When I was young, I was not a strong reader starting out, but my grandparents’ leather-bound books of children’s literature contained things I could read with ease: poems. Poetry culls some of the best features of language – wordplay, rhythm, tone, voice, rhyme, and more – down to bite-sized delights that can be enjoyed in… Read more »
Librarian’s Corner
Librarian’s Corner: More Books About Friendship
“Let’s face it, friends make life a lot more fun.” – Charles R. Swindoll. Sometimes a good friend is hard to find, but here are some nonfiction books to remind us that the friend we are looking for can often be found in the most surprising places. For the youngest readers: Suryia & Roscoe: the… Read more »
Librarian’s Corner: Great Books About Friendship
“Let’s face it, friends make life a lot more fun.” – Charles R. Swindoll Sometimes a good friend is hard to find, but these books remind us that the friend we are looking for can often be found in the most unlikely of places. For the youngest readers: A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom… Read more »
Librarian’s Corner: Exciting Mystery & Adventure Picks
During the bleak, grey days of February, nothing is better than curling up with an enticing adventure/mystery book. The qualifications for a great mystery/adventure book are simple to describe but crazy difficult to create. First, it must be exciting and fast-paced. Second, the quickly moving plot must not exist at the expense of or detract… Read more »
Librarian’s Corner: Books to Excite Reluctant Readers
Our guest, Janet Wanamaker, is a Reading Specialist in Wisconsin who works with struggling readers: In my work with children who struggle to learn to read, a book has to engage the reader. I was fortunate to experience the moment when a child who had struggled for years was matched with a break-through book. To… Read more »
Guest Librarian FAQ: How Do I Determine Which Books Are Right For My Child?
Earlier this week, I shared my reflections on helping parents determine whether a given book is appropriate for their child, based on both content and reading level. Here is a list of online resources I have found to be especially useful in assisting parents with questions regarding appropriateness: CommonSense Media’s Book Reviews The reviews on… Read more »
Guest Librarian FAQ: Is HARRY POTTER & THE GOBLET OF FIRE or THE LIGHTENING THIEF Okay for My Child to Read?
One of the most commonly asked questions I have encountered at the children’s reference desk is from parents wanting to know if a given book is appropriate for their child, based on his or her grade level. This could be a tricky question to answer, but over time, I have found ways of tackling it… Read more »
