Tag Archives: Early Childhood Education

New Children’s Books

“Jack is a rule-proof bundle of bunny-eared id who does as he pleases, and therein lies his considerable charm.” (BCCB)

Hi, Jack! by Mac Barnett & Greg Pizzoli: PIC BAR

In a book as cheerful and charming as Snail himself, Corey Tabor tells a winning tale of a slow but steady snail, whose determination and kindness bring him the best reward of all: friendship.

Snail Crossing by Corey R. Tabor: PIC TAB

“This heartwarming story of a boy and his beloved dog opens the door for further study of our 16th president.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Honey: The Dog Who Saved Abe Lincoln by Shari Swanson: E457.32 .S93 2019

“A wonderfully specific book that will delight the right readers, especially in maple syrup territory of the Northeast and Midwest.” (Booklist)

Bear Goes Sugaring by Maxwell Eaton III: TP395 .E28 2019

In addition to promoting the value of patience, Schmidt’s story will also be valuable for early study of changing seasons and teaching where food comes from.” (School Library Journal)

Almost Time Gary D. Schmidt & Elizabeth Stickney: PIC SCH

“Where’s Baby? is a beautifully illustrated hide-and-seek book for preschool aged children who want a light, playful read.” (CM Magazine)

Where’s Baby? by Anne Hunter: PIC HUN

“Echoes of child persistence and adult exasperation might ring familiar to grownup readers, but mostly this will earn plenty of giggles from fans of Jon Klassen and Lemony Snicket.” (BCCB)

Please Don’t Eat Me by Liz Climo: PIC CLI

New Children’s Books

“Stunning…brilliantly colored…striking… Just the right amount of tension, delicious vocabulary…and alliterative phrases make this a first purchase for group and one-on-one sharing. Count on requests for many readings.” (School Library Journal)

One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller by Kate Read: PIC REA

“Lin’s spirited text is tailor-made for reading aloud, and the homey treatment of a grand phenomenon again delights.” (BCCB)

A Big Bed for Little Snow by Grace Lin: PIC LIN / Winter

“The combination of Twain’s (often sarcastic) humor and lessons of life, a touch of allegory, and Stead’s own storytelling skills result in an awesome piece of fantasy.” (School Library Journal)

The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine by Mark Twain:
PIC TWA

“Photos of Moto, both as a fluffy-faced baby and an active, handsome adult, are the clear scene-stealers, but plenty of interesting facts on servals are included. More than one reader will consider following in Eszterhas’ footsteps.” (Booklist)

Moto and Me: My Year As a Wildcat’s Foster Mom by Suzi Eszterhas: QL737.C23 E7943 2017

“A surprising meditation on the artistic process. Lee sticks the landing in style.” (NPR Best Books of the Year)

Lines by Suzy Lee: PIC LEE

“Stillness, tenderness, and hope are the essence of this quiet gem.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Little Mole’s Wish by Sang-Keun Kim: PIC KIM / Winter

Bertha, Richard, and Eugen pushed a strange machine out of the shop and into the alley. They were sneaking away with Papa’s invention!

Bertha Takes a Drive: How the Benz Automobile Changed the World by Jan Adkins: GV1025.G3 A113 2017

New Children’s Books

“With this fictionalized look at Anning’s childhood, Kulling provides context for readers and offers a fascinating glimpse at how those who came before us have shaped our comprehension of the world.” (School Library Journal)

Mary Anning’s Curiosity by Monica Kulling: jFIC KUL

“It’s the contrast between Curiosity’s cheery determination and the forbidding world it inhabits that gives the book its power.” (Publishers Weekly)

Red Rover: Curiosity on Mars by Richard Ho: TL799.M3 H6 2019

“The inspiring story of Milly Zantow and her groundbreaking work in plastics recycling is well told in this slim volume.” (School Library Journal)

What Milly Did by Elise Moser: TD794.5 .M67 2016

“This is a great storytime read-aloud and a wonderful addition to any library collection. This cheerful story is sure to inspire bouts of laughter from young children.” (School Library Journal)

I Want a Dog by Jon Agee: PIC AGE

“Celebrating both community and individuality, this droll, funny offering will tickle kids and adults alike.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Pokko and the Drum by Matthew Forsythe: PIC FOR

“Dares readers to crank up the volume… may add a few grown-up voices to the younger chorus of giggles. The goose is all that’s serious here.” (Kirkus Reviews)

The Serious Goose by Jimmy Kimmel: PIC KIM

“Book-bait for middle-grade readers that oozes eww appeal.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Gross As a Snot Otter by Jess Keating: QL49 .K3485 2019

Once upon a time, it was a dark and stormy night … perfect for exploring our Children’s Collections

ECED display board

Did you know your library has a large collection of children’s books and storytelling props like puppets & felt boards? Plus, we have step-stools for reaching the top shelves and big bean bag chairs to curl up and read in. Children accompanying their parents to the library are welcome to read our books.

Our children’s collections support Ivy Tech Fort Wayne’s programs in Education. They also grew out of the Family Reading Center in the old library.

In addition to stories, we have children’s books on every topic – including activities in science, math, music, and art. We have books about holidays from many cultural traditions, plus DVDs and music CDs. And we subscribe to the Junior Library Guild which sends us new books each month! You can see a list and follow updates to the collection on our blog using this link.

We also have books for grown-ups about teaching kids and young adults. From the library website, you can access databases of professional literature in education research, and ebooks on education topics.

Our librarian Liz Metz has created research guides to children’s literature, and to education resources. She also made our online catalog of puppets. Liz has a degree in elementary education and is our liaison for the education programs here. You can read more about her background in this profile.

New Children’s Books

“Digitally collaged illustrations, done in a warm color palette, use simplified shapes to playfully symbolize different objects. Close-ups of the starlings’ lustrous, rainbowlike colors highlight Preston-Gannon’s skillful understanding of the way light reveals itself on a dark form.” (Kirkus Reviews)

One Dark Bird by Liz Garton Scanlon: PIC SCA

“Engle’s free verse whirls and twirls, playful and vivacious, while López’s vivid, colorful artwork elevates this story to heavenly heights. Like a concerto for the heart.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreno Played the Piano for President Lincoln by Margarita Engle and Rafael Lopez: ML3930.C2635 E55 2019

“Seventeen different trees are represented by a scattered array of leaves―each carefully labeled―in many gradations of green. The enticing collage art uses negative space to show the veins. The page turn leads to additional glorious art, affirming the text’s use of such words as ’emerald’ and ‘jade.'” (Kirkus Reviews)

Summer Green to Autumn Gold: Uncovering Leaves’ Hidden Colors by Mia Posada: QK649 .P67 2020

“This comedic horror-lite story about snacks is just delectable, and offers an avenue of connection between the generations.” (School Library Journal)

Snack Attack! by Terry Border: PIC BOR

“Investigating the wordless spreads is both a challenge and a joy. . . . When child and cat finally reunite, the sweet relief feels immediate and intimate . . .” (Kirkus Reviews)

Spot & Dot by Henry Cole: PIC COL

December 2019 CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Fly!

By Mark Teague
Call Number: PIC TEA
View in IvyCat

Mama bird wants Baby bird to learn to fly so he can migrate with the rest of the flock, but Baby bird would rather go by hot air balloon or car instead.

Home in the Woods

By Eliza Wheeler
Call Number: PIC WHE
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During the Great Depression six-year-old Marvel, her seven siblings, and their mother find a tar-paper shack in the woods and, over the course of a year, turn it into a home.

16 Words: William Carlos Williams & “The Red Wheelbarrow”

By Lisa Rogers
Call Number: PS3545 .I544 Z876 2019
View in IvyCat

This is the story of great American poet William Carlos Williams and how being mindful can result in the creation of a great poem like “The Red Wheelbarrow.”

Just in Case You Want to Fly

By Julie Fogliano
Call Number: PIC FOG
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Just in case you want to fly, here’s some wind, and here’s the sky.

It’s a Round, Round World!

By Ellie Peterson
Call Number: QB286 .P48 2019
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Join intrepid young scientist-adventurer, Joulia Copernicus as she takes readers on a historical journey through time and space.

Bruce’s Big Fun Day

By Ryan T. Higgins
Call Number: PIC HIG
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Nibbs the mouse wants to give Bruce the bear a Big Fun Day, but unfortunately grumpy Bruce does not like fun.

Mr. Scruff

By Simon James
Call Number: PIC JAM
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Poor Mr. Scruff, alone in the rescue shelter, doesn’t belong to anyone. Jim and Mr. Scruff don’t look anything alike, and their names certainly don’t rhyme, but they may end up belonging to each other just the same.

November 2019 Children’s Books

Aalfred and Aalbert

By Morag Hood
Call Number: PIC HOO
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Two aardvarks who lead solitary lives, Aalbert by day and Aalfred by night, sometimes wonder if they would like to be part of a pair.

Once Upon a Goat

By Dan Richards
Call Number: PIC RIC
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When a proper king and queen ask their fairy godmother for a child, they find themselves gifted instead with a baby goat.

I’m Trying to Love Math

By Bethany Barton
Call Number: QA40.5 .B38 2019
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In a book for those who dislike mathematics, an alien explains the many areas in which math is used, including baking, music, navigation, and measurements.

Our Favorite Day

By Joowon Oh
Call Number: PIC OH
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Follow Papa and his granddaughter as they spend another Thursday together.

Parrots Pugs and Pixie Dust: a book about fashion designer Judith Leiber

By Deborah Blumenthal
Call Number: TT505.L46 B59 2019
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Trace the life of fashion designer Judith Leiber, who used inspiration from her life to create extraordinary and fantastical handbags.

Horse and Buggy Paint It Out

By Ethan Long
Call Number: PIC LON
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Horse is all set to paint a mural his way, oblivious to Buggy’s suggestions that a bit of planning might be a good idea. But as the Horse knocks over paint cans and sends brushes flying, he relents and accepts some help from Buggy.

Stone Sat Still

By Brendan Wenzel
Call Number: PIC WEN
View in IvyCat

Told in rhyming verse, a stone is considered from a variety of environmental and emotional perspectives, surrounded by grass, dirt, and water, an unchanging certainty in the world.

October 2019 Children’s Books

A Trip to the Top of the Volcano with Mouse

By Frank Viva
Call Number: PIC VIV
View in IvyCat

A boy and a mouse trek to the top of a volcano, taking in soaring trees, lunar landscapes and snow capped peaks, then return to the ancient city at the bottom.

Ultrabot’s First Playdate

By Josh Schneider
Call Number: PIC SCH
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When Ultrabot has his first playdate, he is worried and shy but he soon learns that he and Becky have a lot in common.

See Me Play

By Paul Meisel
Call Number: PIC MEI
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In this easy-to-read book, a playful pack of dogs chase a ball that is caught by a bird, a whale, and a lion.

Alfred’s Book of Monsters

By Sam Streed
Call Number: PIC STR
View in IvyCat

Alfred loves the monsters in his book, and he does not like teatime with his aunt–until he decides to invite three of his favorite monsters to join him for tea. Description

Field Trip to the Moon

By John Hare
Call Number: PIC HAR
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In this wordless picture book, a girl is accidentally left behind on a class trip to the moon.

So Big!

By Mike Wohnoutka
Call Number: PIC WOH / Fall
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Just when a little bear starts to feel overwhelmed on his first day of school, he meets a new friend, and together they find the courage to overcome their fear.

New Early Childhood Education Books

Engaging Learners Through Artmaking: Choice-Based Art Education in the Classroom (TAB)

By Katherine M. Douglas and Diane B. Jaquith
Call Number: N 350 .D6 2018
View in IvyCat

The authors who introduced the concepts of “Teaching for Artistic Behavior” (TAB) and “choice-based art education” have completely revised and updated their original, groundbreaking bestseller that was designed to facilitate independent learning and support student choices in subject matter and media.

More than ever before, teachers are held accountable for student growth and this new edition offers updated recommendations for assessments at multiple levels, the latest strategies and structures for effective instruction, and new resources and helpful tips that provide multiple perspectives and entry points for readers.

The Second Edition of Engaging Learners Through Artmaking will support those who are new to choice-based authentic art education, as well as experienced teachers looking to go deeper with this curriculum. This dynamic, user-friendly resource includes sample lesson plans and demonstrations, assessment criteria, curricular mapping, room planning, photos of classroom set-ups, media exploration, and many other concrete and open-ended strategies for implementing TAB in kindergarten–grade 8.

Overview by Barnes and Noble

Teaching Early Years: Theory and Practice / Edition 1

By Amanda Thomas and Karen Mcinnes
Call Number: LB 1139.23 .T43 2018
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This textbook focuses on the main areas of teaching young children, covering the 3-7 years age range that spans the early years and primary phases. The majority of chapters are written by both an academic and practitioner, reflecting a genuine theory and practice approach, and this helps the reader to set theoretical discussion in the context of real practice.

Key themes explored within the book include:

–        Play and playfulness in the curriculum

–        Child development in practice

–        Literacy development and subject pedagogy

–        Creativity and outdoor learning

Packed full of learning features such as case studies, reflective questions and lesson plans, Teaching Early Years is an essential resource for both students and practitioners, and will enhance your knowledge of how young children think and learn.

Overview by Amazon

Preschool Appropriate Practices: Environment, Curriculum, and Development / Edition 5

By Janice J. Beaty
Call Number: LB 1140.4 .B43 2019
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Preschool Appropriate Practices, 5th Edition, helps future and current teachers create self-directed learning environments in their classrooms. Each chapter helps students learn how to set up one type of learning center (e.g., music/dance), including instructions on what to include in the center and how children can use it. The self-directed learning approach encourages children to become involved in their own learning. A second theme emphasizes the teacher’s role as a facilitator, helping readers understand how to:

1) observe children’s developmental levels,

2) provide developmentally appropriate activities,

3) serve as a behavior model, and

4) best support children in their learning.

Learning activities, some of which incorporate children’s picture books, exemplify the NAEYC’s developmentally appropriate practice (DAP). Chapters also incorporate NAEYC accreditation criteria.

Overview by Amazon

September 2019 Children’s Fiction

Fiction

Flubby will Not Play with That

By J.E. Morris
Call Number: PIC MOR
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When Kami brings home a bag full of toys for Flubby, the uninterested cat isn’t enthusiastic about the choices. A wind-up mouse? No thanks. A fish hanging from a stick? Yawn. But after Flubby rejects each offering, one unexpected option may be the best fit for Flubby after all.

The Pigeon HAS to go to School

By Mo Willems
Call Number: PIC WIL
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Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn’t like it? What if the teacher doesn’t like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!?!

Harold & Hog Pretend for Real!

By [Mo Willems and] Dan Santat
Call Number: PIC SAN
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Harold and Hog are best friends. But can Harold and Hog’s friendship survive a game of pretending to be Elephant & Piggie?

Vroom!

By Barbara McClintock
Call Number: PIC MCC
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Join a little girl as she zooms― past fields and forests, up mountains, over rivers, through deserts, home again, and into bed in this playful picture book about the power of imagination

Goldilocks for Dinner: A Funny Book about Manners

By Susan McElroy Montanari
Call Number: PIC MON
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Troll and Goblin set out to find the rudest child and have him or her for dinner.

Paper Mice

By Megan Wagner Lloyd
Call Number: PIC LLO
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One night, two newly-made paper mice separately explore a dark house, finding each other along the way and discovering a shared love of adventure.

Puppy Truck

By Brian Pinkney
Call Number: PIC PIN
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Carter gets a truck instead of a much wanted puppy, but he soon discovers his new toy is just as fun and rascally as a pet.

Hide and Seek

By Katie May Green
Call Number: PIC GRE
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Right at the top of Shiverhawk Hall live children in pictures on the wall. When the moon rises in the night sky, the DeVillechild twins are missing from their frames. The rest of the Shiverhawk children set out across the gardens and into the woods searching for the girls, beginning a game of hide and seek! Will the children be able to find the twins and return home to their paintings before the sun comes up?

Truman

By Jean Reidy
Call Number: PIC REI
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He may be slow but Truman the turtle is determined to find his girl Sarah, who has boarded a city bus on her way to preschool.