“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

These words were spoken by the late, great American civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr. He is one of many African Americans we recall this February during Black History Month. Our children’s library has many books that tell of the struggle and accomplishments of African Americans. Please stop by and check some out!             

Martin's Big words: the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. / Doreen Rappaport / JB KING

Coretta Scott / poetry by Ntozake Shange ; paintings by Kadir Nelson. / JB KING

The story of Ruby Bridges / by Robert Coles ; ill. by George Ford. / JB BRIDGES

Barack Obama : son of promise, child of hope / Nikki Grimes ; illustrated by Bryan Collier. / JB OBAMA

Heart and soul : the story of America and African Americans / words and paintings by Kadir Nelson / J 973.0496 N

We Honor two great presidents on that day, George Washington Born on February 22 and Abraham Lincoln., February 12th

During the Revolutionary War George Washington was commander in chief of the army. Once our government was formed, he became our first president and served two terms.

Abraham Lincoln was our 16th president, serving from 1861 to 1865. He was a strong leader during the Civil War. He signed a paper called the Emancipation Proclamation which freed the slaves.

The Children's section of our library is full of wonderful books about these two presidents.

Did you know in California we used to celebrate two great presidents birthdays in February on separate days?

For more facts go to:

http://www.life123.com/holidays/more-holidays/february-holidays/why-do-we-celebrate-presidents-days.html

http://holidays.kaboose.com/presidents-day/presidents-day.html

Recently an Article in the School Library Journal

(Februrary 6, 2012)

Shared the facts of how Therapy Dogs are a great way for relunctant readers to improve their reading skills.

http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2012/02/library-services/therapy-dogs-presence-steadily-grows-in-libraries/

Come on the 2nd Wednesday of Each Month and join our LOVE on a LEASH Reading time with our Pet Therapy dogs

MURPHY our  Westie

HONEY our Golden Retriever

HANK a Bull Mastiff

You may not "carrot" all for me

the way I care for you.

You may "turnip" your nose

when I plead with you.

But if your "heart" should "beet"with mine

forever "lettuce" hope.

There is no reason in the world

why we two "cantaloupe"

Author Unknown

Valentine's Day is the day when we find ways to show people  how much we love them. You can show someone you love them by giving them a special Valentine's Day card or by giving them gifts like candy or flowers.

Where does Valentines's Day originate? The Romans celebrated their spring festival, Lupercalia , on February 15th. Traditionally love messages written by maidens were drawn from a large urn by an unmarried men who would then court the young ladies whose messages they read.

However, when Christianity arrived, the Holiday was moved to February 14th and Pope Gelasius I, named it Saint Valentine's Day. It is said that the day was named after several martyrs called Valentine. One of these martyrs, both a physician and a priest was imprisioned. In the Book, Saint Valentine, Robert Sabuda tells us that from his jail cell, Valentine sent a note to his blind patient which said, "From your Valentine."

These two holidays have blended to become a day in which we celebrate love.

It is more than just saying, "I Love You" or bringing home flowers or candy. This day represents a day in which you can show your friends, family, teachers, neighbors, and yes your local librarian how special they mean to you by being kind.

Valentine's Day is a day we can keep in our hearts all year long.

Sources: library of congress website: http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/_modern_valentin_1.html

Sabuda, Robert. Saint Valentine.Atheneum:Maxwell, 1992.Print

Love -

Youth Services

Well it is not new, rather it is a NEW area of books we are now shelving in a more convenient location!

Now when you are looking for Beginning Readers but want books that teach a topic like, How Trees Grow; What sound does CH make? ; A Home in a Coral Reef

You will find this new collection at the End of the JREADER shelves.

Look for the Call Number: JREADER NON-FICTION

Our Beginning Readers are books designated by the publisher with levels 1-3 and are for children starting to read on their own.

We hope this new area will make searching for beginning reader books for your child much easier and more enjoyable than hunting through the mass of books in the regular non-fiction shelves.

If you need assistance finding the right book for your child, please ask any of the youth services staff and they will be happy to help you.

Are you tired of boring computer games that don't challenge your brain?

Are you competitive and excited when you win board games?

Do you want to join a club of fellow school mates eager for a new challenge?

If you answered YES and are between the ages of 6-12 Come join the Chess Club!

We meet every Monday from 3:30-5:30 pm In the Children's Room

The last game match pair up is at 4:45pm.

Come make new friends! Come Challenge your brain! Just come and play chess for fun!

San Diego Symphony Education and Outreach Program Presents:

Music Around The World this Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Two Performances

10:00 & 11:15 AM

In the Escondido Public Library, Turrentine Room

A Musical journey around the globe sampling music by Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Victor Herbert, Bela Bartok and More.

Learn how various cultures influence the music we know and love.

This special program is Free and Open to the Public, All Ages Welcome.

Come early, as seating is limited.

NEW Children's Books Available for checkout!

1. E-Mergency! by Tom Lichtenheld and Ezra Fields-Meyer (JE Lichtenheld)

The Alphabet family gets into some trouble when E gets hurt. Will thoy bo succossful? Road on!

2. The Biggest Kiss by Joanna Walsh and Judi  Abbot (JE Walsh)

Who has the BEST kiss of All? Read along with this sweet tale and discover a new family favorite.

3. The Yippy Yappy Yorkie in the Green Doggy Sweater by Debbie Macomber and Mary Lou Carney (JE Macomber)

For Ellen and Baxter it's a new neighborhood that doesn't look like their old home. Will they find new friends?

4. What's New at the Zoo? by Betty Comden and Adolph Green (JE Comden)

What a great treat! A taste of a legendary Broadway Musical "Do Re Mi", and how the life in a Zoo moves from cramped to comfy! 

5. If I Never Forever Endeavor by Holly Meade (JE Meade)

Will the young new bird give his new wings a try? Follow this tale written in verse as he discovers the new world of flight!

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Did you discover a new book this year? Stop by and share your stories with us!

With so many amazing children's books published in 2011, you can imagine how hard it was to narrow our choices to just 10 of our favorites. Without further ado, here they are (in no particular order):

1. Stars by Mary Lyn Ray and Marla Frazee (JE Ray)

This charming book explores the wonder of stars, whether they are in the night sky, on a plant as a promise of fruit to come, or in one's pocket for those days when one does not feel shiny.

 2. Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick (JFic Selznick)

Having lost his mother and his hearing in a short time, twelve-year old Ben leaves his Minnesota home in 1977 to seek the father he never knew in New York City. There, he meets Rose, who is also longing for something missing from her life. Ben's story is told in words; Rose's in pictures. A tale that will truly warm hearts everywhere.

 3. Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu (JFic Ursu)

A contemporary re-telling of Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen, Breadcrumbs is the story of the unbreakable bonds of friendship. Hazel and Jack are best friends until a mishap with a mirror wreaks havoc on their relationship. When Jack disappears, Hazel embarks on an epic journey to save him.

 4. Grandpa Green by Lane Smith (JE Smith)

A great-grandfather's ordinary life is shared in an extraordinary way with his great-grandson through a topiary garden. Exquisite pictures and storytelling elevate this book. Families will enjoy reading this one together.

 5. Bone Dog by Eric Rohmann (JE Rohmann)

Although devastated by the death of his beloved dog, a  young boy goes trick-or-treating and receives a timely visit from an old friend during a scary encounter with graveyard skeletons. It doesn't need to be Halloween to enjoy this truly special book.

 6. Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker (JE Rinker)

At sunset, when their work is done for the day, a crane truck, a cement mixer, and other pieces of construction equipment take their rest at the end of the day. A sure bedtime favorite!

  7. Bigger than a Breadbox by Laurel Snyder (JFic Snyder)

Devastated by her parents' separation, twelve-year old Rebecca must move with her mother from Baltimore to her grandmother's house in Atlanta. There, she discovers an old breadbox with the power to grant any wish--so long as the wished-for thing fits into the breadbox.

  8. Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henkes (JE Henkes)

As he hops along, a little white rabbit wonders what it would be like to be green as grass, tall as fir trees, hard as rocks, and flutter like butterflies. Stunning artwork makes this one a page-turner.  

 9. The Umbrella by Ingrid Schubert (JE Schubert)

A little dog + one umbrella = a fantastic journey. A story told entirely in pictures, The Umbrella  is a whimsical story appealing to all ages.

 10. Wildwood by Colin Meloy (JFic Meloy)

After her baby brother is kidnapped by crows, seventh-grader Prue McKeel ventures into the forbidden Impassable Wilderness--a dangerous and magical forest in the middle of Portland, Oregon--and soon finds herself involved in a war among the various inhabitants.