If you have lived in the Chicago area for any length of time you will know the name Michael Jordon.   Michael Jordan is one of the best basketball players to ever play the game.  Imagine my delight when I noticed a story on the new books cart written by Deloris Jordan, Michael’s mom.  The story is timely with the Olympics coming up this summer since it deals with Michael’s pursuit of Olympic gold.    Dolores tells young Michael that, dreaming is good, but dreaming is for dreamers.  It’s one thing to want to play in the Olympics, it’s another to do something about it.   Hopefully there will be a lot of dreaming going on this summer…which I hope that is followed by a lot of doing.  Find this title in our catalog.

Judging from the warmer weather, all the new leaves, and the green grass I think it’s safe to say that spring has arrived!  The arrival of spring brings baseball season and the opportunity to turn your game winning baseball into a cool gift for mom for Mother’s Day. 

To get started you’ll just need a few things, a leather baseball, a sharp blade, and a pair of scissors.

Although you can use a synthetic covered baseball, the resulting bracelet will be much nicer if you use a leather ball since you will be able to straighten the red stitched strip of ball covering.

You might need to ask your dad for help on the first step since it will involve a sharp blade.  Using the blade cut about 1/4 inch away on both the inside and outside of the red stitching.  It might be helpful to use a pencil to mark the cutting lines first.   Be very careful not to cut into the red stitching or the holes during this step.  Do not worry if your cuts turn out a bit wobbly since you can use the scissors to straighten out the cut edge once the strip has been removed from the baseball.

This is what the ball should look like when you remove the unused sections.

Now you can peel off the red stitching and this is what it’ll look like when the strip is first removed from the ball.

Find the spot on the stitching where the red strings begin and end.  Keeping the string ends out of the way use the scissors to cut across the leather to create one long strip.  This is the time when you might want to even out the edges with a pair of scissors.  Find the center of the strip and measure off the circumference of your mom’s wrist.  Now carefully undo the red strings from the stitching holes upto the wrist measurement markings.

Once you have reached the wrist markings, carefully cutaway the leather ends on both sides being careful to keep the red strings out of the way.  Now undo the strings and you will see that there are 4 of them.  Tie the centermost two together and then treating those two strings as one, make a three strand braid with the loose red string on both ends of the strip.   When you are finished braiding tie both ends securely with a knot.  Your bracelet is now complete and ready to give to mom. 

She’ll need to use the braided ties to hold the bracelet on her wrist.  The bracelet will smooth out with time or you can soak it in water to speed the process and soften the leather.  Mom will definitely love your gift  since you made it yourself.   Dad might even enjoy wearing one so you can make another one him for Father’s Day with some help from mom of course.  

Happy Spring!

If you GIVE a pig a pancake, he may make a huge mess, but if you show him how to MAKE one, and you are teaching him reading, science, and math skills! 

Cooking is Reading

*Reading and talking about the recipe helps children develop early literacy skills.

 Cooking is Math

*Measuring the ingredients with your child teaches them about fractions and setting a timer teaches them about the passing of time.

 Cooking is Science

*Making a recipe is a lot like a scientific experiment complete with observations, predictions, experimentation, and evaluation.  Talk about what happens to the raw ingredients as they journey through the cooking process. 

So the next time you make a mess with your kids in the kitchen, remember the lessons they learn in the kitchen will last long after the cleanup!

 Grab a book and get cooking!  

Maisy Bakes a Cake E COU

Cook-A-Doodle-Doo! E STE

                        In the popular TV program, “Star Trek,” we saw the wonders of teleportation devices. In the movie, “Star Wars”, we witnessed the funny antics of the robots C3PO and R2D2.  At the Naperville Public Library, we have harnessed technology to easily Skype (video chat) with authors using a laptop, a screen, and a Communicator.

            This very week, NPL patrons Skyped LIVE with an author. With a video-feed of author Sarah Prineas projected onto a screen, our group of eager 95^th St. Bookologists asked interesting questions and interacted directly with the author.  Not only did the author share the ideas that led her to create some of her magical books, she answered each child’s question thoughtfully and in an animated way.  She even held original items up to the web camera such as full-size drawings of her books’ characters and a life-size dragon knitted by one of her friends that is based on a character from one of her books.

              You might be asking, “Did the children like this new format of programming at the library?”  Well….as soon as we thanked the author for her time and ended the chat, one Bookologist asked, “When are you doing something like this again?”  Needless to say, we are hoping to skype more with authors in the future.

              In fact, if you missed the Skype visit this week, go to Nichols Library this   Wednesday, April 25^that 4:30 p.m. for their April Bookologist meeting. They will also Skype with author Sarah Prineas.  It’s for 3^rd-5^th graders, and there is no registration required. Don’t miss this chance to learn secrets about the Magic Thief series and discover things you didn’t know about being an author!

              Be on the lookout for more technologically-advanced programs….brought to you by the Naperville Public Library!

On April 28, 2012, Naperville Public Library will join schools, libraries and communities across the country in celebrating Dia de los ninos/Dia de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day). Dia grew out of Children’s Day, which began in 1925 and was designated as a day to bring attention to the importance  and well being of children. In 1996, author Pat Mora proposed linking this celebration of children with literacy—and Dia was born. Initially Dia focused on the Latino community, but it has grown to embrace all cultures and languages.

Why celebrate Dia?

• Dia brings families together and emphasizes the importance of literacy for every child regardless of linguistic or cultural background.
• Dia involves parents as valued members of the literacy team.
• Dia honors home languages and cultures, which promotes bilingual and multilingual literacy in this multicultural nation; and leads to global understanding through reading.
• Dia reflects the joy that comes from being able to read in whatever language is spoken at home or with family, with being literate, from loving language  and from sharing the love of books.

The library is the perfect place to celebrate Dia.  Libraries provide the opportunity for endless learning and enjoyment for all people, regardless of linguistic and cultural background.  Come to storytime. Try out “Little Pim” and learn a new language. Listen to music or read a story about another culture.

All children enjoy nursery rhymes. Try one of these with your child.

Pio, Pio (traditional Italian nursery rhyme)

Pio Pio                                                                   Pio, Pio

Pio, pio                                                                  Pio, pio

Il pulcino sono io.                                           I am the chick.

La mia mamma                                                 My mother

e’ la chioccia                                                       is the hen

e io vivo nel pollaio.                                       and I live in the chicken run.

Quando andiamo                                             When we go

a far la nanna                                                      to sleep

sotto le ali della mamma,                              under mommy’s wings,

noi dormiamo tranquillamente                  we sleep quietly

e la volpe non ci fa niente.                            And the fox doesn’t harm us.

Chandaa Maama Door Ke (traditional Hindi rhyme)             Uncle Moon

Chandaa maama door ke,                                                          Uncle Moon far, far away,

puye pakaayen boor ke                                                               baking yummy treats

aap khaayen thaali mein                                                             Eats in a big plate himself,

munne ko den pyaali mein                                                         gives baby a small bowl

chandaa maama door ke                                                            to eat in

puye pakaayen boor ke                                                               Small bowl breaks,

pyaali gayi toot munnaa gayaa rooth                                   baby is mad

laayenge nayi pyaaliyaan bajaa bajaa ke                             We’ll bring new bowls and clap

taaliyaan                                                                                            our hands

munne ko manaayenge ham doodh                                       We’ll bring a smile to baby’s face

malaayi khaayenge,                                                                     and will eat treats together

chandaa maama door ke,                                                           Uncle Moon far, far away,

puye pakaayen boor ke                                                               baking yummy treats

aap khaayen thaali mein                                                            Eats in a big plate himself,

munne ko den pyaali mein                                                         Gives baby a small bowl to eat in

chandaa maama door ke,                                                           Uncle Moon far, far away,

puye pakaayen boor ke                                                               baking yummy treats

Whether your child is 4 days old or 4 years old, it is never too early or late to help them develop the important literacy skills that will help him or her be successful in school. Research has shown that children who start Kindergarten ready to read are more likely to be successful readers and learners throughout their lives. There are 5 Practices that have been shown to help children develop these literacy skills: Reading, Talking, Writing, Playing and Singing.

Parents and caregivers are tremendous role models. Children learn best by doing-and they love doing thing with YOU! Here at the Library we have developed a fun, interactive worshop for adult caregivers and children based on the 5 Practices called “Rocking on the Road to Reading”. We want parents and caregivers to be aware of the importance of early literacy and show how much fun it can be. We have created fun, simple activities that you can do at home, in the car or at the doctor’s office. We want to help you and your child as you start “Rocking on the Road to Reading.”

Tuesday, April 17th 10:00am-11:30am at the 95th St. Library

 Here are some great audio books that will make you want to stay in the car all day long!

Super Nerds!

N.E.R.D.S.: National Espionage Rescue Defense Society. 

These are no ordinary nerds! The things that make these boys and girls nerdy( huge braces; buck teeth; eating paste; hyperactivity; asthma, and allergic reactions) have been converted into amazing SUPER POWERS! Narrator Johnny Hellor does an amazing job conveying the personality and humor of each character.

Peter Pan's origins!

Peter and the Starcatchers

Ever wonder how Peter Pan got his start? The fabulous Jim Dale (narrator of the Harry Potter audiobooks) narrates this fast- paced story, full of adventure, magic, and pirates! 

For Mystery Lovers!

  The Case of the Missing Marquess: An Enola Holmes Mystery

Like her brother, Sherlock, 14 year-old Enola Holmes is a talented detective. When Enola’s mother goes missing, she must live on her own in London,  solve a missing persons case, AND outwit her brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft, who want to force her into a boarding school. Narrator Katherine Kellegren is perfect at conveying different accents, and the spunky personality of Enola.

For Princesses!

  Princess Academy

Miri lives  in a small mountain village. When it is foretold that the country’s new princess will come from Miri’s home, she and several other girls are sent to be trained in the art of being princesses. A full- cast audio narrates this delightful tale.

You will want to save this one!

Best Bubble Solution:

1 cup water
2 tbsp Karo Syrup or 2 tbsp glycerin
4 tbsp dishwashing liquid

Mix together and enjoy your bubbles while singing some bubbly tunes!!!

The Bubble Song

(sing to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star) 

Bubbles, Bubbles in the air 

Bubbles, bubbles everywhere 

Bubbles, bubbles on the ground 

Bubbles, bubbles all around 

Bubbles, bubbles in the air, 

Bubbles, bubbles everywhere!

Bubble, Hop and Stop

One bubble, 2 bubbles, 3 bubbles, top.
-fingers count up, tap head once on ‘top’, pop up to standing

4 bubbles, 5 bubbles, 6 bubbles, hop
-fingers count up, then hop

7 bubbles, 8 bubbles, 9 bubbles, pop
-keep counting, clap hands at ‘pop’

10 bubbles floating down, time to stop. 
-sit down

Are you the mystery reader for your child’s classroom? We have some old favorites,  and some new favorites, that would be hits in any K-2 classroom!

This could be you!

TOO MANY FROGS by Ann and John Hassett (Where do you put 10, 50, or a million frogs?)

IF A MONKEY JUMPS ONTO YOUR SCHOOL BUS by Jean M. Cochran (Zoo animals add fun and confusion when they are set loose on a town).

GILBERT GOLDFISH WANTS A PET by Kelly Dipucchio (Gilbert Goldfish has everything except a pet of his own!)

HUNGRY HEN by Richard Waring (A greedy fox watches a hungry hen growing bigger every day and suffers for his appetite).

BARK, GEORGE by Jules Feiffer (George is a puppy who does not sound like a puppy should!)

WHEN DINOSAURS CAME WITH EVERYTHING   by Elise Broach (A little boy is delighted when every store he visits gives away a HUGE surprise!)

BEDTIME AT THE SWAMP  by Kristyn Crow (The scary monster in the swamp is a real surprise).

For more great suggestions, ask one of us in the Childrens  Department. We would love to help!

We celebrate the birthday of one of the most popular children’s authors in the month of March.  Theodor Geisel,  a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, is one of the best-selling authors of children’s books in the world.  Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday by gathering the family and reading a favorite Seuss book.  Check out the library’s program, “Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! “ 

Our website will have the locations, dates and times. 

A favorite of all children

“The more that you read, the more things you will know.  The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”         Dr. Seuss, I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!