Ages 5-11
Blog Post
Huge Books about a Huge World!
by evelyn
We’ve just gotten in two amazing oversized nature books for kids and their grownups. First up is Under Water, Under Earth by the talented team Aleksandra and Daniel Mizieliński. I am obsessed with the work by this pair, and this book is my favorite that they’ve done yet. One side depicts life under the ground, including burrowing animals, root vegetables, infrastructures under cities, tunnels, mines, and more. Flip the book over and you are treated to views under the ocean, from fish and scuba divers to the Titanic and hydrothermal vents. The two sections meet in the middle, where they share a spread on the Earth’s core. This book is jam packed with gorgeous, detailed illustrations and tons of fascinating information.
For kids who want to learn more about plants, checkout Botanicum, which joins Animalium and Historium as part of the Welcome to the Museum collection of oversized nonfiction for kids. With a gold-embellished cover and huge illustrations of beautiful vegetables, trees, flowers, and more, this book will win over any plant enthusiast.
These lovely and big books can work independently, but they also make a great pair. Learn about root vegetables in Under Water, Under Earth and then look at the detailed drawings in Botanicum! Just be sure to bring a bag big enough to fit them both.
Blog Post
PreK Bits - "B" is for BUTTON
by ryanikoglu
Ms. Rachel presented stories about BUTTONS at Malletts Creek Branch Storytime this week.
PETE The CAT And His FOUR GROOVY BUTTONS ... But when they're lost, does he cry? "Goodness No!"
We practiced "B" sounds while singing the song "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean" ... "Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me."
We bounced in rhythm to "5 Berry Buns In The Bakery Shoppe".
Then Toad has an interesting solution in “The Lost Button” story from FROG And TOAD ARE FRIENDS.
For more favorite BUTTON tales try the following:
BUTTON UP: Wrinkled Rhymes … the talking clothes in these poems know who's wearing them.
DON’T PUSH The BUTTON … the only rule is don’t push the button!
The SILVER BUTTON … At the same moment that Jodie's baby brother takes his first step, a city's worth of moments unfold around them.
CORDUROY … Corduroy wants one thing. It’s the thing he has lost.
The BELLY BOOK and BELLY BUTTON BOOK … another kind of button.
GRANDMA’S BUTTON BOX … perhaps you have a button box at your house?
ELIZA’S KINDERGARTEN SURPRISE … what Eliza holds in her pocket helps her through her first day at school.
Blog Post
PreK Bits - "K" is for KANGAROOs
by ryanikoglu
Ms. Rachel presented kangaroo stories in Storytime.
POUCH! is a story of 2 baby kangaroos ... just growing out of the pouch!
In the “I’m a Kangaroo” song ... we have lots of bounces and "BOINGS" to do.
KATY NO-POCKET is the story of Katy who has no pouch to keep her baby close.
If you like kangaroos and you like stories, here are more favorite kangaroos:
NIGHTY-NIGHT COOPER by Laura Joffe Numeroff.
ADELAIDE The FLYING KANGAROO by Tomi Ungerer.
HEART In The POCKET by Laurence Bourguignon.
I LOVE IT WHEN YOU SMILE by Sam McBratney.
DO KANGAROOS SEAT BELT by Jane Kurtz.
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A KANGAROO? by Mercer Mayer.
BIG RED KANGAROO
A KANGAROO MOB
Now you can "hop and jump all day!".
Do you have a pouch?
Blog Post
PreK Bits - "C" is for COOKIE!
by ryanikoglu
Cookie Monster says, "C is for Cookie!"
That's good enough for Ms. Rachel in Storytime too!
IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE is a cautionary tale that takes you in a circle right back where you started from.
Banjo Betsy and Ms. Rachel led the action song "Gonna Walk, Walk, Walk" ... until we need to "Sit Down."
This action song can be found on the the following recordings ... HONK! HONK! RATTLE! RATTLE! and RISE And SHINE.
The WOLF’S CHICKEN STEW is a Chef's kitchen story. The Wolf is fattening up Ms. Chicken for his stew ... but there is a surprise.
All of his cooking is successful in a new way!
If you like cookies, you may enjoy more favorite "Cookie" stories as follows:
B. BEAR And LOLLY: Catch That Cookie!
WATCH The COOKIE!
OLIVIA VENDE GALLETAS
The GINGERBREAD MAN LOST IN SCHOOL … and many more versions of the Gingerbread characters.
The COW LOVES COOKIES
The DOORBELL RANG
The DUCKLING GETS A COOKIE
SUGAR COOKIES: sweet little lessons on love
WHO TOOK The COOKIES FROM The COOKIE JAR
NO MORE COOKIES!
FABULOUS FOOD … a recorded CD full of songs and rhythm including “Who Stole The Cookies”!
And don't forget to play with Cookie Monster in C Is For COOKIE!
YUMMO!
Blog Post
African-American History Month - grades K-3
by ryanikoglu
It's African-American History Month and here is a Public List for Kids Picture Book History - AFRICAN-AMERICAN stories - for gr. K-3.
There are great stories from real lives being told in picture books.
These stories are first steps into someone else's past. We see "history written" ... about people with famous and not famous names.
They are stories worth hearing.
Grab some titles and find out why these names are saved for posterity.
Stories from the past might inform decisions for the future.
Blog Post
Only Two Days Left to Enter the 2017 "Write On!" Short Story Contest!
by krayla
Calling all writers in grades 3-5! The deadline to send your story to the "Write On!" Short Story Contest is this Friday, February 3. Check out the guidelines and then email your work to youngwrite@aadl.org. Happy writing!
Blog Post
Happy Birthday Samuel Ting!
by bengelty
Today marks the 81st birthday of American physicist and Nobel laureate Samuel C. C. Ting. Born to Chinese immigrant parents right here in Ann Arbor, Ting earned degrees in both mathematics and physics from the University of Michigan.
He went on to win the 1976 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work in the amazing field of subatomic particles. Ting then went on to propose and fight for the addition of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02) to the International Space Station in 2011. The AMS-02 is used to observe and study cosmic rays.
In his Nobel Prize acceptance speech Samuel Ting emphasized the importance of experimental work:
“I hope that awarding the Nobel Prize to me will awaken the interest of students from the developing nations so that they will realize the importance of experimental work.”
The AADL has some great books about science experiments you can do at home, to help you explore the world of science:
Check out: Amazing Science Experiments by E. Richard Churchhill, for more than sixty simple physics experiments that can safely be done with materials around the house.
Or: The Usborne Big Book of Science Experiments, which provides instructions for simple experiments that introduce basic concepts in chemistry, biology, and other areas.
Our collection of Science Tools will help curious minds explore the world around them!
Blog Post
Gender Identity for Kids
by evelyn
Do you know a little one who is starting to learn about the big, fun, sometimes messy world of gender and gender identity? We’ve got books for that!
Introducing Teddy is an adorable new picture book about a boy and his best friend and teddy, who wishes that she was a girl instead of a boy. Teddy is afraid to share her feelings with her friend, but when she does, she’s very glad she did! This is a wonderful book about both gender and unconditional love.
Who Are You?: The Kids’ Guide to Gender Identity is a new nonfiction book by Brook Pessin-Whedbee that teaches children about gender identity with simple language and bright, engaging pictures.
Flamingo Rampant Press is a new publisher offering picture books about gender and sexual orientation. The stories in these books are imaginative, diverse, fun, and feature all kinds of kids.
If you want more information on supporting kids in their gender exploration, take a look at The Gender Creative Child by Dr. Diane Ehrensaft. This title offers lots of information on supporting children as they grow and discover who they are. Included is information on how to talk with children about gender expression, how to make sure all of a child’s needs are getting met, how to navigate schools and other environments, and when to research medical options like hormone therapy. Raising the Transgender Child is a great resource for parents of transgender children and offers lots of detailed, science-backed, information.
For more great books on gender for kids and their grownups, take a look at this list!
Blog Post
AADL Writing Contests Begin Today!
by krayla
We want to see it in writing! Starting today, AADL's two writing contests are accepting entries and offer the chance to win fabulous prizes! Read on for more information:
KIDS in grades 3-5 can enter the by email or in person at the Downtown branch. View the for more details. Please send questions to youngwrite@aadl.org
TEENS in grades 6-12 can send works of flash fiction and short stories to the through our . View the for more details. Please send questions to allwrite@aadl.org
If you're stuck wondering what the judges are looking for, try structuring your story to include these elements:
*A creative and original plot with a solid resolution
*Well-developed and detailed characters
*A clear story sequence from beginning to end
Happy writing!
Blog Post
"A" is for ANGELS and ANIMALS ... in the snow!
by ryanikoglu
Ms. Rachel brought stories about things that can happen in the SNOW.
A PERFECT DAY tells what happens when the first perfect snow falls.
We sang/acted-out “This Is The Way …” we get dressed for snow … musically accompanied by Ms. Banjo Betsy.
The HAT by Jan Brett … tells a newer version of a very old Ukranian folktale The MITTEN. The forest animals find a cozy hat in the snow and squeeze inside for warmth.
For more of Ms. Rachel’s favorite winter stories try the following:
The SNOW BEARS … Mama Bear can’t find her cubs. She does find three adorable “snow bears” however.
IF IT’S SNOWY And YOU KNOW IT CLAP YOUR PAWS! … an action song and picture book.
SNOW ... animals prepare for winter snow.
WAITING For SNOW ... anticipation !
WINTER IS For SNOW ... and a brother ... and a sister.
TWELVE DAYS Of WINTER ... a school counting book.
ANNIE And The WILD ANIMALS ... See what Annie sees as she looks for her cat.
WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND ... the words to the song and pictures. Can you sing along?