New Potty Books!

We're always looking for new potty and toilet training books to include in our collection. We just got two new books that will be sure to tickle any youngster's funny bone because they've got fun sound effects. A Little Flush by Benoit Charlat chronicles a bunch of animals who try and sit on the toilet seat to go potty. After everyone is done, children have the opportunity to actually "flush" the toilet, which mimicks the sound of a real toilet being flushed. Then there's A Little Fart, by the same author where a whole bunch of animals are really feeling the urge to get to the toilet as soon as possible. Luckily, they all make it just in time. I'll leave the sound effects in this one to your own imagination! You may find these books and other entertaining potty training stories for children located in our Parents collection under the call number 649.62. Don't forget, we also have a wide variety of instructional books for parents on the topic and potty training kits available for check-out too!

State and Country Reports

You may be able to tell from the number of blog posts (3 so far, this will be the 4th!), but we librarians LOVE CultureGrams.

As state reports and country reports come up, CultureGrams is a must-use resource. You will need your library card number to log in. Click on States Edition or World Edition. The database has info on history, people, customs, life in general, geography, and government among many other topics. You can even print out the state or country flag and get recipes! It also tells you how to cite CultureGrams as a resource.

This is a MUST USE resource for state and country reports in addition to the books you can get from the library.

Survey Says...

Every year the Tigard Library likes to check in with you. What do you think about your library? What do you like? What you would like to see improved? What changes would you like to see to what we offer?

Between January 30 and February 12, just stop by the tables at the entrance of the library to answer a few questions and share your thoughts. It's really painless and helps us serve you better. Over the years your comments have led to wider parking spots, more music programs and the addition of the Blu-Ray collection, to name a few things.

If you're unable to make it into the library you can also send in the survey included in Cityscape or answer the survey on our webpage. Same questions, just other options! Thanks for sharing!

A Tale Dark & Grimm

With all its grizz (is that even a word?) and gore, this tale is not for the faint of heart. I bet you all didn't know that Hansel and Gretel's tale didn't begin or end with their journey to and from the cannabalistic witch's delectable cottage. And little do you know that Hansel and Gretel don't actually come from a family with a poor woodcutter and a wicked stepmother. They're actually royalty! At least according to Adam Gidwitz, the teller of this tale.



If you and/or your child want to know the true story of Hansel and Gretel from beginning to end, then A Tale Dark & Grimm is the book for you. It reads like a traditional fairy tale (and when I say traditional, I don't mean Disney!), but it is a chapter book with no pictures.

Fresh Reviews

Want to see what other library readers think about a book, movie or anything else you check out from the library? Like writing reviews? You can do both through the library's catalog using Chilifresh.

To the left of a title you'll see one of two options...write a review (that means no one's reviewed it yet) or Reader Rating (number of stars) and the number of reviews. It's one little way to share your feedback with your library community. We'd love to know what you thought, so just click through. If you need any help getting started, just let us know and we'll show you how!

Where is Thumbkin?

Librarians love to use fingerplays, aka rhymes with accompanying hand/finger movements, in story times. You probably have used some at home too (Patty Cake and Itsy Bitsy Spider, for example). What you may not know is that these rhymes and movements are helping your little one get ready for writing and other fine motor skills.

The ability to coordinate small muscles in the hands and fingers helps children to hold things, use scissors, tie shoes and fasten buttons. Those simple rhymes and activities develop into a complex exercise. So practice those songs because they're fun to sing and make your little one happy and because they're developing more school skills.

Crazy Hats = Crazy Fun

Recently I hosted a Mad Hatter's Tea Party. The main event was the creation of some super cool and crazy hats. Supplies needed: a paper bag and ....stuff (party streamers, tissue paper, pipe cleaners, markers and feathers, for example). Yep, it doesn't have to be fancy to be fun. Just roll up the opening of the paper bag once or twice and it's the perfect size for a kiddo. Then decorate! Find some things around the house (the wackier, the better) to glue/staple/stick to the bag.

Free form crafts (those that don't have a final creation in mind) are a great way for kids to work on their imagination and planning skills. There are a lot of decisions involved in making something from the simple bits and pieces around you.

For Football Fans

Want to catch the big game on the big screen? Watch the Oregon Ducks take on the Auburn Tigers in the college national championships on Monday, January 10 starting at 5:30 p.m. Bring your friends and family and watch the action in the library's Community Room.

New BOB Books are Here!

We just got a new batch of BOB Books for your beginning reader! The new series is called "My First BOB Books". Two titles from the series are "Alphabet" and "Pre-Reading Skills".
The Alphabet set contains two to three letters in each book where children can learn to relate sounds with letters. The Pre-Reading Skills set contains basic literacy concepts in engaging, read-aloud stories. Each set contains 12 books and a parent guide.

It Just Makes Cents

The Tigard Library has teamed up with Operation HOPE and Financial Beginnings to present a series of workshops on managing your money and establishing an effective savings plan. Each Saturday offers a different topic, so you can sign up for one or all. Reserve your space by stopping by the Main Reference Desk or calling (503-718-2517). Space is limited to 20 so don't delay!