The Dearborn Branch has a bulletin board right now that features all the Building Block Award picture books. These are attractive, new books featuring turtles, dogs, fish, and pigs among others. There are ten titles in this year's list of nominees. Adults and kids are encouraged to read these books together. Then, children not yet in the first grade may vote on their favorite after hearing at least five of the stories. Ballots are available at the library until December 31st.
It happens at least once a month. Things will be quiet and average here at the library and then wham! A book shows up either fresh from Headquarters, comes in for a hold, or is returned – or suddenly, it’s as if a dam has burst. I’m not talking about a new bestseller or even a movie – I’m talking about picture books.
"Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that."
"I have a dream that one day in Alabama little black boys and black girls will join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers."
Recently, I had a customer looking for books her child could read along with. I found a wonderful database on the MCPL website called TumbleBook Library. TumbleBook Library is a collection of animated talking picture books for children. It also has children's audiobooks and read-along books, and offers some titles in foreign languages.
Back in September, the Nominees for the Building Block Award were sent out – and the voting began! In the beginning, the clear favorite seemed to be Duck! Rabbit!. But, that's only because it seemed to be the one that was always checked out here at the Red Bridge Branch.
If you’ve been reading the blogs here at Red Bridge, you might remember when I told you I had a picture book addiction. I continue to have this love for picture books. Sometimes, I come across one that really catches my attention, and I have to place it on my list of favorites. The most recent book to land on this list is Chuckling Ducklings and Baby Animal Friends by Aaron Zenz.
My favorite juvenile easy book is Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag. When I was a kid, I probably checked it out once a month from the library. My family always had lots of outdoor cats that hung around our small town yard, probably because we threw the table scraps out and they knew they could get some good food. So, maybe that is why I loved the book so much. It was written in 1928 and is totally in black and white.
Here is a wonderful way to find some new and different books to read to your children. Each year, a group of Missouri children's librarians get together and select ten books to share with our customers. These nominees have been selected for a variety of reasons including introducing children to diverse themes, cultures, and topics. Personally, I always find them to be great when read aloud. They are written by a variety of authors and illustrators of children's books, including Missouri authors, illustrators, and themes, when possible.
The Building Block Award is presented annually to the author and illustrator of the picture book voted most popular by preschool children in Missouri’s public libraries. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to read aloud to children from birth through kindergarten.
Here is a list of the ten titles selected for this year. Voting for this award will take place from September 1 through December 31, 2011. Click on this link to find the current Missouri Building Block Nominees.
Come one, come all...all not yet in first grade that is. It is that time of year again when children not yet in the first grade get to vote for their favorite Missouri Building Block Picture Book. This year's nominees are:
