CEO Newsletter, 6/25/08

Children’s Event Organizer
Lakeshores Library System and
Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System
Youth Services Update
Issue 317, June 25, 2008

http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/mwflskids.htm
http://www.llsmwflschildrens.blogspot.com/

In this issue:
· Ruhama’s Reviews
· Storywagon Reminder
· Disney Minnie Grants 2008
· Seeds for Education Grant Program Invites Applications
· Events This Week and Next
· Dates to Remember
· Website Faves
· And Finally…….

RUHAMA’S REVIEWS

Ducks Don't Wear Socks by John Nedwidek
http://tinyurl.com/6kxaxw

"Emily was a serious girl." Though this is the only written description, we learn much about Emily through the illustrations: she takes cello lessons, her mom takes her to fancy cafés and she enjoys bird watching. And that's where her seriousness gets tried: one day she sees a duck wearing socks. Then he's wearing a tie. The last thing she sees him wearing is, of course, underwear, which makes her giggle. This fun story will make you laugh, and the pictures amplify the text beautifully: soft, clean and colorful, duck is wacky and Emily is cute. Pair this with a Pigeon book (Mo Willems) for a fun bird storytime.


Bear's Picture by Daniel Pinkwater
http://tinyurl.com/6nsvko

Bear decides to paint a picture--an abstract, much to the chagrin of two proper gentlemen. As Bear works, they try to decipher it, only to find their interpretations are nothing like Bear's intentions, and get sucked into the picture (as if being ignored). Only Bear's painting is in color, brilliantly standing out and drawing the eye to it, each page different as the paint is layered on the canvas. This would pair well with art books (The Dot or Why Is Blue Dog Blue?), as well as pooh-poohing adult books (Snow or Cows Can't Fly), and, of course, bear books.


STORYWAGON REMINDER

Just a gentle reminder to complete and return Storywagon evaluations after the performances at your libraries in Racine and Walworth Counties. You can submit evaluations three different ways: on the green paper form, as a Word document, or via Survey Monkey. Check the Blog for more information and the Survey Monkey link. Thanks in advance!


DISNEY MINNIE GRANTS 2008

Youth Service America and Disney are pleased to launch a second round of Disney Minnie Grants to engage children and youth, ages 5-14 as community volunteers. The selected applications will receive $500 to support their youth-led service projects. The deadline is August 30 and projects must take place October 15-November 15, 2008. Grantees from the first round of Disney awards of 2008 are eligible to apply. Visit http://bme1.net/link/redirect.asp?g=0&c=230719&l=212425712&e=rpuntney@lakeshores.lib.wi.us&url=http://www.YSA.org/awards for more information and application materials. You can review past award recipients from all over the world at: http://bme1.net/link/redirect.asp?g=0&c=230719&l=212425712&e=rpuntney@lakeshores.lib.wi.us&url=http://ysa.org/AwardsGrants/DisneyMinnieGrants/DisneyMinnieGrantees2008/tabid/292/Default.aspx


SEEDS FOR EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM INVITES APPLICATIONS

Deadline: November 15, 2008

Wild Ones is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the use of natural landscaping with native plant species as an ecologically better alternative to traditional landscaping practices. Wild Ones members and chapters work with schools and nature centers to plant and maintain natural landscapes in these centers of learning. In 1996, the Wild Ones board of directors started the Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Fund to further foster such projects.

Schools, nature centers, and other nonprofit and not-for-profit places of learning with a site available for this stewardship project may apply for an SFE grant. Project goals should focus on the enhancement and development of an appreciation for nature using native plants. Projects must emphasize involvement of students and volunteers and increase the educational value of the site. Creativity in design is encouraged but must show complete and thoughtful planning. The use of and teaching about native plants and the native plant community is mandatory and must be appropriate to the local ecoregion and site conditions (soil, water, sunlight).

Funds will be provided only for the purchase of native plants and seed. Cash awards range from $100 to $500 each. Successful grants are eligible for partnership with SFE native plant nursery partners for discounts on seed, plants, etc. Complete grant program information as well as resources on natural landscaping are available at the Wild Ones Web site at http://www.for-wild.org/sfecvr.html. Deadline to apply is November 15, 2008.


EVENTS THIS WEEK AND NEXT

Thursday, June 26
Bicycle patented in 1819
National Chocolate Pudding Day
Bar Code Birthday Day
Toothbrush Day

Friday, June 27
Sunglasses Day
Captain Kangaroo's birthday (Bob Keeshan)
Helen Keller's birthday
Special Recreation for Disabled Day
National Orange Blossom Day
National Columnists Day

Saturday, June 28
Paul Bunyan Day
Let It Go Day

Sunday, June 29
America's Kids Day
National Ducks & Wetlands Day
Camera Day

Monday, June 30
Chevy Corvette debuted in 1953
Meteor Day

Tuesday, July 1
American Zoo Day
Canada Day
International Joke Day
Build a Scarecrow Day
National Postal Workers Day
Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day
Frozen Yogurt Day
Early Bird Day

Wednesday, July 2
Halfway Point of the Year
I Forgot Day

Thursday, July 3
Compliment Your Mirror Day
Eat Beans Day
Dog Days Begin
Stay Out of the Sun Day

Friday, July 4
Independence Day
National Country Music Day
Sidewalk Egg Frying Day
Family Day
Yankee Doodle Dandy Day

Saturday, July 5
Graham Cracker Day
Caribbean Day
Workaholics Day

Sunday, July 6
National Fried Chicken Day
National Air Traffic Control Day

Monday, July 7
Macaroni Day
Father-Daughter Take a Walk Together Day
National Strawberry Sundae Day
Chocolate Day
Ice Cream Cone Day

Tuesday, July 8
Be a Kid Again Day
Video Games Day
Police Uniform Day
Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Omelet Day

Wednesday, July 9
National Sugar Cookie Day
National Air Conditioning Appreciation Day
Intern Appreciation Day
Recreation Day


DATES TO REMEMBER

June 27 First day of Summerfest!
June 26-July 2 2008 ALA Annual Conference, Anaheim, CA
July 29 Newbery Caldecott Banquet and I am at a table with Mo Willems!
July 2-3 Rhonda on vacation
July 4 Lakeshores offices closed
July 5 First day of Bristol Renaissance Faire
November 4-7 WLA Conference, Middleton


WEBSITE FAVES

Bird Talk, Bird Brains: Why Birds Talk
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=574

This site explains that a pet bird may learn "to mimic our voice primarily because the sound is interesting to him -- and it gets attention.” Includes tips on how to teach your bird to talk, triggers for bird vocalization, and the science of avian vocalization. From veterinarians who run a site that sells pet supplies. (Copyright 2008 by Librarians' Internet Index, LII This Week, 6/20/08)


BookWink
http://www.bookwink.com/

Bookwink seeks to get students excited about reading by providing video book talks online as well as booklists that are appropriate for grade levels three through eight. Book talks are categorized by theme or topic, with the books of the day featured on the main page. The archive includes two or three books in each of eight themes including witches, World War II, sharks, 19th Century, love, mythology, volcanoes, and mermaids. Sonja Cole, a middle school librarian and high school English teacher, is the host of the site and the book reviewer. Visitors to the site can subscribe to the Wink-list to receive news of upcoming videos or to the video podcast to automatically receive the latest videos. Additionally, there is an extensive list of books that are appropriate for grades 3-8 that can be perused by subject, grade level, author, or title. Book titles include a brief description and link to a site where they can be purchased. (Education World Site Reviews, 6/24/08)


Whyville
http://www.whyville.net/

Tweens will enjoy the activities and the interaction with other students in the Whyville community. Visitors to the page will want to begin by creating their own persona and joining the community (membership is free). Then they can participate in activities that range from science and math to art, civics, and economics. Examples include earning a salary by participating in educational activities, managing finances and shopping in the bazaar. Destinations within Whyville include the playground, pool party, room decorator, smartcars arena, spinlab, sportplatz, the Whyville Times, and much more. Whyville works with such institutions as NASA, the Getty Museum, the School Nutrition Association, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to bring the educational content to its “citizens.” (Education World Site Reviews, 6/24/08)


AND FINALLY……………
My daughter Bethany passed her audition to join my Sweet Adelines chorus!