We’d like to say a huge thank you to all of the authors and organisations who helped make the programme possible, including The Ark, Gaiety School of Acting, Dublin Circus Project, ReCreate, The Rediscovery Centre, Dublin Zoo, Createschool, Dogs Trust, Junior Einsteins Science Club, Sarah Tully, Sarah Bowie, Sadhbh Devlin and Sadhbh Rosenstock.
Catch up with the Historian-in-Residence for Children
One thing that has become really clear from talking to children is the huge role that reading plays in fostering their interest in history. Often reading historical fiction is a kind of gateway into exploring a particular historical period or topic. In response to this, I co-designed with a group of very dedicated young readers of history, a monthly history book group for children.
The Chill Skill: mindfulness techniques for the very young
The Chill Skill is one of an excellent series of books by Niall Breslin that teach mindfulness techniques to the very young and are perfect to help our youngest readers navigate their emotions.
October was a busy month at Ballymun Library for children’s activities with many events organised in conjunction with Children’s Book Festival 2019 and Stemsational Saturdays’ activities for 8 to 12 year olds to name but a few.This time of year wouldn’t be complete without the Library’s dedicated Hallowe’en storytelling sessions for 0 to 4 year olds. These took place on the 29th of October at 10am and 11am, respectively. Most of the attendees dressed up for the occasion and had a spooktacular time.Millie Donnelly dressed as a witch at the Baby/Wobbler Hallowe’en Book Club. At the baby session, the book ‘Spot’s Spooky Fun’ by Eric Hill was read by Maria Sheahan (Librarian). Eric Hill has written many stories for babies including ‘Spot Says Goodnight’ and ‘Spot Goes to School’. This is a lovely story for babies and wobblers where Spot has the difficult task of deciding which costume he should wear for Hallowe’en. The group was captivated proving this story is a perfect Hallowe’en read for young babies. The Toddlers heard the story ‘Usborne Noisy Spooky Book’. As you can see from the photos, this book is always a big hit with small children! Isabella Forsyth is the dashing pumpkin and Amelia Sweeney is batgirl. They love hearing the creepy sound effects that go with the story and it’s a fun choice for grown-ups to read! Hallowe’en rhymes were also taught to the children after each storytelling session. Finally, toys and sweet treats were provided to complete the sessions.Ballymun Library’s Book Clubs for Younger Children will continue on a weekly basis on Tuesdays during November and early December. The Baby/Wobbler Book Club (0 to 2 Year Olds) runs from 10.00am to 10.45am and the Toddler Book Club (2 Year Olds to pre-school age) runs from 11.00am to 11.45am. No advance booking is necessary.Join us each week in making family reading a magical and fun experience!
This week, we are going to take a look at TumbleBooks, an online resource especially designed for the little ones in your life. TumbleBooks are animated, talking picture books which teach children the joy of reading in a format they'll love. TumbleBooks are created by taking existing picture books, and then adding animation, sound, music and narration to produce an electronic picture book which you can read, or have read to you. This resource also includes National Geographic videos and games.(Example of National Geographic Videos)Available on TumbleBooks:Story Books: This option features animated, talking picture books for the younger reader. The reader has the option to automatically or manually turn the pages. Chapter Books/Read-Alongs: While this option does not include animation, the ebooks are narrated. They also include Chapter menus so that you can jump chapters, and a bookmarks and notes feature which are cookied onto your computer. Chapter Books also allow readers to change the colors of the background and text, as well as the font style, size, and line spacing. This helps to make the ebooks even more accessible to a wider range of readers. Videos are from the world renowned National Geographic! Simply click on "Watch Online" to watch the 2-5 minute clips on various topics. Most of these videos have been paired with ebooks as a way to introduce a topic! Featured is where teachers, librarians, parents, students, and TumbleBooks staff can recommended a book! It's a quick and easy way to find books on those rainy days! Puzzles & Games accompany each book and reinforce concepts from the books, allowing for a fun and educational learning experience. Language Learning is an easy way to access our French and Spanish titles! Non-Fiction contains a growing collection of non-fiction titles in subjects such as health, science, astronomy, biology, and nature.Playlist allows you to access the pre-loaded playlist. The eBooks play back-to-back just like a music playlist! In addition, you can create your own playlist! Simply click on the "Add to Playlist" button below a TumbleBook to create your own!(Example of Foreign Language eBooks)Access How:Website; Follow link below. To register; select the "My Cloud" tab, click where it says "Register" and enter your library card number and pin as your username and password.App; Select "Library" tab, in country box fill in "Ireland" (Note; state is NOT required), select Dublin City Council Public Library and enter your library card number. In main menu select "View by Detail" to add your favourite books to "My Favourites."URL: http://www.tumblebooklibrary.com/autologin.aspx?UserID=08Hezhy7Lfgp480vNdjp%2bw%3d%3d
The online resources featured in this week’s blog are ‘Who Else Writes Like…?’ and ‘Who Next…?’Both resources are compiled by two professional librarians of long experience, drawing on contributions from other librarians.To access either one of these resources, all you need is your Dublin City Public Libraries card.Just log in with your library card number at the links below, and then select Dublin City Public Libraries. ‘Who Else Writes Like…?’“I’ve read everything written by my favourite authors, what shall I read next?”Sound familiar? Well this online resource helps answer that dilemma. ‘Who Else Writes Like…?’ is an established reference web resource and reading promotion tool. It is designed to help anyone who enjoys reading fiction to expand the number of writers they read.With the click of a mouse, youi can browse by genre or go straight to an author of interest, check up on characters and series or the latest prize-winning writers, and follow the links to authors' websites for additional information.So click on 'Browse authors' to get started and discover a whole new world of fiction writers based on your favourite authors.https://www.whoelsewriteslike.com/ ‘Who Next...?’ is specially designed to help parents, teachers and librarians in encouraging children and young people to explore the world of reading. When children ask: “Who can I read next?” or “Who writes like my favourite author?”, the answers are here in ‘Who Next…?’ Writers of children’s fiction are listed with suggestions of other authors who write in a similar way, together with key book and series titles.You can browse:Four age groups: 5-7, 8-11, 12-14 and 14+Genre and themeGraphic novels, read out loud titles, short stories and titles for dyslexic or struggling readersPrize-winning children’s booksCountry of birth of authorsOther useful linksThis is an invaluable tool for parents, teachers and librarians to help children explore the world of reading. As the award winning author, Alan Gibbons, says “A reading child is a successful child”.https://www.whonextguide.com
In April and May of 2017 Dolphin's Barn Library hosted a series of workshops where young historians learned how to combine research, storytelling, drawing and digital animation to tell a tale from Irish history.Expert facilitators included historian Conor Kostick and author and illustrator Alan Nolan. The result is this exciting video set in Dublin 1920.
Here is a small selection of stories available for young children to borrow at your local Library. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, please ask a staff member. Check this page for regular updates.ColoursTales from Acorn Wood: Colours (Based on the Tales from Acorn Wood books by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler)My First Mr Men ColoursAlphabetABC by Kim SeboldCountingEaster Counting by Barbara Barbieri McGrathHugless Douglas Numbers by David MellingTales from Acorn Wood: Counting (Based on the Tales from Acorn Wood books by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler)ShapesMr Men Shapes by Roger HargreavesLife ExperiencesFeedingHow to Feed Your Cheeky Monkey by Jane ClarkeThis is me, EATING! by Neal LaytonBedtimeWhiffy Wilson, The Wolf Who Wouldn’t Go to Bed by Caryl Hart and Leonie LordBedtime by Nicola Lathey and Tracey BlakeSpot Says Goodnight by Eric HillBig Enough For a Bed by Sesame StreetBath TimeWhiffy Wilson, The Wolf Who Wouldn’t Wash by Caryl Hart and Leonie LordTime for a Bath by Phyllis Gershator and David WalkerPotty TrainingPirate Pete’s Potty: A Ladybird Potty Training Book by Andrea Pinnington and Jo Dixon (for boys)Princess Polly’s Potty: A Ladybird Potty Training Book by Andrea Pinnington and Jo Dixon (for girls)It’s Potty Time by Tracey CorderoyIt Hurts When I Poop! A Story for Children Who are Scared to Use the Potty by Howard J. Bennett and M.S. WeberKnock! Knock! Who’s There? by Nick Pierce and ElissamburaNappy Duck and Potty Piggy by Bernette Ford and Sam WilliamsGetting DressedGeorge by Nicola SmeeFeeling SickBetsy Goes to the Doctor by Helen StephensGet Well Soon, Spot by Eric HillPrincess Polly’s Potty: A Ladybird Potty Training Book by Andrea Pinnington and Jo Dixon (for girls)Teaching MannersPirate Pete and Princess Polly Please and Thank You by Andrea Pinnington and Jo DixonThe Highway Rat by Julia Donaldson and Axel SchefflerSharing is Caring published by Dorling KindersleyGoing to SchoolHugless Douglas Goes to Little School by David MellingWhiffy Wilson, The Wolf Who Wouldn’t Go To School by Caryl Hart and Leonie LordHolidaysMaisy Goes by Plane by Lucy Cousins List compiled by Maria Sheahan (Librarian, Ballymun Library)19th May 2017 See Also: Check out the full list of books read by Ballymun Library Baby Book Club and books read by Ballymun Library Toddler Book Club.Ballymun Library Book Clubs for Babies and Toddlers.
It’s never too early to introduce your child to a love of books. Dublin City Libraries holds a vast array of books suitable for all ages, even newborns!