Friday, September 28, 2012

Children's Piano Concert October 13th

depresChildren's Piano Concert
The Corvallis-Benton County Public Library and Corvallis-OSU Piano International present a special children's piano concert featuring Canadian pianist Jacques Després on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in the Corvallis Library Main Meeting Room. Come enjoy the music!

Get in the mood for some piano music with these stories:

The 39 Apartments of Ludwig von Beethoven by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Barry Blitt (Schwartz & Wade Books)
Ludwig van Beethoven and his five legless pianos keep having to move from one apartment to another when his neighbors complain about the noise.

Play, Mozart, Play! by Peter Sís
Introduces very young children to the child prodigy, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, in a tribute to the beauty of listening, looking, imagining, and, above all, playing.

The Cardboard Piano by Lynne Rae Perkins (Greenwillow Books)
When Debbie tries to interest Tina in playing the piano by creating a cardboard keyboard, they find not only does it not have the same appeal but also that they do not need to share everything to be best friends.

The Cat Who Loved Mozart by Patricia Austin, illustrated by Henri Sorenson (Holiday House)
Jennifer has trouble making friends with her new cat Amadeus, until he hears her playing Mozart on the piano.

Gus and Grandpa and the Piano Lesson by Claudia Mills, illustrated by Catherine Stock (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
After Gus, who would rather play outside than practice music, does not do too well at his piano recital, his grandfather shows him how music can be fun.

The Little Piano Girl by Maryann Macdonald and Ann Ingalls, illustrated by Giselle Potter (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
A child prodigy at the piano sprinkles her music with a little jazz. Based on the life of the twentieth-century jazz musician, Mary Lou Williams.

Lulu's Piano Lesson by Arlene Alda, illustrated by Lisa Desimini (Tundra Books)
Lulu avoids practicing the piano all week, and when Friday afternoon arrives and she is not prepared for her lesson, she gets inspiration from her teacher.

Nana Hannah's Piano by Barbara Bottner, illustrated by Diana Cain Bluthenthal (Putnam's Sons)
When a young boy goes to stay with his grandmother, who has twisted her ankle, he teaches her about baseball and she inspires him to enjoy playing the piano.

Song of Middle C by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Scott Menchin (Candlewick Press)
"Miss Kari, my piano teacher, tells me that true artistry takes great imagination. It also takes a lot of practice. The big day of my piano recital is almost here, and hoo boy, have I been practicing! I've even got the help of my lucky hat and shoes -- not to mention my lucky underwear."--Jacket.


Friday, September 14, 2012

Your Toddler's Active Brain

Little ones sure are active! Their little bodies are on the move as they gain new physical strength and improve their gross motor movement skills. (Stop by any Friday morning for Wobbler Storytime and you'll see a good portion of the attendees moving in arms, laps, or around the room at any given moment.) Have you ever wondered just what is going on inside that growing mind of theirs? Check out some of these books at the library - or for quick insight, take a look at this handout on child development for the 15-18-month-old from Zero to Three, the National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families:

There is also a tool on the Zero to Three site called the "Baby Brain Map" that allows you to view what is happening in the brain at each stage of early development.

The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind


The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind
By Siegel, Daniel J.
Author Bryson, Tina Payne
2011-10 - Delacorte Press
9780553807912
Click here to check our catalog
A bestselling neuropsychiatrist and parenting expert demystify the meltdowns and aggravation, explaining the new science of how a child's brain is wired and how it matures. By applying these discoveries to everyday parenting, readers can turn any outburst, argument, or fear into a chance to integrate their child's brain and foster vital growth. 192 pp. …More
Welcome to Your Child's Brain: How the Mind Grows from Conception to College


Welcome to Your Child's Brain: How the Mind Grows from Conception to College
By Wang, Sam
Author Aamodt, Sandra
2011-09 - Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
9781596916494
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…More
Preparing Children for Success in School and Life: 20 Ways to Increase Your Child's Brain Power


Preparing Children for Success in School and Life: 20 Ways to Increase Your Child's Brain Power
By Tate, Marcia L.
2011-08 - Corwin Press
9781412988445
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…More
Active Baby, Healthy Brain: 135 Fun Exercises and Activities to Maximize Your Child 's Brain Development from Birth Through Age 5 1/2


Active Baby, Healthy Brain: 135 Fun Exercises and Activities to Maximize Your Child 's Brain Development from Birth Through Age 5 1/2
By Sasse, Margaret
Author Sass, Margaret
Illustrator McKail, Georges
2010-01 - Experiment
9781615190065
Click here to check our catalog
A book more than 30 years in the making, "Active Baby, Healthy Brain" presents 135 separate massages, exercises, and activities, each sequenced to follow the eight key stages of childhood development. …More
Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five


Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five
By Medina, John
2010-10 - Pear Press
9780979777752
Click here to check our catalog
In this follow-up to his "New York Times" bestseller "Brain Rules," Medina reveals what the latest science says about how to raise smart and happy children. …More
Bright from the Start: The Simple, Science-Backed Way to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind, from Birth to Age 3


Bright from the Start: The Simple, Science-Backed Way to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind, from Birth to Age 3
By Stamm, Jill
With Spencer, Paula
2007-08 - Gotham Books
9781592402854
Click here to check our catalog
BookPage Notable Title
A cutting-edge handbook for parents, from a pioneer in infant brain development, that bridges the gap between the most current neuroscience and practical parenting techniques.
…More
Your Child's Growing Mind: Brain Development and Learning from Birth to Adolescence


Your Child's Growing Mind: Brain Development and Learning from Birth to Adolescence
By Healy, Jane M.
2004-05 - Broadway Books
0767916158
Click here to check our catalog
The classic guide to understanding children's mental development is now updated and better than ever!
Hailed by parents and educators, "Your Child's Growing Mind is a window into the fascinating process of brain development and learning. It looks at the roots of emotion, intelligence, and creativity, translating the most current scientific research into practical suggestions for parents and teachers.
Dr. Healy also addresses academic learning, offering countless suggestions for how parents can help without pushing. She explains the building blocks of reading, writing, spelling, and mathematics and shows how to help youngsters of all ages develop motivation, attention, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Using the science of childhood development, she also examines today's hot issues, including learning disabilities, ADHD, influences of electronic media, and the hazards of forced early learning. From infancy to adolescence, this is the perfect guide to helping and enjoying a youngster's mental, personal, and academic growth.
…More
Brain Games for Babies, Toddlers & Twos: 140 Fun Ways to Boost Development


Brain Games for Babies, Toddlers & Twos: 140 Fun Ways to Boost Development
By Silberg, Jackie
2002-10 - Hamlyn
0600605825
Click here to check our catalog
Grouped by age and accompanied by related research, these games meet the needs of each stage of your child's young life--from a newborn's hand-eye coordination to an infant's language acquisition to a toddler's movements and musical ability. Children will love the one-on-one attention these activities afford and the chance to show off their burgeoning brainpower. …More
Smart-Wiring Your Baby's Brain: What You Can Do to Stimulate Your Child During the Critical First Three Years


Smart-Wiring Your Baby's Brain: What You Can Do to Stimulate Your Child During the Critical First Three Years
By Conkling, Winifred
2001-04 - Harper Paperbacks
0380802511
Click here to check our catalog
Has science shoved parents out of the nursery? Judging from the steady stream of headlines, one would think biologists have discovered a gene for every aspect of behavior. Now, Winifred Conkling reassures us that there's still room to help our children reach their personal best. In clear, compassionate language, Conkling tells parents how to make practical use of the latest research on early brain development, offering invaluable advice on how to:
  • Create a nurturing environment in which you child can grow cognitively
  • Encourage movement and motor development
  • Stimulate speech and language development
  • Foster a child's emotional health and personal identity
  • Make toy and food choices appropriate to each stage of development With specific, sound advice; readable charts and timetables; and clear, easy-to-understand language, Winifred Conkling translates the latest scientific discoveries into useful ways to help your child live up to his or her fullest potential. …More

 

Friday, September 7, 2012

Back to School

Whew! It sure gets busy at the library during the summer in the Youth Services department. This, of course, is a very good thing! We love seeing kids of all ages browsing the stacks, asking us questions, attending library programs, and participating in the Summer Reading program. Now that school has started again for many children, it's been a bit quieter at the library this week.

For some children in our community, this week and next mark the first days of kindergarten. What a big step for those boys and girls - not to mention the parents. It can be a mixture of excitement, nervousness, joy, and tears for everyone concerned. When my son started school, the kindergarten teacher had to politely nudge the huddle of parents out the door after we all settled our children in, read them books at the rug, and said our long goodbyes. I'm pretty sure many of us would have loved to stay the whole morning - that first school separation can be just as hard on parents! One book that touches on this transition in a humorous way is Ann Redisch Stampler's Go Home, Mrs. Beekman!, illustrated by Marsha Gray Carrington.
Go Home, Mrs. Beekman! by Ann Redisch Stampler, illustrated by Marsha Gray Carrington (Dutton's Children's Books, 2008)

Young Emily is so nervous about starting school that she makes her mother promise to stay with her forever. But after Emily makes friends and adjusts to school, she has to work with her teacher to try to convince Mrs. Beekman to stay at home.

Happy Back to School Days! How did the transition go for you?