READING A SERIES

We all know that it takes practice to become a good reader. The more a child reads, the more confident they become. For most children the first books they read on their own are picture books that were read aloud to them at home or at school. They often find it easier to decode words from a story that is so familiar they have memorized it. The better a reader knows a story, the easier it is for them to understand the meaning of the words.

Series books offer a consistency of characters and formulaic plots that provides uncertain readers with the reassurance of familiarity. Novice readers find selecting a book intimidating. By sticking with a series it minimizes the risk of feeling frustrated and allows children to select their next book with confidence.

Reading books in a series can be the first step, a jumping off point before moving to more challenging stories.

For more experienced readers, series helps encourage the reading habit.

Stop into the library and pick up our new brochure that list all the series books found at the Scarborough Public Library.

CHANGE CAN BE A GOOD THING!

There have been a few changes in the Children's Room of late. Travis moved to Seattle, Washington to work in a school library and Miss Rita is no longer working as Youth Services Assistant. Tuesday night, February 1st was her last Pajamarama. They will both be greatly missed.

On January 18th, the community of Scarborough welcomed the new Youth Services Librarian Louise Capizzo, known as Mrs. C. Stop in and say hello.

Happily, amidst all the changes some things do stay the same. Mrs Taylor's steady smile and warm heart is still there. She will continue to lead the baby and toddler story times, in addition to visiting area day cares and nursery schools. Linda also remains to help those who visit the library during our evening hours.

Keep checking back weekly for postings on upcoming programs, book suggestions, and new books added into the Children's Room collection.

Mary Hoffman and Falconer's Knot

I'm just finishing reading Falconer's Knot by Mary Hoffman. I picked it up because I was attracted to the cover (in the style of medieval illuminations), to the subtitle 'Of friars, flirtation and foul play' and since the Scarborough Summer Reading theme this year is mysteries, I thought I should pick up a young adult mystery or two to recommend.

It is a good story, but not excellent--though that may just be my complete lack of enthusiasm for the mystery genre influencing me. The writing seems a bit redundant, to me and her characters, while generally convincing, don't always seem quite true to the way I believe they would have thought and lived in the 13th Century Italy, when the story is set.

There is a whole lot about religious art and how colors were created for the gorgeous decorations painted onto cathedral walls (by friars and nuns) that I find fascinating. The lives of Catholic religious people (saints as well as cloistered folks) are interesting too. So far there have been several murders, with a plot that grows ever more twisted. I am mostly just plodding through to see who dunnit because I like the historical tidbits. Hoffman has written several other books, including Amazing Grace, Boundless Grace, and  the Stravaganza series, which I think I will try out.