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10:30 AM to 11:30 AM - Hillsboro Shute Park Branch: Practice English or Spanish and help others learn in a friendly atmosphere. Beginners welcome! Practique inglés o español y ayude a los demás que están aprendiendo en un ambiente amable. ¡Están bienvenidos los principiantes!

10:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Forest Grove City Library: ¡Venga con sus niños de 18 meses hasta 6 años de edad para compartir con juguetes y libros especiales, conocer otros padres y madres y ayudar a su niño en su crecimiento! Visítenos entre 10am-12pm durante estos sábados:

3:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Tualatin Public Library: La Biblioteca está ofreciendo clases basicas de computación; estas clases se brindarán los viernes en el horario de 3:00 pm a 5:00 pm. Los temas serán los siguientes: Primer viernes: Informática básica Segundo viernes: Correo electrónico y redes sociales Tercer viernes: Microsoft Word Cuarto viernes: Las Aplicaciones en Google Se brindará la ayuda necesaria a los participantes con sus preguntas; estas clases no requiren inscripción por adelantado. Para más información, llame a Annie Lewis, Bibliotecaria, al 503 691-3077. The library offers computer classes in Spanish every Friday from 3:00pm-5:00pm. A new topic will be introduced each week including: First Friday: Computer basics Second Friday: Email and social networking Third Friday: Microsoft Word Fourth Friday: Google products Time will be provided for questions and one-on-one assistance. Pre-registration is not required.For more information, please call Annie Lewis, Librarian, at 503 691-3077.

Continuing on our recent trend into Mother Goose's rich history, this week we present: Mary Mary Quite Contrary

Mary Mary Quite Contrary

Mary, Mary, quite contrary  (wag your pointer finger)
How does your garden grow?  (shrug shoulders or lift hands palms up while wiggling fingers)
With silver bells  (hold hands in fists and extend one thumb)
And cockle shells  (extend other thumb)
And pretty maids all in a row!  (extend the rest of your fingers)



This is a great little rhyme for letting kids practice their fine motor skills, especially moving their fingers independently.  As I have mentioned before, fine motor skills are crucial for kids who are learning to write.

What I like best about this rhyme, though, is its fanciful language.  "Contrary" is a word that rarely gets used in daily conversation.  Nevertheless, it is a great word for kids to learn.  The more words kids know, the easier it will be for them to become proficient readers in the long run.  Vocabulary is a strong predictor or future reading success.

Silver bells and cockle shells and pretty maids all in a row require a little more work to explain to kids.  I've always thought of the rhyme as describing a pretty bed of flowers surrounded by a border of sea shells.  Mother Goose scholars don't entirely agree on the original meaning of this rhyme.  Some assessments are quite frightening!  I will stick with flowers, myself.

6:30 PM to 7:30 PM - Tualatin Public Library: Se presentan cuentos, rimas, canciones, y manualidades para familias con niños de todas edades. Storytime in Spanish. Presenting stories, songs, rhymes and crafts for families with children of all ages.

6:30 PM to 7:30 PM - Hillsboro Shute Park Branch: El cuento del que hablaremos es 'El desafío' de Mario Vargas Llosa. El círculo de lectura se reúne dos veces al mes para una conversación alrededor de lecturas comunes. El enfoque del grupo son los cuentos de Latinoamerica. El grupo es para personas de por lo menos 15 años de edad y en español. Acompañenos!

5:30 PM to 6:30 PM - Cornelius Public Library: ¡Totalmente Gratis!Venga y aprenda lo básico de computación¿Para qué se usan las computadoras?Usando programas y manejando nuestros archivos electrónicosNavegar el internetCrear una cuenta de correo electrónicoTaller libre para preguntas de cualquier otro tema¡Clases Empiezan el 6 de Febrero!¡No se requiere experiencia, ni registración!MiércolesSábadosClase: 5:30pm - 6:30pmClase: 1:00pm - 2:00pmTaller libre: 4:30pm - 5:30pmTaller libre: 2:00pm - 3:00pm Clases En La Biblioteca Pública de Cornelius(Enfrente de la estación de bomberos) 1355 N Barlow StCornelius, OR 97113503-357-4093Luis Chavez | luisc@wccls.org www.ci.cornelius.or.us/libraryEste programa es apoyado en parte por el Instituto de Museo y Servicios Bibliotecarios (IMLS) por medio del Acto de Servicios Bibliotecarios y Tecnología (LSTA) , administrado por la Biblioteca del Estado de Oregón. This programis supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Oregon State Library.

"Mooooo!" goes the cow.
"Baaaaaa!" goes the sheep.
But what does the dog say?

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 In my opinion, the coolest words ever are the ones that sound exactly like what they mean.  Words like “BAM” and “SQUEAK” and “WOOF” are super-fun to say out loud.  We call words like these onomatopoeias, words that sound exactly like what they mean.

Children’s books are packed with of onomatopoeic words.  It’s not too surprising, because kids love to hear the funny sounds.  Folks who regularly share books with little ones can attest to the fact that if you really ham it up and over-enunciate your pronunciation, you’re sure to draw constant laughter and smiles of delight.
Besides being terribly fun to read aloud, onomatopoeic books do a fantastic job of showing kids exactly how printed language works.  Just like the old 1960s Batman TV series, many books with fun sound words emphasize and call special attention to the words by using interesting fonts and bright colors.  A child's understanding of how printed language works is called print awareness.  When we call attention to the word on the page by pointing or running our finger below the word, we are helping build a solid print awareness foundation. 
Here are a bunch of my favorite onomatopoeic picture books:

 Title: And the Train Goes ...
Author: William Bee
Find this book at your library

There are all kinds of fun train sounds!  "Clickerty-click, clickerty-clack!"  Couple this book with a fun train rhyme and you're golden!
Title: Cock-a-doodle-doo, Creak, Pop-pop, Moo
Author: Jim Aylesworth
Illustrator: Brad Sneed
Find this book at your library

There are more sounds on the farm than those of the animals.  This book does a beautiful job taking the reader on an auditory journey through a day at the farm!
Title: Doggies
Author: Sandra Boynton
Find this book at your library

Dogs say more than just "WOOF".  Ten different dogs show off their voices in this perfect counting book!
Title: I Stink!
Author: Kate McMullan
Illustrator: Jim McMullan
Find this book at your library

Loads of truck sounds fill this stinky tale of a garbage truck.  This books gets bonus points for containing the most epic "BURRRP" ever!
Title: Jazz Baby
Author: Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Find this book at your library

Rhythmic text and cool jazz sounds make for a whole bunch of be-bopping fun!
 Title: Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?
Author: Dr. Seuss
Find this book at your library

Does it come as any surprise that Dr. Seuss wrote the greatest-ever onomatopoeic book for little kids?  Nope.
Title: One Frog Sang
Author: Shirley Parenteau
Illustrator: Cynthia Jabar
Find this book at your library

A chorus of frogs liven up the springtime night on a lonely country lane, singing out their many songs!

Title: Red Sled
Author: Lita Judge
Find this book at your library

A funny little story about a group of animals and the winter fun they have on a sled, told entirely in sound words!
Title: Slop Goes the Soup
Author: Pamela D. Edwards
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Find this book at your library

Everything gets hairy and out of control when a warthog accidentally sneezes while holding a container of soup.  Tons of slip-sloppy fun!
Title: Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp!
Author: Wynton Marsalis
Illustrator: Paul Rogers
Find this book at your library

Probably my favorite read-aloud of 2012.  This book is aptly subtitled "A Sonic Adventure".  A little boy describes the sounds that surround him in a most-rhythmic and entertaining way.
Title: Who Is Driving?
Author: Leo Timmers
Find this book at your library

A very cool overview of the sounds vehicles make.  The reader is asked to help guess which animal drives which vehicle, making this book extremely engaging.

6:30 PM to 7:00 PM - Hillsboro Shute Park Branch: Ven a escuchar cuentos que fomentán las habilidades de alfabetización temprana. / Come listen to stories that will encourage early literacy skills.

6:30 PM to 7:30 PM - Hillsboro Shute Park Branch: Ven a escuchar cuentos que fomentán las habilidades de alfabetización temprana. / Come listen to stories that will encourage early literacy skills.

4:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Biblioteca de la ciudad de Forest Grove: Manualidades, Legos y actividades para todas edades. Niños menores de 10 años deben estar acompañados por un adulto.

Washington County is full of award-winning library staff! At the Oregon Library Association annual conference last week, four people who work at libraries in Washington County were honored with awards.

Left to right: Abigail Elder, Ed House, Laurie Mintz, Eva Calcagno
Eva Calcagno, director of Washington County Cooperative Library Services, won the Librarian of the Year award. She was recognized for her leadership in developing the new statewide Oregon Library Passport Program, which reduces barriers to library services statewide. Eva said "I’m honored to receive this award because it recognizes efforts to build cooperation and sharing among libraries for the improvement of public service. It’s what Washington County libraries have done for nearly 40 years." Congratulations Eva!

Laurie Mintz was awarded Library Employee of the Year! A Library Assistant at the Tualatin Library, Laurie was recognized for her generosity, mentoring and work with the Spanish-speaking community. Letters nominating Laurie mentioned her friendliness, creativity, excellent problem solving skills, and her ability to put people at ease. 

Abigail Elder, director of the Tualatin Library, won the OLA President's award for her leadership of the Association and her grace and selflessness in handling the Association’s leadership transition after the departure of the previous President.

Ed House, director of the Beaverton Library since 2001, was recognized for his successful career in Oregon libraries and years of outstanding service with an Honorary Lifetime Membership to the Oregon Library Association.

Congratulations to all the winners! We are proud to have such great staff serving the library patrons of Washington County.

Did you know that you can prepare for exams and take practice tests online through WCCLS? We offer access to a product called LearningExpress.

Use it to prepare for many education-related exams like the SAT, ACT, AP, and GED.

Looking at taking a career-related exam? LearningExpress can help you prepare for the ASVAB exams, CDL, plus much more.

Have a career you're happy in, but need to learn more about a particular software program? Check to see if LearningExpress offers tutorials for it. Bone up on Excel, Photoshop, and more!

Know someone who needs some computer basics? LearningExpress also covers Windows and Macintosh basics. 

If you're looking at making some career or educational changes, check to see if LearningExpress offers resources to help make your learning journey a little smoother!

5:00 PM to 6:00 PM - Cornelius Public Library: Spanish/ English Language ExchangeIntercambio de inglés y españolMondays starting February 4th5:00pm-7:00pmLunes empezando el 4 de febreroa las 5:00pm-7:00pm A FREE drop in opportunity for friendly practice if you are learning English or Spanish!¡Una oportunidad GRATUITA para practicar inglés o español en un lugar amistoso!at the Cornelius Public Library1355 N Barlow(next to the fire station/ junto a la estación de bomberos) This program is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Oregon State Library.Este programa es apoyado en parte por el Instituto de Museo y Servicios Bibliotecarios (IMLS) por medio del Acto de Servicios Bibliotecarios y Tecnología (LSTA) , administrado por la Biblioteca del Estado de Oregón.

1:00 PM to 2:00 PM - Cornelius Public Library: ¡Totalmente Gratis!Venga y aprenda lo básico de computación¿Para qué se usan las computadoras?Usando programas y manejando nuestros archivos electrónicosNavegar el internetCrear una cuenta de correo electrónicoTaller libre para preguntas de cualquier otro tema¡Clases Empiezan el 6 de Febrero!¡No se requiere experiencia, ni registración!MiércolesSábadosClase: 5:30pm - 6:30pmClase: 1:00pm - 2:00pmTaller libre: 4:30pm - 5:30pmTaller libre: 2:00pm - 3:00pm Clases En La Biblioteca Pública de Cornelius(Enfrente de la estación de bomberos) 1355 N Barlow StCornelius, OR 97113503-357-4093Luis Chavez | luisc@wccls.org www.ci.cornelius.or.us/libraryEste programa es apoyado en parte por el Instituto de Museo y Servicios Bibliotecarios (IMLS) por medio del Acto de Servicios Bibliotecarios y Tecnología (LSTA) , administrado por la Biblioteca del Estado de Oregón. This programis supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Oregon State Library.

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM - Cornelius Public Library: Colorín Colorado…Leamos en FamiliaUn futuro brillante empieza en un libro. Programa Gratuito cada sábado a las 12:00pmLa hora de Cuentos es patrocinado por los Amigos de la Biblioteca Pública de Cornelius.Horas: Lunes a Viernes de 10am a 7pm; Sábado de 10am a 5pm; Domingo de 12pm a 5pmLa Biblioteca Pública de Cornelius1355 N. Barlow St.503-357-4093www.cornelius.ci.or.us/library

10:30 AM to 11:30 AM - Hillsboro Shute Park Branch: Practice English or Spanish and help others learn in a friendly atmosphere. Beginners welcome! Practique inglés o español y ayude a los demás que están aprendiendo en un ambiente amable. ¡Están bienvenidos los principiantes!

3:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Tualatin Public Library: La Biblioteca está ofreciendo clases basicas de computación; estas clases se brindarán los viernes en el horario de 3:00 pm a 5:00 pm. Los temas serán los siguientes: Primer viernes: Informática básica Segundo viernes: Correo electrónico y redes sociales Tercer viernes: Microsoft Word Cuarto viernes: Las Aplicaciones en Google Se brindará la ayuda necesaria a los participantes con sus preguntas; estas clases no requiren inscripción por adelantado. Para más información, llame a Annie Lewis, Bibliotecaria, al 503 691-3077. The library offers computer classes in Spanish every Friday from 3:00pm-5:00pm. A new topic will be introduced each week including: First Friday: Computer basics Second Friday: Email and social networking Third Friday: Microsoft Word Fourth Friday: Google products Time will be provided for questions and one-on-one assistance. Pre-registration is not required.For more information, please call Annie Lewis, Librarian, at 503 691-3077.

10:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Forest Grove City Library: Una fiesta de lectura bilingüe 10am-11:15am manualidades, libros de regalo, pintura de cara, actividades 11:15am-11:45am entretenimiento por Mid-City Breakers 11:45am- 12:00pm refrescos y premios de puerta viernes, 3 de mayo ¡Todo es gratis!

We raided the oldy moldy Mother Goose books for this week's Fingerplay... we hope you enjoy this long-forgotten gem: Two Little Birds

Two Little Birds
(hold fists in front of you with either thumbs or pinkies extended)

There were two little birds who sat on a stone
Fa, la, la, la, la, DEE-DUN

One flew away and then there was one
Fa, la, la, la, la, DEE-DUN

The other flew after,
And then there were none
Fa, la, la, la, la, DEE-DUN

And so the poor stone
Was left all alone
Fa, la, la, la, la, DEE-DUN!!

I found this rhyme while digging through the 1904 facsimile of John Newbery's 1791 edition of Mother Goose's Melody.  It was originally published with a title of "Aristotle's Story" and included a funny little note about its status as an early logic primer (teaching the concept of consequence to early American children).  I made some minor changes and came up with both the tune and actions.  I use my pinkies, but thumbs would work just as well.

After recording the video, I did a little more research and found the rhyme listed in my personal copy of The Annotated Mother Goose (sadly, out-of-print).  It tacks on a number of additional lines that I think make for a happy resolution:
One of the birds then back again flew, Fa, la, la, la, la, DEE-DUN

T'other came after, and then there were two,
Fa, la, la, la, la, DEE-DUN

Said one t'other --
How do you do?
Fa, la, la, la, la, DEE-DUN

Very well, thank you,
And how are you?
Fa, la, la, la, la, DEE-DUN!!

This rhyme is very reminiscent of Two Little Blackbirds.  I love the repeated Fa, la, la refrain.  It slows down the rhyme, extending the fun and making for a more musical cadence.  As with Two Little Blackbirds, this rhyme provides kids with a great opportunity for practicing their fine motor skills.  Beyond helping kids hold their pencil when they learn to write, being able to manipulate fingers independently will also help them when they learn to type!