Free Library Blog - Posts by Sarah S.

Preschool Poetry

Sarah S. — 2013-04-08T11:06:00-05:00

April is National Poetry Month!

Sharing poems and songs with your preschool-aged children helps get them ready to read. Nursery rhymes and nonsense verse are especially great in the way they expand children’s imaginations, and tickle their funny bones. When you sing or say a rhyme, your child learns that words are broken up into syllables. Think about how words are broken up in “Mary Had A Little Lamb” and “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.” Now you know what a syllable is!

Here are some books, available at your local Free Library of Philadelphia location, which feature poems, songs, and rhymes for preschool children.

The Neighborhood Mother Goose by Nina Crews

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star by Jane Cabrera

Here’s a Little Poem: My Very First Book of Poetry by Jane Yolen

Dancing Feet by Lindsey Craig

Diddle, Diddle, Dumpling by Tracey Campbell Pearson

Itsy Bitsy Spider by Annie Kubler

Pat-a-Cake and Other First Baby Games by Tom Brannon (Sesame Beginnings)

Tanka Tanka Skunk by Steve Webb

National Library Week for Preschool Children

Sarah S. — 2013-04-04T11:50:00-05:00

This year, celebrate National Library Week (April 14-20) at any of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s 54 locations city-wide. If you’re looking for literacy-rich, fun activities for young children, you’re in luck! Some of children’s literature’s greatest authors and illustrators are visiting your local library branches, Regional libraries and the Central Library. Our all-star line-up includes Lindsay Barrett George, Brian Biggs, Mônica Carnesi, Peter Catalanotto, and Kathleen Wainwright.

Find out which authors and illustrators will be visiting your local library, along with times and locations here: http://libwww.freelibrary.org/bookfestival/program.cfm

Halloween Treats

Sarah S. — 2012-10-19T08:35:00-05:00

Something scary is creeping up behind you… Getting closer every day… It’s HALLOWEEN! And if you’re anything like me, you’re putting off costumes until the last minute. Get some great, super-easy ideas for kids costumes at Kidspot. Make fairy wings in minutes! A no-sew magician’s cape!

And of course, don’t forget to share some creepy crawly books with your little ones. Here are a few of your Free Library Children’s Librarian tried-and-true favorites.

Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown. The carrots that grow in Crackenhopper Field are the fattest and crispiest around and Jasper Rabbit cannot resist pulling some to eat each time he passes by, until he begins hearing and seeing creepy carrots wherever he goes.

Halloween Forest by Marion Dane Bauer, illustrated by John Shelley. A trick-or-treater ventures outside town only to find that the forest is full of spooky bones!

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams, illustrated by Megan Lloyd. The classic holiday favorite about a clever old lady who assures a clomping pair of shoes and a wiggling pair of pants that she is not afraid of them.

Shake dem Halloween Bones by W. Nikola–Lisa, illustrated by Mike Reed. A rhythmic tale about different updated fairy tale characters who attend a hip-hop Halloween ball.

If You’re a Monster and You Know It by Rebecca and Ed Emberley. Clap your claws! Twitch your tail! Wiggle your warts!

In a Dark Dark Wood: An Old Tale With an New Twist by David A. Carter. In the dark, dark wood, there was a dark, dark house... Do you dare read till the end?

Take Two Books and Call Me In the Morning

Sarah S. — 2012-10-09T15:06:00-05:00

Is your little one feeling sniffly and sneezy? Come check out some of these books, and you'll be sure to feel better soon!

Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman

Poor old Bear wakes up achy and stuffy, and his woodland friends make him feel better with tea, lullabies, and their kind company.

Pigs Make Me Sneeze! by Mo Willems

Oh no! Elephant is allergic to his best friend, Piggie! Call Doctor Cat!

I Hate to Be Sick! by Aamir Lee Bermiss, illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max

Being sick means staying in bed, missing school and playtime. Fortunately, the little boy in this sweet Easy Reader has daddy to make him feel better.

"Stand Back!" Said the Elephant, "I'm Going to Sneeze!" by Patricia Thomas, illustrated by Wallace Tripp

Speaking of sneezing elephants! All the animals try to convince elephant to hold in his sneeze, due to the disastrous effects of his last sneeze. (Hint: It scared the stripes off the zebras.)

Feel better soon!

The Best Things in Life

Sarah S. — 2012-08-22T08:51:00-05:00

The Best Things in Life

We here at the Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Branch of the Free Library have had the pleasure of working with a lovely young lady, Angelina Smith. Angelina started out as a Teen Leadership Assistant (TLA), earning some extra money by helping kids with homework and offering literacy-based activities afterschool. She did such a great job that we invited her back for the summer as a Philadelphia Youth Network employee, helping with the Summer Reading Program.

Here’s what she has to say about the time she’s spent as a Free Library employee:

Some of the most important things you are supposed to gain in life are friendship, love, happiness, success, and how you will impact the world. I can truly say that I have gained almost all of these things and my life has yet to begin. The last three years of my high school career I was employed at the Free Library of Philadelphia Branch around where I lived, the Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Branch. While working there I gained so many things, so much more than what people would see as a simple paycheck. I gained communication skills, an efficient work ethic, experience, team building, lifelong friends, and the simple fact that if I ever needed a place to work I could go there.

The library for a long time was a haven, somewhere I could go and never have to worry about a single thing. It was my second home. There were people that cared about me, looked out for my well-being, and always put a smile on my face. I thank my boss Mr. Darren Cottman for helping me become part of who I am today. He gave me the skills and courage to do what I had to do to make things happen. If it wasn’t for Ms. Sarah and my coworkers I don’t really know how my experience would have formed into a priceless diamond from a piece of rock.

I began to see how much of a role model I was to the little kids and how much of an impact I had on them. I began to see working at the library as more of a life lesson then a place to just work. When I would put together activities for the kids and work with them over the summer I would feel a sense of satisfaction and greatness. I was doing something great and that was one of the best things I could have gained. I had this sense of accomplishment that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.

I love everyone who helped me and showed me that the best things in life... are truly and indefinably free.

We thank Angelina and are so excited for her as she goes off to college in the fall. Congratulations, Lina!

Do you know a teen who would make a fabulous Teen Leadership Assistant? Invite them to visit their nearest branch of the Free Library for an application.

Happy World Turtle Day!

Sarah S. — 2012-05-18T13:27:00-05:00

Did you know that May 23rd is World Turtle Day? Since 1990, the American Tortoise Rescue has designated this date to "bring attention to turtle conservation issues and highlightn ways each of us can help protect these gentle but jeopardized animals."

How about celebrating World Turtle Day with the children in your life, by reading a turtle book or two? Some of our favorites are:

Scoot! by Cathryn Falwell

Turtle's Penguin Day by Valeri Gorbachev

The Foolish Tortoise by Richard Buckley, illustrated by Eric Carle

And here's a turtle rhyme, brought to us by Children's Librarian Deb Mikus at the Lawncrest Branch of the Free Library:

One baby turtle alone and new
Finds a friends, and then there are two.
Two baby turtles crawl down to the sea.
They find another, and then there are three.
Three baby turtles crawl along the shore.
They find another, and then there are four.
Four baby turtles go for a dive.
Up swims another, and then there are five!

Celebrate Children's Book Week

Sarah S. — 2012-05-02T12:01:00-05:00

Celebrate Children’s Book Week at Your Library

Next week, May 7 to 13, is the longest running literacy initiative in the United States, Children’s Book Week. Every year, we celebrate the best of the best in children’s books.

Wondering what’s going on at your library? Check out your closest library’s page here, or take a look at the list below for a taste of what’s happening all across Philadelphia to celebrate kids and books. From author events to story times to book clubs and even a story time in the park, we've got a lot going on for kids, their parents and educators!

Monday, May 7th at 10:30 am - Dan Gutman, author of the My Weird School, Baseball Card Adventures, and Genius Files series, at the Central Library Montgomery Auditorium. School classes must call the Central Children's Department at (215) 686-5369 to register in advance.

Tuesday, May 8th at 10:30 am - Toddler Story Time at the Roxborough Branch. Bring your children for a program of stories, songs, and activities. The program is designed for children 18 months to 3 years old, but older siblings are welcome too. Groups are welcome but must call (215) 685-2550 in advance.

Wednesday, May 9th at 6:30 pm – Books Aloud! At Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library. Books Aloud! is an educational enrichment initiative that promotes emergent literacy and library services for parents of preschool children, day care providers and preschool teachers. Through a series of monthly workshops, adults are provided with the resources and skills needed to read aloud successfully with young children. To register for the current month, please call the Office of Public Service Support at (215) 686-5372.

Thursday, May 10th at 10:30 am - Preschool Story Time at the Wynnefield Branch. Children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy stories, songs and rhymes. Stories are suitable for children 3-5 years, but all are welcome to join in. Groups must schedule in advance by contacting the library at (215) 685-0298.

Friday, May 11th at 10:30 am - Michael Townsend, author of the Kit Feeny series, Billy Tartle, Monkey and Elephant’s Worst Fight Ever, and Amazing Greek Myths of Wonder and Blunder at the Central Library Montgomery Auditorium. School classes must call the Central Children's Department at (215) 686-5369 to register in advance.

Also on Friday, May 11th at 10:30 am - Story Time at Malcolm X Park, 52^nd and Pine Streets. Join us for story time outside at Malcolm X Park, weather permitting. For rainy and inclement weather days, story time will be moved into the Children’s Departments story hour room. For more information, contact the Children’s Department at (215) 685-7422 or visit us on Facebook for our meeting location.

Saturday, May 12th at 2:00 pm - The one and only Jacqueline Woodson, author of The Other Side, Show Way, Feathers, and Locomotion at the Central Library Montgomery Auditorium. For families with children in Kindergarten through grade 4. Call the Central Children's Department at (215) 686-5369 for more information.

Also on Saturday, May 12th at 3:00 pm - Book Club for 3rd and 4th Graders at David Cohen Ogontz Branch. Each week boys and girls in the third and fourth grades read together and share their ideas with Ms. Prather. Call (215) 685-3566 for more information.

It's International Children's Book Day!

Sarah S. — 2012-04-02T09:57:00-05:00

To commemorate the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen on April 2, the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) has celebrated International Children's Book Day on this day since 1967. Events pertaining to the holiday include writing competitions, book award ceremonies, and children's literature events. Why not celebrate the day yourself by heading to one of the Free Library's children's programs? Visit the Preschool Storytime at our South Philadelphia branch today at 10:30 a.m. or stop by one of our many baby, toddler, or children's story times throughout our system tomorrow or Wednesday! Check out the full list of events on our online calendar.

Introducing TumbleBooks!

Sarah S. — 2012-02-08T10:06:00-05:00

You've asked for 'em, now we've got 'em: interactive, talking ebooks for children!

TumbleBooks is "an online collection of animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they'll love. TumbleBooks are created by adding animation, sound, music and narration to existing picture books in order to produce an electronic picture book which you can read, or have read to you."

In addition to talking picture books, TumbleBooks also includes read-alongs for older children, nonfiction books, trivia, games, and Tumble TV. TumbleBooks offers a lot to explore and enjoy!

TumbleBooks is available at all Free Library locations and via the web from your location when you login with your library card number and PIN. Visit our database page to get started!

Preschool Spotlight on... Margaret Bernardi

Sarah S. — 2012-01-05T14:13:00-05:00

One of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s best and brightest Children’s Librarians can be found at the Independence Branch at 18 South 7^th Street, a neighborhood rich in culture and variety. Margaret Bernardi is known for her great story times for preschoolers and other children, her creative flannel boards, and her expertise in children’s books.

In her “Pre-K Hurray!” story times, children ages 3 to 5 years and their siblings and caregivers are invited to enjoy seasonal stories and songs. One of Margaret’s yearly favorites is “Mardi Gras” story time, which will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 21^st. She has some great plans to have the children decorate glittery masks (the gaudier, the better!), dancing to some zydeco music, and of course, sharing great books!

Margaret has a few favorite books that she turns to again and again in story times. One is A Sick Day with Amos McGee, winner of the 2011 Caldecott Medal. Margaret likes it because:

“It is a very sweet, empathetic sharing experience between adults and children. I was touched by the attentiveness and thoughtful expression this tender story elicited from our pre-k groups. Illness is a universal experience; sick children long for the special one-on-one sympathy and caring that loved ones provide. In addition, when reading Amos, the kids enjoy identifying the zoo animals, the mode of transportation, and the comforting activities shared by a caretaker with a child 'under the weather.'"

Another of Margaret’s tried and true favorites is The Little Engine That Could, which she pairs with songs like “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” or “Down by the Station,” even incorporating a wooden train whistle!

Stop by the Independence Branch to meet Margaret and check out one of her great story times!