Friday, January 29, 2010

2010 Caldecott Winner


2009 Caldecott Winner
Originally uploaded by HMMPL YOUTH
2010 Caldecott Winner
The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

Come and check out this retelling of Aesop’s fable, beautiful and simple. Presented in wordless book form, the magnificent illustrations are lovely and effectively communicate the tale of the gentle beast who selflessly lets his prey free and the mouse’s repayment of kindness by freeing the lion from his rope trap. A great addition to our Caldecott collection!

Kelli Brooks

Friday, January 22, 2010

Colts Fans at the Library!

It looks like we have some Colts fans at the library who are gearing up for the big game! Don’t "pass" us by on Sunday—we will be open from 1pm-5pm! Put us "first-down" on your list and we can help you "kick-off" your party with a bang!

"Sack" up some great recipes, party ideas, football books, movies, and much more!

If you are a Colts fan, you might try to "tackle" our new book, The Story of the Indianapolis Colts, by Tyler Omoth. You might "fumble" around with other football books—we have an SUPER collection, no "punt" intended!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Advice from Zionsville Library Parents Who ARE Bananas for Books!


Bananas for Books
Originally uploaded by HMMPL YOUTH
This summer several parents took the time to fill out the reading survey that asked the question, "What advice would you give other parents to promote reading at home?".

Here are the excellent tips from our Zionsville Library Families!

"Read aloud from the womb up. Really- start reading even before you think they understand. Your example as a hungry for learning reader is also very important."

"Check out lots of books so there is a variety of different choices."


"Read every day NO MATTER WHAT! Let your kids see you reading every day. Read books "above their level" aloud even if you think they do not comprehend everything."

"I put the baby in his crib with lots of books and put of some music (when old enough to sit up, manipulate books). He loves to hold them, turn the pages, and look. Also, when we read together to this young age (9mos. +), I don't try to finish the book. Just let them turn the pages and talk about what you see."

"Make reading a part of your bed time routine. Read Together: to your kids or quietly at the same time."

"Let kids choose books. "new books" for summer. Before nap - put into schedule. See a video of book before reading book."

"Before bedtime each night, we let each of our preschool children choose 3 books to read together. Our older child, who reads independently, is allowed a further 15 minutes of reading time after that before we turn out the light."

"Begin reading with babies as early as possible. My son went through phases of not wanting to sit and read for very long. I just read with him for whatever amount of time he was interested. Now he'll sit and read for an hour or more and is just beginning to want to read on his own. He loves books!"


"Read! Read! Read! I started reading to the boys when they were babies. As toddlers, when they would get frustrated and upset, I'd grab a stack of books and snuggle and read. By the time we were done with the books, they had regained their composure. Even now (3 & 5 yrs) , when they start to argue, we read. We also read when they wake up in the morning, as quiet time in the afternoon, and before bed. We also tell lots of stories, so they can tell mom and dad elaborate stories using a fabulous vocabulary."

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Rules and Guidelines for the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library “Reading is…” Poster/Calendar Contest!

With all the snow piling up you may have free time at home to let your creative juices flow! Start working on your poster for the contest. We are anxious to see how you promote reading! All ages are welcome to submit posters but remember to follow the guidlines below.


Here are the official rules and guidlines:

Entries are due between January 4 and 31, 2010.


Families or individuals of all ages may enter an 8 ½ x 11 inch landscape (horizontal) oriented poster during the month of January.


Posters will be judged by The Friends of the Library,Library Board, Foundation Members, and a local professional artist. The top 18 posters will be featured in a Youth Services 2010-2011 Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library calendar.


Posters should visually finish the sentence “Reading is…” using words and art.The poster must be oriented in a landscape format so that it can be used for a calendar. Art may reflect different seasons and must not use copyrighted images.



Submit posters at the Youth Services Reference Desk during Library hours between January 4 and 31, 2010.



Family or individual names, ages/grades and phone numbers must be written on the back of each entry.



Winners will be announced at the end of the Winter Read to Me program “Artists’ Reception” to be held on February 28 from 3 - 4 PM in the Youth Services Department.


Submitting an entry constitutes an agreement that the Library may use the image for promoting reading in its print materials. Your picture will be returned upon request.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

A BOY, A BOOK, A COUCH, AND A GREAT LIBRARY!




Boys and Books
By Kelli Brooks

I’ve been getting a lot of queries lately that go something like this: “I cannot get my son interested in reading. Do you have any suggestions?”

First of all, please note that “You are NOT alone!” Nationwide in the library world, we are hearing that “Boys Are Not Reading!” Recent studies show (and adult male experts agree) that the most important thing is not necessarily the quality but the quantity. (Another tidbit: Studies show that boys today do not have male role models who read for pleasure in sight of them. Most men read alone, isolated from the noise and busyness of the home. That’s a topic for another article!)

I have two boys and it CAN be a challenge to get them to read. Here are a few lessons I have learned:

Avoid pooh-poohing his choices, no pun intended. My son was determined he didn’t like to read. He then discovered Dav Pilkey and his crazy Captain Underpants humor. Suddenly, he was reading it at every opportunity. I, being the good librarian I am, snubbed his reading choice: “There is good literature available…you must try something else!” Of course, I lost THAT battle! I wasn’t prepared for the change he underwent—suddenly, reading books was no longer a chore but a great time; his nightly Pilkey fix became a nightly book reading habit; and eventually Mr. Pilkey was replaced with other authors—yes, even some topics that did NOT include bodily functions!

Have a variety of genres and subject matter at his fingertips. Load up on historical fiction, fantasy, humor, mystery. Or maybe your boy is not into fiction—I was shocked to learn that mine wasn’t. Is he interested in asteroids? World War II? Maps? Gardening? Bigfoot? Guinness World Records?
Find a series that he likes. This is like the gift that keeps on giving because it can eliminate a lot of time spent trying to find new material that he likes. There are all kinds of series, far beyond the well-known Harry Potter. For example, Science Solves It! is a Beginning Chapter Book series; the Innovators Biography series profiles inventors like Stephanie Kwolek, discoverer of Kevlar, the substance used in bulletproof jackets; the Graphic History series tackles historical events in a comic book form.

Think outside the box. If reading is a struggle, try alternatives to push him in that direction. For example, books on CD are stories read aloud to your child and are great for car trips or before bed reading. Another option is a different form of reading, such as Reader’s Theater, which is a read-aloud/drama activity, or a Paws to Read type program, where your child is encouraged to read aloud to a therapy dog. (BTW, we offer BOTH of these programs at our library!) Here’s a more radical idea: I have a friend who pays his child to read a book and then write a book report. His argument: In life, we are sometimes paid to do things we don’t always like to do, plus it is a goal-oriented activity.

Remember: If it establishes a habit or links reading with positive feelings, it is a good thing! I learned my lesson: At this age, it’s not necessarily WHAT they’re reading; it is THAT they’re reading at all.

To sum up, I say, “Use your library!!” Let us help you tap into your son’s hidden reading desires. We buy the variety of titles so you don’t have to. Our supply stretches across the state now, thanks to our Evergreen system! If we don’t have the book you are looking for, we can likely get our hands on it. We also have programs designed to encourage a love of reading and expose them to all kinds of books. And if you have any questions at all, there are several very friendly librarians at the ready to tackle your challenge!

Good luck!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Ms. Kelli and Ms. Laura Read by the Fire Side


Read by the Fire Side
Originally uploaded by HMMPL YOUTH
Join us by the Fire Side!
4:30 – 5:00 PM
Mondays, Jan. 4, Jan. 18, Feb. 1, Feb. 15
Wednesdays, Jan. 13, Jan. 27,Feb. 10,Feb. 24

Sign up (or drop-in) to listen to New and Classic stories by the fireside in the Youth Services Department. Age appropriate stories will be chosen according to the sign up list.

We will be looking for you!

Each time you attend in January and February you can collect a free bookmark and mark your winter reading log.