There’s a lot for kids to be nervous and/or excited about on the first day of school: different routines, strange names and faces, lots of noise, and new rules. Little kids tend to approach the start of the school year in a very different manner from middle school and high school kids, partly because they don’t have as much personal experience to help guide themselves through the process. Books like these can help them figure out what to expect and how to deal with problems that might come up. Even if your little one is already looking forward to their first day, they’ll enjoy these back-to-school stories.
Hi, everyone! My name is Miss Haley, and I’m so happy you’re joining me today for bilingual story time at Fondulac District Library. Bilingual is a word that means more than one language, so that means we’ll be singing songs and reading books in English and Spanish today. Are you ready? Let’s go! ¡Vamos!
Written by Lucky Diaz, illustrated by Micah Player, and read with the permission of Harper Collins Publishing.
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Craft: Make Your Own Paletas (Popsicles)!
Pick up a craft kit at the library while supplies last.
Included in kit:
One piece of cardboard
Two popsicle sticks
Four paper paleta shapes
One bag of pom poms
One bag of sequins
Supplies needed at home:
Glue
Coloring utensils
Scissors
Instructions:
(Adult supervision/assistance recommended) CUT out all four paleta
TRACE two of the paleta shapes onto the cardboard. We’ll be making two paletas
(Adult assistance recommended) CUT the paleta shapes out of the cardboard.
COLOR the four paper paleta I chose two designs so I could have the same paleta design on each side, but you can do four designs if you want!
GLUE one popsicle stick to any side of each cardboard paleta
GLUE the paper paleta shapes onto the cardboard paleta
(Optional) GLUE pompoms and sequins to one or both sides of your paletas. You may need to let one side dry before you apply glue and decorations to the back side.
PLAY! You can set up a popsicle stand and hand out delicious, cold treats just like the Paletero
Señorita Mariposa written by Ben Gundersheimer (Mister G) and illustrated by Marcos Almada Rivero
In Summer = En Verano written by Susana Madinabeitia Manso and illustrated by Emily Hanako Momohara
Agua, Agüita / Water, Little Water written by Jorge Tetl Argueta, illustrated by Felipe Ugalde Alcántara, and translated by Gabriela Baeza (Also includes a Nahuat language translation!)
English Books with Spanish Versions:
If You Want to See a Whale & Si quieres ver una ballena written by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Erin E. Stead
Sun & Sol written and illustrated by Carol Thompson
Did you know that we have an app available on our that can help you and your child learn a new language? It’s called Mango, and you can sign up for free using your library card number. Check it out by clicking here!
What is the book about?: In a not so distant and slightly dystopian future, an Artificial Friend waits in a store window, hoping to be selected by a lonely child. Klara’s exceptional observational skills lead her to be chosen by sweet Josie, who suffers from a mysterious illness. As Josie’s caring companion, Klara serves the family loyally and fulfills her purpose, witnessing the love, grief, and tensions within the household as they all try to navigate the machinations of a society ruthlessly using technology to avoid its own ‘slow fade.’
My Review: I wanted to love this book as I did Never Let Me Go, and I appreciate the premise and Ishiguro’s deliberate style, but it just never clicked for me. The amount of detail paid to certain irrelevant elements was frustrating, when the most interesting aspects of the story are barely mentioned and never explained. Ultimately, I couldn’t get over the disconnect of having an AI – programmed with enough intelligence to learn human emotions and advanced science – who isn’t equipped with the basic understanding that they are solar powered and therefore invents their own mythology. Maybe that’s intentional, to illustrate how individual knowledge is limited and we all just fill in our own narrative/explanation of events and experiences, but that (and the perfect anti-climax) felt a bit lazy. The book does touch on interesting themes of life/death/technology and Klara provides an interesting perspective on the human condition, so most readers will probably still find it interesting and worthwhile.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Detailed, Strange, Bittersweet
Give This a Try if You Like…Never Let Me Go by Kazua Ishiguro; Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell; I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
What is the book about?: Merlin’s Harp is an Arthurian fantasy retelling from the point of view of the Fey. More specifically, the novel tells the story of King Arthur through the eyes of Nivienne, the daughter of the Lady of the Lake. Nivienne grows up on Apple Island (Avalon) with her mother and brother Lugh. Merlin visits occasionally, telling stories about the kingdom outside their forest. Nivienne is not too concerned with Arthur until events begin to threaten the peace of the island. Merlin, who has taken Nivienne as his apprentice mage, takes her into Camelot and she witnesses events firsthand.
My Review: I love Arthurian legend and have read this several times. It’s a short read and well-written. You could read it without knowing many details about key events surrounding Arthur’s reign, but coming in knowing more makes the story and nuances a richer experience. I recommend this for those who are just getting in to Arthurian fantasy. It’s a great bridge to heftier novels, such as Marian Zimmer Bradley’s The Mist of Avalon.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Lyrical, tragic, magical
Give This a Try if You Like…The Mists of Avalon, The Crystal Cave (Merlin trilogy), Child of the Northern Spring (Guinevere trilogy)
Whether students are learning in the classroom or online and at home, the library has resources available to help them reach their goals. Librarians can help with research or finding materials (even through online chat), and our online databases can help with language, reading, math, testing, news and journal articles, sociology and geography, and even life skills. And don’t forget the free Mango language learning app! The library also has computers, printers/ copiers, free WiFi, and study rooms available to help students complete homework, projects, or study sessions. Not to mention all our materials, like nonfiction and fiction books, eBooks and audiobooks, graphic novels, documentaries, STEM kits, and more that can help students dive deeper into the subjects they find interesting. FDL also has a variety of
homeschooling resources for families taking that route. Make sure your students have their own library cards to encourage their love of learning and success this year!
Good morning and welcome to story time. I’m Miss Sharon and today is all about COLORS!
Opening Song: The More We Get Together
The more we get together, together, together,
the more we get together, the happier we’ll be.
Cause your friends are my friends,
and my friends are your friends,
the more we get together the happier we’ll be!
Written and illustrated by Mike Austin and read with the permission of Harper Collins.
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Flannel: Butterfly Colors
The first to come to the garden bed
Is a lovely butterfly of brilliant RED.
Then in comes another and that makes two.
Fly right in, my friend of BLUE.
“The garden is fine, the best I’ve seen,”
says the butterfly of softest GREEN.
Our garden needs a sunny fellow,
Fly on in, butterfly with wings of YELLOW.
Little friend of PURPLE, fly in too.
The garden is waiting for a color like you.
ORANGE, orange, you’ve waited so long.
Fly right in, where you belong.
Butterflies, butterflies, you’re such a sight!
Flying together – what a delight!
Written by Tina Gallo, illustrated by Clair Rossiter, and read with the permission of Simon Spotlight.
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Song: Skinnamarink
Skinnamarinky dinky-dink (Put your left elbow in right hand, wave)
Skinnamarinky Doo (Right elbow in left hand, wave)
I (Point to eye)
Love (Cross your arms over your heart)
You! (Point to audience)
Skinnamarinky dinky-dink (Left elbow in right hand)
Skinnamarinky Doo (Right elbow in left hand, wave)
I (Point to your eye)
Love (Cross arms in front of heart)
You! (Point to audience)
I love you in the morning (Cross arms above your head)
And in the afternoon (Cross arms around your chest)
I love you in the evening (Cross around your tummy)
And underneath the moon! (Cross arms above head again)
Skinnamarinky dinky-dink (Left arm in right hand, wave)
Skinnamarinky doo (Right arm in left hand, wave)
I (Point to your eye)
Love (Cross arms in front of heart)
You (Point to audience)
Too (Show two fingers)
Boo boop we doo! (Wave and kiss!)
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Craft: DIY Color Project
Included in Kit:
Colored paper
Pipe cleaners
Mini cupcake liners
Craft sticks
Pom poms
Jewels
Google eyes
Supplies Needed at Home:
Glue
Scissors
Your imagination!
Using the supplies in your kit and your imagination, make your own colorful project(s)!
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Closing Song: Thanks for Coming
(Tune: Oh My Darling Clementine)
Thanks for sitting, thanks for listening,
Thanks for coming here today!
Now that story time is over
Hope you have a lovely day!
Old Man’s War is a down-to-earth, science fiction space opera in which the ruling human government only recruits seniors into military service. This book was very readable, I have probably never read a book so fast in my life. – Jeremy, Reference Assistant
Julián sees beautifully dressed “mermaids” around town with his abuela, and he decides to dress up to look just like them. I love that this book is purely a celebration of a boy who isn’t afraid to be his authentic self and his grandmother who supports him without a second thought. – Haley, Youth Services Assistant
As of yet, the best book that I’ve read this Summer has been Grendel, by John Gardner; I had read it once previously whilst I was a sophomore in high school, but I somehow managed to forget just how high this book’s quality is. Gardner’s minimalistic prose never sacrifices its poetic sensibilities in exchange for its brevity, and the novel’s protagonist, the titular Grendel, is at once scorn-worthy, relatable, and just downright hilarious, at times. So, all-in-all: great book. – Kaelan, Circulation Assistant
As Book 3.5 of the Stormlight Archive series, Dawnshard is a novella with events that occur after Oathbringer (book 3) and before Rhythm of War (book 4). The story follows Rysn, a ship-owning merchant, who is on a mission for Novani Kholin to a long-abandoned island. There’s additional character development that I enjoyed and a bit of plot twist when we learn what a Dawnshard actually is. I’m sure anyone who’s reading the series will regret it if they skip this novella. – Melissa, Reference Specialist
One Piece is the longest manga series I’ve ever read – currently, 96 volumes (English) – but I’m so happy I finally picked it up, and I absolutely can’t wait to see what happens next. If you like friendship, freedom, and fighting for what’s right – oh, and pirates! – then pick it up, since it’s a wild ride! – Katie, Reference Specialist
I think my favorite book this summer was Marie Benedict’s The Personal Librarian. This is historical fiction about Belle da Costa Greene, the librarian who established and ran J.P. Morgan’s famous Pierpont Morgan Library in New York City in the early 1900’s. Belle was famous for her knowledge of antiquities, her wit, and her well- guarded secret. – Becky, Reference Assistant
This is beautiful and tragic stand-alone fantasy novel. It’s also historical fiction and a love story. I really enjoyed Schwab’s poetic writing style and the plot twists she introduces towards the end of the novel are well worth it! – Susie, Reference Specialist
The way Garvin intersperses honey bee biology and beekeeping 101 into this story about three lost humans who develop a bond over saving a region of honey bee hives from a major pesticide company was beautiful. It felt timely and it reinforced the idea that we need to be recognizing the impact of our actions on all creatures, great and small. – Rebecca, Business Manager
–Post by Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist
#FDL is an update on all things Fondulac District Library and books.
What is the book about?: In the quiet of night, Mabel Skinner and her friend Rory are making off with a neighborhood’s bags of chemical-free yard waste (“black gold”), nabbing them before the morning garbage pickup. They plan to use the clippings and leaves as mulch for the garlic and lavender grown on Mabel’s inherited farm. The quiet night is disrupted, however, when a man pulls up in a rusty pickup truck, jumps out and confronts the duo, shouting, “You’re stealing my stuff!” The man, Graham Winthrop, is loud enough to wake the neighborhood, including a city council member. Graham reluctantly agrees to a compromise to share the mulch. By morning, Mabel finds that more trouble could be brewing with threats of charges for trespassing, breach of peace, and other misdemeanors. Wanting to smooth things over with Graham and avoid legal troubles, Mabel pays a visit to his rhubarb farm. She finds Graham dead in his greenhouse. After the previous night’s confrontation, it looks like Mabel is the police’s prime suspect!
My Review: This is the second in cozy mystery writer Gin Jones’s Garlic Farm Mystery series. But don’t worry if you haven’t read the first one. Jones deftly takes you into Mabel’s world and does a fine job of explaining the back story behind the farm, how Mabel inherited it, and her relations with the various characters in the tale. I find that I am liking the characters even more with this mystery as we learn more about Mabel and her talent for analysis (and coding!), her social awkwardness, her cats, and her deceased aunt’s friends who are now becoming Mabel’s friends. Mabel has not yet embraced the life of a farmer – preferring her coding work – but perhaps she will! That, too, is the part of this cozy mystery, in addition to finding out who killed Graham and why. Spend some time with this satisfying read – you’ll be glad you did! And perhaps, like me, you will look forward to trying some rhubarb when it is available!
Three Words That Describe This Book: Engaging, Cozy, Rhubarb
Give This a Try if You Like… Cozy themed mystery series such as Diane Mott Davidson’s A Goldy Bear Culinary Mystery series, Cleo Coyle’s ACoffeehouse Mystery series, or Susan Wittig Albert’s China Bayles Herbal Mystery series.
You are cordially invited to join Miss Alice for a simply scrumptious story time. This story time will feature delightful cups of tea in a few choice books, songs, and a craft fit for a king (of lizards, that is).
Song: Hello, Friends
(using ASL, to the tune of Goodnight, Ladies)
Hello, friends! Hello, friends!
Hello, friends! It’s time to say hello!
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Song: Open Them, Shut Them
Open them, shut them, open them, shut them.
Give a little clap, clap, clap!
Open them, shut them, open them, shut them.
Put them in your lap, lap, lap!
Creep them, creep them, slowly creep them,
Right up to your chin, chin, chin!
Open wide your little mouth,
But do not let them in!
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Fingerplay: Ten Little Fingers
I have ten little fingers, and they all belong to me. (point to self)
I can make them do things. Do you want to see? (point to eyes)
I can squeeze them up tight. I can open them up wide. (squeeze hands shut, then open them)
I can put them together. I can make them all hide. (clap, then hide hands behind back)
I can make them jump high. I can make them jump low. (wiggle fingers above head, then reach down)
I can fold them up quietly and hold them just so. (fold hands and place on lap)
Written by Molly Idle and read with permission from Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
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Craft: Dinosaur Bowtie Craft
Kids will get two dinosaur coloring sheets they can color and cut out, and two colorful bowties they’ll be able to fancy up and glue on their dinosaurs. Available from the library while supplies last.
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Song: I am Special
(to the tune of Frere Jacques)
I am special, I am special, (point to self)
You can see, you can see. (point away from self)
Someone very special, someone very special, (hold hands out in questioning motion)
