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With the shutdowns and restrictions in place over the last six months, many people have chosen to use their newfound-time to read. It's been a rough year, and when we can't get together like we're used to, we find ourselves turning to other comforts. I know not everyone has had time to read more; many of our staff have been listening to audiobooks just so they can squeeze in a few must-reads (myself included!). But if you find yourself with extra time, or you are just looking for a good book to read, check out this list of books recommended by some of the Caldwell Library staff. We hope you find something you enjoy. Don't forget to leave a comment with your review of the book you chose! Book: Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson Recommended by: Laure I really enjoyed this book and thought it was hilarious most of the time. I listened to it on audio and the narrator really made the book pop. The main plot is about children who can spontaneously combust and catch on fire and a girl who is trying to find herself while becoming their "governess" The book can be a bit dark at times and there is a lot of very strong language throughout the whole book, so someone who does not like that may not want to listen to it. All in all, I would highly recommend it. It is a newer book that came out in January. Book: A Galaxy of Sea Stars by Jeanne Ferruolo Recommended by: Fiona This is a chapter book good for kids in grades 4-8 about friendship, home, family, and identity. One of the characters moved to the US from Afghanistan after her father's work as a translator for the US led to threats from the Taliban. She wears a hijab to school, which other students see as weird. Another character is struggling with keeping long-held friendships as she transitions to middle school. It's sweet, honest, and all about courage and what to do when you're afraid. Trivia question: what do you call a group of sea stars ("starfish")? Read this book and find out. Book: The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire That Saved America by Timothy Egan Recommended by: Marina This book was not exactly what I thought it would be, but I still found it very interesting. The book is a history of the beginnings of the U.S. Forest Service and the first major wildfire in the West. Dubbed The Big Burn, this major wildfire took place in 1910 and spanned across western Montana, North Idaho, and Eastern Washington. The U.S. Forest Service was woefully underfunded and over a hundred firefighters died trying to put out the raging fires. The book also examines the presidencies of Theodore Roosevelt (who established the Forest Service) and William Taft, how they dealt with the Forest Service, and how private interests threatened the forests of the Northwest. Although it is a history book, Egan has presented the information in a narrative format that makes it very readable. Book: Parasite by Mira Grant Recommended by: Morgan I just finished the Parasitology series by Mira Grant for the third time. I love these books but I will admit they aren't for everyone. The first book is called Parasite. It's set in the near future where most of the general public takes genetically engineered tapeworms. Yes, you read that right. Tapeworms. These little parasites are made to secrete medications such as insulin or anti-depressants. It's a near-genius technology that is deemed safe for everyone. But something goes wrong, as it usually does in these types of books. I don't want to give away to much but let's just say the tapeworms start to develop a mind of their own and they don't like taking orders. Book: Running with Sherman: The Donkey with a Heart of a Hero by Chris McDougall Recommended by: Sharon I just finished reading this book, and, I admit, the title is a bit goofy, but I really enjoyed the book. (I was originally drawn to it because my brother's name is Sherman.) It is the true story of journalist Chris McDougall who moved his family to Amish country in Pennsylvania. While there he adopted a rescue donkey from an animal hoarder. Poor Sherman was in such bad shape no one expected him to live through the first night. With help from friends, neighbors, and even strangers, Chris helps Sherman not only survive but thrive. The story culminates in a grand adventure: a 15-mile cross-country race in Colorado with 50 human/donkey teams. Full of fascinating people, feisty burros, and a goat named Lawrence. this is a fun read of redemption, courage, obstacles, and lots of joy. Tune in at the end of October for another installment of recommended reading from the library staff!

Is your family stuck reading the same picture books over and over? Our New Book shelves for print books (e-books are a discussion for another day) are full and waiting for YOU! Let's take a look at a few newer titles. Welcome to the Party by Gabrielle Union , illustrated by Ashley Evans. 2020. This sweet, rhyming text welcoming a new baby to the family is perfect for sharing. Start a discussion with your little princes and princesses about how wonderful it was to welcome them to your family! The rollicking phrases feel like a celebration, and the bright images make it clear who is the center of everyone's attention. Snakes on the Job by Kathryn Dennis . 2020. Snakes with shovels and wheelbarrows? Snakes driving cranes and loaders and dump trucks? What are they building anyway? This rainbow work crew of snakes is perfect for the vehicle-lovers and builders in your life. Stay tuned to the very last page and you can see what they're working so hard to complete. Vote for Our Future by Margaret McNamara and Micah Player . 2020. Kids can't vote, so why talk to them about voting? Open this inspiring story and find out! A school full of fun-loving, curious, energetic young people closes one day every other year for a very important job: it's a local polling place. The school kids learn about citizenship, encourage voting among their neighbors, and spread the word about the importance of this one simple task. Why vote? Remind yourself while you read. Prairie Days by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Micha Archer. 2020 In this over-sized, stunning book, we re-visit a simpler time and place with a Newbery Award-winning author. There are scenes featuring cozy quilts, rolling fields, horse-drawn wagons and hard-working sheep dogs. Even driving to town looks different and rather old-fashioned (but there are cars). The detailed, lush collage illustrations use multiple layers of texture and color to accompany the simple text. Well worth borrowing! Watch This! A book about making shapes by Jane Godwin, Beci Orpin and Hilary Walker . 2020. Follow the antics of twelve adorable kids who make a glorious array of shapes using only their bodies. With sharp, bold photos for illustrations, your kids will want to jump up and try making shapes after reading this energetic title. This Raindrop Has a Billion Stories to Tell by Linda Ragsdale, illustrated by Srimalie Bassani . 2020. A grand adventure into the world of water, this story starts with something very small: a single raindrop. Whether you enjoy pondering life's big questions or are just ready for something different, this beautiful exploration uses wonderful words (think: developing vocabulary) and many different settings (that's learning about the world) to teach science! The water cycle is marvelous and mysterious, explore it with your young readers.

If you're looking for ways to learn together as a family, but need a break from books and videos, try a podcast. Just like a radio show, you can listen to ideas, music, and stories while you drive, at home, or at bedtime. How can you find the right starting place? Read on. Kids Listen . Have you ever searched for a podcast that your children might enjoy? If so, be sure to check out "Kids Listen," an aggregator for kids' podcasts. In addition to an activity-based podcast of its own, this site shares links and descriptions for dozens of kids' programs all in one location. Circle Round . Does your family enjoy folk tales from around the world? A staple on "Best Of Kids' Podcasts" lists, Circle Round is an entertaining dive into storytelling, produced by WBUR public radio in Boston. If you like stories told with pizzazz, this is a good starting place for podcast listening. Buttons and Figs . What's a mnemonic? Would you like to go Jabber-Walking? If you have some silly folks at your house, you might enjoy this podcast featuring kids across the country learning about the joy of language. The project title comes from " The Jumblies, " a nonsense poem by Edward Lear. Enjoy wordplay, nonsense, and fun with language as you listen. Ear Snacks . What are you curious about? Do you enjoy learning interesting bits and pieces about how the world works? Join Andrew and Polly for "Ear Snacks," an award-winning expedition into music, science, art, and culture. Short & Curly. If your family enjoys thinking big thoughts, discussing ethics, and asking questions, "Short and Curly" might be just the podcast for you. Produced in Australia, this project explores why we do what we do, and whether our choices are the best ones. The Past and the Curious . The story of the world is often more astonishing and fantastic than the fantasy we read in books. Historian and museum curator Mick Sullivan chooses a different theme for each episode. From spies to funny food, and from trains to basketballs, history is fun when told as a story. Go with Nugget , Podcast for Kids . Can you travel somewhere just by listening? Maybe! Hearing the sounds and music of another country, talking to someone who lives there, and exploring the best of what it has to offer can be exciting! The 'Go with Nugget' podcast features virtual travel either for parents (what to do in Sweden with your family, for instance) or kids (example: hear from a boy who lives in India), depending on what you'd like to hear. Brains On! Whether you're inspired by tiny robots, fabulous felines, or good old gas (eew, yuck!), there's so much to learn about why the world is how it is. Science is a big part of that. The host of 'Brains On!,' Molly Bloom, is joined by a different kid co-host for each episode as they consider the 'why?', 'how?' and 'then what?' of this big world of ours.

We’ve all heard of those classic books that inspired timeless films – series like Harry Potter, classics like The Wizard of Oz, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. As a librarian, I’m always surprised to discover great movies that were based on more obscure books. I like to think I’m pretty well versed when it comes to literature, but I had no idea these movies were actually based on books. My first thought was, “Wait, that was a book first?” when I heard about these titles. Some of them you might have known yourself, some might be a surprise. Take a look at this small list I’ve compiled and consider reading the book counterpart! Die Hard – Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp Nothing Lasts Forever was originally published in 1979 and was re-released in 2012 as an eBook. Retired police chief, Joe Leland, is visiting the high-rise where his daughter works. While waiting for her Christmas party to end, the building is hijacked by a German Autumn terrorist group. Leland is able to sneak out of the building but must work with the Los Angeles police department to retake the building and save his daughter and the other hostages in the building. Roderick Thorp was inspired to write the book (a sequel to his 1966 novel, The Detective) after watching the film The Towering Inferno and dreaming about a man who is chased through a skyscraper by a group of men with guns. The book was adapted into the move Die Hard and released in 1988. Although the film does not follow the book very closely, some of the book’s dialogue and characters are included in the film, including the main character, Joe Leland whose name was changed to John McClane, famously played by Bruce Willis (although the original choice for the actor was Frank Sinatra). Jurassic Park - Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton Michael Crichton released his novel, Jurassic Park, in 1990, followed by a sequel, The Lost World, in 1995. Both books were later adapted into feature films by Steven Spielberg. Crichton wrote the novel as a cautionary tale against genetic testing. The gist of the book is the same as the movie – an amusement park has been created to showcase the genetic reconstruction of prehistoric creatures. The book opens with a series of unexplained animal attacks on a fictional island off the coast of Costa Rica. A paleontologist and his graduate assistant are called in to confirm the identity of the attacking creature, but are distracted by the billionaire creator of the park. What the paleontologists soon learn is that the dinosaurs on the island have been created by damaged DNA – modified with similar DNA from reptiles and amphibians – and what ensues is a wild ride and exploration of the chaos theory. Jurassic Park the movie was released in 1993, and The Lost World was released in 1997. Subsequent films were released that were based on the film series. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? – Who Censored Roger Rabbit? By Gary K. Wolf Who Framed Roger Rabbit is one of my favorite live action/animated films. It was released in 1988 and is said to be loosely based on the 1981 mystery novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit? By Gary K. Wolf. In the book, Roger Rabbit is a comic strip character, who hires Eddie Valiant, a private investigator, to find out why his employers have gone back on their promise to give Roger his own comic strip. When Roger learns more about what’s going on with the company, he is mysteriously murdered. Valiant decides to investigate Roger’s murder, and, in doing so, comes across a strange kettle with a genie inside. If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll know that there are some obvious differences between the book and the film. In the movie, Roger Rabbit has been framed for a murder he didn’t commit, and Eddie Valiant has been hired to help clear his name. Instead of a comic strip character, Roger is a “toon” - a character from a short animated film. The film is billed as a comedy-mystery, and hilarity ensues throughout as Eddie and Roger try to solve the case. Forrest Gump – Forrest Gump by Winston Groom Forrest Gump follows the main character, Forrest, as he recounts the events from his life to a stranger at a bus stop. He is a slow-witted, but big-hearted man who unwittingly influences different historical events throughout his life (such as Elvis Presley’s jerky, gyrating dance moves). The movie came out in 1994 and is based on the 1986 book of the same title by Winston Groom. While there are several similarities between the book and the film, there are some significant differences as well. Gump engages in most of the same activities as in the movie, but the events leading up to them are much different. I also distinctly remember Forrest and Jenny playing in a college band together, which doesn’t happen in the movie. Groom makes use of misspellings to portray Gump’s slow-wits, which can make reading the novel difficult, and the character of Forrest Gump is much more profane than the character in the movie. If you loved the movie, you may not be a fan of the book, but I think it’s worth reading to understand where the inspiration for the Academy-Award winning movie began. A Christmas Story – In God We Trust, All Other’s Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd, Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories and Other Disasters by Jean Shepherd A Christmas Story is a classic American film that was released in 1983. But even with its classic status, I just recently learned that it is based on, not one, but TWO, books. The primary book it’s based on is In God We Trust, All Other’s Pay Cash – a short story compilation, adapted from radio stories, by Jean Shepherd. The book has 31 chapters presented as short stories or vignettes told by the adult Ralph (much like the movie). Ralph has returned to his hometown in the book and is catching up with his friend, Flick, who runs a bar in the town. Four of the stories in the book are used for A Christmas Story. The other book that influences the film is Wanda Hickey’s Night of Golden Memories and Other Disasters – one short story, “The Grandstand Passion Play of Delbert and the Bumpus Hounds” is used in the movie. The four stories from In God We Trust and the one from Wanda Hickey were compiled and released as a standalone book A Christmas Story in 2003. But that’s not all! Did you know A Christmas Story has a sequel? My Summer Story came out in 1994 (11 years after A Christmas Story!) and is based on other short stories in Jean Shepard’s books. The film takes place the summer after the events of A Christmas Story. Jean Shepherd had the honor of narrating both movies. Psycho – Psycho by Robert Bloch The influential novel Psycho by Robert Bloch was published in 1959 and was soon followed by an Alfred Hitchcock adaptation in 1960. The novel’s main character, Norman Bates, runs an isolated motel and is involved in a series of murders. His domineering mother refuses to allow him a life that doesn’t involve her and the motel, so the middle-aged Bates is, understandably, under a lot of mental strain. As the novel progresses, the mental damage Bates has incurred becomes ever more apparent, and in a shocking twist, readers find out what’s really going on in the motel. The novel is considered one of the most influential horror novels of the 20th Century, inspiring both the 1960 film as well as the popular TV series, Bates Motel. A remake of the 1960 film was released in 1998. If you’re a Psycho fan, you may know that sequels to the original film were made in the ’80s. You may be surprised to learn that Robert Bloch also wrote two sequel novels, in 1982 and 1990, respectively. The sequel films were not based on sequel novels. Mrs. Doubtfire – Alias Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine Alias Madame Doubtfire, also known as Madame Doubtfire, was published in 1987 by English author, Anne Fine. The novel centers around one family. After the divorce of Daniel and Miranda Hilliard, Daniel is allowed very little time to spend with his kids. When he hears Miranda is looking for a nanny, he disguises himself as a woman, Madame Doubtfire, and is hired! The two eldest children recognize their father immediately, but the youngest, as well as Miranda, are completely oblivious, at least for a time. The film was released in 1993 and stars Robin Williams as Daniel/Mrs. Doubtfire. The film follows the book fairly closely, although none of the children recognize Mrs. Doubtfire at first. The movie won an Academy Award for best makeup, as well as a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. If you’ve seen the film, you’ll know it’s a wild ride, full of laughter and tears, until the very end. Fast Times at Ridgemont High – Fast Times at Ridgemont High: a Memoir by Cameron Crowe In the late ‘70s, Cameron Crowe went undercover as a high school senior in an American high school to write Fast Times at Ridgemont High: A Memoir. The book recounts Crowe’s observations of student relationships and interactions in a way that is meant to capture the American high school experience of the time. The book was released in 1981 and was soon followed by the feature film in 1982. The film follows the lives of several teenagers of varying ages (14-18) as they interact and fall in and out of love with each other. Many Hollywood stars got their start in the movie, including Sean Penn, Nicholas Cage, and Forest Whitaker. In 2005, it was entered into the National Film Registry as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” If you haven’t seen the movie or watched the book, you can order them through the library catalog. Did you learn something new? We hope you've found a new book to read or movie to watch. And, at the very least, we hope you found this post an entertaining break from the crazy world we're living in! Co-written by Marina Rose and Ellie Epperson

You've made it past your child's infancy and toddler days, and are enjoying all the new discoveries she makes every day as a preschooler. Now you've started to wonder: are there things we can do together so she's ready to start reading? Here are five simple ways to start. Sing . As you sing to your child, especially simple songs that he or she can learn to sing with you, you are working on skills that will eventually help with reading. Singing slows down the sounds we make when we read or talk, so kids can hear the small parts of words. Think of "Mary Had a Little Lamb." As you sing those words, you separate the syllables of MA-RY and LIT-TLE. Singing often involves rhymes. Understanding rhyme helps kids differentiate beginning and ending sounds in words. Don't worry if you can't carry a tune: just sing. Talk . There are many ways to talk with your child. While telling kids what to do is important, sometimes we need to slow down and talk just for fun. You can ask open-ended questions (questions that require more than one word to answer), listen carefully to your child's answers, explain things, or share silly ideas. Encourage your child to tell YOU a story! Talking is one way children hear new words and build their vocabulary. Children who hear wonderful, complex words and learn to use them will master reading more easily. So go ahead, spend some time talking. Read . You knew this one was coming, right? The more children are read to before they are able to read to themselves, the better their vocabulary, comprehension, and knowledge of the world. Knowing that stories are entertaining and worthwhile means kids will be more willing to work at learning to read. Words are everywhere: help your child see words on signs and buildings, boxes and bags. Reading a book? Did you know picture books are a great source of "unusual words," or words we don't often use in conversation? Nonfiction, or true information, books help kids see and learn about things they might not otherwise experience. Spend time reading together every day! Write . This skill surprises some parents, but learning to write goes hand in hand with learning to read. Understanding that letters have particular shapes, developing the fine motor control to hold a pencil or crayon, and imagining things they might write are all precursors to the abstract skill of giving meaning to words printed on a page. Help your child hold a large crayon and start to scribble. Let them tell you the story of what they drew and write it down for them. Together you can write notes, recipes, or labels that help your child understand that those letters mean words, ideas, and stories. Play . Play can combine several of the other skills to help kids act out and understand the world. As they build a tower or play with trucks, you can ask open-ended questions like, "What could you add to your tower?" or "Where do you think the trucks are going?" Listen to the answers and ask follow-up questions. You're helping your child express himself, formulate thoughts in sequence, and find the right words to say what he means. Sometimes your kids will play while you're doing other things, but make time often to play together. Want to know more? Here's a booklet created by Multnomah County Library in Oregon to help parents understand the importance of these five early learning practices and use them often. Happy learning!

You’ve heard of the three R’s – reduce, reuse, recycle. But what’s “Upcycle?” It just means to take something that might have gotten recycled, make it a little different, and use it again! Classic upcycling would be decorating a tin can and using it for a pencil holder or cutting pictures out of wrapping paper and making a collage. Here are upcycle craft ideas that use things you may have around the house! Click on each title to find the websites. A Box Becomes a Puzzle When was the last time you made a puzzle? Maybe today’s the day. On a rectangle of cereal box cardboard (or something about that weight, so it’s easy to cut), write the numbers 1 to 10. Or 1 to 20. Cut the numbers apart to make interesting shapes. Have the kids fit the pieces back together in order. Voilá! A Tube Becomes a Musical Instrument If you have toilet paper tubes, paper towel tubes, or even potato chip cylinders or oatmeal containers, you might have percussion instruments just waiting for you to make them! This set of instructions adds nails to get that “rain stick” sound (little things falling down), but you could make a shaker instrument. Just remember to make the top and bottom stay on tightly, so there isn’t rice all over the floor A Tube Becomes a Seed Starter Another idea for toilet paper tubes! Use these biodegradable little seed starters and get your garden off to a good start. Either peel away the roll before planting, or just plant the whole thing. An Egg Carton Becomes a Game Make a game from an egg carton! Seriously, you could probably think up 22 different games to make from that egg carton. But here’s an easy one. Color the inside of each space a different color that matches a random item you found around the house. And there you go, a matching game! (If your marker pens aren’t the right color, either get creative with paper bits instead or just approximate. The kids will forgive you.) A Book Becomes -- WAIT! “A book becomes …??” Upcycle BOOKS? No way, right? Well, sometimes books are just too … “loved.” They’re either headed to the recycle bin or the craft pile, so make the best of it! Your lovely book pages can become decorations on a Mother’s Day card, bookmarks, collage inspiration, or even a new book. How do you do that, you ask? A ltered Books One more idea, this time for “altered books,” which is another way of saying upcycled books that happen to have those amazing sturdy pages. Have another idea? Share it with us in the comment section below. Have fun upcycling!

If you’ve scrolled through your social media feed or watched the news recently, you've probably seen that the Black Lives Matter movement has been making a concerted stand against systemic racism in the United States. Maybe you agree with the way things have been handled, and maybe you don't. Regardless of your position, it's important to educate yourself on the issues being raised and examine ways to break the vicious cycles of hate and unconscious bias that bleed into our communities. And what better place to start your education than at your local library? We’ve compiled a shortlist of books, available through our consortium of libraries. We hope this list will provide insight into the history of prejudice and racism in America, how these prejudices manifest themselves today, and what you can do to help break the cycles and work toward a more equal America for all. The Myth of Equality: Uncovering the Roots of Injustice and Privilege by Ken Wytsma Issues of race and equality are near the forefront of almost every American mind. While this isn't a new issue, conversations have resurfaced in the past few years about persisting inequalities. Ken Wystma is the founder of the Justice Conference, an annual gathering of people who seek to address the world's injustices through a biblical lens. Wystma has done his own studies of the racial injustices still present in today's America - seeking to understand how these injustices came about and what can be done to combat them. His book seeks to educate readers on the origins of race-related issues and the reconciling role Christians and non-Christians alike should play. This book affirms the presence of inequality and prejudice in our world and urges readers to take a stand in fighting those injustices. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander Although Jim Crow laws have been officially taken off the books, a large number of African American communities in the US remain trapped in a subordinate role. Even after the election of Barack Obama, prejudice thrives - half or more of African American men are imprisoned or living as felons. Michelle Alexander, a legal scholar, makes the argument that we have not ended our racial caste system in the United States. It has merely been redesigned and rebranded. Alexander argues that the current criminal justice system acts as a form of racial control, in an age of supposed colorblindness. This book challenges readers to keep mass incarceration at the forefront of their minds, as they work toward racial justice and equality in America. Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds You may have heard of Ibram X. Kendi's Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America. Stamped is a reimagining of Kendi's book - taking readers through a racial journey from the past to the present. It illustrates how and why racism still lingers in our country, while also giving hope for an antiracist future. Reynolds has created an energizing narrative that not only highlights the history of racism in America but outlines ways in which readers can identify and stamp out racist ideas in their own lives. Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice that Shapes What We See, Think, and Do by Jennifer L Eberhardt, PhD Jennifer Eberhardt is one of the world's leading experts on unconscious racial bias. In her research, and in her book, she shows that you can be biased without being racist. She delves into the harmful effects unconscious bias can have - on both a small and large scale: disparities in education, employment, the criminal justice system, and more. Perhaps the most compelling argument in Biased is that even people who want to do good and treat everyone equally, are plagued by their own implicit biases and ingrained stereotypes. Eberhardt uses research in laboratories, police departments, courtrooms, prisons, and the streets, as well as her time spent as a consultant to law enforcement, to inform her work. But she doesn't end the conversation at identifying bias; she offers solutions to combat our own biases and stereotypes in an effort to create a more equal world for all. The Black and the Blue: a Cop Reveals the Crimes, Racism, and Injustice in America’s Law Enforcement by Matthew Horace and Ron Harris Matthew Horace is a veteran police officer and law enforcement analyst for CNN, who also happens to be black. He served for 28 years in multiple states across the country. But after just seven years of service, he found himself held down at gunpoint, by a fellow white officer. It was at this point, he says, that he fully understood the racism rampant in America's police departments. Horace uses first-hand accounts and dozens of interviews with government officials and police officers to inform his work. He sheds light on the bias that both black and white police officers harbor, and how that bias negatively affects the communities those officers serve. The Black and the Blue analyzes the "archaic system" of America's police forces and seeks to uncover what truly lies behind the racial and police violence in America's major cities. Although this list is short, we hope it is a good starting place for you. We encourage you to keep learning, keep asking questions, and keep fighting for justice and equality for all people. If you want more recommendations, please reach out to us at infolibrary@cityofcaldwell.org

¿Habla Ud. español? ¿L e gustaría buscar historias para que los niños escuchen? Aquí son cinco locaciónes que pueden ayudarle. Do you speak Spanish? Would you like stories for the kids to listen to? Here are five online story sites that might just help out. The Spanish Experiment Si Ud. habla español, pero no tiene libros suficientes en la casa para su niños, este sitio de web es para Ud!  If you speak Spanish but don’t have enough books at home for the kids, this website is for you! Gracia Iglesiasen Instagram : Autor Gracia Iglesias (@graciaiglesias) leeré uno de sus cuentos en Instagram en Vivo para niños cada día a las 12:30 pm. Virtual Story Time with Gracia Iglesias! Gracia will read one of her books in Spanish on Instagram Live every day at 12:30 MDT for the foreseeable future! Find her page @graciaiglesiasto join the fun. Gracia is an author, poet, narrator, and actress, and it shows in her live story time videos. Dia por Dia Idaho/ Day By Day Idaho Una historia diferente cada día, con rimas, canciones y actividades para su familia. / A different storytime with rhymes, songs, and activities each day. Click here to begin! BibliotechaTumble/TumbleBooks and MatemáticoTumble /TumbleMath Usando animación y narración, estos libros para niños y jovenes serán perfectos para tiempos tranquilos, tiempos en coche, or para antes de ir a la cama. Animated, narrated books for kids and tweens are perfect for quiet time, in-car travel time, or before going to bed. Chiquipedia Cuentos de muchos tipos para su familia. Este sitio de web también tiene otras tipos de aprendiendo, cómo las adivinanzas, las canciones, y los dibujos. / Lots of different kinds of stories for your family. This website also features other types of learning such as riddles, songs and coloring pages.

Ready for something NEW and FUN? Are your kids getting tired of the books you have available? Try out TumbleBooks, available for a limited time on the library website. From the library home page, choose Resources, then select “Digital Resources for Kids.” TumbleBook is one of the options. There are so many possibilities with TumbleBooks , it can feel a bit overwhelming. Here are a few simple tips for getting started. There is more information in “How to Tumble” in the blue navigation bar at the top of the page. Animated, narrated picture books are at the heart of TumbleBook's collection, but there are many choices of presentation. These colorful e-books are great for quiet time, reading practice time, or travel time. Let's Begin! To get started, click on one of the colored tabs (on a phone this is the “hamburger” menu), such as Story Books or NonFiction, OR choose the TumbleSearch icon above the blue navigation bar. With Search, you can specify the subject, reading level (either Accelerated Reader/AR or Lexile), length, title, or author. The colored tabs (“hamburger” menu on a phone) let you select whether or not the book can be transformed from a narrated story with automatic page turns to an independent reader with no narration. “Story Books” are narrated. “Read Alongs” have two options: with or without narration. “EBooks” are text-only and include more complex chapter books and classics like “Black Beauty” and “The Wind in the Willows.” Habla Ud. Español? Parlez-vous français? TumbleBooks are available in several languages. Use the Language button at the top of the screen. Looking for a reading activity that takes 20, 30, or even 40 minutes? Try a Playlist! There are over 100 pre-made playlists featuring two or more books. You can also make your own by choosing “Add to Playlist” for any title. Add books and videos to make a perfect storytime. Your playlists and favorites will display in the blue navigation bar at the top of the page. The colored Playlist tab on the Tabs Bar lists the pre-made lists. Playlists may not be available on the phone version. Tumble … Math? That’s right, the same cute animated, narrated e-books are available in titles that support learning math concepts! Whether your student is just starting to add and subtract, or if they’re diving deep into the mysteries of place value, there are books in TumbleMath that will help them understand what to do next. There are books based on fifteen different math concepts are available to choose from. TumbleMath e-books can be presented as narrated, automatic page-turn stories, or in “manual” mode (allowing the student to read the text and turn the page when s/he is ready). Are you inspired to try out something new? Get out there and Tumble! The Caldwell Public Library is appreciative of TumbleBooks publishers, as they have made these valuable resources available free of cost to libraries across the country during the corona-virus crisis.

When children are young, parents are constantly on the lookout for signs of learning. From an infant rolling over to a toddler saying “mama,” from preschoolers taking turns to mastering t-ball, it’s easy for parents to compare their child to others the same age. How about reading? Some kids learn reading earlier, but many pick up skills more slowly. If you see your child struggling with reading, check with his or her teacher. Talk about what you’re seeing. Ask if extra help is needed. Make a plan for the future. These are unusual times. For now, it may be just you and your child. What can you do NOW to make a difference for your student next month, in the fall, or as they move forward in school? Be Positive In all likelihood, your child WILL learn to read given lots of time and encouragement. In the meantime, notice all the things your child does well. Maybe their strengths are in art, athletics, or just being a terrific person. Take time to encourage those areas and boost their confidence. Here’s an article that will help you feel positive in a difficult time. Read Aloud While developing those all-important independent skills is critical, a love of reading won’t be developed by poring over words and phonics books. “Easy Readers” often aren’t very entertaining stories; their goal is to group words and teach basic skills. What to do? The folks at Scholastic share a frequent recommendation: read aloud together. Parents are not only allowed but encouraged to with kids every day, for as long or as short a time as they can enjoy it. Find GREAT stories, FUN characters, ENGAGING plots, and WORTHWHILE endings. Need help? Librarians are just a phone call away! Identify Gaps Which reading skills does your child find most difficult? Do you have a good understanding of what skills they’ll need to learn? Becky Spence, a homeschool parent, shares clear and easy-to-understand information on her website, “ This Reading Mama .” What’s a phoneme? Do phonics matter? What are words families? Can my child ‘blend sounds?’ Get started finding the information gaps your child faces and plan ways to address those first. How about a game? Maybe your efforts to help kids memorize and practice isn’t working. Try turning reading into a game! The folks at Readers.com have gathered the best online reading games for ages 3-6, 6-10, and 10+ into one easy-to-use site . From PBS to Read with Phonics, from FunBrain Reading to Khan Academy, you’ll find a little of everything plus some pointers to sites for parents. Relaxing Really Matters With so much pressure on you as a parent, it’s easy to feel anxious and upset. Your kids feel your stress and get anxious too. Maybe it’s time to put the schoolwork aside and just have some fun. Play a little or a LOT! Who you ARE with your children matters so much more than what you are able to teach them. Try these tips from Real Simple to stop, breathe, and enjoy today for what it is. This strange time won’t last forever, but what you say to your kids and do can make lasting memories. Make sure they’re happy ones.

Spring is a time of renewal and joy. The flowers are starting to bloom, all of the grass is green, and the air is fresh. It's the perfect time to pick up a romance. For those who are new to the genre, the most important thing to note is that not all romance novels are the same. They range from subtle and sweet to steamy and sexy - so you'll be able to find the perfect romance for your tastes. We're only highlighting a handful of novels here, so if you need more suggestions, please reach out to us. Love Abroad Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho Spurned by a lover at a young age, Maria vows never to be fooled into love again. Eventually she finds herself traveling to Geneva from Brazil, in pursuit of fame and fortune. But fame is not so easily won, and Maria finds herself selling her body in order to achieve her goals. Everything she knows and believes is put to the test when she meets the handsome young painter, Ralf. She must choose between a life of sexual pleasure for it's own sake or the chance to experience sex in the context of love. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins This young adult novel follows Anna as she enters her first year of high school. She enjoys her life in Atlanta where she has a great job, great friends, and a stellar crush. So when she finds out she is being sent to boarding school in Paris, she is understandably upset. But when she meets Etienne St. Clair, things start looking up for Anna. Fake Relationships Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey Georgie's family is not enthused when she chooses clown work at kids' birthday parties over the family renovation business. And even worse, no one takes her seriously. Georgie is determined to make her own way in the world, and she has a four phase plan to make it happen. The most important part? Get a date - even a fake one will do. In order to carry out her plan, Georgie approaches her brother's friend (and her crush!) Travis Ford, a former baseball player turned house flipper, about pretending to date. It's a win for both of them - Georgie's family will be shocked, and Travis will get new job opportunities. But how long can a fake love last until it becomes real? Beautiful Secret by Christina Lauren This is book number four in the Beautiful Bastards series by author duo, Christina Lauren. Young, brilliant engineer, Ruby Miller is being sent to New York City for an extended business trip. The work itself isn't an issue, but when she finds out she'll be rooming with her long-time crush and co-worker, Niall, she's overwhelmed. Recently divorced, Niall, hardly knows who Ruby is. But after a flirty flight from London between the two, their business trip is sure to get steamy. Regency Romance Then Comes Seduction by Mary Balogh This is book two in the Huxtable Quintet series by Mary Balogh. The Huxtable family is a passionate one, and the youngest daughter, Katherine, is no exception. She is stunningly beautiful, which makes her an object of desire for many men, particularly Baron Montford, Jasper Finley. Jasper takes a challenge to seduce Katherine within a fortnite. Katherine's challenge? To make Jasper fall in love with her. All is fun and games until the ante is upped and both of their hearts get involved... The Paid Companion by Amanda Quick The Earl of St. Merryn is a practical man, and he's tired of the husband-hunters chasing after him. His solution to this problem is to hire a woman to pose as his betrothed for several weeks. Finding the right companion proves difficult until he meets Miss Elenora Lodge, who needs the cash to start fulfilling her dream of independence. But things aren't all as they seem - something is off in the Earl's home - and soon the companions find themselves partners in the quest to catch a killer. As their search deepens, the Earl finds his practical heart being swayed by the lovely Miss Lodge. Will they find the killer or will they find love? Paranormal Romance Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones This series begins with the book First Grave on the Right where the reader is introduced to Charley Davidson, a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper. Yes, that's right, Charley sees dead people. Her job as grim reaper is to talk the dead into going toward the light. But not all of the dead are ready to leave and they try to convince Charley to bring their murderers to justice. Charley can handle that. What she can't handle is the hot dreams she's been having that involve an entity - or is it human? She's not sure what he is, but she knows he's irresistible. Water Bound by Christine Feehan Water Bound kicks off Christine Feehan's Sea Haven/Sisters of the Heart series. Six women are brought together by grief on the shores of Sea Haven. Together they have formed a sisterhood strengthened by the elements. When a mysterious man, Lev, washes ashore, half-dragged by the sister with a water infinity, their lives are about to change. Lev has no memory of his life, and he's confused by his violent instincts. These instincts seem uncontrollable and terrifying. Despite these instincts, the water-sister, Rikki, finds herself seductively drawn to this tantalizing man. Historical Romance In Good Company by Jen Turano Millie Longfellow is determined to be the world's best nanny. Unfortunately, her enthusiasm for her work is not always appreciated by her employers, and she has found herself, once again, out of a job. Up-and-coming, Everett Mulberry, has found himself the unwilling caretaker of three children. This wouldn't be such an inconvenience if the children didn't scare off every nanny he hired. Desperate to find care for the children so he can pursue his climb up the societal ladder, he hires Millie. She quickly falls in love with the children in her charge, but is she falling in love with Everett too? This is book two in the series, A Class of Their Own. A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare Spindle Cove is a safe haven for shy young women, women who need a break from their husbands, and young girls who are dangerously close to ruining their chances at good marriages. In short, it's a beautiful refuge for women. So when Victor Bramwell, the Earl of Rycliff, arrives with a militia, Susanna Finch is not having it. Bram doesn't want to be there, but he has his orders, and this Miss Finch makes the situation worse. As the two butt heads, they may find a different kind of passion lying underneath their tough exteriors. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ All of the titles listed above are available in our ebook collections through OverDrive/Libby, although some have a short waiting list. If you need help accessing titles, please reach out to us at infolibrary@cityofcaldwell.org or 208-459-3242.

Community Needs and Tech Supporting the community is a huge focus for libraries. We work hard every day trying to assess the needs of the public as well guiding patrons to the strongest and most valid information we can find. Our patrons have always had a need for the physical resources in the library, such as public computers, to use for business and school. Our community has enjoyed our computers in various forms, whether to check on email, apply for jobs, finish school projects, or just hang out after school playing games. Staff members have always been available to help with scanning, printing and other computer assistance at the library. While during this time we cannot commit to this type of assistance (due to the safety of our staff and the public), we are still very concerned with the real need for some of our community members to be connected to the internet and technology - especially those without the luxury of having their own devices or internet access. Community WiFi Access Here is information about what is available at this time. Please remember to practice social distancing while accessing free WiFi areas as well as awareness of your surroundings. Library WiFi access: Caldwell Public Library has WiFi access around the building. Accessible from the building out to the parking lot. Internet WiFi access: Sparklight is offering WiFi access around their office buildings during the pandemic. More information on this can be found here. They have also opened Wi-Fi hotspots at Caldwell Housing Authority, 22730 Farmway Road, Luby Park on North Illinois and Marble Front Road, College of Idaho on Oak St and Ohio Ave, and the corner of S 10th Ave and Laster St. in Caldwell. Caldwell School District is working on extending WiFi further into their parking lots. Caldwell School District is also working to extend WiFi access at their schools into the parking lots for student use. You can find more information here. Want to Help? This is a daunting, multi-faceted community issue that we are facing and there are many organizations working actively to support those who need it. Below is a map of WiFi spots in Caldwell. The library will keep working with other organizations to try and provide the best support possible. We are available for phone, email, or chat assistance daily, from 10 am to 5 pm, with the exception of Sundays. Please reach out if you have questions or need help or guidance. Idaho Business for Education is working on collecting and refurbishing computers for students. Home Internet Access The Idaho State Department of Education has a list of what every internet provider is providing for discounts for service to support learning at home. Here is a link to a large file that is available in English and Spanish.