From the Main Library

In July and August 2013,  Todd Parr will be dropping in to many Oakland Public Library locations to read and draw with kids. Mr. Parr is the author and illustrator of dozens of books for children.  

All of his Oakland Public Library appearances will include a short read-aloud and tips on how to draw. Additionally, a free, healthy lunch will be served to youths ages 0–18, as part of the Free Summer Lunch Program held at many Oakland Library locations. Free Summer Lunch is provided by the Alameda County Food Bank in partnership with the City of Oakland.

Mr. Parr suggested the

The Caldecott Medal turned 75 this year, and the Association for Library Service to Children (a division of the American Library Association) celebrated last week at the ALA national conference in Chicago, where the 2013 Caldecott Medal was presented to Jon Klassen for This is Not My Hat.

You can celebrate at home or at your library!  Free resources at the Caldecott 75th Anniversary webpage include downloadable bookmarks with clues and answers about the special anniversary logo created by Brian Selznick, and

Want to discover a library secret? Go ahead and take a trip to the 782 section of the children’s nonfiction shelves and you’ll discover something amazing. Hidden treasures! Picture books that are meant to be SUNG! Some are traditional, others are silly – but all are crowdpleasing. Here are a few recommendations to warm up your singing voice:

Have you seen the gardening containers in the front of the Main Library's Children's Room? This summer we have a special series of gardening programs for children on Thursdays. Acta Non Verba; Youth Urban Farm Project is teaching us about soil, seeds, bugs and more. 

In addition to the programming, we also have a new shelf full of gardening books for children. Come to the Main Library Children's Room to both garden and learn about gardening. 

Programs are mostly on Thursdays at 3:00. This week the program will be today (Tuesday) at 3:00. The topic is Weed or Plant? How are weeds and plants different? 

Look at some of the activities! You too could be part of the fun. Come on by!