In a recent Family Storytime, I announced that we would read about money.  A mother, holding her baby, literally gasped.  I know that it might seem strange to talk or read about money to very young and even, not so young children.  Whether we talk to them or not, they are already gathering information and forming opinions.  Research has shown that, just like reading and books, your children are looking to you when it comes to money.  Giving them the opportunity to practice making choices is a good first step. 

2011 Newbery Medal winner Clare Vanderpool returns with another winning entry in the historical fiction genre, Navigating Early.  Follow young Jack Baker as he embarks on a journey of acceptance, discovery, and friendship.

This 3-vol. set presents the social and cultural history of childhood from antiquity to the present. Children and Childhood examines this history through articles on education, parenting, child labor, economics, images of childhood, children's literature, play, toys and games, health, physiology, law, the criminal justice system and social welfare.

I love you. I think you’re grand. There’s none like you in all the land.”  - from Sleepytime Rhyme by Remy Charlip

Continue to celebrate African American History Month and tales of influential people in history with this week's featured new arrival, Nelson Mandela, by Kadir Nelson. This beautifully rendered picture book biography follows Nelson from early life experiences to adulthood and his role as an influential South African leader.

Congratulations to Katherine Applegate and her book, The One and Only Ivan, for winning the 2013 Newbery Medal an award given to the best children's novel of that year.  Based on a true story, Applegate's tale focuses on a gorilla whose home is a shopping mall. "He must be the loneliest gorilla in the world,"  one little boy says.  It's true.  Ivan is lonely.  Luckily, he does have Bob the dog and Stella the elephant to keep him company.  Oh, and he has his art. Ivan is an artist.  And so his days pass...One day almost the same as the next.  Then Ruby arrives at the Big Top Mall and everything changes.  Though he has no idea how he'll do it, Ivan makes a promise to protect this little baby elephant.  He is an unlikely hero, but your whole family will cheer for Ivan as he becomes the magnificent silverback gorilla he was always meant to be. This award-winner begs to be read aloud and shared with the ones you love.  If your family is wild about animal stories, check out more titles below.  Happy Reading!

Join us on the first floor of the Main Library on Sunday, February 24th from 3:00-4:00 p.m. for a special performance by The Columbia City Ballet. They will present excerpts and readings from their world premiere performance of the storybook classic The Little Prince by Antoine Saint Exupery.

The Coretta Scott King Award is given by the American Library Association (ALA) annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators. This year’s recipient was Bryan Collier, an artist whose work is no stranger to the ALA.  The winning illustrations are presented in the book entitled I, Too, Am America, a short but powerful poem written by Langston Hughes, in which Collier beautifully portrays strength in the face of adversity with his watercolor washed collages. Collier has illustrated more than 20 books in his career, collecting several Coretta Scott King awards as well as three Caldecott Honors.

Find fun that the whole family can enjoy in this week's featured new arrival The Yuckiest, Stinkiest, Best Valentine Ever by Brenda A. Ferber. This twist on The Gingerbread Man follows Leon on a quest to declare his true feelings for Zoey Maloney, despite warnings from a grumpy Valentine.