February is Black History Month

Some of our most noteworthy citizens throughout our country's history have been from African American ancestry. We are honoring these numerous Black Americans in the Youth Services Department in Long Beach by celebrating Black History Month.

Visit us at the Main Library to see our Black History bulletin board display, as well as to check out some of the great books relating to Black History, which are in our book trough display.

Also, check out our new database - Oxford African American Studies Center.

Websites relating to Black History Month:

http://www.history.com/minisites/blackhistory

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_History_Month

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhm1.html

http://www.biography.com/blackhistory/

http://inventors.about.com/od/blackinventors/a/Black_History.htm

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is on February 2, 2009 this year, and in our Youth Services Department, we have a number of books relating to groundhogs and the day - both fiction and non-fiction.

"If Candlemas be fair and bright,Come, Winter, have another flight;If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,Go Winter, and come not again." ~ an Old English Song.

Check out these websites relating to Groundhog Day:

http://www.groundhog.org/ : The official website of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog_Day :Wikipedia site explaining Groundhog Day.

Hi! My name is Joe, and I work in a button factory.

Ever think about doing a fun, fast-paced, camp song with your kids? Here's one that we sing at the library storytime programs.

It's called, "My name is Joe."

First start out by waving your hand, "Hi! My name is Joe, and I work in a button factory. I've got a wife and some kids and a family. One day, my boss said, 'Hey, Joe. Push that button with your right hand." And this ensues. Begin pushing an imaginary button with your right hand. Continue pushing.

And then, "Hi, my name is Joe. And I work in a button factory. I've got a wife and some kids and a family. One day, my boss said, 'Hey, Joe. Push that button with your left hand." Now you are pushing two buttons, one with your right hand, and one with your left hand. Continue pushing and repeat the phrase. You then can push buttons with the following:

right foot,

left foot,

right hip,

left hip,

head,

and then, "Hi, my name is Joe," while flailing, pushing all those buttons, "And I work in a button factory. One day, my boss said, 'Hey, Joe,' and I said, 'NO!!!!!!'"

Really yell out that last 'NO!' as if you absolutely do NOT want to push any more buttons for this boss! This is so much fun and the kids really love it. Try it yourself and see!

Cheers!

Biography Databases

Need a biography? Did you know that the library has a wealth of information in our biographical databases? There are several which can be very helpful with finding biographies.

Obama, Barack Sex: Male Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States 4 August 1961 Activity/Profession: Lawyer, U.S. Senator ( 4 Aug. 1961 – ),

1)Biography Resource Center: gives a list of full text biographies; also has magazine and newspaper articles, and websites.

2)Oxford African American Study Center: allows for searching and browsing of biographies of African American individuals throughout history and gives a number of sources with text of biographies for each individual.

3) Science Online: Has a biography search, by both nationality, occupation, Nobel Prize Winners, and Women in Science.

To view a fascinating biography about Barack Obama, our president elect, visit:

http://www.oxfordaasc.com/article/opr/t0001/e2342?from=browse&hi=2&pos=14

Fingerplays

Sharing fingerplays with your children is a novel way for you to help them develop fine motor skills. And, it's also a fun, enjoyable way to learn simple refrains, practice verbal skills, and sing together.

Here is an example of a great fingerplay to practice with your child:

My book

This is my book; it will open wide

To show the pictures that are inside (put hands together facing palms up to form book)

This is my ball, so big and round (put hands and fingers together to form a circle)

To toss in the air (use hands and arms to make a juggling motion)

Or roll on the ground (use hands to pretend you are rolling a ball on the ground)

Here's my umbrella to keep me dry (put hands above head in an arch)

When the raindrops fall

From the cloudy sky. (put hands in air above head showing fingers in a wiggly motion to represent rain)

This is my kitty, just hear her purr

When I'm gently stroking her (bend arm and stroke it with other hand)

Soft, warm fur.