Subscribe to this pageTake Your Child to the Library Day
I'd like to invite you to come to the library this Saturday (Feb. 4th). It's National Take Your Child To The Library Day! To help us celebrate, local children's author Wendy Wahman (Don't Lick The Dog, A Cat Like That) will be visiting us at 11 AM for our weekly Family Storytime, especially for ages 2-8.
We also encourage you to make a paper crane- paper is provided- any time during the day. Legend says that folding a thousand paper cranes makes a wish come true! This legend became more widely known through the book Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr.
See you at the library!
November is Picture Book Month
Do you have a favorite picture book? One you remember from your childhood, or one you've discovered as you read it to a favorite young friend?
November is Picture Book Month, a month to celebrate the importance of picture books. We know they are fun, we know they encourage language development in kids, and we know they can make a lasting impression.
Each day in November there is a post from a picture book champion, telling why he/she thinks picture books are important. Margaret Read MacDonald is one of my favorite authors-- and a really cool person too. Click here to check out what she has to say-- and lots of other authors too! And share a favorite picture book today.
Family Literacy Day
Get ready for National Family Literacy Day. It's coming on November 1st. What will you do to celebrate literacy with your family? Family literacy is something that should be encouraged all year round. Brainstorm ways you can keep your family engaged in reading on a regular basis!
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Happy Birthday, Winnie the Pooh!
Happy 85th Birthday, Winnie the Pooh!
Winnie the Pooh was first published October 14, 1926--85 years ago today.
A.A. Milne wrote about Winnie the Pooh, his son Christopher Robin, and their friends at 100-Aker-Wood. Did you know that Winnie was based on a real live bear? It was Christopher Robin's favorite animal at the zoo, and according to www.just-pooh.com, he often spent time IN THE CAGE with the bear! He then named his own teddy bear after it.
The characters, such as Eeyore, Piglet, Tigger, Kanga and Roo were based on stuffed animals belonging to Christopher Robin. Other characters as Rabbit and Owl were based on animals that lived in the surrounding area of Milne's country home Cotchford Farm in Ashdown Forest, Sussex, on which 100-Aker-wood was based.
Of course, many know the Disney version best. The Pooh books were favorites of Disney's daughters, and Disney brought him to film in 1966.
Happy birthday, Pooh!
Cookies and Learning?
October is National Cookie Month- YUM ! Baking with your kids offers lots of possibiilties for learning: It's an opportunity to expand vocabulary (blend, measure, spatula) or talk about math. ("Which is more, 1/4 cup or 1/2 cup?" "We need 3 eggs. We put one egg in. How many more do we need?") And to keep with the theme, you could even read a book like The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins while you wait for the cookies to bake!
What sweet treat do you like to munch while you relax with a good book? One of my favorites is Rosemary Shortbread. Do you have a favorite recipe? If you're looking for cookie ideas, the library has lots of good books to spark your imagination.
Golden Teddy Award
Thanks to all who voted! We're a favorite for Kids and Families!
ParentMap, the award-winning monthly magazine and website, has surveyed its readers on the best businesses and resources for kids and families in Puget Sound. Puyallup Public Library was voted as a finalist in the ParentMap 2011 Golden Teddy Awards, storytime section. Check us out! http://www.parentmap.com/golden-teddy
Puyallup Public Library was one of 7 finalists (and the only one in Pierce County).
We are proud of our wonderful storytimes and glad that parents recognized the importance of stories and related learning activities for kids.
Save Those Labels!!!
Many of you have been saving the UPC codes from
You might already know that you can save the UPC code from SpaghettiOs, and Pepperidge Farm, too. (Goldfish- YUM!) Now the Labels for Education® program has added new participating brands–GLAD® Food Storage, Emerald® Nuts, Dannon® kids yogurts and select magazines purchased at retail, including People, Real Simple and more.
Spread the word about which UPCs to clip and save! For a PDF that shows the brands, click here::
Do You Love The Library?
Is the Puyallup Public Library one of your favorite places to take your kids? ParentMap is giving out their 2011 Golden Teddy Awards!
Go online at www.parentmap.com/golden-teddy to vote and tell your story. Do you have a favorite memory of storytime? There's a special storytime category. It only takes a minute to give Miss Bonnie and Miss Carol your vote. You can vote once per day until July 14th. As an added bonus, each time you vote you can enter to win a San Juan Island getaway!
While you are there, check out the other resources and information that ParentMap has. You'll find information on health, education, and fun things to do.
And have you signed up for the Summer Reading Program yet? We've got lots of fun and prizes in store. See you at the library!
The Sun Came Out of Hiding!
Didn't the sunshine this weekend feel good? Did it inspire you to get out and do something?Whether it's a few flowerpots on the windowsill, or a great big backyard, now's the time to grab some books on gardening, and decide what you'd like to plant. You can feast your eyes on beautiful flowers, and drool over the pictures of yummy fruits and vegetables. And kids, isn't it more fun to eat something when you grow it yourself? We have information books on how things grow-- for ALL AGES!-- and stories, too.
Read morePurple Cows
"I never saw a purple cow,
I never hope to see one.
But I can tell you anyhow-
I'd rather see than be one!"
Read moreRainy Days
What a wonderful, rainy day! It may seem strange, but when I lived in Walla Walla, I actually missed the rain!
Read moreMy favorite book was...
Do you have a favorite book? Maybe it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy... maybe it makes you cry, or laugh... maybe it makes you think about something in a new way. But for some reason, it just grabs you and won't let go. Read moreEarly Literacy Tip for Today- 2/23
Early literacy is everything children know about reading and writing before they can actually read and write-- and there are lots of things you can do to help. Today's tip? Spend time with the children talking, telling stories and singing songs. These are fun and important activities that help children get ready for reading. Songs are important because the rhythm helps children hear the individual sounds of the words. Telling stories stretches the imagination. And even just talking exposes children to the vocabulary they need to hear and understand. Did you know that kids who hear more conversation at home do better when they learn to read? So talk to your child, and talk to others when your child is around. It's an easy way to help your child get ready to read.September Already!
Wow, I can’t believe it’s already September- school has started…. summer just FLEW by! We had more kids than ever in the Summer Reading Program: over 2000 kids signed up.
I hope everyone enjoyed all the great activities. What a fun time! The Pirate Party took over the whole library….BubbleMania out in the park… 3-D drawing…decorating beachwear… learning about boats…songs with Nancy Stewart… even making things out of Duck Tape! So where do we go from here? How do we top this summer? What would YOU like to see at the library next year? If you have a great idea, let us know. Of course, we can’t do everything, but we’d like to hear from you. We’re already starting to brainstorm about next year, and maybe your suggestion is just what we need.
Signing at Storytime
Today's storytime for little ones (ages 0-24 months) had a little extra surprise. Ruth Briggs joined us, and introduced some basic sign language. She also talked about how signing with young children helps them express themselves before they can talk, and that decreases frustration. We laughed as we incorporated some signs into the stories and songs. What a great combination: we had books, music, sign language, colors and numbers all working together to reinforce language development! There's only one week left of this session, and I'm already looking forward to more storytimes this summer. Read moreDrum Up Some Fun
I was at a storytelling workshop once when the person in front started tossing (well, PASSing) drums out into the audience until everyone in the room had one. Then he got us all beating rhythms, and laughing, and just having fun with the sounds we were creating. Now, this was nearly twenty years ago, and I still remember how much fun it was. So I thought it would be great to have that same person come to the Puyallup Public Library.
Read morePeanut Butter Playdough
As I was making cookies the other day, I thought about how much fun I used to have in the kitchen with my cousin's kids. We would make all sorts of things! They did the measuring (never realizing it was math!) and stirring, and rolling (fine motor skills!) and we just had fun! If you are looking for a great way to have fun in the kitchen, here are two play dough recipes that kids can help make and enjoy. If you get hungry, help yourself—these are edible. And if you play on top of waxed paper, it’s easy to clean up!
Peanut Butter Play Dough: Mix equal parts of peanut butter and nonfat dry milk in a large bowl.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Play Dough: Blend: 2 c. peanut butter, 1 lb. powdered sugar, 1 stick butter, softened. Melt 1 small (6 oz) pkg. chocolate chips in microwave or over double boiler. (Heat just until chips start to soften. They will melt the rest of the way as you stir.) Add to peanut butter mixture, knead to make a smooth dough.
TumbleBook Library
Have you discovered TumbleBook Library on our website? It's a fun way to read books, right on the computer. The stories are animated, and you can choose whether to read the text, or have it read to you. There are lots of books, and some even have "Word Help" to make it easier to sound out words. You will also find book-related puzzles and games to play. Stories are available in 4 languages, too!
You will find TumbleBook Library in two places on our website: When you click on the "Kids" tab, just scroll down the page and you will see where to click. Or click on the Catalog and More tab, and go down to reference databases. It's listed under Interactive Books.
Check Out Our Theme Boxes !
Theme boxes now check out for 4 weeks instead of 2!
“What’s a theme box?” you ask? It’s a box containing books and related items - puppets, toys, CDs, DVDs - all pertaining to a particular theme. For instance, a unit on firefighters might include several books as well as firefighter’s hats, a puzzle, a DVD, a model fire engine and a book of activity ideas.
Read moreFall Thoughts
Fall is definitely in the air. The trees are turning beautiful colors, leaves are falling to the ground.
Read more"Ready for School, Ready for Life"
It's back to school time!!!
KING 5 TV and Thrive by Five Washington did a special on what it means to be "kindergarten-ready", why it's important, and the impact we can have on a child's life.
Read moreSummer Reading!
Summer Reading is going strong! Have you read your ten hours yet? Lots of kids have claimed their free book and other prizes, and the special programs each week have been great! Mikael the Mime had everyone laughing last week with the kitten who kept trying to steal the show. Earlier this summer, Kim Zeiger showed how to create art with dots of color, proving that pointillism isn't so scary. And we laughed ourselves silly with the Chicken Dance.
There are still two programs left-- Radical Reactions with Pacific Science Center on Aug. 7., and the Parrot Lady on Aug. 14. What a great way to make it fun to keep reading during the summer!