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CHILDREN'S DEPARTMENT NEWS

                                                                              February 2014

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Frederick County Public Libraries
Greetings!

 

Frederick County families love their libraries! It's no wonder why they visit so often: where else can one find high-quality educational programs, a large collection of books, DVDs, CDs, educational software, and so much more?

 

For families and caregivers, a visit to the library is an opportunity to learn, grow, and celebrate. And you don't need to open your wallet, except to pull out your ticket to visit the world-your library card!

In the event that this newsletter was forwarded to you by a friend and you would like to continue to receive information about library programs, services, and events, we invite you to sign up here for our email newsletter.

Sincerely,
Darrell Batson, Director
Frederick County Public Libraries
Children's computers - Urbana 
Harry Potter Book Club - Thurmont
In This Issue
Babies Are Readers Too!
Think with BINK
Last Minute Science Resources
In Search of Young Artists
Let's Write a Song
Hometown Jamboree
Valentine's Day Celebrations
Celebrate the Winter Olympics
Keep in Touch
Special Event

Clifford Movies:

Clifford: Be My Big Red Valentine and King Clifford

(double-feature, 90 minutes).

 (ages 3-5, with adult)

 C. Burr Artz Public Library

Downtown Frederick

 

Friday, February 14,
2:30 pm
 
For details, visit fcpl.org

 

BABIES ARE READERS TOO!

Ready to start your child on a lifelong love of reading? Reading aloud to your baby is a wonderful shared activity you can continue for years to come! And every time you read to your little one, you reinforce basic reading concepts such as turning the pages or reading left to right. Plus, sharing a book together helps build listening, memory, and vocabulary skills.

 

But which books are the best ones for your baby? There are so many great ones that it is hard to come up with a short list, but this is our list of some of the very best! As School Library Journal published in July 2013, "The best [board books] tell a simple story with few or no words, allowing readers to invent their own. Ideally, illustrations are crisp and clear, with limited images on each page, offering plenty of contrast between the background and the pictures."

Moo, Baa, La La La!

by Sandra Boynton

Black on White

by Tana Hoban

White on Black

by Tana Hoban

You Are My Baby: Safari

by Lorena Siminovich

 

Look Look Outside!

by Peter Linenthal

 

Counting Kisses: A Kiss & Read Book by Karen Katz

What's on My Head?

by Margaret Miller

Farm by Tiger Tales

Dear Zoo: A Lift the Flap Book by Rod Campbell

So, grab some of these at your local library branch and snuggle up with your baby!

  
Submitted by Robyn Monaco
Urbana Regional Library
THINK WITH BINK
Brain, Initiative, Necessity, Knowledge

Join Frederick County Public Libraries, the Fort Detrick Alliance, and BINK the Robot to get your 1st-5th graders excited about STEM! The Think with BINK program invites a visiting scientist from the Fort Detrick Alliance to teach children all about STEM each month. Children's Services Supervisor Janet Vogel says, "What better way to get children excited about STEM careers than to spend time with practicing scientists?"

Why Do Animals?
with J. Swenrengen, DVM  

Where Are You Hiding?
Animals need every advantage they can get to survive in the wild. Some animals are strong with teeth, claws, and hooves which they use to protect themselves. Some animals are small and delicate. Have you ever thought about how animals hide, or camouflage, themselves from other animals who might eat them? Some animals even hide themselves so that their prey won't see them until it is too late! Let's explore through science some of the fascinating ways animals hide themselves in the wild.

C. Burr Artz Public Library: Tuesday, February 4, 4 pm

Urbana Regional Library: Wednesday, February 5, 4 pm

 

Oobleck: The Dr. Seuss Science Experiment

Lauren Beeson, the Fort Detrick GEMS Coordinator and Educational Consultant will lead this hands-on session with plenty of gooey fun. Learn about a non-Newtonian fluid that acts like a solid and a liquid at the same time and make your own Oobleck!

C. Burr Artz Public Library: Wednesday, February 19, 4 pm

 

Think with BINK programs are free, but we ask you to register so that we're sure to have enough space for everyone. To register, click on the appropriate date above.

 

For information and upcoming topics, visit fcpl.org.

 

Sponsored by: Fort Detrick Alliance and Frederick County Public Libraries

LAST MINUTE SCIENCE FAIR RESOURCES

Both the FCPS Elementary Science Fair and the FCPS Middle/High Science and Engineering Fair will be held on Saturday March 22, 2014 (for more information go to http://education.fcps.org/sciencesec/sciencefair). But that doesn't mean there still isn't time to get a project done. Don't lose hope!

 

In the world of on-line resources, we have plenty of opportunities for you to access materials right from the comfort of your home, especially during these cold, winter days.

 

Many of the websites listed on FCPL Science Resources offer some great ideas on how to get started or even some tips and tools if you're stuck on formulating your topic.

However, two of our subscription databases, The New Book of Knowledge and The New Book of Popular Science, both of which are part of the Grolier On-line service, have some fantastic hands-on science projects and experiments to challenge your mind. You can even go outside the world of science and expand your experiment to math (Fibonacci sequencing anyone?)

 

The New Book of Popular Science - Hands-On Science

Search by your own topic or by the projects category or listings.

 

New Book of Knowledge- Projects and Experiments

Preset listing of items.

 

If those databases don't help you, below are a couple others which should help get you started on creating a fun and inventive science-fair project. Good luck!

 

GETTING STARTED

Science Fair Project Ideas: http://education.com/science-fair

 

Why Should I Do a Science Fair Project: http://www.cpet.ufl.edu/sciproj/sci004.htm

 

Keeping the Science in the Science Fair Project: http://www.ag.ncat.edu/extension/programs/dte/science.pdf

 

Science Fair Observation: http://sciencefairproject.virtualave.net/observation.htm

 

Submitted by Kris Buker

C. Burr Artz Public Library
IN SEARCH OF YOUNG ARTISTS
Summer Reading 2014

Kids and teens, it's time to put your artistic talents on display! Our annual art contest for the Summer Reading begins March 1 with all entries due by March 31. Winning designs will be featured on free bookmarks when Summer Reading launches May 1.

 

This year's theme for children in preschool through fifth grade is "Fizz, Boom, Read!" and the middle and high school theme is "Spark a Reaction." Please create your design on the entry form and in color!

  

Look for contest details and entry forms on fcpl.org/summer or at your local FCPL branch beginning mid-February.

 

2014 Summer Reading sponsors are PNC Bank, The Frederick News-Post, and Friends of FCPL.

LET'S WRITE A SONG

Music time is fun time at the library! Come on out to C. Burr Artz Public Library, Downtown Frederick on March 12 at 4 pm for something new and exciting. We are going to learn how to write a song with Mr. Jon! Mr. Jon loves writing songs, and has been doing so for many years now. Also a Children's Library Associate, he is excited about doing a program on music. In this Let's Write A Song program for ages 6-11, Mr. Jon will use games and fun to explore the basics of songwriting - melodies, verse and chorus, instruments, voices, and styles. Music is a great way to express yourself, and by writing songs you can share your own thoughts, ideas, and feelings. So come out and explore some songs with us!

  

Registration is required and begins February 12. You can register here, at the branch, or online at fcpl.org.

 

Submitted by Jon Lewis

C. Burr Artz Public Library
HOMETOWN JAMBOREE
AT THE BRUNSWICK LIBRARY!

A JAMBOREE is defined as "a noisy celebration" and a RECITAL is defined as "the performance of a program of music by a solo instrumentalist or singer or by a small group." So, if you sing or play an instrument by yourself or with a group, please join us as we celebrate local music in all shapes and sizes! This wonderful, family-friendly music "jam" will take place in front of the cozy, roaring fire in the main part of the library. Not only are we encouraging students to entertain us, but we'd also like to invite any parents or adults, too. We ask that all performers register. You can register by clicking here, visit the branch, or online at fcpl.org.

  

So, plan to bring Uncle Moe and Grandma (along with Baby Gertrude) to the Brunswick Library on February 20th at 6:30 pm and enjoy a good, 'ole-fashioned HOMETOWN JAMBOREE!

 

We'll see 'ya there!

 

Brunswick staff

Brunswick Public Library
VALENTINE'S DAY CELEBRATIONS
Dress up, dance, make crafts, and have fun!

Saturday, February 8

11 am -Valentine Fun (all ages, children with an adult)

Make a valentine for someone you love. Brunswick Public Library

 

2 pm - Sweetheart Dance * (all ages, with adult)

Dress your best for an afternoon of dancing and delights. This parent/grandparent and child event will fill-up fast so register early! Thurmont Regional Library

 

Monday, February 10

6:15 pm - Valentine's Day Celebration (ages 3-5, with an adult)

Love is in the air! Hear a story, play games, and make a valentine for that special someone. Point of Rocks

 

Tuesday, February 11

6:30 pm - Valentine's Party (all ages, with adult)

Bring your special someone and celebrate Valentine's Day with fun songs for the whole family. C. Burr Artz Public Library, Downtown Frederick

 

Thursday, February 13

10:30 am - Valentine Make 'n' Take Craft (all ages, with an adult)

Drop in between 10:30 am-4 pm and create your own hand-made valentine to share with that "special someone." Thurmont Regional Library

 

11 am - Happy Valentine's Day to You (ages 2-5, with adult)

Special stories, friendship finger plays, sweet songs, and a valentine craft. Middletown Library

 

Friday, February 14

10:30 am - Valentine Make 'n' Take Craft (all ages, with an adult)

Drop in between 10:30 am-4 pm and create your own hand-made valentine to share with that "special someone." Thurmont Regional Library

 

2 pm - Bring the One You Love Dance * (ages 3 and up, with adult)

Feel free to dress to the nines for this special Valentine's Day event. Registration opens January 31. Urbana Regional Library

 

Note: * Registration is required. Register at the branch, online at fcpl.org, or click on the highlighted program.
CELEBRATE THE WINTER OLYMPICS

Get ready! The 2014 Winter Olympics will be held in Sochi, Russia from February 7-23. As you get ready to celebrate and cheer for our US athletes from afar, encourage your younger Olympic hopefuls to join us at various Frederick County Public Libraries for some fun-filled Olympic-themed programs.

  

Olympics Extravaganza * (ages 8-12)

Part fact and entirely fun, we will learn about the first Olympic Games before competing in our own Library Olympics. Registration is required.
Wednesday, February 5, 4 pm

C. Burr Artz Public Library, Downtown Frederick

 

Winter Olympic Fun * (ages 6-11)

Celebrate the Winter Olympics with some friendly Olympic-style competition. Registration is required.

Saturday, February 8, 2 pm

Urbana Regional Library

 

Rhyme Time Olympics (ages 3-7, with adult)

Test your skills at our rhyme-inspired games. Leap over Jack Be Nimble hurdles and hop in the Wee Willie Winkie sack race. Registration is required.
Monday, February 17, 10:30 am * and 2 pm *

Thurmont Regional Library

 

Library Olympics (ages 3-11)

Go for the gold at the Library Olympics.
Monday, February 17, 2 pm

Brunswick Public Library

 

Note: * Registration is required. Register at the branch, online at fcpl.org, or click on the highlighted program/time.

 

Submitted by Shelba Bollinger

Thurmont Regional Library
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