October Book Reviews for Young Children

We have hundreds of new books, both in print and ebook format, this month in the library!  A few of my favorite fiction and nonfiction titles that just arrived, include the ever-popular author/illustrator Eric Carle! 

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric Carle

An Amazon Best Books of the Month for October, the book recounts an early influence in Carle’s life.  A child paints the world as he sees it; in this case, a blue horse.  Discover your own inner artist as you enjoy yet another wonderful book by Eric Carle.

City Lullaby by Marilyn  Singer; illustrated by Carll Cneut

The many loud noises in a busy city can’t seem to awaken a sleeping baby, until the soft chirp of a sparrow.  Booklist notes that the author writes with “infectious, rhyming poetry.”

Grandma’s Records by Eric Velasquez

Eric spends the summer in Spanish Harlem with his grandmother, where she shares her old records and love of salsa music.  If you enjoyed his other book, Grandma’s Gift, be sure to check out this title, too. 

My Life in the Wild series by Animal Planet.  Cheetah and Penguin by Meredith Costain.

Examines the life cycle, behavior, habitat of popular animals but told in a narrative way.  



Incredible Journeys: Amazing Animal Migrations (Animal Planet) by Dwight Holing

Describes the migrations of different animals around the world, with fold-out charts of their travels and gorgeous pictures.  Included are the African wildebeest, the plains zebra, the American monarch butterfly, and Pacific bluefin tunas. 

Mom Knows Best!

Did you know that our library's collection management system, Follett Destiny Quest, allows parents to make important decisions on their child's book selection?  Perhaps you have a great young reader but he or she tends to select books a bit too "scary" or too mature in content?  Or, your child repeatedly selects books he can't read, and you are frustrated when he returns from the library.  Just let our librarian know, and a message can be displayed that only the librarian sees when your child goes to check out books. You can always reach the librarian via phone or email.   This way, we can be sure to remain sensitive to the needs and selection criteria for your family.  Because, a mom always knows what is best for her child! 

ALA Position Statement on the Value of Independent Reading in the School Library Program

There are so many things that can influence, good or bad, a child's reading development.  Having access to quality materials is one.  A library needs to stay up-to-date in its selection of quality, new, and award-winning materials at varying reading and interest levels.  At our library, we like to teach our young readers to narrow searches down by "interest level" instead of by "reading level."  It is exciting when a young child can read at or above grade-level!  However, not all fiction written for a particular grade/reading level is appropriate for the young reader.  Thus, we are excited to show them how to narrow their search results using Follett's Destiny Quest. 
Other important parts of the reading equation include the modeling of good reading habits at home, spending time with your child reading together, and the opportunity to spend independent time reading books that interest them, and are not necessarily required of them!  We foster independent reading opportunities in our library by an open-door/class pass policy.  Teachers can send a child in anytime during the school day to read and select materials.  We also offer Kindles in our collection for in-house, independent reading opportunities, loaded with age-appropriate titles.  After school, young students can come in with a parent to read and check out more books!
The following statement by the American Library Association is based on the Goals 2000 that make literacy important nationally.  Your library at Maclay School supports these goals, and seeks through our collection development and library programs to ensure your child gets the best opportunity for them to become life-long readers!

(A portion of the ALA statement)
To become life-long readers, students must have . . .

• access to current, quality, high interest, and extensive collections of books and other print materials in their school libraries, classrooms, and public libraries;
• contact with adults who read regularly and widely and who serve as positive reading role models;
• certified school librarians and classroom teachers who demonstrate their enthusiasm for reading by reading aloud and booktalking;
• time during the school day dedicated to reading for pleasure, information, and exploration;
• opportunities specifically designed to engage young people in reading;
• schools that create an environment where independent reading is valued, promoted, and encouraged; and
• opportunities that involve care givers, parents and other family members in reading.

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslissues/positionstatements/valueindependent.cfm