Book Bingo, Youth Media Awards and Author Interviews

Youth Services

Winter 2018

February is Black History Month

Black History Month Kids Activity Guide

We love to celebrate the talented Black authors and illustrators who have contributed to the rich tapestry of children’s literature.

We invite you and your family to read a variety of Black authors, illustrators and stories this February by playing Black History Month Book Bingo. You'll find the bingo card in our Black History Month Kids Activity Guide [pdf].

Pick up a copy at any Library Branch, or download and print a copy. Then return your completed bingo card to the Library and you'll receive a prize!

Learn more on the Library website.


Youth Media Awards logo

Each year the American Library Association (ALA) honors books, videos, and other outstanding materials for children and teens.

The 2018 Youth Media Award announcements will take place on Monday, Feb. 12 - and you can bet we will be watching!

Our Winter Newsletter highlights some of our favorite Youth Media Award categories, with links to past winners, for every age.


Tot Spot: Babies & Preschoolers

Tot Spot

Promoting Baby Eye Development Milestones

baby reading

Did you know that babies aren't born with all the visual abilities they need in life?

Babies learn to see as their eyes develop over their first year of life - and an online tool called Baby Sight, developed by Vision Direct UK, allows parents to see the world through their baby’s developing eyes.

One of the best ways for parents and caregivers to stimulate a baby’s vision for proper development is to share books that feature high contrast black and white images.

While soft pastels are popular for baby toys and nursery decorations, research has shown that high contrasts send the strongest visual signals to an infant's brain, and stronger signals means more and faster brain and vision development.

Youth Services Librarian Jennifer, who leads the 2 p.m. Monday afternoon Baby Lapsit storytime at Central Library, loves to use these high contrast books with babies:

Black and White Books for babies


Youth Media Awards Highlight

Some of our favorite awards for babies and preschoolers:

caldecott medal

Caldecott Medal

The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published the preceding year by the ALA and the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC).

Find previous Caldecott Medal winners in the Library catalog.

Pura Belpré Award

Pura Belpré Award

Pura Belpré was the first Latina librarian employed at the New York Public Library, and this award is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best celebrates the Latino cultural experience in literature for children.

Find previous Pura Belpré Award winners in the Library catalog.

Schneider Family Book Award

Schneider Family Book Award

The Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for children and young adult audiences.

Find previous Schneider Family Book Award winners in the Library catalog.

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Kids Corner: Elementary Schoolers

Kids Corner

When you can't get to the Library, the Library can come to you!

Stuck at home because of bad weather? Just found out about your child's last-minute report? Looking for a book to read together?

Never fear! We offers a variety of kid-friendly digital resources that you can access at time from home, and they're all free with your library card.   

These are some of our favorites:

bookflix

BookFlix

Kids can explore educational topics by listening to a storybook, reading a related nonfiction book, solving puzzles and "meeting" the author.

Learn more on the Library website.

 

Kids InfoBits

Kids InfoBits

Elementary school students can use this site to research a broad range of educational topics, drawing from age-appropriate, reliable, and authoritative books, images, magazines and news articles. Topics include animals, arts, geography, health, technology, social studies and more.

Learn more on the Library website.


national geographic kids

National Geographic Kids

Designed by National Geographic for kids age 6-14 to broaden their knowledge of science, nature, culture, archaeology, and space through reputable, authoritative, and age-appropriate content. 

The content includes issues of National Geographic Kids magazine from 2009-present, 280 National Geographic Kids books, 639 kid-friendly images, and 92 kid-friendly videos.

Learn more on the Library website.

 

Youth Media Awards Highlight

African American Authors and Illustrators

Coretta Scott King Award

Coretta Scott King Awards

Each January, as part of the Youth Media Awards, the American Librarian Association presents the Coretta Scott King Book award to outstanding African American authors/illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture.

The awards are given in honor of the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination towards peace and world brotherhood.

coretta Scott King award winners

Find previous Coretta Scott King Award winning authors and illustrators in the Library catalog.


Teen Zone: Middle & High School

teen zone

Young Adult Author Interviews on the TATAL Blog

When Dimple Met Rishi

One of our favorite books from 2017 is "When Dimple Met Rishi," - a title that's on many best-of the year lists. 

You can learn more about author Sandhya Menon in our exclusive interview on the TATAL (Teens at the Arlington Library) Blog!

She chatted with us in November about writing dialogue, being a teen who loved writing, and what to be on the lookout for from her next.

 

NoVA TEEN Book Festival

nova teen book festival

One of the thing we value the most is sharing the fun of reading for pleasure, especially with teens!

And what better way to get inspired than by meeting your favorite author - or connecting with an author who will become your new favorite? 

On March 10, 2018, the 5th annual NoVA Teen Book Festival will bring over 25 Young Adult Authors to Washington-Lee High School.

Register to attend, volunteer, or just learn more on the NoVA Teen Book Festival website

 

Youth Media Awards Highlight

YALSA NF

YALSA Award for Outstanding Young Adult Nonfiction

Many teens ask us for nonfiction that is fun to read. Not only do these award winners shine a light on interesting people and events, but they  introduce readers to authors who consistently deliver great writing.

YALSA nonfiction

Find previous YALSA Nonfiction Winners and Finalists in the Library catalog.


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