Are you ready for Summer Reading to begin? We are, and we invite you to celebrate with us. Frederick County Public Libraries have teamed up once again with the Westview Promenade to present our "Summer Reading Family Festival." This festival celebrates the beginning of Summer Reading fun. Enjoy music and laughter with Mr. Jon & Friends as well as kids' crafts, games, and pictures with Curious George. We'll have a special library storytime with Miss Lesa as well!

No need to sign up, just bring your imagination and your dancing shoes to the Westview Promenade between 11-1 pm on Saturday, May 10. We'll be in the main Courtyard, with an inclement weather backup location so come, rain or shine!

Submitted by Tara Lebherz

There's an electrifying summer ahead filled with examining new books, observing fun topics, and investigating thrilling subjects as 2014 Summer Reading kicks off with the 'Fizz, Boom, Read!' theme for kids (through fifth grade) and 'Spark a Reaction' theme for teens (sixth grade through college freshman).

 Fun programs such as Awesome Animals, Gardening on the Terrace, and Science & Arts, are just a sampling of what Summer Reading participants can look forward to over the next few months. Another highlight is sure to be First Friday Fun Fests at Westview Promenade.

As always, Summer Reading and all related activities and events are free. Register online at fcpl.org/summer or at any FCPL branch between May 1 and August 9, 2014.

Congratulations to the winners of the art contest for 2014 Summer Reading. Their artwork will be featured on bookmarks, which will be available throughout the summer. Visit any FCPL branch to get your free bookmark!

Preschool:    Abbe Whitehead, Age 4, Carroll Creek Preschool (Preschool bookmark)

                     Lucas Powell, Age 5, Montgomery Methodist Children's Center

                     (baby & toddler bookmark)

 K-2nd Grade: Lily Bandy, Age 7, Banner Elementary

Grades 3-5: Jeremiah Whitmore, Age 10, Homeschool

Middle School: Megan Chang, Age 11, Oakdale Middle School

High School: Japheth Whitmore, Age 15, Homeschool

Special Mention:

High School: Zoe Maliszewskyj, Age 15, Middletown High School

The signs of Spring are all around us! The days grow warmer and longer, trees and flowers are blossoming, and baby ducks can be seen swimming in a straight line behind their mothers down Carroll Creek. We invite you to celebrate these warm, colorful days of spring with Frederick County Public Libraries by participating in one of our many gardening clubs! Beginning in May and continuing throughout the summer, these clubs will not only teach children about gardening, but allow them to gain hands-on experience with planting, watering, and weeding.

At the Downtown Frederick C. Burr Artz Public Library, children ages 2 to 13 can participate in Gardening on the Terrace. Children will plant fruit, vegetables, and flowers during the first session on Friday, May 23rd and can return to the terrace every other Monday beginning June 2nd to water and weed the garden. All Gardening on the Terrace sessions will take place at 2:30 pm. Registration is required.

At the Middletown Library, children ages 6 to 11 can participate in the Children's Garden Club. The group-which meets at 4:30 PM on May 5 and 19, and monthly on 3rd Monday from June to August-will learn about seed starting, garden planning, and plant care. It will also help maintain Middletown Library's garden boxes. Registration is required.

In Emmitsburg, children ages 4 and up can participate in the Green Thumb Family Gardening Club and learn about growing food in a community garden. Everyone will have the opportunity to visit the garden and plant, water, and weed. Select sessions will also include stories, crafts, and a visit from a real farmer! The planting session will take place on Saturday, May 10 at 10:30 AM. Registration is required.

For additional information about these programs or to register, please click on the program name above, visit fcpl.org, or visit your local branch.

Bonus Fun Fact! According to the American Horticultural Society, gardening and outdoor learning also help children develop social skills, enhance school curriculum, and foster an understanding and appreciation of the environment and our place within it.

Submitted by Carly Reighard

Did you know that popcorn is a grain? Did you know that girls ages 9 to 13 should have 1.1/2 cups of vegetables every day, but boys ages 9 to 13 should have 2 - 3.1/2 cups?

There are many resources from which parents may choose in order to learn more about nutrition for their children. In addition to websites, the library offers databases as well as books for gaining information. There are even books for children! The following are some examples:

WEBSITES

ChooseMyPlate.gov 

MyPlate illustrates the five food groups using a visual of a place setting. The website shows information and tips for building healthier diets, including foods to increase and foods to reduce.

helpguide.org 

The website has tips for various ages groups regarding picky eaters, healthy diet guidelines, and promoting healthy eating.

cdc.gov/bam 

The CDC has a "Healthy Youth" section on the website featuring activities for children like the BAM game room (Body and Mind) and the Immune Platoon. There is even a movie about Secret Agent Kid X!

RESOURCE GUIDES at fcpl.org :Health and Medicine

• Links to databases: Health and Medicine Reference Shelf and Salem Health
• Links to recommended free websites, for example: Mayo Clinic, Kids Health, and MEDLINEPlus

There are many articles within these resources that give good information about childhood nutrition, including daily guidelines for girls and boys.

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

Good Enough to Eat: a Kid's Guide to Food and Nutrition by Lizzy Rockwell

The Healthy Body Cookbook: Over 50 Fun Activities and Delicious Recipes for Kids by Joan D'Amico

Nutrition: What's in the Food We Eat? By Dorothy Hinshaw Patent

Foodworks: Over 100 Science Activities and Fascinating Facts that Explore the Magic of Food by Linda Henry

Eating by Claire Llewellyn

Eating Right by Mary Salzmann

Food Rules! The Stuff You Munch, Its Crunch, Its Punch and Why You Sometimes Lose Your Lunch by Bill Haduch

Going Organic: a Healthy Guide to Making the Switch by Dana Meachan Rau

Eating Right by John Burstein

Healthy Snacks by Mari Schuh

BOOKS FOR PARENTS

Eat This Not That! for Kids by David Zinczenko

Nutrition: What Every Parent Needs to Know by William Dietz

Nutrition Made Clear by Roberta Anding (CD book)

Nutrition for Dummies by Carol Ann Rinzler

Barbara Barnette