Q&A: Patrons ask; librarians answer: Do you have some books to prepare our child for the new baby we’re expecting?

Children’s Librarians talk with parents, caregivers, and children all day, every day. Nearly 5,000 babies are born in Oakland every year! Books can help older siblings cope with the transition from rock-star/minor-deity to has-been.

Erica&#039;s daughters - age 3 and newborn!

Q: Do you have some books to prepare my child for the new baby we’re expecting?

A: Yes, we do! Different issues come up for kids who are about to have a new sibling. I’d like to share books that include some different angles on the question. I think of them in these 5 rough categories:

Books that simply explain what welcoming a new baby might include. If you don’t know yet what your child is thinking or feeling about the whole thing, simple books without drama may be a good starting place.

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An Extremely Boring Book You Should Probably Never Read

The picture book everyone's talking about is... not a picture book? Celebrity author B. J. Novak's crowdpleasing hit!

These days I always seem to have a friend on the Caldecott committee, which gives the annual award for best illustration in a children's book, which means every time I go to a bookstore I'm texting pictures of book covers to that friend with a message: "you GOTTA see this one!!" 

It's unusual for a book with NO pictures to send me scrambling for my phone. But... have you SEEN this book?

Okay- wrong question. Have you READ this book? It's pretty much the funniest crowd-pleaser of a picture book I've read in years.

Okay okay- still the wrong question. Have you had this book read to you by its author, B.J. Novak

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Celebrate Hat Day!

January 15th is Hat Day! Come to the Library and display your favorite hat or drop in and make a hat to wear.

Start the New Year off in style by celerating Hat Day at the Library.

Come to the Main Library or the Elhmurst Branch on January 15 at 3:30pm and celebrate Hat Day. We will provide everything needed to create memorable headgear. Once your hat is finished you and the other milliners can parade your headgear through the Library and see what the staff are wearing on their heads. Looking for inspiration? Take a peek at Origination's 

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Introducing Karen Lum-Nackley - BWH Volunteer

The Books for Wider Horizons birthday party year continues with an interview with one of our long-term volunteers.

Picture of Karen Lum-Nackley

Books for Wider Horizons (BWH) employs a corps of dedicated volunteers who take weekly storytimes to about forty preschools (Head Starts, CDCs, and private preschools) around Oakland. A couple of months ago, we introduced Gay Ducey, librarian, storyteller extraordinaire, and member of the team that originally thought of and implemented the Books for Wider Horizons (BWH) volunteer program over twenty years ago. 

Today we meet Dr. Karen Lum-Nackley, one of those intrepid volunteers. Karen has been with BWH since 2001. She made time for us the week before Christmas to answer our questions regarding her experience with the program.

What attracted you to Books for Wider Horizons fourteen years ago? 

My own love for books as a child. I grew up in Oakland and visited the Glenview Library on Park Blvd. when I was a child. My parents

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6 kids' books from 2014 that hit uncomfortably close to home

From jealousy to farting, these 2014 kids' books capture the little uncomfortable moments of adult life.

1. My New Friend Is So Fun! by Mo Willems

Gerald (the elephant) sees Piggie playing with her new bat friend, and he is JEALOUS. Gerald, I know the sting you feel all too well: maybe Piggie will have so much fun with Bat, she won't need you anymore. I'm sure we'll outgrow these insecurities someday.

Read it to: the BFF who keeps breaking brunch plans.

2. Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, by Mac Barnett

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90-Second Newbery Film Festival, Not Too Late to Enter!

Entries are still welcome for the 4th Annual 90-Second Newbery Festival, which will screen at the Rockridge Library on February 7th, 2015.

90 second newbery logoThe 90-Second Newbery Film Festival is once again coming to Oakland on Saturday February 7, 2015, 12 noon-1pm at the Rockridge Branch Library

It is not too late to submit your entry!  The deadline for submissions has been extended to January 16, 2015, which means that you can spend your winter break working on your video, of 90 seconds or less, that tells the entire story of a Newbery-winning book.

We'd love to see your

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Q&A: Patrons ask; librarians answer: What’s your opinion on this movie?

Children’s Librarians talk with parents, caregivers, and children all day, every day. Sometimes our help is needed to make serious ethical decisions...What movie should we watch tonight?

Q: What do you think about this movie for my kids?

A: Here’s what goes through my mind when I hear this question, which happens a few times a week:

  1. I really appreciate your effort to figure out what’s best for your children!  

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Travel Books for Kids

A list of recommended travel books for children available at the Oakland Public Library.

If you’re looking for a little adventure this season, check out the library’s selection of travel books for kids! They describe lands both near and far, highlighting aspects of each destination that young readers are especially interested in exploring. Take an armchair tour through California, Mexico, and beyond with some of these exciting informational books:

For younger readers

All Aboard! book cover

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Family Programs This Thursday

Most children's programs will continue at the library tomorrow despite the schools' closure, but children should not be left unattended for long periods, and children 7 and under must be attended at all times.

Girl making art in the libraryOUSD has decided to close tomorrow due to the storm.  Your libraries will be open, and most of our regularly scheduled programs will proceed, but we include some updates and advice here.

Please come with your children to events tomorrow if you decide it is safe to travel.  Please do not leave your children unnattended at the library.  

We cannot supervise children, and all children become bored, restless, or hungry at the library after a certain amount of time. Children 7 and under must be supervised at all times by a parent or responsible caregiver.

Mitali Perkins' appearance at the Dimond library has been cancelled.  

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Books for Wider Horizons - The Anniversary Celebration Continues

Books for Wider Horizons has graduated a new class of volunteer storyreaders, developed a new logo, and is planning a party!

Books for Wider Horizons has had a busy couple of months.    

Congratulations Class of 2014!

OurBWH graduating class 21st class of Books for Wider Horizons volunteers graduated in November. These hardy souls spent 21 1/2 hours in training and observing, only to commit to spending 2-3 hours per week preparing and presenting storytimes at Oakland Head Starts, OUSD Childhood Development Centers, and other preschool sites for the rest of the school year. Gluttons for punishment, some of this year's volunteers actually came to both graduation days, so they could get more ideas on what books to choose, songs to sing, and ways to present!

Volunteering for BWH

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