Be Creative @ Your Library and Express Yourself @ Your Library Webliography

BE CREATIVE @ YOUR LIBRARY and EXPRESS YOURSELF @ YOUR LIBRARY WEBLIOGRAPHY
A compilation of websites from Rhonda Puntney’s CEO newsletter

Websites are loosely categorized by Art and Artists, Creative Writing, Dance, Music, Theatre and Drama, and Miscellaneous


ART AND ARTISTS

Art Access


Teachers, parents, and students who are interested in multicultural art will find a wealth of resources here. Art Access gives access to four of the institute's collections: Ancient Indian Art of the Americas, African American Art, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, and Modern and Contemporary Art. Resources in each area include lesson plans, family activities, a glossary, books and media, and maps as well as thumbnails of the art. The lesson plans are geared toward particular grade levels but can be adapted for any level, and the art projects in the family activities can be adapted for classroom use. (Education World Site Reviews)


Universal Leonardo
http://www.universalleonardo.org/

Universal Leonardo covers a massive amount of information about the man and his extraordinary skills. First time visitors may want to begin with the Explore section where they will find interactive exhibits that look at Leonardo da Vinci’s work on the forces of nature, the human body, light and vision, and the natural world and learn how these things are all interconnected according to da Vinci. Alternatively, the interactive timeline at the top of the page provides a visual representation of the interconnectedness by linking related images. The Play section is delightful for all ages and includes online games and activities such as making a monster and making Mona Lisa smile as well as a few activities that can be downloaded and used in the classroom. The Discover section gives users the opportunity to learn about the scientific techniques used to analyze the “Madonna of the Yarnwinder”. Additionally, users can also browse through collections of paintings, manuscripts, inventions, and drawings and learn about the life and times of this celebrated artist. ( Education World Site Reviews, 10/14/08)


Van Gogh and the Colors of the Night
http://www.moma.org/exhibitions/2008/vangoghnight/

Companion to a 2008/2009 exhibit exploring painter Vincent Van Gogh's "nocturnal interiors and landscapes, which often combine with other longstanding themes of his art -- peasant life, sowers, wheatfields, and the encroachment of modernity on the rural scene." View "paintings, drawings, and letters from all periods of his career, as well as examples of the rich literary sources that influenced his work." Also includes audio commentary. From the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). (Copyright 2008 by Librarians' Internet Index, LII this Week, 11/13/08)


Joan Miro: Painting and Anti-Painting, 1927-1937
http://media.moma.org/subsites/2008/miro/

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's online exhibition: Joan Miro: Painting and Anti-Painting 1927-1937 is a great-looking website. Miro's work can be viewed in several different ways. Click on "Chronology" at the bottom of the page, and you'll see a timeline with paintings, collages, assemblages from the exhibit, as well as ones not in the exhibit. Roll over a work and you'll get the title, click on the work and you'll get a description of it, and be able to zoom in on the image of the work. With the high quality close-up you can see the brush strokes on the canvas. By clicking on "Series," at the bottom of the page, you can see his works divided up by series, and by rolling over the works you can see the series titles, such as "Paintings Based on Collages", "Constructions and Objects", and "Small Paintings on Masonite and Copper". Visitors shouldn't miss looking at the collages, and the paintings based on them, side-by-side in "Paintings Based on Collages". Another approach to categorizing Miro's works is by "Relative Size." Laid out much like a timeline, but neither in date order or ascending (or descending) size, the visitor can click on each work to read its description. Finally, at the bottom left of the page, you'll find "Filter", where you can choose within Methods, Supports, Mediums, and Materials, the filters you want for the content of the site. For instance, you can choose to see only "collages", done on "masonite" using "tempera" and "printed paper". After you choose the filters, click again on "Series", "Chronology", "Relative Size", or "Index", and see only those works that fit the criteria of the filters you selected. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2008, http://scout.wisc.edu/, 11/14/08)


The Divine Art: Four Centuries of European Tapestries
http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/exhibitions/divineart/

This exhibition from the Art Institute of Chicago showcases the Museum's impressive tapestry collection, primarily acquired by donation from Chicago's wealthy merchants and industrialists, who purchased European artifacts in volume during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The website is divided into several sections, including "Tapestries in Context", with information on the uses and major periods and styles of tapestry production, from the Golden Age (most of the 16th century) through the Industrial Revolution. There is a tapestry technology section, "Tapestry Design and Weaving", that explains the collaborative nature of tapestries, from artist's design, to cartoon, to actual weaving. The website also includes digital images of about 15 selected works, such as A Falconer with Two Ladies and a Foot Soldier, c. 1500, a Golden Age tapestry in the millefleur style. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2008, http://scout.wisc.edu/, 11/14/08)


Exploring Leonardo
http://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/LeoHomePage.html

Focuses on the intersection between art and science, exploring how Leonardo daVinci applied the scientific method creatively in every aspect of life including art and music. The site was designed by the Boston Museum of Science for grades 4 -8, students and teachers.


The Renaissance Connection
http://www.renaissanceconnection.org/main.cfm

From the Allentown Art Museum, explores Renaissance visual arts and innovations and their role in the making of the modern world. Integrate art with social studies, science and language arts with these interactive activities for middle school students.


Lots of Renoir
(these sites are all from Surfing the Net with Kids)

Art in the Picture: Pierre-Auguste Renoir
http://www.artinthepicture.com/artists/Pierre-Auguste_Renoir/Biography/
The beautifully designed Art in the Picture offers a Renoir biography, a few quotes, and most importantly, a gallery. Sorted either by popularity or date, Art in the Picture displays twenty-five Renoir paintings, complete with title, date, and tags, but no annotation. Additional artists are searchable by name, movement, country, century or tag. The tags are fun to explore, and lead to some unique juxtapositions. For example, paintings tagged "bee" include one work by Salvador Dali and another by Albrecht Durer.


Expo-Shop: Renoir
http://www.expo-renoir.com/

This Expo-Shop site contains a gallery of over 200 Renoir works. Best reasons to visit are the versatility of the search function (works can be found by keyword, technique, theme or year), the Renoir biography (which includes links to important works), and the Permanent Exhibitions list. Because most of these ten museums have a good portion of their permanent collections cataloged online, the best way to learn more about Renoir is to visit these websites, and use the museum's on-site search functions to find more Renoir.


National Gallery of Art Tour: Mary Cassatt and Auguste Renoir
http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg83/gg83-main1.html

"Toward the end of the nineteenth century, many French painters turned their attention to scenes of modern life… For the two artists featured here, Mary Cassatt and Auguste Renoir, images from the lives of women and children, especially, provided lifelong inspiration." This National Gallery of Art tour brings a true museum experience to the Web. Although this mini-exhibit features only seven paintings, it's the commentary that makes it so valuable. "Perhaps more than the work of any other artist, Renoir's sunlit scenes reflect the joie de vivre that is so appealing in impressionist painting."


The National Gallery: Renoir
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/cgi-bin/WebObjects.dll/CollectionPublisher.woa/wa/artistBiography?artistID=598

This online museum exhibit from London's National Gallery begins with a short Renoir biography. Your next stop should be The Impressionists, a special feature listed as a "Who's Who" Guide. In addition to Renoir, the exhibit includes works by Monet, Degas, Manet, Pissarro and Cezanne. Returning to the original biography page, you'll find twelve more of Renoir's paintings listed in the right-hand column, each with an excellent description.


Philadelphia Museum of Art: Renoir Landscapes
http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/260.html

"Celebrated for his portraits and nudes, Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841–1919) is most often associated with figure painting. He was also a lover of nature, however, and an accomplished painter of landscapes." Be sure to read the articles exploring themes in Renoir's landscape paintings such as gardens and cityscapes, and listen to curator John Zarobell's two-part audio podcast. "The paintings on view in this exhibition reveal the subtlety of touch; vaporous effects; and lush, full-blown color that mark Renoir as one of the most audacious and original landscape artists of his age."


Captured Emotions: Baroque Painting in Bologna, 1575-1725
http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/captured_emotions/

This web exhibition from the Getty Museum traces the influences of the Carracci family of Bologna, Italy, thought by some art historians to have revitalized painting in the late 16th century, after the passing of the great Renaissance artists. The Explore tool provided by the Museum allows visitors to see and read about all 43 paintings in the exhibition, including works by the Carracci themselves, brothers Annibale and Agostino, and their cousin Ludovico, as well as some of their followers and students, Guido Reni, Domenichino, and Francesco Albani. Works can be sorted by theme, artist, or lending museum using the tool. For example, sorting by portraiture creates a set of portraits: a young boy, possibly Antonio Carracci, who was Agostino Carracci's illegitimate son, shown with cherries and a lute; Giulio Mascheroni, a lute player; and two important religious leaders: Pope Gregory XV and Cardinal Roberto Ubaldino. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 2/13/09)


CREATIVE WRITING

Amherst College: Online Resources for Writers
https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/support/writingcenter/resourcesforwriters

As with many other colleges and universities, Amherst College is dedicated to helping their students become excellent writers. In order to accomplish this goal, they have created a fine set of online resources for use by their own students and members of the web-browsing public. This particular set includes a long list of resources created by staff members at Amherst and at other institutions. These resources are divided into thematic headings such as "Preparing to Write", "Thesis and Argument", "Clarity and Grace", and "Using Sources". On the left hand side of the page, users can view the same list and also learn more about the writing center at Amherst and their work. Overall, it's a fine set of resources, and one that college students in particular will find useful, especially as they approach a paper deadline. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2008, http://scout.wisc.edu/, 10/10/08)


DANCE

Ballroom Dancers
http://www.ballroomdancers.com/

Learn to dance like a pro with step by step video and historical background for a variety of popular ballroom dances, including foxtrot, waltz, mamba, tango, cha cha, swing, and more. The dance directory lists places to dance by state and professional instructors. There’s also a message board and a classifieds section selling costumes and DVDs. Sign up for a free basic membership to access more of the site.


Bedecked, Bedazzled & Bejeweled: Costume Ornamentation at New York City Ballet
http://www.nycballet.com/researchers/archive/bedecked.html

Online exhibit and accompanying article about New York City Ballet costumes. "In photographs, the costumes bloom with a fierce poetry, products of wild imagination and painstaking industry. The tutus and tiaras, the grand gowns and flirty skirts, the formal men's jackets and dapper vests worn by generations of New York City Ballet dancers can now be viewed here." View images highlighting details of ballet costumes. From the New York City Ballet. (Copyright 2008 by Librarians' Internet Index, 10/30/08)


Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre
http://www.alvinailey.org/

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is one the premier dance academies in the United States. Founded by Ailey in 1958, this company has been on the cutting edge of the dance world ever since. The center offers a dancer's dream-come-true summer intensive workshop for youth ages 12-25. Click on The Alvin Ailey American Dance Center link on the main page to find out more about the summer intensive, application and audition schedules. The company holds auditions all over the country and encourages a multi-cultural group to apply. The center also holds classes throughout the regular school year for young people lucky enough to live nearby. The summer intensive program only accepts serious dancers, so get to work if you want to participate in this awesome opportunity to dance with the best in New York City! (Education World Site Reviews)


MUSIC

Jazz in America
http://www.jazzinamerica.org.asp1-1.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/

Students, teachers, or anyone interested in this style of music will enjoy the resources here. A complete resource library is available that includes a timeline, a glossary, photographs, audio clips, a list of important "firsts," information on selected artists, style sheets, and a history of jazz education. The program aims to help "students develop imaginative thinking, creativity, curiosity, a positive self-image, and a respect for their own and others' heritage." Lesson plans for grade 11 and 8 are currently available with plans for publishing grade five in the near future. Each of the sixteen lessons addresses standards for U.S. History and Arts Education and includes a teacher's guide, handouts, assessments, and links to the supporting media. The focus of the lessons is the music and the role it has played in American culture. Classroom teachers have permission to download, print, and photocopy as needed. (Education World Site Reviews)


Great Conversations in Music
http://www.free.ed.gov/resource.cfm?resource_id=2091

This site presents video interviews with distinguished musicians and composers. Hosted by Eugene Istomin (1925-2003), one of the world's most admired classical musicians, the series includes conversations with Mstislav Rostropovich, Yo-Yo Ma, Milton Babbitt, and others. Topics include piano performance technique, modern contemporary music, the essence of the string quartet, the influence of master teachers, and lessons from the great virtuosos of the past. (Free Ed posting, 12/2/08, http://www.free.ed.gov/)


Musicals 101: The Cyber Encyclopedia of Musical Theatre, TV and Film
http://www.musicals101.com/

This site's purpose is to be "a reliable educational resource celebrating the history of musical theater, film, and television." Offers detailed histories, bibliographies, chronologies, a show rights index, reviews, photo galleries, biographical sketches, script samples, and a calendar of memorable events. Specific musicals, people, and other topics are highlighted in special features. Searchable, with a site map. Maintained by John Kenrick, a musical theater history expert. (Copyright 2008 by Librarians’ Internet Index)


Music and the Brain
http://www.loc.gov/podcasts/musicandthebrain/index.html

What is the relationship between the brain and music? That very question animates the Library of Congress' Music and the Brain series, and their website allows interested parties to listen in on some of the conversations, lectures, and symposia. Noted psychologist Kay Redfield Jamison chairs the initiative, and the programs bring together physicians, theorists, composers, and performers. Visitors can listen to some of these recent conversations via this website, and they can also sign up to receive new podcasts via iTunes. Currently, there are five different podcasts available. They include talks with Dr. Charles J. Limb ("Your Brain on Jazz"), Jessica Krash ("Dangerous Music"), and Dr. Aniruddh D. Patel on "The Music of Language and the Language of Music". (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 2/13/09)


THEATRE AND DRAMA

WWW Virtual Library Theatre and Drama
http://vl-theatre.com/

Here you will find pointers to resources in more than 50 countries around the world, for professionals, amateurs, academics and students of all ages. The site is updated daily.


Children’s Creative Theatre Guide
http://library.thinkquest.org/5291/

The Children's Creative Theater Web site is a product of the 1999 ThinkQuest Junior competition. Kids produce this top-flight site for kids, and it's a winner! Look at the short but surprisingly comprehensive History of Theater page. You'll find references to modern theater's roots in cultures around the world. Next explore the Glossary of Theater Terms page, and try your hand at some of the word games that encourage students to study the list of stage terms. Now you're ready for the games, skit, and resources sections that will show you how to start using creative dramatics in the classroom. Teachers will especially love the resources section, which is full of cross-curriculum based ideas and organized by grade level and subject area. Students will enjoy the active way that creative dramatics can bring the curriculum to life -- the young people who put this site together obviously do! (Education World Site Reviews)


The Bunraku Collection
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital/collections/eastasian/bunraku/

Bunraku is a form of tremendously complex puppet theater that is the result of the extremely focused efforts of puppeteers, narrators, and musicians. The art form was first developed in the seventeenth century, and its popularity peaked in the eighteenth century as major playwrights began to develop elaborate plot lines. Drawing on the remarkable Bunraku collection of Barbara Curtis Adachi, the Columbia University Libraries has created this gallery which includes photographs of different productions, information about authors, and performers. Those persons new to Bunraku will want to start by clicking on "The World of Bunraku" area. Here they can read an essay about noted Bunraku author Chikamatsu Monzaemon and listen to music from a Bunraku production. After that, visitors can search the entire online archive, or browse through the collection by play title, author, performer, or production. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 3/27/09)


MISCELLANEOUS

PRINT
http://www.printmag.com/

This website is Print magazine's online presence. Established in 1940, Print magazine features writing about visual culture and design, with special attention paid to work that looks at design in its social, political, and historical contexts. Print's tagline is "Design Culture Comment", and essentially it's a thinking person's guide to graphic design. Clicking on "Current Issue" on the left side of the page will allow visitors to peruse some of the main articles of the current issue. Visitors can, of course, also view selections from past issues. Importantly for readers of this type of magazine, Print has a section called "Competitions" that gives designers the potential opportunity to get their design ideas heard. Visitors should not miss the "News" link for a daily dose of design news and the "Daily Heller", which offers up witty, scathing, and informative commentary on current design ideas and issues. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2008, http://scout.wisc.edu/, 10/10/08)


The Art of Teaching the Arts: A Workshop for High School Teachers
http://www.learner.org/workshops/hsarts/

Teaching the arts is, as one might expect, an art in itself, and teachers young and old alike will find much to engage their attention on this delightful website. Created as part of the Annenberg Media's educational resource website, this site offers an eight-part professional development workshop for use by music, theater, dance, and visual art teachers. The site includes all eight of the one hour programs, and visitors just need to complete a free registration form to view them in their entirety. The programs all include demonstrations, sample activities, and other pedagogical elements. Visitors should note that the programs include titles like "Developing Students as Artists", "Creating Rich Learning Environments", and "Fostering Genuine Communication". The site also includes support materials and "Channel talk", which is the email discussion list for this set of workshops. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2008. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 10/17/08)


Artopia
http://www.knowitall.org/artopia/

A website for middle school students about the visual and performing arts. "Students can closely examine important works of art and take part in activities that teach about styles, principles and processes of each art form." Topics include dance, theater, media arts, music, painting, and sculpture. Provides lesson plans and classroom materials. From the South Carolina Educational Television Commission (ETV). (Copyright 2008 by Librarians’ Internet Index)


KerPoof
http://www.kerpoof.com/

KerPoof is a free online multimedia software that allows children to explore their creativity by drawing, making animated movies, writing and illustrating stories, producing pictures and cards, and more. The software is intuitive and easy to use, giving children—even those who aren’t proficient in art—an opportunity to produce and share successful artwork quickly and easily. KerPoof’s library of stock images goes far beyond ordinary fare. The color palettes vary from bold to subtle, and the tools that invite children to consider and adjust an object’s perspective are among the attributes that makes this Web site stand above others offering similar activities. (Big Deal Book Newsletter, 11/17/08)


Art Safari
http://www.moma.org/momalearning/artsafari/index.html

Use art as a writing prompt for elementary aged kids with Art Safari from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). This site's simple design and questions make it appropriate for younger elementary students.


MOMA’s Destination Modern Art
http://www.moma.org/destination/

MoMA's Destination Modern Art, designed for 5-8 year-olds, guides children to explore works of art using activities that include music, math, reading and more.


SmARTKids
http://smartmuseum.uchicago.edu/smartkids/

SmARTKids from the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago combines learning about art with reading and writing. Student must read a lot and write in an online journal to complete the games and activities at the site. Appropriate for upper elementary and middle school students.


101 Summer Reading Program Ideas
http://in.webjunction.org/566/articles/content/3758033

Michele Farley, the youth services consultant in Indiana, shares this compilation of fun and fabulous ideas!


Activities from Susan Dailey

Author and librarian Susan Dailey has added a page to her website with some activities you could use in storytime to go along with the “Be Creative” theme. Go to: http://www.susanmdailey.com/index.html and click on the "Be Creative @ Your Library activities" button.


Creativity Portal
http://www.creativity-portal.com/

Creativity Portal is “an invigorating community alive with the voices of creativity coaches, artists, writers, and business professionals sharing their knowledge and expertise, inspiring creative exploration and expression in everyone.” You’ll find writing projects, blogs, book excerpts, free printables, a newsletter and more. Share this with your YAs.


Cartoon Library and Museum
http://cartoons.osu.edu/

This is the website for this library and museum that houses "more than 400,000 original works of cartoon art." Features a description of major collections (and browsable lists of clipping file subjects and topics), a cartoon image database with selected scanned images from the collection, digital albums (such as of Lyonel Feininger's 1906 comic strip and Nell Brinkley's "Brinkley Girls"), digital exhibits, and related material. From The Ohio State University Libraries. (sorry, didn’t note citation)


Cartoonster
http://www.cartoonster.com/

Cartoonster features a collection of fun and interactive tutorials, which teach children and young people, step by step, how to create their own cartoons and animations. They’ll even discover some shortcuts and animators’ secrets along the way. (Big Deal Newsletter, 4/15/09)


EDUCATION WORLD SITE REVIEWS FOR THE FINE ARTS
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/past/topics/fine_arts.shtml

The following is a listing of the arts-related sites from one of my favorite resources, Education World Site Reviews. They are organized by general; art history; dance; music; and puppetry, theatre and film. I’ve included the entire list here, however, all of these are available (and annotated) at the link above.

General:
African Art Now: Masterpieces from the Jean Pigozzi Collection
Art Access
Art Explorer
@rt room
Art Teacher on the Net
Artcyclopedia: The Fine Art Search Engine
Art for Peace
Arts Connect Ed
Arts EdNet
Arts Workshop: The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Artsonia
Arty Factory
Aunt Annie's Craft Page
Avalon Arts Studio: Ideas for Teachers
Best Practices of Technology Integration in Michigan
Carmine's Landscape Adventure
Casa de Joanna
Ceramics Web
Cezanne in Provence
Children's Theater/Creative Drama
Chopin Early Editions
The Color Pencil Challenge
Color Theory
Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum: Educator Resource Center
Draw and Color with Uncle Fred
DSOKids
Elementary Art Education
Elementary Art Lesson Plans
Eyes on Art
FirstGov for Kids
The Great Buildings Collection
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
The Imagination Factory
The Incredible Art Department
Interact: Smithsonian American Art Museum
The Kennedy Center's ARTSEDGE
The Kennedy Center's ARTSEDGE
Kinder Art
Kodak Picture Playground
A Lifetime of Color
Monster Exchange
Mark Kistler's Imagination Station
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: Collections
National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts
National Gallery of Art: Classroom
Native American Geometry
New Zealand Art Teacher Resource
Online Classics
The Open Vault
Oriland
Performing Medieval Narrative Today: A Video Showcase
Pieces and Creases - A Fun Guide To Origami
Rainbow Maker's World
Scribbles
The Skyscraper Page
The Space Place
The Star
Teach Pottery.net
Totally Tessellated: An Introduction to Tessellations
Winslow Homer in the National Gallery of Art


Art History:
Africana.com
All About Art
American Centuries... Views from New England
Ancient City of Athens
Ancient Mexico
Architecture Through the Ages
Art Access
Art Explorer
ArtMagick
The Art of Japan
Art Safari
Arts Connect Ed
Arty Factory
A Brush With Wildlife: Create a Composition With Carl Rungius
Campfire Stories with George Catlin
The Cave of Lascaux
Cezanne in Provence
Color Theory
Exploring Leonardo
From Silk to Oil: Cross-Cultural Connections Along the Silk Roads
Galeria Del Uffizi
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Impressionism
Inside Art
Interact: Smithsonian American Art Museum
The Kennedy Center's ARTSEDGE
Le WebLouvre
Leonardo da Vinci: Master Draftsman
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Michelangelo Buonarroti
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: Collections
Museum of Web Art
National Gallery of Art: Classroom
National Gallery of Art Kids' Page
The National Museum of Women in the Arts
New Zealand Art Teacher Resource
Online Classics
Oriental Institute Museum
Performing Medieval Narrative Today: A Video Showcase
Print-art.com
Rembrandt's Journey: Painter, Draftsman, Etcher
The Renaissance Connection, from the Allentown Art Museum
Scribbles
SmARTkids
Teach Pottery.net
1200 Years of Italian Sculpture
Universal Leonardo
Vatican Museums Online
Vincent van Gogh Information Gallery
Winslow Homer in the National Gallery of Art


Dance:
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Folk Dance Association
The Kennedy Center's ARTSEDGE
Online Classics


Music:
American Music Conference
AMG All Music Guide
ArtsAlive.ca: Music
Bach Digital
Carnegie Hall: Listening Adventures
Charles H. Templeton Sheet Music Collection
Chopin Early Editions
Classical Archives
Classical Net
Creating Music
DW3 Classical Music Resources
DSOKids
Echoes of Africa
Energy In The Air: Sounds From The Orchestra
Essentials of Music Online
Garden State Pops Orchestra
Handel
History Happens
Internet Resources for Music Teachers
Jazz in America
Judy and David.com
The Kennedy Center's ARTSEDGE
Kididdles
Mozart's Magical Musical Life
The Museum of Musical Instruments
Music Education at DataDragon
Music Education Online
Music, The Universal Language!
Musically Inclined
MusicLand Theme Park
Musipedia
New York Philharmonic: Kidzone
Notation Station
Online Classics
Piano on the Net
Playmusic.org
Ricci Adams' MusicTheory.net
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The Science of Music
SFS Kids: Fun with Music
Songs for Teaching
Sound Junction
The Virtual Museum of Music Inventions
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
The Symphony: An Interactive Guide
Young Composers


Puppetry, Theatre and Film:
Arts Workshop: The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Children's Creative Theater
Children's Theater/Creative Drama
Cyber Film School
A Dramatic Education
Giggle Poetry
Globenext
High School Theatre on a Budget
The Kennedy Center's ARTSEDGE
Kid’s Vid
Online Classics
Performing Medieval Narrative Today: A Video Showcase
Playbill Online
The Puppetry Homepage

CEO Newsletter, 03/27/09

Children’s Event Organizer
Lakeshores Library System and
Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System
Youth Services Update
Issue 328, March 27, 2009
http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/mwflskids.htm
http://www.llsmwflschildrens.blogspot.com/


In this issue:
· Ruhama’s Review
· Be Creative @ Your Library/Express Yourself @ Your Library
· Adolescent Literacy Workshop
· D.E.A.R. (DROP EVERYTHING AND READ) DAY
· Jim Gill’s Family Room Tour
· Moving Rhymes for Modern Times with Jim Gill
· Online Resources to Honor National Poetry Month
· Movie News
· Dates to Remember
· Website Faves
· And Finally…….


RUHAMA’S REVIEW

Holdup by Terri Fields
http://tinyurl.com/dnltjt

Everyone thinks their day is going to be normal. This is true for the teens who work at Burger Heaven, but little do they know, they are going to be part of a holdup and be held as hostages that night. The book is divided into four sections: we meet our cast of characters in the first two. Each character has a different voice (which Fields has captured spot on – just by the words Sara uses, you know she's a bit of a Valley girl, even though she never admits to be part of the popular crowd) and tells why they are working at BH and, in the case of the robbers, why they are planning to hold up the joint. The third and fourth sections are told in a different style, which also keeps the narration fresh. I kept thinking this whole book would be a great play or reader's theater. Fields keeps the characters real and true to their nature with the fourth section, which takes place one year later. She also throws in a few red herrings, which I really appreciated -- the beginning was feeling a bit predictable, but there were enough twists to keep me on my toes. This is a quick read that teens and adults will enjoy.


BE CREATIVE @ YOUR LIBRARY / EXPRESS YOURSELF @ YOUR LIBRARY

The Bunraku Collection
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital/collections/eastasian/bunraku/

Bunraku is a form of tremendously complex puppet theater that is the result of the extremely focused efforts of puppeteers, narrators, and musicians. The art form was first developed in the seventeenth century, and its popularity peaked in the eighteenth century as major playwrights began to develop elaborate plot lines. Drawing on the remarkable Bunraku collection of Barbara Curtis Adachi, the Columbia University Libraries has created this gallery which includes photographs of different productions, information about authors, and performers. Those persons new to Bunraku will want to start by clicking on "The World of Bunraku" area. Here they can read an essay about noted Bunraku author Chikamatsu Monzaemon and listen to music from a Bunraku production. After that, visitors can search the entire online archive, or browse through the collection by play title, author, performer, or production. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 3/27/09)


Cartoon Library and Museum
http://cartoons.osu.edu/

This is the website for this library and museum that houses "more than 400,000 original works of cartoon art." Features a description of major collections (and browsable lists of clipping file subjects and topics), a cartoon image database with selected scanned images from the collection, digital albums (such as of Lyonel Feininger's 1906 comic strip and Nell Brinkley's "Brinkley Girls"), digital exhibits, and related material. From The Ohio State University Libraries. (sorry, didn’t note citation)


ADOLESCENT LITERACY WORKSHOP

Libraries and literacy have always gone hand-in-hand, but for today’s teens – and today’s libraries – the changing literacy landscape demands a new skill set. The first part of this all-day workshop will provide an in-depth look at adolescent literacy and teen brain development, focusing on ways that libraries can develop programs, services and spaces that target the range of literacy skills teens need to succeed in the 21st century. Then, we’ll spend an afternoon looking at methods and best practices for connecting teens and reading, with highlights of the past year’s best books for teen readers.

This workshop is sponsored by Lakeshores Library System, Kenosha County Library System, and MidWisconsin Federated Library System. Register by March 27th by calling Rhonda at 262-514-4500 x67 or emailing rpuntney@lakeshores.lib.wi.us.


D.E.A.R. (DROP EVERYTHING AND READ) DAY

D.E.A.R. stands for Drop Everything and Read. National D.E.A.R. Day is a special reading celebration to remind and encourage families to make reading together on a daily basis a family priority. The birthday of beloved author Beverly Cleary is the official event date, April 12th, but every day is a great day to Drop Everything and Read! The goal is to make reading a regular part of your routine. So, go ahead and read today, tomorrow, and every day!

The D.E.A.R. Day celebration is sponsored by The National Education Association (NEA); Parent Teacher Association (PTA); the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association; Reading Rockets; The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC); the Newspaper Association of America Foundation (NAA); First Book; HarperCollins Children’s Books; and Ramona Quimby.

For more information on celebrating D.E.A.R. Day, go to http://www.dropeverythingandread.com/index.html.


JIM GILL'S FAMILY ROOM TOUR

Jim Gill offers more than a show to watch. It's an opportunity for family play! In concert, Jim bangs out energetic rhythms on his banjo while everyone claps, jumps, dances and even sneezes along. The concert is filled, of course, with songs from Jim’s award-winning recordings and features sing-alongs of Jim’s musical books for young children. The concert will be held April 14th, 7pm, at the Elkhorn Area Middle School cafeteria, 627 E Court Street. No registration required – the concert is free! For more information please call the Matheson Memorial Library, 262-723-2678.


MOVING RHYMES FOR MODERN TIMES WITH JIM GILL

The American Library Association named Jim Gill’s latest CD, “Jim Gill Sings Moving Rhymes for Modern Times” a 2007 Notable Children’s Recording, the association’s highest honor for music. The CD name is also a fitting title for this energizing workshop for early childhood professionals. Jim Gill’s session is filled with songs and games that early childhood teachers and care providers can utilize in their programming. Connections between music and early literacy become clear as Jim Gill shares clever word play and rhymes in the context of active movement games. Jim will focus on music as a context for active play and participation, the type of music for which Jim is known best. He will discuss how a play-based program provides an inclusive environment for children with special needs and share thoughts based on his work with children of all ability levels. In his humorous and straightforward manner, Jim will address the many benefits of play and, in particular, music play. Librarians, teachers, childcare professionals, and educators are invited. The workshop will be held April 14th, 4:30pm, in the community room at Matheson Memorial Library, 101 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn. For more information or to register, please call 262-723-2678.


ONLINE RESOURCES TO HONOR NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

The Academy of American Poets is turning to digital means to encourage students, educators, and others to think outside the iambic pentameter for National Poetry Month this April. On its site, the aptly tagged poets.org, users can find free poems to download, a sign-up list to have a poem emailed daily, instructions for accessing a mobile poetry site, details on requesting a free poster celebrating National Poetry Month, plus particulars on the Academy’s Free Verse Photo contest encouraging poets of all ages to take a few lines from a well-known poem, and express it in an ephemeral, non-permanent way. Entrants can write the words on a sandy beach with a stick, or spell them out with chalk on a sidewalk, then photograph their visual poem before it disappears, and upload it to the site by April 15.

“Poetry can be a touchstone that’s always there, that you can always turn to,” says Tree Swenson, executive director of The Academy of American Poets. “It’s especially important in this environment, more than ever, in reconnecting people to what’s essential.” For more poetic fun, there's the second annual Poem for Your Pocket Day on April 30. The Academy has posted 24 well-known verses on its site in preformatted templates from Shel Silverstein’s "If the World Was Crazy" to Emily Dickinson’s "I’m Nobody! Who Are You?" Go to http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/409 (School Library Journal online, 3/17/2009)


MOVIE NEWS

Dragonball Evolution
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1098327/
(recognize the name Randall Duk Kim? He is one of the cofounders of American Players Theatre in Spring Green.)

Where the Wild Things Are
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386117/

Ramona and Beezus
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0493949/


DATES TO REMEMBER

April 2 Adolescent Literacy workshop with Christy Mulligan, Waterford
April 10 Lakeshores office closed
April 12-18 National Library Week
April 21-24 CSLP Annual Meeting, Omaha
May 4 Riverport Friends and Family Send Off, Bristol Grade School, 7 PM
May 6-8 WAPL conference, Wisconsin Dells
May 14-17 Sweet Adelines Region 22 competition, Cedar Rapids, IA
(Riverport is contestant #12!)
July 10-14 ALA Annual Conference, Chicago


WEBSITE FAVES

Speakaboos
http://www.speakaboos.com/home

Speakaboos is a site where children can develop literacy skills while learning about technology in a safe environment. The creators of the site have taken the best loved children’s stories, including “The Emperor’s New Clothes, Stone Soup, The Ugly Duckling” and “Cinderella” and brought them to life with beautiful illustrations, original music, and the voices of celebrities. The teachers’ area offers story guides featuring discussion questions, activities, and story connections; worksheets with quizzes, puzzles and word searches; and step-by-step instructions for fun, and simple arts and crafts activities for the classroom or home. Included is an area for parents, featuring resources, tips, and information about Speakaboos and Internet safety. Visitors also are invited to record and listen to their own stories, and if they register, all the materials can be downloaded for free. (Education World Site Reviews, 3/17/09)


Horizon Magic Porthole
http://www.magicporthole.org/

The Magic Porthole will take you on a virtual tour of the fascinating world of coral reefs. Activities include online and offline multimedia experiences. Visitors to the site might want to begin by viewing the short video clip, Peek Into The Coral Reef, and see the creatures that live there; then move on to the wonders of the coral reef to learn a little about the reefs and why they should be saved. This section also has some beautiful photographs, as well as a video clip of the sea animals that live in the reefs. Click any of the photographs for more information about the lives of frogfish, cleaning gobies, turtles, sharks, and many other sea creatures and be sure to check out the anatomy of the seahorse. The photographic exhibit provides a glimpse into the symbiotic relationships of Bonaire (a small Caribbean Island) and examples of symbiotic relationships in reefs in many other parts of the world. (Education World Site Reviews, 3/17/09)


AND FINALLY……..
Is it baseball season yet??

CEO Newsletter, 03/17/09

Children’s Event Organizer
Lakeshores Library System and
Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System
Youth Services Update
Issue 328, March 17, 2009
http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/mwflskids.htm
http://www.llsmwflschildrens.blogspot.com/

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

In this issue:
· Ruhama’s Review
· Be Creative @ Your Library/Express Yourself @ Your Library
· Adolescent Literacy Workshop
· Grant Opportunities
· Celebrate the Lorax Project Student Earth Day
· Curious George Earth Science Resources
· New online tools available for National Library Week 2009
· ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ Turns 40
· Dates to Remember
· Website Faves
· And Finally…….


RUHAMA’S REVIEW

Shooting the Moon by Frances O'Roark Dowell
http://tinyurl.com/8u8yfz

Jamie is an Army brat--her father, grandfather and now her brother are all part of the United States Army. Her father, in fact, is a Colonel at Fort Hood and has trained his children to love their country and see the Army as part of displaying that loyalty. Everything seems to change, though, when TJ signs up to join the Medical Corp as soon as he graduates from high school. Suddenly, the Colonel wishes TJ would go to college first, especially since most recruits get sent immediately to Vietnam. Jamie is confused--her father has always been full-on Army, but she gradually comes to realize war isn't as glamorous as she thought, especially with the help of her brother's photos that he sends back home once he's in Nam.

Dowell has created a fascinating look at the Vietnam War--from inside an Army family. Jamie is well developed and her change from her starry eyed viewing of her brother as a war hero to reality is convincing and she is likeable. The use of photography as a major plot point is neat: most folks know a picture is worth a thousand words, but for those that don't, Dowell lays out the concept well. It also showcases that everyone has some sort of talent--they just need to find it. I appreciated the look at the war from the military standpoint and was relieved it wasn't all protests and bad mouthing. Everything wraps up a little too neatly, but I did find it nice to have closure and wouldn't want to know too much more in the context of this book. This is a quick read that effectively conveys several messages.


BE CREATIVE @ YOUR LIBRARY/EXPRESS YOURSELF @ YOUR LIBRARY

Activities from Susan Dailey

Author and librarian Susan Dailey has added a page to her website with some activities you could use in storytime to go along with the “Be Creative” theme. Go to: http://www.susanmdailey.com/index.html and click on the "Be Creative @ Your Library activities" button.


Music and the Brain
http://www.loc.gov/podcasts/musicandthebrain/index.html

What is the relationship between the brain and music? That very question animates the Library of Congress' Music and the Brain series, and their website allows interested parties to listen in on some of the conversations, lectures, and symposia. Noted psychologist Kay Redfield Jamison chairs the initiative, and the programs bring together physicians, theorists, composers, and performers. Visitors can listen to some of these recent conversations via this website, and they can also sign up to receive new podcasts via iTunes. Currently, there are five different podcasts available. They include talks with Dr. Charles J. Limb ("Your Brain on Jazz"), Jessica Krash ("Dangerous Music"), and Dr. Aniruddh D. Patel on "The Music of Language and the Language of Music". (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 2/13/09)


Captured Emotions: Baroque Painting in Bologna, 1575-1725
http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/captured_emotions/

This web exhibition from the Getty Museum traces the influences of the Carracci family of Bologna, Italy, thought by some art historians to have revitalized painting in the late 16th century, after the passing of the great Renaissance artists. The Explore tool provided by the Museum allows visitors to see and read about all 43 paintings in the exhibition, including works by the Carracci themselves, brothers Annibale and Agostino, and their cousin Ludovico, as well as some of their followers and students, Guido Reni, Domenichino, and Francesco Albani. Works can be sorted by theme, artist, or lending museum using the tool. For example, sorting by portraiture creates a set of portraits: a young boy, possibly Antonio Carracci, who was Agostino Carracci's illegitimate son, shown with cherries and a lute; Giulio Mascheroni, a lute player; and two important religious leaders: Pope Gregory XV and Cardinal Roberto Ubaldino. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 2/13/09)


Creativity Portal
http://www.creativity-portal.com/

Creativity Portal is “an invigorating community alive with the voices of creativity coaches, artists, writers, and business professionals sharing their knowledge and expertise, inspiring creative exploration and expression in everyone.” You’ll find writing projects, blogs, book excerpts, free printables, a newsletter and more. Share this with your YAs.


ADOLESCENT LITERACY WORKSHOP

Libraries and literacy have always gone hand-in-hand, but for today’s teens – and today’s libraries – the changing literacy landscape demands a new skill set. The first part of this all-day workshop will provide an in-depth look at adolescent literacy and teen brain development, focusing on ways that libraries can develop programs, services and spaces that target the range of literacy skills teens need to succeed in the 21st century. Then, we’ll spend an afternoon looking at methods and best practices for connecting teens and reading, with highlights of the past year’s best books for teen readers.

This workshop is sponsored by Lakeshores Library System, Kenosha County Library System, and MidWisconsin Federated Library System. Register by March 27th by calling Rhonda at 262-514-4500 x67 or emailing rpuntney@lakeshores.lib.wi.us.


GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

2009 LOIS LENSKI COVEY FOUNDATION LIBRARY GRANTS

Libraries serving economically or socially at-risk children and teens are invited to apply for 2009 Lois Lenski Covey Foundation library grants. Grants are for the acquisition of books published for young people preschool through grade 12. To be considered, libraries must have limited book budgets and serve a disadvantaged population. Rural and urban, public, school, and non-profit agency libraries are eligible. The grants are given to individual libraries, rather than library systems or cooperatives. 2009 grants will range from $500 to $3000.

Information regarding the Foundation, details regarding the grant program, and a downloadable 2009 grant application form can be found at the Foundation Web site www.loislenskicovey.org. Libraries unable to download the application form may request a hard copy by writing to the Lois Lenski Covey Foundation, P.O. Box 255366, Sacramento, CA 95865 or by sending an e-mail to michael.covey@loislenskicovey.org. Applications must be postmarked no later than June 15, 2009.

The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation was created by Lois Lenski, respected writer and illustrator and 1946 Newbery medalist for Strawberry Girl. Ms. Lenski had a life-long concern that all children have access to good books. Her foundation continues to help provide that access through grants to deserving agencies serving disadvantaged populations.


SAVE OUR HISTORY INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND PRESERVATION PROJECTS

Save Our History http://www.saveourhistory.com/, a program of the History Channel and the American Association for State and Local History, is a national initiative that supports local history education and historic preservation efforts in communities across the United States. Each year, Save Our History awards a total of $250,000 to history organizations that partner with schools or youth groups on preservation projects that engage students in learning about, documenting, and preserving the history of their communities.

Eligible applicants must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) history organizations (e.g., museums, historical societies, preservation organizations, historic sites, libraries, or archives). Other eligible applicants include local government agencies such as parks and recreation commissions, historic commissions, departments of local history, or other local government agencies that own and/or operate a historic site or property. Applicants must be located in one of the fifty states or the District of Columbia.

Applicants must partner with a local elementary, middle, or high school(s), or organization(s) that provides educational programming for children of similar ages to design a historic education and preservation project. Organizations that have received a Save Our History grant in the last three years are not eligible to apply. For complete program information and descriptions of previously funded projects, visit the Save Our History Web site at http://www.history.com/minisites/saveourhistory/


BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP GIVING PROGRAMS ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR 2009

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is accepting grant applications as part of its annual giving program. In the company's twelve-year history it has donated over $20 million to organizations that support families, children, animals, and the environment, including the donation of thousands of stuffed animals to comfort children in need.

Grant applications can be submitted through the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation http://www.buildabear.com/aboutus/community/grants and the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation http://www.buildabear.com/aboutUs/community/BabwFoundation.aspx.

The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation supports charities in the United States and Canada through the following special grant programs:

· Children's Health & Wellness: Champ-A Champion Fur Kids grants provide direct support for children in the areas of health and wellness. Grantees include childhood disease research foundations, child safety organizations, and organizations that serve children with special needs. Grant request deadlines are at the end of April, July, and October.
· Domestic Pets: Bearemy's Kennel Pals grants provide direct support for domestic pet programs, including animal welfare organizations, pet rescue and rehabilitation organizations, and thera- peutic and humane education pet programs. Grant cycle deadlines are quarterly at the end of the months of March, June, September, and December.
· Literacy and Education: Grants provide support for children in literacy and education programs such as summer reading programs, early childhood education programs, and literacy programs for children with special needs. Grant request deadlines are at the end of February, May, August, and November.

U.S. applicants must be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations. Canadian applicants must be registered Canadian charities. For further information, grant guidelines and application forms, visit the Build-A-Bear Workshop Web site at http://www.buildabear.com.


CELEBRATE THE LORAX PROJECT STUDENT EARTH DAY

If you’re thinking of a way to make Earth Day fun at your library or classroom, how about getting them involved in first-ever Lorax Project Student Earth Day? Long before saving the Earth became a global concern, Dr. Seuss spoke about this issue through his book The Lorax (Random, 1971), which provides a powerful ecological warning that still rings true today.

As part of the official April 22 Earth Day celebration, the National Education Association and Random House Children’s Books are asking educators to set aside a special time to celebrate the Lorax’s message to protect the environment and to “act on their own pledges to beautify and conserve their school environment and beyond.” The project urges educators to start planning now so that classrooms can fulfill their environmental pledges by Earth Day. Here are some ideas: lead a class discussion about what Earth Day means to your students and why it’s important to take care of the Earth all year round; brainstorm a list of simple Earth-friendly actions that people can do every day, such as changing to energy-efficient light bulbs, carpooling, picking up litter, and using the front and back of paper; challenge your students to come up with conservation goals to meet by April 22, such as recycling a certain number of bottles, planting a certain number of trees, cleaning up a local park, or adopting an endangered species. Students are also encouraged to compete against each other to make it more interesting.

On Earth Day, host a reading of The Lorax in a group or have students read the book individually; present awards to students who’ve met their conservation goals, write poems for Earth Day, make arts and crafts out of recycled materials, invite park rangers, environmentalists, or governmental officials to speak with your students; and have your class conduct an environmental research project specific to your region.

Visit http://www.theloraxproject.com/ for tips and materials and for a free classroom kit, including a printer-friendly environmental pledge poster for all your students to sign, a list of conservation challenges, a photo gallery, and educator idea exchange. (SLJ’s Extra Helping, 3/9/09)


CURIOUS GEORGE EARTH SCIENCE RESOURCES

The Curious George children’s program website offers earth science investigations to conduct with preK-2 children. These tested, age-appropriate activities are detailed online at http://pbskids.org/curiousgeorge/parentsteachers/activities/ aptly named “Curiosity Centers”. At these “Curiosity Centers” (or activity stations), children can make their own discoveries about recycling, wind, water drops, and the properties of soil and sand. Family take-home activity sheets can be downloaded along with book recommendations. A related episode from CURIOUS GEORGE, which might help introduce the topic of earth science to children, can be ordered for free by contacting Gay Mohrbacher at gay_mohrbacher@wgbh.org. Family activity pages in Spanish also can be ordered in quantity and will be shipped gratis.


NEW ONLINE TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK 2009

New online materials and products are available to help libraries reach out to their communities during National Library Week (April 12-18, 2009) from the ALA Public Information Office and the Campaign for America’s Libraries. Materials are available in both English and Spanish, focusing on the 2009 National Library Week theme, “Worlds connect @ your library.” They include a proclamation, sample press release and letter-to-the-editor, as well as scripts for use in radio public service announcements (PSAs). Libraries can download materials at www.ala.org/nlw.

Libraries planning to participate in “Worlds connect @ your library” themed programming are encouraged to share their stories with the Campaign for America’s Libraries, by sending an e-mail to atyourlibrary@ala.org.


‘THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR’ TURNS 40

Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a lot more than a book about a famished insect. Now that the children’s classic is celebrating 40 years in print, Philomel, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, is launching The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day on March 20th, complete with lesson plans, arts and crafts, and other activities for librarians and teachers to share with their students.

With more than 29 million copies sold worldwide since 1969, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, with its simple text and colorful illustrations, is also a story that encourages science, math, language arts, spelling, and independent reading. Librarians and other educators are encouraged to download an activity kit http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/yr/pdf/caterpillar.pdf, which includes a free commemorative 40th anniversary poster featuring classroom activities on the back, and a booklet with cross-curricular lesson plans, booklists, and arts and crafts projects such as a make your own Very Hungry Caterpillar mobile. Suggestions for math and science lesson plans include counting activities, discussion of the concept of metamorphosis with students, explaining what a cocoon is, what caterpillars and butterflies actually eat, and which species live in your area. There are also exercises that encourage critical thinking, spelling, vocabulary, and independent reading.

"I'm delighted that four 40 years readers all over the world have enjoyed The Very Hungry Caterpillar a story that came to me while I absentmindedly punched holes into a stack of papers," says Carle. "The story to me is one of hope, of how a small, defenseless creature can grow and change and ultimately spread its wings and fly." Philomel is releasing a special edition of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Pop-Up Book in March, which will feature Carle's original illustrations in 3D form. Email Penguin at schoolandlibrary@us.penguingroup.com to request a free printed kit, which comes with a packet of 30 temporary tattoos and a poster. And feel free to tell them about your plans for celebrating this day, which coincides with the first day of spring. (SLJ’s Extra Helping, 2/25/09)


DATES TO REMEMBER

April 2 Adolescent Literacy workshop with Christy Mulligan, Waterford
April 12-18 National Library Week
April 21-24 CSLP Annual Meeting, Omaha
May 6-8 WAPL conference, Wisconsin Dells
July 10-14 ALA Annual Conference, Chicago


WEBSITE FAVES

Cotsen Children's Library: Virtual Children's Books Exhibits
http://library.princeton.edu/libraries/cotsen/exhibitions/index.html

Princeton University's virtual exhibit of past exhibits of children's book illustrations offers visuals and brief explanations geared towards children and adults. The easy-to-use website is divided into four virtual exhibits that contain a portion of what the physical exhibits at the Cotsen Children's Library at Princeton University displayed. The four exhibits can be accessed by clicking on their links on the homepage.

The "Water Babies" exhibit contains illustrations of swimming, and was meant as a respite for kids who couldn't escape the city's heat. Each illustration in the virtual exhibit is accompanied by a short synopsis of the book or publication it came from, and often a web link or reading suggestion for more information on the author, illustrator, or subject matter of the book. The "Magic Lantern" virtual exhibit contains illustrations of magic lanterns, a type of projector widely available for home use, that were the precursors to film and television, and which enthralled children and adults alike. The "Creepy-Crawlies" exhibit highlighted the many illustrations of insects in children's books and natural history. The insects in children's books were most often portrayed as evil or villainous. But, if visitors can put those feelings aside, they will find many beautifully rendered drawings. The physical "Beatrix Potter" exhibit coincided with the publication of the Beatrix Potter Collection of Lloyd Cotsen in 2004, and the virtual exhibit contains illustrations by Potter, and others, with whom the visitor can use for comparison, to see Potter's unique style. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 2/13/09)


The Stickley Museum
http://www.stickleymuseum.com/

Website for this New York museum created to portray the history of the Stickley furniture company, which originated with Arts and Crafts furniture designer Gustav Stickley (1858-1942) and his four brothers. Features brief background about each brother, a family tree of Stickley companies, gallery of shopmarks, and collection highlights, including mission and colonial revival furniture. (Copyright 2009 by Librarians' Internet Index, LII This Week, 3/5/09)


AND FINALLY……….

As of this coming Saturday, I will be the mother of a teenager!