We the Kids

Posted on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 by Erin

Book DisplayDecember 15, 2016 marked the 225th anniversary of the Bill of Rights. To celebrate this momentous occasion, the Columbia Public Library is presenting a display about the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights display is made possible by Missouri Humanities Council in partnership with the National Archives.

What is the Bill of Rights, and why is it important? The Bill of Rights is a document written by the founding fathers that displays the first 10 amendments of the U.S. Constitution. These amendments were written by James Madison to protect the rights of individual citizens.

Want to help your kids understand the Constitution? Build one together as a family! Continue reading “We the Kids”

Floating Ball Activity

Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2017 by Katie

Photo of a librarian playing the floating ball activity
Megan, a Youth Services Librarian at DBRL, gives the floating ball activity a try.

Looking for a quick, educational way to keep you kids quietly entertained? Then try this simple floating ball activity. It’s great for indoor fun and only requires a few household items.

What you’ll need

  • Bendy straw
  • Paper
  • Tape
  • Paper ball, ping pong ball or pom pom
  • Scissors

What you’ll do Continue reading “Floating Ball Activity”

Gross Out at Your Library!

Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 by Kristy

Do you like slimy, creepy, crawly, smelly things? When most people say, “Yuck!”, do you say, “Yay!”? Then you’ll want to join us to explore the science behind the stench and the reason behind the repulsive. Come to our Gross Out! program to make boogers and stay to meet the Madagascar hissing cockroaches!

Gross Out! will be on Friday, January 20 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Kids ages 7 and up will meet in the Children’s Program Room at the Columbia Public Library. To register, please call (573) 443-3161.

Want some revolting reads to keep you busy while you wait for Gross Out!? Then check out these nasty nonfiction books! Continue reading “Gross Out at Your Library!”

2016 Mock Newbery Winners

Posted on Thursday, January 5, 2017 by Megan

This past fall, the Columbia Public Library hosted its fifth season of the Heavy Medal Mock Newbery program. Youth in grades 4-8 were invited to join us twice per month to discuss possible Newbery Award contenders for 2016. At these interactive sessions, we discussed six Newbery contender books, and kids were able to defend the book they felt deserved the Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Award.

This year we read the following books:

Continue reading “2016 Mock Newbery Winners”

New Year, New Books!

Posted on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 by Josh

2017 looks like it’s going to be a great year for children’s literature. There are tons of new children’s books coming out, but the three I’m most looking forward to are “Nancy Clancy: Late-Breaking News!” “We’re All Wonders” and “The Lengend of Rock Paper Scissors.”

“Nancy Clancy: Late-Breaking News!” "Nancy Clancy: Late-Breaking News!" book cover
Jane O’Connor – Release: 02/28/2017

If you a fan of the “Fancy Nancy” picture books, you’ll love the “Nancy Clancy” chapter books feature a slightly older Nancy. “Late-Breaking News” is the finale to the series and finds Nancy trying to be the star reporter of the Third Grade Gazette. There will be plenty of mystery, mischief and fun to be had! Continue reading “New Year, New Books!”

Best Children’s Books of 2016

Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 by Amy

As 2016 comes to an end, the children’s staff at DBRL have been reminiscing about the fabulous new books that arrived on our shelves this year. While it’s hard to pick a favorite, there were some books that stood apart from the rest. Here are our top 11 favorite picture books and chapter books published in 2016.

"We Found a Hat" book cover

We Found A Hat” by Jon Klassen

Klassen has a knack for creating an engaging story on a simple premise. The sneaky turtles are fun to watch as they try to decide who gets to wear the hat they found. It’s just a really funny book, and it is beautiful to look at. ~Josh

Jon Klassen’s illustrations are as charming as ever, and I loved the story’s conflict-free, dreamy ending. ~Otter
Continue reading “Best Children’s Books of 2016”

Books We Love: Madeline Finn and the Library Dog

Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2016 by Corey

"Madeline Finn and the Library Dog" book coverIf you love both libraries and dogs you will adore “Madeline Finn and the Library Dog” by Lisa Papp. Madeline is a frustrated little girl who claims that she hates to read. Every time she has to read aloud in class, she messes up words and doesn’t earn a gold star.

Madeline’s mother does all she can to help her daughter feel more confident about her reading skills. One day she takes Madeline to their local library where Madeline meets Bonnie. Bonnie is a large white shepherd dog. She is an excellent listener and doesn’t care if Madeline messes up the words sometimes. Continue reading “Books We Love: Madeline Finn and the Library Dog”

Wonderful Winter Activities

Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 by Kristy

Photograph of a snowman paintingBrrr. Baby, it’s cold outside! As winter begins and the cold settles in to stay, you may find yourself searching for some entertaining indoor activities to keep you and your kiddos entertained. Well, look no further! If you want an inexpensive craft that is (relatively) easy to clean up, try out a cotton swab snowman.

What you’ll need:

  • Paint (Make sure you have black, white and orange.)
  • Cotton swabs
  • Blue paper

Continue reading “Wonderful Winter Activities”

Audiobooks We Love: The Key to Extraordinary

Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2016 by Megan

"The Key to Extraordinary" book coverOver the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go! Many of us will be traveling during the holiday season, and what better way to pass the time than with an audiobook? If you are looking for a crowd-pleaser, then look no further than Natalie Lloyd’s “The Key to Extraordinary.” It has everything: family secrets, buried treasure, ghosts and music! The music is one of the things that sets this audiobook apart. Why read the lyrics on the page when the narrator, Kate Simses, will bring the songs to life with her lovely southern accent?
Continue reading “Audiobooks We Love: The Key to Extraordinary”

Penguin Reads and Rhymes

Posted on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 by Erin

"The Not-So-Perfect Penguin" book coverOne of the best things about the library is that you and your child can learn anything you want! Recently I’ve become fascinated with penguins. I learned that these flightless birds have flippers that allow them to swim in the ocean. I also learned that the emperor penguins are the tallest species, standing nearly four feet tall. The smallest is the fairy penguin, which is only about 18 inches tall. To learn more fun facts about penguins, check out “Penguins” by Penelope Arlon.

I also love to read fictional stories with penguins in them. One of my favorites is “The Not-So-Perfect Penguin” by Steve Smallman. This story is about Percy — a lovable, silly penguin who was not so perfect. “The Not-So-Perfect Penguin” is a heartwarming book about acceptance of who you are even if you don’t act like everyone else.  Continue reading “Penguin Reads and Rhymes”