Angela @ Redmond Archive.

The Los Angeles Times has an article about the next hot market for eBooks - children.

Kids today are growing up with an astonishing amount of technology around them, and they don't even think about it. One theory is that eBooks will even make it easier to get them to read!

KCLS has two eBook services for children available 24/7 on our database page. All you need is internet access from home and your library card.

BookFlix : Read the book, watch the video! Nonfiction eBooks are paired with classic Weston Woods videos.

Tumblebooks : Sit back and listen or read along at your own speed to these entertaining and amusing picture books.

And the next time you're in a branch, stop and talk to one of our friendly children's librarians. We're happy to help you find great books to read with your child.

Photo by whiteafrican, creative commons licsene. 

The folks in Dyerburg, Tennessee are doing something amazing with their kindergartners. They are allowing them to play. Each class visits the S.M.A.R.T. play room daily and their teachers say the results are amazing.

Kids today are busy. They have play dates, activities, visits to the library, you name it. But hiding underneath the sheer fun of play time are important pre-reading skills. For example,

"Spinning - known as helicopter spins, also rolling across a floor mat

- primary purpose - to encourage body awareness. Spinning also stimulates the same part of the brain that popular impulse-control medications stimulate - producing a calmer, more focused child.

- classroom relevance - leads to an understanding of left to right, a pre-reading skill. Also helps with body awareness. Students who have problems with body awareness may fall out of their chairs, have short attention spans or reverse letters or words".

When your child participates in Teddy-Bear, Teddy Bear at story time, guess what? They are learning the skills listed above.

For more information read the full article, and don't forget to bring your child to our excellent story times!

Creative Commons photo by Gemsling.

Now that the series is over, and we have to wait until summer 2009 for the next movie, what is a Harry Potter fan to do? Professor Stephen Brown of Ulster University in England has just finished a study that identifies the four types of Harry Potter readers.

"Hufflepuff readers take the tales at a slow, steady and systematic pace and enjoy re-reading the books over and over.

Gryffindor readers are eager and energetic and will devour the latest Potter book in one sitting, but quickly move on to new things.

Ravenclaws are subversive and take the stories with a pinch of salt.

Slytherin readers are not fussed about the books. They prefer the films but pretend to have read the books when it suits them".

The library has Harry available in books, books on cd, books in other languages and dvds.

Since I'm a Gryffindor reader, here are the first books in the series that I read while waiting for my next Harry Potter fix. The first three have new books out!

In addition to our fabulous collection of picture books, the King County Library System also offers story times for children of all ages.

Whether you already attend story times or you've never been, this new resource is for you!

Children's librarians are adding all kinds of useful information to Tell Me a Story. You'll find story time plans, book suggestions, links to the online catalog, and the lyrics to songs and rhymes.

So the next time you need a good book to read to your child, check out Tell Me a Story!

Brrr....the weather outside is far from frightful, but the return of rainy days and cooler temperatures makes me want to curl up with a nice book. If you're feeling "burnt" out on summer books, here are some of my favorite fall books. Chill out with some of these and brace yourself for hot cocoa weather!

Blue Burt and Wiggles by Derek Anderson
Mommy's Little Star by Janet Bingham
A Pipkin of Pepper by Helen Cooper
Tippy-Tippy, Tippy HIDE! by Candace Fleming
Under My Hood I Have a Hat by Karla Kuskin
Snuggle Mountain by Lindsey Lane
Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri
Mouse's First Fall by Lauren Thompson
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson

Flickr photo by CORDAN

Summer is almost over and back-to-school is on the brain. If your youngster is headed off to school for the first time this can be an overwhelming experience!

But never fear, the library has great books to help your child adjust to the new routine. Try sharing one of these  books or stop in for a recommendation from one of our friendly children's librarians.

Communication:

No English by Jacqueline Jules

Princess Penelope's Parrot by Helen Lester

Was the plea every night when I was growing up. And when I was older it turned into one more chapter...I'm almost done...just 5 more pages...

These are the books that become our favorites, that ones we can't put down or that must be read every night (and possibly twice).

Three times a week Just One More Book podcasts on great children's literature. Episodes are only 5 to 30 minutes long and you can listen in via their website or download to your ipod.

You can browse categories like age of audience, language or subject which should make finding a great book for your child that much easier. Then once you've heard about something good, check it out from the library!

Flickr photo by karynsig, creative commons liscence

Kids today seem to be born technologically inclined. But one concern for parents is how to safely allow their children on the internet. Most filters available filter out websites, but inappropriate sites can still get through. KidZui takes a different approach and filters in sites that have already been checked out for content by parents and teachers for children ages 3-12. Over 600,000 are available and there are both free and premium service plans.