Calling All Train Lovers

Elisha Cooper has written a tribute to the modern train. We start out journey on a red strip Commuter train and move on to a bright blue Passenger train as it hurries between cities. In the city the reader encounters a slow moving orange Freight train as it hauls supplies across the Great Plains. Our cross continent journey continues on a green Overnight train as it switchbacks its way over the Rocky Mountains only to meet a white High-Speed train. The High-Speed train “flies”, “glides” and “races” towards the city on the coast. 

Cooper’s text in "Train" is wonderfully descriptive. We encounter trains that make “da dum da dum of a beating heart” sound, tunnels where train’s “chatter turns into a whisper” and at trips end the “last thunk” as the train stops.  If you have a young person in your life who dreams of being a conductor when they grow up, you might want to also try "Steam Train, Dream Train" by Sherri Duskey Rinker. 




--Robbin O., Headquarters

 

Spotlight on FLIP: "Baby Signs"

 Have you noticed the black bags with blue or green labels at your local St. Louis County Library branch? Those bags are part of an awesome program called FLIP (Family Literacy Involvement Program). FLIP was developed by the Houston Children’s Museum in partnership with the Houston Public Library. SLCL received a grant to create a limited number of kits for six branches in 2011. The kits proved to be so popular we had to create more! Now FLIP kits are in all 20 SLCL branches.

FLIP kits contain everything needed for parent and child to have a great shared literacy experience. Each kit contains a book, activity sheet and supplies.

FLIP KIT: Baby Signs by Joy Allen

Ages: INFANT (0-18 months)

This kit contains the board book “Baby Signs” by Joy Allen. After reading the book with your child use the activity sheet to get ideas for learning sign language. The kit also contains a pack of American Sign Language flash cards to help you and your child learn more signs. Use the blank cards to create your own flash cards.

--Desiree, HQ

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is an official United States holiday to honor people who have served in our military.  It is always on November 11.  This is a great day to thank anyone you know who is or was in the armed forces.  It might be a friend, family member or neighbor.  Sometimes Veterans Day is confused with Memorial Day, but Memorial Day honors those who died in battle.  Anyone who served in the military during wartime or not, is honored and thanked on Veterans Day.  If you want to learn more, check out one of these great books:

--Angie RH, HQ

Staff Review: "My Father's Arms Are a Boat" by Stein Erik Lunde

With a stark beauty contrasting with the subtle, poetic, and emotional warmth of the text, "My Father's Arms Are a Boat" is a complex and lyrical read about the safety of home and the ache of loss. 

On a cold winter night, a little boy goes to bed with his door open to the living room where his dad sits alone, "So that your dreams can come out to me." When he can't fall asleep, he snuggles with his dad, worrying out loud about what the wild animals are eating. Through talking about the next day and how the animals get food, the boy is reassured and they go outside to look at the stars, where they eventually they wish on a star, and go back inside after talking about the boy's missing mommy.

I love the sparseness of the diorama style illustrations. I love the descriptive text that puts the reader right there, smelling the fire and the cold night air. And I love Lunde's emotional sensitivity as he portrays the stable warmth of the boy's relationship with his father, and the aching loss that they both share. This is a book to savor and share especially with children who have lost loved ones. Make sure you read it first, because it could bring tears. Appropriate for students from kindergarten to third grade.

Andrea W., H.Q.

November is Picture Book Month

Did you know that November is Picture Book Month?  

Picture Book Month is a literacy initiative created by a group of picture book authors and illustrators. In this digital age, it's important to remember that print books need love, too.  And the world needs picture books.  There is nothing like the feel of turning the page in a book.  The Picture Book Month website has activities for many popular books.   So why not take time this month to read a physical book? If you're not sure what to read, ask a library staff member for a recommendation.  We would love to help!
--Angie R., Headquarters

Maker Monday: "150 Amazing Science Experiments"

Calling all those filled with curiosity and a desire to learn by making! Have you ever wondered how a boat made out of straw actually floats? How to build a railroad? Or what makes a camera work? Wonder no longer! Use your own two hands and the book "150 Amazing Science Experiments" to make and learn all kinds of amazing things. This book is appropriate for students in grades 3-7.

--Andrea W., H.Q.

Children's Book Discussion Groups

Reading alone is great but sometimes reading with friends is even better!

Many St. Louis County Library branches have book discussion groups for children.  It's an opportunity for students to get together to talk about the book and do fun activities!  Sometimes there's a game or a craft.  No matter what, it's always fun.  There's a new book each month, so it's easy to find a book that interests you.  Check out the monthly calender and get a copy of this month's selection.




--Angie RH, HQ