Library Notes
November 16, 2012
Erika Kosin
Creating new Traditions this Holiday Season
Think back to your childhood during the holidays. What do you remember? Many of us cherish the times spent with family, for me I always remember sitting with my siblings and cousins around a block of cheese laughing as we geared up to play a rousing game of cards or Trivia Pursuit. I think fondly of that time, even if as the youngest, I was always the one that the older kids did not want on their team. As we are now ensconced in the holiday season, think about activities that you can share with your children to create memories they will cherish. It may be one event you can attend as a family or a series of things leading up to the holidays. Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanzaa, make the festivities memorable by creating family traditions.
Not sure where to start, the library can help. From cookbooks such as the Usborne Little Book of Christmas Cooking to holiday decorations that can be found in the book Christmas Decorations Kids Can Make by Kathy Ross, you can spend quality time with your children while preparing for the holiday. Grandparents, aunts and uncles love homemade gifts from their favorite children, so why not check out Holiday Gifts, Favors and Decorations by Helen Sattler or Holiday Crafts by Alan and Gill Bridgewater. Each book contains crafts and ideas for both Christmas and Hanukah. For those gearing up for Kwanzaa, you will find fun ideas in Crafts for Kwanzaa by Kathy Ross. How to Make Holiday Pop-Ups by Joan Irvine can be fun and engaging for the crafty child, showing them how to create homemade pop-up cards for various holidays that they can share with family and friends.
For those of you who are not crafty or may be challenged in the kitchen, you can look for cultural traditions from around the world by perusing the Festivals of the World or the Christmas in series. Both contain holiday and festival traditions from different countries and there is even one that focuses on American Christmas traditions of yesteryear called Christmas in Colonial and Early America. Another idea is to find a fun holiday picture book that can be shared with your children. Make it a tradition by reading this book as a family every year.
Family traditions may include making crafts, baking cookies, sharing a holiday story, or attending a special event. The most important element of a family tradition is the time spent together. This holiday season sit back, relax and enjoy making memories, I know your children will.
Check in with the Rowan Public Library to see what fun programs are happening this holiday season.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Library Notes / November 9, 2012 / Dara L. Cain
Election Day Books for Children
How many years until you turn 18 years old? That is when you can vote on Election Day! Below are several titles that you may enjoy sharing with your youngsters about this historic day to educate them about the election process and the role of the president. Remember, children are the future voters of America.
Duck for President by Doreen Cronin is a fun and educational picture book for young children. Fed-up with his chores Duck holds an election to determine who should be in charge of the farm. In a close election Duck defeats Farmer Brown only to set out on the campaign trail once again, connecting with voters at town meetings, marching in parades, giving speeches, and making appearances on late-night television. After being elected governor Duck has his eyes set on the presidency and is surprised to learn that running a country is very hard work and life on the farm may have its advantages.
Young readers are invited to learn about the election process by following six children running for presidency in the story If I Ran for President written by Catherine Stier. From a child’s point of view discover the election process from beginning to end. Find out about campaigning, primaries, debates, party conventions, and what takes place on Election Day. Brief explanations about the voting process, the popular vote versus the electoral vote, and political parties are discussed.
Catherine Stier is also the author of Today on Election Day. In this picture book characters in the story narrate and share their perspectives about Election Day and the importance of voting. David goes with his older brother Jake to watch him vote for the first time. Find out how Jake learned about the candidates and the ballot issues in preparation to vote. Aidan accompanies his grandfather to the polling place and watches his grandfather vote on the computer which is only one of the ways Americans cast their votes. Bailey tells how she helps her aunt who is campaigning for a seat on the city council and what her job would be. To get a detailed explanation on the history of the election process dating back to Roman Times to the present day check out the book Vote by Philip Steele.
What are the responsibilities of being elected to political office? How does a person get elected? What are the challenges a person will encounter running for office? Read Getting Elected: A Look at Running for Office by Robin Nelson and Sandy Donovan to find out the answers to these questions and more. Another enlightening book that introduces students to how our government works is How Do We Elect Our Leaders by William David Thomas. This is a great choice for children ready to learn more than the basics regarding how we elect our government leaders from the president of the United States and members of Congress to state governors and local mayors. There are sidebars that include interesting information including how animals came to be symbols for the two major parties, women voting and holding office, and gerrymandering.
Don’t forget to check out these other great titles that your children are sure to enjoy. What would the country be like if a kid became President of the United States? Find out in the chapter book The Kid Who Ran For President by Dan Gutman. If your child ever thought about becoming president you are going to want to read So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George. This book includes facts about the qualifications and characteristics of U.S. Presidents along side colorful caricatures. And lastly, find out what it would be like to live at the White House in the story If The Walls Could Talk: Family Life at the White House by Jane O’Connor. Learn about each presidential family’s time and contribution during their stay at the White House.
Election Day Books for Children
How many years until you turn 18 years old? That is when you can vote on Election Day! Below are several titles that you may enjoy sharing with your youngsters about this historic day to educate them about the election process and the role of the president. Remember, children are the future voters of America.
Duck for President by Doreen Cronin is a fun and educational picture book for young children. Fed-up with his chores Duck holds an election to determine who should be in charge of the farm. In a close election Duck defeats Farmer Brown only to set out on the campaign trail once again, connecting with voters at town meetings, marching in parades, giving speeches, and making appearances on late-night television. After being elected governor Duck has his eyes set on the presidency and is surprised to learn that running a country is very hard work and life on the farm may have its advantages.
Young readers are invited to learn about the election process by following six children running for presidency in the story If I Ran for President written by Catherine Stier. From a child’s point of view discover the election process from beginning to end. Find out about campaigning, primaries, debates, party conventions, and what takes place on Election Day. Brief explanations about the voting process, the popular vote versus the electoral vote, and political parties are discussed.
Catherine Stier is also the author of Today on Election Day. In this picture book characters in the story narrate and share their perspectives about Election Day and the importance of voting. David goes with his older brother Jake to watch him vote for the first time. Find out how Jake learned about the candidates and the ballot issues in preparation to vote. Aidan accompanies his grandfather to the polling place and watches his grandfather vote on the computer which is only one of the ways Americans cast their votes. Bailey tells how she helps her aunt who is campaigning for a seat on the city council and what her job would be. To get a detailed explanation on the history of the election process dating back to Roman Times to the present day check out the book Vote by Philip Steele.
What are the responsibilities of being elected to political office? How does a person get elected? What are the challenges a person will encounter running for office? Read Getting Elected: A Look at Running for Office by Robin Nelson and Sandy Donovan to find out the answers to these questions and more. Another enlightening book that introduces students to how our government works is How Do We Elect Our Leaders by William David Thomas. This is a great choice for children ready to learn more than the basics regarding how we elect our government leaders from the president of the United States and members of Congress to state governors and local mayors. There are sidebars that include interesting information including how animals came to be symbols for the two major parties, women voting and holding office, and gerrymandering.
Don’t forget to check out these other great titles that your children are sure to enjoy. What would the country be like if a kid became President of the United States? Find out in the chapter book The Kid Who Ran For President by Dan Gutman. If your child ever thought about becoming president you are going to want to read So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George. This book includes facts about the qualifications and characteristics of U.S. Presidents along side colorful caricatures. And lastly, find out what it would be like to live at the White House in the story If The Walls Could Talk: Family Life at the White House by Jane O’Connor. Learn about each presidential family’s time and contribution during their stay at the White House.
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