Library has treasury of new titles
By CATHLEEN FISH
Director, Hillsboro Public Library
Children's librarian Delora Kaufman will be reading stories to a number of child care groups in Hillsboro this week.
If she has not yet been in contact with you and you are a child-care provider in Hillsboro, please contact her at 947-3827.
Reading is one of the most important skills that a person can learn. Because of that the library has added a number of books to its collection to aid parents and caregivers in helping their children to learn.
And they're just in time for Children's Book Week, Nov. 13-19. A few of our new books are:
"Growing a Reader from Birth: Your Child's Path from Language to Literacy," by Diane McGuiness, Ph.D.
From cooing in the crib to first words and sentences, to stories, and the final big leap into reading and writing, this book reviews the latest research revealing just how much infants, toddlers, and preschoolers know and can express from the early months on.
McGuiness charts how a child initially makes sense of the world of sounds and symbols, and then progresses from recognizing and decoding words to developing a vocabulary; using it to become a good listener, an expert reader, and an eloquent speaker.
"Seeing Past Z: Nurturing the Imagination in a Fast-Forward World," by Beth Kephart.
Kids today seem to be under more competitive pressure than ever, while studies show that reading, writing, and the arts in schools are suffering.
Is there any place for imagination in children's lives anymore? In a dog-eat-dog world, why dream things that aren't there?
As the debate over how children spend their time and how quickly they are expected to grow up intensifies, this books offers an appealing and important vision.
Kephart goes to the heart of today's concerns while offering concrete examples of how to inspire children to read and write and dream.
"Games with Books: Twenty-eight of the Best Children's Books and How to Use Them to Help Your Child Learn-From Preschool to Third Grade," by Peggy Kaye.
Everyone knows how important it is to read with children. But how can you continue your child's learning experience and enjoyment of a story once you close the book?
Peggy Kaye shows parents and teachers how to play learning games based on classic children's books. "Games with Books" features 14 picture books, from "Harold and the Purple Crayon," to "Blueberries for Sal," and 14 chapter books, from "Winnie the Pooh" to "Charlotte's Web."
For each book, Kaye provides a summary and then offers three to four games that will keep kids entertained while they are practicing valuable reading, writing, and math skills. The games require few materials and easily can be played both in home and at school. They cover a wide skill and age range.
In addition to her creative and fun approach to learning, Kaye offers a wonderful bonus in her new book: a selective list of great children's books that no reader — young or old — will want to miss.
