Last day to vote for the ORCA is March 31

Calling all students in grades 4-12!  March 31st is the last day to vote for your favorite Oregon Reader's Choice Award (ORCA) book!  If you've read at least two books from your age category, you are eligible to vote!  Stop by the children's room at the library and visit the voting station.  We will then submit all ballots toward the statewide tally!

For more information about the ORCA 2016 nominees, visit: the ORCA Wordpress site.

Friends of the Library Used Book Sale is Coming!

Mark your calendars now for the Annual Friends of the Tigard Library Used Book Sale!  Here's the upcoming dates and times:

Friday, April 22 from 9 AM to 5 PM
Saturday, April 23 from 9 AM to 5 PM
Sunday, April 24 from 11 AM to 3 PM

Yusuke Yonezu Board Books

While working on my last order of Board Books for the library collection, I came across an author who I was unfamiliar with.  After looking more into his works, I was very impressed with what I saw. Yusuke Yonezu from Japan is a very talented book illustrator for babies through two-year-olds.  His book illustrations contain simple thick line drawings with bold color contrasts.  This makes for the prefect combination for infants because their color vision is not well developed at birth.  Books with high-contract pictures are excellent choices for babies because it develops their interests in visual stimuli.

Infants are interested in looking at pictures of things they are familiar with.  Yusuke's books help to meet baby's needs though providing illustrations of familiar objects by pairing them with simple words so they can learn new vocabulary.  These "Concept Books" are perfect little instructional books that help youngsters learn to start labeling and identifying their world, while being entertained at the same time.

Here is a selection of concept books worth checking out. They are all fun books that will engage young children over and over!  They are all interactive and will both educate and entertain. Unfortunately, Tigard Public Library's board books are not available for placing holds, but are available on a first come, first serve basis.  There are some other libraries in the county that will fulfill board book holds and can send them to a library of your choice for pick-up.  And make sure you read to your baby today and everyday!

Fun With Shapes:


Circles
This perfect concept book teaches not only shapes, but also colors, numbers, and words all in one bright and colorful package. All the different sizes of circles in numerous different colors transform into a surprising array of objects when each page is turned.








Moving Blocks
What are you building? What can it be? An irresistible guessing game, this book asks simple questions for identifying objects that move. The vivid pictures can be reinforced through play with building blocks, allowing young imaginations grow.








Squares
Squares and rectangles are everywhere.  Here the shapes and colors found in everyday objects come to life when the pages of the book are turned.

Triangles 
Angles and triangles are everywhere, and the shapes and colors found in everyday objects come to life when the pages of the book are turned.









We Love Each Other
Love is everywhere! And it's not just us humans. From birds to elephants, rabbits to turtles, there is love and togetherness depicted on every page. Very young readers will enjoy the surprises in this cheerfully inventive little book. The bold, colorful illustrations reveal a surprise beneath the flap on every page, with a final delightful surprise on the last page!





Fun With Objects:


5 Little Apples
Here's a lift-the-flap counting book! The flaps reveal the creature that eats an apple in this board book that helps teach little ones about counting backwards. An elephant, a rabbit, and a caterpillar are some of the hungry critters who take apples away. But when there are none left, a surprise awaits!







Bottoms Up!
Name that bottom! We all recognize these creatures, but not from the back. Here's another charming and funny lift-the-flap book. Each flap reveals a new view of the creature whose bottom is featured on each page, with a friendly hello. Duck, monkey, pig, zebra. elephant--each page creates an amusing guessing game for readers young and old.






Guess What?--Flowers
Familiar flowers become surprising creatures with the help of lively lift-the-flaps. Blossoms turn into animals with the lift of a flap. Young readers are encouraged to use their imaginations to guess what animal will be revealed. A tulip becomes a yellow cat; a white daisy turns into a sheep. What will become of a cherry blossom, a dandelion, and a pansy? This book makes for a good conversation starter too!




Guess What?--Food
Carrots, chestnuts, and cheese turn into animals with the lift of a flap. Young readers are encouraged to use their imaginations to guess what animal will be revealed.  Here's another book that will make for good conversation too!








Guess What?--Fruit
Images of different fruits transform into animals with lift-the-flaps. The irresistible guessing game encourages children to imagine the possibilities.









Guess What?--Sweets and Treats
Familiar sweets become surprising creatures with the help of lively lift-the-flaps.  Sweet treats turn into animals with each lift of a flat.  Here's another book where young readers are encouraged to use their imaginations to guess what animal will be revealed. A sweet bun becomes a squirrel's tail, while a chocolate bar transforms into a tortoise's shell. What will the lollipop turn into? 

Spring is in the Air!

Spring is in the air!  Some of my perennials are starting to bloom and so are new spring books!  Here's a list of some titles I've recently read that will prove to be wonderful reading experiences with your child as you celebrate the new season.

The Night Gardener by Terry Fan
Everyone on Grimloch Lane enjoys the trees and shrubs clipped into animal masterpieces after dark by the Night Gardener, but William, a lonely boy, spots the artist, follows him, and helps with his special work.  This is just a tremendous imaginative piece of artwork within the pages of a book.  Every bit of detail is given to ever single leaf on each tree...which absolutely amazes me!  Each turn of the page reveals a new topiary surprise!

No, No Gnome! by Ashlyn Anstee
Gnome cannot wait to help his friends harvest the school garden! But his eagerness and excitement get him into trouble, leaving them all saying 'No, no, Gnome!".  Who knew that Garden Gnomes actually did some work?  It may not be the best work, but I think he learns his lesson.

When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes
Animals and children alike watch as the world transforms from the dark and dead of winter to a full and blooming spring.  Just look at those darling spring kittens!  Henkes really has a way with drawing the sweetest of creatures.  That's why I love his illustrations so much.

Peep and Egg: I'm Not Hatching by Laura Gehl
Peep can't wait for Egg to hatch. They will have so much fun together! But Egg isn't quite ready...yet.  With simple illustrations and a message teaching the lesson that it's OK to let go of old ways and try new things, it makes for a perfect book for toddlers.

All Ages Anime

Hooray! It's time for All Ages Anime once again! Bring the whole family to the Burgess Community Room on Tuesday, March 22 from 2-4 p.m. We'll be watching Hayao Miyazaki's Panda! Go Panda! (rated G), eating Japanese snacks and doing panda-themed crafts. Be there!

Food for Fines is Back!

Tigard Library’s Food For Fines Drive Returns
Sunday, March 20-Saturday, March 26, 2016

Take $1 off your fines for each non-perishable food item you donate during the Tigard Library’s Food for Fines drive from Sunday, March 20, through Saturday, March 26, 2016. You can clear up to $10 of fines from your account.

The library will donate the food to the St. Vincent DePaul food pantry in Tigard, which will distribute it to local families in need. March is an important month for food pantries because their inventory is often depleted.

Acceptable donations include:

• Canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon etc.)
• Canned and boxed meals (chili, soup, macaroni and cheese etc.)
• Peanut butter
• Pasta, rice and cereal
• Canned fruits
• 100% fruit juices
• Baby food

The Library cannot accept homemade, perishable, open or unlabeled items, rusty cans or items past their expiration date. Food for Fines applies only to fines, not other library charges.

Reduce Your Library Fines and Take a Bite Out of Hunger!!!

Operation S.T.E.A.M. Break

Hey, remember this game? Now tweens ages 10-14 can make their own at our Operation S.T.E.A.M. Break program on Wednesday, March 23 from 2-4:30 in the Puett Room. S.T.E.A.M. stands for Science Technology Engineering Art and Math. We'll be using all of those things to design, construct, code and play custom Operation games! No previous coding experience is required. Call 503-718-2656 or stop by the reference desk to sign up.

Bunny Hop!

Come have some hoppin’ fun in the Library Puett room Monday, March 21st from 1:30-2:30 pm. The Beatrix Potter Society will present a lively short story followed by fun bunny crafts and activities for all ages.

March LEGO® Construction Zone

 

Drop in to work on making your own LEGO® creations with other builders.  We'll supply all the building blocks; you bring the creativity! This month we'll play on Sunday March 20th at 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the Puett Room. Kids ages 5 and up are welcome to attend.  Come and play for a few minutes or play for the whole 90 minutes.  The choice is yours!



Homeschool Open House

Are you a family that homeschools?  Spend an afternoon at the library for fun and education.  Learn some catalog search tips, then go on a scavenger hunt in the Children's Room.  Stay for a special social time and a resource swap!  Bring books and curriculum resources you are finished with to share with other families. 

Homeschoolers of all ages are welcome to attend on Friday March 18, 2016, 1:30-4 p.m. in the Puett Room.  The library wants to be your resource to help you meet your homeschooling needs!

2016 Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award Voting Now Open!

If you are in 2nd or 3rd grade, and have read at least two titles from the 2016 master list, you are eligible to vote for your favorite book for this year's Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award!  We will have a voting station in the children's room.  Voting will be open March 15-April 10.  Once voting closes, we will send off the votes towards the state-wide tally.  The winning title will be announced a few days later!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid News

Calling all Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans!!!!  

The publisher of this popular series has announced that book #11 will be released in November 2016.  No word on the title yet, however, the cover art will be released on April 28th.  So we will all have to wait until then to find out more about the book.  Hopefully it will become available in the catalog shortly after that so you can start placing your holds!!!  Learn more about the new book from this March 10, 2016 Publisher's Weekly article.

ORCA- It's Time to Vote!

It's March. What does that mean? Rain, hail, spring break, losing an hour of sleep, and, oh ya, it's time to vote for the Oregon Reader's Choice Award!

Anyone who has read at least two of the nominees in a division can cast a vote. Just stop by the library, find the ballots across from the Children's and Young Adult reference desk, and cast your vote. It's that easy! Follow the link to see a list of nominees. These are all wonderful books: https://oregonreaderschoiceaward.wordpress.com/

Mo Willems News

Kids here at the Tigard Public Library absolutely LOVE Mo Willems and all his works, especially Elephant and Piggie, Knuffle Bunny, and Pigeon.  Mo is up to big plans this year, which includes the release of the 25th and final Elephant and Piggie book, The Thank You Book (insert the tears here).  BUT the two BFF's will be returning in a new series called Elephant & Piggie Like Reading where they retire from all their fun and shenanigans to live a life full of reading.  This new spin-off will start with a collaboration between Mo and Dan Santat, called The Cookie Fiasco, and another, We Are Growing! with author-illustrator Laurie Keller.  (Sorry folks, but these two titles won't be available until Fall 2016...but in the meantime, keep checking the online catalog.) 

PLUS an exciting NEW book that will be out this fall called Nanette's Baguette.  This stand-alone title about a frog and his solo trip to the bakery will be released in October 2016.  This book will be illustrated using cut paper, a style much different than Mo's previous works.

AND, if you and your family has plans to visit New York this year, swing by the New York Historical Society Museum & Library for "The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems".  This exhibit, running March 18-September 25, 2016 will offer opportunities for kids and parents to learn how to sketch different characters from Mo's books, plus they'll have the opportunity for a fun museum visit experience. 

For more details on Mo's whereabouts this year, see the March 10, 2016 article in Publisher's Weekly.

Squishy Circuits Workshop

Sunday March 13th
1:30-3:00 PM
Ages 5+

Join us this Sunday and get creative with circuits. Use conductive play dough, LED lights and battery packs to explore electronic circuitry. Build unique sculptures that buzz and light up!

Fused Glass is Back!

She's back by popular demand! We have the pleasure of welcoming back the fabulous Rae Campbell to teach families how to make your own fused glass art. Rae will take home your creations, fire them, and have them back a couple weeks later for you to pick up from the library. Register early, as she fills up fast. Call the Children's Desk at 503-718-2673 to sign up yourself and your kids for noon to 1:00, 1:30 to 2:30, or 3:00 to 4:00 on Saturday, April 9 in the Puett Room.

Calling all parents of children ages 0-6!

Parents of children ages 0-6: please take this survey!

Do you use your library with your child(ren) ages 0-6? Washington County Cooperative Library Services wants to hear from you!  Please complete this quick 5-question survey for Parents and Caregivers of Ages 0-6.

Bloom

I am absolutely bursting to tell you about Bloom, written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by David Small!!!

With mud in her hair, dirt in her teeth, and heavy footsteps that leave cracks everywhere she steps, Bloom is not your typical fairy. She makes such a mess that the citizens of the glass kingdom are relieved when she moves into the forest. But as the years go by, the glass slowly crumbles and the king just does not know what to do. He remembers that magical creature from many years ago and seeks her out in the forest. When he finds her to ask her advice for how to repair the crumbling kingdom, she sets a bucket of mud at his feet. Because the only explanation for that behavior is that she must be intimidated by his royal highness, he sends the queen, who may be more approachable. But again, Bloom leaves a bucket of mud at her feet. Finally, the king and queen send an "ordinary" girl, Genevieve, to ask Bloom for her ideas of saving the kingdom.

So what is "ordinary," anyway? Is there even a such thing? Will just an "ordinary" girl be able to solve the kingdom's problem with help from a strange little fairy?

Like lovely little Bloom herself, this lovely little (or, actually, it's pretty big!) picture book is not your typical fairy tale. This charming, empowering story is my favorite that I've read in quite awhile!

Portland Opera To Go

The library cordially invites to you to

The Portland Opera To Go:

"The Elixir of Love"

On Saturday March 5, 2016

2-3:30 p.m.

"The Elixir of Love" is a witty, engaging tale of the love-struck Nemorino and the magic elixir that will cure his shyness.  This live performance by the Portland Opera's touring troupe is an adapted, 

50-minute English-language version of the Italian comedic opera.  

It is a perfect opportunity for children to enjoy opera up close and live!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Every year on March 2nd, Read Across America Day is celebrated in honor of Theodor Seuss Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss who was born on this day in 1904. To help celebrate, the library has a whole bunch of Dr. Seuss books on display that you can check out and take home to read.  Plus we've got got activity and coloring sheets available to take home too!  And while you're at the library, be sure to take a look at the cube display case located outside of the Puett Room where Miss Janet has items from her Dr. Seuss collection on display for everyone to see.  Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!!!