College bound?

Join  us  this  Tuesday  at 630  for

College Affordability:

 

An in-depth presentation on how college finances work and how you can find colleges that will be an excellent financial fit. Topics include: costs of college; expected family contribution; federal and state aid; need-based aid and merit aid from colleges; how to save for college; and strategies for finding great colleges that also fit your family finances.

  For  more information  on this  and other  college  programs  , click  on  the  CollegeBound flyer .

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Be creative and enjoy your words

I have discovered a site I love. I go there to play with words and create a picture from them. The search topic I used to find it was “word art” or “word clouds” and I find this tool very useful. You can make some very interesting cards or presentations using the key words you think of in connection to events such as the upcoming Mother’s Day or for anyones birthday. I like making cards and expressing how I feel about the person. It shows thought and your perceptions to others.

The website is:

http://www.wordle.net

You can choose fonts and colors and get as fancy as you like.  Print it out and give it away to your special someone. Try it for yourself and make a special card for Mom just to show her you care enough to give some of your time thinking about what a great person she is!

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Drugs

Every now and then, the need
for drug information arises.  What did
the doctor prescribe for the conditions?
Any side effects?  What are the common
herbal treatments?  What are the best buy
drugs?  Where can we find information on
natural medicine?

Answers to all the above
questions can be found in the Health and Medical Information Guide on our
website at:

http://guides.aclibrary.org/content.php?pid=130163&sid=1139657

 

Besides the commonly known
Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR), there is many an other resource available,
such as MedlinePlus and Consumer Reports.
Check them out!

Recent editions of
Physician’s Desk Reference are available for check out.  Their call numbers are 615.1 PHYSICIANS’.

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Picture Books

I thought I would share some of my favorite picture books that we’ve used in preschool storytime. These are perfect for children ages 3-5 years old (and younger children that will sit for stories).

	Where is Tippy Toes? by Betsy Lewin
	The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson
	The Little Rabbit Who Liked to Say Moo by Jonathan Allen
	Snip! Snap! What’s That? by Mara Bergman
	Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
	The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri
	Move Over, Rover! by Karen Beaumont
	Bubblegum, Bubblegum by Lisa Wheeler
	Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells
	Bear Snores on by Karma Wilson

 

Hope you will enjoy one or more of these picture books with your little ones. Find them now using our catalog at http://encore.aclibrary.org/iii/encore/home?lang=eng.

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Free Parent Magazines in the Children’s Area

 

Summer Camp Special

 

 We have many free magazines in the Children’s Area that parents find helpful.  They give good advice, and tell of various events in Alameda County.

These pictured are only a few.  We also have Parents’ Press as well as the popular magazine “Ohlone for Kids” which explains their summer enrichment program.

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sping edition: Autism and the Power of Play

 

 Dandelion magazine has great information for summer camps.  Start early to find the right camp for our child.  Many camps hold open houses during the spring months and fill up fast.  The American Camp Association’s website CampParents.org allows you to serch camps by specific special need.  

This issue also has an empowering article concerning a unique treatment of Autism.       

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Child Safety Tips

 

Often times, young children aren’t aware of crime and safety. Kids are more focused on a new video game, riding bikes or playing with their friends. Unfortunately, kids can get hurt and/or become the victim of crime.

Here are some tips to share with your children:

Theft prevention:

•  Keep track of possessions (bikes, games, sports equipment, and other valuables) – Don’t leave them unattended.
•  Put bikes away immediately when you get home (use a cable & lock).
•  Don’t brag and show off money or other valuables.

Walking:

•  Always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be there.
•  Walk with a buddy or group of friends when possible.
•  Be aware of who and what is going on around you.
•  Avoid alleys and shortcuts that take you out of view.
•  If harassed by someone in a car, turn around and go in the opposite direction.
•  Pre-plan and know places on your route where you might get help.
•  If you think you are being followed go to a public place.
•  Don’t go out at night alone.
•  Don’t accept rides from someone you don’t know.
•  Don’t let anyone get too close to you.

Home alone:

•  Know how to use all the doors, windows, and locks.
•  Keep doors and windows locked when home alone.
•  Keep the name and phone number of a trusted adult by the phone, so you have an emergency contact person.
•  Have an adult or trusted neighbor you can go to, if you must leave the house.

And here are some books for you to teach your children stay safe:

A Smart Kid’s Guide to Avoiding Online Predators / by David Jakubiak

 Say No and Go: Stranger Safety   / by Jill Donahue

Ashley Learns About Strangers  /by Sarah, Duchess of York

I Can Play It Safe / by Alison Feigh

 Safety in your neighborhood / by Lucia Raatma

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Happy Earth Day

There are many ways to celebrate. Get a free cup of coffee or tea at Starbucks when you bring in a reusable cup.

Or watch the Peregrine Falcon Cam in San Jose.

and of course, you can come find a book.

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Bay Area poet winner of 2011 Pulitzer Prize.

Pulitzer Prize in poetry awarded to “The Best of It: New and Selected Poems,” by Kay Ryan (Grove Press), a body of work spanning 45 years, witty, rebellious and yet tender, a treasure trove of an iconoclastic and joyful mind.

(from http://www.pulitzer.org/citation/2011-Poetry)

Please view Library holding for her works.

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Have you ordered your free credit report?

If you haven’t, you can start here.  A credit card number or bank account information is not necessary for California consumers to receive a free credit report from Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion, the three companies that keep consumer financial profiles.  Be very leery if you are asked to provide your credit card or bank account information.  Read the reminder from California’s Attorney General and be warned.

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HOGWARTS AND ALL: THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER

Part 2: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter–the Attractions/Shows

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in June 2010 in  Universal’s Islands of Adventure, one of two Universal Studios parks in Orlando, Florida (the other is Universal Studios Florida) after 2-1/2 years in the making.  When you enter Islands of Adventure, you head to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter section and you will be given a voucher telling you when you may enter the area. For some, laying eyes on the park may be like my colleague after seeing the first film—it may bring tears to your eyes.  There’s Hogsmeade. The Hogwarts Express train and train station. And Hogwarts Castle towers over it all.

There are three rides and two ongoing shows in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which we will abbreviate as WWOHP.

“Flight of the Hippogriff” is a roller coaster which both kids and adults can ride (it being the tamest of the three). Its premise is that you are getting Hippogriff riding lessons.  Buckbeak and Hagrid’s hut can be seen from the queue of this ride.

“Dragon Challenge” is also a roller coaster which features two paths—you can choose either the Chinese Fireball or the Hungarian Horntail. Elements from the Triwizard Tournament can be seen in the queue of this ride.

“Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” has the longest line and is an awesome attraction! Housed in Hogwarts, the walk-up as you are waiting is equally awesome. You will see the talking portraits, Mirror of Erised, Dumbledore’s office, and the Sorting Hat talking and more on your way to the actual ride. (If fast rides that change direction frequently are not your thing, you may just want to do the walk-up, which is indeed worth it). Once on the ride, you are sprung from class by Harry and his mates to watch a Quidditch game but end up having to avoid giant spiders, dragons and Dementors—of which you can feel the breath!—and you are applauded at the end not only by Harry and his mates, but the Hogwarts faculty as well. (This ride has been described as Disney’s “Soarin’ over California” Meets Islands of Adventures “Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man”–!)  If you want to go on this ride, this would be your first destination.

The two shows (non-rides) are the “Triwizard Spirit Rallies” featuring the Beauxbatons and the Durmstrang students, and the “Frog Choir,” starring students from Hogwarts singing and holding some very large frogs doing like-wise! (Check with park personnel for show times).

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