The third skill is Print Awareness. A child with print motivation is interested in and enjoys being read to. What can you do to help your child develop this skill?

• Use board books or cloth books and have your child hold the book.

• If there are only a few words on the page, point to each word as you say it.

• Read aloud every day – print labels, signs, menus. Print is everywhere!

• Let your child turn the pages.

• Let your child hold the book and read or tell the story.

• Hold the book upside down. See if your child turns the book around.

• Being familiar with printed language helps children feel comfortable with books and understand that print is useful.

The second skill is Print Motivation. A child with print motivation is interested in and enjoys being read to. What can you do to help your child develop this skill?

• Begin reading books early – even to your newborn.

• Make book sharing time a special time with just you and your baby or toddler.

• Let your child see you reading.

• Visit your public library often.

• Read together every day. Identify pictures, concepts and ideas as you read the book together.

It is important to remember that children who enjoy being read to will want to learn how to read.

Early literacy is what a child learns about reading and writing before learning to read and write. There are six pre-reading skills that are essential in order to learn to read.

Parents and caregivers play a major role in helping children develop these skills. The activities used to teach these skills also change with the child's age.

By the time a child is two years old, she can understand 300-500 words. What can you do to help your child develop vocabulary skills?

• Talk to your child about what is going on around you. As the child gets older, add conversations about feelings and ideas.

• When your child babbles or talks, listen and add details to what he says.

• Ask your child lots of questions, even if he can't answer you. The child learns that questions are invitations for response

• Speak clearly and in the language that is most comfortable for you.

• Read together every day. Identify pictures, concepts and ideas as you read the book together.

For a list of great books or for more information about the Every Child Ready to Read program, ask at the children's desk.

It is time for the 14th annual Reading Rainbow Young Writers & Illustrator's contest, brought to us be the great folks at KPTS. The children's library will host a workshop on Saturday, February 2nd at 10:30 am in the library meeting room. The workshop is designed to teach kids to compose a story. It is open to the public.

The contest is open to children in grades K-3. Each public television station hosts an area contest. First, second and third places are awarded and published. First place stories move to the next level. KPTS would like to see 500 stories from their viewing area entered this year. For an entry form or more information, contact the children's desk.

Hard to believe that January is almost over. One of my resolutions for the new year was to post more frequently. Maybe February.

Part of our January work is to look at our numbers from last year. We are very proud of the fact the we added over 1100 new titles to the shelves. We strive to keep a good selection of books available, both new and classics, fiction and non-fiction, so there is something to interest everyone.

Preschool story time started back up in January. We meet every Thursday morning at 10:00 am for stories, songs and crafts. We would love to have you join us.

Watch the door to the children's department. We will post upcoming library events as well as on Channel 5 and the Wellington Daily News.

It is the midst of the holiday season. If you are looking for an inexpensive gift for a child in your life, consider getting them a library card. The library has tons of great programs and services for free! Where else do you have access to great books and magazines, movies, story times and family events!
If you are looking for something new to read, the children's library has lots of new titles available. We have added something for all ages, birth through middle school. Come and see the display at the library or check out the new title listings above.
Everyone is invited to Family Night on Thursday, December 20th at 6:30 pm. We will celebrate the season with books by noted author, Jan Brett. There are lots of fun things planned and we hope to see you there.
Happy Holidays!

There are lots of great new books on the shelves in the children's library this month. We have lots of great picture books.
Fans of the Karma Wilson books about Bear will love our two new additions, Bear's New Friend and Bear Feels Sick. Illustrated by Jane Chapman, these books have the same charm as their predecessors.
I love Scaredy Squirrel and Scaredy Squirrel Finds a Friend by Melanie Watt. As well as being fun to read, they are hilarious. Imagine my delight when I first read Chester, Watt's newest offering. As Melanie starts to write a story about a mouse, Chester, her overbearing cat, takes over the story. With his red marker, he writes his own story. Melanie and Chester go back and forth and the results are really very funny.
Lickety Split by Robert Heidbreder is a great read aloud for young children. Each scene has a different sound (i.e. lickety split, cloppity clop, etc.). Children will love copying the noises and will want to read it over and over again. The illustrations are bright, colorful and sure to please young readers.
The father-son team Frank and Devin Asch brings us a new book out called Mrs. Marlowe's Mice. Mrs. Marlow is a mild mannered cat who works as a librarian but leads a secret double life - a family of mice live with her. All goes well until Catland Yard shows up at her door. Will she outwit the police or is she harboring a darker secret. The story and illustrations are wonderful with just the right amount of suspense to keep a young reader's interest.
We have added another title to the Skippyjon Jones collection. Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble. This time the Siamese cat who thinks he is a chihuahua ventures to Egypt with his chicos. Needless to say, this books is as hilarious as the others.
If you like optical illusions, be sure to check out The Painted Circus by Wallace Edwards. The illustrations are terrific and the books will keep you looking for hours.
Out Came the Sun is a fabulous picture book. Heather Collins took favorite nursery rhymes and wove them into a cohesive story through her fabulous illustrations. This books is definitely worth looking at and highly recommended for young readers.
Come in and check us out. We look forward to seeing you.

Things have been really busy at the library. We have had several classroom visits and are in the process of getting new laminated library cards to all of our patrons in the children's library. It's great to have so much support!

Celebrate Banned Books Week by reading something from the challenged list. We have displayed several books from our collection that has been on the list. I am thankful to live in a society where I can choose what I want to read and know that others can make their choices. As always, I encourage parents to know what your children are reading and discuss those choices. The library offers something for everyone.

Our first edition of the children's library newsletter is going in the mail this week. If you want to get on the mailing list, call the children's desk at 326-2327 and give us your name and address. The newsletter will contain the new additions for the past month as well as upcoming events and news. It's another way to keep everyone current on what's happening at the library.

It's not too late to sign up for fall story clubs. We also have activities for families, guys only and something for girls. How about a free movie? Check often to see what events are coming up.

I linked this blog to my del.icio.us bookmarks to give you an idea of what I do to keep abreast of the latest in children's books. I would love to know where you look, too.

My library shows some of our favorite books available in the children's library, both old and new. We are always ready to give a recommendation.

Happy Reading!

Welcome to the WPL Children's Library blog. Visit us often for the latest news about additions to our collection, activities and events, book reviews and more. We are working to make the children's library fun, family friendly place. Browse around and let us know what you think.