Happy Thanksgiving

On behalf of all the SERC Library staff members, we wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving! We invite you to read the quotes below and take a look at the Young People's books listed.

"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving." ~ H. U. Westermayer

"Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow." ~ Edward Sandford Martin

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them" ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy

"Thanksgiving, after all is a word of action." ~ W.J. Cameron

"Our rural ancestors, with little blest,
Patient of labour when the end was rest,
Indulged the day that housed their annual grain,
With Feasts, and off'rings, and a thankful strain."
~ Alexander Pope

Giving thanks: A Native American good morning message by Chief Jake Swamp and illustrated by Erwin Printup, Jr. The 24 page text of the picture book is based on the Thanksgiving Address, an ancient message of peace and appreciation of Mother Earth and all her inhabitants, as told in Six Nation tradition. These words are still spoken at ceremonial and governmental gatherings held by the Six Nations. The colorful illustrations are of nature scenes. The Six Nations or Iroquois include Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Onondaga, Seneca and Tuscarora. Children are taught to greet the world each morning by saying thank you to all living things. Diversity is considered a gift and people everywhere are thought of as family. Ages 4-8.

The holiday book by Karent L. Saulnier. Holidays, their meanings, and how they are celebrated are explained in this 48 page book for ages 3-8. Each sentence is shown in illustrated sign language.

Bonne Fête Nationale! (Happy Bastille Day!)

Il est le quatorzième de Juillet, et en France, c'est Jour de l'Indépendance! La Bibliothèque SERC collection des Jeunes a une section dédiée français, avec des titres tels que:
 
It is the fourteenth of July, and in France it is Independence Day! The SERC Library Young People's collection has a dedicated French section, with titles such as:

Food / La nourriture, By Barron's Educational Series (YP-FR F BAR)

Cuddly and colorful teddy bears teach new words to very young children - in both English and French! Barron's Bilingual First Books give little boys and girls an early start in learning a foreign language along with their own. Des oursons adorables et sympathiques enseignent aux enfants des mots nouvelles - en anglais et en français! Les Premieres Livres Bilingues de Barron's permettent aux enfants de s'initier une deuxieme langue ainsi que d'apprendre la leur initial.

Goodnight everyone / Bonne nuit à tous, by Lone Morton (YP-FR F MOR)

It's Martha's bedtime, but first she has to say goodnight to all her cuddly friends: teddy, penguin, monkey and little mouse. They're all tucked in...but will there be room for Martha? This delightful, appealing story has colorful illustrations and an easy-to-read text in both English and French. C'est l'heure du coucher de Marthe, mais d'abord qu'elle a à dire bonsoir à tous ses amis en peluche: Teddy, pingouin, le singe et la petite souris. Ils sont tous rentré po...mais il y aura place pour Martha? Ce superbe histoire appel a des illustrations colorées et faciles à lire le texte en anglais et en français.

My house / Ma maison, By Berlitz Kids (YP-FR F BER)

This interactive book teaches child friendly words in two languages. Meet this fun family and take a tour of their home. Each room has flaps you can lift to discover a surprise underneath! The book includes colorful illustrations and plenty of useful words in both French and English. Ce livre interactif apprend aux enfants, paroles amicales dans les deux langues. Rencontrez-vous familial et visite guidée de leur maison. Chaque chambre dispose de volets que vous pouvez soulever pour découvrir une surprise en dessous! Le livre comprend des illustrations colorées et beaucoup de mots utiles en français et en anglais. 
 

National Poetry Month

as the buds peek out
from silken nests of green lace
the poet awakes

swirling through the stream
baby fish jump rainbows, while
words jump to my page

rhythm and buddha
and a compulsion to dream
bring poets to peace

full of life, April
heralds nothing so sweetly
sung as poetry



Can there be a more appropriate time of year to celebrate words than the lovely month of April? As the gentle hush of spring sweeps in and signs of nature's rebirth abound, we turn to the delectable sounds of syllables, of semantics, of poetry.

For some of the events surrounding this illustrious month, check out Poets.org, the most comprehensive web resource for poetry. There you'll find thousands of poem in an easily searchable database, as well as audio, video, essays and interviews. In honor of National Poetry Month, you can sign up to receive Poem-A-Day e-mails from Poets.org. You'll also find plenty of information about Poem In Your Pocket Day, which is exactly what it sounds like. The idea is to select a favorite poem and carry it with you all day on April 29, 2010. Whether you share it with friends, stage an impromptu reading on a crowded street, or simply peek at it yourself throughout the day, having a poem in your pocket is like having your own little secret treasure, and it can make the world just a little bit lovelier.

And of course, no post would be complete without a list of some of our favorite materials from our own collection. So next time you visit the SERC Library, be sure to check out:


Welcome to the world: A celebration of birth and babies from many cultures, Compiled by Nikki Siegen-Smith (YP 808.819354 SIE)

This gorgeous anthology combines black and white photography of infants with poems by an array of celebrated poets from around the world. From Ireland's Eavan Boland to England's D.H. Lawrence to anonymous authors from New Zealand and Cambodia, this book will awe you, inspire you, and remind you that we are all human and we are all born innocent.


Embracing the sky: Poems beyond disability, by Craig Romkema (811.6 ROM)

Here you will find pieces that encompass everything a good poetry collection should: an intertwining of desolation and appreciation that cleverly come together to reflect on all of the ugliness and beauty found in this world. The author is a young man with cerebral palsy and autism, and this is his way of both highlighting what it's like to live with disabilities and transcending it, by taking us into his mind and dissolving the difference between us.


When the horses ride by: Children in the times of war, Poems by Eloise Greenfield, Illustrations by Jan Spivey Gilchrist (YP 811.54 GRE)

This is another book in which the visuals are as stunning as the written words. The two mediums combine to paint a stark, yet ultimately hopeful, portrait of war and the effect it has on children. Here is a short poem featured in the book:

Voices
I hear their voices
mixing with the sounds of war.
Too much noise, almost
drowning out their words,
drowning out my thoughts.
Almost.


Teaching with fire: Poetry that sustains the courage to teach, Edited by Sam M. Intrator & Megan Scribner (808.81 INT)

The editors of this book have compiled eighty-eight poems and paired each one up with mini-essays by teachers reflecting on how the poem has touched his or her life. Featuring works by such well-known poets as Pablo Neruda, Walt Whitman, Adrienne Rich and Hartford's own Wallace Stevens, as well as a lot of helpful information on how to incorporate poetry into your curriculum, this book is highly recommended for educators and anyone looking for a little inspiration.


The tree is older than you are: A bilingual gathering of poems and stories from Mexico with paintings by Mexican artists, Selected by Naomi Shihab Nye (YP-SP 860.9 NYE)

The poetry contained within this volume speaks of the timelessness of nature and the endurance of the human spirit. This dynamic array of poems includes both the original Spanish and translated English versions, and is ideal for bilingual classrooms and curricula with a multicultural focus.

The SERC Library encourages drive-by poeting in the comments!

World Folk Art and Fables Week, March 22-28

The end of March ushers in not only the first peek of springtime, but also an international celebration of cultural history with World Folk Art and Fables Week. From ancient Rome to the dynasties of China to the native tribes of the Americas, folk stories are a fundamental part of our human history, and indeed they are one of the few commonalities shared by all cultures. The most wonderful thing about fables is the way that they seamlessly weave together entertainment and education, sweeping you up into a web of human tradition and spirit while also leaving you with valuable lessons. We're all familiar with Aesop's Fables, but there are thousands of lesser known tales of equal value, including some that can be found right here in the SERC Library!

Native American Animal Stories, Told by Joseph Bruchac (YP F BRU)
Though this 136-page book is located in our Young People's collection, the stories and illustrations within will entertain those of all ages. With 24 legends from tribes such as the Hopi, Mohawk, Tlingit and Dakota Sioux, as well as maps, tribal nation descriptions, and a glossary, this book will enrich your understanding of Native American history and legend.



The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales, told by Virginia Hamilton (YP F HAM)
This award-winning 178-page anthology presents a wealth of stories. Divided into categories like animal tales, fantasy, supernatural, and slave tales of freedom, the literature presented here will excite you, inspire you, amuse you...and maybe even scare you!



Golden Tales: Myths, Legends, and Folktales from Latin America, by Lulu Delacre (YP F DEL)
This 80-page book is filled with exciting tales from countries such as Bolivia, Mexico, and Cuba. But it is the gorgeous full color oil painting illustrations that really bring this book to life, along with all of its heroes, monsters, and fantastical creatures.



Afterwards: Folk and Fairy Tales with Mathematical Ever Afters, by Peggy Kaye (IM 372.7044 KAY)
This two-part series intersperses math lessons with classic stories to enhance children's understanding of the material, with one book designated for grades 1-2 and the other for grades 3-4. From measuring the growth of Rapunzel's hair to arranging Baba Yaga's dinner table to outwitting the trickster Anansi himself, these books are a unique way for teachers to combine math and literature.



Working Together: Building Children's Social Skills Through Folk Literature, by Gwendolyn Cartledge & James Kleefeld (IM 303.32 CAR)
This unique multimedia kit uses folktales from around the world to teach social skills to children in grades 3-6. It includes dozens of activities designed to enhance vital skills, including time management, respecting others, negotiation conflict and speaking positively. The kit comes with 5 audiotapes and 31 posters to aid with the lessons.


The Book of Virtues: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories, edited by William J. Bennett (FAM 808.8038 BEN)
We placed this book into our Family collection because there are few things that can bind a family together like shared stories and memories. In this colossal 832-page volume the author uses well-known tales to illustrate 10 key tenets of the human condition, such as demonstrating compassion with "The Little Match Girl" and courage with "Chicken Little", along with scores of others ranging from Greek myths to the Gettysburg Address. Why not take a cue from the simpler times these stories convey and turn off the television in favor of sharing a story or two with your own family?

Day of Remembrance

On this day in 1942, President Roosevelt signed executive order 9066 which authorized the military to relocate over 120,000 Japanese Americans from their homes to internment centers or relocation camps. In Canada, similar evacuation orders were established with over 22,000 people confined.

The SERC Library has a broad and comprehensive collection on multicultural education and diversity for a wide variety of cultural groups. If you would like to teach your children more about this period of American history we have the following items available for loan.

The Journey: Japanese Americans, Racism and Renewal - In this 40-page children's book, artist Sheila Hamanaka relives the history of the Japanese Americans and of her own family. During World War II, while her uncle was fighting in the American army, her parents were imprisoned, and her grandfather died in a U.S. concentration camp. The author/artist has created an extraordinary visual monument to the Japanese Americans, supplementing her original creation with prose that is unique and powerful. Grades 4 and up.

A Kid's Guide to Asian American History: More than 70 Activities - This 224-page resource by Valerie Petrillo offers over 70 activities that teach about the people, experiences and events that have shaped Asian American history. It has information on the culture, people, and history from various Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Philippines, India, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. It includes a section on Japanese internment camps. Grades 3-7.

Baseball Saved Us - In this 32-page children's book by Ken Mochizuki, a Japanese American boy learns to play baseball when he and his family are forced to live in an internment camp during World War II. In first person narrative, he tells how baseball gave all the boys a purpose while enduring injustice and humiliation and how their ability to play helps them after the war is over. Available in English and Spanish. Ages 8-11.

The Shadow of Hate: A History of Intolerance in America - This educational kit from Teaching Tolerance, with a 40-minute videotape, 128-page text, and 36-page teacher's guide focuses on events from three centuries in order to explore the history of intolerance in America and our country's ongoing struggle to live up to its ideals of liberty, equality, and justice. Through documentary footage and eyewitness reports, students are given a powerful perspective on historical events from the ordinary people who lived through them. Some of the events covered are the enslavement of African Americans, the Salem witch trials, the mistreatment of Native Americans, antisemitism, and the internment of Japanese Americans. Grades 6-12.

Please visit the SERC Library to look at these titles and more. Membership is free and we have a generous 3-week loan period.

Artwork by Henry Fukuhara, "Symbols of Manzanar, 2008"

Poverty and Education

This morning The Middletown Eye (http://middletowneyenews.blogspot.com/) posted a story on teen groups from ten Middlesex County churches who spent Saturday night outdoors in frigid temperatures to help them understand and empathize with the plight of the homeless. In Middletown, CT, youth groups set up tents on the corner of Main and Union streets to spend the night in solidarity with those community members who are forced to spend harsh nights without a home. Sue LaTourette, a church director from First Church, explained that the effort is an attempt to keep the plight of the homeless in the public eye after the generosity of the holidays has passed. This event has already motivated donors to drop off food & clothing for distributions to St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen & the Eddy Shelter in Middletown.

According to the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness (www.cceh.org), 4,154 people were homeless in Connecticut on the night of January 28, 2009. Of these 430 were families and 801 were children in families. It is estimated that in our state over 33,000 people, including 13,000 children, experience homelessness over the course of the year. That equates to a lot of children, families, and schools that must continually cope with this tragic situation.

In the SERC Library we have over 150 resources that address poverty and education. A small sampling includes:

Invisible Children in the Society and its Schools - (2003) edited by Sue Books, this 258-page book offers a series of reports by some of the most passionate and insightful scholars writing in the field of education today on groups of children whose complexity, strengths, and vulnerabilities are largely unseen in society and its schools. Topics include homelessness, domestic violence, gay youth, children with social disabilities, teenage mothers, poverty, and much more.

Increasing Language Skills with Students from Low Income Backgrounds - (2008) by Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin.

Educating the Other America: Top Experts Tackle Poverty, Literacy, and Achievement in Our Schools - (2008) edited by Susan B. Neuman.

America Beyond the Color Line, DVD - (2003) with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. In this 225-minute DVD, Henry Louis Gates travels to 4 very different parts of America to illustrate the splitting of African-American society into 2 distinct communities - the privileged and the disenfranchised. He examines the opportunities and obstacles still being faced and speaks to how a fifth of all black Americans are living below the poverty line and how many feel excluded from mainstream American life.

Keys to Success for Urban School Principals - (2007) by Gwendolyn J. Cooke.

A Framework for Understanding Poverty - (2005) by Ruby K. Payne.

The Kids Left Behind: Catching Up the Underachieving Children of Poverty - (2007) by Robert D. Barr.

Armando & The Blue Tarp School - (2007) by Edith Hope Fine. In this 32-page children's book for ages 4-8, Armando and his father are trash-pickers in Tijuana, Mexico. When Senor David brings his "school" - a blue tarp set down near the garbage dump - to their neighborhood, Armando's father decides that he must attend classes and learn. Based on a true story.

Closing the Poverty and Culture Gap: Strategies to Reach Every Student - (2009) by Donna Walker Tielston & Sandra K. Darling.

Please visit the SERC Library either online or in person to explore more resources on this subject. Stay warm and be safe.

(With thanks to Pablo Picasso for Poverty, 1903.)

Connecticut Children's Book Fair - November 14-15th, 2009

The 18th Annual Connecticut Children's Book Fair will be held on November 14th and 15th at the UCONN campus in Storrs. The fair provides an opportunity for fans of children's literature to meet prominent authors and illustrators in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. In addition to presentations and book signings, the event will also feature storytelling sessions, crafts, and even an opportunity to have breakfast with Clifford the Big Red Dog! Lots of other popular characters will be present as well. On Saturday visitors will also be able to visit the Northeast Children's Literature Collection, housed at UCONN's Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, which features an extensive collection of original work by such noted authors as Richard Scarry and Tomie dePaola. For information on the collection go here, and for information on attending the fair go here.

And of course be sure to check out two of the newest additions to our very own Young People's book collection:

The Red Beast: Controlling Anger in Children with Asperger's Syndrome, by K.I. Al-Ghani (YP 618.92 ALG)
The picture book offers both an engaging story that children will enjoy and helpful anger management techniques for adults to employ when working with children prone to anger and temper tantrums. From foot massages to popping bubble wrap, these suggestions are sure to appeal to even the most stressed out child.


All Dogs Have ADHD, by Kathy Hoopmann (YP 362.196 HOO)
This book uses vivid full color photographs of dogs to illustrate many of the most common traits held by those with ADHD. This delightful and humorous book is great for helping to boost the self-esteem of kids who may be having a hard time and feeling different from their peers.

Banned Books Week

The last week of September is Banned Books Week, which is a time to celebrate and appreciate free speech and reading. The wonderful thing about reading is not only that there are so many different worlds one can enter by picking up a book, but that it is our individual choice that guides us on these journeys. You may delight in reading of the trials and tribulations of a quirky small town in the 1950s and your neighbor might love to get lost in a gripping political thriller, while I might devour an epic vampire love story. But when we allow individual choice to be limited we encroach on this great personal freedom, and we chip away at what makes reading so special in the first place. Many libraries use Banned Books Week as a way to highlight the maligned titles that fall into this category through special displays and programs that encourage people to read these books for themselves and form their own opinions.

Here in the SERC Library one of our most popular Young People's books holds the dubious honor of topping the list of most frequently banned books for the past two years: the absolutely delightful and heartwarming And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell (YP F RIC). This book depicts the true story of two Central Park Zoo male penguins who fall in love and form a family by adopting an abandoned egg and taking the baby penguin, Tango, under their wings (so to speak). This book is frequently challenged because of its open depiction of a homosexual relationship, despite the fact that the relationship is presented in a positive and loving manner. This dichotomy between the author's intention and the reader's interpretation is what lies at the core of most banned book controversies.

Or, as acclaimed author (and personal favorite of mine) Francesca Lia Block stated when asked how she felt about her books being censored: "I'm a bit surprised in one way, because the message of all of them is love, tolerance and self-expression. On the other hand, I am not surprised because the message is love, tolerance and self-expression."

So exercise your First Right Amendment and read a banned book!

Children's Eye Health and Safety Month

With approximately 12 million school-age children in America experiencing vision problems, it is no wonder that August is Children's Eye Health and Safety Month. The promotion of eye health and safety is very important, and education and awareness in schools and libraries is essential not only during this month, but throughout the year. For more information on how you can get involved, visit Prevent Blindness America. You can also come into the SERC Library and check out some of the books we have on this important subject, including:

Blueberry eyes, by Monica Driscoll Beatty (YP F BEA)
This 32-page picture book, intended for children ages 4-10, is the true story of a young child's eye treatment, including eyeglasses, bifocals, eye patches, and surgery. It focuses on the heroine's positive self-image throughout her treatment, the care and guidance she received from her ophthalmologist, and the love and support of her family.



What if you couldn't? A Visual Impairment Unit (IE 371.911 GUR)

A multimedia kit designed to make students in grades 2-5 aware of the broad spectrum of visual problems ranging from minor disabilities which can be corrected by prescription lenses to total blindness. The kit allows children to investigate the ways that people with visual impairments compensate for their lack of sight and become functioning, independent individuals.

Surprising studies of visual awareness: Volumes 1 & 2 (IE 153.43 VIS)
This DVD can be used to teach about visual perception and awareness during presentations, workshops or inservice programs. It presents 15 striking demonstrations in which visual perception is explored, including some with footage from scientific experiments. Selective attention, failures of awareness and optical illusions are included.



The secret code, by Dana Meachen Rau, illustrated by Bari Weissman
(YP F RAU)
Using a word list of 69 words, this 32 page illustrated children's book introduces children to Braille. Oscar, a blind student, teaches his friend Lucy to read the secret code of Braille. She is curious about what he is doing when he opens his book and is interested to learn how Oscar can use Braille to do the same reading and writing tasks all the other classmates are doing.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Did you know that May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month? If you're looking for ideas on how to celebrate this unique and diverse culture, check out the SERC Library, where you'll find items such as:

Teaching about Asian Pacific Americans: Effective activities, strategies, and assignments for classrooms and communities, edited by Edith Wen-Chu Chen and Glenn Omatsu (IM 973.049522 WEN)
This invaluable 316-page guide is chock full of ideas to incorporate into your classroom, ranging from simple writing exercises to ideas for exploring your local city's Chinatown. In addition to activities, it also provides basic background information on the culture and history of the various ethnic groups that fit under the broader term Asian Pacific Americans.


Round is a mooncake: A book of shapes, by Roseanne Thong. Illustrated by Grace Lin (YP F THO)
This colorful 36-page picture book teaches and reinforces children's knowledge of shapes by having the young protagonist look at the objects that surround her. From the square-shaped tofu and radish cakes to the round paper lanterns and cups of Jasmine tea, the author and illustrator take the reader on a sweet little journey while also providing a valuable cultural lesson, complete with a glossary for the more unfamiliar terms.


Sixteen years in sixteen seconds: The Sammy Lee story, by Paula Yoo, illustrations by Dom Lee (YP B LEE)
This 32-page biography tells the story of Dr. Sammy Lee, the first Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal. Despite having to struggle against discrimination in his younger years as a Korean American, Dr. Lee pursued his dream of becoming an Olympic diver, and this moving story highlights his impressive life and accomplishments.



A kid's guide to Asian American history: More than 70 activities, by Valerie Petrillo (IM 973.0495 PET)
This handy 244-page book offers a wide variety of kid-friendly activities designed to teach and celebrate Asian American culture and history. Along with guidance for more commonly known aspects of Asian American culture, such as writing a haiku poem or conducting a Japanese tea ceremony, there are also more obscure offerings, such as how to cook Bibingka, a tradtional dessert of the Philippines and how to play pov pob, a Hmong ball-tossing game.

What better way to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month than with a book or two?? See you at SERC!

Children's Book Week May 11-17, 2009

This coming Monday marks the start of Children's Book Week. Whether you're a parent who enjoys reading to your child or a teacher who is actively involved with promoting classroom literacy, this is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate reading and children's books. Children's Book Week is sponsored by the Children's Book Council. Check out this website made just for the event, which is chock full of resources, including downloadable bookmarks and posters, suggestions for classroom activities, and story starters to encourage young people to write their own masterpieces.

Here at the SERC Library we have an entire collection devoted to young people's books (designated by YP in the call number). From fiction to non-fiction to biographies, from picture books to adolescent level, from English to French to Spanish to Hmong, we have quite a comprehensive range. The collection is especially strong in the areas of disability awareness and cultural diversity. To search our library for children's books only, go to our card catalog and simply enter the search term YP in addition to any other keywords, such as YP autism or YP fiction or YP African American. Or simply enter YP by itself to browse all 500+ titles.

To get you started, here is a list of staff favorites from this collection:

Sleepy River, by Hanna Bandes, illustrated by Jeanette Winter
(YP F BAN)
This gorgeous 32-page picture book chronicles a mother and child's nightime canoe journey down a "sleepy river". Along the way they encounter all the magical little critters that come out at night. With lush illustrations in shades of violet and teal, this book makes an enchanting bedtime tale.


Oliver Onion, written and illustrated by Diane Murrell (YP F MUR)
Subtitled "The Onion Who Learns to Accept and Be Himself", this 32-page book addresses the difficulty children can have with fitting in and feeling comfortable in their own skin. Though aimed specifically at children with autism spectrum disorders, the book's message of self-acceptance can be universally appreciated, and the included discussion guide makes it particularly handy for teachers to incorporate this into their reading programs.

Se Venden Gorras, relatado e ilustrado por Esphyr Slobodkina (YP-SP F SLO)
This is the Spanish version of the popular children's classic "Caps for Sale" about a peddler and a mischevious group of monkeys who love to cause him trouble. First published in 1940, this 32-page book has been delighting both children and adults for several generations. "Se Venden Gorras" and its English counterpart are both excellent for use in Reader's Theater.

Richard Wright and the Library Card, by William Miller, illustrated by Gregory Christie (YP B WRI)
This fascinating biography of prominent African American author Richard Wright is a fictionalized version of his childhood dream of obtaining a library card in an era before the Civil Rights movement. His eventual success in achieving this goal paved the way for his lifelong appreciation of reading, books and libraries. With full page acrylic and colored pencil illustrations this 32-page book is not only visually appealing, but also a truly touching story.

Life Lists for Teens, by Pamela Espeland (YP 646.700835 ESP)
This 264-page indispensable guide for adolescents covers a myriad of topics that are relevant to their lives with a conversational and often humorous tone that teenagers will easily relate to. Organized in list format, there are over 200 entries, including "How to Start a Book Group", "9 Tips for Changing Your Hair Color", "13 Things You Can Do To Promote Diversity", "11 Common Dream Symbols and What They Mean", and "10 Ways to Swear Off Swearing From the Cuss Control Academy".

Reach for the Moon, by Samantha Abeel, illustrated by Charles R. Murphy (YP 811.54 ABE)
This uniquely beautiful 44-page book of poetry was written by a thirteen-year-old girl with learning disabilities. Though she spent much of her younger years struggling in school, she was encouraged by caring adults to nurture her blossoming writing talent which led to her overcoming her initial academic struggles. Equally important in this book are the breathtaking watercolor paintings that accompany and inspire each poem. With themes focusing on nature, Native Americans, and family, this collection of poetry has a timeless quality that is well beyond the author's young age.

And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, illustrated by Henry Cole (YP F RIC)
This 32-page picture book frequently lands on the American Library Association's banned book list, however we think that it deserves a spot in every library for its thoughtful and respectful approach to introducing children to the concept of same-sex couples. It is the true story of Roy and Silo, Central Park Zoo's famous gay penguins and their quest to raise a chick of their own, baby Tango. With beautiful watercolor illustrations, this award winning book is sure to both delight and teach.


Come into the SERC Library to check out these books and others. Happy Children's Book Week!

December 2008 Acquisitions - Young People's Books

The don't-give-up kid and learning differences. By Jeanne Gehret, 1996. (YP F GEH)

Dude, that's rude! (Get some manners). By Pamela Espeland and Elizabeth Verdick, 2007. (YP 395.122 ESP)

Elana's ears, or how I became the best big sister in the world. By Gloria Roth Lowell, 2000. (YP F LOW)

Leo the late bloomer. By Robert Kraus, 1971. (YP F KRA)