, Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 we will have a dragon craft and play Dragon Tag. Please register for these programs if you're interested.

After the Fourth of July weekend (the library will be closed on Monday, July 4) we will be back with library programs on July 5th's Storm the Castle program. Kids will make castles and catapults from cardboard and then practice flinging beans into the castles with their catapults. Again, please register if you are interested.

And then on Monday, July 11 we will have the Macon County Conservation District here for an Animals of the Night program, where children will see and learn about live nocturnal animals. Registration encouraged.

Be sure to stop by to get some books and sign up for these great programs!

More Great Audiobooks

2011-06-16T12:49:00.000-07:00

A great way to earn your summer reading prizes is to listen to audiobooks! It's a really fun way to pass time in the car (I know this from experience, since I listen to an audiobook as I drive to and from work every day). Right now I'm listening to the Bloody Jack series. The narrator, Katherine Kellgren, has won two Odyssey Award Honor titles for her work in audiobooks--and boy, does she deserve it! I have been really enjoying hearing the books. Katherine is right up there with Jim Dale, narrator of the Harry Potter books, when it comes to talent with multiple character voices, tones, and accents. Listening is a pure delight.

I also really enjoyed listening to Sara Pennypacker's Clementine and Roald Dahl's Matilda. Clementine was narrated by Jessica Almassy, who did a wonderful job, and Ron Keith's warm, dry voice was a perfect match for Roald Dahl's storytelling style.

Summer Reading Is Here!

2011-06-09T15:34:00.000-07:00

Come to the library to get in on the action: next week we're going to have the police and fire departments do presentations. They will bring vehicles and equipment for the kids to learn about and explore. We'll also do the Knights obstacle course program where kids will collect dragon treasure and make shields with coats of arms.

The week after that, we're having a Shrek party with a Feed the Ogre bean bag toss and fairy godmother potions. We'll also have a jousting program where kids make horses from paper & dowel rods and use foam "lances" to hit targets.

Make sure to sign up for these programs if you're interested!

Also, there's lots of reading going on so far--we've given away several bags of prizes already! If you're not marking off your books or minutes, make sure to stop by the library to sign up for the program so you don't miss out.

And we also have lots of great stuff to read, of course!

Cool Finds In Chapter Books

2011-05-26T15:33:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to brush up on my chapter book knowledge in preparation for the summer reading program and I have come across a few good ones. I liked reading Angie Sage's first Araminta Spookie book, called My Haunted House. It's a fairly basic story about a kid who doesn't want to move away from her comfortable home, but the twist is that the house is really haunted, and the people who want to buy it are really into that sort of thing. Araminta is a winning main character whose inventive, messy plans to keep people from wanting to buy the house will have kids laughing and cheering.

I also liked Super Chicken Nugget Boy and the Furious Fry. This is a promising new series by Josh Lewis that incorporates comics with the classic fight-against-bullies story. Anyone who likes the Shredderman books by Wendelin Van Draan will also really like this series, although the Chicken Nugget books have quite a bit more silliness and humor in them.

Award Lists & School Visits

2011-05-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

I've finished all the Rebecca Caudills and most of the Bluestems from the 2012 lists! Overall, I enjoyed them. There weren't too many depressing titles on this years' lists. I was pleasantly surprised by Wild Things and loved that Peak made the list (another Roland Smith adventure!) but my money is on The Magic Thief to win the award in the end. Speaking of winning the award, the winner from the 2011 list is The Hunger Games, which I also expected.

Next week I will be starting school visits to Monticello Christian Academy, Lincoln, Washington, White Heath, and the middle school. Watch for me, and watch for a handout I will be dropping off in the school offices. You can bring back the handout after the summer reading program starts and get a jump on your reading points, and that much closer to getting your prizes.

Summer Plans

2011-04-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

Since today is a half day for area schools that will lead into a long weekend, I know lots of kids will be enjoying the time off and maybe thinking about summertime. I'm thinking about summer! There will be lots of great activities here in June and July that I'm really looking forward to. The theme is A Midsummer Knight's Read and we'll do lots of great fairytale- and medieval-related activities.

For example, we're going to have a Shrek party, with a Feed the Ogre bean bag toss, fairy godmother potions, and Swamp Water to drink. We'll have a Medieval Toys and Games program where we make puppets and play Bocci ball. We're also going to have a Knights program where kids run through and obstacle course and make a coat of arms. We'll also have Dragon Week, where the kids race to recover dragon eggs and then solve the clues to find the dragon's treasure, plus other dragon-related games and crafts. Things are going to get really exciting here at the library!

You'll be able to register for all this stuff starting on Library Luau Day, which is Saturday, May 21. The luau is from 2-4 and kids will be able to do the coconut bowling, bean bag toss, painting, and more... plus sign up for all these fun summer activities. Call us or stop by for more details!

Pinkalicious Party & More Books

2011-04-07T07:18:00.000-07:00

Don't forget, everyone: this Saturday we're having the Pinkalicious party at 2:30. Join us for cupcake decorating, princess hats, painting pictures, and letters to the Tooth Fairy. There won't be much (if any) late registration for this one, though, because we have to make sure there are enough cupcakes for everyone who comes. Registration closes April 7, today.

I've been continuing to chip away at the Rebecca Caudill list, and I have three more to go: All the Broken Pieces, Powerless, and Greetings from Nowhere. I was pleasantly surprised by Flygirl--I really enjoyed it! It was really refreshing to read a WWII story that conveyed the tension and risk involved in the war without being horribly dark and depressing. Give it a try!

Spring Break!

2011-03-17T07:36:00.000-07:00

Spring break for Monticello schools starts next week, and I'm looking forward to taking a break myself. I'll be gone next week, recharging and getting ready for a flurry of Pinkalicious and summer-reading-related activity next month. So there won't be any storytime on Thursday or book club on Wednesday.

I brought a huge stack of books home with me yesterday, since I will have a bunch of time to spend reading next week. A coworker told me she just recently tried a Michael Connelly novel and liked it, so I picked up The Brass Verdict (you can just jump right in with that series, right?). I'm also planning on reading Kenneth Oppel's most recent book Half Brother, as well as the well-reviewed Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta. I'm also working my way through the 2012 Rebecca Caudill list. I have 6 more titles yet to read, and I'm planning on reading Elise Broach's Masterpiece and Clay Carmichael's Wild Things next week as well.

I hope all of you stop by the library soon too, because you should be prepared for a rainy day over spring break!

39 Clues Party & More

2011-03-10T08:26:00.000-08:00

Join us this Saturday at 2:30 for a 39 Clues party here at the library! Kids will make their own trail mix, play I Spy games, make and solve mazes, and learn secret codes. Please register if you are interested.

I also wanted to let everyone know about a Pinkalicious party coming up on Saturday, April 9. Kids will decorate and eat cupcakes, make princess hats, paint pictures, and write letters to the Tooth Fairy or her friends. Dressing up is encouraged, and imaginary unicorn friends are welcome. Please register if you are interested.

Summer Reading Brainstorming

2011-02-24T15:36:00.000-08:00

I just attended (and did a little presentation for) a summer reading brainstorming session with other area children's librarians. It was a bunch of fun! The theme for Illinois summer reading programs is set every year by the iRead team at the Illinois Library Association. The year, the theme will be A Midsummer Knight's Read, and the committee chair, Kathi Kresol, came to our brainstorming session. She did some "wizard potions" which were really science experiments like making slime or volcano foam (using things like vinegar, baking soda, cornstarch, etc.). She also let us make edible wands (pretzel sticks with frosting and star sprinkles! yum!). We also talked about things like jousting with pool noodles, princess parties, medieval food and games, archery, and dragons. I am totally ready to start planning this summer's programs! Let me know if you have ideas/input, too.

Newbery Disappointed

2011-02-17T08:22:00.000-08:00

I recently finished reading this year's Newbery award winner, Moon Over Manifest. I thought the language used in the story was beautiful, and the story itself was sweet and heartfelt. However. There's one huge problem with the plot, which is: ALMOST NOTHING HAPPENS! During the Great Depression, three girls mill around a small town looking for a spy and learning about the town's past. That's it.

I can think of several grown-ups who would really enjoy this story, because of course it has strong points as I've stated above. And I can see why the adults on the Newbery committee liked it. But unfortunately, I can think of very few actual children who would enjoy reading this book. This is disappointing to me.

Who else has read it? What did you think?

New Award Lists!

2011-02-10T09:34:00.000-08:00

The 2012 nominee lists for the Rebecca Caudill, Bluestem, and Monarch awards are up! You can download them from here, here, and here respectively. I was really pleased to see that we had 14 of the 20 Rebecca Caudill nominees already here at the library, and I've already read 7 of them. So far, my favorite was Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan, closely followed by Jon Scieszka's Knucklehead.

The Bluestem list looks really good, too. A couple of this year's Bluestem books are also Rebecca Caudill nominees, which is interesting. So if you read Extra Credit by Andrew Clements or Knucklehead, you're ahead of the game. I was also really pleased to noticed that a graphic novel made it onto the Bluestem list: The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook by Eleanor Davis. I'm looking forward to reading that one!

And the Monarch selections are charming as always. I really liked Jim Aylesworth's version of The Mitten, and Jackie Urbanovic's story Duck at the Door. I think kids will really have fun going through these lists. Let me know what you all think of the selections!

Chocolate Party!

2011-02-03T15:58:00.000-08:00

Join us for a Chocolate Party this Saturday at 2:30 for kids of all ages! We will play games with Hershey Kisses like Chocolate Guess, Chocolate Toss, Chocolate Drop, and Chocolate Bingo. Books will be given away as prizes in Bingo, and everyone will leave with some Hershey's Kisses. Please sign up if you are interested and I'll see you Saturday!

Fancy Nancy & More

2011-01-27T07:42:00.000-08:00

For the huge crowd of Fancy Nancy fans, it might be hard to wait until the next book comes out (Fancy Nancy: Aspiring Artist, coming in March!) but I have come across a couple of great books that will be huge hits.

The first one is called Pink Me Up by Charise Harper (the same author of the fabulous Just Grace chapter books!). It's about a little girl rabbit who is really looking forward to a Pink Mother-Daughter tea. On the day of the event, the mom is sick, and the girl's father offers to take her. The girl "pinks up" her father and they go to the tea, where they are a smash hit and she has a great time. The book is really charming and will go over well especially with fathers and daughters.

The second one is Silverlicious by Victoria Kann, the fourth book in the wildly popular Pinkalicious series. I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of this (it's due out Feb. 1) and I liked the story. Pinkalicious loses a tooth and discovers that it is her sweet tooth. Various holiday figures (the Easter Bunny, one of Santa's elves) visit her instead of the Tooth Fairy and leave sweets for her, but Pinkalicious rejects all of them. Then she realizes that sweet behavior might be the key to recovering her sweet tooth, and writes them an apology letter for rejecting their gifts. The lesson is fairly obvious but not too heavy-handed. The cover design and illustrations literally make the book shine and sparkle, and they will be the key to putting this book in kids' hands.

ALA Book Awards!

2011-01-20T07:27:00.000-08:00

The American Library Association has announced the 2011 Newbery, Caldecott, and Printz awards, among several others like the Coretta Scott King award and the Geisel award. Congratulations to all the winners! Unfortunately, at the time the awards were announced (Jan. 10) I had not read any of the award winners, but I'm working to change that. I'm especially curious about the Newbery winner, which is Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool. I did read the Caldecott winner, which is a wonderful little picture book called A Sick Day for Amos McGee. It's really interesting to compare the artwork style found in Amos to last year's Caldecott winner, which was The Lion and the Mouse (and especially to the 2009 winner, The House in the Night). The artwork is so different!

I hope you all enjoy reading these award winners as much as I have been. Get cozy with a good book!

Craft Explosion

2011-01-12T11:12:00.000-08:00

Join us this Saturday at the library for a Craft Explosion! I will have leftover supplies out so kids can do crafts from the past, like treasure boxes, birds, octopi, and doorhangers. I will also be putting out general craft supplies like construction paper, beads, pipe cleaners, glue, and all that fun stuff so kids can create new things from their own imaginations. The activities will be most appropriate for kids ages 3+.

The party will start this Saturday the 15th at 2:30, and will be in the basement room below the library. Come one, come all, and get creative!

Five Star Chapter Books

2011-01-06T08:01:00.000-08:00

I've recently read a few chapter books that I really enjoyed. The first ones were Big Nate: In a Class By Himself and its sequel, Big Nate Strikes Again. Fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid will love these books, as the blurb by Jeff Kinney on the cover tells readers. The series features plenty of humor and cartoons, plus an energetic main character that kids can relate to. These books won't just appeal to reluctant readers--all readers, of any age, will find something to enjoy here.

I also finally read The World According to Humphrey by Betty Birney. I can see why this series is so popular! Humphrey, the golden hamster in an elementary school classroom, gets to go home with a different student every weekend. He's a really smart little guy and ends up giving help to all the people who take him home. The story was really funny and sweet and will be a hit with kids who like animal stories.

I've heard that the Newberry & Caldecott awards will be announced on Monday, so stay tuned for that!

Library Policy Change

2010-12-30T07:19:00.000-08:00

In case you haven't seen the announcement in the paper, I'd like to mention here that starting on Jan. 2, there will be a policy change at Allerton Library. Beginning next week, we will no longer be calling people to let them know that items are being held for them. We will also stop sending out paper overdue notices through the postal service.

We are encouraging everyone to sign up for the Library Elf service (I've written about it before--click here). The Library Elf will send you an email or text message if something is being held here for you, or if something is about to be due. You won't be automatically enrolled in it though, so make sure you go to our website at www.monticellolibrary.org, click Online Resources, and click Elf. Look for the Sign Up link on the left side of the page. You will need your library card number and your PIN (usually, the last 4 digits of your phone number).

Have a wonderful New Year, everyone! And please call us at the library if you have questions or problems with the Library Elf.

Best Children's Books of 2010

2010-12-16T08:31:00.001-08:00

You might be looking for some holiday gift ideas, or you might just want to make sure you didn't miss anything spectacular this year. Either way, you should take a look at these Best of 2010 lists!

As a part of their Holiday Gift Guide, the New York Times made a list of the Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2010, available here.

The Association for Library Service to Children (a division of the American Library Association) compiled a pretty long list of 2010's notable children's books. The list includes books for both younger and older readers. You can see it here.

Kirkus Reviews has a list (ordered not by age group, but by author's last name) of 2010's best children's books. Available here.

And finally, the Center for Children's Books at the University of Illinois (practically next door!) has put out their annual Guide Book to Gift Books in a PDF document. You can see the link on this page.

Happy shopping! Happy reading! And happy holidays!

Teen's Top Ten List 2010

2010-12-02T12:07:00.000-08:00

YALSA (a division of ALA) has announced the Teen's Top Ten results for this year. Teens choose from a list of popular books, and the top ten are determined by vote every year. You can view the results page here. Yes, I know this post is a bit late, since the results have been up for a few weeks now. But better late than never!

Several of my favorite authors made the list. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins took first place, and Cassandra Clare and Ally Carter took 2nd and 3rd, respectively. The masterful Laurie Halse Anderson made the list, and so did Sarah Dessen. Hmm... I wonder if mostly female readers voted? I don't see any novels with male main characters. Guys, next year you need to get busy voting!

I've been trying to read the 3 books on the list I haven't read. So far I've finished If I Stay by Gayle Forman and Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (though I kind of had a tough time getting through that whole thing). And today I just started trying to read Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, which took 5th place. I don't think I'll be able to get through it, though--and I read about 80 pages of it. Too much like the bad parts of Twilight! Creepy, controlling male lead and weak, indecisive female lead--blech. Who liked it, and why? Who knows, maybe you can change my mind.

Holiday Crafts

2010-11-18T13:46:00.000-08:00

As you know, we'll be doing some fun holiday crafts with kids here in the library, but why stop there? We have lots of books for you to check out if you are still in a crafty mood. For example, in the kids' nonfiction, we have Gifts Kids Can Make and More Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make.

You could also check out Family Fun (the magazine or the website, seen here) or Pack-o-Fun (website here) for great holiday ideas that will involve the whole family. I'm always looking through them for ideas for stuff to do in the library.

After Thanksgiving, we will also be offering take-and-make crafts to take home and do. So stop by the library and pick up a few craft packs and books!

Calling Manga Fans

2010-11-11T08:51:00.000-08:00

I have expanded our Teen Graphic Novel section to include every volume of Fullmetal Alchemist I could get my hands on. This expansion prompted a young man in my Teen Book Club to declare, "Kristen, you are the Chuck Norris of librarians." That made me feel good. I kick butt!

I read the first volume and it turns out that I liked it quite a bit more than some of the other manga series I've read. It starts out right away with a couple of likable, complex main characters and a storyline I found easy to follow. This may seem basic, but I have found them lacking in many manga series I've encountered thus far (Ranma 1/2 and Azumanga Daioh occur to me as examples).

Anyway, I am thinking about adding another manga series, maybe One Piece? If you're a manga fan, weigh in on this please.

Pokemon Party & More

2010-11-04T07:51:00.000-07:00

Join us this Saturday for a Pokemon Party at 2:30 p.m. for kids of all ages! Kids will be able to make and paint a clay model of their very own Pokemon character. They will also make a Pokemon card for their character. Everyone is encouraged to bring Pokemon cards or games to play or trade.

We're also going to have a Christmas storytime and craft on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. for kids ages 3+. This will be a great way to pass the time before the parade starts at 11:30 a.m. The kids will hear Christmas stories and make CD ice ponds and Christmas cards. Space is limited, so be sure to sign up beforehand!

And, in January we'll be having a CRAFT EXPLOSION here at the library, so stay tuned for more details on that.

Super Sequels

2010-10-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

Recently I have read a couple of sequels from two teen authors I really enjoy: Scott Westerfeld and Brent Crawford. Westerfeld's new book is called Behemoth and it is a sequel to his action-packed, alternate history steampunk novel Leviathan. Behemoth picks up right where Leviathan leaves off, continuing the story, so readers will definitely want to start with the first one if they haven't read it yet. Anyway, the premise is that Europe is gearing up for war between the Clanker states (Germany and its allies, whose inhabitants depend on steampunk-like machinery for technology and weaponry) and the Darwinist states (England and its allies, whose inhabitants depend on genetically modified animals for technology and weaponry). The focus is on two main characters: Alec, who is the son of the Austro-Hungarian archduke whose assassination triggered the beginnings of war, and Deryn, a girl who posed as a boy in order to join Britain's air force and fly on the Leviathan, a gigantic airship-like beast. So far I've been enjoying the series, but not as much as Westerfeld's Uglies or Midnighters series.

I have also read Carter's Big Break, a sequel to Brent Crawford's first book Carter Finally Gets It. I loved seeing Carter again, mainly because he is hilarious. He's fourteen years old and his youth and raging hormones prevent him from thinking clearly a lot of the time, with extremely funny results. I laughed out loud A LOT while reading the sequel. The world Carter inhabits is true to the high school experience (meaning, there is mature content in the book), so kids who don't mind that but would like a funny, true-to-life novel with a great main character should pick this one up.

We're a Five-Star Library!

2010-10-21T08:05:00.001-07:00

I am delighted to report that Library Journal has listed Allerton Library (under its other name, Monticello Township Library) as a five-star library in its ranking system, which compares libraries of similar sizes all across the United States.

Library Journal took four factors into account when ranking libraries: circulation, visits, program attendance, and Internet use (all per capita, and all based on 2008 numbers). You can see the main page here, and you can see us in the list here, with our per capita scores listed out. We circulated 14.6 items per capita, had 87.9 visits per capita, had .52 program attendances per capita, and .69 Internet uses per capita.

Of course, the article stresses that none of these numbers reflect the quality of library service or patron experience--they reflect quantity only. But we like to think people come in because they like it here. Let's keep it going, everybody!

Construction Party

2010-10-14T12:15:00.000-07:00

Join us this Saturday for a Construction Party here at the library building! The City of Monticello is bringing a backhoe to the parking lot, and kids will be able to climb in it, with a demonstration following. There will also be construction-related crafts and activities, such as making paper tool belts, building Popsicle stick houses, creating buildings from boxes, and playing with pretend hammers and nails. Today is the last day to sign up if you want to be sure to get a spot. Call us at the library or stop by. See you Saturday!

Youth Literature Festival

2010-10-07T07:58:00.000-07:00

Come see me at the Youth Literature Festival on Saturday from 10-4 at the Krannert Center in Urbana! I'll be there meeting authors, taking part in all the activities, and volunteering to help host picture book author Jim Aylesworth! The event is free to all, including free parking underneath the Krannert Center.

This event will be so much fun. There will be music, storytelling, puppets, activities like bookmark making and illustration activities, and lots more. I LOVE getting signed books so I'm really looking forward to this. And did I mention it's free??

More New Picture Books

2010-09-30T07:54:00.001-07:00

Different things can make picture books appealing. Sometimes, like with Norbert Landa's offering The Great Monster Hunt, there are some really fun sound effects. Not only that, but The Great Monster Hunt also has that "piling-on" element that amplifies the action with each passing page, like in the classic folk tale The Old Woman and Her Pig. I'm looking forward to reading The Great Monster Hunt to a group of preschoolers.

Sometimes a picture book's great strength is in the illustrations. I love the artwork in Mo Willems's Knuffle Bunny books, and I laughed out loud several times while examining the newest and last in the series, Knuffle Bunny Free. He does a great job with facial expressions, while managing to keep the overall drawing from becoming too detailed or complicated.

I have read two touching picture books recently as well, both centering on a mother's love for her child. One is Jamie Lee Curtis's new book, My Mommy Hung the Moon. In Curtis's book, a child provides the narration, telling the reader all about the amazing things her mommy can do. If you are a fan of Curtis's other books, you will like this one too. I also read one called You Are the Best Medicine, which is designed to help mothers explain to their children what to expect when the mother is battling cancer. The book's tone is infinitely reassuring, and children facing this difficulty will benefit from it.

Library Use Controversy

2010-09-24T08:35:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if everyone has heard, but starting in November, the Champaign Public Library will no longer allow people with Mahomet or Tolono library cards to borrow any of Champaign's items. People with Mahomet or Tolono cards will have to go to the Champaign library and purchase a special $200 card if they wish to borrow items from Champaign, either in person or through the Lincoln Trail delivery system.

The Champaign library has created a news post about this, which can be viewed here. The reason for the policy change, they say, is "[it] will help us preserve access to library materials for our taxpayers, while allowing Tolono and Mahomet card holders the option to use our library if they help to fund it." The reasoning for focusing exclusively on Mahomet and Tolono is "[w]e focused on the communities that are the heaviest users of our library, compared to their home libraries.... Last fiscal year, for every 10 items Mahomet card holders borrowed from their home library, they borrowed close to 8 at Champaign (86,050 Champaign items). For every 10 items Tolono card holders borrowed at home, they borrowed 17 from us (167,259 Champaign items)."

There are some great articles available to read at the News-Gazette website about this. You can see the first article here, with follow-up articles here, here, and here. I found it especially interesting to read the comments that readers posted after each article.

In the last article, it says that the director of the Illinois State Library has asked the Champaign library to "'rescind this policy immediately'" and that it violates the state mandate "'to encourage the improvement of free public libraries and to encourage cooperation among all types of libraries in promoting the sharing of library resources.'"

What does everyone think about this policy change? You can comment here, or create an account at the News-Gazette site and comment there.

Monticello Celebration

2010-09-16T08:01:00.001-07:00

I hope everyone will be able to come out and see us at the Monticello Celebration this Saturday from 10-4 on the square! We will have a booth in the kids' section where kids can decorate cardboard crowns. Everyone is welcome and the activity will be free--no tickets required!

For more info on the Celebration, click here.

By the way, I read Mockingjay and really liked it! I can't wait to see what Suzanne Collins comes up with next.

I requested a copy of Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard recently because I was curious about the series. It's really become very popular recently and I'm wondering what all the fuss is about. Has anyone read it who can tell me about it?

World Book Online

2010-09-09T08:32:00.000-07:00

Kids are probably starting to really get into the swing of things at school, so because of all that new homework I'd like to introduce a new online information resource we're now offering at the library: World Book Online for Public Libraries. There are actually four different sites that make up this resource: World Book Online for Kids (for lower grades), World Book Online Info Finder (for middle grades), and World Book Online Reference Center (for upper grades). There is also a Spanish language version available.

In addition to encyclopedia articles, the sites include educational games for kids, printable and customizable timelines, state report information, research guides that include trusted Web sites, videos, pictures, sound clips, and (attention homeschooling parents!) teacher resources such as lesson plans.

To log on to World Book, go to our website (click here) and click Online Resources. Then click on World Book and use your Allerton Library card number to log in.

My All Time Favorite Picture Books

2010-09-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

As I start preparing for my monthly storytime visits to Kairos and Monticello Christian Academy again, I have been looking forward to introducing some of my favorite picture books to new batches of kids. I like to start out with some books that are really short and sweet, like Clip Clop by Nicola Smee, or Bark, George! by Jules Feiffer. Bark, George is one of my all-time favorites though, because I can always get some good laughs from the kids when I'm reading it. I absolutely LOVE reading anything that makes me laugh, and it's such a joy to me to share that with an audience.

I also love reading anything by Margaret Read MacDonald, but especially Little Rooster's Diamond Button, Mabela the Clever, and The Squeaky Door. I usually have to wait until later in the school year to read them though, because they are quite a bit more wordy than Clip Clop or Bark, George!

Another favorite author of mine is Keiko Kasza. She wrote The Wolf's Chicken Stew, The Mightiest, Don't Laugh, Joe! and The Dog Who Cried Wolf, plus several other good ones. She is so good at twists and surprise endings, and her illustrations are wonderful and expressive.

I have already devoted an entire blog post to Amy Krouse Rosenthal, so I won't go into much detail here, but she is always worth a look or three.

Happy reading!

Library Elf

2010-08-26T08:43:00.000-07:00

I'd like to introduce everyone to a very helpful elf: the Library Elf!

It's a free service that will send you reminder notices, via email or text message, whenever your library books are about to come due. It will also tell you when your holds are ready to be picked up. You can choose how early and how often you receive messages.

You can also add multiple library cards to your Elf account, so your whole family can avoid overdue fines and never miss a hold pickup again!

Ready to sign up? Go to our website first. Then click on Online Resources, and click Elf. Follow the sign-up instructions, and be sure to click the link in the registration email it sends you.

Sign up today if you are a frequent email user or if your phone has unlimited texting. You'll be glad you did!

Recent Reads

2010-08-19T09:03:00.000-07:00

As I wait for the 3rd Hunger Games book, Mockingjay, to come out (1 more week!!!), I have been occupying myself with some other teen literature in the past month or so. I finally read the most recent Ranger's Apprentice installation, titled The Kings of Clonmel. These adventure stories are always really fun and quick to read. The pacing is really well done, the cast of characters feels very real, and there's amusing dialogue sprinkled throughout the books to keep everything from getting too serious.

Right now I'm reading Rick Riordan's latest book, called The Red Pyramid. It's the beginning of a new series called The Kane Chronicles and it focuses on the gods of ancient Egypt rather than the Greek mythology of the Percy Jackson books. I'm about halfway through, and so far I think it's pretty good but not as great as The Lightning Thief. Red Pyramid is easy to put down; I haven't been "grabbed" like I was with the Percy books. Maybe that will change before I get to the end of the story.

I have been feeding my book on CD addiction with the first three Princess Diaries stories, which are new editions narrated by Anne Hathaway. I thought Anne did an AMAZING job with the books, and I laughed so hard while I was listening! So those audiobooks are a good choice if you want something light, fluffy, funny, and girly to listen to in the car. They're also good for the car because you don't have to concentrate on them too much to keep up with the plot.

Who else is desperate for Mockingjay? I can't wait!!

Back To School

2010-08-12T07:50:00.000-07:00

Join us this Saturday at 10 a.m. for a Back-To-School storytime! Kids will hear school stories and do a craft. Please call or stop by the library to sign up.

Once school starts, please keep us in mind for all of your report-writing needs! We're in the process of adding a link on our website to World Book Online, which is an excellent resource. We're always purchasing new nonfiction for kids and teens, so if your report is on animals, inventors, famous people, Native American groups, or any other common topic, stop by and see us.

Teen Nonfiction

2010-08-05T15:32:00.000-07:00

We have a new teen nonfiction section here at the library! So far it's very small but we made a little room to grow. We'd like to support teen interests in this section, as well as academic needs. So you'll be seeing some good books for browsing like Hippo Eats Dwarf: A Field Guide to Hoaxes and other B.S. by Alex Buese, as well as stuff to help teens in school like Danica McKellar's new math book, Hot X: Algebra Exposed. Right now we also have some resources to help kids in college and career planning, such as College Planning for Gifted Students and the Career Discovery Encyclopedia.

If you would like to suggest a title or subject for our new section, speak up! I am extremely interested in what you have to say.

Bluestem Books

2010-07-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

There is a new book display in the library for our collection of Bluestem Award books for kids in grades 3-5. It's behind the chapter book section, next to the Halloween and Christmas books. I have read most of the books on the list and I have really enjoyed most of them. You can view the entire list here, after clicking on "Master List 2011" (you must have a PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat installed). My favorites so far are No Talking by Andrew Clements and The BFG by Roald Dahl. I haven't yet gotten to Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat, Being Teddy Roosevelt, or Dodger and Me.

Summer Reading is Ending Soon

2010-07-22T07:38:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we will have gone through 7 weeks of our 8-week summer reading program! I hope everyone has had as much fun as I have. Next week we will have crafts on Monday morning and Tuesday afternoon, one last read-a-thon on Thursday, and then Friday the 30th is the last day of the program! If kids are still marking off squares on their reading logs, Friday is the last day for that. Kids can turn in their logs any time between now and Aug. 8 to be considered for the Top 15 Reader prizes, and will be able to collect regular prizes as long as supplies last. However, be warned that we're quickly running out of ghost prize bags (200 min. or 20 books) so if you've reached that goal and haven't brought in your log sheet yet, the sooner the better!

Join us next week for paper plate spiders and monster hands crafts. And keep on reading!

Live Animals at the Library

2010-07-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

Don't miss Monday's "Un-Lovables" animal program, starting at 10 a.m. and presented by the Macon County Conservation District! See and learn about snakes, insects, mice, toads, and other creepy crawly animals. Registration is required.

You can read about animals in the library as well. A great picture book on this subject is Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk. A small mouse who lives in the library is suddenly inspired to write his own book. The mouse is shy, but kids who see the mouse's books are desperate to meet the author. What will the mouse do?

Another story about animals in the library is Dewey the Library Cat: A True Story. This book tells the tale of a tiny kitten some librarians found in the book drop on one cold winter morning. The librarians decided to adopt the kitten and call him Dewey, after the inventor of the Dewey Decimal system. The kitten grew up to be a nationally famous cat.

Spider Bookmarks, Germs, and Plans

2010-06-24T08:12:00.000-07:00

Summer reading events are continuing here at the library! Monday we'll start off with a Spider Bookmark craft at 10 a.m. Then we'll probably do the Hokey Pokey and Hello Joe songs, and maybe use up the rest of the Scooby Doo puzzle packs to round out the half-hour.

Then on Tuesday there will be a Germs program at 2:30. Kids will do a Kleenex race, a Band-Aid race, and design their own germs from construction paper and craft foam shapes. Then on Wednesday and Thursday, the Teen Book Club and Readathon will take place as usual.

This week I'm starting to think about August and the rest of the year. I have a few Saturdays when I'll be working but I'm not sure what kinds of events to schedule. Should I do a gamer's meet-up? A Wild West program? A No-Bake Cooking program? Alice in Wonderland? Pokemon? What do you think?

Scooby Doo and Scary Stories

2010-06-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

We're off to a fabulous, roaring start for summer reading here at the library! We're close to breaking registration records, and a bunch of you have been coming to our programs. I've been so glad to see everyone here!

Next week we're having a Scooby Doo party and a Scary Stories & Edible campfires program. At the Scooby party, kids will construct and balance Monster Sandwiches, try to guess how many Scooby Snacks are in a jar, and make Scooby collars. And the Scary Stories program is exactly what it sounds like--kids will listen to selections from Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz, and snack on edible campfires (go here to see approximately what it will look like!) We're having lots of storytimes too, so there's something for everyone here. Keep on scaring up good books, everyone :)

Summer Reading Is Here!

2010-06-03T15:14:00.000-07:00

You've heard about the programs, and now's the time to sign up! Come to the library for the reading program this June and July. Count books or minutes and get prizes for completing your log sheet! We're offering lots of great prizes like toys, coupons for free pizza and ice cream, and more. Stop by the library or call us for more details.

We're also offering lots of great crafts and activities for kids in June and July. We'll have lots of storytimes, as well as programs that go along with our theme of "Scare Up a Good Book." We'll make monster hands, do a Band-Aid relay race at our Germs program, hear scary stories and make edible campfires, and much more. Pick and choose which activities sound interesting to you!

HarperCollins, the book publisher, has been sending me Advance Review Copies (ARCs) of some of their books. I'm thrilled to be able to look at some of the titles they'll be offering! One of them is called Goodnight Moon ABC: An Alphabet Book. It's based on Margaret Wise Brown's classic story, with pictures by Clement Hurd. I think parents and children who enjoy the original story will really like the illustrations, and this new book leads nicely into sleep as well. The letter "X" was approached in a novel manner: the children are prompted to find it within the illustration, rather than trying to stretch the text to accommodate the letter.

I got an ARC of Meg Cabot's Insatiable as well. Though it's not really for kids, and will go into our adult section rather than our Teen section, I'm sure that older teen fans of Cabot's will eagerly devour this offering, which is one part Dracula, one part Queen of Babble, and one part The Devil Wears Prada. I inhaled it in one sugary gulp! Cabot consistently offers a fun story with a likable main character and some laugh-out-loud moments, and this one is no exception.

New Books This Summer

2010-05-27T08:44:00.000-07:00

There are lots of exciting books coming out this summer for kids and teens. One that will definitely generate a lot of interest is Stephenie Meyer's Twilight novella, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner. Amazon.com says, "Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits."

Kids will also see the latest addition to the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer: The Atlantis Complex. And, Suzanne Collins's much-awaited third Hunger Games book will be out in August. It is called Mockingjay, and you can get on the waiting list for it now if you want.

For the smaller kids, we are looking forward to another Fancy Nancy book, called Spectacular Spectacles. Mo Willems is also coming out with a couple next month, including the incredibly well-reviewed City Dog, Country Frog. I know I'm really looking forward to these books! Make sure to come to the library this summer so you don't miss out!

A Hasty Opinion

2010-05-20T08:26:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I may have judged the 2011 Rebecca Caudills a little too soon, and too harshly. I have found quite a few in this batch that I like. I've already mentioned The Hunger Games and Schooled. Jordan Sonnenblick's Notes from the Midnight Driver and Mass's 11 Birthdays are definitely worth a look. Carl Hiaasen's Scat and Ingrid Law's Savvy will really appeal to kids. I would have LOVED a book like Savvy when I was 11 or so. It kind of reminds me of David Lubar's Hidden Talents.

I have now finished the whole list, and while I feel like there are more stinkers on this one than in previous years (Fablehaven! So promising, yet such a disappointment! And the writing was truly bad in The Alchemyst) I shouldn't have despaired.

School Visits

2010-05-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

I will be going to visit schools during the next couple of weeks to talk to the kids about the summer reading program. This is always really fun and exciting, because I love talking about library programs and answering kids' questions. We are going to have so much fun here this summer! It won't be hard getting kids excited about Scooby Doo, Goosebumps, gross food, and monster games. I can't wait! The summer reading program starts June 7, so don't forget to sign up starting at the Luau on May 22!

It's Luau Time!

2010-05-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, May 22 we will have a Library Luau in the ballroom above Allerton Library from 2-4. It is open to kids of all ages. At the luau, we will paint suncatchers, and do activities like coconut bowling, a bean bag toss, fishing, and hula hooping. Snacks will be served and there will be a drawing for Mark My Time bookmarks. Kids will also have a chance to pre-register for summer programs.

If kids sign up in advance for the luau, they can pick a prize from our treasure box in the library. So stop by soon to get your prize!

Picture Books With Sound Effects

2010-04-29T09:02:00.001-07:00

Books with sound effects can be really fun to read (and fun for kids to listen to!). I have encountered a couple of them lately that I really enjoyed.

The first is The Seven Sneezes by Olga Cabral. Imitating the sneezes is the most entertaining part, but kids are also amused at the mix-ups the sneezes cause, when barks, meows, ears, shoes, etc. fly off and land on the wrong owners. Kids might not know what a "rag man" is (the book was originally published in the '40s) but a 30 second history lesson at the beginning or the end won't hurt.

The second is Push Button by Aliki. The sound effects from all the button-pushing are so much fun that toddlers and preschoolers will imitate the reader enthusiastically. The illustrations are also really bright and appealing, with great use of color and white space. Aliki really captures the joy and busy activity of toddler play.

Stay tuned for announcements concerning the upcoming luau and summer programs!

Great Baseball Books

2010-04-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

There are lots of sports books out there for the elementary school crowd, and recently I've read a couple that stand out. These books would be great for a rainy day when it's impossible to actually be at the ballpark.

The first one is Top of the Order by John Coy. Jackson, the main character, and his friend Gig are on a baseball team that needs another player for second base. When Gig's sister Sydney joins up, she quickly demonstrates how good she is at baseball, but Gig is furious. Jackson's not sure whether he should be supporting his friend or supporting Sydney, which is better for the team. There are enough descriptive baseball sequences in the story to keep ball fanatics interested, and the story moves along well.

Another one I read recently was Dan Gutman's Roberto and Me. This is the latest in his Baseball Card Adventures series, where Stosh, the main character, has the ability to travel through time using old baseball cards. In this one, he tries to go back in time to save Roberto Clemente, the famous baseball player and humanitarian, from dying in a tragic plane crash. There isn't as much action centered around the game of baseball itself, but the idea of traveling through space and time and meeting famous people will appeal to kids who used to be Magic Tree House fans but have grown out of that series.

Spiderwick Chronicles Party

2010-04-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

Remember, you have one more week to sign up for our Spiderwick Chronicles party! It will be on Saturday, April 24 at 2:30 p.m., and registration closes on Thursday, April 22. At the party, kids will try Sprite Bowling, make anti-fairy charms and mermaid bracelets, and make their own seeing stones from clay. Snacks will be served and kids will be able to enter a drawing for Spiderwick books. Recommended for kids ages 5+.

Great Audiobooks for Kids

2010-04-08T12:12:00.000-07:00

I have become completely addicted to listening to audiobooks in the car. I am enjoying myself so much that sometimes I'll arrive at my destination and just sit there in the car for a few more minutes, to hear what happens next.

The narrators make a huge difference in whether or not I'll like the story. And sometimes, the audiobooks are recorded with a full cast, with different people reading different characters' dialogue and a separate reader doing the narration. At first, I preferred the one-voice technique because that's how the Harry Potter books are done. But after listening to almost all of Kristin Cashore's Graceling, I'm starting to appreciate the full-cast method as well.

So far, in addition to Harry Potter and Graceling, I've listened to The Hunger Games, most of Fudge-A-Mania (scratched discs), and The Golden Compass. All of them are good, but my least favorite was The Hunger Games. I felt that the narrator's voice was too girly for Katniss, and that it probably would have benefited from a full-cast approach.

Thoughts on full-cast vs. single narrator? What are your favorite audiobooks?

This Year's Rebecca Caudill Books

2010-04-01T15:20:00.000-07:00

I've been working my way through the 2011 Rebecca Caudill Master list, and so far I can't really say I've been enjoying myself. Does anyone else feel the same way or is it just me? Here's what I've read lately:

The Boy Who Dared. Very sad and tragic WWII story.
The Great Wide Sea. A grieving family sails around the Caribbean. Anger, misery, and tragedy abound.
The Mailbox. The kid's uncle dies at the beginning, and he doesn't want to tell anyone because he's afraid of ending up in an abusive foster home situation... again.
Scarlett. A girl's parents are divorced and she spends most of the novel angry, confused, and lashing out at people who try to help her.
Trouble. A boy's brother is severely injured in a car accident which brings racial tensions in his small town to a head. Tragedy, bigotry, guilt, and loss are the main themes.
Yellow Star. A harrowing story of how one girl survived the Lodz ghetto.

You see? None of these books were badly written; on the contrary, all of the authors are very skilled storytellers. But I have not been enjoying myself at all! I can hardly wait to be done with this batch, and I think I'll have a hard time when kids ask for recommendations from this year's list.

Junie B. Jones Party and More

2010-03-25T07:26:00.000-07:00

This Saturday at 2:30 we're having a Junie B. Jones party for kids ages 3+. At the party, the kids will make stupid smelly buses, play carnival and field day games like the penny toss and hoop jump, do Junie B. coloring pages, and enter a drawing for Junie B.'s books. Please register by the end of today (March 25) if you are interested.

Next month, on Saturday April 24, we're having a Spiderwick Chronicles party at 2:30 for kids ages 5+. There will be crafts and games relating to the popular Spiderwick Chronicles books and movie. Please register by April 23 if you are interested.

In May, you can expect to see another Library Luau, and I am busy planning out the summer reading program activities for June and July. The theme for the summer is "Scare Up a Good Book," so expect some spooky fun!

Library Closing This Week

2010-03-15T07:52:00.001-07:00

The library will be closed this week from tomorrow (Tuesday March 16) through Thursday (March 18). We are having new furniture delivered and installed, and the electrician and computer tech guys have to come and reconfigure outlets and cables and such. It will be a big undertaking but it'll be wonderful when it's done. So stock up today on books and movies, and come back Friday or next week to see our new stuff!

Cynthia Lord's New Book

2010-03-04T08:22:00.000-08:00

Does everyone remember when Cynthia Lord, Newbery Honor-winning author of Rules, came to Monticello? I sure do! It was a great day, full of school visits, restaurant meals, and presentations. I got to drive a Newbery author around in my car!!

Anyway, she has just come out with a new picture book called Hot Rod Hamster. We have two copies here at the library, and one of them is signed--both by Cynthia and by the illustrator, Derek Anderson. (Derek does illustrations for Lauren Thompson's Little Quack books too.) Derek even drew a little hamster doodle next to his signature. The book itself is wonderful, and invites the children listening to participate in the story, which also makes it a great choice for storytime. You'll be hearing it at the library this spring!

In September, her new book for middle grades will be out. The title of that one is Touch Blue, and a large part of it is based on the superstition, "Touch blue and your wish will come true." I can't wait to read it!

You can visit Cynthia's blog here to get updates on her writing and other school visits, signings, and presentations, plus a really interesting window into her life. I like to visit every day.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians

2010-02-18T09:05:00.000-08:00

Join us Saturday, Feb. 27th for a Percy Jackson & the Olympians party here at the library! The party is based on the award-winning book The Lightning Thief and its sequels. It starts at 2:30 and is recommended for kids ages 7+.

At the party, kids will write their names in Greek and do crafts at four different stations, each devoted to a different Olympian god or goddess. There will also be miniature chariot racing, a raffle for Percy Jackson books, and snacks. If you are interested, please register by Feb. 25.

2011 Rebecca Caudill and Monarch Books

2010-02-10T12:33:00.000-08:00

The 2011 Rebecca Caudill & Monarch book lists have been released! Check the Caudills by clicking here and then clicking the View Now link. You can see the Monarch list by clicking here and then clicking "2011 Master List."

I was really pleased and surprised to see The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins on the Caudill list. The story is incredibly fast-paced and vivid, but I think some parts are a bit dark for the average 4th or 5th grader. Basically the premise is this: in a twisted future society called Panem, twenty-four children between the ages of 12 and 18 are chosen from the districts each year to participate in the Capitol's Hunger Games, where they are forced to fight to the death. (Collins got the idea from the myth of Minos's treaty with Athens, where 14 young Athenian teens were sacrificed periodically to the Minotaur.) See the book trailer here.

As far as the Monarch list goes, my favorite book by far is Margaret Read MacDonald's The Squeaky Door. That book is just oodles of fun and absolutely perfect for reading aloud. When Little Boy spends the night at Grandma's house, he is scared by the squeaking sound the door makes when she closes it after saying good night. So, Grandma asks if he would like to sleep with the cat... then the dog... then the pig... and then the HORSE... until finally the bed breaks. The next morning Grandma has to get out her tool chest, fix the broken bed, and oil the squeaky door. Repetition, sound effects, and a frequently encountered bedtime situation (fear in an unfamiliar spot, or of a strange noise) mix together to make a fantastic picture book.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Party

2010-01-24T12:01:00.000-08:00

Join us for a Diary of a Wimpy Kid party this Saturday the 30th at 2:30 for kids ages 5+! Kids will play a Cheese Touch game, answer trivia questions for Mom Bucks, do milk jug weight lifting, make their own comics, and make their own journals. There will be snacks, and Wimpy Kid books will be raffled off. If you are interested, please register by Jan. 28.

Award-Winning Books

2010-01-19T08:41:00.000-08:00

The American Library Association has just announced the 2010 Newbery and Caldecott award winners. You can see the entire list here. The winner of the Newbery Medal is When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. I read it a few months ago and thought it was quite good.

The Caldecott Medal (for illustrations) went to Jerry Pinkney's book The Lion and the Mouse. The Geisel award (for beginning readers) went to Benny and Penny in the Big No-No! by Geoffrey Hayes. The Seibert Medal (for nonfiction) went to Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Lee Stone.

We own copies of all of these books at the library, but they're being scooped up fast, so you should reserve a copy if you want to read any of them in the near future!

Homework Help

2010-01-10T13:40:00.000-08:00

Face it--some questions just can't be answered by Google. So that's when you need to visit your library! We have lots of great help available for any homework assignment. We have fairly large nonfiction sections for both kids and adults, and a good reference section that can be used while the library is open. We also have some online databases for people who are doing research, and one of them, Grolier Online, is especially for kids. Grolier Online ties together lots of different resources, like America the Beautiful (for those ever-present state reports), Encyclopedia Americana, Lands & Peoples, and more. Older kids and adults may want to look at the Gale Virtual Reference Library, which provides access to hundreds of books, encyclopedias, and journal/magazine articles.

If you have Internet access at home, logging on is easy. Just go to our homepage at www.monticellolibrary.org, click on Online Resources (in the upper right corner) and then click on Grolier Online (or Cengage Learning if you want the Gale Virtual Reference Library). Type in your Allerton library card number and you're in!

And, if you are stuck, or aren't sure where to start, ask a librarian! We are always glad to help people with research or homework questions. Don't be afraid of interrupting us--we'd much rather be helping you than stamping cards or typing on the computer.

Some things to remember:
1. Sometimes research takes time! If you wait until the last minute to do your assignment, we might not be able to get the stuff you need before your due date or deadline.
2. Always have your library card with you. If you don't like to carry it around with you, memorize your number. We can only do so much for you without a card!
3. In addition to your library card, it's a good idea to bring change for photocopies and printouts. They cost 15 cents a page.

Looking Ahead to 2010

2009-12-17T07:59:00.000-08:00

There will be some exciting activities at the library in 2010! First, on Jan. 2, we will do a Max & Ruby themed storytime at 10 a.m. Later that month, on Saturday the 30th, there will be a Diary of a Wimpy Kid party at 2:30. Call us or drop by if you'd like to sign up for either of these programs.

Later in the spring, I'm planning on offering a Percy Jackson & the Olympians program (Percy is the main character in the award-winning book The Lightning Thief), a Junie B. Jones program, and a Spiderwick Chronicles program. 2010 is gonna be a great year!

Best Books of 2009

2009-12-09T13:00:00.000-08:00

People are already starting to compile end-of-the-year "best" lists, and I thought everyone here might be interested.

The New York Times has a list of the 10 best illustrated children's books of 2009, as seen here. We have almost all of these in our library.

Publisher's Weekly put out a more extensive list, with a wider range of books for all ages, illustrated and not. It can be seen here.

Booklist Online also made a list, seen here.

The ALA also put out its 2009 Teen's Top Ten list. This list was voted on by teens, not librarians or other adults. I find it particularly illuminated for that reason. It can be viewed here.

Take a look. See what you think. Were you surprised by any of the choices? Is there a title you think should have been included that was instead passed over?

Holiday Books

2009-12-03T07:29:00.000-08:00

What better way to get into the spirit of the season than to read some nice, heartwarming holiday stories? This librarian says, "Of course, there IS no better way!" :P

I was utterly charmed when I first read Jane O'Connor's most recent offering, Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas. Nancy is as winning as ever as she enthusiastically helps her family prepare for Christmas. But an accident involving a tree topper threatens to ruin the holiday. Can Nancy bounce back? The illustrations by Robin Glaser are stunning in their beautiful, whimsical detail as well. You might want to go out and purchase a copy, because kids are going to want to look at this one again and again.

Elementary school age kids will love Barbara Robinson's classic The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It tells the story of how the neighborhood misfits, the Herdman children, manage to land starring roles in the church's Christmas pageant. Their humorous and sometimes poignant reactions to the story of Christmas, which they have never heard before, will make kids and adults alike laugh and ponder the true meaning of the holiday. Plus, it includes one of the best quotes ever: "HEY! Unto you a child is born!"

Thoughtful older readers may appreciate Jacqueline Woodson's Newbery Honor book Feathers. Frannie, a sixth-grader in an all-black school in 1971, is startled with the rest of her class when a boy with white skin joins their class. The boy is almost immediately nicknamed Jesus Boy. Also, her friend Samantha is becoming more and more religious. Frannie has a lot to think about as the Christmas season approaches.

Also, if you are thinking about buying some books as presents, the Center for Children's Books at the University of Illinois has recently published its 2009 Guide Book to Gift Books, available here.

Christmas Events

2009-11-19T08:13:00.000-08:00

Join us for Christmas events at the library! On Saturday, December 5th, there will be a Christmas storytime and craft for kids ages 3-6 at 10 a.m. We will hear Christmas stories and make candy cane Christmas ornaments to go with the parade's candy cane theme. There is limited space for this, so if you are interested you MUST register.

Santa will also be visiting the library on Monday, December 7th at 11 a.m. We will hear Christmas stories and all the kids will receive candy canes. Parents, bring your cameras! Registration isn't necessary for this one.

Celebrating Food

2009-11-12T07:45:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I have food on my mind for the entire month of November, in anticipation of Turkey Day. At Allerton Library we have lots of books about food for kids of all ages.

The picture book crowd will like Amy Krouse Rosenthal's Little Pea, about a small pea who hates eating candy for dinner, but looks forward to a dessert of spinach. Mathmatically-inclined youngsters might also like Matthew McElligott's Bean Thirteen, which is about two grasshoppers--one superstitious, one not--who try to divide up thirteen beans for their dinner guests. It proves difficult, but it all works out in the end.

Older kids might like to try out our selection of cookbooks in our juvenile non-fiction section. We have a couple of Paula Deen's cookbooks for kids, a Ratatouille-themed cookbook, a few international cookbooks, and at least one gross foods cookbook. Kids can (with an adult's help) make quiche, potato salad, mini pizzas, and more.

Kids who are reading the Rebecca Caudill books (grades 4-8) might want to try Rose Kent's book Kimchi and Calamari. It tells the story of Joseph, a Korean-born boy who was adopted by an Italian-American family. Joseph is asked to do a family history project for school, and ends up trying to satisfy his curiosity about his birth family while trying not to let his birth parents feel bad about it. Food is more of a metaphor in this book, but you still get lots of sensory imagery and flavor while reading it.

The Kidlitosphere

2009-11-05T08:51:00.000-08:00

There are a huge number of children's librarians who, like me, maintain blogs. This month's issue of School Library Journal has featured 10 of them, in addition to mentioning the site Kidlitosphere, which is a gateway people can use to find more. Among the featured blogs are: Bookshelves of Doom, Editorial Anonymous, Read Roger, and Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. Take a look! See if you like 'em. But, don't forget to keep coming back here. :P

Scary Stories

2009-10-29T08:28:00.000-07:00

Halloween is this weekend, and kids looking for a scary story should look no farther than the library! We have scary stories for kids of all ages. Even little ones will probably like the picture book Wolf's Coming! by Joe Kulka. In that story, several animals run and hide from a wolf, who stalks across the fields and into a house. It turns out that the animals were planning a surprise birthday party for the wolf, and the illustrations turn from dark and menacing to bright and cheery at the end.

Older kids can't go wrong with the classic Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz. Not only is that book (and its sequels) packed with ghostly tales for the elementary school set, but it's also graced with some of the creepiest illustrations I've ever seen. Great spooky fun.

Middle school kids will probably really like the Cirque du Freak series by Darren Shan, starting with Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare. Teenage Darren sneaks out of the house one night to go see a traveling freak show, and ends up becoming more involved with the performers than he ever thought he would be. The series is packed with creepy characters and has some blood and gore, but no sex or language, making it a pretty good choice for that age group.

Older teens can sink their teeth into the popular House of Night series by P.C. Cast once they're done with the Twilight books but want more vampire stories. In this series, starting with Marked, teen Zoe Redbird is marked as a vampire fledgling one day at school. She must go to live at the House of Night with other vampires and vampire fledglings, or else her body will reject the Change into a full vampire and she will die. And, as if starting out at a new school isn't stressful enough, Zoe starts to notice suspicious things at the House of Night.

We have all these books and more at the library, so come check them out!

Spotlight on Easy Readers

2009-10-22T07:32:00.000-07:00

Learning how to read is an exciting adventure, and here at Allerton Library we are glad to make it as enjoyable as we can with a great selection of easy readers. Kids who are just starting out will probably enjoy the Fly Guy series, starting with Hi! Fly Guy, by Tedd Arnold. A boy named Buzz decides to keep a fly as a pet when the fly does all kinds of tricks for him, including saying Buzz's name. The words are large and easy to sound out, and the pictures are amusing.

Once kids have mastered those, they may want to try the Biscuit books by Alyssa Capucilli. They are all stories about a puppy named Biscuit. They are a little like the old Spot books, but a little more complex and much more cute and modern. The Elephant and Piggy books by Mo Willems are also a good bet. Starting with Today I Will Fly!, these books give the easy reader genre a nice graphic-novel spin, with all the text in speech bubbles.

The Henry and Mudge books by Cynthia Rylant are also definitely worth a look, once readers have grown tired of Biscuit, Elephant, and Piggy. This series is about a boy named Henry and his enormous, goofy dog Mudge. There is also a Puppy Mudge series for the Fly Guy crowd.

For more advanced readers who aren't yet ready for chapter books, you can't beat the classics like Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel and Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish. Funny and touching, these books have stood the test of time for a good reason.

We have all these and more at the library, in our special Easy Reader section behind the chapter books. Check them out!

Star Wars Party!

2009-10-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

In about 3 weeks we will be having a Star Wars party here at the library for kids ages 5+. It will be on Sat. Nov. 7th at 2:30. Younger kids are also welcome but will need a caregiver's help. We'll be doing lots of cool stuff at the party, including:

Testing Jedi light saber skills
Designing droids
Building paper airplane X-Wing fighters
Asteroid hunt (Starburt candies)
Coloring pages
Book raffle
Snacks like Yoda Soda, Princess Leia Cinnamon Buns, and Moon Pies
Dress up as your favorite Star Wars character

Registration is required and closes on Nov. 5th. Please call the library or email me with any questions! And may the Force be with you!

Read-A-Likes

2009-10-08T07:27:00.000-07:00

Problem: I read everything by my favorite author, and now I have nothing else to read!

Problem: I really like this series, but I can't remember the titles or the author... I just know the name of the series... or wait, I actually just know the plot and characters. I need the next book though!

Problem: The library is closed and I can't ask the librarian for recommendations!

Solution: There's a great database we have called NoveList that helps people who are trying to figure out what to read next. It's available online through our website 24/7, and all you need is an Allerton Library card number to get in. Once you're in, you can search for books by author, title, series name, or plot/characters. The database also has articles on certain authors and books, which include suggestions for other authors to try when you've run out of books by your favorite author. These are called Read-A-Likes in the library business.

There are two versions of NoveList: one for adults, and one for kids called NoveList K-8. Here's how you get to them:
1) Go to our library's website, www.monticellolibrary.org. Make sure you have the latest version of Adobe Flash.
2) Click on Online Resources.
3) Click on NoveList.
4) Enter your 14 digit library card number. Only Allerton Library cards will work here.
5) Click either NoveList or NoveList K-8.

And now, in just 5 easy steps, you have a wealth of information at your fingertips. Enjoy, and call us if you have questions or problems.

Superheroes

2009-10-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

What kid hasn't wished he or she had superpowers at one time or another? Well, with these books, kids can indulge their desires to fly around, striking fear into the hearts of evildoers.

A new picture book called Mighty Max by Harriet Ziefert caught my eye, and I really enjoyed reading it to one of my storytime groups. The story is about a boy named Max who runs around having fairly normal adventures, and when his dad yells, "You're not Superman, you know!" it makes Max imagine that his IS, in fact, Superman. The art is charming, looking very childlike with bold colors that pop off the page.

Elementary school kids who are reading chapter books might enjoy the Melvin Beederman: Superhero series by Greg Trine, which starts with The Curse of the Bologna Sandwich. Melvin Beederman, graduate of the Superhero School, is sent to Los Angeles to be their resident superhero. He isn't perfect, but does his best until he accidentally mixes up his cape with a costume belonging to a girl named Candace. They team up and defeat the bad guys, ready for the sequel. The text is full of action and humor, and will appeal to boys in grades 2-4 especially.

Middle school kids will probably like James Patterson's action packed Maximum Ride series, which starts with The Angel Experiment. Max is a genetically engineered human-bird hybrid teenager with wings, and in the first book she must rescue her kidnapped flock member, Angel, from the clutches of the evil School that created her and the rest of her flock. Max is a very likable heroine who can almost always muster up some sarcastic humor in the face of difficulty, making the books highly amusing.

So, if the mood strikes you, put on your masks and capes and head on over to the library!

Banned Books Week

2009-09-24T08:40:00.000-07:00

Next week is Banned Books Week. At Allerton Library, we have a small display in the Teen section set up for people to learn about banned and challenged books, and to see a few examples. I have covered the books in brown paper, in hopes that they will catch people's eyes more. Most of the books in the display are for teens, but there are a couple over there for kids--and one is a picture book!

If you are interested in learning more about Banned Books Week, I encourage you to check out these websites:

Banned Books Week--American Library Association
Kids' Right to Read Project--National Coalition Against Censorship
Book Bans and Challenges Map

Celebrate your freedom to read!

Celebrate Monticello!

2009-09-17T10:18:00.000-07:00

Make sure to come out to the Celebration on Saturday! My fellow librarians and I will be out on the square, helping kids paint suncatchers and raffling off children's books. We'll be there from 10-4.

Also, a side note: as you may know from my profile, I am a huge Harry Potter fan. I have recently discovered the Harry Potter audiobooks and I am COMPLETELY HOOKED. The drive to work (and anywhere, as a matter of fact) is fun again! Jim Dale is an incredible narrator and really makes the story come alive. I like the audiobooks much better than the movies in that respect, actually. So, come check out our collection of children's audiobooks, and pick out something you like!

Fancy Nancy Party!

2009-09-10T07:38:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to announce our upcoming Fancy Nancy party, which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2:30. It's open to kids 3+, and we'll have lots of great activities.

First we'll read a Fancy Nancy story (probably the one pictured at left) and play Dress Up the Un-Fancy Librarian. Then we'll have fancy snacks and do fancy crafts. There will also be raffle giveaways and activity pages from the HarperCollins website. Everyone is encouraged to wear their fancy clothes!

Registration is required and closes on Oct. 8. If you're not sure if you will come, but think you might, please register anyway. There is no penalty for no-shows or cancellations, and I would much rather have too many cookies and craft supplies than too few. You can email me, call the library, or stop by to register or get more information.

Notable Books

2009-08-27T15:20:00.000-07:00

The Publisher's Weekly website has an article called "The Stars, So Far" which talks about children's books that have earned starred reviews this year in journals like Booklist and Library Journal. Take a look at the article, found here. Have you read any of the books listed? Do you agree with the reviewers' opinions? If some look interesting, please stop in--we have most of the books mentioned in the article at our library.