KidsNews Newsletter
South Dakota State Library
Braille and Talking Book Library
Summer 2002, Volume 5, Issue 2
Mary Sjerven, Reader Advisor

A Note From Dan Boyd, Director
This is a busy time for the Library. We are in the process of reading all the book reports from the Governor's Summer Reading Program, determining the winners, and putting the final touches on the awards program. It is great to see so many children ages 7 to 15 involved in this very worthwhile summer program.

Reading becomes more important each year. The following "expert advice", The Importance of Reading, was written by Francie Alexander, an elementary school teacher specializing in language development and reading.

Question: Why is reading important in today's society?

Answer: Reading is more important today than it ever was - it is crucial to being an informed citizen, to be successful in your work and for personal enjoyment. Children who read well do better in all aspects of school. As the world becomes more complex, reading is increasingly important for children as they try and find their place in the world.

I encourage all of you to continue reading. Read for your school classes and also read for enjoyment and adventure.

Congratulations to all participants in this year's Governor's Summer Reading Program. All of you made a commitment to read!


Descriptive Videos
We have recently added some new videos to our collection. The videos are available on a first come, first served basis. If you would like a current video catalog, give us a call at 1-800-423-6665.
  • DVS00278 The Big Trees
  • DVS00279 A Beautiful Mind
  • DVS00280 Jurassic Park III
  • DVS00281 Shrek
  • DVS00282 Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

Notice! OVERDUE BOOKS
If you recently received a letter stating you have books overdue, we would like to hear from you. Please call 1-800-423-6665 and let us know if you still have the books or if they have been returned. We can also renew books if you need them longer. Thank you!


The Olympics
taken from Bits Of Gold, Montana Talking Book Library
The ancient Olympics were always held at Olympia in Greece. Only free men who spoke Greek could compete in the Olympic games. The first 13 Olympiads had only one event, the foot race. There were many myths as to how the Olympics began. It is acknowledged that it was a major religious festival honoring Zeus, a Greek god . The winners of these early competi-tions received a crown made from olive leaves. They could also have a statue of themselves set up in Olympia. In his hometown, each winner was treated like our modern day sports celebrities. Some of the perks received were free meals and front-row seats at theaters and festivals.

The modern Olympics began in Athens in 1896. They are held every four years. This year the Nineteenth Winter Olympics were held in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 2004, the Summer Olympics will be held in Athens, Greece.

Before qualifying for the ancient Olympics, each competitor had a dream. Then through rigorous training they met each challenge and achieved their goal. Today's Olympic competitors still strive like their ancient counterparts to reach new levels. As a result, they often break world records and surpass their dreams. Good luck to our world champions.

Here are some books about the Olympics and former Olympic medallists:
  • RC024839 Jesse Owens: An American Life by William J. Baker (adult)
  • RC037971 Jim Thorpe: Sac and Fox Athlete by Bob Bernotas (Grades 5-8)
  • RC036082 The Olympics: A History of the Modern Games by Allen Gutman (Adult)
  • RC039988 Bonnie Blair: Golden Streak by Cathy Breitenbucher (Grades 3-6)
  • RC040916 Fighting Tackle by Matt Christopher (Grades 4-7)
  • RC050066 Babe Didrikson Zaharias by Russell Freedman (Grades 5-8)
  • RC050298 The Story of the Olympics by Dave Anderson (Grades 5-8)

Summer Reading Program
"Join the Winner's Circle-Read!" was the theme for the 2002 Governor's Summer Reading Program held by the Braille and Talking Book Library. The pro-gram is supported by the Lion's Club. Eighty-six students participated in the program and over 260 book reports were returned. An awards program will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2002 in Pierre for the first and second place winners.

The participants could only use recorded books or Braille for the program. The winner's in the 7 to 9 year old recorded book division were first place winner Emily Fredrich and second place winner was Anne Hakala. In the 10 to 12 year old recorded book division, first place winner was Callie Palmquist, second place was Stephanie Moran and third place went to Samuel Robinson. Braille winners in this age division went to Nicholas Pavel, first place and Analis Dannen, second place. In the 13 to 15 year old recorded book division, first place went to Christopher Waldner, second place to Kimberly Beckler and third place to both Robert Baldwin and Christina Cunningham. The first place Braille winner was Wade Turner with second place going to Max Blaschke.

We look forward to having all our students back for next year's program.


Dates We Will Be Closed
The Braille and Talking Book Library will be closed the following holidays. Please plan your book orders to allow for these dates.
  • Monday, September 2 -Labor Day
  • Monday, October 14 -Native American Day

57 Reasons To Smile
Getting a love note . An unexpected gift . Last day of school . Getting an "A" . Doing your best . Being promoted . Exercising . Your stocks rising . Sleeping late . Finding money . Scoring a touchdown . Meeting deadlines . Being first in line . Reaching your ideal weight . Finding a four-leaf clover . A clear blue sky . Baby birds chirping . Teamwork . Lunch break . Encouragement . A massage . A wish come true. Breakfast in bed . Coming homefor the holidays . Being loved . Volunteering . Watching cartoons . Changeof seasons . Dessert. Giving a treasured gift . A full moon . Being applauded . First winter snowfall . Seeing a shooting star . Spending the day with family . A welcome dinner invitation . Frisky kittens . A sleeping baby . A beautiful sunset . Ice cream . Learning something new. Fond memories. A parade . Reaching the finish line . Sharing a joke. Servicewith a smile . No cavities. Birthday cake . A bargain. Seeing a goodfriend . A day at the beach. Hope. A long weekend . Fresh-cut flowers . A phone call from an old friend . Dining out . Witnessing an act of kindness .


Cleaning your room?
When cleaning your room, please look around for any books or unusual machines (the old disk player) that you may have had out for a while. Remember, the loan period for each Talking Book is five weeks. We ask that they be returned in that time in order that other patrons may enjoy them. Good books are meant to be shared!


Tips for Better Service
  • DO Call us at 1-800-423-6665 to request a new machine if you've returned one for repair or cleaning.
  • DO Call us or mail us a note with any questions or requests you may have. (Any notes that you put into a book container you're returning are not seen right away.)
  • DO Leave your cassette machine unplugged when you listen to your books on tape.
  • DO Plug in your cassette machine when you need to recharge the battery.

Fresh Prints From APH
Our first-ever Family Life Catalog is now available! This easy-to-use catalog contains a selection of our products most appropriate for families with visually impaired children. The catalog is now available in print and other accessible editions are in the process of being created. The catalog will beoffered on a regular speed (1 7/8) cassette tape, on a CD-ROM and on our Web site. Contact Artina at: aparis@aph.org.


No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
-Aesop


America
Listed below are books centered on our nation and some of its citizens. This is good about aspects of our heritage and patriotism, which is especially relevant in this time of reflection and resolve.
  • Charles Kurault's American Moments (RC47457) by Charles Kurault.
    A collection of the Emmy-award-winning broadcaster's last works, these short pieces chronicle Kurault's travels throughout America.
  • USA (RC51002) by Elizabeth Berg.
    Provides a brief overview of the cultural history of the United States, highlighting important events and geological formations. Includes a summary on foreign relations.
  • April 1865: The Month That Saved America (RC052027) by Jay Wink.
    In April 1865, the Confederate capitol of Richmond lies in ruins. General Robert E. Lee and Joe Johnston surrender their armies, and President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated. Remarkably, the author contends, the nation survives. He offers analysis of the nation's unusual successful conclusion to a Republic's civil war.
  • So That Others May Live: Caroline Hebard and Her Search-and-Rescue Dogs (RC4094) by Hank Whittmore and Caroline Hebard
    Caroline Hebard, a pioneer in the field of canine search-and-rescue people at disaster sites. Offered are graphic accounts of efforts following the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, as well as other catastrophes.
  • Flags of Our Fathers (RC050264) by James Bradley.
    Recounts the story of the six young Marines who raised the flag at Iwo Jima during fierce combaton the obscure Japanese-held island in 1945. Author Bradley, the son of one of the soldiers, recounts his father's experiences.

Free For the Braille User
This page contains products and services for those students using Braille. All the products and information are free of charge. Each service includes information on the address and telephone number for ordering them.
  • Braille Encyclopedia Articles For Students
    Seedlings, Inc. provides free articles from the World Book Encyclopedia in Braille for students. This has proved to be a very popular service for students who need information for their projects and book reports. Articles for first grade through senior level may be ordered by writing to Seedlings at P.O. Box 51924, Livonia, Michigan 48151-5924; or call 1-800-777-8552.
  • Braille Bible Available
    The Braille Bible Foundation provides free of charge the King James version of the Holy Bible in Grade 2 Braille. Write to the Braille Bible Foundation, P.O. Box 948307, Maitland, Florida 32794-8307; or call 407-834-3628.
  • Free Braille Books for Kids
    The American Action Fund for Blind Children is once again sponsoring the production of Braille novels for children. The following books in series will soon be available free of charge to young Braille readers: Nancy Drew, Nightmare Room, and Little House. For an application, contact: American Actions Fund for Blind Children and Adults, Free Braille Books Program, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230, or phone 410-659-9314, extension 61. You can also Email them at : actionfund@nfb.org . or use their Website at: www.actionfund.org

From Our Magazine Catalog
If you would like to subscribe to any of the following titles, please call the Braille and Talking Book Library at 1-800-423-6665 and ask for your Reader Advisor.

Cassette Magazines
  • Contemporary Sound Track A sampler of articles from national magazines concerned with jazz, rock, country, and pop music.
  • Smart Computing Articles on home computing and reviews of computer software and hardware.
  • Spider: The Magazine for Children Stories, poems, jokes, and crafts for beginning readers ages six to nine. Also available in Braille.
Braille Magazines
  • Poetry Contemporary poetry selected from a wide range of contributors and styles.
  • Stone Soup: The Magazines by Young Writers and Artists Stories, poems, illustrations, and book reviews created by children through ages 13. Features an activities section with suggested related projects.
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.