Posted in Audience, Kids 0-5, Kids 5-12, Uncategorized

Read-Along All Summer Long

Keep up with literacy skills this summer by checking out a read-along book! We have a collection of VOX Books and Wonderbooks in our children’s library to read along with. These are print books with an attached audio device which allows readers to listen to the story being read, as they read along with the text. Our collection has a variety of books of different genres and reading levels. We have picture books, early beginning readers, chapter books, graphic novels, and non-fiction titles. Each book includes instructions on how to use the audio device. Readers have the option to listen to the story through the attached speaker, or by plugging in their headphones. The picture books also play a sound to signal to readers of when it’s time to turn the page. Reading the story while listening helps with literacy development, so these books are a great option for new and struggling readers. And the audio in many of these books include sound effects and music to create an enjoyable reading experience for all readers. I’ve included some recent additions to our read-along book collection below, along with publishers’ summaries.

Gaga Mistake Day by Emma Straub

When Grandma comes for a visit, silliness and creativity are guaranteed, in this funny and endearing book by bestselling novelist Emma Straub; her kids’ gaga, Susan Straub; and award-winning illustrator Jessica Love. Gaga days are the best! That’s when this eccentric, mischievous grandma babysits her delighted granddaughter. These Gaga days are always full of the silliest “mistakes,” like swapping eyeglasses and walking backwards to the park. Like making the house safe by eating all the marshmallow goblins, filling the tub to bursting with bubbles, and then reading a bedtime story all the way through upside down. With touches of Amelia Bedelia and Eloise, this irrepressible granny might just inspire deliciously goofy, endlessly creative, and bursting-with-love grandma-grandchild playdates!

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Posted in Kids 0-5, Kids 5-12, Science Fiction

Kids Read Science Fiction!

Lately I have been in a nostalgia mood and have been rereading through a series from my childhood: Animorphs. Revisiting science fiction books from my own childhood has engaged my curiosity to explore what kids are reading these days. Dear reader, though I speak of “kids books” I must point out that anyone at any age or stage in their life is welcome to enjoy and find pleasure in these pages. Not only do kids’ science fiction books contain heart pounding action (when done right) they also contain a humor that even as adults we can still enjoy. For this post I have chosen a couple books that I find nostalgic and will introduce you some of the new science fiction available on the shelves in the kids’ section. Enjoy!

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Posted in Award Winners, Fiction, Kids 0-5, Kids 5-12, Nonfiction, Teen & Young Adult, Uncategorized

Youth Award Books 2025

The American Library Association announced the winners of the 2025 Youth Media Awards on Monday. Materials for children and teens were selected by committees of literature and media specialists under different categories for their excellence. Take a look at some of this year’s winners below, which include publishers’ summaries. Be sure to click the link for any you’re interested in reading for yourself to reserve your copy through the Monarch catalog. The full list of this year’s winners is also linked at the bottom of this post.

John Newbery Medal

The John Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. This year’s winner is The First State of Being, written by Erin Entrada Kelly.

The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly
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Posted in Award Winners, Fiction, Kids 0-5, Kids 5-12, Nonfiction, Teen & Young Adult, Uncategorized

Children’s Award Books 2024

It’s that time of year again! The American Library Association has announced the winners of the 2024 Youth Media Awards. Materials for children and teens were selected by committees of literature and media specialists under different categories for their excellence. Check out some of the award winners below and click on the links to reserve your copies through the Monarch catalog. Scroll to the bottom of the post for a link to the full list of this year’s award recipients.

John Newbery Medal

The John Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. This year’s winner is The Eyes and the Impossible, written by Dave Eggers and illustrated by Shawn Harris.

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Posted in Kids 0-5, Kids 5-12, Picture Books

Five Charming Lighthouse Books to Illuminate Your Storytime!

As a child, one of the highlights of any visit to my grandparents’ house was seeing the Sheboygan Breakwater Lighthouse near Deland Park. On a stormy day we would look at the lighthouse from a safe distance, but when the lake was calm and the weather was nice, my grandparents would walk all the way down the pier with me to see the red lighthouse tower up close. Though no one lives in Sheboygan’s lighthouse, I would still imagine what it might be like to make a lighthouse your home!

If you or your family are similarly interested in lighthouses, here are some children’s picture books which will light up winter’s darkest nights!

Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall

The illustrations are the star in this lighthouse book, from the eye-catching cover to depictions of whales, icebergs, and the Northern Lights. My favorite illustration, however, is a lighthouse cross-section that will fuel young readers’ imaginations. This colorful book is a delight to look at for all ages.

In addition to the fantastic illustrations, Blackall also did her research, and if your curiosity isn’t sated by the main text, check out the book’s endnotes for more historical information!

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Posted in Award Winners, Fiction, Kids 0-5, Kids 5-12, Nonfiction, Teen & Young Adult, Uncategorized

Children’s Award Books 2023

The American Library Association announced the winners of the 2023 Youth Media Awards on Monday. Materials for children and teens were selected by committees of literature and media specialists under different categories for their excellence. Take a look at some of these exceptional award winners below and click on the links to reserve your copies through our catalog. Scroll to the bottom of the post for a link to the full list of this year’s award recipients.

John Newbery Medal

Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson
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Posted in Fiction, Kids 0-5, Kids 5-12, New & Upcoming, Uncategorized

PICTURE BOOK ACTIVITY BLOG w/PBS KIDS

New to the Library this month are several titles that encourage kids to look and listen carefully.   Learning to look and listen carefully are important when considering all aspects of learning.

When we look and listen carefully we are slowing down, allowing time to pay attention to the smaller details like the sounds of words while learning to read.  When we make careful observations through looking and listening, we notice details about the world around us, helping to build basic science skills and background knowledge to support later learning.  And focusing in on one thing at a time is a principle of mindfulness, which is known to decrease stress levels and allow for more productive learning.  Check out these titles from our collection and PBS LearningMedia activities to encourage active looking and listening.

Look and Listen by Dianne White

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Posted in Fiction, Kids 0-5, Kids 5-12

Picture Book Activity Blog w/PBS KIDS

New to the shelves this month, are several stand out titles that are worth checking out. Each book also inspires multiple activities that families can do at home to cultivate early STEM skills.  

In no particular order, here are my top picks for this month. Each title features corresponding activity suggestions to extend learning:

Rafa Counts on Papá by Joe Cepeda

This is the story of a boy and his father who share a love for measuring things. How long, how fast, how tall, how fluffy, fancy or bouncy, Rafa and his papá work together to make comparisons of everyday objects around their home.  After reading this story, try measuring and comparing things around your home.  Give your child a ruler and go on a scavenger hunt to find things that are exactly 12 inches long.  Or use a non-standard unit of measurement and find something that is the same length as your hand, or the same height as your favorite toy.  Other books about measuring that I enjoy are “Inch by Inch” by Leo Lionni and “Ants Rule” by Bob Barner. Make sure to listen to this catchy tune by Ozomatli on PBS KIDS Rock.

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Posted in Award Winners, Fiction, Kids 0-5, Kids 5-12, Nonfiction, Teen & Young Adult, Uncategorized

Children’s Award Books 2022

The American Library Association recently announced the winners of the 2022 Youth Media Awards. Materials for children and teens were selected by committees of literature and media specialists under different categories for their excellence. I’ve listed some of these remarkable award winners below with their publisher’s summary, and also included links to our catalog so you can reserve your copies today! Scroll to the end of the post for a link to the full list of this year’s award recipients.

John Newbery Medal

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
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Posted in Award Winners, Fiction, Kids 0-5, Kids 5-12, Staff Picks, Uncategorized

Code-Switching in Children’s Literature

Code-switching is becoming an increasingly popular practice in writing children’s literature.  Code-switching happens when one moves fluidly between two languages within written or spoken dialogue.  It is often used when a word cannot be directly translated or loses meaning in translation, or as a way of better illustrating themes where another language may describe something better or be more appropriate than English. Spanglish is a common word used when referring to the code-switching between English and Spanish.

Children’s books are an enjoyable way to introduce your child (or yourself) to another language.  If you are looking to incorporate a second language into your daily life or to keep a language alive in the home, books that use two languages are a good place to begin.  They often include a glossary with translations and use repetition to emphasize words that are in the language other than English. These books can be found in a variety of languages, but the most common are English to Spanish.  Below are a selection of favorites from Mead Public Library’s children’s collection (descriptions provided are taken from the book publishers):

La Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya

The Princess and the Pea gets a fresh twist in this charming bilingual retelling, winner of the Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration.

El príncipe knows this girl is the one for him, but, as usual, his mother doesn’t agree.

The queen has a secret test in mind to see if this girl is really a princesa, but the prince might just have a sneaky plan, too . . .

Readers will be enchanted by this Latino twist on the classic story, and captivated by the vibrant art inspired by the culture of Peru.

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