Bayou Boogie in New Children's Music by Ms. Julia

I enjoyed listening to this fun music while cooking dinner, but really this CD is made for dancing! Buckwheat Zydeco’s Bayou Boogie is an upbeat CD with classic Zydeco sounds of accordion and rubboard playing a big part in all the tunes on this album. Well-known children’s songs like “Loop De Loop,” “The Loco-motion,” and “Hokey Pokey” are featured, as well as originals. In addition to songs, lead singer, Buckwheat, does a spoken word track that describes the culture of the bayou. Guest stars on the album include Dan Zanes and Laurie Berkner. Put on your dancing shoes and check out Bayou Boogie!

Teachers' Picks for Best Children's Books

The Best Children's Books is a website created by teachers with History, Math, Science and Social Science booklists. It's a great way to get your childrened engaged in what they're learning in the classroom. This website was suggested to us by a parent who says that she uses this site to find books on topics her daughter is learning about in school, and then she finds the books at the library. "I think it has really helped her finally like history! Yea!"

The website was created by three sisters who are all teachers. They would spend holidays discussing books they'd read and decided to share their picks through this website.

You can access this website by clicking the title above.

A wild, Wild West Party!

Thanks to all of the Cowboys and Cowgirls that came to our Wild West Party. We had a great time roasting marshmallows, telling stories by the fire and playing games. Here are some pictures from our the Great Cowfolk Campout at River Forest Library!















Ms. Julia dressed up and ready for the Wild West Party!













Ms. Latrice reading to the cowboys and cowgirls around the fire.













After stories we decorated our vests, boots, and hats.
















A few cowgirls having a great time.













Roasting marshmallows by the fire, don't get too close it's hot!!












Nothing says campout like S'mores!













Nice boots little lady!












Brother and sister having a good time.














Perfect Cowboy hat after we read Don't Touch My Hat by James Rumford













Yeehaw!!

New Media On Demand

These new and well-reviewed chapter books can be downloaded to PC's and Macs, phones, and digital readers (including the NOOK and Sony Reader).

We recently purchased 8 titles include the 2011 Newbery Award Winner Moon over Manifest and 2011 Newbery Honor Books Turtle in Paradise and One Crazy Summer.



Check out the new and growing collection of audio and e-books for kids available to River Forest Library cardholders through mediaondemand.org

Snow Day!!

Is their a better way to spend a snow day than at the Library with friends? I don't think so, and I think lots of other people feel the same way! Here are some pics from Thursday's snow day...

"Old" Family Movies: A Review by Ms. Kim

With blizzards and snow days and sub-zero wind chills, it is a wonderful time to gather together for a classic family movie. These two movies explore the tender pull of friendship and are generally appropriate for ages 6 and up.

In the animated feature film, The Iron Giant, a boy in 1950s rural America befriends a 50-foot tall iron giant that has crash landed on Earth. This movie has moments of sweetness and adventure as the boy works to hide his new friend from the military.

In Born Free, Joy and her husband live and work in central Africa. When a litter of lion cubs come into their lives, Joy is drawn to Elsa who she raises to a full-grown lioness. There are fantastic scenes of animal mischief, stunning natural vistas, and soaring Academy Award winning music. Friends, though, must often part and the true life story of Elsa and her human friends will tug on your heartstrings. Both are available in our J DVD collection.