RAISING A READER, PART I

Every parent hopes to raise an enthusiastic and successful reader.  If you hope to raise a strong reader you need to first understand that your child begins building pre-reading skills from birth.  Today we will explore some strategies that can help you engage your littlest little ones to help build a love of reading from infancy.

Pre-Talkers (Birth - 2 Years)

Talk

Your baby loves hearing your voice.

• Make up stories, explain what you're doing, and ask your baby questions.
• You baby will begin to respond with facial expressions.
• Talking to your baby helps language development and increases brain activity.
• Babies who are spoken to will begin to participate in conversations, responding with coos and gurgles.

Sing

Singing is another way your baby learns language.

• Sing while holding your baby and she will feel your voice as well as hear it.
• Repeat songs again and again.  Baby loves repetition.  Repeating songs also helps your baby to hear small sounds (pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake).
• Sing at bath time, in the car and everywhere in between.  Your baby will try to sing along, cooing and babbling with you.

Sign Language

Babies are capable of learning simple sign language.

• Teach your baby simple signs such as cup, more, all done and clean up.
• Signing with your baby helps you communicate with more ease and reduces baby's stress levels.
• Babies who are taught to sign learn to speak faster and have larger vocabularies.

Play

It looks like simple play to us but this is how your baby learns about their world.

• Allow your baby to play with books and other safe items.
• Shaking, throwing, tugging and tasting are how your baby will explore books.  Use sturdy board books or cloth books at this age.
• Let her play freely with the book, discovering how pages turn and finding more pictures inside.

Read

Sharing books with your baby is a bonding experience.

• Set aside regular reading times every day - nap time, after meals and bedtime are good examples.
• Choose books that your child will enjoy.
• Find a comfortable place to sit away from distractions such as the television, radio, computers, phones, and other devices.
• Be sure to hold the book so that your baby can see the picture and words.
• Encourage your baby to participate in the story by asking her to point to specific pictures and say simple words.
• Talk to your baby about what you see in the book.
• Reread your baby's favorite stories again and again.
• Keep plenty of books around your home.  Borrow books from the library so you always have new titles to share with your baby.
• Take books in the car, to the grocery store and to appointments.  Read with your baby while you wait.

Remember to always keep reading times fun.  Keep it short.  If your baby becomes fussy or loses interest simply move on to another activity.  Reading with your child should be a fun, stress-free, bonding time.

GREETINGS AND SALUTATIONS FROM THE ANIMAL WORLD!

Hi there! Howdy! Hey! Hi-ya! Hello Hello, written and illustrated by Cadecott Honoree Brendan Wenzel, is a triumphant and jubilant picture book greeting from the animal kingdom. All sorts of animals welcome the reader from page to page: 

Hello Quiet
Hello Loud
Hello Wild
Hello Proud

The deceptively simple text-told in a cheerful rhyme tailor-made for storytime--celebrates the marvel, curiosity, inclusion, and diversity in the natural world, while the exquisitely vibrant illustrations showcase just some of the myriad of animals children could encounter in the world around them, from a cuttlefish to an aardwolf. An appendix of the animals is included in the backmatter, along with an inspirational author's note inviting young readers to find out more, especially about the many threatened and endangered animals they might see in the pages in an effort to help save them. 

Share this book with babies through kindergartners to spark a joy of nature and celebrate it's extraordinary wonder. 

PARENT & CHILD ACTIVITIES, PART III

It's time for our last batch of Parent & Child Activities.  I hope you and your little one have been having a great time exploring all these activities together.

Babies

• Dance Party: Listen and dance to music 
• E-I-E-I-O: Sing 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm' 
• Check Out the Library: Come to your local neighborhood library
• Sing, Play, Learn: Come to Storytime at your local neighborhood library
• That's My Jam: Come see a performer this summer at your local neighborhood library

Toddlers

• Easy as 1, 2, 3: Count stairs as you go up or down
• Check Out the Library: Come to your local neighborhood library
• Sing, Play, Learn: Come to Storytime at your local neighborhood library
• Tinkering Around: Enjoy a STEAM activity at your local neighborhood library
• Shake Your Sillies Out: Have a dance party with your toddler.  
• That's My Jam: Come see a performer this summer at your local neighborhood library

Preschoolers

• With a 1, 2, 3: Sing a Storytime song to a favorite stuffed animal or figure
• Stroll for the Senses: Go for a walk and discover 5 new words to describe what you see, hear, and smell
• Cast Your Vote: Have your preschooler vote 'Good', 'Better', 'Best' on items in a category (songs; hats; fruit, etc...)
• Check Out the Library: Come to your local neighborhood library
• Sing, Play, Learn: Come to Storytime at your local neighborhood library
• Tinkering Around: Enjoy a STEAM activity at your local neighborhood library
• Shake Your Sillies Out: Have a dance party with your preschooler. Let them choose the music.
• That's My Jam: Come see a performer this summer at your local neighborhood library

Remember, these activities are great for you and your little one year round.  Keep exploring with your baby, toddler or preschool and have fun together!

PARENT & CHILD ACTIVITIES, PART II

I hope you have been enjoying your Parent and Child Activities so far this summer.  Here are some new ideas to keep the fun going.

Babies

• One Potato, Two Potato: Sing to your baby at feeding time
• Pat a Cake, Pat a Cake: Play clapping or fingerplay games like 'Itsy Bitsy Spider' and 'Pat a Cake'
• Walk and Talk: Name and describe what you see along the way
• Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes: Say and point to body parts
• Silly Voices, Serious Fun: Read a book using funny voices

Toddlers

• The Big Picture: Read a book and talk about the picture on the cover
• Toy Story: Make up a story about your toddlers favorite toy
• Show and Tell: Draw shapes and letters with crayons
• Snuggle Spot: Make a reading fort with blankets and cushions
• Old Favorite, New Twist: Play 'Say it loud, say it soft, say it fast, say it slow' with new words
• Silly Noises, Serious Fun: Make silly sounds
• A, B, C, Wheee!: Sing the alphabet in rhythm while pushing your toddler on the swings

Preschoolers

• Sorting Hat: Give your child a bag to fill with items in a category (a color; a texture; used for bedtime, etc...)
• Kitchen Band: Make a pots and pans band
• Fun Fact, Paddywhack: Read an information book and write a fact your preschooler remembers and have her draw a picture 
• Explore: Read a new book in a new place
• Puzzled: Do a floor puzzle with your preschooler
• Let's Listen: Listen to an audiobook together
• Fresh Air: Play outside together
• Ready to Write: Maker your preschooler a writing kit with papers and writing tools in a portable container

Check back next time for the third and final installment of our Parent & Child Activities.

PARENT & CHILD ACTIVITIES, PART I

As parents of little ones, you have hundreds of interactions with your baby, toddler or preschooler every day.  To help you get the most out of your time together try incorporating these fun activities below into your daily or weekly routines.

Babies

• Groove and Move: Sing and move to a song
• Baby's First Bookshelf: Create a special place for books within babies' reach
• See and Say: Point out pictures in a book
• Monkey See, Monkey Do: Get silly with animal sounds
• Nature Walk: Go to the park and talk about the colors you see

Toddlers

• Follow the Reader: Read a book side by side ("my book" and "your book")
• I Spy: Find letters and other symbols
• My Favorite: Write a list of your toddlers favorite things
• Family Portrait: Draw simple figures and write the names of people in your family
• Tune Up: Learn a new nursery rhyme to share with your toddler
• Walk and Talk: Name and describe what you see along the way
• Rhyme and Ride: Sing a Storytime song in the car

Preschoolers

• Show and Retell: Read a new book and ask your preschooler to retell the story using the pictures on each page
• Once Upon a Time: Tell a family story
• I Spy: Look for symbols, letters and words on signs while driving
• Rhyme After Me: Play 'Follow the leader' rhymes: "I say hat; you say (cat)." Made up words are great!
• Who Made This?: Talk about the author and illustrator names for a favorite picture book
• Cups, Teaspoons, and Dishes: Follow a written recipe together
• Sincerely...: Draw and write a letter to someone
• Art Inspiration: Draw a picture with your preschooler. Listen to music while you draw.
• Tune Up: Memorize a new nursery rhyme or poem together 

Check back next time for more Parent & Child Activities!

BABY PUREES AND TODDLER MEALS

Hi grownups.  Are you tired of feeding your baby or toddler the same foods over and over?  Why not explore our new baby and toddler food books in our Parenting Collection?  These simple to use books offer hundreds of baby purees and toddler meals.

Why not try avocado soup or coconut rice with your little one?  Is your baby teething?  Around the World in 80 Purees: Easy Recipes for Global Baby Food by Leena Saini has a Peach Teething “Ice Cream” that you might like to try.

As your little one gets older try some of the toddler recipes in 201 Organic Baby and Toddler Meals: The Healthiest Toddler and Baby Food Recipes You Can Make by Tamika L. Gardner.  Your toddler might enjoy the Cinnamon Watermelon Bowl or the Veggie and Hummus Platter.

You can explore these books and many more in our Parenting Collection.

I LOVE MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS

The month of February often brings many families to the library looking for books about Valentine's Day. This month, in addition to the all the typical Valentine's stories, try exploring other books about love and friendship all month long.  

Read and talk about the concepts of family and familial love with your little ones. Authors such as Karen Katz, Eric Hill, Emma Dodd, and Anne Dewdney are just of the wonderful storytellers that write on this topic. Some books you and your little one might like are:

In addition to books about family you might like to read books about friends and what it means to be a good friend. The library also has many great titles on this topic to share and enjoy with your little ones.

READING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND

Winter is well underway and Storytimes are back in session.  Join us at the library as we enjoy a variety of stories, songs, movements and more at our Storytime programs.  

This month try sharing books with themes about winter, snowmen and bears with your little one.  The library has many wonderful titles to choose from.  Come talk to us for a recommendation or click on the books below for more suggestions.

Reading time with your little one should be a fun and enjoyable experience for you both.  Try using different voices for the characters as you read.  Make animal sounds if the book calls for them.  Don’t be afraid to be silly.  Encourage your child to make the voices or animal sounds along with you.  You and your child will have a great time exploring books together.  

A SWEET LULLABY FOR BEDTIME

Jane Cabrera has taken the classic lullaby, Rock-a-bye Baby, and incorporated different animals and how they put their little ones to sleep. With beautiful illustrations and a classic lullaby tone, this is a great bedtime read for newborns and toddlers.

NOW I'M LITTLE, BUT SOMEDAY I'LL BE BIG

When I Grow Up by Anita Bijterbosch, is a cute story that introduces animals to infants and toddlers.  With bright illustrations and a lift-the-flap element, children learn what the baby animal will become as it grows, which makes this book a sure hit with infants and toddlers. 

GOOD MORNING AND GOOD NIGHT

Margaret Wise Brown, the author that brought us the very popular children’s book Good Night Moon now has another treasure to share with readers, Good Day, Good Night.  

As the sun rises, the bunny says hello to everyone and as the sun sets, he says goodnight.  This is a perfect addition to a bedtime collection.  Children ages newborn to toddler will definitely enjoy listening to this story.

MARCH LIKE A DINOSAUR!

Well, it seems that Laurie Berkner has gone and done it again: she has taken another of her beloved songs, We Are the Dinosaurs, from sheet music to illustrated picture book. If you've ever been to this reviewer's storytime, you are probably aware of the song from Berkner's Whaddaya Think of That? album--and what a crowd pleaser it is. This new picture book is much more than just lyrics on a page--illustrator Ben Clanton's bright and cheery illustrations combine with the catchy song to create a rollicking volume sure to be a hit with toddlers, whether it be in storytime or at bedtime. Used with the song or standing on its own, this title is perfect for dinosaur enthusiasts from babies to preschoolers. 

This is just one of many fun and infectious songs by the popular children's musician, so be sure to check out some of Laurie Berkner's many albums. And, to find out more about any of our early literacy storytime programs, contact the Children's Room at (818) 548-2036, or stop by any of our branches to pick up a copy of our latest Family Events!   

THE ONE YEAR OLD

A baby experiences new things after turning one and the experience is either filled with joy or sometimes sadness. Progressing into other stages of development such as, exploration, teething, and developing early language skills are fun and can be challenging at times, but the adult's love for the baby remains constant and will never change.

You Are One by Sara O'Leary is a gentle story.  With a combination of photos and other mediums by illustrator Karen Klassen, one can reflect on the tender moments of the past or share it with young children, offering a glimpse of the one year milestone.  Embrace each moment. 

For adults to enjoy alone or to share with children, ages 2-5 years.

A BIG YAWN!

If everyone else is yawning, will it make you yawn too? Just try to avoid it when reading Everyone Is Yawning written and illustrated by Anita Bijsterbosch--it's not an easy feat! From snake to turtle, the youngest readers will delight in each page, as we lift up the flap to reveal what it looks like inside each animal's mouth when it yawns. And of course there's a glimpse of what it looks like when children yawn too! 

This simple but totally captivating interactive book featuring adorably bold illustrations is bound to be a crowd-pleaser and a favorite bedtime read for babies to preschoolers. As contagious as an actual yawn, this book is sure to be one that's asked for again and again. 

LEO CAN SWIM

Summer vacation may be drawing to a close, but here in sunny Southern California the heat rages on. It’s the perfect time to head to the pool or to share a lovely pool story with your little one.

Anna McQuinn, author of the lovable Lola series, adds a second picture book to her newest series, illustrated by Ruth Hearson, about Lola’s baby brother, Leo. In Leo Can Swim Leo and Daddy are taking baby swim lessons. The story follows the pair each step of the way as they ready themselves for the pool, from changing into a swim diaper and trunks to taking a well-deserved post-swim nap, with lots of splashy fun along the way.

There are plenty of familiar faces among the diverse group of babies and caregivers returning from Leo’s first outing, Leo Loves Baby Time. As a fun side note, to prepare for swim class Leo and Daddy read what appears to be Eric Carle’s undersea classic, Mister Seahorse; Leo later snuggles and snoozes with his own little board book version. Reading about everyday experiences helps children develop text-to-self connection. Share Leo Can Swim with your child to prepare her for her own pool playtime.

For ages 0 to preschool.

CENTRAL LIBRARY STORYTIMES WILL RESUME IN OCTOBER!

We are excited to announce that just across the street from the Central Library, which is currently closed for renovation, librarians from the Central Children's Room will be offering a Babies, Toddlers & Preschool storytime at the Glendale Presbyterian Church, located at 125 South Louise Street. Join us on Wednesday and Friday mornings from October 5th through November 18th at 10:30-11:00 am for these highly-interactive programs for infants to age 5, including books, songs, movement, and other fun activities! Parking is available in the MarketPlace structure on the corner of Harvard and Maryland and the first 90 minutes are free. We hope to see you there this fall! 

THE INGREDIENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL BEDTIME

A Recipe for Bedtime, written by Peter Bently and illustrations by Sarah Massini, is the perfect book for reading aloud during bedtime and storytime.  A baby’s bedtime routine is unfolded in each rhyming verse.  On each page, the animals work together to guide a child through a bedtime ritual.  Once they have followed all the “ingredients” for bedtime, the animals end with a sweet lullaby.

With bright and colorful illustrations and wonderful writing, this book is highly recommended to be shared with young children.   

For ages 1-5.

LIFT THE FLAP FOR SOME FUN FUN FUN

Hello in There!: A Big Sister's Book of Waiting by Jo Witek and illustrated by Christine Roussey is a fun story of a very excited big sister who begins to imagine what the baby in the womb is thinking, doing and might look like. One side is big sister doing her everyday thing and  the left side has a flap that you open to see what baby is up to.  This book is for all those families looking for a tongue in cheek way to get their child ready for a new baby.

In Who's in the Tree? And Other Lift-the-flap Surprises by Craig Shuttlewood animals rhyme and do silly things. Kids will want to guess where the animals are hiding and lift the flap to see if they were right!  A fun book for the little ones. 

For ages 3 and up. 

READ ALOUD 15 MINUTES

PACIFIC PARK LIKES...

Katherine the Children's Librarian from the Pacific Park Branch suggests:

Shoe Baby by Joyce Dunbar is perfect for storytimes and one-on-one sharing. With this tale of travel and adventure, storytellers can practice character voices and get audience participation with the repetitive phrase, “How do you do?” The charming illustrations of Polly Dunbar beautifully compliment the lyrical words of her mother, Joyce. A surprise ending will leave children clamoring for more.

For Preschool – 2nd grade.