What's Happening This Month?

Check out the Youth Services Calendar to see what's happening for kids this month. Find a story time to attend or a holiday craft event at a library near you. Happy Holidays!

Happy Fall, Happy Halloween, Happy Dia de los Muertos, Happy Library!

Hi Kids! Please join us at any Long Beach local library and gather up your books for the season. October is, among other things; Carmel Month, Cookie Month, Dinosaur Month, Roller Skating Month, Sarcastics Month, Vegetarian Awareness Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, Pretzel Month, and Month of the Pumpkin Festival. Pick up and read books on these topics at your local library. Be a detective. See if you can locate books on these topics at your local library.

Trick or Treat! Don't forget to Read! Reading for fun while in school can help improve your reading skills. It's also a creative and fun way to spend your time, while gaining knowledge about things you may have never known about. Pick up a good book today at your local library.

Halloween Poem:

A-camping we will go,

with monster friends in tow -

Hi ho the scary-O,

we dare you to say no.

We'll gather 'round the pit.

We'll growl, snort, and spit.

Hi ho the scary-O,

now grab a log and sit.

We'll sing a song or two.

We'll belch and barbecue.

Hi ho the scary-O,

here, try the witches' brew.

We'll rip your tent and sneer.

We'll fill your nights with fear.

Hi ho the scary-O,

we're glad you made it here.

(From Sipping Spiders Through a Straw: Campfire Songs for Monsters. Lyrics by Kelly DiPucchio)

Have a good night tonight! From all your friends at the Long Beach Public Library :)

Recommended Reading

Hi Kids Blog Viewers:

Check out the recommended reading website page on our homepage. You can find links to Harry Potter Readalikes, Great Readaloud Books, and other book lists on this webpage.

Enjoy!

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

The big bad wolf, the big bad wolf?


People who BAN BOOKS, that's who!!


Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read
September 26−October 3, 2009


To see a list of banned or frequently challanged books, visit:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_books_banned_by_governments


or take a look at the ALA (American Library Association) website for banned books for 2009: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm



Here is a quote from ALA about Banned and Challenged Books:

"A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. Due to the commitment of librarians, teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens, most challenges are unsuccessful and most materials are retained in the school curriculum or library collection."



In regards to intellectual freedom, ALA states, "ALA actively advocates in defense of the rights of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. A publicly supported library provides free and equal access to information for all people of that community. We enjoy this basic right in our democratic society. It is a core value of the library profession."



Our library in Long Beach supports intellectual freedom. Come in today and pick up a copy of Little Red Riding Hood by Jacob Grimm, a Harry Potter book from J.K. Rowling's series, or Blubber by Judy Blume. These books, along with others on display have often been banned or challenged by various organizations and groups. Join us and support banned books week at your local library.

This little train...

Hello,

I recently showed a train storytime flannel story at the Main Toddler Time program. The rhyme goes like this:

This little train, painted black

It comes chugging down the track

With a "Choo-choo; Toot-toot"

Hear the whistle blow

this little train goes chugging home.

This little car, painted blue

It has seats for me and for you

With a "Choo-choo; Toot-toot"

Hear the whistle blow

this little train goes chugging home.

This little car, painted yellow

It shimmies and shakes like a bowl of jello

With a "Choo-choo; Toot-toot"

Hear the whistle blow

this little train goes chugging home.

This little car, painted green

It's the fanciest train car you've ever seen,

With a "Choo-choo; Toot-toot"

Hear the whistle blow

this little train goes chugging home.

This little car; it is grey

It takes you places far away

With a "Choo-choo; Toot-toot"

Hear the whistle blow

this little train goes chugging home.

This caboose; it is red

It will take you home to bed

With a "Choo-choo; Toot-toot"

Hear the whistle blow

this little train goes chugging home.