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Children's Storytimes

A World of Adventure

For Ages 3 – 8

Main Library

Tuesdays

10:00 a.m. — 10:30 a.m.
April 30

Wednesdays

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
April 24
June 12, 19, & 26

Baby Book Worms

For Ages 0 – 17 months

Main Library

Wednesdays

10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
April 24
June 12, 19, & 26

Toddler Tales

For Ages 18 – 36 months

Main Library

Wednesdays

11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
April 24
June 12, 19, & 26

Mother Goose on the Loose

Main Library

Saturdays

Ages 0 — 2

10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
April 27
May 25
June 22

Ages 3 — 5

10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
April 27
May 25
June 22

Please register for storytimes by
calling 812–232–1115.
*No registration required for
Music-Makers Storytimes!

Kids Blog

Friends

by Miss Alicia

Everyone needs a friend; Someone to laugh with, play with, and someone to talk to about anything. A GOOD friend is one that is loyal, honest, respectful, and likes you for you. When I was growing up, I would make friends with anyone, and would sometimes have friends that didn’t always respect me. As a child I didn’t always understand that you don’t have to be friends with everybody, and that it is alright to be choosy about your friends. I eventually found some really great friends that I am still friends with today. If I were to go back 25 years ( Yes, I am old.) and make a list of what I would want in a friend, here is what it would say.

My friend(s) should:

Always treat me with respect
Like the same things that I like
Make good choices
Stick up for me
Listen to me
Make me feel happy when I am sad
Support and encourage me
Make me laugh
Be honest

If you were to make a list of your ideal friend, what would your list say?

Pumpkin Carving

by Miss Hillary

Have you ever carved a pumpkin? Have you reached inside to get all of the gloppy pumpkin insides out? Have you drawn a face on your pumpkin and watched it turn into a spooky ghoul or a pretty smiley face?

I love carving pumpkins. Growing up, we usually had pumpkins growing in the corner of the yard from last year’s seeds. I loved watching them grow big, round, and orange and deciding just what I was going to turn each one into. I put the utmost care into carving each one.

What’s the best way to carve a pumpkin? Let me give you my personal favorite tips!

Choosing your pumpkin: Choose the pumpkin you like best! Most are orange, but there are all sorts of white, yellow, green and even blueish pumpkins out there! A big one, a small one, a lumpy one or a smooth one! Just make sure that it isn’t too solid on the inside, or it will be hard to carve.
Preparing your pumpkin: This is where you might need an adult to help you! You’ll need to cut into the top or the bottom of the pumpkin and scrape out all of the pumpkin innards and seeds. You want a nice and clean pumpkin to carve!
Carving your pumpkin: You might need an adult to help you here as well. You can lightly draw your design on the outside of the pumpkin with a piece of chalk and you or your adult can follow it to create the ultimate Jack O’Lantern!
Lighting your pumpkin: Many people use a little candle to light up their pumpkins at night. You could also use a little LED light or even colorful glowsticks to add some fall fun to your front porch!

Can’t get a pumpkin this year? Try carving one on the computer at this website! Happy Pumpkin Carving to all!

Colors

by Laraine

What is your favorite color? Today mine is Red. Tomorrow it may be Green. I used to have the same favorite color every day, but as I have gotten older, I have discovered that I love lots of colors. It just depends on my mood. Scientists say colors can change your mood. See if you agree with what the experts say.

Colors often have different meanings in different countries and cultures. The following are usually true in the United States.

Black - Black is the color of authority and power. Black outfits can make the wearer seem evil. Villains, such as Dracula, often wear black.
White - White makes you think of something fresh, pure and clean. You’ll see brides, doctors and nurses wear white.
Red - Red can make your heart beat faster and your breathing speed up. It is also the color of love. Red cars are popular targets for thieves and drivers of red cars tend to get more speeding tickets.
Pink - This most romantic color is more calming. Sports teams sometimes paint the locker rooms used by opposing teams bright pink so their opponents will lose energy.
Blue - The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Blue can also be cold and depressing. Studies show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms.
Green - Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature. It is the easiest color on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, refreshing color. People waiting to appear on TV sit in "green rooms" to relax. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients.
Yellow - Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused.
Purple - The color of royalty, purple suggests luxury, wealth, and sophistication. Cleopatra loved purple.
Brown - Solid, reliable brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature. Brown can also be sad and wistful. Men are more apt to say brown is one of their favorite colors.

Colors of the Flag

In the U.S. flag, white stands for purity and innocence. Red represents valor and hardiness, while blue signifies justice, perseverance, and vigilance. The stars represent the heavens and all the good that people strive for, while the stripes emulate the sun's rays.

Food for Thought

While blue is one of the most popular colors it is one of the least appetizing. Blue food is rare in nature. Food researchers say that when humans searched for food, they learned to avoid toxic or spoiled objects, which were often blue, black, or purple. When food dyed blue is served to study subjects, they lose appetite.

Green, brown, and red are the most popular food colors. Red is often used in restaurant decorating schemes because it is an appetite stimulant.

Crime Solving Kids

by Mrs. Clark

Want something new to read written by an experienced author?

I have enjoyed the series Theodore Boone by John Grisham. In the series of three books you will meet a pre-teen whose parents are both lawyers. Theodore has always been around lawyers and feels very comfortable at the courthouse. He enjoys attending trials when he can get the chance which is not often because his parents insist he attend school. When he is not at school he finds time to ride his bike around town helping to solve the latest unsolvable crime. Since he is not really old enough to know as much as he does about crime solving he must be subtle as he gathers information and studies the case. Author John Grisham has written many adult books dealing with legal issues. Before becoming an author Mr. Grisham attended law school, graduating in 1981. He ran his own law practice for several years eventually leaving law to write novels full-time.

Could you be the next Theodore Boone crime-solving kid?

Fall Activities

by Miss Alicia

Fall... leaves, pumpkins, bonfires, hayrides, family, fun, memories. Fall has always been my favorite season of the year because of all of the great memories I have had throughout my life during this time of the year. One of my favorite memories of fall was as a young child. My family would always rake the leaves together, and before putting the leaves in our yard into trash bags, my parents would let my brother, sister, and me jump into the big pile of leaves we had formed. We would always try to make the pile of leaves as tall as we could so it would make the jumping part ever so fun. Till this day, I have a picture in my head of me of the three of us kids covered in leaves and full of laughter.

As a teenager, I always looked forward to the fall festival and hayrides that my church would have every year. Whenever I smell leaves burning, it makes me think of all the wonderful times I had running on the cross-country team in high school and college. I will always remember hearing the crunching of leaves as we ran through them and the fun conversations my teammates and I had during our long runs through the leaves.

My fondest memory of fall is going to my aunt’s house in the country where my family and I would sit around a bonfire roasting hot dogs and making burnt marshmallows. We would also take hikes in the woods around her house where I always enjoyed looking at the beautiful colors of the leaves. What I remember the most about going to my aunt’s house was just enjoying the time spent with my family.

There so many fun activities and memories to be made during fall. What are your favorite activities to do during this season? I hope you will remember to take the time think about the people you spend this time of the year with and how much fun you have had with them

Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month

by Miss Holly

I love animals! My favorite animals are dogs, specifically German Shepherds! Shepherds are large dogs and they are very strong. They are often used as working dogs by police departments and military units, because they are so smart. My first dog was a German Shepherd that we adopted from the Humane Society of Harford County, MD. Her name was Jessie. She was very strong, and very smart, and she needed a good home.

October is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month. If your family is looking for a new pet, try the Terre Haute Humane Society or the ASPCA's Adoption page. There are lots of nice dogs, big dogs and small dogs, looking for homes. Maybe you’ll find the perfect dog for you!

Happy Birthday Johnny Appleseed!

by Miss Alicia

The story of Johnny Appleseed is one that has been passed down throughout generations. Johnny Appleseed was actually named John Chapman. John was known for traveling around Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania planting apple trees, which is how he received the nickname Johnny Appleseed. Johnny Appleseed had a love for nature and is remembered for his bravery with the Indians. He was also notorious for not caring about his appearance, and would often wear an old pot on his head. Many of the stories told about Johnny Appleseed were stretched into Tall Tales, and make it hard to believe that Johnny Appleseed was a real person. Johnny Apples seed was a real person who was born on September 26th, 1774. Happy Birthday, Johnny Appleseed!

If you would like to learn more about the adventures of Johnny Appleseed, the VCPL has several Biographies and Tall Tales that tell his story.

It Be International Talk Like A Pirate Day!

by Ms. Hillary

Ahoy, mateys! Do ye know what time it be? It be time for International Talk Like a Pirate Day! That’s right! For one whole day, on September 19th, ye can talk and act like a pirate, as long as yer folks say it be all right.

In order to get ye into the pirate spirit, here be some awesome pirate picture books for ye, all available here in the Young Pirates’ department!

The Pirates Next Door by Jonny Doddle
Dirty Joe the Pirate: A True Story by Bill Harley
How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long

To round out yer pirate talk, here be some piratical words ye can use!

Ahoy! - "Hello!"
Avast! - Stop and give attention. It can be used in a sense of surprise, "Whoa! Get a load of that!" which today makes it more of a "Check it out" or "No way!"
Aye! - "Why yes, I agree most heartily with everything you just said or did."
Aye aye! - "I'll get right on that sir, as soon as my break is over."
Shiver me timbers! - An expression of surprise. It was originally used when a cannonball or storm would splinter a ship’s boards, which is never a good thing for a proper pirate. "Put the cookies away, Mom’s home!" "Shiver me timbers!"

Remember, get yer eye patches and peg legs ready! International Talk Like a Pirate Day be on its way!

Marshamallows

by Laraine

A Marshmallow. Picture one in your mind. Soft, sugary, gooey, sticky, yummy, fluffy. Where did it come from? Did it come from the rainforest? Did it grow in the outback of Australia? Would a penguin eat one if she had the chance? Several years ago marshmallows were eaten to soothe a sore throat. Too bad they changed the ingredients. Marshmallows would be a whole lot more fun to take than medicine! If you want to make your own you’ll need a grown-up to help out, but here are a couple of recipes you may want to try with an adult’s help.

This one has photos of the different steps.

This one has a video.

I love going to festivals! Every year my hometown has a Marshmallow Festival around Labor Day weekend. While visiting you can buy marshmallow blow guns and watch the food vendors toast marshmallows for a yummy treat. They also have a tent where they pass out free bags of mini marshmallows. There is also a baking contest. I wish I could volunteer to be a tasting judge, don’t you? One time someone made the "world’s largest marshmallow." It sat on the town hall’s lawn in a big glass case, but it attracted too many bees and bugs! Ew!

The state of Indiana has many food themed festivals including ones for Hotdogs, Sweet Corn, Watermelons, Mushrooms, Blueberries, Melons, Popcorn, Apples, Apple Butter, Persimmons, Navy Beans, Gingerbread, Mint, Sassafras Tea and Ribs!

Homework! Oh, Homework!

by Ms. Holly

"Homework! Oh, Homework!
I hate you! You stink!
I wish I could wash you away in the sink!" — Jack Prelutsky

Is homework making you crazy? The Young People’s staff are here to help! We have databases with lots of great information for all types of assignments. You can access our databases through our website, and they are free to use.

Sometimes your teacher requires you to have a magazine article as one of your sources for an assignment. Our database, Primary Search, provides magazine articles from 57 children’s magazines appropriate for elementary school students.

A magazine article that you find in a database is still a magazine article. It is not an online source, like a website. If you need help creating a citation for the magazine article, just ask the YP staff.

Another fun database is called America the Beautiful. This database can help you with projects about states and cities. You can find all the basics including what each state bird and state flower look like. You can also play different games, like matching states with their capitals.

The next time you find yourself dreading your homework, remember that several homework resources, including databases, are available through our website. Have a great school year, and don’t forget to turn in that homework!

Back to School

by Cindy

Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho, it’s off to school we go... So how did your summer go? I hope you got to have some fun, read some books, and stay cool. That last one’s hard to do when it’s 100 degrees out every day! When I was a kid, school didn’t start until the day after Labor Day in September. We didn’t have air conditioning OR water bottles, but we did have bees flying in the open windows! I never wanted the freedom of summer to end, but I always loved going back to school, and I hope you do too. Have a great year!

At the Fair

by Mrs. Clark

I wonder if you have read Charlotte’s Web by E B White. Maybe you have seen the movie version.

In the story Charlotte is a pig who travels to the fair. Showing Charlotte off makes the family very proud.

Have you traveled to see the Vigo County Fair this year? Maybe you had something you worked hard on to show.

Did you know that there is an Indiana State Fair much like the Vigo County Fair only BIGGER? This year’s State Fair is designated as the “Year of Dairy Cows”. Maybe you can think about going with your family to Indianapolis to see it. The dates for the fair are August 3 – 19th. For more information, visit The Indiana State Fair.

Start the School Year Off Right!

by Miss Alicia

It’s time! School is about to start again and it is always nice to have a fresh start. Here are some great ideas that will help you have a successful school year!

Establish routines ~ Mornings are sometimes rushed, so you could make time the night before school to get everything ready for the next day. Pack your lunch, lay out clothes and pack back-pack are some ideas. You could also create an area by your door and place all the items that need to go to school with you in that area. Don’t forget to establish an after school routine of doing your homework too!
Create a homework station ~ Create a spot around your house that would be the best place to get your homework done and designate it as your “homework station”. Once you have a place picked out, you can set up your homework station with everything you would need when doing your homework. (pencils, paper, scissors, glue, markers, crayons, etc. ) Having a quiet, organized place will make it much easier to get your homework done!
Create a system for organizing school papers ~ The first thing you can do to organize your school papers each day is to throw away any unwanted papers as soon you get home. You can also create a binder or folder for papers that you will need to refer back to throughout the school year (class lists, contact information, classroom rules, schedules, etc.) and place the binder in a stationary place at home so it will always be easy to find. Another very important step that you can do to help organize your papers, is to create a “homework” folder to place all papers that will need to go back to school. Once you finish your homework or get field trip papers signed, you can put them back into your “homework” folder.
Be Healthy ~ Eating healthy and getting lots of sleep play a great role in memory and learning, so making a habit of getting lots of sleep and eating the right foods will definitely help you have a successful school year. In case you didn’t know, it is recommended that growing children should get around 8-10 hours of sleep each night.

Trucks!

by Cindy

"I want a book on trucks!" Kids say that to us all the time at the library! So we have lots of books on trucks. Big Rigs. Semi’s. Fire trucks. Dump trucks. Cement trucks. You name it, we have it. So I always wonder what is the big deal about trucks? Maybe it’s because they are big. The bigger the better. It’s fun to think about sitting up high off the ground so you can see everything around you, and then climbing into a sleeping compartment all nice and cozy for the night. Strong. Trucks just look strong to me. And loud! Loud is good…sometimes. Trucks sure grab your attention as they rumble about. It’s like they’re shouting, Comin’ through! Get out of my way! And don’t you love it when a trucker blows his air horn at you? Why do you like trucks so much?

Smoothie-licious

by Miss Alicia

Wanting something cold, delicious, and healthy to snack on after a hot day in the sun? Try making a smoothie. Smoothies are quick and easy to make. All you need is a blender and a few more of your favorite ingredients. Check out one of my favorite smoothie recipes below, and check out this website that has lots of other yummy smoothie recipes

1/3 cup of yogurt (vanilla or plain)
1/3 cup of orange juice
2-4 strawberries (fresh or frozen)
2-4 ice cubes

Put all the ingredients in the blender.
Start blending until fully mixed.
Put in large cup and enjoy! ( recipe serves 2)

National Get-Out-Of-The-Dog-House Day

by Laraine

Have you ever heard someone say they are “in the dog house?” Do you know what it means? It means someone has gotten in trouble. Have you ever been “in the dog house” with Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma, a teacher or a friend?

At one time or another everyone has been there. It’s not a fun place to be, but you don’t have to stay there. Suggestions for getting out of the dog house include:

Say "I'm sorry." In the end, nothing beats a genuine "I'm sorry." Make sure you mean it. Look them in the eye and say "I'm sorry." Say exactly what it is you’re sorry about too; that way, they'll be sure you understand them.

Listen. Let them talk and pay attention. Don't interrupt or try and tell your side of the story. Shut up and listen.

Outdoor Bill of Rights

by Miss Holly

Looking for something to do this summer? Try to complete the Indiana Outdoor Challenge! The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has created an Outdoor Bill of Rights to encourage kids to "participate in outdoor activities and explore their cultural heritage." They have a checklist on their website, which you can print and work on with your friends and family. When you get all of the activities completed, you can download a Hoosier Outdoor Child certificate!

The 11 activities include:

Explore and play outdoors in a safe place.
Follow a trail and discover native plants, wildlife and history.
Experience traditional outdoor activities like fishing or hunting.
Discover and celebrate Indiana’s past.
Camp under the stars.
Climb a tree.
Visit a farm.
Plant a seed or tree and watch it grow.
Splash and play in streams, lakes and ponds.
Enjoy the outdoors using all the senses.
Ask questions, find answers, and share nature with a friend.

The Young People’s department has lots of materials that can help you prepare for an outdoor adventure! We have books about hiking, fishing and hunting. We also have books that will help you identify stars, constellations, plants, trees and wildlife! If you’re interested in learning more about the state of Indiana, we have lots of great books available. Start working on the Indiana Outdoor Challenge today!

Draw Something!

by Mrs. Clark

As I write, we have had days without rain. The heat and humidity are making it uncomfortable to be outdoors during the day.

What do you do to escape the hot weather?

Have you tried your hand at drawing? I heard once that if people continue to draw into adulthood their drawing skills continue to develop. Many people though stop drawing as children focusing on other interests instead. This statement seems true to me because my drawing ability is poor. I attempt to draw a dog and it appears to be a horse. I draw a horse and people think I have drawn a dog.

Grab a pencil and a piece of paper or even a scrap from the trash. Draw something today and keep building on your talent.

If you’d like some help with your drawing, check out the books in the 743 section of our non-fiction area. You will find ideas on how to draw many things from bugs and monsters to human faces and animals.

Picture Books

Cover: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

by Miss Alicia

Picture books are so much fun to read! To me, a good picture book has a fun and engaging story, along with eye-catching illustrations. My favorite children’s book illustrator is Eric Carle. Along with writing several books, Eric Carle illustrates well known books like, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See. Eric has the same technique for most all of his book illustrations. Eric creates picture collages by painting several layers of paint designs on tissue paper. The finished product is what you see in his books, pages filled with pictures that are colorful and captivating. Eric Carle’s individual style of illustrating books is very inspiring and his books are fun to read at every age. Eric even has a website with lots of information about him and his books. Once on the website, you can find a slide show that shows you step- by- step how he creates his book illustrations. Check it out!

Harry Potter and the World of Pottermore!

by Miss Holly

Are you a fan of the Harry Potter books? Have you seen the movies? If you just can’t seem to get enough, you need to visit Pottermore!

Pottermore was created by J.K. Rowling to give users an opportunity to interact with the characters and settings they have grown to love, and to experience new content and adventures online!

You can also purchase Harry Potter digital audio books and Harry Potter eBooks through the website. Or, you can always check out your favorite titles from the YP department or though the Overdrive Digital Media system

Dream Big, Read!

by Cindy

The great thing about dreams is that you can have them when you’re awake! Like…do you ever dream about what you want to be when you grow up? Or where you’d like to go on a vacation? Well, READING can take you anywhere you want to go in life! The library has books about being race car drivers, firefighters, dancers, doctors, astronauts…you name it, we probably have it! We also have books about lots of exciting places in the world – countries, big cities, national parks, and more.

We hope you’ll join our Summer Reading Club and take advantage of all we have to offer in the Young People’s Department. It’s free and it’s super easy! Just fill out a little card, set a goal for the number of books you want to read this summer, then start reading! When you reach your goal, be sure to come in and tell us so we can give you a little prize!

Try a JI!

Cover: Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming

by Mrs. Clark

I wonder if you have ever heard the expression "Try It, You’ll Like It!" When I was a kid this was a popular phrase. We might say it to a friend when we wanted to encourage them to try a new thing.

So today I want to say to you come to the library this summer and try the books labeled Juvenile Illustrated. You will find them shelved in the purple section, third shelving unit, third stack on the right hand side. These books are good for any reader, but are too long and too involved for non readers. They are informative and cover many different topics. For example, did you know Michael Jordan put salt in his basketball shoes? The title of this selection is Salt in his shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream by Deloris Jordan. I also enjoyed a story about surprises coming in boxes during a time of war. Candace Fleming wrote this book entitled Boxes for Katje.

Come browse the section. I am sure there will be one or two you will find appealing.

Memorial Day

by Miss Holly

It is finally Memorial Day weekend! Many people are happy, because Memorial Day is a sign that summer is right around the corner. Swimming pools will open soon, and families have barbecues and picnics to celebrate the good weather. But did you know that Memorial Day is actually a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service? On Memorial Day, we honor American men and women who died fighting for our country in a war. We fly the American flag at half-staff (halfway up the pole) until noon. We do this to show respect for the service members who have died.

Have you ever heard the bugle call Taps? If you have attended a Girl Scout or Boy Scout Camp, you probably have.

Taps is the last bugle call of the day on a military installation. It is also played at military funerals. You can hear Taps at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day. It is played as a symbol of respect for the service members buried there.

If you want to learn more about Memorial Day, the YP department has books and other materials to help you. Enjoy your holiday weekend, and take a minute to remember the fallen.

Exploring

by Cindy

Do you like to go exploring? When I was a girl, we lived right by a creek that meandered many miles in the south side of Indianapolis. My sister and I explored every inch of Lick Creek in our large subdivision. There were parts that we had “jumping over” contests. Sometimes we landed IN the creek, but we didn’t care. There were small fish in the creek, and water striders floated on top. At first we thought they were SPIDERS, but luckily they weren’t and they never bothered us. My sister liked to capture crawdads (crayfish) and keep them as pets at home, but she always returned them to the creek. We took lots of hikes and had many picnics along the creek. We even made friends with other kids we met during our hikes! But one of our favorite parts of the creek was right by our own house, under our own street. The creek ran through some HUGE pipes under the road, and it was very shallow there. Sometimes this part dried up in summer and we could play in there for hours, pretending it was our cave. Boy, those were good times!

Have you ever visited a REAL cave? Over spring break my granddaughters visited Marengo Cave in southern Indiana, Mammoth Cave in central Kentucky, and Ruby Falls in Tennessee. They saw some amazing sites!

Amelia Bedelia!

by Miss Alicia

Who is your favorite character from a book? One of my favorite book characters growing up was Amelia Bedelia. Amelia Bedelia picture books follow Amelia as a young girl in elementary school and the Amelia Bedelia chapter books follow Amelia as an adult. In each Amelia Bedelia book, there are always several funny circumstances where Amelia does EXACTLY what someone says. In the book, Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping, Mr. Rogers asks if Amelia can row a boat. Amelia then gets all four boats and puts them in a row. In another book, Amelia was playing a game of baseball and someone asked her to steal first base. Amelia picked up first base from the ground and started running with it in her hand. Oh Amelia, you are so silly! If you enjoy reading books that make you laugh, then you will love reading Amelia Bedelia books. The Vigo County Public Library has several Amelia Bedelia books that can be found in the picture book section and the easy reader section in Young Peoples.