Childrens

It’s that time of year again when newspapers and children’s book review journals name the best books of the year.   School Library Journal, Horn Book, Publisher’s Weekly, The New York Times and Kirkus Reviews have all published their lists of the notable books of 2012. In comparing the lists, there are just a few books that emerge consistently across lists.    

Picture Books

The picture book This is Not my Hat by Jon Klassen was named a top book of 2012 by all 5 of the lists.  This funny, slightly dark story of a small fish who steals the hat of a larger fish is also considered to be a contender for the 2013 Caldecott Award.

View All Best of 2012 Picture Books in Catalog

Middle Grade Fiction

Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead also appeared on 5 different “best of” lists.   Seventh-grader Georges adjusts to moving from a house to an apartment, his father's efforts to start a new business, his mother's extra shifts as a nurse, being picked on at school, and Safer, a boy who wants his help spying on another resident of their building.

View All Best of 2012 Children’s Fiction Books in Catalog

Nonfiction

There were no nonfiction books that were listed on all 5 sources.  Several were named by 3 different lists including Island: A Story of the Galapagos by Jason Chin, Chuck Close: Face Book by Chuck Close and Beyond Courage: The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust by Doreen Rappaport.

View All Best of 2012 Children’s Nonfiction Books in Catalog

The fall issue of Star Mag is ready!   It contains artwork, puzzles, and stories all created by kids, ages 8 and up.   Click here to read the Fall 2012 issue of Star Mag.  Printed copies are available in the Children's Room. 

We will be working on the winter issue at our next meeting on December 12 at 3:30 pm.   All kids ages 8 and up are invited to come help.  There will be laptops, markers, crayons, and other materials to inspire creativity.  Kids unable to attend the meetings can drop off original artwork, stories, poems, book recommendations or other contributions  in the Children’s Room, or email to braab@mvlc.org.

We are very excited that Mackenzie the listening Scottie will be coming to the library monthly to listen to children read.    Mackenzie will be at the library on October 29, November 26 and December 17 between 5 and 6 pm.  Mackenzie is a great listener who loves to have kids of all ages read to him. Reading out loud to dogs is great way for kids to improve their reading skills. It helps kids build confidence to read to a nonjudgmental listener like Mackenzie. Mackenzie has been certified as a therapy dog by the Pets & People Foundation.   Call the Children’s Department to sign up for a  15 minute session between 5 and 6 pm. 

Four year old Sophia Plouffe had a lemonade stand and decided to donate the proceeds to the library! Sophia chose to have Scooby-Doo books to be purchased with her donation. We are grateful to Sophie for thinking of the library.

It was a wonderful summer in the Children’s Room.   Hundreds of people came to the library to see puppet shows, magic shows, animal shows, to tie dye and make ice cream,  to attend storytimes, gaming events, movies and book groups. 

Wilmington kids also did a lot of reading this summer!  A total of 2,110 books were logged online and in the library. 

Stars Guessing Contest Winners

The actual number of stars in the jar was 639.  There was a 4 way tie for the closest guess.  The winners were:

Kate Calvoni

Cal DiPesa

Joseph Dynan

Alyssa Fricia

 Each won a Barnes & Noble gift certificate, and ¼ of the stars.

 Grand Prize Winner

The winner of a Nook Color was Patrick Xavier. 

Survey

In order to improve our Summer Reading program next year, the Children's Department is conducting a Summer Reading 2012 Evaluation Survey.   There are 2 versions of the survey: one for parents and one for kids.   Please fill out the survey to give feedback on the online review process, the grand prize, the programs and other aspects of the Summer Reading Program.

Parents Version

Kids Version

Thanks!

Summer reading is in full swing in the Children’ Department.  Every day there are lots of kids here filling out "Lucky Library Lover" contest entries, guessing the number of stars in the jar, attending great programs, checking out the iPads, reading and hanging out.  The stairwell looks great filled with the beds that the kids have colorfully decorated.   Almost 600 kids have signed up for the program so far, but it’s not too late!  Sign up your kids online and then stop by the library so they can decorate a bed, and enter our contests.   Remember to log all of the books your child reads (or listens to).   The more books logged, the more chances to win!