SUMMER SEDUCTION AT THE LIBRARY?

seduce (v.)- to win over, attract, or lure.


Yes - Summer Reading Programs are a successful way many libraries lure children to their bookshelves and win kids over to the world of reading.  For example, the CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY'S 2011 Summer Reading Theme is "Book Beats".  Check out their great list of Noteworthy Books and Music ("to extend your knowledge and experience with music").


BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY'S Summer Reading Program is "One World, Many Stories".  Their website has an interesting book list by subject that can be found HERE.  Many public libraries share this same theme for 2011, including the LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY - CLICK HERE to see LA's many planned events this summer.

My kids always looked forward to the Summer Reading Program at our local library (Huntington Beach Public Library, see article at the end of this post). Armed with their book satchels, they made weekly visits and eagerly awaited the incentive prizes given out for reading a certain number of books - usually stickers, pencils, and coupons for free food at local kid-friendly restaurants.


Don't Get Caught Without a Good Book List...
The challenge was finding quality literature that was inspirational, and of course, F-U-N.  I recently came across two polls conducted by one of School Library Journal's bloggers, Elizabeth Bird (A Fuse #8 Production), that I think you'll find helpful in your book searches.  Elizabeth (who is also a librarian at the Children's Center 42nd Street of the NY Public Library system) polled other children's book bloggers to get these lists.  Do you agree with the poll results?

THE TOP 100 PICTURE BOOK POLL RESULTS These books are for children ages 4-8.  The poll is from 2009.
THE TOP 100 CHILDREN'S NOVELS (CHAPTER BOOK) POLL RESULTS These are books for kids who can read full chapters on their own and who are under the age of 13.  The poll is from 2010.

You might also find these two lists from the NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY website helpful:
100 PICTURE BOOKS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW (this list of recommended books is in alphabetical order and contains short book summaries).
100 FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOKS (This reading list allows you to look at the recommended chapter books according to genre).

From "Lola at the Library", by Anna McQuinn,
illustrations by Rosalind Beardshaw.

NOTE: The impetus for my post today was a great article by Teryl Zarnow, from my own local ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER.  In "They Go Old School to Hook Little Readers", Zarnow applauds the FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN'S LIBRARY in Huntington Beach for helping the city's public library kick-off its Summer Reading Program with its daylong FESTIVAL OF FOLKTALES.  She reports that during the Summer Reading Program "...some 63 volunteers read to about 200 children, burning through stickers like tissues during allergy season."  Zarnow suggests readers visit their local public library, where "they are still practicing magic and bringing new generations under the spell of reading".

Do you live in Orange County, CA, like I do?  Check out the O.C. Public Library Summer Reading Program Schedule HERE.

A LIBRARY IN HUNTINGTON BEACH BRINGS THE OUTDOORS "IN"

It's a rainy morning, and I'm headed off to Huntington Beach's Central Library in Orange County, CA, with my library side-kick, Sophie, her Mommy, her dog...
          
       and her Hello Kitty umbrella.

This library branch holds a lot of good memories for me, as it was the first I ever frequented with my kids when they were little.  It's in a beautiful setting, located at one end of H.B. Central Park.  There's a pond, ducks, wonderful pathways, an outdoor amphitheatre, and even a cafe in the park, where you're allowed to bring your doggie.

On this particular afternoon, the cafe was closed due to the rain, so Sophie and I headed straight to the books, while her Mommy took their dog for a nice long walk. (The rain, luckily had stopped).

As you walk into the main entrance and turn left, the children's area looms ahead, just beyond a circular fish tank, full of tropical fish...

Sophie wanted to run over and see the fun water-filled bubble panels that frame the big, open doorway.  She immediately spotted the Storytime Theatre off to the side and Mrs. Rabbit, who waits next to the small children's door, ready to greet young visitors...

...and get a BIG HUG!

The theatre wasn't open, but one of the very helpful librarians (who is also the storyteller), Miss Debra, unlocked the doors and let us in for a "peek" at the wonderful big storytime room.  The carpeted steps serve as stadium-style bench seating for well over 100 kids and parents.

Miss Debra

Once you enter the actual book area of the Children's library, you'll be greeted by shelves full of books, a sailboat, a computer area, and...Nature!  The huge windows let in lots of natural light and the green leaves of the Eucalyptus trees that surround the library.  And if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the great-horned owls that nest in the branches.  (The librarian told us there are little owlings, too, at this time of year, that perch just outside the windows!)

Here are some of the humorous books that Sophie chose today.  We laughed and laughed at the stories she picked, especially her choices by author/illustrator Lauren Child!  One of my favorites was Child's quirky book, HUBERT HORATIO BARTLE BOBTON-TRENT.  (Click HERE for Lauren Child's Amazon web page and a list of all her very unique books.)

On our way out, we passed a bronze figure of Huck Finn and spotted a sign for a little snack area on the library's lower level...

I'm not sure which Sophie enjoyed more, the long ramp that led down between the concrete fountains to the snack bar, or the chocolate treat she indulged in!

Visit the Huntington Beach Public Library WEBSITE for the Storytime and Events Schedule for Central Library, as well as HBPL's four other branches - Banning, Helen Murphy, Main Street, and Oak View.