Kid Bits - Big Opinions

Fri, 10/26/2007 - 2:13pm by ryanikoglu

Preschool Storytimes will begin again the week of November 5, 2007. Other than STORYTIMES ... what else does your child KNOW they like (or don't like)? Picture books with definite "opinions" on what to wear are I'm All Dressed! and No Bows!.

It's all Happenin' on Halloween

Tue, 10/23/2007 - 1:08pm by StoryLaura

Find T Rex and other outrageous costumed creatures when the AADL and the Main Street Area Association partner with a silly story time and parade on Wednesday, October 31. Come to the Downtown Library at 10:00 am for tales and a costume march around the library. Then head to Main Street at 11:00 a.m. for trick-or-treating. This is a perfect way for the stroller crowd to celebrate.

KID BITS - Youngest Science

Mon, 10/22/2007 - 2:37pm by ryanikoglu

Science books for young kids are often as BIG a hit as a great story book. Even if your child is 2-5 years old, Don't forget the Dewey Decimal numbers for science (psst, 500s!) and find out "true facts" about the world you live in. Look what I found on our NEW book shelf today for little kids! A Seed Is Sleepy; Face To Face With Caterpillars; and Snap! ... a first book on the "food chain".

Kid Bits - 4th/5th grade MYSTERY

Thu, 10/18/2007 - 11:07am by ryanikoglu

A NEW "Enola Holmes Mystery" just landed on the youth fiction shelves, The Case Of The Left-Handed Lady. Nancy Springer writes with a gift toward strong females characters, a good story, and settings in history. The "Enola Holmes" mysteries are written from the point of view of "Enola", Sherlock Holmes younger sister. The previous title is The Case Of The Missing Marquess. The setting is London in 1898. Nancy Springer is author of another strong series "Tales of Rowan Hood", placed in Sherwood Forest at the same time as the adventures of Robin Hood. Of course Rowan is a girl.

BABY BITS - Brightening Minds

Tue, 10/16/2007 - 11:10am by ryanikoglu

Brightening Minds: Birth To Two Years provides examples and advice from doctors to show parents how to maximize your baby's potential. This DVD includes activities as well as information on mental, physical and emotional development. The thing I like most is the practical demonstrations on using books with babies and parents. Literacy starts from birth and is a first-rate way to have fun with your child.

Homework Bits - "Electric Heroes" using RESEARCH databases

Mon, 10/15/2007 - 2:22pm by ryanikoglu

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A 4th/5th grade assignment is to find information on "Electric Heroes" and their inventions. To use the RESEARCH databases, Choose MY ACCOUNT and login. These databases are not on the internet. They are only on library websites through your AADL library card.
The articles provide the citations you need to prove your research.
1. Choose the RESEARCH tab along the top of the website.
2. Use the link to "browse databases by name".
3. Choose BIOGRAPHY RESOURCE CENTER.
4. If you know names, use the last name to search for articles on that person.
5. If you do not know names, go to "Biographical Facts Search" and choose your keywords to find names. You will come up with articles to read, or print. I looked for a term in "occupations" related to electricity. I chose "electronics engineer". Then I chose "female" for gender. I got a list of names. I chose some names, and followed the link to read about them. You can find names and why they are mentioned.
6. Now the challenge is finding articles long enough to explain their work.

Homework Bits - "Electric Heroes" using the CATALOG

Mon, 10/15/2007 - 2:06pm by ryanikoglu

A 4th/5th grade assignment is to find information on "Electric Heroes" and their inventions.
1. Choose CATALOG tab along the top of the website.
2. Use the link to "More SEARCH OPTIONS".
3. Enter "electricity", "AND", "inventors", then press SEARCH. You get a list that includes A Dangerous Engine: Benjamin Franklin; Nikola Tesla And The Taming Of Energy; Thomas Edison: Inventor Of The Age Of Electricity; and TV's Forgotten Hero: The Story of Philo Farnsworth.

Did you notice the Dewey Decimal Addresses are 921? This is the address for biographies. Then you look for the last name of your person.

Homework Bits - "Exploration" using RESEARCH databases

Mon, 10/15/2007 - 1:40pm by ryanikoglu

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A 4th/5th grade assignment is to find information on “exploration of north America”. To use the RESEARCH databases, Choose MY ACCOUNT and login. These databases are not on the internet. They are only on library websites through your AADL library card.
The articles provide the citations you need to prove your research.
1. Choose the RESEARCH tab along the top of the website.
2. Use the link to "browse databases by subject".
3. Choose “Kid’s and Teens”.
4. Choose “Kid’s INFOBITS”.
5. Choose” Advanced Search” and enter keywords.
I used “discovery”, “OR”, “exploration”, “AND”, “north America”. You will come up with articles to read, or print.
6. Now the challenge is finding "historical" exploration, and "keywords" for further research.

Smiles and Other Big Mouth Storytime Fun

Fri, 10/12/2007 - 7:44pm by StoryLaura

The Thursday evening Pittsfield storytime will feature How Do You Make a Baby Smile? by Philemon Sturges as well as the old favorite, Monkey Face, and the very silly, noisy Mortimer. Get ready for a rowdy last storytime of the session!

Create Humor in Your Comics

Fri, 10/12/2007 - 2:45pm by K.C.

Join us Monday, October 15 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) at Pittsfield branch and learn how to draw comic characters that will make your friends laugh. Explore American and manga style comic gestures, body language, and facial expression. Comic artist Jerzy Drozd will show you how to put characters’ inner lives on paper in this hands-on workshop.