Every library needs a FROZEN Party!

Thanks to everyone who came out to our Magical Frozen Party.

It was a HUGE SUCCESS!! 

We had a blast playing in SNOW 

and fantastic time talking to Elsa.

Frozen sing-along was a smashing hit 

Special thanks to all those who volunteered their time and talents!

 

- See more at: http://www.hcpl.net/content/frozen-party-2014#sthash.C0gJbQC0.dpuf

Images have Power

(image by M. Moore, '06)

As the world witnessed last week’s events of attacks being triggered by cartoon,

it also witnessed the power that images can carry.

Pictures have the power to offend, anger and enrage.
Pictures can also calm, enlighten and encourage.  The media is becoming more image heavy as it is a quicker way to communicate messages.  Libraries are full of books with the emphasis on the written language, but they are also filled with images.
Making and deciphering images is a language all on its own and we invite interested adults to join us in the image-making process.

Libraries are a perfect space for image-making and image deciphering.  Images ARE information and as information professionals, librarians are at the forefront of information distribution.  I think our role in immersing ourselves in the visual language is a vital one as well as one that has not been highlighted  fully.  

- See more at: http://www.hcpl.net/content/images-are-powerful#sthash.TzMMgK2U.dpuf

Great Apps for Kids!

(image by Kidaptive.com)

Here is a great app that deserves to be highlighted in our app review series.  It is made by Kidcaptive and is called Leo’d Pad.
It features a young Leo (inspired by Leonardo DaVinci) and his friend Gally (from Galileo).  They experience compelling adventures that engage young children in learning academic and social skills.
It is beautifully animated, highly creative and is an engaging way to teach Kindergarten skills through personalized journeys and discovery. - See more at: http://www.hcpl.net/content/great-apps-kids#sthash.Lx3RoBB4.dpuf

(image by Kidaptive.com)

Created by Stanford University researchers, this is a great quality app that utilizes story immersion as an active and entertaining way to child’s cognitive development.
It is customizable to let the parent know the level and style of their child’s learning.  It also gives suggestions about how to help each individual child reach benchmarks that are critical to a child’s lifelong learning success. 

(image by Kidaptive.com)

The first chapter of Leo’s Pad is free then other chapters can be purchased separately.  Each chapter stands alone as an excellent story and game.
 

If you'd like to learn more about new research in learning through apps, click here to read an informative article about this game and its developers.

- See more at: http://www.hcpl.net/content/great-apps-kids#sthash.Lx3RoBB4.dpuf

Great Apps for Kids!

Oftentimes we’re on the go and need to find just the right book in no time.  FarFaria offers that luxury.  With over 900 books that are categorized by theme and by reading level, it is easy to find children’s books on most topics.
FarFaria is like the Netflix of children’s books, but without the pesky ads and worries.  All stories are beautifully illustrated and some offer music that accompany each illustration.  Parents and children can safely browse the books by title, release date, and by reading level.  It is free to download and try for a month.  After that, it costs around $5.00/month with new books added each week for no additional cost and no in-app purchases.  I can’t wait to use some of the stories in our story time!

Click on the logo below to go to the website:

EDIT 03/28/2015: After using this app for a few story times I really think it's a hit.  Kids and parents enjoy the stories.  However, it is ONLY available through the iPad.  Not able to download/open using any other device.  I would like to be able to read and play the stories using a Laptop/Mac computer.  Maybe eventually.

- See more at: http://www.hcpl.net/content/great-apps-kids-0#sthash.m5bfYh2Z.dpuf

Great Apps for Kids at the Library!

....and not so great ones.

After having some issues with our iPad, I discovered another reading app called Epic!.  Epic! has a variety of books for kids sorted by age/grade level and themes.  It is available on a number of devices: computer, iPad and android.  Once downloaded, a teacher account can be made for free.  Educator account is free while all others are paid.  One helpful feature is that it stores a log of books read and assigns badges as a reward system.  Some books are as read only while others are read to the user.  It seems like the books that are dubbed with sound are less common though easy to find.  

One major drawback; it's glitchy.  In order to read a book during story time I have to download it first as it often does not play live.  If I try to play a book live, it hangs up, stops or has to reload and reloads from the beginning of the app login.  Today we tried to read a book from the site live and one page was reading while the following was silent. So we improvised and had one page read to us while we read the following pages.  

All in all, it's a good potential site, but I won't use it in my story time again.

But for the price of FREE it's definitely worth a try:  https://www.getepic.com/

- See more at: http://www.hcpl.net/content/great-apps-kids-1#sthash.TRNizSMD.dpuf