Five Reasons Why I Love My Job

Posted on Thursday, July 26, 2018 by Mitch

When you visit your library, we employees do our best to make sure you’re greeted by smiling faces and positive attitudes. But can I tell you a secret? Around here, the smiles and great attitudes aren’t hard to find. Below are five reasons why I love my job at DBRL (in no particular order).

Photo of library employeesThe Workers
It’s true. There is something about a library that makes incredibly talented, knowledgeable and kind people flock to it. We have a fantastic team here at DBRL, and it’s a true honor to serve our patrons alongside them. Speaking of…

The Patrons
The famous line “If you build it, they will come,” from “Field of Dreams,” rings true here. I am so proud to support our community. Thank you for coming. I love seeing and assisting you.

Photo of library stacksThe Books
I love books. A lot. Being surrounded by piles of paper is a dream come true.

The Programs
Singing and playing with kids is always so much fun! Learning, growing and empowering parents with knowledge is my pride. Thank you for building and exploring with me. Click here to see what’s coming up.

Photo of library employeesThe Bookmobile
I take deep pride in our local communities. Our bookmobiles make stops all over Boone and Callaway counties almost daily, serving over twenty-five child care centers and thousands of patrons.

Ever wonder what it’s like to work at Daniel Boone Regional Library? Click here to see a listing of positions currently available. Join us and see why it’s so easy to smile at the library. It’s honestly one of the best jobs I’ve ever had.

(All the pictures featured on this blog came from DBRL’s Instagram page. Follow us for more fun!)

We All Scream for Ice Cream!

Posted on Monday, July 23, 2018 by Amy

Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month? Yep, it’s true!

Yum-O!

Below are some tasty treats and sweet reads for kids and adults to help beat the heat this summer. Enjoy!

Ice Cream Summer book cover

Ice Cream Summer” by Peter Sis

A little boy writes a letter to his grandfather about all the reading and studying he is doing this summer, and all his activities revolve around ice cream!

From Milk to Ice Cream book cover

From Milk to Ice Cream” by Bridget Heos

A child wonders where ice cream comes from and learns about the jobs of a dairy farmer, a sugarcane farmer and factory workers in an ice cream factory. This illustrated narrative nonfiction book includes a world map of where dairy cows and sugarcane are raised as well as a glossary and further resources.

A Snicker of Magic book cover

A Snicker of Magic” by Natalie Lloyd

The Pickles are new to Midnight Gulch, Tennessee, a town which legend says was once magic. Felicity is convinced the magic is still there, and with the help of her new friend Jonah the Beedle, she hopes to bring the magic back.The Little Ice Cream Truck book cover

The Little Ice Cream Truck” by Margery Cuyler

Everyone smiles when the little ice cream truck, loaded up with tasty treats, shows up at parties, baseball games, parks and zoos.
The Perfect Scoop book cover

The Perfect Scoop” by David Lebovitz

This comprehensive collection of homemade ice creams, sorbets, gelatos, granitas and accompaniments emphasizes classic and sophisticated flavors alongside a bountiful helping of personality and proven technique.

 

Navigating the World of Social Behaviors

Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2018 by Molly

Child SharingThe world is an amazing place for young children. Growing up is an adventure, and everything must be tasted, smelled, touched. And yet, bridging the gap between childhood and adulthood is far from a walk in the park. Mastering basic fundamentals, such as walking and talking, is no small feat. Add to that the long list of appropriate social behaviors kids must learn. For instance, while eating food is encouraged, biting another person is taboo. Whereas holding a toy for the first time might garner smiles and applause, not sharing toys is frowned upon. With so many “rules” or social norms to absorb, it’s no wonder children find this whole becoming-an-adult thing confusing!

A great way to help your child confidently navigate the world of appropriate social behaviors is by introducing them to fictional characters who struggle with the same issues. This is where the library can be an awesome resource!

DBRL shelves numerous books on teaching social behaviors. Here’s a few to get you started. Continue reading “Navigating the World of Social Behaviors”

Books We Love: Animal Handprints

Posted on Monday, July 16, 2018 by Megan

Animal handprint art

What has two thumbs and loves this book? ME! From the moment I flipped through Handprint Animals” by Henu Mehtani and saw that I could turn my handprint into a walrus or a sheep, I was hooked! If you have a handprint, paper, paint and googly eyes, then you have all the makings for some fine art. Sadly, this book doesn’t include instructions on how to paint a unicorn. However, it does have instructions for a narwhal, which, as we all know, are the unicorns of the sea. Check out this book to see how you can make your own handy-works of art!

Animal Handprint book

Celebrate National Jello Day!

Posted on Thursday, July 12, 2018 by Brianna

jelloToday is National Eat Your Jello Day! Yep. It’s a thing! Eating jello is of course incredibly enjoyable, but did you know there are all kinds of other fun things to do with jello? One of my favorite things about jello is the way it feels, which makes it great for sensory activities. If you want a fun and easy experience for little one, try making a jello sensory bin.

jello mix

  1. Make some batches of jello, following the instructions on the box. If you use different colors and flavors, it will add to the fun.
  2. Put all your jello in a bin. A clean dish tub works great for this.
  3. Throw in some partially frozen fruit. This will create various textures and temperatures for your child, as well as providing a tasty addition to the snack.
  4. Set your kiddo up next to the bin, and watch the sensory fun happen!

Continue reading “Celebrate National Jello Day!”

Summer Reading 2018 Book Lists for Kids

Posted on Monday, July 9, 2018 by Erin

Books outdoors

One of the hardest things to do after reading a great book is finding what to read next. I want a book that I know will be worth my time. When working with youth, finding the right book can help foster their love for reading. That’s where book lists come in!

DBRL Kids & Parents has many book lists, including our own Summer Reading book lists. But if you have already exhausted those, check out The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) books lists below. ALSC is a branch of the American Library Association that is dedicated solely to children, and their book lists are always superb.

I’ve adapted the book lists to display each book’s location at DBRL. Happy reading!

National Kitten Day!

Posted on Thursday, July 5, 2018 by Lyndsey

KittenKittens! It’s hard not to get excited when you see these oh-so-adorable fluff balls. July 10 is National Kitten Day, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate! Now is the purrfect time to adopt or foster a kitten in need of a home! Or, if that’s too much of a commitment, you can simply look at pictures of kittens. According to The Washington Post, looking at pictures of baby animals increases productivity. No, seriously! 

Looking for a good book about kittens? The library has books for new cat owners as well as silly stories about these mischievous pets.

Check out some of these titles:

Go, Bookmobile, Jr! Go!

Posted on Monday, July 2, 2018 by Josh

Eight years ago to this very month, Bookmobile, Jr. started traversing the streets of Mid-Missouri. You might be surprised to see how much this little guy scoots around town. Read on to find out where our wondering Bookmobile, Jr. tends to travel.

Child Care Centers

Did you know that Bookmobile, Jr. visits more than 25 child care centers every month in rural areas in Boone and Callaway Counties? He visits centers both big and small, bringing books right to the front door! Teachers and kids can check out books,Bookmobile Jr. and DBRL staff entertain with fun story times. Over the eight years that Bookmobile, Jr. has been in service, we have done over 2,800 story times; that’s a LOT of stories!

Special Events

If there is anything Bookmobile, Jr. loves, it’s getting out into the community. On a typical day, Jr. will get back from a childcare center and then immediately head out to a community event that very same night! Over the years, we’ve been lucky enough to be invited to some incredible community events, including Family Fun Fest, Tons of Trucks, Ashland Fall Festival and so much more. Continue reading “Go, Bookmobile, Jr! Go!”

The Tallest of American Tales

Posted on Thursday, June 28, 2018 by Mitch

Believe it or not, June 28th is National Paul Bunyan Day. (Yes, there really is a day for everything!) If you’re unaware, Paul Bunyan and his blue ox Babe are legendary folktale heroes, first mentioned in print in 1904. Throughout the following century, the tales grew taller. Some of my favorite accounts of Mr. Bunyan include him requiring five gigantic storks to carry him to his parents, the creation of the Grand Canyon and Babe digging out the many lakes of Michigan.

Reading Paul Bunyan stories with your children is a a great way to spark their imaginations. The tales are wholesome and full of pure Americana. Here’s a few books we have in our catalog. As you read them, make sure to keep track of your time with your Summer Reading trackers!

Below are three of my favorite Paul Bunyan books for kids. 

  • Paul Bunyan’s Sweetheart” by Marybeth Lorbiecki
    Paul restores Michigan’s natural landscape in hopes of winning Lucette Diana Kensack’s heart.
  • Paul Bunyan, A Tall Tale” by Steven Kellogg
    This nonfiction book offers various takes on famous Paul Bunyan folklore.

Brush up Your Summertime Fun Skills!

Posted on Thursday, June 21, 2018 by Molly

Kids playing outsideThe great outdoors is officially open! Time to jump into all those warm weather activities you and your family have been dreaming of for the past several months, right? Then again, what if your child is dreading their first swim lesson or struggling to ride their bike? Do you really know the official rules for sports such as four square, soccer or softball?

Don’t panic. You simply need to brush up on some of your summertime fun skills. Fortunately, DBRL offers a wide variety of books to help your family make a real splash this summer!

For instance, when it comes to helping your child master that two-wheeler, look no further than “Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle” by Christopher Raschka. This story features a father teaching his daughter about bicycle riding, covering everything from selecting the right bike to never giving up.

Calm your little one’s swimming jitters by reading “Maisy Learns to Swim” by Lucy Cousins or “Froggy Learns to Swim” by Jonathan London. Refresh your own aquatic safety skills with the book, “Learn to Swim Step-by-step: Water Confidence and Safety Skills for Babies and Young Children.”

Want to avoid (at least a few) squabbles this summer? Review the rules of traditional playground games and activities. Check out “The Kingfisher Playtime Treasury: A collection of Playground Rhymes, Games and Action Songs” for singing and dancing games, as well as ball-bouncing rhymes. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about jumping rope by reading “Jump Rope” by Dana Meachen Rau. For the rules for more than 250 games and sports, pick  up Hopscotch, Hangman, Hot Potato and Ha, Ha, Ha” by Jack Maguire.

Finally, so you don’t drop the ball on team sports, pick up a few tips from books like these!