4 Kids | Stand Up! Be a Leader!

This has seriously happened to me more times than I can count. I tell people I'm a librarian, and their response is something like: "I just don't like to read."

How do we learn about history and about what's going on in the world? How do we learn about new things? Let's ask President Abraham Lincoln.

"A capacity and taste for reading gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others." -- Abraham Lincoln

And by the way, pick up Lane Smith's Abe Lincoln's Dream to enjoy a quick and beautiful story of a little girl's conversation with the ghost of our 16th president.

How can we expect to make it in the world without being able to read? Let's ask the famous cartoonist and creator of The Simpsons, Matt Groening.

"I can't believe it! Reading and writing actually paid off!" -- Matt Groening

How do we spend our free time? Do we spend hours in front of the TV instead of doing something that expands our mind and opens us up to new worlds? For a little on this, let's ask one of the most famous comedians of the modern era, Groucho Marx.

"I find television very educating. Everytime somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book." -- Groucho Marx

There are no guarantees in life, but I really, truly believe a successful life is more achievable when one is a reader. Do you want to be a leader or a follower? Do you want to make an impact on the world, or sit back and let the world happen to you? For some insight on this, let's ask our country's 33rd president, Harry S. Truman.

"Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers." -- Harry S. Truman

 

For a little reading inspiration, join us at the Cesar Chavez Central Library for a special Families Reading Together program on Monday, April 29th at 6:30 pm. It's for children of all ages, and parents must come with their kids! And to get even more excited, here's some great news: Each child that comes to the program gets a free book! No kidding!!

 

One last thing: there is still time to enter the Children's Book Week Writing Contest. Contest information can be found here.

 

Be a reader. You won't be disappointed.

 

Until next week, happy reading!

 

--Suzy

4 Kids | Happy Birthday, Abraham Lincoln

Today is the day we celebrate the birthday of our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. 

Photo courtesy of en.wikipedia.org

He was born in 1809 in a one-room log cabin in Kentucky. He is remembered for leading our country through one of its bleakest times -- the Civil War. He staunchly opposed the expansion of slavery in our country.

He was our tallest president at 6'4", and the first president to have a beard!

A few things you might not know about our 16th president: He patented a system to alter the buoyancy of steamboats in 1849. In 1863, Lincoln created a national banking system with the National Banking Act which resulted in a standardized currency. And even though hunting was popular in the 1800's, Abe disliked harming or killing animals, even for food.

He was the first president to be assassinated, shot while attending a play. He died on April 15, 1865.

One of the most impressive things I've learned about our 16th president is that he was mostly self-educated. He only had a couple years of formal education.

So in the spirit of self-education, let's all make a promise today to learn more about Abraham Lincoln. You can find a ton of great books about this national hero at the SSJCPL branch libraries. Here are a few of my favorites:

Lincoln's Last Days by Bill O'Reilly is a gripping account of one of the most dramatic nights in American history - of how one gunshot changed the country forever. This book is adapted from Bill O'Reilly's bestselling adult historical thriller, Killing Lincoln. This book takes place in the spring of 1865 when President Lincoln travels through Washington, D.C. after finally winning America's bloody Civil War. In the midst of celebrations, Lincoln is assassinated at Ford's Theatre by a famous actor named John Wilkes Booth. What follows is a thrilling chase, ending with a fiery shoot-out and swift justice for the perpetrators.

If you like historical fiction (you know, a made-up story that is set in the past), then check out Deborah Hopkinson's Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend. This is a tale of two boys who get themselves into more trouble than bear cubs in a candy store. The year is 1816. Abe is only seven years old, and his pal, Austin, is ten. Abe and Austin decide to journey down to Knob Creek. The water looks scary and deep, and Austin points out that they don’t know how to swim. Nevertheless, they decide to traverse it. I won’t tell you what happens, but let’s just say that our country wouldn’t be the same if Austin hadn’t been there to help his friend.

So in honor of Abraham Lincoln's birthday, let's promise to educate ourselves and learn more about our country's 16th president. Check out all the books about Abraham Lincoln at a SSJCPL branch library near you!

Until next week, happy reading!