American Girl, Etc

We had our first (of two) American Girl programs for this month last night - lots of moving and crafting as we focused on the 2012 American Girl, McKenna! And as I was composing an email of resources and information to send to parents as follow up, it occurred to me that the info could make a good blog post. So here goes:

1. Our Friends of the library have made some absolutely darling knitted hat and scarf sets for girls and their dolls and some super-cute, four-piece doll cheerleader outfits. Proceeds from these items go to support library programming (like American Girl programs). You can see a few of the current options from the pictures, but you can also view items here at the library in two of our display cases, one of the first floor and one on the second; just ask a staff member for their locations! Also, you can request custom items as well; our Friends need two to four weeks to complete them, but you can get custom colors or cheer leading outfits. Upcoming holiday or birthday gifts?

Dolls not included :)

Prices:

Items for sale are pink.

• Scarf and hat set for doll, $15.00
• Scarf and hat set for "Mommy", $20.00
• 4 piece cheerleader outfit for doll, $25.00
• Mommy and doll hat set (2 pieces), $17.50
• Doll vest & hat set, $20.00
• (additional cost for postage for custom items may be requested since some of our Friends are currently out of state.)

To purchase items, stop by the library or for custom items, email me - elizabethe at zionsville.lib.in.us!

2. (It's also just $10.00 for an individual or $20.00 for a family to join the Friends of the Library, and you get first dibs at book sales as a Friend! Plus, if you join before Dec 4th
you get entered into our raffle for two round trip tickets on American Airlines to anywhere in the Continental US, the Caribbean, Canada, Bahamas, Bermuda, or Mexico. You can stop by the library for a brochure with more information or scroll down the page linked above and print out and drop off an application.)

3. One of the topics McKenna deals with in the books and in the movie is reading comprehension and the struggle that many fourth graders have with not just decoding what they are reading but also understanding it. I volunteered for a short stint with ReadUP through United Way last spring and as part of my training received a chart to help me ask the kids questions as they read. You can make a big difference in your child's life and literacy skills by using this chart, too! I have gotten permission from United Way to pass on the chart, so stop by the youth services reference desk to get a copy!

4. We also have a PAWS program here at the library where kids can come read to (trained) dogs to help give them a safe place for reading practice or just make reading more fun. Registration for October has started, and you can register here.

5. As many of you may already be aware, there is a new historical American Girl doll as of this month! Caroline Abbott a spunky girl from 1812. The books are currently being put into the system and should be available soon. (There is also an app related to Caroline that you can download for free ...)

I think that's it. Any questions or other related resources to share, post a comment or email me!