Library Programs Ideas to Invite Patrons into Dr. Seuss' World.

In the wonderful and whimsical world of Dr. Seuss there are many characters to love. From the mischievous Cat in the Hat to the grouchy Grinch to lovable Thidwick. Without a doubt, Dr. Seuss' creative genius has enriched children's literature for the better. His legacy in kiddie lit is making reading fun, easy and rhythmical for young readers. The fact that his tales have stood the test of time, seventy-five years to be exact, is an amazing accomplishment. Not many authors, especially in children's literature reach that level of durability. It would not be a stretch to say that there will never be another children's author/illustrator who can capture the magic of Dr. Seuss.

It's hard to image what children's literature would be like without Seuss' books gracing the bookshelves. The idea of putting together a story that contained two hundred twenty-five new reader vocabulary was pure inspiration. The Cat in the Hat introduced himself to young readers and has stolen their hearts forever. For struggling young readers this is a gift that lasts a lifetime. Rhyming words stories provide the opportunity to learn simple words without becoming boring or tedious. It is quite the opposite. That is to say, it's unique and engages the reader with every page.

Dr. Seuss' birthday (March 2) is the perfect time to plan a Seussical program at the library. This isn't just kid stuff. Nope. Programs can range from Cat In the Hat Look alike contests. Invite patrons of all ages to take pictures of their pets dressed as the CAT in the Hat. This is an opportunity for all pet lovers to show off their four-legged family member's artistic side. The library can also sponsor a cooking class for the entire family which features green eggs and ham. Not Surprisingly, children will not only want to learn the recipes but will also want to try the tasty treats. Not forgetting that there are teens who still love and have fond memories, activities that involve memorizing, puzzles and mayhem will certainly get them into the action. One idea is to challenge teens to put together a floor puzzle of a Dr. Seuss title as fast as they can. The pieces are twenty-four in all and very big. Putting it together should be easy, right? Teens are always looking for the catch, as well as they should with sneaky librarians. Hide the pieces are the library and have teens find them. Once they have all twenty four pieces they can put the puzzle together. It's a fun time for all and is a homage to the mischievous Cat.

In all honesty, a library that does not recognize this wonderful author's work in some fashion, is missing out on an wonderful opportunity to lure patrons into the library. The creativity of Dr. Seuss should provide a gold mine of ideas when it comes to celebrating books, reading and of course, libraries.

Economic Hardships at Home and at the Library

There is no denying that everyone is facing challenging times. As a librarian who serves young ones the economic crisis hits home in more ways than one. Parents, who only two or three years ago, visited the library during the evening are now coming in the mornings or afternoons. These same adults are now taking advantage of the career resources in the library, hoping this will lead to new opportunities. As a part time children's librarian, it is easy for me to relate to their situations. Library budgets are getting tighter, which means materials and staff hours are victims of the "necessary" cuts. However, for the children it is not so easy for them to understand why Mom and Dad are worried all the time. They see having Mom and Dad around all day long as a bonus. Which in some cases it is but the harsh reality is that paychecks are needed to sustain a household.

It has been become a "mission", for lack of a better word, to help parents discuss unemployment and tough economic time with their children. There are so many other resources out there on how to talk to children about Internet safety, bullying, and even sex education. All good topics, but when a family is struggling to make ends meet, other topics become important. For example, money management, security and becoming resourceful. In searching for books that would help parents discuss this topic, it was important to find resources that not only help children understand their situation but also emotionally support the parents who are trying so hard to make their children's lives "normal". It was equally important to find books that parents and children could read together.

This list is meant to be shared with friends, family and library patrons. The books listed here are not the end all be all about the topic. If there is a title or two that was missed, please feel free to send them to: lvnlibrarian@yahoo.com. As new titles come in, I'll post them to the blog. A full bibliographic handout, which includes summaries of the titles and publishing information is available.

Ramona and Her Father Beverly Cleary
The Gold Watch Bernice Myers
Everything You Need to Know When A Parent Is Out of Work Stephanie St. Pierre
Finding A Job For Daddy Evelyn Maslac
Twilight in Grace Falls Natalie Honeycatt
The Babe and I David A. Adler
The Effects of Job Loss On the Family Michele Alpern
What I Believe: A Novel Norma Fox Mazer
Trading Places Claudia Mills
When Times Are Tough by Yanitzia Canetti
Let's Work It Out: What To Do When Your Family Has to Cut Costs Rachel Lynette