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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.

On Sunday, April 21st, all WCCLS-hosted online services will be unavailable from approximately 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

What does this mean? During this time, you will not be able to access these services:

• WCCLS website
• Your online account - online, as well as the telephone renewal line
• WCCLS catalog (searching, placing holds, etc.)
• WCCLS events calendar

Library2Go will still be available during this downtime. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience!

It has been quite an adventure!  In the last seven weeks, we've made a long journey through some of the greatest children's picture books ever made.  This week, we look at our last Storyland title: Where's Spot? by Eric Hill.

It's suppertime and Spot the puppy can't be found! His mother searches high and low trying to find where Spot is hiding.  She gets help along the way from a series of animals and finally uncovers her lost little guy!

Now, in my honest opinion, it isn't the story that makes Where's Spot? so much fun... it's the lift-the-flap technology!!  Toddlers especially enjoy lifting the flaps to see if Spot is hiding in the clock, the closet or in the piano.  Every time we encounter a new hiding place, the book asks us a very simple question: "Is he under the bed?"  Up until the very end, whenever we lift the flap we are met with a different animal who answers one word: "no".  The author's use of speech balloons and the repeated word "no" presents us with a great opportunity to point out how the printed word and books work.  We can point to the word no as we read "no".  After kids have enjoyed the book a number of times, we can more explicitly call their attention to the speech balloons.  We can say something like: "Hey!  Have you noticed that all the animals say 'no' and that they all have this word next to them?  Did you know that this says no?!  Pretty cool!"

We call a child's understanding of how books and printed words work print awareness.  Print awareness involves many different concepts, such as how we read text from left to right and top to bottom.  It also includes a basic understanding of how a book works!  Books with moveable parts, like Where's Spot?, give kids the chance to explore the mechanical side of books.This will ultimately help them when they begin to learn how to read.

It can be great fun for kids to create their own books.  Check out our super-simple directions on making a book:


You can easily tape or glue some paper flaps onto the pages and turn your child's book into a lift-the-flap book!  When children play with books in meaningful ways, their enjoyment of books grows.

Check out our recent Fingerplay Fun Friday blog post for some information about peek-a-boo and why little kids love it so much: Here's a Ball for Baby

The Storyland exhibit is on display at the Portland Children's Museum until May 5, 2013.  Visitors can sit on top of Spot's trunk, flip tiles to reveal Spot and play with Spot's basket.  To visit the Children's Museum for free, contact your local Washington County library today and arrange to check out a Cultural Pass.

(photo above provided by Portland Children's Museum and used with permission)

Here is a little list of some lift-the-flap books I especially like:

Title: Baby Danced the Polka
Author: Karen Beaumont
Illustrator: Jennifer Plecas
Find this book at your library

It's nap-time on the farm... but baby just isn't tired.  Flaps can be lifted to reveal baby getting down with a host of funny animals.
Title: Baby Faces Peekaboo!
Author: Dawn Sirett
Find this book at your library

Baby faces are hiding behind the flaps in this over-sized board book.  After seeing babies in all kinds of moods, a mirror lets the reader practice making faces.
 Title: Duck's Key: Where Can It Be?
Author: Jez Alborough
Find this book at your library

Duck has lost his key.  Lift-the-flap and help him find it.  Few books do such a good job helping kids prepare for later life as an adult.
Title: Even Firefighters Go to the Potty
Author: Wendy Wax and Naomi Wax
Illustrator: Stephen Gilpin
Find this book at your library

Demystifying the world of the potty, flaps lift back to show how everybody uses it.  Potty training doesn't get any better than this!
Title: Peek-a-Moo!
Author: Marie Torres Cimarusti
Illustrator: Stephanie Peterson
Find this book at your library

Q: What is the best way to learn animal names?
A: Play peek-a-boo with them!!!
Title: There Are Cats in this Book
Author: Viviane Schwarz
Find this book at your library

A series of flaps let the reader interact with a bunch of playful cats.  An extremely creative lift-the-flap book!
Title: Tuck Me In!
Author: Dean Hacohen
Illustrator: Sherry Scharschmidt
Find this book at your library

A different take on the lift-the-flap book... this time, the flaps are used as bed covers to tuck in animals!
Title: Where is Baby's Belly Button?
Author: Karen Katz
Find this book at your library

Baby's clothes hide her many body parts and provide kids with a fun way to learn their names!

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.

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.

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.

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Hillsboro Shute Park Branch: Explore las aplicaciones de escritorio y el sistema operativo Windows en esta clase básica participativa. Perfecta para el principiante, esta clase se repite el segundo Sábado del mes.

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!

National Fair Housing Month celebrates the passage of The Fair Housing Act of 1968, which prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status in the sale or rental of housing. This Act was subsequently amended and revised by legislation in 1974 and 1988 to produce what is the Fair Housing Law of the United States.

Most agree discrimination in housing is much subtler today than in decades past, but it does persist. Every April, the nation celebrates the strides we've made, and the work that remains to be done. In honor of Fair Housing Month, in partnership with the Office of Community Development, we are highlighting a selection of books for adults, teens and children that highlight issues of fair housing and discrimination. For a more comprehensive list of titles, visit the Fair Housing Council of Oregon's website.

• Books for adults
• Books for teens
• Books for younger kids
• Books for older kids

In honor of Fair Housing Month, Washington County will be hosting a free public screening of the acclaimed documentary, Brick by Brick... A Civil Rights Story.

Monday, April 22nd, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Washington County Public Services Building Auditorium
155 N. 1st Ave., Hillsboro (map)

Watch a trailer for the documentary:

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.

This week's rhyme is a fun little song-and-dance called The Story Stomp Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
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The Story Stomp
(sung to the tune of The Humphrey Hop (In the Bag))

 First you touch your nose, then you touch your toes -- Stomp-Stomp!
Then you bend your back and you start to clap -- Clap-Clap!
That's the way it's done, it's a lot of fun -- Stomp-Stomp!
Doin' the wiggle-waggle story stomp!

Next you touch your lips, then you touch your hips -- Stomp-Stomp!
Then you bend your back and you start to clap -- Clap-Clap!
That's the way it's done, it's a lot of fun -- Stomp-Stomp!
Doin' the wiggle-waggle story stomp!

Then you touch your tummy and hop like a bunny -- Stomp-Stomp!
Then you bend your back and you start to clap -- Clap-Clap!
That's the way it's done, it's a lot of fun -- Stomp-Stomp!
Doin' the wiggle-waggle story stomp!

Now you touch your eyes and you wave bye-bye -- Stomp-Stomp!
Then you bend your back and you start to clap -- Clap-Clap!
That's the way it's done, it's a lot of fun -- Stomp-Stomp!
Doin' the wiggle-waggle story stomp!


This little rhyme is more fun and silly than anything else.   It gives little feet plenty of opportunities to stomp around.  And as we know, in general toddlers and preschoolers have a big need for movement.

I like how the first line changes while the rest of the rhyme remains the same.  This gives kids a chance to practice remembering the words and movements all throughout.  Feel free to build on the fun by improvising the body parts and actions found in the first line.  With preschoolers, you can indicate a body part and them ask them to help you come up with a rhyme to go along with it.

Understanding sequencing is a big part of the early literacy skill we call narrative skills.  When kids understand how stories and songs are put together, they have a better ability to make predictions.  This, in turn, benefits them when they begin to learn how to read!

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.

6:00 PM to 7:30 PM - Hillsboro Shute Park Branch: La lectura de la que platicaremos en esta reunión es 'Una caja de plomo que no se podía abrir' de Jose Luis González. 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.

It's Tuesday evening, around eight... do you know where your frogs are?!  Our weekly Storyland visit takes us into a world of imagination run wild, where lily pads become magic carpets and frogs invade a sleepy little town: Tuesday by David Wiesner.

The story begins as dawn descends on the swamp.  One frog awakens to realize the lily pad upon which it sleeps is flying.  Before we know it, dozens of frogs are zooming all over the place, terrifying midnight snackers, peeking in on TV watchers and playing tag with a dog named Rusty.  The tale ends with a police investigation into curious reports and the presence of lily pads all over the road.  And then we learn that next Tuesday, even more fun is in store!

Tuesday is essentially wordless.  A little bit of text shows up indicating the time and that's it.  The story is primarily told through the pictures. 

Reading wordless picture books with children can be a great exercise for parents and caregivers.  Please note, I said reading wordless picture books with children and not to children.  The great thing about wordless picture books is that they are a perfect for two-way sharing.  Since there are no words begging to be read, we can feel more comfortable encouraging our little friends to help us tell the story.

Here are some great questions to ask your child as they "read" you a wordless picture book:

1. What is happening here?
2. What do you think is going to happen next?
3. Who is that? 
4. What is s/he doing?
5.  Why do you think s/he is doing that?

When your child responds to your questions, try to provide positive feedback and help them to build on their thoughts.  If your child says: "The dog wants to eat the frog" you can respond, "Yeah, it looks like the dog is chasing the frog. Why do you think he wants to eat the frog?"  Basically, have a natural conversation with your child about the pictures and ask lots of questions.  When you ask questions you are reinforcing the fact that we use books to learn about the world and how things work.  This helps build critical thinking skills that kids need when they begin school.  It provides an early foundation into the complex world of information literacy.

For younger children who are not able to have a conversation about the story, feel free to go crazy and make up funny stories when sharing wordless picture books.  Little kids look to their caregivers to develop an understanding of how things work.  When they see their loved one really getting into the story, they will naturally equate book sharing with fun. 

Check out this interesting study that was recently conducted by researchers at the Utah State University: Research Shows that Books without Text Can Increase Literacy, Vocabulary Skills in Children with Developmental Disabilities

For more ideas about telling stories with your children, check out our recent blog post: Tell Me a Story!

The Storyland exhibit is on display at the Portland Children's Museum until May 5, 2013.  Visitors can present their own news story on TV or bang on a log and explore the sounds of the swamp.  To visit the Children's Museum for free, contact your local Washington County library today and arrange to check out a Cultural Pass.

Here are a few of my favorite wordless (or nearly wordless) picture books:

Title: A Ball for Daisy
Author: Chris Raschka
Find this book at your library

A little dog has all kinds of fun with a ball in this brightly colored wordless picture book!
Title: Gem
Author: Holly Hobbie
Find this book at your library

The springtime journey of a toad is depicted in this story that beautifully captures a natural habitat.
 Title: Good Night, Gorilla
Author: Peggy Rathman
Find this book at your library

A zoo keeper is shutting down the zoo for the night while, unbeknownst to him, the animals follow him home.
Title: The Lion and the Mouse
Author: Jerry Pinkney
Find this book at your library

A gorgeous retelling of Aesop's fable about how a mouse and a lion help each other.
Title: Truck
Author: Donald Crews
Find this book at your library

Road signs help show a truck's journey from pickup to delivery!
Title: Wave
Author: Suzy Lee
Find this book at your library

A young girl visits the beach and experiences all it has to offer.
Title: What If?
Author: Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Find this book at your library

A series of "what if?" questions accompany a story of a beach ball and group of seals.  The prompts make this is a fantastic book for sharing with a child who is practicing telling stories and describing things!
Title: Where's Walrus?
Author: Stephen Savage
Find this book at your library

Walrus has escaped from the zoo!  While the zoo keeper tries to track him down, we get to practice picking him out in a series of funny locations!

Alter Wiener's father was brutally murdered on September 11, 1939 by the German invaders of Poland. Alter was then a boy of 13. At the age of 15, he was deported to Blechhammer, a Forced Labor Camp for Jews, located in Germany. He survived five camps. Upon liberation by the Russian Army on May 9, 1945, Alter weighed 80 lbs., as reflected in the photo on the cover of his autobiography, 64735: From a Name to a Number.

Alter will be sharing his life story at the Cedar Mill Library on Saturday, April 20th at 2:00 pm. The program is free and open to everyone.

Alter is one of the very few Holocaust survivors still living in Portland. He moved to Oregon in 2000, and since then he has shared his life story with more than 800 audiences in universities, colleges, middle and high schools, churches, synagogues, prisons, and other organizations.

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.

The Oregon Book Award winners for 2013 were announced last night. Here's a rundown of the winners in some popular categories. Find a full list of the winners here.

Ken Kesey Award for Fiction
Shards by Ismet Prcic Frances Fuller Victor Award for General Nonfiction
The Wrecking Crew by Kent Hartman Sarah Winnemucca Award for Creative Nonfiction
Crazy Enough by Storm Large Eloise Jarvis McGraw Award for Children's Literature
Drawing from Memory by Allen Say Leslie Bradshaw Award for Young Adult Literature
Blue Thread by Ruth Tenzer Feldman Readers Choice Award
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Also available as a downloadable e-book and audiobook in Library2Go! Congratulations to all the winners!