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JCPL Kids

by: 
Marcy, Arvada Library

Have you ever wondered: why do we do crafts at story time?

Creating crafts at story time allows children to use their creativity and imagination. It helps them practice the fine motor skills they will use when they begin school. Children get to take home a tangible reminder of storytime, which may even prompt them to tell you the story all over again! Mostly, it is great fun.

To me, the best crafts are those that the child can do with little assistance and that utilize objects found around the house or outdoors in nature. Crafting does not have to be expensive, although it can be a bit messy! Here is an example of a craft I did in conjunction with a fairytale storytime.

Simply paint a rock green and let dry (triangular shaped rocks work well.) Add googly eyes and draw on nostrils with a sharpie. Add a little gold crown cut out of construction paper or craft foam, and glue the rock to the frog base. Couldn't be easier!

So, jump on in...and get crafty!

by: 
Sarah, Golden Library

I remember my first encounter with an offbeat princess book: It was The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch. It taught me that princesses could be feisty under that jeweled tiara!

If your child is into princesses and you’re getting tired of reading the same Disney Princess books over again, try these titles from JCPL. They’re not your traditional princess books – all have interesting plot twists that create a new take on the princess theme:

Dangerously Ever After by Dashka Slater

A feisty princess, who tends the most dangerous garden in the world, makes a new friend when a shy prince gives her some rather unusual seeds for her garden.

Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude by Kevin O’Malley

In this cooperative fairy tale written by a little boy and girl, a beautiful princess has her ponies stolen and a muscular biker agrees to guard the last pony in exchange for gold.

Princess in Training by Tammi Sauer

Viola is not your typical princess; she loves skateboarding, moat-diving and karate chopping, much to the distress of her royal parents.

Not All Princesses Dress in Pink by Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple Yolen

A reaffirming tale, full of princesses who play sports and garden in the dirt without giving up their tiaras.

What is your favorite princess book? Is it a traditional tale or a contemporary princess story?

by: 
Donna, Columbine Library

Ever wonder what your favorite fuzzy friend does while you’re sleeping?  Children found out after attending a storytime and then leaving their special friend at the library to spend the night.  We took pictures of some of the silly things we caught them doing after the library was closed…

 

Can you "Moooo" as well as cow? Cow can certainly teach you how!

Zelda Anne spends some quality time surfing the web! What a tech-savvy monster!

Iza tries her best to reach her favorite snacks from the vending machine! Just a little higher, kitty!

 Julie Flower aka "Tiarra" dreams of Broadway. This kitty has her eyes and paws set on rocking the stage with her sweet dance moves!

Sparky has a talent for standing on one leg, but has decided to take a THRILLING ride on this fire truck!

To see more of the mischief your fuzzy friends got into, and meet some of their human friends, visit the library's flickr page!

Come have some Halloween Fun at the next Columbine Family Fun Night on October 8 at 6pm!

 

 

by: 
Jennifer, Lakewood Library

Did you laugh so hard your sides hurt while reading Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos? Well, get ready to laugh some more. Jack is coming back in From Norvelt to Nowhere. Be ahead of the crowd and put it on hold today!

by: 
Mary, Outreach

A little more than a week ago, I had the pleasure of attending an event where Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy announced the titles of 25 picture books from the last 25 years that stand as high-quality examples of books that support early literacy learning in young children. The selection was based on the criteria that will be used to select the first-ever CLEL Bell Picture Book Awards later this year. 5 titles were chosen in each of 5 categories: READ, WRITE, SING, TALK and PLAY, which are all activities parents are encouraged to engage in with their children in order to build early literacy skills. When the CLEL Bell Award winners for 2013 are announced, in February of 2014, there will be 5 winners - one in each category.

The selection committee also created an activity sheet to accompany each title, which includes information about the book and how it supports early literacy learning as well as offering suggestions for activities parents and children can do after reading the book to extend learning. To check them out, and learn why each book was selected, click on the category link below! Click on a title to request the book from JCPL!

I'm personally familiar with all of these books and have shared many of them with preschool classes. They are truly wonderful and you and your children will enjoy each of them - even more so if you try out some of the extension activities created by CLEL!

SILVER BELL TITLES for READ:

Backseat A, B, See by Maria Van Lieshout

The Bear in the Book by Kate Banks

Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn (also available in Spanish: Lola en la biblioteca)

Maybe a Bear Ate It! by Robie Harris

Wolf! by Becky Bloom

SILVER BELL TITLES for TALK:

Bark, George by Jules Feiffer

Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow? by Susan Shea

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

Say Hello! by Rachel Isadora

Tell Me the Day Backwards by Albert Lamb

SILVER BELLS TITLES for SING:

Baby Dance by Ann Taylor

Jazz Baby by Lisa Wheeler

Neighborhood Mother Goose by Nina Crews

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin

Tanka Tanka Skunk by Steve Webb

SILVER BELL TITLES for WRITE:

Andrew Drew and Drew by Barney Saltzberg

A Beach Tail by Karen Lynn Williams

Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells

A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom (also available in Spanish: Un amigo de veras maravilloso)

The Squiggle by Carole Lexa Schaefer

SILVER BELL TITLES for PLAY:

Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building by Christy Hale

Elizabeti's Doll by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen

Meeow and the Big Box by Sebastien Braun (also available in Spanish: Miau y la caja grande)

Pete's a Pizza by William Steig

Press Here by Herve Tullet (also available in Spanish: Presiona aquí)

by: 
Jennifer, Lakewood Library

Hobbit Day is celebrated every year on September 22nd, which is also the birthday of  Bilbo Baggins.  Remember the opening chapter in The Lord of the Rings in which he celebrates in grand style? There are many ways you could celebrate. You could play Pin the Ring on Bilbo or go on a Riddles in the Dark Scavenger Hunt . Why not check out The Hobbit book or the movie from the library? Did you know that you can also check out The Hobbit as an E-Book from the library? How will you celebrate Hobbit Day this year?

by: 
Joanna, Digital Library

Today we shine our author spotlight on Sherry Jacobs! She is the author of many children’s books, including The Miracle of the People of the Sea, Ezra's Incredible Race, Bobby the Bully, Thane the Wanna Be Warrior, Tommy Tooley's Tears, and Ollie and the Firefly. She says she puts her heart and soul into each and every story, and that many contain messages for children.  She lives in Bailey, Colorado, with her husband of 46 years, her dog Murphy and various other mountain critters.

Meet Sherry at the Books and Bites event at the Arvada Library TOMORROW from 6 - 8:30 pm!

by: 
Joanna, Digital Library

Today's Books and Bites author spotlight shines on Patricia Ann Reid, the author of Sean's Secret Room. In this story, eleven-year-old Sean discovers a secret room in a 100-year-old house in Trinidad, Colorado.  Adventure ensues when he meets a ghost, travels through time, searches for a lost teddy bear, and saves an Aztec Emperor!  Pat calls her book “an illustrated mix of history, mystery, magic, and fantasy! " Wow! doesn't that make you want to read it?

Meet Patricia at the Arvada Library Books and Bites event on September 20th from 6:30 to 8pm!

by: 
Joanna, Digital Library

Today we shine our author spotlight on Judy Kundert! Judy is the author of inspirational stories about travel and nature with a blend of history for women and children. Samantha: the Legend of the Whispering Trees is an inspiring self-discovery experience with the magic and wonder of trees.  It is also an award winning finalist in the children's gift and novelty category by the National Best Books 2009 Awards. Judy lives in Broomfield, Colorado.

Meet Judy at the Arvada Library on September 20th from 6:30 to 8pm.

 

by: 
Jennifer, Lakewood Library

Alex Rider fans, your wish has come true! This fall be on the lookout for a new Alex Rider book. "Kill Alex Rider" is the "deadly prequel" to the popular spy kid series. Check out the Alex Rider series from the library to get started or to refresh your memory before the new book is released. Which Alex Rider book is your favorite?

What challenges will Alex face in this story? Only Anthony Horowitz knows...for now!

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