Podcasts about children's librarian

Amber Emery, the Fargo Public Library’s Children’s Service’s Manager, joins Amy & JJ on "Read Across America Day".  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Links to Our Sponsors:  Robinson & Kole Attorneys - Personal Injuries/L&I ClaimsWhatcom TalkResources:Bellingham Public LibraryStuff You Should Know Podcast - Necco WafersNPR Life Kit Parenting PodcastWarning Signs of Too Much Screen Time - Priceless ParentingLimit Screen Time - Dr. Jane NelsonHow (and When) to Limit Kids' Tech Use - NY TimesIrresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked - Dr. Adam AlterPappyland: A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon, and the Things that Last - Wright ThompsonEmail the Show: (whatcomdadspodcast@gmail.com) 

There are so many jobs that DJT alums us their theatre experience for. In Kayla's case, it's being a children's librarian and running a voice acting website!

Meet Erin Linsenmeyer, Children's Librarian and Outreach Coordinator, and Allyson Renell, Children's Services Manager, while they discuss early literacy at the library and outreach programming; PAWSitive Therapy Troupe

This week, we talk about all things Cub Scouts! Our guest expert is Linda Ackerman, the Children's Librarian at the Portland Public Library in Tennessee. Listen in and get the scoop on how to become a Cub Scout, what the meetings are like, and how Cub Scouts are different from Boy Scouts. This is a great family-oriented program! To learn more, head over to www.scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/.

Superintendent Sawyer sits down with Krystal Brown, Children's Librarian at Attleboro Public Library; Donna Goldstein, K-12 Humanities Coordinator; and Kelly Reed, English Department Coordinator at Attleboro High School, to discuss the importance of reading and the connection between the Attleboro Public Library and the Attleboro Public Schools.

Here at BookNet, we've had children's titles on the mind since we opened up voting for our new Loan Stars Jr. list in November. The first Loan Stars Jr. list, consisting of Juvenile and Young Adult titles, will be released this March and while we're waiting to see what will make the inaugural list, there's been a lot of reflecting and bonding over memories of the books and library programs that led us to dedicate our lives to making them. It also raised questions about the state of children's publishing in Canada and the role that libraries play. So we decided to take our questions to children's librarian, Scott Robins, the Children's Services Specialist at the Don Mills branch of the Toronto Public Library. (Find the transcript of this episode here: https://www.booknetcanada.ca/blog/2019/2/25/podcast-a-childrens-librarian-on-the-state-of-childrens-publishing-in-canada) Connect with Loan Stars: Loan Stars: https://www.loanstars.ca/ Loan Stars Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loanstars Loan Stars Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoanStarsCA Loan Stars Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loanstarsca/ Loan Stars Tumblr: http://loanstars.tumblr.com/ Loan Stars Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/loanstars/ Loan Stars Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/54831332-loan-stars

Summary: Collection Management Library Associate Dianne Betsey and Silver Spring Librarian Christian Wilson talk about the history, development, and current state of African American literature.  Recording Date: January 9, 2019 Guests: Dianne Betsey, a Library Associate in our Collection Management Department and leader of the Rockville Memorial Library African American book discussion group. Christian Wilson, Children's Librarian at Silver Spring Library. Hosts: Lauren Martino What Our Guests Are Reading:  Dianne Betsey: Washington Black by Esi Edugyan Christian Wilson: Animal Farm by George Orwell Books and Other Media Mentioned During the Episode: All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren Cane River by Lalita Tademy By Gaslight by Steven Price Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley Darktown by Thomas Mullen Douglass' Women by Jewell Parker Rhodes Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin The Good Lord Bird by James McBride The Help by Kathryn Stockett The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison My Mother as I Recall Her by Rosetta Douglass Sprague Native Son by Richard Wright Passing by Nella Larsen P.S. Be Eleven by Rita Williams-Garcia Pudd'nhead Wilson by Mark Twain Push by Sapphire, the movie Precious is based on this book Quicksand by Nella Larsen A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry Ron's Big Mission by Rose Blue and Corinne J. Naden The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats Swing Time by Zadie Smith Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan, and its sequel Getting to Happy Authors Mentioned During this Episode: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Ta-Nehisi Coates Edwidge Danticat Ezra Jack Keats Iceberg Slim Nikki Giovanni Sister Souljah Omar Tyree Alice Walker  Other Items of Interest: Rockville Memorial Library African American Book Discussion Group Other African American books discussion groups at MCPL Read the transcript

Kathie Maclsaac Children's Librarian and co-founder of MG Book Village provides ideas for engaging children for Multicultural Children's Book Day, January 25th. Kathie shares with listeners one of her most successful activities she uses to engage her young patrons at the library. The activity is great for teacher and librarians looking for something fun on Multicultural Children's Book Day, a day to bring attention to all of the amazing children’s books available that celebrate diversity.  https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com https://mgbookvillage.org Activity- Book Passport: Create a small notebook for each student. Students earn badges for completion of tasks. Tasks can include answering questions about particular books or interacting with the librarian/teacher staff. Books can cover different cultures and each badge will reflect that culture. Badges can easily be made by copying illustrations from a book (pb) and using double sided tape/laminating. Kathie’s Diverse Book Recommendations for Passport Activity: Picture Books and Illustrated Chapter Books 1. When We Were Alone – David Alexander Robertson (illustrated by Julie Flett) 2. Drawn Together – Minh Lê (illustrated by Dan Santat) 3. The Day You Begin – Jacqueline Woodson (illustrated by Rafael López) 4. Dreamers – Yuyi Morales 5. Alma And How She Got Her Name – Juana Martinez-Neal 6. Bee Bim Bop – Linda Sue Park (illustrated by Ho Baek Lee) 7. Meet Yasmin – Saadia Faruqi (illustrated by Hatem Aly) 8. Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen – Debbi Michiko Florence (illustrated by Elizabet Vukovic) 9. Cilla Lee-Jenkins: Future Author Extraordinaire – Susan Tan (illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte) Middle Grade Books 1. Ahimsa – Supriya Kelkar 2. The Night Diary – Veera Hiranandani 3. Front Desk – Kelly Yang 4. Amal Unbound – Aisha Saeed 5. Dactyl Hill Squad – Daniel José Older 6. Tight – Torrey Maldonado 7. Ghost Boys – Jewell Parker Rhodes 8. So Done – Paula Chase 9. Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows – Ryan Calejo Diverse Picture Book Recommendations https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/multicultural-reading-resources/diversity-book-lists-for-kids/diversity-books-by-genre/diverse-picture-books/ Diverse Early Chapter Book Recommendationshttps://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/multicultural-reading-resources/diversity-book-lists-for-kids/diversity-books-by-genre/diverse-easy-readers-early-chapter-books/ Diverse Chapter Books and Young Adult Recommendationshttps://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/multicultural-reading-resources/diversity-book-lists-for-kids/diversity-books-by-genre/diverse-chapter-books/ The host Michele McAvoy is an award-winning children’s book author. Interested in a School Visit (teachers/librarians), a picture-book critique (writers) or appearing on the My Messy Muse podcast (all of the above) please visit Michele’s website at www.michelemcavoy.com/workwithme Subscribe to Michele’s newsletter to receive a FREE print entitled “Someone Special” from her most recent picture book THE GORILLA PICKED ME! with Native Ink Press.

Nic and Eric are joined by Children's Librarian, Kate as they discuss the 2018 winners of the Goodreads Choice Awards! https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-books-2018?int=gca_eb

Summary: Freedom to read enthusiasts and MCPL librarians Alessandro Russo and Danielle Deaver talk about Banned Books Week (September 23-29, 2018), the annual awareness campaign that celebrates the freedom to read and warns of ongoing efforts to challenge and ban books.  Recording Date: September 12, 2018 Guests: Danielle Deaver, Children's Librarian at Germantown Library.  Alessandro Russo, Senior Librarian at Olney Library.  Hosts: Julie Dina and David Payne What Our Guests Are Reading:  Danielle Deaver: Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions by Mario Giordano  Alessandro Russo: Jim Henson: the Biography by Brian Jay Jones Books and Authors Mentioned During this Episode: Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie American Heritage Dictionary The Bible Judy Blume, an American author best known for her children's books, whose books have been frequently challenged or banned.  Bone series by Jeff Smith. The first book in the series is Out from Boneville.  Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger Drama by Raina Telgemeier The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank  Fifty Shades triology by E. L. James. Includes Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, and Fifty Shades Freed.  Go the F**k to Sleep by Adam Mansbach Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. The first book in the series is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.  The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas  I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak  Other Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode: American Library Association Infographic of Recent Banned Book Statistics "Banned Books Are Often Diverse Books. Check the Stats." by Emily Knox Banned Books Week Common Sense Media: Online guide to books, movies, and other media for parents. See also the site's "Why Your Kid Should Read Banned Books" article.  MCPL Collection Policy: The Montgomery County Public Libraries’ Collections Policy presents the strategies to develop, expand, diversify, and build 21st century library collections to meet the library needs and expectations of the Montgomery County residents/communities. Overdrive: An online collection of e-books, audiobooks, and e-magazine available for free to MCPL library card holders.  Special Family Storytime: Banned Books: A family storytime held on September 25, at Gaithersburg Library that featured children's books which have been banned or challenged.  Read the transcript

In this episode of Life Told By a Stranger, Daniella Lake speaks with Lauren Kratz. Lauren grew up in Queens, New York. Lauren is a Children's Librarian and has some funny stories to tell! After learning more about Lauren's background, Daniella asks Lauren four questions about life!

Betty Lawson (or "Miss Betty" as she is known to most of her favorite people) is the Children's Librarian at Wayne County Public Library. Learn how she turned a part-time volunteer gig into a full-time job that she absolutely LOVES. You'll love hearing Betty's outlook on raising a family, keeping kids entertained, and her taste in dessert! This interview was recorded July 5th, 2018.

Summary: Librarians Christine Freeman and Lauren Martino talk about MCPL's upcoming Summer Read and Learn program, which starts June 9 and runs through September 9. This program offers children and teens fun incentives to read and learn all summer long. There will be amazing events at MCPL branches throughout the summer as well. Join us for the fun!  Recording Date: May 9, 2018 Hosts: Julie Dina and David Payne Guests: Christine Freeman is MCPL's Early Literacy and Children's Services Manager, as well as Branch Manager for the Noyes Library for Young Children. Lauren Martino is a Children's Librarian at our Silver Spring branch. She is also one of the hosts of the Library Matters podcast.  Featured MCPL Resource: MCPL offers reading lists by grade and age, including a list for adults. Find something new to read today!  What Our Guests Are Reading:  Christine Freeman Travel guides to England  We Were Here by Matt de la Peña Lauren Martino The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby Books Mentioned During this Episode: Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey Gone Crazy in Alabama by Rita Williams-Garcia Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis Other Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode:  1000 Books Before Kindergarten: Prepare your child for kindergarten with this fun, effective program that will engage your child with books, songs, fingerplays, and other learning activities. Beanstack: A fun site for logging books and more. MCPL uses Beanstack for many programs, including 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, our Reading Challenge, and our Summer Read and Learn programs. Customers can also opt to receive weekly emails with suggested books for their readers. Collaborative Summer Library Program: A consortium of states working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for children, teens, and adults at the lowest cost possible for their public libraries. Eric Energy: An energetic scientist who will amaze children during his hands-on, interactive science show.  Jacks Are Wild: Don't miss Mario and Bella, a pair of spirited Jack Russell terriers who perform amazing tricks that will delight children of all ages.  Libraries Rock! Dance Party: Put on your best pop star outfit or wear your craziest hair and come join us to dance! dance! dance! We will have photo props, a bubble machine and a music playlist to keep you moving.   Milkshake: Join us at Damascus Library for an interactive show filled with fun, silliness, and dancing led by the Grammy-nominated duo Milkshake.  Nature on Wheels - Raptors!: Learn about raptors. like bald eagles and hawks, while surrounded by your favorite books!  Reptile Rangers: Join us at Maggie Nightingale Library and meet a live king snake, a corn snake, a terrapin, and more! Presented by a park ranger from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.  Summer Read and Learn Kickoff Events: Several MCPL branches are celebrating the start of our Summer Read and Learn program June 9.  Video Games at the Symphony: The Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony Orchestra will present family-friendly events at Silver Spring Library on 6/23 and Rockville Memorial Library on 8/11.   Zoomobile: Discover some of the amazing adaptations animals have for life in the wild and try some challenging activities to compare those adaptations to our own abilities.   Read the transcript. 

Summary: Senior Librarian Adrienne Miles Holderbaum and Children's Librarian Maranda Schoppert discuss their experiences as expectant and new mothers, as well as the pregnancy and new baby resources MCPL offers.  Recording Date: April 11, 2018 Hosts: Julie Dina and Lauren Martino Guests: Adrienne Miles Holderbaum, co-producer of Library Matters and Senior Librarian at Germantown Library. Adrienne has a 3-year-old daughter and is pregnant with her second daughter. Maranda Schoppert is a Children's Librarian at Germantown Library and has a 5-month-old daughter.  Featured MCPL Resource: MCPL's online health resources include: Health & Wellness Resource Center, which offers magazine and journal articles on health, medicine, and wellness.  Washington Consumers' Checkbook (In Library Access Only), which rates local doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, and more.  Gale Virtual Reference Library: Includes searchable, browsable health e-books.  What Our Guests Are Reading:  Adrienne Miles Holderbaum: Madeleine by Ludwig Bemelmans The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather: a Scandanavian Mom's Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids by Linda Akeson McGurk Black Flags: The Rise of ISIS by Joby Warrick The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright Maranda Schoppert: Grey Sister by Mark Lawrence Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron Books and Movies Mentioned During this Episode:  The Birth Partner: a Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions by Penny Simkin Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman Bumpology: the Myth-Busting Pregnancy Book for Curious Parents-to-Be by Linda Geddes The Business of Being Born (DVD) Call the Midwife (BBC TV series) The Expectant Father: the Ultimate Guide for Dads to Be by Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn  Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown The Happiest Baby on the Block: the New Way to Calm Crying Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer by Harvey Karp  Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt Impatient Women's Guide to Getting Pregnant by Jean M Twenge Mayo Clinic Guide to a Health Pregnancy ed. by Roger Harms and Myra Wick What to Expect When You're Expecting by Heidi Muroff and Sharon Mazel What to Expect When Your Wife is Expanding (mentioned, but not recommended) by Thomas Hill Other Items of Interest: 1000 Books Before Kindergarten: Prepare your child for kindergarten with this fun, effective program that will engage your child with books, songs, fingerplays, and other learning activities.   Discovery Rooms: Available at Gaithersburg, Germantown, Praisner, and Quince Orchard, Discovery Rooms are designed for children from newborns to 8 years old and their caregivers to encourage learning through play.  The Farm Midwifery Center: A center in Tennessee focused on providing women supportive, empowering, safe, and fulfilling prenatal, birth, and postnatal experiences.  Freegal: Legally download 5 songs each week for free.  Glow: A pregnancy app offering information on fetal development, maternal health logging, appointment scheduling, and more.  Parents: Website of Parents magazines which offers information on many aspects of parenting, including pregnancy and infant care.  Storytimes at MCPL: Storytimes for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and families are available at MCPL branches throughout the County. Read the transcript 

“You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book.” - Dr. Seuss It’s been a while since I felt the magic and wonder in my life that I felt regularly as a child. Luckily for me, in my adult years, I’ve learned that Dr. Seuss is right. All you need to suddenly be in a place where magic and mystery are still alive and well is a book. Luckily for them, many children realize that you don’t have to wait until you’re a boring old adult to have this epiphany. Today we speak with the children’s librarian for the Boston Public Library, Maggie Levine. She’ll tell us about what the heck librarians do all day, and explain why being a librarian for children is so much more fun than working with adults.

Recording Date: June 13, 2017 Episode Summary: Our guests this episode are Jane Dorfman and Lauren Martino. Both are children's librarians in MCPL branches who have conducted many storytimes for children of different ages. In part 1 of this episode, they discuss the benefits of reading aloud to children, how to choose the best books, and how to keep a child engaged with the book or story.   NOTE: We had such a lively, interactive discussion that our recording was over 45 minutes. We've split the discussion up into 2 parts to make it easier for our listeners to absorb. This recording is part 1 of 2. Guests: Jane Dorfman, Children's Librarian, and Lauren Martino, Children's Librarian MCPL resources and services mentioned during this episode: Booklists by Grade & Age MCPL 2017 Reading Challenge: Expand your reading horizons. Over the course of 2017, read one book from each of 12 categories. NoveList K-8 Plus: This kid-friendly database has recommended reading lists, read alikes, award winners, and other tools for find children's fiction and non-fiction books.     Storytimes at MCPL: MCPL offers storytime programs for children of different ages, as well as special themed and bilingual storytimes. Summer Read and Learn: This program offers exciting activities for children, teens, and adults to encourage reading and learning all summer long. What Do I Check Out Next?: Tell us what you like to read and we'll e-mail you a personalized list of 3 to 5 books that our readers' advisory experts have chosen for just you.  TumbleBooks (described in the episode as books that read to a child): An online collection of animated, talking picture books. Includes story books, chapter books, nonfiction, videos, and more. Also includes e-books in French and Spanish. Authors mentioned during this episode:  Susan Middleton Elya. This picture book author is known for her rhyming stories written in a mix of English and Spanish.  Komako Sakai. Author mentioned by Lauren Martino as a writer of more quiet books for children.  Jan Thomas. Picture books with big, clean, lines. Mo Willems. Author of beloved picture book series including Elephant & Piggie, Knuffle Bunny, and The Pigeon.  Karma Wilson. Picture book author known Bear Snores On, Hilda Must Be Dancing, and many other fine children's books.  Books, and other media mentioned during this episode: Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin, Jr. Readers see a variety of animals, each one a different color.  Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina. Mischievous monkeys steal all of a peddler's caps.  Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. What happens when the whole alphabet tries to climb a coconut tree?  Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell. Tales of Clifford, the giant red dog, and his owner, Emily Elizabeth.  Little Red Hen. No animals want to help the hen bake, but they all want some of the fruits of her labor.  The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Classic tale about goats that trick a troll living under a bridge. The Three Little Pigs. The classic tale of 3 little pigs and the wolf who tries to make each pig his next meal.  Trashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha. Mr. Gillie, the trash man, rides through town, picking up the trash. Our guest Lauren Martino noted this book as one of her go to favorites for storytime reading.  Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. A naughty boy sent to bed without supper sails off to an island inhabited by fantastic beasts and becomes their king.   Read the full transcript

Watergate got Karen MacPherson interested in journalism. 9/11 made her rethink her priorities. Now she's doing the work she loves, as children's librarian in a small Maryland town. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Watergate got Karen MacPherson interested in journalism. 9/11 made her rethink her priorities. Now she's doing the work she loves, as children's librarian in a small Maryland town. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Liz Fitzgerald is the Administrator of the Free Library of Philadelphia's Culinary Literacy Center, the first of its kind in a library in the United States. Liz has been with the Free Library since 2008, working in the Catalog Department and as a Branch Manager and Children's Librarian in West Philadelphia before opening the Culinary Literacy Center in 2014. In 2016, Liz was named a Mover & Shaker by Library Journal. She regularly presents on the Culinary Literacy Center, including at the 2016 Special Libraries Association Annual Conference, the 2016 International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Satellite Conference, and will be presenting at the 2017 NextLibrary Conference in Aarhus, Denmark.  Before her tenure at the Free Library, Liz was a Teen Services Librarian at the Ocean County Library in New Jersey. She has her Masters of Library and Information Science from Rutgers University and a Bachelor's Degree from Loyola University in Maryland.

Betty Lawson has been the Children's Librarian at the Wayne County Public Library in Honesdale, Pa for the past 14 years. After attending college at the State University of New York at Delhi, she moved to Florida where she became the Director of Admissions at a private school for special education. Before finding her current library position, she was a stay at home mother. Her love of reading to her own 3 children first led to a volunteer position coordinating storytimes at her present library. She now oversees the children's department, but her specific concentration is programming for children birth -5 years old. For the past 3 years, Betty has been on the steering committee of the statewide early literacy initiative, "Cruise Into Kindergarten." Over the years she has become passionate about her library outreach to struggling families and the incarcerated. In her spare time, she likes to read, bake, kayak and exercise...in that order! She is madly in love with her job.

Love You Forever is a Canadian picture book written by Robert Munsch and published in 1986. It tells the story of the evolving relationship between a boy and his mother. The book was written after Munsch and his wife had two stillborn babies. They have since become adoptive parents of three. It was listed fourth on the 2001 Publishers Weekly All-Time Bestselling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6,970,000 copies (not including the 1,049,000 hardcover copies). In 2001, Maria Shriver wrote in O, The Oprah Magazine: "I have yet to read this book through without crying. It says so much about the circle of life, youth, parenting, and our responsibility for our parents as we grow older. The message is so simple yet so profound. Love You Forever is a great gift for anyone with a child, or even for your own parents."Based on a 2007 online poll, the National Education Association named the book one of its "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children." - Wikipedia For (much) more about Robert Munsch, visit his website at: http://robertmunsch.com/book/love-you-forever This version was recorded by Dawn Greenleaf, Children's Librarian at Skidompha Library in 2015.

A mother bird leaves her egg in the nest to go look for some food. While she's gone, the egg hatches, and the baby bird sets off to find his mother - but he doesn't know what she looks like. His search leads him to ask a variety of animals and machines, "Are you my mother?" Finally, a crane deposits him back in his nest, where his mother is waiting. Just the right amount of tension and the happy and secure ending make this an extremely popular story. - From the Barnes & Noble description Read By Dawn Greenleaf, Children's Librarian, Skidompha Library

The Five Chinese Brothers is an American children's book written by Claire Huchet Bishop and illustrated by Kurt Wiese. It was originally published in 1938 by Coward-McCann. The book is a retelling of a Chinese folk tale, Ten Brothers. Long ago in China lived a family with five brothers who resembled each other very closely. They each possessed a special talent. One can swallow the sea; one has an iron neck; one can stretch his legs; one can survive fire; and the last can hold his breath forever. When one of the brothers, a somehow very successful fisherman, agrees to let a young boy accompany him on his fishing trip, trouble results. Read by Mark Ferrero, Children's Librarian at Skidompha Library, 2014.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is a children's picture book written and illustrated by William Steig. It won him the Caldecott Medal, his first of many Caldecott and Newbery Medal honors. It tells the tale of Sylvester, a donkey from the fictional community of Oatsdale, who collects pebbles "of unusual shape and color." One day he happens to come across a pebble that grants wishes. Immediately afterward, a lion scares Sylvester, and as a defense he wishes himself into a rock, the only thing he could think of at the moment. Unfortunately, the magic pebble falls off the rock, and Sylvester is unable to revert to his donkey form as the pebble must be in contact with the wisher to work. The rest of the story deals with the resulting aftermath: Sylvester's personal attempt to change back into his true self and his parents' search for their only son. Read by Mark Ferrero, Children's Librarian at Skidompha Library, 2014.

Bear has lots of money and lots of land and he's lazy. Hare has nothing but a hungry family--and he's smart. Hare is sure there's a way to share bear's wealth, so he and Mrs. Hare cook up a plan... With roots in European folktales and the slave stories from the American South, Tops & Bottoms celebrates the trickster tradition of beating hardship by using one's wits. And an acre of hilarity tops it all off! Adapted and illustrated by Janet Stevens. Read by Dawn Greenleaf, Children's Librarian, Skidompha Library 2014.