updated 9/6/10

September Library News

"And now," cried Max,

"let the wild rumpus start!"

-Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak, 1963

    The wild rumpus has indeed begun - welcome back to books! What a joy it is to have the children back. The Library has been much too quiet over the summer.

    Once again, Mrs. Anne Jones is assisting me in the Library, and we will also be working together as teaching assistants for the 2nd Grade. Anne does a wonderful job, and I am most fortunate to have her help.

      At the end of June, our Library sustained water damage from a leaky roof. God was with us, though, because it happened in the middle of the room and not where my computer, and all the new books waiting to be processed were kept. That being said, ceiling tiles were down, water was on the floor, and damage occurred to some books, beautiful books! Now things are pretty much back to normal.

    I have been processing tons of new books have been processed over the summer, and they are waiting for those eager readers to check them out. I continue to search for new books that appeal to the children and ignite that spark of reading in their young minds. If your child comes home and says that he or she can't find anything good to read, please have them see me. I will be happy to help them locate a book that will interest them.

    Every child has the opportunity to come with his/her class once a week for a thirty-minute time slot. Students are permitted and encouraged to check out books, the limit being three for a two-week period. Our kindergartners will have a one book limit for the year. Our first graders will have a one book limit for the first month, and after that time, may check out two books for a two week period. It is my experience that the little guys have so much to keep track of that three books is a little overwhelming.

Summer Reading Program

In June, I asked that if your child read over the summer, and wanted to participate in the Summer Reading Program that you simply e-mail me or send a note stating that your child read over the summer. I will need to have this verification no later than Thursday, Sept. 9th. I have already a few, and I hope that every student will take advantage of this program. Our new students, and incoming kindergartners and first graders are welcome to participate in this program. Students will receive a certificate, and incentive award to the Fall Book Fair, their names published in the Newsletter, and also in the Library. I hope that we have a banner year for our Summer Reading Stars!

I.H.M. BOOK CLUB

The I.H.M. Book Club will begin in October and end in April. The club is geared for students in grades 5-8. We will meet once a month after school on the 3rd (7th & 8th) and 4th ( 5th & 6th) Tuesday of each month from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Library. There will be more information available in the coming weeks. Please watch the Newsletter and my web page for further details.

                The PTO Magazine Drive is about to be in full swing. In this day of iPads, kindles, and the Internet, I can't help but cling to paper! There is nothing more refreshing to me than to come home after a busy day and find that a magazine has arrived in my mail. I kick my shoes off, put my feet up, have a nice cool drink, and skim the pages of my favorite magazine. Seeing those pictures, reading the articles, then pulling out the pages to save a new recipe I want to try, or a decorating tip, or a house plan that I add to my Dream Folder,  is  all great fun for me, and excellent  therapy as well. And when the students come for Library, they also love to browse through the selection of magazines that are there for their viewing.

So, listed below are some magazines that I know the children like from my experience in the Library, but if you are not sure, do what I do-check it out on the Web, go to a Library, or the supermarket to see if that's the magazine for your family.  You are also welcome to stop by and look at the magazines in our Library.

                I always have American Girl (8-12) on hand because it is a well-crafted magazine for girls (ages 7-ll). Like the American Girl book series and dolls, this magazine is top- notch. Take a look at Discovery Girls (ages 7-12) that features stories, and fashion. The  boys (ages 7-ll) will enjoy Boy’s Life (8-18). This magazine has articles, puzzles, cartoons, sports, and video game information. It continues to maintain a high standard of reading material. I have come across a magazine called Boys Quest (ages 6-14?-a wide span), but what I liked about this periodical is that there is no advertising and no violence.  There is, however, science experiments, projects to build, math problem solving, and more, so check this one out, too.  Girl’s Life (9-15),  is also good and a hit at our Library– for girls that are in that in-between age between American Girl and Seventeen. There is also a new magazine, or I should say new to me, and that is Teen Vogue. It features all those things that a budding teen is interested in-fashion, beauty, skin care, and I think would be perfect for the fashionist in your home. Anything with the word "vogue" in it, appeals to me, and makes me think that it has to be a polished and classy magazine. Check that one out, too.

              Don't overlook the old standards that have been around for ages, and ages like Jack and Jill (6-12), and Humpty Dumpty (5-7). Great for the little guys!    

                Kids Discover (6-up) covers one topic each month. The pictures, information and activities are excellent. Children love to look through this magazine and learn little known facts about the world and people around us.

                I am so happy to see that Ranger Rick (7-12) is being offered. Perhaps it’s because I love animals, but I really think that it is because the quality of this periodical has remained consistent all these years. The pictures are stunning, and the stories and facts relating to the photos are easy for young children to read. National Wildlife is a beautiful periodical.  This magazine would be perfect for kids that have outgrown Ranger Rick but still love the nature, animals, and the great outdoors, and also for adults who love wildlife as well. Zoobooks is a wonderful periodical that highlights one specific animal in each issue. If your child is interested in animals, this magazine may be for you. It goes into great detail, yet is not overwhelming for the young reader. It is a magazine filled with great pictures, fun activities, and great information. I purchased a new magazine for the Library last year, Zoobies is for ages 0-2,do you believe it!! I am told that parents read the magazine to the babies, and  there is interactive activities such as lift-the-flap pages, bright colors, shapes all geared to stimulate the very young mind. Sounds rather interesting, doesn't it?  Dog Fancy, and if you are crazy about dogs, you will really enjoy this periodical. There is also one for the cat lovers, Cat Fancy, by the same publisher. The pictures in both magazines are so cute- and each issue usually comes with a pull-out poster.  Horse lovers in the family-check out Horse Illustrated.

                If your kids love science, Discover (12-up) is wonderful. The format for this magazine is outstanding and I know that those future scientists will enjoy this periodical.

                For the sports enthusiasts, Sports Illustrated for Kids (8-14) can’t be beat. The kids literally wear this magazine out in the Library. ESPN is geared for the junior high and up - so if they love sports I’d be sure to check it out!

                National Geographic has been a staple at our house for years. The photography is still breath taking. National Geographic Kids is terrific for young children. It is informative and beautifully done. There are so many wonderful little tidbits of information in this periodical that can be overlooked. It is a cool magazine!          

I know the kids love video games, and two magazines that I know are being offered are Game Pro 

and Nintendo Power. You know I feel the same way about these magazines as I do about the Garfield and Calvin and Hobbs books. If the kids like them and they read them (and they do) that is half the battle. Enjoying reading is what it is all about. Don’t worry that your kids won’t read anything else; I believe that will come. The important thing is that they are reading.

                Moms, some magazines that I enjoy are Better Homes and Gardens, Country Living, Midwest Living, Southern Living, and Real Simple. My son said that I must love any magazine with the word "living" in it's title, because I have so many!  I have to admit it, but that is true. These magazines are full of fantastic things - homes, cooking, gardening tips, and decorating tips. These are just quality magazines.

                I don’t know how you feel about Martha Stewart, but her magazine, Martha Stewart Living, is a beautifully done periodical. I also enjoy her cooking magazine, Everyday Food. It is not an expensive magazine, and the recipes are quick, easy, and healthy. There are also tips that are very useful, and I feel that I am getting a lot for my money.

       Another magazine that I really enjoy reading is simply titled, More. It is great for those of us who are fortyish or a little older ( I am not going to tell you by how much!) This is upbeat, informative, attractively done, and has all kinds of articles featuring celebrities, fashion, make-up, recipes, and pertinent information on being a woman in today's world. I always feel like I get my money's worth from this magazine.

Two other magazines that are reasonable priced, yet chocked full of information are Family Circle and Woman’s Day.  Good Housekeeping is another magazine that I subscribe to. I always find features that are helpful, and it is reasonable priced. Oprah is also a quality read, and it is one magazine that I read from cover to cover. People magazine is also a favorite of mine-it can be read in twenty minutes, just perfect for mothers on the go! 

If you like to cook, and I do (it is like therapy for my soul), there are some terrific cooking magazines. One I have already mentioned is Everyday Food. Another one is Taste of Home, and if you watch the cooking network like I do, you will love Food Network Magazine. For some quick and easy recipes that use ingredients that you already have in your pantry, give these a try. Bon appetite!

    We also have Consumer Reports at our home. Before we purchase anything, my husband gets out his collection of past and present issues, and will check on the product we are interested in buying. The information is reliable, and it truly helps the consumer get the best buy for the money. My husband loves his Money magazine, and I have to admit, I like it, too. There are so many great tips and useful information in those pages. He also loves his PC World. 

 Disney Family Fun Magazine is just a great read for you moms with young children. There are easy-to-do projects, tips on travel, recipes that kids can make, and so much more. I absolutely love this magazine! I think you will, too. My nieces love it for their little ones. Also, check out Scholastic Parent and Child geared for moms with kids birth to 12 years. Like Family Fun, this is for busy mom's with articles about family, healthy food, hot products, and community. 

  It is good to have reading material that reinforces our faith,  and during the day to day challenges of life, it is comforting to have references to fall back on to inspire and soothe the soul. Please keep in mind the many periodicals that do just that, such as The Catholic Digest and Our Sunday Visitor to name just two. 

                I hope this information has helped you in making your selections. I had a great time researching the material, and remember magazines, as well as the daily newspaper, are great sources of reading, too. By supporting the PTO Magazine Drive and purchasing quality periodicals for your child and yourself everyone at our school will come out a winner.

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Literacy Month, and National Honey Month                                        

Well, we're going to shake things up again, , and so this fall we will be having a Fall Book Fair sponsored by Scholastic the week of October 18th-22nd. Then, the weekend of December 3rd, 4th, and 5th we will have a Book Fair at Joseph-Beth in Hyde Park. More on both of these Fairs later-watch the Newsletter or check the this web page for updates as the time gets closer.