The International Children's Digital Library

ICDL, the International Children's Digital Library located at http://en.childrenslibrary.org/ , contains about 4,000 books in 54 languages. Its bright colors, design appeal, and search ease make it child friendly. Though titles cannot be downloaded, they can be printed on paper and viewed by a variety of e-readers. Many of the titles were originally published in the 19th century, but more current titles are being added including over 800 that were published in 2006. This is a valuable site for teachers, librarians, parents, and, of course, children. Its definitely worth a look!

Other digital storehouses include:
Literature for Children: http://palmm.fcla.edu/juv
The Rosetta Project: http://www.childrensbooksonline.org/
Google Books: http://books.google.com/

Winter Calendar of Events for Children

The calendar is ready and can be viewed by clicking on the picture to the right. You can also pick up a copy at the library or find it amongst your child's handouts from school. Of special note is the Wildlife Tracking program with Lynn Levine on Monday January 23 at 2:00 (a no school day) and "Bring Your Child to the Library Day," Saturday, February 4.

For Jewish Families

Have you heard of the PJ Library? It is a Jewish family engagement program implemented on a local level throughout North America that distributes Jewish children's literature and music to families. Check out the website: http://www.pjlibrary.org/ .

Family Pajama Time

Take a break from the bustle and treat yourself and your family to a holiday story, movie, and cookies on Thursday, December 15 at 6:30-7:15 pm. Wear your pajamas if you dare!

Picture Book Month

November is National Picture Book Month! No matter your age, there's a picture book for you. Explore our collection--you won't be disappointed.

The Phantom Tollbooth

Was this book a favorite of yours? It's been around for 50 years and is as popular as ever. Read what author Norton Juster and illustrator Jules Feiffer have to say about this classic:
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/newsletters/newsletterbucketextrahelping2/891920-477/the_buddy_system_how_two.html.csp

Writing Contest

The Vermont Department of Libraries and the Vermont Center for the Book invite young readers in grades 4 – 12 to participate in Letters About Literature (LAL), a national reading and writing program of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. To enter, readers write a personal letter to an author, living or dead, of any genre—fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, contemporary or classic—explaining how that author's work changed the student's way of thinking about the world or themselves.

There are three competition levels: Level I for children in grades 4 through 6; Level II for grades 7 and 8, Level III, grades 9 - 12.

State winners, announced in March each year, receive a $50 gift certificate to Target as well as a prize from the local sponsoring organizations. National winners, announced in late April, receive additional prizes and earn for their school or community library LAL Reading Promotion Grants valued at thousands of dollars.

LAL focuses on reader response and reflective writing. The program provides free teaching materials, including lesson plans, writing samples, assessment checklists, and teacher tips--all downloadable through the program’s website at http://www.lettersaboutliterature.org.
Submissions must be postmarked by January 6, 2012. For information about entering the contest, visit http://www.lettersaboutliterature.org. You can also email questions to the Vermont Center for the Book at wendy@mothergooseprograms.org or to the Department of Libraries at grace.greene@state.vt.us