Glen Ellyn Public Library Youth News & Reviews

Storytime Registration is Open!

2010-09-15T19:22:00.007-05:00

This storytime session we have many exciting classes for you to participate in:

For little ones ages birth to 9 months we offer Good Beginnings, a parent and child class that helps our smallest patrons get a great start on literacy by presenting very simple songs, rhymes, and stories.
Wednesdays at 10:30-11 AM. Registration required.

For our little ones 6 months to 23 months we offer JumpStart a program that nurtures their rapidly developing minds with songs, fingerplays, and books that develop their motor and listening skills.
Tuesdays and Fridays at 9:30-10 AM. Registration required.

For children ages 18 months to 36 months NextStep is offered. Longer and more complex stories are shared in this program to continue strengthening children's listening skills.
Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:30-10 AM. Registration required.

For those intrepid kids ready to step out on their own we have two chances for them to begin using their social skills with others their age:

3-5 Year- Old children will have a chance to interact by singing, dancing, and helping tell stories in a special session just for them.
Thursdays at 9:30-10 AM. Registration required.

Afterschool, 4-7 Year-Old children can get their wiggles out with a big group of their new friends in a late afternoon session.
Thursdays at 4-4:30 PM. Registration required.

And for all ages fun we offer action-packed Drop-in Storytimes:

An AM Drop-in Storytime to get your morning started right with fun songs, books and fingerplays.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10:30-11 AM. No registration required.

And a Afternoon Drop-in Storytime to get you through the middle of day with more fun songs, books, and fingerplays.
Tuesdays at 1:30-2 PM. No registration required.

You can even wear your pajamas to a Slipper Stories Drop-in that presents some nighttime stories.
Tuesdays at 7-7:30 PM. No registration required.

For more information about storytimes at Glen Ellyn Public Library click here or stop in and ask a friendly librarian. To register your child click here or any of the underlined text for a specific storytime.

Coming soon - the GEPL Puppet Club!

2010-09-03T11:38:00.009-05:00

If you’re in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade, and if you like to perform, then we need you for the Glen Ellyn Public Library’s Puppet Club. In Puppet Club, we use professionally-created puppets, but we’ll also be making our own puppets as well as scenery and props. We'll create stories and songs too! We meet every Tuesday afternoon from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. beginning September 21 and going through November 9. Then on Saturday, November 13, we’ll stage a Puppet Show on a real-live puppet stage for audiences of all ages! We need you to join Puppet Club. Just be sure that you are available for all club meetings and the performance. Sign-ups begin Saturday, September 4, 2010.

Drop-in storytimes with Robin and Ridgeway

2010-08-24T18:25:00.004-05:00

We have drop-in storytimes in the meeting room on Tuesdays and Thursdays with Robin and Ridgeway, until September 2.

Our fall 9-week storytime session begins September 21. Registration for Glen Ellyn card holders begins September 14.

Our newest class for our youngest patrons is called "Good Beginnings". Robin offers this class for babies from birth-9 months old with a caregiver. The 4-week class is on Wednesdays from September 8-29, at 10:30-11:00. Registration begins August 31, online, by phone or in person.

SUMMER READING

2010-08-23T07:54:00.005-05:00

Summer reading has come to a successful end. Over 1700 children reported in, with a staggering total of 62, 179 hours being read. Over 1200 books were earned by our voracious readers, with 151 of them reading 100 hours and earning a second book. Congratulations to all who participated. You did GREAT!

Remember the Reading Patch Club begins October 1. Storytime registration begins September 14.

Be sure and check out the calendar on our home page for other exciting programs!

Create sidewalk art!

2010-08-15T18:35:00.009-05:00

Patty Peixoto is returning this year to do another Family Chalk Art class on Saturday, August 28 from 10:00-1:00.

Practice your ideas in the meeting room to start, then go to the Library's covered sidewalk to draw on the pavement.

Participants are encouraged to bring hats and kneepads. All drawing materials will be provided.

This class is the same weekend as the Glen Ellyn Festival of the Arts, sponsored by the Lions Club, so plan to make a day of it!

Book Swap for 5th Grade and Under

2010-08-12T15:38:00.003-05:00

Another way to REduce, REuse, and REcycle. Start the school year off with new-to-you books! You may bring up to 10 books into the Library anytime before August 21 and return to choose books Saturday August 21 or Sunday August 22. Please do not bring magazines, music, or games--just books. Come anytime between 9 am and 5 pm Saturday August 21 or 1-4 pm Sunday August 22.

Scavenger Hunt results

2010-08-03T16:07:00.007-05:00

"Searching the Story" scavenger hunt in downtown Glen Ellyn ran from June 14-July 31. There were 46 participating businesses listed in the booklet. A total of 126 booklets were turned in for prizes.

The 17 prize winners are:
Ugly Dolls from AliKat Boutique: Cooper Board, Ashley Faganel, Michael Santana, Madison Hacker, Lily Humphrey, Amanda Dean

Gold Unicorn charm from Costello Jewelry: Meredith Miscinski
Bookstore gift certificates for $10 each: Hannah Jackman, Ellen Bassett, Jacquelyn Folts, Ashley Hagstrom, Robert Sladewski
Bundles of Books gift certificate for $25: Camden Marschand
Bistro Monet gift certificates for $25 each: Maribella Fues, Kathryn Glynn
Renaissance Art Studio "Toy Story" goodie bag: Alexander Demeris
Grand Prize $100 downtown shopping spree: Brooke Dougherty

In addition, Qdoba Mexican Grill donated entree coupons for children under 12, so that everyone who turned in a booklet could receive these coupons!

Thanks to all the participating businesses and the Downtown Glen Ellyn Alliance for this annual family activity!

Making A Difference

2010-07-27T15:24:00.005-05:00

In the classic children’s book “Miss Rumphius”, by Barbara Cooney, young Alice decides that she, like her grandfather before her, wants to travel the world and see many things and that she wants to have a home by the sea. Her grandfather tells her that that is all fine but there is a third thing, "You must do something to make the world more beautiful”.

The Owls, a group of students who come once a week to the library for special programming, spent time listening to this story, reflecting on ways we can make the earth a better place and then gathered to decorate birthday cards and pack birthday party kits that will be distributed through the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry.

It’s not too late for you to make a contribution to the Food Pantry. Pick up a list of their most needed items at the Youth Services desk and bring in your donation by the August 5th. Help make your community a more beautiful place to be!

Resistant Readers

2010-07-27T11:59:00.000-05:00

Got a resistant reader or one who has “read everything” and is bored? Remember your attention is the most important thing you offer kids of any age. Here are some easy ways to entice them and engage you both!

Check out a book and the same book on CD. Begin by playing the CD in the car where you listen together. Stop the CD at an exciting point and encourage your child to read the rest in book form.

Check out two copies of the same book. Sit together each day for 25 minutes and discuss the portion you read for 5 minutes. Share your feelings about the characters: who in the story would you like for a friend? Talk about the situation: what would you do if you were faced with the choice the character has?

Check out a book that has been made into a move. No watching until the reading is complete! Then talk about how the two experiences differ.

Read together as a family. At the end of each chapter, each person gets to ask a question of the others to see who was listening.

Attend a play, show or movie, and read the book it is based on. Even a picture book! What was left out? What was added?

Use other activities to spur reading .The library has books at a variety of reading levels on baseball, football, swimming, crafts, horses, dogs – whatever the non-reading interest, there is a book to go with it!

Check out magazines!

Your example and participation are the best motivators of all!

Scavenger Hunt deadline!

2010-07-22T11:36:00.007-05:00

Don't forget the deadline to turn in your "Searching The Story" scavenger hunt booklets is 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 1 at the Library!

Drawing will take place on Sunday, August 1, and winners will be notified by Monday, August 2.

Drawing prizes include Bookstore gift certificates for $10 each, free kid's entrees at the new Qdoba Mexican Grill on Roosevelt Rd, and a grand prize of $100 shopping spree in downtown Glen Ellyn!

There are only 2 more Fridays to find the cow at the Farmer's Market.

Drop-In Recycled Crafts

2010-07-05T12:26:00.006-05:00

Drop-In Recycled Crafts are Tuesdays between 1:00 and 2:00pm in the Youth Services Program Room for grades K-8.

We have had a blast making collages and flowers from old magazines, red, white, and blue fireworks from chenille stems and beads, and flower pots from used yogurt containers. We even planted seeds!

Upcoming Crafts
July 6: Paper Making
July 13: Sock Puppets
July 20: Trashy Art
July 27: Altered Books
August 3: Computer Components and CDs
August 10: Everything Left Over from the previous 7 weeks

Stop by the Program Room to create a recycled masterpiece!

Sprouts Make Music

2010-07-05T10:35:00.003-05:00

Little patrons ages 2-3 and their parents had a loud time on July 5 at our first Sprout Music session. We had a story about a marching band, decorated recycled pie tins to make cymbals, and marched in a parade to Yankee Doodle!
Sound like fun? The next program will be on July 19 at 9:30am. Upcoming programs include drums, maracas and "shakers".
Register now online at http://www.gepl.org/ or by calling the Youth Services Department.

Prairie Trail Storytelling Camp 2010

2010-06-26T21:13:00.007-05:00

Our 9th annual Prairie Trail Storytelling Camp and Festival took place June 14 - 21, 2010. Middle School students and older mentors worked with professional storyteller Marie Ringenberg, assisted by Carolyn Wissmiller, to perform entertaining stories for all ages.
Students had the opportunity to perform at Bookfest on June 19 as well as at the Storytelling Festival on June 21.
We hope to see them perform again at the Lions Club Festival of the Arts on August 28-29.
This program is supported, in part, by a grant from the Community Arts Access Re-granting Program, which is funded by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and Hinsdale Center for the Arts.

Storytimes

2010-06-24T07:55:00.002-05:00

Storytimes have started. Check out these upcoming themes for the drop-in sessions!

Week of: June 28 Recycled Classics
July 5 Walking, Biking
July 12 Wind Power
July 19 Water
July 26 Green Animals and Clothes
Aug.2 Green Vegetables
Aug. 9 Gardens

Drop-in storytimes are Tuesday at 10:30, 7:00; Wednesday at 10:30; Thursday (Toddler Drop-in)at 10:30 and Friday at 10:30. Hope to see you there!

Even if the sun is shining...

2010-06-16T09:41:00.005-05:00

Don't wait for a rainy "nothing to do" day to visit the library this summer! On your way to tennis lessons or swimming? Headed home after a ball game? The library is open 9am-9pm and we will be glad to see you!

The youth summer programs include story times, movies, crafts - all with no registration required! Kids keep track of summer reading on line and collect prizes like coupons for snacks, free DVD rental and your choice of a book to keep for your own. Why should the kids have all the fun? Adults read for prizes, too, in a club of their own!

And of course we have books for all ages, magazines, movies, recorded books for listening on long trips, computers to use - and more books! If you can't find just the right one, we love to search with you. Just ask!

From Glen Ellyn to rural India

2010-06-11T12:29:00.002-05:00

Youth Services Early Childhood Librarian Robin Currie shared "Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?" with children in Dharamshala, India.

Summer Reading is online!

2010-06-04T12:17:00.002-05:00

Be sure to sign up for Summer Reading and start keeping track of your reading time.
You can come to the library to sign up with our help, or you can click here to sign up from the Library homepage.
Watch our summer reading video by clicking here.

Tumble Books for all ages

2010-05-24T13:21:00.013-05:00

"Never checked out, never on hold, Tumble Products are always available!"

Tumblebooks offer animated, talking picture books, read-alongs, chapter books, and full-length unabridged classic audiobooks for all ages. Use them for entertainment or to catch up on a reading assignment.

Tumblebooks are available through the library's website in several locations:

Click here for animated picture books

Click here for chapter books and teen titles

Click here for unabridged classic audiobooks

Passport to Adventure!

2010-05-22T10:01:00.007-05:00

The 19th annual "Passport to Adventure" guides are now available at the Youth Services desk. These little booklets are produced by the Kane-DuPage Regional Museum Association each year as a convenient guide to regional attractions. The guide lists the location, the hours, the admission fee (if any), and a short description of each attraction.

Children may receive a prize for having their passport stamped at 7 or more of the sites.

If you are also interested in the Macy's Museum Adventure Pass, you may "check out" a pass at the library circulation desk.

Stuffed Animal Sleepover May 20th

2010-05-06T12:40:00.003-05:00

Teddy bear, teddy bear
Turn out the light
Teddy bear, teddy bear
Say goodnight!

Has one of your stuffed animals been very good lately? How about a special sleepover? Bring your animal to a sleepy storytime and craft on Thursday, May 20th at 10:30am. After a tuck in and kiss goodbye, the animals will spend the night all on their own! Pick up your stuffed friend from 9am-5pm on Friday and see pictures of them having fun at the library.

The Stuffed Animal Sleepover is a registered program for children of all ages. Registration begins May 8th at 9:00am.

Out of the cocoon and into the air!

2010-04-30T11:25:00.006-05:00

Is there anything as naturally magic as butterflies? And they are accessible in our backyards for us to admire and appreciate. Perhaps the most popular in this area are the monarch butterflies, with easily recognizable orange and black markings. Many times you can inspect them closely if you are very quiet.

Monarch butterflies move from one area to another each early in a regular migration. To find out more about when they will be where, check out www.learner.org/jnorth/maps/monarch_spring2010.html. You can even post your own observations!

Butterfly craft: cut strips of used tissue paper about six inches long and gather in the middle. Push in the slot of a clothespin. Add twist ties for antenna. Color paper and antenna with markers.

Butterfly action rhyme:
Creepy, crawly caterpillar (wiggle fingers up arm)
Made a cocoon one day (place palms together, thumbs on top)
Turned into a butterfly (open hands, keeping thumbs together)
And then he flew away! (wiggle fingers and raise arms)

Jumping Guinea Pigs

2010-04-27T10:12:00.004-05:00

Jumping Guinea Pigs!

It’s G-Force! A specially trained squad of guinea pigs is dispatched to stop a diabolical billionaire from taking over the world.

Raining? Grandchildren visiting? Need a dad-and-kids event? The Youth Services Department will roll out the bean bags and make room for belly laughs as we show G-Force at 2pm this Saturday, May 1. No registration for 88 minutes for FREE family fun!

2010-04-24T14:28:00.011-05:00

Planning a get-away this summer? It’s a great idea to pack light, but you don’t want to skimp on your reading material. Did you know that from our website, you can download books to your computer and then to an IPOD, MP3 player, or other portable listening device?
It’s easy. Just follow these simple steps:
1. From the Glen Ellyn Public Library home page, look in the left column and select “How do I …?”
2. From that list of topics, scroll down to “Find downloadable books?” and select.
3. From there, you can go straight to EMediaLibrary or choose one of the other suggestions.

The first time you download titles, you will need to download the digital software to your computer. You can find “Patron Assistance” and the “Digital Software” you need in the left-hand column on the EMediaLibrary home page. Be sure you have your library card number handy.

If you’re planning a staycation, you have more options where only your computer is required. Start from the Glen Ellyn Public Library home page, and then:
1. Go to “For Kids” and choose BookFLIX or TumbleBook Library.
2. Or go to “Teen Scene” and choose Tumblebooks which will take you to Tumblereadables.
3. Or go to “Readers Corner” and choose Tumble Talking Books.

Enjoy your reading no matter whether you use your eyes or your ears. Registration for our Summer Reading Program begins June 2. And REmember: REuse, REcycle, READ!

2010-04-23T10:44:00.002-05:00

Prithee and foresooth!

In recognition of Shakespeare’s 446th birthday, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley announced that today, Friday, April 23, is Talk Like Shakespeare Day—an occasion for citizens to bring the spoken words of Shakespeare into their daily lives. Get in on the act by visiting TalkLikeShakespeare.org, the virtual home base for revelers around the world—share your stories, photos, videos and favorite "Shakespeariences."

Check out the Youth collection for books about the Bard's plays, costumes and fiction based in the Elizabethian time period.

Where are the Third Grade books?

2010-04-20T12:10:00.007-05:00

Helping Your Child to Choose a “Just Right” Book
By Links to Literacy (www.literacytoolbox.wordpress.com)

Once your child grows out of the "beginning readers" section, the rest of the library is waiting! You want a book to have a few challenging words, but not so many that your child becomes frustrated with reading. Use the Five Finger Rule to determine if a book is at the right reading level for your child.

1 Have your child choose a book he wants to read.
2 Ask your child to open to a page in the middle of the book and begin to read.
He should hold up a fist.
3 Each time he comes to a word that he doesn’t know or is difficult for him
to pronounce, ask him to put up a finger.
4 If he gets to the end of the page and he has five fingers up, the book
is “too hard.”
5 If he has no fingers up, the book is “too easy.”
6 If he has 1-2 fingers up, the book is “just right.”

Encourage your child to explore all the library has for reading besides fiction books: non fiction, magazines, graphic novels, books on CD and Playaway. The best way to encourage is to set an example and check some out for yourself!

2010-04-19T09:00:00.005-05:00

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT PETS, BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK!

No doubt you have checked out our dog(j636.7)and cat sections(j636.8), but did you know we have many more pet books? Check out these call numbers for some more unusual pets.

Horses - j636.1
Pot-Bellied Pigs - j636.485
Birds - j636.68 (includes canaries, parrots, parakeets, even lovebirds!)
Sugar Gliders - j636.9232 (small marsupials native to Australia)
Rabbits - j636.9322
Hamsters - j636.9356
Mice - j636.93233 and Rats - j636.9352
Guinea Pigs - j636.93234
Hedgehogs - j636.9332
Gerbils - j636.93583
Ferrets - j636.97447
Tropical fish - j639.34 and Goldfish - j636.37484
Turtles - j639.392
Lizards -j639.395 (includes iguanas)
Snakes - j639.396
Hermit Crabs - j639.67
Tarantulas - j639.7

Hope you find something of interest!

Celebrity Firefighters

2010-04-17T18:53:00.007-05:00

The Glen Ellyn Volunteer Firefighters and Paramedics were our celebrity readers on Thursday during National Library Week.
They showed their turn-out gear, read books and danced to 3 songs, including Ralph Covert's "Drivin' in my Car".

Celebrity Storytimes!

2010-04-14T14:07:00.005-05:00

Our annual Celebrity Storytimes for National Library Week helped kick-off our spring storytime session.
Celebrities for the 10:30 drop-in storytimes included Police Officer Tom Staples, Army Captain Aaron Jenkins, Library Director Dawn Bussey, and Glen Ellyn firefighters.
The spring storytime session continues until May 14.

It's time, it's time for story time!

2010-04-13T10:33:00.004-05:00

The 5 week spring story time session begins this week. Don't miss a last chance before the grade school siblings are out for the summer to snuggle your baby and a good book! Good Beginnings (T, 10:30, age birth-9 months,) Jumpstart (openings F 9:30, ages 6-24 months), Next Step (openings Th 9:30, ages 18-36 months. Call the library or resister at http://www.gepl.org/, click on Calendar.

Don't forget: Drop in story times T-F at 10:30 need no registration and any age is welcome!

Bill Hooper this Saturday!

2010-04-07T14:14:00.006-05:00

Sing along with Bill Hooper on Saturday, April 10 at 2:00-2:30 p.m.
This show is for families of all ages, and guaranteed to get you moving!
Register in person at the Youth Services desk, or by phone at 630-469-0879, or online by clicking here.
View 2 of Bill Hooper's songs on You Tube by clicking here.

Sign up for storytimes!

2010-04-06T11:25:00.007-05:00

Our 5-week spring storytime session begins April 13, 2010.

We offer drop-in storytimes for all ages on Tuesday - Friday at 10:30 - 11:00.

Registered storytimes include:
"Jumpstart" for 6-23-month-olds with an adult at 9:30 - 10:00 on Tuesdays and Fridays
"Next Step" for 18-36-month-olds with an adult at 9:30 - 10:00 on Wednesdays and Thursdays
"Good Beginnings" for 0-9-month-olds with an adult at 10:30 - 11:00 on Wednesdays and Thursdays. (Something new for newborns and their caregivers!)

Register for these storytimes in person at the Youth Services desk, or by phone at 630-469-0879, or online by clicking here.

The 5-week spring storytime session runs until May 14, 2010.

Spring Break at the Library!

2010-03-25T15:31:00.007-05:00

We have activities every day in the Youth Services Dept. during Spring Break, so be sure to check us out!

To register for Friendship Bracelets or Autumn Voakes, click here.

Monday 3/29: Friendship Bracelets for grades 3-8 at 4:00 - 5:00. Please register in advance, because space is limited.

Tuesday - Friday 3/30 - 4/2:

10:30 - 11:00 a.m. Drop-in storytimes for all ages. Our theme is "Cats & Dogs".

2:00 p.m. Drop-in movies for all ages. Please bring your own snacks!

*Tuesday 3/30 "Princess and the Frog" (G, 98 min.)

*Wednesday 3/31 "Scooby-Doo, Abracadabra-Doo" (NR, 75 min.)

*Thursday 4/1 "Penguins of Madagascar: Operation DVD Premier" (NR, 130 min.)

*Friday 4/2 "Up!" (PG, 96 min.)

Saturday 4/3:

10:00 - 10:45 a.m. Stories & Music with Autumn Voakes. Please register in advance, because space is limited.

2:00 p.m. Drop-in movie for all ages: "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" (PG, 90 min.) Please bring your own snacks!

Sunday 4/4: The Library is closed for Easter.

Glen Ellyn Children's Theatre

2010-03-21T20:53:00.008-05:00

Nine gallant girls and one brave boy performed on a snowy Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Glen Ellyn Public Library. This troupe was directed by Carolyn Wissmiller, with assistance from Judy Atwood. Their lively show literally brought the curtain down!
Act I:
Sorry, Wrong Number, Part 1
Beans in My Ears (song)
Sorry, Wrong Number, Part 2
Act II:
The Perfect Nest
High Hopes (song)
Act III:
Rumpelstiltskin, Private Eye
You can view "Sorry, Wrong Number, Parts 1 & 2" and "The Perfect Nest" by clicking the arrows below. Be sure to turn the volume all the way up.

Something New for Somone New!

2010-03-20T10:29:00.007-05:00

Is there a child in your family or neighborhood under 9 months old? The Glen Ellyn Public Library has a new 5-week series of programs called Good Beginnings just for that child with a parents, grandparent or caretaker! Each week we'll learn infant-friendly songs and rhymes, share tips on new baby literacy and get to know others with children in the same age group. It's a great new-baby gift: tell them about this free service at the library and start the newes patrong on the path to life long reading. Sign up begins on April 6.

And the 2010 Monarch & Caudill winners are...

2010-03-11T18:18:00.006-06:00

The 2010 Monarch winners are:

1st place: Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt (jp Watt)

2nd place: Once I Ate a Pie by Patricia MacLachlan (j811.54 MAC)

3rd place: Gingerbread Girl by Lisa Campbell Ernst (jp Ernst)

The 2010 Caudill winners are:

1st place: All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Dowing Hahn (j Hahn)

2nd place: Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf (j Wolf)

3rd place: Elephant Run by Roland Smith (j Smith)

"One Boy" by Laura Seeger

2010-03-08T18:45:00.008-06:00

Click the arrow below to hear Kathleen Leid describe her upcoming
1st grade book discussion of One Boy by Laura Seeger.
This discussion is Monday, March 15 at 4:00-5:00 in Youth Services.
Register for the discussion by clicking here, or calling Youth Services at 630-469-0879.

It's March...Finally!

2010-03-03T19:23:00.006-06:00

The snow is slowly melting and the First Day of Spring will be here before you know it. But what else is happening this month?

Winter Storytimes end March 5th. We will have drop-in storytimes and movies the week of March 30th – April 2nd. Spring Storytime Session begins April 13th and registration begins Tuesday, April 6th.

Along with National Women’s History Month, March celebrates National Craft Month, National Nutrition Month and Youth Art Month - be sure to check out the amazing artwork by District 41 students displayed on our bulletin boards.

We also celebrate a different author’s birthday every week by displaying their works on the shelf by the entrance door. This month you will see books by the famous Dr. Seuss, Jonathan London, Bill Martin, Jr. and Lois Lowry. Randolph Caldecott’s birthday will be celebrated with a display of past Caldecott winners.

Here are a few more events in March that you might not want to miss:
March 6: Good Samaritan Day
March 14: Daylight Savings Time Begins
March 15: Absolutely Incredible Kid Day
March 17: St. Patrick’s Day
March 20: First Day of Spring
March 21: Children’s Poetry Day
March 22: National Goof Off Day
March 26: Make Up Your Own Holiday Day
March 31: Tater Day

To see more information about these fascinating dates visit http://www.theteacherscorner.net/calendars/march.php

Think Outside the Bus

2010-03-03T11:31:00.005-06:00

The wheels on the bus go round and round...

Great song, but what if today you are thinking: CHICKENS?

Try these Poultry-fied verses:

The hens on the bus go cluck,cluck, cluck.

The rooster on the bus goes cock-a-doodle-doo!

The chicks on the bus go peep, peep, peep.

The egg on the bus goes...(Ah, silence!)

(Very good way to quiet a noisy car.)

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

2010-03-01T12:19:00.008-06:00

In honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday which is March 2, we hosted a special drop-in storytime on March 1.
We read "Ten Apples Up On Top", "Great Day for UP", and "Green Eggs and Ham".
Activity sheets and striped hats were available after the storytime.
Be sure to check out our special Dr. Seuss book display next to our entrance door!

Theatre Troupe Truly Triumphs this Time!

2010-02-24T11:14:00.003-06:00

The Glen Ellyn Public Library proudly presents the fourth annual Children’s Theatre performance. Join us for this free production on Saturday, March 20, at 2:00 p.m. in the Meeting Room.

This year’s show stars Glen Ellyn students in third, fourth, and fifth grades. Our ensemble cast consists of nine gallant girls and one brave boy.

Audiences will be enthralled by this year’s vignettes. Our troupe will perform Sorry, Wrong Number, a take-off on the classic film noir written by Zoom on PBS; The Perfect Nest, a 2010 Monarch Award Nominee written by Catherine Friend; and Rumplestiltskin, Private Eye, a hard-boiled detective mystery featuring your favorite dwarf and written by Jason Sanford. And all of these scripts have been especially adapted for this performance by our own Carolyn Wissmiller.

Our troupe will also be entertaining audiences with their renditions of some classic songs, including High Hopes (written by Jimmy Van Huesen and Sammy Cahn) and Beans in My Ears (written by Len Chandler.)

Director Carolyn Wissmiller and Assistant Director Judy Atwood feel that this year’s troupe is terrifically talented.

“We want the world to watch while we wow them with our witty way with words,” Wissmiller warbled.

And Atwood added, “All our actors are absolutely astounding and amazingly awesome!”

Try this at home!

2010-02-22T18:54:00.005-06:00

This is an easy action rhyme you can adapt to any animal you like! Does your child like the predictable, or the unexpected?

"I went to visit the ___ one day

"I saw a ___ along the way!

"What do you think the ___ would say?

"___! ___! ___!"

2010-02-15T08:38:00.003-06:00

SO YOU WANT TO BE A DETECTIVE

Have you ever wondered how the television detectives really solve their crimes? We have a whole section devoted to forensic science – j363.25 - j 363.25968. One particular series is “Edge books. Forensic Crime Solvers”. It includes books on computer evidence, blood evidence, ballistics, fingerprint evidence, poison evidence, and cause of death. There are also books on forensic experiments, such as Crime Scene Science: 20 Projects and Experiments by Karen Young (j363.25 You), and Hair, Clothing and Tire Track Evidence: Crime-Solving Science Experiments (j363.2562 Rai) and Forgery: Crime-Solving Science Experiments (j363.25933 Rai) both by Kenneth Rainis. Another book that might interest you is The DNA Gave It Away: Teens Solve Crimes by Yvonne Morrison (j363.2562 Mor). There are many more books, so have fun browsing!

Got babies? Good Beginnings!

2010-02-12T11:51:00.006-06:00

Something new is in the works for the earliest library users. Good Beginnings is a 5-week story time series for babies from birth to 6 months, 1 on 1 with an adult caretaker. Join us in April to meet other parents of newborns and get your baby off to a Lifelong Reading Adventure. Watch for details and sign up - as soon as the snow melts!

Bluestem Book Award

2010-02-09T19:34:00.003-06:00

There is a new award for those students in 3rd – 5th grades who are ready for books which are longer than those on the Monarch list, but not quite ready for books on the Rebecca Caudill list.
The Bluestem Award: Illinois 3-5 Reader’s Choice Award.

The new award is named in honor of Illinois’ state prairie grass Big Bluestem.
Books which have appeared on the Monarch and Rebecca Caudill lists as well classics and current titles may be included.

Here are just a few authors and titles on the 2011 Master List:
Annie Barrows, Ivy and Bean
Nic Bishop, Nic Bishop Frogs
Andrew Clements, No Talking
Roald Dahl, BFG
Tony DiTerlizzi, Kenny and the Dragon
Deborah Hopkinson, Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building
Lynne Jonell, Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat Henry
Ellen Levine, Henry’s Freedom Box
Grace Lin, Year of the Dog
Claudia Mills, Being Teddy Roosevelt
Leslea Newman Hachiko Waits
Mark Tyler Nobleman, Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman
Barbara O’Connor, How to Steal a Dog
Brian Selznik, Houdini Box
Jordan Sonnenblick, Dodger and Me
Eileen Spinelli, Where I Live St.
Judith George, Stand Tall, Abe Lincoln
Wendelin Van Draanen, Shredderman: Secret Identity
Sarah Weeks, Oggie Cooder
Deborah Wiles, Aurora County All-Stars Harcourt

Winter Reading Patch program

2010-02-03T17:44:00.018-06:00

Don't forget that the Reading Patch program continues until April 30, for children from birth through 8th grade.

Participants keep track of 5 hours of reading time, and then report back to the Youth Services desk to choose their reward patch.
Children may read on their own, or listen to someone read.
Children may earn up to 2 patches per month, and receive a canvas bag with their 6th patch.

There is still time to earn 6 patches and a bag if you start this month!

Warm up

2010-01-27T12:37:00.007-06:00

Try this action rhyme together the next time you are cold!

BANANA PEEL,
(Arms overhead, then down to sides.)
TAFFY PULL,
(Touch ground and stand up raising arms.)
PRETZLE TWIST,
(Twist to look behind you, both sides.)
JELLY ROLL!
(Roll hands starting low and ending overhead.)

Repeat until you are warm - and hungry!

Award Winners Announced

2010-01-21T11:55:00.004-06:00

John Newbery Medal for most outstanding contribution to children’s literature “When You Reach Me,” written by Rebecca Stead, is the 2010 Newbery Medal winner. The book is published by Wendy Lamb Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books.
Four Newbery Honor Books also were named: “Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice” by Phillip Hoose and published by Melanie Kroupa Books/Farrar Straus Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; “The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate” by Jacqueline Kelly and published by Henry Holt and Company; “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” by Grace Lin and published by Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers; and “The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg” by Rodman Philbrick and published by The Blue Sky Press, An Imprint of Scholastic Inc.

Randolph Caldecott Medal for most distinguished American picture book for children
“The Lion & the Mouse,” illustrated and written by Jerry Pinkney, is the 2010 Caldecott Medal winner. The book was published by Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers.

Two Caldecott Honor Books also were named: “All the World,” illustrated by Marla Frazee, written by Liz Garton Scanlon and published by Beach Lane Books; and “Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors,” illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, written by Joyce Sidman and published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2010/january2010/ymawrap2010.cfm

Here's the letter "B"!

2010-01-15T12:21:00.007-06:00

Tired of reading the same books night after night? Pick a letter of the alphabet (or coordinate with your preschool)and read one book each night whose title begins with that letter. No "Q" books in your home collection? Try the library!

Here's some with the letter "B" to get started!
Bea Rocks the Flock by Jamieson
Bear Snores On by Wilson
Bedtime for Button by Stewart
Being a Pig is Nice by Lloyd-Jones
Best Friends by Cohen
Big Storm by Tafuri
Big, Bigger, Biggest! by Coffelt
Boo to You! by Ehlert
Bounce by Cronin
Bud and Gabby by Davis
Bye-bye Baby! by Morris

Alike and Different

2010-01-06T11:51:00.004-06:00

An important thinking skill is differentiating "alike" and "different" between objects. Here's a fun way to use library resources for fun and for free!

Find two picture books of the same traditional folk tale: Mother Goose rhymes, Red Riding Hood, or Three Little Pigs. After reading one of the books, share the second one by pointing out what things are alike or different between them.

In some Park District classes this week we looked at two copies of the Three Bears. One had the bear family in a house in the forest. The other showed a polar bear family in an igloo on the tundra! We found many other elements of the story and pictures that were "alike" and "different."

Singing with Ralph Covert

2009-12-20T14:07:00.007-06:00

Ralph Covert visited the Glen Ellyn Public Library on Saturday 12/19/09 to promote his upcoming concert at COD.

Be sure to see him perform with his whole band, Ralph's World, at the COD McAninch Arts Center on December 26 at 10:00 a.m. or 3:00 p.m.

Ralph's World Live at the Glen Ellyn Public Library

2009-12-15T14:30:00.003-06:00

Come see Ralph Covert sing a few songs, read from his books and sign autographs! We will also have available, that afternoon, flyers for a half-price ticket to his show at COD on December 26.

Now what?

2009-12-13T14:10:00.005-06:00

The time will come when...the gift wrap is recycled, the tree drying out, the last turkey sandwich a memory – and there is still a week before school starts. The Youth Services of the Glen Ellyn Public Library is here to help!

Traveling? Make the time fly with books on CD the family can share or get a Playaway for each person. Museum Passes are available for many great locations right in the Chicago area.

Staying home? Our craft and cooking sections are loaded with kid friendly activities for cold days. Or lay hopes for summer by looking up baseball or swimming strategies. For the little ones, check out books and tape sets, puppets or puzzles.

Older kids tired of reading? We have all our graphic novels in one place now and they span the subjects from Jughead and Archie to a biography of Madam Curie! Our magazine collection includes lots of different science and nature titles.

Homework? The youth nonfiction collection (and the librarian interface!) will speed you through the project in no time. We even have copies of textbooks. Limited internet access is available in Youth Services for research.

This house it just too small! Make a family trip to the library play with the train set, use the computers for an educational game or just curl up in a quiet corner with a good book.

Time for a New Year’s resolution? Make regular stops at the library in 2010. It is economic way to get information and entertainment and a great community resource!

"The Georges and the Jewels" by Jane Smiley

2009-12-08T16:51:00.003-06:00

“The Georges and the Jewels”, by Jane Smiley, is a story about horses. But it is also much more. It’s a story about family, about hard work, about the often confusing behavior of junior high kids. It’s a story about 12 year old Abby, who tries to make sense of all these different areas of her life.

The story revolves around a small horse ranch where they prepare and train the horses (the ”Georges” are the boys and the “Jewels” are the girls) in order to sell them. The daughter, Abby, is left to ride the horses when her father and brother get in a fight that leads her brother to leave home and go to work for the local horseshoer. I loved the details of the training, riding and behavior of the horses.

The setting is the 1960s, but you can’t really tell, it could be any time. At school Abby is dealing with changing relationships and conflicts among the girls there. Abby also helps another young girl, whose father buys one of the “Georges”, to get comfortable with riding and that interaction fits the rest of the story a little better than the school narrative.

Abby is from a conservative religious family and this has led to the conflict between the father and son. Abby’s retelling of the disagreement between the father and son is a little unsettling, but as we get to know the characters we also begin to hope that maybe their relationships will change for the better.

This book contains interesting characters, an appealing setting and fluid writing. An almost gentle read, even with the many areas of conflict depicted. Jane Smiley has won awards for her adult fiction and her first book for young adults has received many good reviews and made Anderson's Bookshops “Mock Newbery” list for 2010. Read it before the awards are announced and see what you think.

Happy Reading!

Action Rhyme for a Snowy Day

2009-12-02T06:03:00.006-06:00

Snowflakes, snowflakes in the air,
(Wiggle fingers.)
Whirling swirling everywhere!
(Wave arms.)
Calling us to come and play
(Beckon.)
Before they slowly melt away.
(Sink to the floor.)

Special Drop-in Storytimes

2009-12-01T10:14:00.004-06:00

Special Drop-in Storytimes For All Ages
Join us in the Youth Services Program Room for a special storytime. No registration required, just drop-in! Limit 60.
Tuesday, December 1, 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, December 2, 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Thursday, December 3, 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Friday, December 4, 10:30-11:00 a.m.

Winter Drop-in Storytimes
Tuesday, December 8, 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., or 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 9, 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, December 10, 10:30 a.m.
Friday, December 11, 10:30 a.m.
A Winter filmstrip will follow each Winter Storytime.

Christmas Drop-in StorytimesTuesday, December 15, 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., or 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 16, 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, December 17, 10:30 a.m.
Friday, December 18, 10:30 a.m.
The Polar Express Filmstrip will follow each Christmas Storytime.

From our Gobble Story Time

2009-11-25T16:24:00.003-06:00

Five little Pilgrims get up in the morn.
Hold up five fingers.
Five little Indians help them plant corn.
Hold up other five fingers.
Five Pilgrims bring bread. Five Indians bring meat.
Move hands closer.
Ten new friends sit down to eat!
Fold hands to give thanks.

Note: The actual Native American Indians were from the Wampanoag tribe headed by Squanto.

2009-11-21T13:59:00.005-06:00

Back by popular demand - the Glen Ellyn Public Library’s Puppet Club! Our puppet club members are third, fourth, and fifth graders who have created a great show for all ages. We recently played to rave reviews, and now we’re back for an encore performance! We’ll repeat some of our most popular pieces, but we’ll have some brand new holiday numbers as well.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith didn’t want to buy their Thanksgiving turkey at the store this year, so where exactly did they get that turkey? Why is it so important to keep sneezes and meatballs far apart? Does the Frog Prince ever turn back into a true Prince, or will the selfish Princess refuse to kiss him? What happens when Grumpy Bird is in a bad mood? And who really is the most famous reindeer of all?

Come to our show and find out the answer to all these questions. We’ll be performing this Friday, November 27 at 2:15 p.m., as part of the Library’s Holiday Walk entertainment. You won’t want to miss our show!

A Fingerplay for Harvest Time

2009-11-18T10:48:00.008-06:00

Where Does it Grow?

Corn grows tall,
(Reach high)
Pumpkins crawl,
(Wiggle fingers)
Potatoes grow under the ground.
(Touch ground)
Look high and you’ll see (Point up)
Apples high on a tree. (Make fists)
Shake it! (Wiggle)
They all fall down! (Hands to floor and be seated)

Read a harvest book like Pumkin, Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington, Stone Soup by Marcia Brown or A Pioneer Thanksgiving by Barbara Greenwood.

2009-11-16T09:28:00.018-06:00

CHRISTMAS IS A'COMING

It's that time of year again, and we have several new Christmas picturebooks, listed below. There is no limit on the number of Christmas books you may check out, but it is for only one week, instead of three. Some books will be on display in the picturebook area, but most will be in their permanent new location where the board books used to be, under the archway. Hanukkah books will also be on display near the Thanksgiving books. Enjoy!

Wee Christmas Cabin - jp Hodges, Margaret

What's Coming for Christmas - jp Banks, Kate

The Christmas Magic - jp Thompson, Lauren

Christmas with Rita and Whatsit - jp Arrou-Vignnod

The Great Reindeer Rebellions - jp Trumbauer

Grumpy Badger's Christmas - jp Bright, Paul

Night Night, Baby Jesus - jp Idle, Molly

Little Red Elf - jp McGrath, Barbara

If You Love A Christmas Tale - jp Moore, Clement

Auntie Claus, Home for the Holidays - jp Primavera, Elisa

That's Good! That's Bad! On Santa's Journey - jp Cuyler, M.

A Pinata in a Pine Tree: A Latinos Twelve Days of Christmas -
jp Mora, Pat

Star Wars Extravaganza!

2009-11-14T19:34:00.020-06:00

Did you catch our Star Wars Extravaganza on National Gaming Day, Saturday, November 14? Star Wars characters and games were available in Youth Services and in the meeting room. The 501st Legion, Midwest Garrison is dedicated to the authentic-looking movie-quality costumes of the "villains" of the Star Wars universe.

Did we see you at the…Park District preschools?

2009-11-05T12:59:00.003-06:00

Youth Services staff has been on the move! This week we visited the Park District preschools, sharing stories about cats. Some of the books we read were:

Nine Lives of Rotten Ralph
Little Beauty
What Will Fat Cat Sit On?
Feathers for Lunch
Have You Seen My Cat?
Angus and the Cat
Cleo in the Snow
Kitten’s First Full Moon
Cat’s Colors

Fun, silly picture book

2009-10-30T15:25:00.005-05:00

Egg Drop by Mini Grey
Mini Grey, author of such fun picture books as Traction Man Is Here and The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon, has written another winning story in Egg Drop. This cautionary story relates the sad demise of an adventurous egg who risked everything in order to fly. Alas, the egg was not patient and did not listen.
This is a perfect picture book for children older than the normal picture book crowd. The silly humor and fun pictures will appeal to kids in kindergarten and early elementary school.

Reviewed by Kathleen

Halloween storytimes!

2009-10-29T20:30:00.016-05:00

The Library offered Halloween storytimes during Halloween week, and children were invited to wear their costumes.

Some thoughts about Baby Einstein…

2009-10-27T11:07:00.008-05:00

Media coverage of Disney’s Baby Einstein recall has been loaded with strong opinions on both sides. If only creating genius babies were as easy as popping in a video! The recall of the Baby Einstein video reminds us that research on brain development is continually changing. Parents have always known that new ideas in technology are only devised to supplement the primary promoter of intellectual stimulation and development: attentive caregivers.

So if not DVDs, then what? The library!

Language development depends on personal Interaction with the child. Come to library story time often for exposure to more new words, rhythm and music. Share simple books and then point out items you’ve seen to the child at the grocery store, on a walk, or around the house.

Experience music of every kind. Check out CDs of kids songs to classic to folk and jazz. Be involved with your child by moving around or doing actions together to the music.

Create art appreciation as you look at library picture books together. Pause or go back to the pages that you enjoy most. Point out colors and details. Share how the picture makes you feel. The response to art is the key to its enjoyment.

Ready for nonfiction? When your child indicates an interest in trucks or dinosaurs, let the librarians show you where books and real videos are on any subject to you’d like to share.

No single product or normal experience a baby has will give the child an intellectual edge – or guarantee admission to Harvard. Conversely, no single product or normal experience a baby has will inflict irreparable damage. Use DVDs and all technology sensibly. But your family chooses to send in your Baby Einstein DVD for a $15.99 refund, why not donate it to the library?

For tiny spooks

2009-10-25T13:31:00.025-05:00

Enjoy a not-so-spooky finger play with your littlest goblin!

Big round eyes
Circle eyes with fingers
And fuzzy wuzzy hair,
Touch hair
A big loud "boo,"
Say "boo"
But I'm not scared.
Shake head
Behind this mask you will see
Cover face as for peek-a-boo
The monster is really only...ME!
Uncover face to surprised smiles!

Library model

2009-10-19T11:11:00.017-05:00

Dave and John Xandegar spent 85 hours building a model of the Library, using bricks donated by Glen Ellyn residents. They donated the model to us on October 17, 2009, during the Northern Illinois LEGO Train Club weekend exhibit.

Library Services for Pre-readers

2009-10-17T16:51:00.012-05:00

New in Youth Services is an area where the board books are arranged on low and accessible shelves, easy to find for check out or to cuddle with on the soft sofa and chairs for some quiet reading.

Why make a special place for patrons who are not yet readers? Because they are already library users! This space is a visible sign of Glen Ellyn Public Library’s commitment to introducing love of reading and library use at the earliest age possible. What else are we doing?

The board books have been substantially culled of damaged and “too well used” books. The new collection will focus on concept books with simple words and easy to identify objects, supporting the research on pre-reading skill development.

Special registered programs focus on pre-reading skills for two separate groups: ages 6-23 months and 18 -36 months. Activities and books are chosen based on the latest theories on child brain development, attention span and interest.

The Youth Services parent collection includes books that focus on early reading research as well as hands on techniques on topics from teaching sign language to lists of best books to buy for baby gifts. DVDs assist in teaching early concepts.

Outreach activities currently include monthly library visits to Glen Ellyn Park District preschool classes, with expanding community contact planned for 2010.

The American library Association endorses this program with research and promotion called Every Child Ready to Read. All this activity is coordinated by a new staff position in Youth Services: Early Childhood Librarian / Preschool Liaison.

Do you have suggestions for ways we can serve our youngest patrons? E-mail Robin Currie at rcurrie@gepl.org.

Forest Glen 5th Graders Read!

2009-10-14T15:20:00.008-05:00

Forest Glen 5th graders recently took a trip to the library during the school day. They took a tour, worked on writing, learned about Banned Books Week and more. Here are their recommendations for some great books. Entries with ** had multiple mentions and the top 10 are starred*. Happy Reading!

FAVORITE 2010 CAUDILLS:
All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hahn *
A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban *
Crossing the Wire by Will Hobbs *
Dragon Slippers (series) by Jessica Day George *
Elephant Run by Roland Smith
Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis
Freedom Walkers: the story of the Montgomery bus boycott by Russell Freedman
Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate *
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass **
The Naked Mole Rat Letters by Mary Amato
The Thing About Georgie by Lisa Graff *
The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John **

See the complete Caudill list here.

FAVORITE SERIES’
Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins *
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan *
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling *
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney*
Alex Rider Adventure by Anthony Horowitz
Warriors by Erin Hunter

OTHER FAVORITE TITLES: ALPHA BY AUTHOR
Avi The Good Dog
Barber, Tiki Kickoff!
Birdsall, Jeanne The Penderwicks
Blume, Judy Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing **
Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker Ruthie’s Gift
Carman, Patrick Atherton: the House of Power
Clayton, Emma The Roar
Creech, Sharon Walk Two Moons
Dahl, Roald The Witches
DiCamillo, Kate The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
DiCamillo, Kate The Tale of Despereaux **
D’Lacey, Chris The Fire Within
DuPrau, Jeanne The City of Ember
Elliott, David Evangeline Mudd and the Golden-Haired Apes of Ikkinasti Jungle
Feinstein, John Change-up
Feinstein, John Last Shot **
Gorman, Carol Stumptown Kid
Hahn, Mary Downing Deep and Dark and Dangerous: a ghost story
Han, Jenny Shug **
Herbert, Frank Dune
Hicks, Betty Busted!
Hobbs, Will Jackie’s Wild Seattle
Hobbs, Will Jason’s Gold
Holm, Jennifer Our Only May Amelia
Holm, Jennifer Penny from Heaven
Juster, Norton The Phantom Tollbooth **
Lupica, Mike Heat
Mull, Brandon Candy Shop War
Murphy, Jill Worst Witch at School
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds Girls Rule!
Paolini, Christopher Brisingr
Paulsen, Gary Hatchet
Peck, Richard A Long Way from Chicago
Pfeffer, Susan Beth Life As We Knew It **
Philbrick, W. Rodman The Young Man and the Sea
Sachar, Louis Holes **
Selznick, Brian The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Steig, William Abel’s Island
Warner, Sally Sort of Forever
Weeks, Sarah So B. It
Wilder, Laura Ingalls On the Banks of Plum Creek
Wiles, Deborah Each Little Bird That Sings

Non-Fiction
J636.7 KEH Shelter Dogs by Peg Kehret

Reading Patch program has begun!

2009-10-13T15:52:00.005-05:00

Our Reading Patch incentive program runs from October 1 - April 30 each year. Children from birth - 8th grade are eligible, as long as they live in a Glen Ellyn school district, or attend a Glen Ellyn school, or have a Glen Ellyn Library card.

Participants keep track of the amount of time they spend reading, and earn a patch for every 5 hours of reading time. They receive a canvas tote bag with the 6th patch they earn.

Things are changing in the Youth Services!

2009-10-07T13:42:00.005-05:00

The non-fiction graphic novels have a new home! With non-fiction graphic novels becoming more and more popular, we decided it was finally time to have a non-fiction graphic novel section. Any of the graphic novels that you used to find in non-fiction, including the biographies, are now shelved together near the biographies and the Youth Services reference desk . If you still can't find them, JUST ASK!

Look for this sticker on our non-fiction graphic novels-->

Last butterfly of the year

2009-09-30T19:24:00.004-05:00

The last Monarch butterfly in the Circulation Dept. came out of its cocoon September 30, dried its wings, and was released into the butterfly garden. Staff estimate over 3 dozen Monarchs have been nurtured and released this year!

Let’s see what’s new in the library this month.

2009-09-29T20:30:00.015-05:00

Are you one of those people who love getting lost in a good book? Do you enjoy seeing life through the eyes of fascinating fictional character? Do you want to step into the make-believe-world created by a gifted author? Well, that’s me too.

Fiction is my home base, but I know I can boost my brain power when I expand my comfort zone. How brave are you? Are you ready to follow me into that dangerous world known as nonfiction?

To ease ourselves into this strange new world, let’s start with a graphic novel.
The Shadow Door is Book 1 in the Elsewhere Chronicles, a French-import graphic-novel trilogy. Four friends discover a door to another world in a spooky house, and then two of them get stuck there while the other two try to figure out how to get them back. The artwork is great. Everyone, especially those of you in Grades 4-7, will love it!

The Time Book: A Brief History from Lunar Calendars to Atomic Clocks answers all those questions your parents can’t. What is time? Why does it fl y when we’re having fun? When did we start keeping track of it — and why do we measure it in such bizarre ways? Explore these and many other timely questions, such as how the first calendars and clocks were invented, why February is such an odd month, and what strange and wonderful things Einstein discovered about the nature of time itself. Now is the time for you to enjoy this non-fiction book. (Grades 3-5)

Are you doing you part in saving our environment? Try This at Home: Planet-friendly Projects for Kids contains instructions for over 20 do-it-yourself eco-friendly crafts and activities. It also has lots of fun eco-facts and figures, an eco-IQ quiz, and profiles of environmental activists. Try This at Home was created by the editors of Owl magazine. Check out this book and help everyone is your family have fun and become a better friend to our planet at the same time. (Grades 3 and up)

When Gervelie was born in 1995 in the Republic of Congo, her mother and father had a nice house in a suburb of Brazzaville. When fighting broke out two years later, her father’s political connections put the family in grave danger and they were forced to flee. Gervelie's Journey: A Refugee Diary follows the family from Congo to the Ivory Coast, and then to Ghana, across Europe, and finally to England. Told in her own words and using her own photographs, Gervelie gently, but honestly, describes their long journey, their life in a new country, and their hopes for the future. (Grades 3-5)

Rhyme Time

2009-09-23T12:12:00.002-05:00

Enjoy a rhyme together after reading a favorite book!

Creep mouse, creep mouse starts down at your toes,
Creep mouse, creep mouse past your knees he goes,
Creep mouse, creep mouse past where your tummy is,
Creep mouse, creep mouse gives you a mousie kiss:
Smack!

Pre-reading skills: bonding, body part recognition, repetition

HOORAY FOR STORYTIMES!

2009-09-21T09:27:00.006-05:00

Storytimes start this week. We hope you're as excited as we are! Below are the weekly themes for the storytimes, except for Jumpstart and Next Step. We're looking forward to seeing you!

Week of: Sept. 22 Numbers
Sept. 29 Imagination
Oct.6 What Will I Wear?
Oct. 13 Slow down
Oct. 20 Cats
Oct. 27 Halloween
Nov. 3 Noses
Nov. 10 Opposites
Nov. 17 Harvest/Thanksgiving

Storytelling Workshop Slideshow by Megan

2009-09-20T20:30:00.004-05:00

New Board Book area

2009-09-17T16:23:00.006-05:00

We have relocated our board books so they have a cozy area near the Youth Program Room. We welcome adults and toddlers to spend time discovering and sharing these sturdy little books.

Where are the board books?

2009-09-10T11:20:00.003-05:00

Board books take more wear than any others in the library - their readers get really involved in the book experience! We have been going through the collection, pulling any that show damage and preparing a special space for our littlest pre readers to enjoy them. So if you are missing your favorite board book, there will soon be a brand new copy and a fun new space to read it!

Very Hungry Caterpillar is 40!

2009-09-10T11:14:00.003-05:00

It has been 40 years since the Very Hungry Caterpillar ate through "one green leaf" and into the hearts of generations of children! Here is a fingerplay to celebrate this happy event!

Creepy, crawly caterpillar
(wiggle fingers up arm)
Made a cocoon one day.
(cup hands together)
Turned into a butterfly,
(overlap thumbs, open fingers)
And then he flew away!
(wiggle finger in the air)

Dialogic Reading

2009-08-25T12:34:00.005-05:00

For children aged 18 months to 3 years, how we read is as important as how often we read. At this age your child becomes an active participant in the story sharing. That will happen as your child acquires enough physical control to point to objects and sufficient verbal skills to repeat sounds. These emerging skills can be enhanced and reinforced with a Dialogic Reading. You are undoubtedly already doing it naturally. By emphasizing the skills, your child will communicate sooner and be more positive about the time you spend together with books!
The following information is based on the Every Child Ready to Read joint project of the Public Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children. More details on the research at www.ala.ort/mgrps/divs/alsc/ecrr.

· Increase the number of times in each book you ask your child to identify an object. Read books twice in succession to increase the chance of correct identification and positive reinforcement. It only takes a minute more!
· Ask questions that encourage multiple word answers. Use adjective identifiers. When you reread a book, use the same phrases: “Can you find the tall giraffe?” “Where is the red ball?”
· Move toward the child leading the reading. Ask “What do you see on this page?” Identify the objects together.
· The most important thing to your child is your attention and approval. Keep reading a short and fun activity to enjoy often.

This fall we will begin incorporating Dialogic Reading into the Next Step story times. Take advantage of these programs to see the skills demonstrated and enjoy a book experience with your child.

Book Bonding

2009-08-20T12:41:00.006-05:00

For children from birth to 18 months, reading is a physical and emotional activity that improves language abilities. At this age your child may appear passive or nonresponsive, but is laying the groundwork for intellectual curiosity. When looking at a book becomes a routine and pleasant interaction between caregiver and child, it happens more often. You are undoubtedly already doing it naturally. By consciously emphasizing the positive contact in these “reading” sessions, your child will respond with longer attention spans and early language development.

The following information is based on the Every Child Ready to Read joint project of the Public Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children. More details on the research can be found at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/ecrr/index.cfm.

Increase the number of times you read each day,rather than 2 or 3 books at bedtime. Try to do an action rhyme or simple song at the same time.
Use sturdy books the child can manipulate and chew.
Encourage all caretakers to include a story bonding time in their plans.
The most important thing to your child is your physical attention. Sit close or hug your child while you read.

This fall we will begin incorporating Book Bonding into the Jumpstart story times. Take advantage of these programs to enjoy a book experience with your child. (Sign up begins September 15.)

2009-08-17T20:20:00.007-05:00

Did You Know?

The Glen Ellyn Public Library has a selection of textbooks from District 41 and District 89 in the Youth Services Department as well as some of the texts from District 87 in Adult Services. These books are available for use in the library during our operating hours. Ask at each department’s information desk for available texts.

Also, access to school related web-sites like St. Petronille’s Edline, or d87’s Powerschool can be had through the computers in the adult and the youth department of the library.

We are committed to working together with your schools to enhance the learning process for the students in Glen Ellyn.

Have a great school year!

Special Drop-in Storytimes

2009-08-12T14:37:00.018-05:00

Special

Drop-in

Storytimes

Butterfly Stories: Tuesday, August 18; Thursday, August 20

Eric Carle stories to celebrate the 40th anniversay of The Very Hungry Caterpillar: Tuesday, August 25; Thursday, August 27

Grandparent Stories to celebrate Grandparent's Day (which is September 13)! Tuesday, September 1 and Thursday, September 3

All storytimes are from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. in the Youth Services Program room. For all ages! No registration required, just drop-in! Limit: 60.

Summer Reading July Contest Winner

2009-08-04T20:07:00.006-05:00

Did you participate in our July contest? Here's what it looked like:

Do you want to see this fantastic sculpture in person?
Just “Read around Chicago” & visit Millennium Park.
Artist Anish Kapoor officially named it Cloud Gate,
but we like to call it “The Bean.”

In honor of the BEAN, we want all you human BEINGS to put
on your thinking BEANIES and guess how many BEANS are in
this jar? The winner will receive a prize worth more than
a HILL OF BEANS.
So, how many beans were in the jar? How many did you guess?
I bet your guess was way too low.
The correct number of beans was 10,874.

Congratulations to our winner! Nicholas Barella! He guessed 10,212.

Our runner-up was Jay Reiter. He guessed 10,209.(Oh, so close!)

THE TALE OF TWO TAYLORS

2009-07-27T09:01:00.004-05:00

What do authors Mildred Taylor and Theodore Taylor have in common? Both have written excellent historical fiction novels.
Mildred Taylor’s Newbery Award winning novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, (jfic Taylor, M.) is a tale of the African-American Logan family, set in the South during the 1930’s. Told from 9-year-old Cassie’s point of view, this is a powerful novel of a family trying to stay strong and survive during a summer of poverty, prejudice, and racial violence.
Theodore Taylor’s novel is titled The Cay (jfic Taylor, T.) and is set during WWII . After his ship is torpedoed by the Germans, young Philip finds himself dependent on Timothy, an old black West Indian sailor. Shipwrecked on a deserted island, Philip must learn to deal with his blindness and prejudice toward Timothy, while they struggle to survive.
If you like historical fiction, then give these two books a try – you won’t be disappointed!.

Reward Books!

2009-07-23T19:43:00.004-05:00

The Summer Reading Reward Books are available in Youth Services!
Middle School students who have reported at least 16 hours of reading time, or younger students who have reported at least 20 hours, should be sure to come in to choose their free paperback book from our Scholastic Book Fair selection.
The reward books are available until Saturday, August 8, which is the final day of Summer Reading.

2009-07-16T13:49:00.008-05:00

Another contest at your favorite library – Glen Ellyn!

Design – A – Patch Contest!

Design a new patch for our Reading Patch Club.

Pick up an entry form at the Youth Services desk.
There are 2 divisions:
Division 1: Students entering K-5th Grade
Division 2: Students entering 6th-8th Grade

You can submit your design in any size, however it is probably easier to use the 2” square or 2” circle design which is on the entry form because the actual patch cannot be more than 2”.
The contest ends on August 8th so the winning designs can be made into patches for the 2009/10 Patch Club season.

July 20, 2009--the 40th Anniversary of Man Walking on the Moon

2009-07-14T13:50:00.006-05:00

On Monday, July 20th 1969 two of the Apollo XI astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, walked on the moon while their fellow astronaut Michael Collins manned the spaceship above the moon. The website www.wechoosethemoon.org/ is counting down the mission and will broadcast the video and audio from the historic landing.

In anticipation of this anniversary several new books have been published including:

Look to the Stars by Buzz Aldrin (j bio Aldrin)

One Giant Leap by Robert Burleigh (j629.454 bur)

Mission to the Moon by Alan Dyer (j629.454 dye) that includes a great CD

Footprints on the Moon by Mark Haddon (jp Haddon)

Mission Control, This is Apollo by Andrew Chaikin and Alan Bean (j6293454 cha)

Moonshot by Brian Floca (j629.454 flo)

Be sure to check on the NASA website too for video clips, interactive activities and interviews. The site is http://www.nasa.gov/.

Fall program suggestions

2009-07-12T17:36:00.005-05:00

We are in the middle of Summer Reading, but it's also time to plan our fall programs.

If you have any suggestions for programs you'd like the Youth Department to repeat, or expand, or change, or you have an idea for something new you'd like us to try, please let us know!

There are many ways to contact us by clicking here.

You may also send a message to Youth Services Director Kate Pierson by clicking here.

Thing 1 and Thing 2 in July

2009-07-01T11:38:00.008-05:00

Thing 1: Our July Summer Reading Contest
Do you want to see this fantastic sculpture in person? Just “Read around Chicago” and visit Millennium Park. Artist Anish Kapoor officially named it Cloud Gate, but we like to call it “The Bean.”

In honor of the BEAN, we’re conducting a “Guess How Many Beans are in the Jar Contest.” We want all you human BEINGS to put on your thinking BEANIES and guess how many BEANS are in the jar? The winner will receive a prize worth more than a HILL OF BEANS. So when you check in for Summer Reading, check out our giant jar of beans and submit your guess. Who knows, you could be the winner!

Thing 2: July Food Pantry Donations
You can bring your donations for the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry right to the library! Please bring food and household items to the collection boxes in Youth Services and gift certificates and cash donations to Circulation. Here’s a list of critically needed items: baby food jars (urgent need!), peanut butter and jelly, hot and cold cereal, rice and pasta, spaghetti sauce, canned tuna, canned vegetables, flour and sugar, dried beans (pinto and northern), bar soap, diapers, diaper wipes, laundry detergent, coffee and tea, paper goods, toilet paper, Kleenex, certificates from Jewel and Dominick’s. Thank you.

Passport to Adventure

2009-06-29T16:50:00.004-05:00

The Passport to Adventure Program is designed for children between the ages of 4 and 12 and sponsored by the Kane-DuPage Regional Museum Association. Pick up your passport at the Youth Services desk!

The Program begins each year on Memorial Day and runs through Labor Day. The passport lists over 50 participating museums, nature centers and historical sites in the western suburbs. Many sites have designed special activities for children who participate in the program.
Fill your passport with as many stamps as you can!

After visiting five sites, participants who return their passport to the location stamped on the front page of their booklet receive a Certificate noting their accomplishment. Visiting seven sites earns the Certificate and an additional Incentive Prize determined by each museum.

Keep your passport as a reference guide for fun places to visit throughout the year.

Summer Activities

2009-06-18T18:11:00.005-05:00

Chess practice with Jim Egerton of Chess-Now, Ltd, and Computer Take-Apart with the Professional Nerds are just 2 of the programs offered in Youth Services for kids this summer.

Check our online calendar, our library newsletter, or the Youth Services program flyers for upcoming activities for all ages!

Summer Reading!

2009-06-14T14:16:00.004-05:00

Have you registred for Summer Reading yet? Join the 1,454 kids from birth through entering 8th grade that have already registered at the Youth Services reference desk. This year's theme is READ Around Chicaogo. You will earn rewards for time spent reading when you reach 3, 8, 15, 36, 72 & 100 hours. Once you reach your goal of 20 hours or more you will be able to pick-out a free papberback book, starting July 20th.

If you have already registered, June 15th, is the first day you may bring your reading logs back in to report how much time you have read and earn rewards.

Better than Broadway

2009-06-10T15:27:00.006-05:00

Would you like to see a show on Broadway? I know I would, but New York City is rather far away, and the cost of theatre tickets tends to stretch (even break) the budget.

May I suggest a more reasonable alternative to that trip to the Great White Way? On Saturday, June 20, at 2:00 p.m., treat yourself to this summer’s magnificent show presented by the Glen Ellyn Public Library’s Children’s Theatre Troupe. Our highly talented cast consists of fourth through sixth grade girls and boys.

This season’s review includes vignettes from James Marshall’s George and Martha books, an adaption of Kevin O’Malley’s Gimme Cracked Corn and I Will Share, a remake of Sleeping Beauty, an original work entitled Pitiful, Pale, Pooped People, and some additional entertaining surprises.

The director guarantees that this show will delight audiences of all ages. You only have to travel to the library. Are you still worried about the ticket prices? Don’t be – they’re free!

New Early Childhood Librarian

2009-06-10T10:03:00.005-05:00

Robin Currie is our new Early Childhood Librarian in Youth Services. She will be assisting with Jumpstart and Next Step storytimes this summer, when she is not on her mission trip to South Africa. Follow her South African adventures at http://www.rcsouthafrica2009.blogspot.com/.

2009-05-31T15:58:00.009-05:00

SHIVER ME TIMBERS

YO-HO-HO

X MARKS THE SPOT

Are you interested in pirates? Then check out call number j910.45. If you want to learn about a pirate’s life, try A Day in the Life of a Pirate by Helbrough (j910.45 Hel), or You Wouldn’t Want to be a Pirate’s Prisoner (j910.45 Mal).

Did you know there were women pirates? A brand new book will be on the shelves soon, called Sea Queens: Women Pirates Around the World by Jane Yolen. We also have biographies on Blackbeard (jbiog Teach, E. – his real name), Captain Kidd (jbiog Kidd, W.), and Henry Morgan (jbiog Morgan, H.)

For the younger crowd, we have an equally good selection. Try How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long (jp Long) and its companion Pirates Don’t Change Diapers (jp Long),

or Peg Leg Peke by Brie Spangler (jp Spangler).

DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR SUMMER READING!

Big Run Wolf Ranch

2009-05-29T17:35:00.004-05:00

John Basile of Big Run Wolf Ranch visited on Saturday, May 23 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. in the main meeting room. His animals included a skunk, groundhog and wolf pups. Read the Daily Herald's report here.

Awaken your inner scientist!

2009-05-21T17:18:00.013-05:00

The Junior Science Café on 5/20/09 with Dr. Joel Collier investigated metal bone implants and research to improve or replace bone and tissue. The class watched video clips showing an actual hip implant surgery, and experimented with creating gel.

The Junior Science Cafes have featured different scientists each month discussing their scientific careers and showing students the wide range of skills involved. We've seen slime, magnetic motors, lemurs, exploding stars, a cloud chamber, and metal bone implants. The programs are sponsored by Science Chicago, which has a 1-year plan to awaken the inner scientist in all of us!

Our final Junior Science Cafe will be July 22, hosted by Astronomer Larry Ciupik from the Adler Planetarium. Students 3rd grade and up, and their parents, are invited to register beginning July 11.

Underground Railroad

2009-05-15T15:26:00.004-05:00

Throughout 2009 we are celebrating the 200th birthday of our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. Of course something which is ubiquitous to Lincoln’s career is the subject of slavery. Consequently on Saturday, May 9th the library offered a very successful program on Harriet Tubman, performed by Kathryn Harris, who is Director of Library Services for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library located in Springfield.
If you would like to learn some more about the Underground Railroad, the National Geographic has created a virtual tour. You are invited, as an escaping slave, to travel an Underground Railroad route with Harriet Tubman. Along the way you must make choices about your passage to freedom.
After you have taken this virtual tour you just might want to visit the library and read one or more of the many books we have on Harriet Tubman and others who played a vital part in the struggle against slavery.
To access the web-site of the virtual tour go to http://www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad/.
Have a safe trip!

Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building

2009-05-14T20:31:00.004-05:00

Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building by Deborah Hopkinson and illustrated by James Ransome describes how the Empire State building was built in just fourteen months. At its completion in 1931 this building was the tallest building in the world, 1,250 feet high. A young boy, whose father recently lost his job, describes how he watches as the lot at Thirty-fourth and Fifth is cleared and piers are sunk into rock fifty-five feet down. As the support columns climb the young boy watches workmen climb like spiders and walk along beams hardly wider than their shoes. The boy’s father surprises him with tickets to enter the newly completed building on May, 1931 and they marvel at the sights from the eighty-sixth floor observation deck. Through the boy’s word we come to see how the Empire State building stood as a beacon of hope in a time of stress and fear.

Grades 1-3 will be discussion this wonderful story on Monday, May 18 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. We will watch a short clip from 1930 showing these amazing “sky boys” working high above ground.

Get Ready for Summer!

2009-05-11T09:11:00.004-05:00

As the school year draws to a close, the Youth Services Deaprtment at the Glen Ellyn Public Library is preparing for the annual Summer Reading program. The theme this year is "Read Around Chicago," featuring all your favorite Summer Reading activities and prizes, with a special focus on the city of Chicago and its history and landmarks!

The first day to sign up is Wednesday, May 27, and we'll be kicking things off with an Ice Cream Social on Monday, June 15. In the meantime, look for us at your schools, where we will be visiting to talk about all our plans for the summer.

Good luck as you finish up your school year, and get ready to Read Around Chicago!