KidsNews Newsletter
South Dakota State Library
Braille and Talking Book Library
Spring/Summer 2000, Volume 4, Issue 1-2
Mary Sjerven, Reader Advisor
Connie Sullivan, Program Coordinator

"Ideas are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands. But like the sea faring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you will reach your destiny."


A message from the director, Dan Boyd
It is time to begin thinking about the Summer Reading Program. This year's theme is COSMIC CONNECTIONS AT YOUR LIBRARY. This will be the eleventh year of the program. The Braille and Talking Book Library has the responsibility of providing alternative formats for printed materials to those individuals who cannot read standard print. Our collection includes books recorded on cassette and books in braille.
The Summer Reading Program is designed for children ages 7 through 15. Its purpose is to encourage print-handicapped children to discover the fun of reading for pleasure, to continue improving reading and comprehension skills over the summer, and to promote use of the library.
As I sit here in my office, I started to think about my library experience as I was growing up. How I felt when I became old enough to borrow books from the library in my own name, and the summer reading program they had at the library. I also remember reading the Hardy Boys mystery stories. In these stories I worked with the Hardy Boys to solve many mysteries.
The library has made a commitment to making your experience with this library very enjoyable. I would like you to have the same kind of library memories that I have.
The Summer Reading Program information will be mailed to you at the end of May, so be watching your mail for the future of the COSMIC CONNECTIONS AT YOUR LIBRARY.


American Library Assocation Newberry
Sixty-five years ago the American Library Association established the Newberry as a means of honoring U.S. authors they believed made the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children each year. Each annual winner is announced at the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting. Freddie the Bookworm looked up the winners of the last ten years. How many of these books have you read?
  • 2000 Bud, Not Buddie by Christopher Paul Curtis (in production)
  • 1999 Holes by Louis Sachar (RC 47444) (BR 12174)
  • 1998 Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (RC 46712) (BR 11956)
  • 1997 The View From Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg (RC 43549)
  • 1996 The Midwife's by Karen Cushman (RC 40833)
  • 1995 Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech (RC 39621) (BR 10280)
  • 1994 The Giver by Louis Lowry (RC 37689) (BR 9626)
  • 1993 Missing May by Cynthia Rylant (RC 36384) (BR 9884)
  • 1992 Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds (RC 35064) (BR 8861)
  • 1991 Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinwlli (RC 33527) (BR 8637)
  • 1990 Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (RC 31580) (BR 8258)
  • 1989 Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman (RC 28922) (BR 7812)

Bad Cold
Shel Silverstein, from Falling Up (RC42824)
This cold is too much for my shirtsleeve.
Go get me a Kleenex-
and fast. I sniffle and wheeze.
And I'm ready to sneeze
And I don't know how long I can last.

Atchooo-it's too wet for a Kleenex,
So bring me a handkerchief, quick.
It's atchoo- no joke,
Now the handkerchief's soaked.

Atchoo-it's too much for a bath towel.
There never has been such a cold,
I'll be better off
With that big tablecloth,
No-bring me the flag off the pole.

Atchoo-bring the clothes from the closet,
Atchaa-get the sheets from the bed,
The drapes off the window,
The rugs off the floor
To soak up the cold in my head,

Atchoo-hurry down to the circus
And ask if they'll lend you the tent.
You say they said yes?
Here it comes-Lord be blessed-
Here it is-Atchooo-there it went.

What's Cooking?
Are you bored and would like something to do? Ask Mom if you may use the kitchen and try your hand at making finger jello.
Finger Jello
  • 5 envelopes Knox gelatin
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 ½ cups water
  • 2 six ounce packages of jello
Take gelatin and 1 cup water, set aside and let dissolve.

Bring to boil, 2 ½ cups water and 2 six ounce packages of jello, in a saucepan. Add dissolved gelatin.

Add one cup of cold water to the above mixture. Pour into a 9 x 13 inch pan. Let stand for ten minutes. Put in refrigerator for one hour. Cut into squares.

For special occasions use a cookie cutter to make different shapes. For example, on Easter use blue jello and an egg shape cookie cutter. Use your imagination.

Practice your math, double or triple recipe. Have Mom or Dad check your measurements.

Governors Summer Reading Program
It is time to begin thinking about the Governors Summer Reading Program.

This years theme is Cosmic Connections at Your Library. This will be the eleventh year of the program.

The Summer Reading Program not only allows you to win some prizes, but it also is a fun way for you to improve your reading skills. Take time to register and participate in this fun program. Please remember that "TODAY'S READERS ARE TOMMOROWS LEADERS".

When you receive your Summer Reading Program registration form in the mail this year, "TAKE THE CHALLENGE".

For our new readers, the Summer Reading Program is open to ages 7 through 15 which are then broken down into three age groups. Within these are also two divisions: recorded book readers and braille book readers.

Watch your mail. Registrations will be sent the end of May.


Carved Art Puzzle
Katchina International Inc. has available several different types of carved art puzzles - puzzles with raised pictures. The concept behind the puzzle is to memorize the puzzle pieces by touch and put it together. These puzzles are not recommended for children under age three. Puzzle pictures are: a decorated candle, an eagle, a tulip, a butterfly, a hummingbird, a maple leaf, a hot air balloon, a lighthouse, and the Statue of Liberty. The candle and eagle cost $5 each; the tulip, butterfly and hummingbird $11.90 each; the maple leaf, hot air balloon and lighthouse $15.60 each; and the Statue of Liberty $25.80. Prices do not include shipping or taxes. For more information, call (819) 775-6181, or write to Katchina International Inc., C.P. 84062, Gatineau, Quebec J8P 7K8, Canada.


Be cheerful. Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.


Need More Books?
We now have three Reader Advisors ready to serve you. For faster service, call toll-free: 1-800-423-6665. If the first letter of your last name is A-G, ask for Mary. If the first letter of your last name is H-O, ask for Kathy and if the first letter of your last name is P-Z, ask for Jerry.

If you need more books, are not getting titles you like, or have other questions, please call.


Voice Mail at the Braille and Talking Book Library
Have you called us lately? If you have, you probably encountered our voice mail. Please do not get upset and hang up.

We at the Braille and Talking Book Library want to provide you with the best service possible. Frequently there are times when all of us are on the phone, and we can't answer your call. Please listen to the instructions on the machine, leave a message, and we will return your call.


Request List
We can better serve you if you would provide us with a long list of cassette book numbers you would like to receive. The more cassette book numbers we have on file, the better it is to serve you. Let us know if you have a favorite author or subject you enjoy reading about. You may mail your request list to us. Just address your envelope to The Braille and Talking Book Library, 800 Governors Drive, Pierre South Dakota 57501-2294. No postage is necessary. Write "Free Matter for The Blind and Physically Handicapped" in the upper right hand corner of the envelope. Be sure to include your name and your address on your list.


Return Books - Please!!
Take a moment to look and see if you have cassette books that you are no longer using. These titles may have been requested by other patrons. Please return your books so that others may read them.


Planning Your Summer Vacation?
We are open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. If you or your parents are ever in Pierre, come visit us! The Braille and Talking Book Library is located on the second floor of the State Library at 800 Governors Drive, Pierre, South Dakota.


Ready to enjoy a good movie?
Descriptive videos (DVS) are movies where the visual elements are described-the action, characters, locations, costumes and sets - without interfering with the movie's dialogue or sound effects. To watch these movies and hear the descriptions, you only need a regular VHS video cassette player (VCR) and television. No special feature or devices are needed. Videos are loaned for one week, two videos at a time, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Call 1-800-423-6665. A copy of the DVS loan policy and a listing of available movies will be sent to you. Listed below are a few of our latest titles.
  • DVS00217 Hope Floats
  • DVS00218 Lady and the Tramp
  • DVS00221 Twins
  • DVS00222 Antz
  • DVS00225 Gomer Earns a Bully
  • DVS00226 Run Away Kid
  • DVS00228 Titanic

Change of address/telephone number?
Notify us of any changes in your address or telephone number as soon as possible so we can better serve you. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!


Web Site
http://63.67.3.52/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=304 is a Ready Reference Guide on the Internet. It is an alphabetical listing of topics that go from "Appel, U.S." to "Zip Codes." There are links to primary sites in more than 650 subject areas. (webpage no longer active, 02/2006)

Get Wild About Reading
Tune in to a new children's series on PBS. An exciting new program that helps kids learn to read premiered April 3rd on PBS. Meet the "mane" stars: Theo, Cleo, Lionel, and Leona --- a family of lions with a ferocious appetite for books.

Check your local listing for the time.


Machine Not Working?
If you notice a problem with your machine, call first and we will send a replacement. Do not attempt to make any repairs yourself. When you return a machine to the library for replacement, it's important that you call first and tell us of your need. Call toll-free 1-800-423-6665. If you put a note with the returned equipment, please follow-up with a phone call indicating you need a replacement. If equipment is returned without notification, it will not automatically be replaced.


KidsNews
KidsNews, published quarterly, is our means of communication with the younger patrons of the Braille and Talking Book Library. KidsNews is available in braille, on cassette or on a diskette upon request and is posted on our website: www.sdstatelibrary.com/talkbook

If you have any questions or comments you would like to address, or wish to request this newsletter in alternative format, please contact the Braille and Talking Book Library.


The South Dakota Braille and Talking Book Library does not endorse any product or service listed in this newsletter.