Here's a great Easter book: "The Parable of the Lily"

 

Maggie, the farmer's youngest daughter, loves getting gifts, especially mysterious ones. One wintry day, she receives a package in the mail. She excitedly opens the package to find a bulb buried in a crate of dirt. This was not what Maggie expected. She had hoped for a doll or a game, not a bulb that would one day become a plant. When spring comes, she finds the bulb in the cellar and tosses the lifeless thing into the garden, never to think of it again. . . . Until she walks outside on Easter morning and finds the most beautiful lily she has ever seen. Through the unique gift of a bulb, Maggie discovers the power of grace and forgiveness and the true meaning of Easter.

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Tips For Parents Who Read With Their Children

  

Here are some tips for making reading more fun and successful

• Sit together in a nice spot where both of you will be comfortable
• Make sure both of you can see, touch and experience the book
• Notice the picture on the cover of the book; what clues does it give you about the book?
• Who is the author? Have your read other books or stories that you've liked by the same author?
• Take turns, each reading pages or certain sections
• Take time to talk about the pictures, and others things that both of you like about the book
• Use your finger and glide under each word as you read along
• At the end of the story, review what it was about.
• Try another book if you are both still keen.  Don't push or force, try to simply have fun and enjoy!

"TD Read With Me Program" from the CPL

Does your child, for whatever reason, struggle with reading?  Does he or she need some additional reading practice that will be fun for them?  Consider signing up for the "TD Read With Me Program" sponsored by TD Canada Trust and put on by the Calgary Public Library.
                      

Children are matched up with adult volunteers to spend an hour, one on one at a local library branch practicing their reading skills.  In these one hour sessions children will spend some time: reading, playing literacy oriented games, doing fun exercises, being read to, and other fun activities with their adult volunteer partner. Some of the program goals are listed below:

TD Read With Me is designed*:

• To enhance reading level skills and interest in reading for young readers
• To instill confidence and genuine desire for lifelong learning
• To provide exposure to a fun creative learning environment
• To foster independent learning skills
• To introduce family/caregivers to the Library
• To increase awareness and use of library resources, services and programs

* Information taken from the Calgary Public Library website.

Parents must stay in the library for the full hour that their child is spending with the volunteer.  The child and the volunteer meet once a week and commit to working together for at least a year's time.

If you are interested in getting more information about the program, signing your child up, or volunteering, please click below: 
                 TD Read With Me Program

 "Once you learn to read, you will be forever free." — Frederick Douglass

 

Once again Author Neil Gaiman Defends Libraries and What We Do

After best selling British author, Terry Deary, rants that Libraries are "no long relevant" (read about it here) Neil Gaiman responds on Twitter.  Follow the conversation below:

 

2:15 PM - 13 Feb 13

13 FebNeil GaimanVerified account‏@neilhimself

Loving the pro-library opinions here. And yes, libraries make readers. They don't starve authors.

 

1. 13 FebMeiLin Miranda‏@MeiLinMiranda

   @neilhimself I have 6 copies ea of my 2 novels in our library system. Once a month I look up how many are checked out, and smile.
2. 13 FebPatParslow‏@PatParslow

   @neilhimself Libraries feed authors and readers, just in different ways
3. 13 Febsxip shirey‏@sxipshirey

   @neilhimself "libraries make readers. They don't starve authors." perfectly put.
4. 13 FebLiz Vallish‏@elizziebeth

   @neilhimself I basically grew up in the library and later, when I had my own money, I started buying books.
    
5. 13 FebJoi‏@Joi_the_Artist

   @neilhimself My dad was a librarian from when I was 6 til I was 21. Practically lived in the library, developed life-long reading habits.

    
6. 13 FebJoshElder‏@JoshElder

   @neilhimself Over half the copies of my children's book "Mail Order Ninja" were sold to institutions (schools and libraries).

    
7. 13 FebMike Jung‏@Mike_Jung

   @neilhimself Libraries are essential to our collective health, intellectually, culturally, and socially. They promote the general welfare.

 

I love this last comment!  Let's all support libraries for the good of our children's (and our own) health and welfare!! 

 

I can see what having access to a library means to our children, each and every day! It supports and encourages them, inspires creativity, gives them the odd kick in the pants, stimulates curiousity, answers compelling and personally significant questions, keeps them up to date, takes them to another world, shows them that they are not alone.  The list of reasons go on and on. 

 

Thank you Neil Gaiman, for looking at the bigger picture, and shame on you Terry Deary, for thinking (mostly) of only yourself!

Happy (Belated) Valentines Day!!

Let's share the love of reading and literacy on Valentine's day and every day!  Have a great Valentine's students and staff!!!!  Below are some books from the library about LOVE:

God Knows by Kevin Shortsleeve -
A rhyming bedtime story reassuring children that God knows everything and cares for the whole world.

Yuck, A Love Story by Don Gillmor - A young boy named Austin has a hard time admitting he likes his new neighbour Amy, who, of course, is "yucky," but when her birthday comes, he goes to fantastic lengths to get her an unexpected present.

My Heart Is Like  A Zoo by Michael Hall - Depicts in rhyming text how love can be many different things, such as eager as a beaver, steady as a yak, or silly as a seal.

The I Love You Book by Todd Parr - Celebrates the love one person has for another, whether they are dancing or strolling, on snowy days and sunny ones, no matter what.

My Love For You by Susan Roth - Two mice walk along describing love in comparison to animals from one bear to ten lovebirds.

Four Stupid Cupids by Gregory Maguire - The students' scheme to find a love match for their beloved teacher on Valentine's Day turns into a comedy of errors when four stupid cupids from Ancient Greece try to help.

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare - A graphic novel adaptation of William Shakespeare's play "Romeo & Juliet", in which children from rival families fall in love, tearing their families apart and forcing them to take desperate measures to be together.

Pancake Day - Shrove Tuesday

St. Monica school sure smelled good this past Tuesday!!  Teachers and staff worked together to serve the students a lovely pancake breakfast, and how they enjoyed it!!! It was delicious! Thanks everyone for a great morning!

Family Literacy Day is January 27th!

Family Literacy Day Is Sunday January 27, 2013!

      Family Literacy Day is a national day to raise awareness about the importance of reading and literacy related activities as a family.

      This can mean enjoying a storybook together at bedtime, playing with word games, singing, writing to a friend or relative, making a shopping list, or even surfing the Internet for fun and interesting sites.

      Taking the time to do even 15 minutes today can make a huge impact on your child. 

Try these activities with your family: 

1) Make up a new recipe together, and post it online

2)Tell knock knock jokes while doing the dishes!

3) Sing five songs really, really loud!

For more quick and fun tips visit click here.

  

Facts & Figures

Quality of life for families, including income levels and employment status, is directly related to the literacy levels of parents  

Children have a better chance of becoming fully literate adults if reading is encouraged in the home.

Having a parent or other caring person read aloud helps children to learn listening, vocabulary and language skills, as well as develop imagination and creative. 

 

This website also offers a list of some of Canada's best authors who write great reads that are enjoyable, and clearly written.

You can also find book reviews, videos, audio, and even sample chapters of books to read! Visit here to find all this and more!