Experiments at the Children's Desk - Gummy Bear Science

This past week, we've been having a lot of fun in the youth services department. We're conducting experiments in our programs and at our desk now, too! Throughout the summer, we will have a rotating display of different science experiments and projects on display. First, we decided to see what would happen if we let gummy bears soak overnight in four different liquids: water, vinegar, water with baking soda, and saltwater.

We got the idea from the Science for Kids blog. The detailed work of measurement and worksheets would be better suited for an ongoing program, in the classroom, or at home, so we put our own spin on the activity. We lined up the bottles with the different liquids and taped down the normal gummy bears so that our young scientists could look at the differences in size, shape, and texture overtime. Children, parents, and caregivers made observations throughout the day and hypothesized about what might become of the soaking bears. The results were slightly tragic--most of them dissolved after about 24 hours! Our bears were completely immersed in air-tight bottles, which may have made our experiment slightly different from other results found on the web.

The bears in water, salt water, and vinegar all tinted their liquids with their respective colors, whereas the water and baking soda mixture remained quite translucent.

 The only gummy bear that survived was in the salt water, and he was quite inflated and jiggly!

New Arrivals

We've got some new Busy Bags in the Youth Services department.  These fun activities help kids build important new skills. Play with them in the library or check them out and take them home!

July 2014 Early Literacy Calendar

Download our July Early Literacy Calendar for some summer activities that encourage reading readiness!

Book Buzz July, 2014

When Life Gives You O.J. by Erica S. Perl

Ten-year-old Zelly is still adjusting to life in Vermont after leaving Brooklyn with her family to live with her Grandfather. Her family is Jewish and she finds there aren’t a lot of other Jewish families nearby, and this sometimes makes her feel uncomfortable. Summer has started and Zelly's best friend has left for camp, so she is a little bored. Plus she really, really wants a dog. Her eccentric Grandpa, also known as Ace, comes up with a sure fire plan to get her a dog… but he is the only one that thinks it is sure fire idea. Kristin (J Fiction)

Bad Kitty: Drawn to Trouble by Nick Bruel

For the 10^th book in the Bad Kitty Series, Nick Bruel, the author, decided to clue children in on the process of making a book. In Drawn to Trouble, we follow our friend Bad Kitty through all sorts of adventures. We get to learn a little about the author and also get a very quick art lesson on how to draw that main character. As you read this book, you learn how an author creates a character and setting. You also learn in a very humorous way about conflict, antagonists, and how to develop a great story. This story is very funny and it does not disappoint. Jacquie (J Fiction)

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children: The Graphic Novel  by Ransom Riggs.  

Sixteen-year-old Jacob Portman has grown up hearing his grandfather’s stories about the monsters that hunted him in his youth and the enchanted orphanage where he sought refuge. Jacob thinks these stories are just a metaphor for the Nazis and the horrors of the second World War, that is until his grandfather is murdered and Jacob sees a terrifyingly real monster. Suddenly Jacob finds himself journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. Perhaps his grandfather was telling the truth all along… Even if you’ve read the book, the graphic novel version is worth a second read.  Artist Cassandra Jean’s illustrations bring to life this “peculiar” story! Alia (Y Graphic)

Odessa Again by Dana Reinhardt

Have you ever wanted to go back in time to fix a mistake? What about just to make something go your way? This audiobook takes us on a journey with ten-year-old Odessa Green-Light after she discovers a time travel portal in her new attic bedroom. The trouble is, Odessa's time travel power becomes more limited each time she uses it, so she has to be sure to use it wisely. This is an exciting story about friendship and family with a slight hint of magic, and a fabulous narrator to boot. Cassie (J audio book)

Summer Reading Recommendations

It's hot outside this week. Beat the heat by curling up with a good book inside in the cool air. Check out Horn Book's 2014 Summer Reading recommendations.

Earn prizes for all that reading with the library's summer reading club. Starting on June 27, kids (entering pre-k through fifth grade) and their parents can log the minutes they read by clicking here! You can also log your reading by visiting the youth services department from June 27 - August 23.  

Raising A Reader

Read this article about steps you can take to help develop your young child as a reader. It is written by Michael Sullivan, a Family Literacy Specialist at the Tulsa City-County Library.

Parents today can feel a lot of pressure when it comes to reading. They know that children need to read well to succeed in school, thrive in a workforce changing so fast that all workers need to be learners, and to get the most out of their lives. Parents also know that their children will be tested early and often on reading skills. That has many parents wondering how to teach their children to read. But that isn’t really the question. Learning to read is actually a one-time process most kids accomplish in just a few years in school. But learning to read doesn’t do any good if the child doesn’t put that skill to use. The better question is, what can I do now to ensure my child will be a better reader later? (read more here...)

Book Buzz June, 2014

Toilet: How It Works by David Macaulay

Everyone knows what a toilet is for, but how many  people know how a toilet works? I mean how it really works – beyond the big flush that sends everything down the pipes. With this book you’ll learn where human waste comes from and where it goes.  From plumbing, to sewers, to water treatment plants, check this book out and all your bathroom questions will be answered! Alia (E Non-Fiction)

Amelia Bedelia Goes Wild by Herman Parish

Our good friend Amelia Bedelia is at it again.  After being home sick and not being able to go to the school field trip to the zoo, Amelia has a big idea.  A HUGE idea! She decides that she is going to turn her backyard into a wildlife experience.  With the help of her parents, friends, and teacher, Amelia Bedelia tries to put together a zoo of her own, with real live animals, some not so alive animals, and other fun activities where no animals are required! And why do the zoo and the news reporter show up at the Wildlife experience?  You will have to read it to find out!   
Jacquie (J Fiction)

The 14 Fibs of Gregory K. by Greg Pincus

Gregory K. is ending the school year on a downward spiral. He finds out his best friend in the whole world, Kelly, is moving away with her mother. He also lives in a family of math geniuses and learns that he may fail math for the year. His parents are called in to talk to him and his teacher about the math situation.  The worst part is, Gregory loves poetry and writing - he doesn't fit in with his family at all.  He ends up telling a few fibs, mainly so he doesn't hurt any feelings, but can he get everything under control?  
Kristin (J Fiction)

The Boy on the Porch by Sharon Creech

One day, a boy shows up on John and Marta’s porch with a note that reads “Plees taik kair of Jacob. He is agod good boy. Wil be bak wen we can.” Although John and Marta are quite confused, they begin to take care of Jacob, and find that he has an array of talents—like communicating with animals, painting (although his colors are a bit unique), and playing guitar beautifully. With the turn of each page we learn something new about Jacob and watch their strange family grow, until a man claiming to be Jacob’s father shows up—and John and Marta are heartbroken when he has to leave. This is a quiet but engaging book that readers of Patricia McLachlan and Katherine Paterson should try on for size. Best for readers 8 and up. Cassie (J Fiction)