Books for Them

 



Beanstack is a new library resource that matches your child to quality children's literature, from  board books for babies to pre-teen fiction.

Just Imagine
Imagine your own electronic librarian, one who knows your child and can recommend books that meet their needs. Each week, your "Robo-brarian" would let you know about worthwhile books that fit your child's tastes and reading level. It would track reading, reward achievement, and suggest enrichment activities.

What Does Beanstack Do?
Beanstack sends e-mails with book suggestions tailored to your child's interests. The website features themed combinations of booklists for reading, subject exploration  learning tracks, and learning tips.

How To Begin
To begin with Beanstack, parents (or computer-savvy kids) fill out a reader profile with contact information, reading level, and reading likes. Explore the service. Enter what books are read. Earn colorful badges.

Oh, The Things You Can Do!
Beanstack's learning tracks are aimed at children from pre-readers to twelve-year-olds. Learning tracks are grouped sets of activities about animals, plants, cultures, behaviors, famous people, and other topics. Each theme has its own activities to engage young minds and reinforce learning skills. For example, the learning track on "Autumn" includes seven books to read, music to listen to, crafts, games, and fun facts. This FREE service helps prepare youngsters for a lifetime of learning. Come on! Climb the Beanstack!

WoW! promotes Early Literacy at EPU's Children's Center

EPU, Exceptional Children’s Center, welcomed Shannon and Kenny of the WoW! Team to promote free childhood literacy tools the library provides for parents during EPU’s Halloween Toddlerfest. 

Shannon and Kenny in action!

We made “Baby’s First Library Cards,” for kids aged 0-3, which gives children a head start on reading and developmental learning skills.   The library also offers Early Learning Centers at select branches which provide toys, games, and resources that build both literacy and the parent-child bonding experience. 

We showcased the library’s new children’s tablets, the LeapPad Ultra, and the iPad Air which are available for a 2 hour in house checkout, where kids can learn and play with new technology!  Parents were delighted to see how excited and captivated their kids were while using the tablets.  “My daughter was so well behaved; where can we use this?” said one parent.   Most branches have AWE Literacy Station touchscreen computers as well.

 iPad Air

Children's Tablet Checkout Locations (2 hour in-library use)

LeapPad Ultra- Cedar-Clinton, Fig Garden, West Fresno
iPad Air- Sunnyside, Mendota, Orange Cove

Parents were also excited about one of our most popular services “Dial-A-Story,” where you can call 559-600-TALE (8253), and listen to a children’s book read aloud.  A great way to keep your toddlers occupied and engaged!

And don’t forget to check the schedule of the Storytime events held at various branches!

Stories…and Beyond!

One of the most important steps in learning to read is making that connection between letters on a page and words that mean something. On the Fresno County Public Library website, one of the best tools for doing that is a FREE service called BookFlix. All you need is a library card number to unlock dozens of hours of reading and learning!

It features animated videos of picture books for children. Each one is read aloud, with the words highlighted as the story goes along. Since schools are moving into non-fiction-based learning, each fictional story is paired with a book that gives facts about a subject connected to the story.

The non-fiction book can be read aloud for you, or it can be read without audio help. Words that might be new to the reader are highlighted, and their meanings are revealed with a click of the mouse.

 

The book-pairs are fun and interesting. Bark, George, about a puppy with a strange problem, is teamed up with Pets at the Vet, which tells how veterinarians take care of animals and help them get well.

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat shows a worn-out coat that becomes a jacket, a vest, a scarf, and other things as the remaining pieces are remade into useful items.  That book is featured with Recycle That, about new uses for old trash.
  

BookFlix is a great way to make reading a habit, building a bridge between the printed page and a world of imagination and information. WoW!

P.S.--The FCPL also offers "Dial-A-Story," a call-in recording where a book is read by library staff. It's a great bedtime-helper, with the story changed every few weeks. Call 559-600-8253 (600-TALE) and give it a listen!