Summer Challenge: Pre-Reader Edition

Did you know that, in addition to teens and kids, pre-readers can now participate in the Summer Challenge? This year, we have a special activity log just for children ages 0-3!

Our littlest Library customers can earn entries into the summer prize drawings, by completing small challenges (10 by July 9; another 10 by August 6), such as tracing and drawing letters, singing the alphabet, visiting the children's area of an FCPL branch, enjoying a bedtime story, building with blocks, and  other developmentally-appropriate tasks.

You can even use FCPL eResources to help you complete activities from the log. 

"Read for 20 minutes, or 2 picture books"? 

Check out BookFLIX, for animated videos of great fiction and non-fiction books  (each book can be read with or without the help of audio, depending on the age of the reader, and unfamiliar words are explained with a click of the mouse). 

"Listen to music and dance together"? 

Stream some family-friendly music on Freegal and 'bust some moves.' For your convenience, Freegal even has a playlist of Children's Chart Toppers!

Learn more about the Summer Challenge here, and sign up at any FCPL branch. 

Win it Wednesday: That's Me Loving You

Every Wednesday we will give away a new book. For a chance to win, just fill out the form at the bottom of the page and you'll be entered into a drawing. The drawing will run from Wednesday through 11:59 PM Friday and winners will be announced on Mondays. (Note: you must be a Fresno County resident to be eligible for Win it Wednesdays.)

That's Me Loving You by Amy Krouse Rosenthal; illustrated by Teagan White

When soft breezes give kisses and shimmering stars offer winks of encouragement, the world around you takes on a whole new light. Open this book to find gentle rhymes that soothe the pangs of separation and remind those you love that you are never really far away.

Words by New York Times bestselling author Amy Krouse Rosenthal and exquisite illustrations by Teagan White will transform wherever you are into a place of everlasting comfort.

Update: Joaquin V. is the winner of this beautiful book!

Clifford at the Library

Everybody's favorite big red dog is once again visiting the Library, for Dog Days of Summer!

These events are quite popular and registration fills up quickly, so be sure to call ahead to ensure your spot (branch contact information provided below).

Thanks again to Valley PBS and EECU, for sponsoring Clifford's 2017 FCPL tour.

(Click to enlarge.)

Reading...Roadtrips?: Day Trips for Book Lovers

Summer is the perfect time for excursions of all kinds, but what if you could use vacations and day trips--fun time--to support learning?

The folks over at Reading Rockets have put together some book and activity pairings to help you do just that!

For example, if someone in the family is into archaeology or dinosaurs, you might read Peter Dickinson's A Bone from a Dry Sea, Byron Barton's Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones, Jan Wahl's The Field Mouse and the Dinosaur Named Sue, or Charlotte Jones' Fingerprints and Talking Bones, and then take a trip to a sandy beach for a "fossil hunt."

Find a full page of activity suggestions here!