Blog Post
PreK Bits - "F" is for farm
by ryanikoglu
Ms. Rachel led folks all around the farm in Preschool Storytime.
First ... GOLLY GUMP SWALLOWED A FLY. This title is out of print. A staff story copy remains. Fortunately, you can use your AADL card to borrow from another library through melcat.
GOLLY GUMP is a retell of I KNOW AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY by Glen Rounds.
Ms. Sara played the banjo today. We sang OLD Mac DONALD HAD A WOODSHOP. We used tools (including all of the sounds!) to create a play farm.
During The THREE LITTLE PIGS, the pigs left the farm to build their own homes.
Remember how to handle the wolf !!
For more classic farm fun try the following titles:
MR GUMPY’S MOTOR CAR and MR GUMPY’S OUTING both by John Burnigham.
LITTLE APPLE GOAT … a story of sewing seeds.
ROSIE’S WALK by Pat Hutchins. Rosie sets out from the coop for a walk around the barnyard. Beware of the fox.
The TOMTEN And The FOX by Astrid Lindgren. A tomten protects the hen house from the night visits of the fox.
THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOED A FLY another version of the song by Simms Taback.
Here is a DVD that includes the same book.
The BIG RED BARN by Margaret Wise Brown
For more silly tales and re-tells try the following:
The THREE LITTLE PIGS by James Marshall.
The DAY JIMMY’S BOA ATE The WASH by Trinka Hakes Noble.
CLICK CLACK MOO: Cows That Type a first story of collective cow disobedience by Doreen Cronin.
STORY COUNTY HERE WE COME!
BARNYARD SONG by Rhonda Gowler Greene.
The THREE LITTLE WOLVES And The BIG BAD PIG … a re-tell by Eugene Trivizas.
The TRUE STORY Of The THREE LITTLE PIGS as told from the wolf’s point of view. This is a modern classic by Jon Scieszka.
Try the 2002 Caldecott winner The THREE PIGS by David Wiesner, where the pigs escape the wolf by entering the fantasy world of nursery rhymes.
Blog Post
Aziz Ansari's Modern Romance
by eapearce
Aziz Ansari is one of this generation’s most beloved comedic voices and his new book, Modern Romance, combines his irreverent humor with in-depth social science to offer readers a funny, relevant and informative tour of the modern dating world.
Dating has definitely gotten more complicated in the past decade or two, with the invention of social media, countless new modes of communication, unusual new venues to meet people, and, perhaps the most complex (and some would argue, the most useful!) of all, emojis. Ansari himself felt overwhelmed at times trying to navigate the complexity of the present-day romantic world, as have many of the rest of us. He shares stories of his own experiences in Modern Romance, but what’s particularly interesting is the fact that he teamed up with NYU sociologist Eric Klinenberg to design and execute a massive research project conducted throughout the world with the aid of many other leading social scientists. The study includes focus groups, interviews, online message forums, and more, and the results of it are detailed in Ansari’s book.
The combination of Ansari’s own experiences and those of his friends, and the unique research results presented by him and Klinenberg make Modern Romance a truly unique—and important—read.
You can also try the audiobook version, read by Ansari himself.
Blog Post
2015 Summer Reading Lists
by muffy
Let's start with The New York Times Cool Books for Hot Summer Days.
Female Literati Pick Summer's Best Books, 11 top women novelists share their favorite warm-weather reading choices, among them : Nell Freudenberger, Meg Wolitzer, Lily King, Miranda July, Adelle Waldman, and Maggie Shipstead. If you recognize these names, you like Women's Fiction. Well, here is The Huffington Post's recommendations to get you started for the summer.
And for the Romance reader: Romance for the Real Girl.
Speaking of style... Vogue's Megan O'Grady shares This Summer's Best Beach Reads.
Want to know what I'll be packing in my beach bag? 17 Of The Best Books Of Summer 2015.. Don't want to miss out? Hurry and put reserves on these early summer releases.
And finally, the 2015 edition of the UC Berkeley Summer Reading List for New Students. It offers a potluck of great suggestions from the faculty. "Is this required reading? Absolutely not. Do we hope you'll find something on this list that appeals to you? Absolutely yes."
And you know Summer Game 2015 is HERE, don't you?
Blog Post
PreK Bits - "D" is for Driving
by ryanikoglu
You have to be careful when you drive.
There are consequences.
Ms. Rachel told two stories about driving.
The first story was a cautionary tale ... DON’T LET The PIGEON DRIVE The BUS by Mo Willems. You probably already know why.
Ms. Sara accompanied the song "Wheels On The Bus" while Ms. Rachel led the motions.
You can hear “Wheels On The Bus” on the CD HONK HONK RATTLE RATTLE
Ms. Rachel tried to teach a driving lesson, just like the book IN The DRIVER’S SEAT.
The library no longer owns a circulating copy of the book but you can request this title from MelCat Michigan Electronic Library, using your AADL card.
If you want to continue on this theme, try the following titles:
MOO! by David LaRochelle
MITCHELL’S LICENSE by Hallie Durand.
GOOD DRIVING AMELIA BEDELIA! by Herman Parish
AXLE ANNIE And The SPEED GRUMP by Robin Pulver.
MERCY WATSON GOES FOR A RIDE by Kate DiCamillo.
MILES To GO by Jamie Harper.
RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT by Anastasia Suen.
LET'S GO For A DRIVE by Mo Willems
JIM GILL SINGS DO-RE-MI On HIS TOE LEG KNEE
Remember to adjust your mirrors when you take the driver's seat!
Also use your turn signal lights.
Blog Post
PreK Bits - "C" is for crocodiles
by ryanikoglu
Ms. Rachel had tricky stories today. Crocodiles lost. Chickens and Monkeys won.
In MRS CHICKEN And The HUNGRY CROCODILE, Mrs Chicken convinces Crocodile that they are sisters because they both lay eggs. “You can’t eat your sister !!”
Ms. Sara played guitar and sang “Chick-chick Chicken” from Sharon Lois and Bram SING A-Z and the play-song ”Miss Lucy Had a Baby”. You can find this song in the kit SHAKE IT TO The ONE THAT YOU LOVE The BEST songs and play from Black musical traditions.
In COUNTING CROCODILES Monkey held a count off with the crocodiles in the sea.
For more tricky crocodile stories and songs try these favorites:
The CD CLUCK OLD HEN by Barnyard Seranade. They perform a riot of chicken songs for you to cluck and peck to.
SOLOMON CROCODILE by Catherine Rayner.
LYLE, LYLE CROCODILE by Bernard Waber. Bernard Waber has many classic stories that continue to appeal.
CORNELIUS: A Fable by Leo Lionni.
The WATERMELON SEED by Greg Pizzoli.
I'D REALLY LIKE TO EAT A CHILD by Sylviane Donnio.
OPEN VERY CAREFULLY by Nicola O'Byrne.
Blog Post
Odyssey Award 2015 Winner- H.O.R.S.E.: A game of basketball and imagination by Christopher Myers
by gulickb
This year the winner of the ALA and YALSA's Odyssey Award is H.O.R.S.E.: A game of basketball and imaginationby Christopher Myers. H.O.R.S.E. is a story about two young children playing a game pick-up basketball and trying to outdo each other with absurd and imaginative plays.
The award is given to audiobooks that have great production values and this book is no exception with sound effects for hoop swishes and even horse whinnies!
If you are interested in the honors audiobooks for this years Odyssey Award check out this list.
Blog Post
Award Winning Audiobook: The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time
by BugsAndSlugs
The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time. Originally published in 1994, recorded for audio in 2012. 12 hrs. 20 mins.
Awards: Audiofile Magazine's Earphones Award 2010; in print, the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction, 1995.
Author: Jonathan Weiner
Narrator: Victor Bevine
Synopsis:
Peter and Rosemary Grant are evolutionary biologists that have observed and studied about 20 generations of the finches living on the island of Daphne Major since 1973. The subjects of their research are a few of the 15 species known as “Darwin’s Finches” - some of the many creatures gathered by Charles Darwin during his voyage on the HMS Beagle . Darwin’s finch specimens were instrumental in the development of his theory of evolution by natural selection, and he discussed the divergence of Galapagos bird species in his book, The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
Jonathan Weiner’s engaging writing reinforces the premise that change happens continually, and that evolution is ongoing and non-stop. Weiner’s interviews with the Grants fit seamlessly with his other examples of advancing evolution: insect and bacterial resistance to substances once used for control and the pressure of sexual selection and predation on colorful male guppies. The Beak of the Finch is a wonderful introduction for anyone curious about evolution, and Victor Bevine’s narration gives life to the Grant’s mission. I consider this audiobook a personal favorite!
For more information about evolution and natural selection, try these audiobook titles:
Biology: The Science of Life: Part 1 and Part 2 by Stephen Nowicki
On the Origin of Species (abridged) by Charles Darwin
The Joy of Science (Lecture 57) by Robert M. Hazen
Origins of Life: Part 2 of 2 (Lecture 23) by Robert M. Hazen
Evolutionary Biology: The Darwinian Revolution Part 1 by Allen MacNeill
Blog Post
PreK BITS - "G" is for Gardens
by ryanikoglu
Ms. Rachel told garden stories in Preschool Storytime this week.
“The Garden” is from FROG And TOAD ALL YEAR by Arnold Lobel
WHAT DOES BUNNY SEE? is a rhyming color and flower poetry book by Linda Sue Park
You can find the ”Wake Up You Sleepyheads” action song recorded on Sing It! Say It! Stamp It! Sway It! by the Allards.
Ms. Sara sang "The Garden Song" also known as "Inch By Inch". It is recorded on Ten Carrot Diamond by Charlotte Diamond.
For more spring garden stories try the following:
UP IN The GARDEN And DOWN IN The DIRT
LOLA PLANTS A GARDEN
BUMBLEBEE, BUMBLEBEE, DO YOU KNOW ME?
SOPHIE’S SQUASH. Sophie makes friends with a very special squash.
ALISON'S ZINNIA, an alphabet book.
MAKING BUTTERFLY GARDENS, a garden book for children to do with adults.
PLANT A LITTLE SEED. The children participate in community gardens.
TEN HUNGRY RABBITS, a color and vegetable garden book.
MUNCHA! MUNCHA! MUNCHA! by Candace Felming
LINNEA IN MONET'S GARDEN, which can also be seen on DVD
Get out your garden gloves and prepare to plant.
Blog Post
PreK BITS - "I" is for "Issues" ... with clothing!
by ryanikoglu
We had issues with clothing in Ms. Rachel’s Storytime this week.
BROWN BEAR In A BROWN CHAIR was sad and flat since nobody sees her sitting there. Is there a solution?
PETE The CAT: I Love My White Shoes keeps stepping in stuff that change the color of his new white shoes. Does he worry? Goodness NO!
"Cinderella Dressed In Yellow" is a jumping rope rhyme. You can find versions on YouTube and write your own verses.
For more stories about clothing issues try these favorites:
MR. FRANK by Irene Luxbacher … when Grandfather, the tailor, comes to live with the family.
ZORRO GETS AN OUTFIT … and how embarrassing!
PINK ME UP! when Daddy takes Violet to the Pink Girls Pink-nic. He needs a bit more pink to join in the fun.
MORRIS MICKLEWHITE And The TANGERINE DRESS … Morris loves an orange dress. It's beautiful. It's tactile. It's the color of tigers, and mother’s hair, and his cat MOO.
The GROWING STORY by Ruth Krauss. How to know you are growing ... when you think you are not.
NAKED! What's more fun than being naked?
MR TUGGLE’S TROUBLES … finds himself wearing a strange assortment of items as pieces of clothing go missing.
The KETTLES GET NEW CLOTHES. Evryone has their own opinions.
ANIMALS SHOULD DEFINITELY NOT WEAR CLOTHING! … persuasive examples in case you do not already know why.
So many issues. So little time.
Blog Post
New Music at the AADL!
by eapearce
The AADL has tons of brand new CDs for fans of all musical genres. Top 40 pop, country, indie, Motown, classical… you name it, and we’ve got it! Here are some of the newest additions to the AADL collection:
Sweet Talker is Jessie J’s latest album, featuring collaborations with stars like Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj and 2 Chainz. The hit song Bang Bang, which Jessie J first performed at the MTV VMA awards last year, is on this album, along with “Burnin’ Up,” “Seal Me With a Kiss” and “Loud,” all songs that radio listeners will recognize.
Strangers to Ourselves is the sixth album by alternative rock band Modest Mouse. Modest Mouse had been on somewhat of a hiatus before this album’s release; their last album before this was released back in 2007. Strangers to Ourselves has received mixed reviews from critics but has been touted by some as a great example of the band’s growth and evolution over the years. Fans of the band will certainly want to give it a shot.
The Basement Tapes Raw contains thirty-eight highlights from sessions that Bob Dylan recorded with The Band in 1967. These were all restored from the original tapes.
Country fans won’t want to miss Luke Bryan’s Spring Break… Checkin’ Out album, the seventh and last entry in his Spring Break collection, featuring 5 new tracks. Most of the songs focus on the fun Bryan has had performing at spring break locations over the past years, and the album is lighthearted and fun, despite receiving only average reviews from many critics.
Love The Hunger Games? Don’t miss the soundtrack for Mockingjay: Part 1!
The AADL has also recently purchased new copies of older favorites, including albums by the Staple Singers, Marvin Gaye, and Electric Light Orchestra.
Find all these and more new additions to our music collection by browsing the "New CDs" category under "New Items" on the catalog page of our website.