New Non-Fiction - January 2013

One of our newest Non-Fiction books to come into the Youth Service Department is National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry (J 808.81 BOOK...). It's edited by J. Patrick Lewis, a U.S. Children's Poet Laureate (want to find out what a Children's Poet Laureate is?  click here).

There are many poems by famous poets (Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, Robert Frost) and many new favorites for children and adults to explore. Paired with the beautiful nature photographs you would expect from National Geographic everyone is sure to find something they enjoy!

Poetry is a fun way to get avid and reluctant readers involved in literacy. There are also pages in the back that talk about the many ways to write poems. Children of all ages will love to write there own 'shape poem' like Flamingo (pg 118). 

Check out this wonderful new addition to our collection today!

Sing, Sing a Song! Open Mike Night

Oak Brook's definitely got talent! We sang, recited poetry, and had a great time. Some of the talent included  lovely performances of Amazing Grace and Hound Dog, a fantastic poem written by Langston Hughes, and a lion picture drawn by a very talented young artist.The following are some of the attendees of the show! Everybody take a bow you certainly deserve a big round of applause for sharing your exceptional talents with us. 

Oak Brook's Got Talent! Open Mike Talent Show on April 20th

What's your talent? Do you sing, write poetry, play an instrument or dance? If you do this show is for you. Grab your dancing shoes, poetry journal, sheet music, or violin and visit the library on Wednesday, April 20th at 7 pm for a memorable night of the performing arts in all its forms. In this program, you're the star of the show! Open to those in grades K-12.

For more information contact the Y.S. Reference Desk at 630-368-7734

Hey There Superstar!

Perky Poems that Pick You Up! (Jennifer's Poetry Picks for Young Readers)

Poetry blends the artistry of the written word with the beauty of rhythm and rhyme. Poems are a great way to introduce even the youngest child to the sounds of language in an engaging and musical way. Take a trip to the library and check out our vast variety of poetry ranging from humorous to haiku.


Here's my perky poetry picks which can be found at your library!

• City I Love by Lee Bennett Hopkins (Poems about cities)
• Come To My Party and Other Shape Poems by Heidi B. Roemer (Delightful poems in the shapes of their subjects (ex. a poem about mittens in a mitten shape)
• Busy In The Garden by George Shannon (Poems about gardening and the great outdoors)
• Lunch Money and Other Poems About School by Carol Diggory Shields
• From the Doghouse: Poems to Chew On by Amy E. Sklansky (Poems about dogs)
• Here's A Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry collected by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters (Beautiful poems obtained through the talents of numerous authors)

Here's a sample of a poem that is something to bark home about!

Astrodog

I'm on my way to outer space 

just like I always dream. 

I'm riding in a spaceship--

what a marvelous machine!

It launched me high above the earth 

and right on past the moon. 

Inside I'm like a butterfly 

still wrapped in its cocoon. 

Up here it's black as darkest night. 

The earth looks blue and green. 

I travel through the starry sky 

toward places never seen. 

(Poem found in From the Doghouse: Poems to Chew On by Amy E. Sklansky)

Doggone good poetry!