Sequoyah Book Awards

Do you know about the Oklahoma Library Association’s Sequoyah Award? The Sequoyah Award honors the Native American leader Sequoyah for his unique achievement in creating the Cherokee syllabary, some-times called the Cherokee alphabet. He created a way to preserve his people’s language and culture. The Sequoyah Award is a children’s choice award. That means that the kids of Oklahoma read from a special list called a masterlist and then choose and vote for their favorite title. The books on the Sequoyah Masterlists are selected by the Sequoyah Reading Teams. There are 3 separate lists. The Children‟s list is for grades 3rd-5th. The Intermediate list is for grades 6th-8th. The High School list is for grades 9th-12th. Each list has about 12-15 books on it BUT students only have to read a minimum of 3 books to vote. Voting takes place annually in February and March. You can vote at the library and the winners are announced in April at the Oklahoma Library Association Conference. Go to http://www.oklibs.org/modx/Organization/Committees/Sequoyah.htm for more information!

Book of the week: The Single Mother’s Book

More than 14 million women in American are single mothers, facing the headaches and heartaches of their challenging role as sole head of the household. This comprehensive guide features practical solutions for surviving and succeeding as a single mother. Anderson offers real answers to real problems, from financial planning to coping with divorce. Drawing on her own experience as a single parent, Anderson inspires confidence and offers comfort and hope.

Picture book of the week: The Tickly Monster

The Tickly Monster is a funny, furry little fellow with many pairs of hands. His story is told in verse. “He tickles your tummy and knows you will giggle…. Then he tickles some more…. And you start to wiggle!” This gentle little story finally ends when Mom and Dad tuck baby into bed with all his friendly stuffed animals.

Picture book of the week: Clifford the big red dog

Emily Elizabeth has a big red dog–the biggest, reddest dog on her street, and his name is Clifford. How big is he? He’s so big that when he runs after cars, he catches them in his mouth, and his doghouse is bigger than Emily Elizabeth’s house.

Book of the week: 5001 things for kids to do

5,001 Things for Kids to Do will keep kids occupied for hours in fun, mind-expanding ways. Here’s just a sampling of what you’ll find in this creative, one-of-a-kind guide:
– Invent a secret formula
– Be a reporter for a day
– Create a new board game
– Paint a self-portrait
– Play balloon volleyball
– Draw travel “stickers” for all the places you have been
– Write a letter about a law you think needs to be changed
– Make a real Mr. Potato Head
– Build a totem pole
– Make your own business cards
– Bury treasure and draw a map for it
– Invent a new sport
– Be a founding member of an organization
– Design your own logo
– Write your diary in secret code
– Think about five things you’d like to have with you on a desert island

The ideal solution to long car rides and rainy-day doldrums, summer vacations, Sunday mornings, and those crucial seconds before the school bus comes, 5,001 Things for Kids to Do will keep children happily entertained for hours, even days, at a time.

For more boredom busters got to http://www.funology.com/

Picture book of the week: Corduroy goes to the library

Corduroy goes to the library

Corduroy is excited-today he is taking a trip to the library.

First he returns his books, then he heads to the children’s section for story hour. The librarian reads stories about farms, and Corduroy and his friends make animals masks. Before he leaves, Corduroy picks out some books to take home. He can’t wait to come back to the library next week

Children will love lifting over thirty flaps to see all the fun things there are to do at the library-curl up in a cozy chair and read, look at magazines, play on the computer, and more.

Book of the week: The everything baby sign language book with DVD

The everything baby sign language book with DVD: get an early start communicating with your baby! by Teresa R. Simpson

Your baby cries hysterically and you can’t figure out what’s wrong. You provide all the usual solutions and still nothing works. If only he/she could talk . . . or sign!

Not being able to understand what your baby wants can be frustrating for both of you. But sign language enables you to communicate effectively, long before he/she can talk. Not only does this make life easier for you, it makes life easier for baby, too.

You and your baby will have fun learning signs for:

• Mommy, daddy, sister, and brother (family members)
• Happy, sad, hugs, and kisses (feelings and affection)
• Milk, juice, apple, and cereal (food and drink)
• Dog, cat, horse, and cow (favorite animals)
• Hot, cold, more, please, and thank you (everyday concerns)

Unlike most other books, The Everything Baby Sign Language Book with DVD teaches you and your child to use a combination of American Sign Language and homemade gestures to effectively convey needs, wants, and feelings. With this book and instructional DVD, you and your baby will be well on the way to speaking-without words!

Book of the Week: Parenting your out-of-control teenager

Parenting your out-of-control teenager: 7 steps to reestablish authority and reclaim love by Scott P. Sells

Every teenager rebels against authority at some point–talks back, breaks curfew, or disobeys. But literally millions of teens take their rebellion to a point where it disrupts their families and endangers their own futures or even their lives. If one of these teens is yours, you’ve probably lived through years of conflicting advice and pat solutions that don’t last. Finally, this breakthrough guide from a master therapist will show you the seven steps to positive, permanent change for you and your teenager:

1. Learn the real reasons for teen misbehavior.
2. Make an ironclad contract to stop that behavior.
3. Troubleshoot future problems.
4. End button-pushing.
5. Stop the “seven aces” — from disrespect to threats of violence.
6. Mobilize outside help.
7. Reclaim lost love within the family.

Clear, compassionate, and packed with real-life solutions to real-life problems, this book gives parents the tools they need to turn their families’ lives around for good.

Book of the week: Making children mind without losing yours

Making children mind without losing yours by Kevin Leman

A compassionate and no-nonsense approach to child-raising that teaches parents how to reasonably command discipline from their children while cultivating their love and respect.

If anyone understands why children behave the way they do, it’s psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman.  Equipping you with seven principles of Reality Discipline, this father of five shows you how to:

get kids to do what you want them to do

turn off temper tantrums and minimize sibling rivalries

use authority and decisiveness with your kids

use suitable allowances, curfews, and privileges

and much more…