Children's book editor Laura Arnold wrote a post for the super cool Stacked blog on promising new releases for young adults. Laura highlights books that offer fresh takes on genres that are popular with teens (vampires, faeries), but have become a little stale. Click the link below to read Laura's post:
http://stackedbooks.blogspot.com/2011/01/guest-post-laura-arnold-on-titles-to.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/sTpar+(Stacked)
If you are interested in a book that isn't in the Tunkhannock Public Library's collection, ask your friendly librarian about inter-library loan!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Happy Year of the Rabbit!
Did you know that 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit according to the Chinese calendar? I've attached a kid-friendly link that teaches about the Chinese zodiac. I've always thought that my Chinese zodiac sign (horse) was a much better description of me than my western zodiac sign (cancer). Visit the website and have fun analyzing the different animals in your family menagerie!
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/stories/peopleplaces/chinese-horoscopes/
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/stories/peopleplaces/chinese-horoscopes/
Enter the dragon
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The armchair traveler, junior edition
The theme of this year's Collaborative Summer Library Program is "One World, Many Stories," a celebration of how books help children explore different places and cultures. The theme is a program planner's dream because it offers almost limitless possibilities. Want to explore a Mayan pyramid in the Yucatan jungle? Learn how the ancient Egyptians made mummies? Journey to the North Pole? The right book can take you anywhere...
There's no reason to wait until summer programming starts to use books to turn your child into an intrepid armchair traveler. Start with a map of the world and ask your child to pick an interesting spot (or just toss a coin and see where it lands.) If she wants to visit Paris, go to the library and check out the Madeleine series. Explore the nonfiction section for books that show how French children live. Borrow a book on French cooking from the adult section and make a tasty treat together...Did you know there is a real cookie called a madeleine? You may even find a CD of traditional French music.
The Internet can be a wonderful resource for armchair travelers. The following websites can help children begin their odyssey:
geographyworldonline.com
kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/
socialstudiesforkids.com
Keep checking this blog and the Tunkhannock Public Library's facebook page for more information on "One World, Many Stories..."
There's no reason to wait until summer programming starts to use books to turn your child into an intrepid armchair traveler. Start with a map of the world and ask your child to pick an interesting spot (or just toss a coin and see where it lands.) If she wants to visit Paris, go to the library and check out the Madeleine series. Explore the nonfiction section for books that show how French children live. Borrow a book on French cooking from the adult section and make a tasty treat together...Did you know there is a real cookie called a madeleine? You may even find a CD of traditional French music.
The Internet can be a wonderful resource for armchair travelers. The following websites can help children begin their odyssey:
geographyworldonline.com
kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/
socialstudiesforkids.com
Keep checking this blog and the Tunkhannock Public Library's facebook page for more information on "One World, Many Stories..."
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Ringing in the New Year with reading goals
While I find it admirable to make New Year's resolutions, I think that it is more practical to set New Year's goals. Resolving to do or not do a particular thing is a promise easily made and easily forgotten. When you set a goal with intention, however, breaking it down into a series of smaller goals and planning the steps you will take to achieve them, the odds for success tilt in your favor.
Setting a goal for reading is a wonderful way to begin 2011. Reading goals could include trying a book in a genre that you don't normally read, participating in a book club or reading series, reading the book instead of (or in addition to) watching the movie, and reading more books with your children.
As children's librarian, I try to read many children's books. I find, however, that I am usually drawn to books with female main characters. Missing out on the emotions, thoughts and actions of an entire gender in my reading hardly seems like the workings of a just children's librarian (and mother of a son), so I plan to change my ways this week by fulfilling the goals of choosing and beginning a children's book with a male hero.
Any suggestions?
Setting a goal for reading is a wonderful way to begin 2011. Reading goals could include trying a book in a genre that you don't normally read, participating in a book club or reading series, reading the book instead of (or in addition to) watching the movie, and reading more books with your children.
As children's librarian, I try to read many children's books. I find, however, that I am usually drawn to books with female main characters. Missing out on the emotions, thoughts and actions of an entire gender in my reading hardly seems like the workings of a just children's librarian (and mother of a son), so I plan to change my ways this week by fulfilling the goals of choosing and beginning a children's book with a male hero.
Any suggestions?
About Me
- Tracey
- A native of the Shawangunk Mountains region of New York, I moved to Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania in 2009. I live with my husband, our son, a dog, and two cats. I have over ten years of combined experience in nonprofit and academic administration. I began an exciting new career as children's librarian at the Tunkhannock Public Library in the fall of 2010. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in history and Spanish from Lycoming College and a Master of Public Health in health policy and management from New York Medical College.