KidsNews Newsletter
South Dakota State Library
Braille and Talking Book Library
Summer 2007, Volume 2, Issue 2
Editor: Karen Duenwald
Notes from the Director - Dan Boyd
There are many changes taking place at the South Dakota State Library. Because of necessary changes in services provided by the State Library, there will be less space in the near future. Since the library will have less space, some of the programs including the Braille & Talking Book Library will have less space for the services provided. Two of the changes will have some impact on your talking book service.

A decision was made that the South Dakota State Library would no longer provide library service directly to individuals. This decision did not include the Braille & Talking Book Library except in the case of large print books. If you have received large print books from the SD Braille & Talking Book Library, this service is now being provided through your local public library. Please visit your local public library and talk with them about your large print needs.

The second change will be in the cassette book collection. With less space we are going to have less shelving for cassette books. In the near future the library will be reducing the size of its cassette book collection. The collection will still contain all books that have been produced, and all new books that will be produced, just fewer copies of each title.

The library will have a backup collection in another location that can provide additional copies for a short period of time if necessary. The library also has the ability to duplicate copies to fill requests as needed.

If you have any service problems in the future please contact the library at 1-800-423-6665 and explain your problem. The staff at the South Dakota Braille & Talking Book Library will work with you to solve your problem.


An Awarding Summer of Reading
The 2007 Governors Summer Reading Program culminated with an awards event on August 11th in Rapid City, South Dakota at The Journey Museum. Three first place and three second place winners and their families attended the event. Plaques were presented by Dorothy Liegl, South Dakota State Librarian and assisted by Dan Boyd, Director of Information Services at the State Library. Joe Harris, District 5-SW Governor, represented the Lion's Foundation and presented $50 savings bond to the top reader overall in the braille and recorded format. Marcus Van Dam was the braille recipient and Jordan Harkless won in recorded books.

"Get A Clue @ Your Library" was the theme of this year's program. This program is sponsored by the Braille and Talking Book Library. It ran from June 13 through July 22, 2007. This annual event is funded by the South Dakota Lion's Foundation. Fifty-four students participated in the program and 476 books circulated. The participants could only use recorded books or braille books for the program.

This year's winners include, Division 7 to 9 age division recorded books, first place went to Jordan Harkless and second place went to Emily Busch. Marcus Van Dam took first in braille books and Rachel Johnson won second. In the 10 to 12 age division, recorded books, first place winner was Sarah Dolney, second place went to Christian Christopherson, and Wyatt Buntrock took third place. The braille winner was Michael McMillen. In the 13 to 15 age division, recorded books, first place went to Zeb Norris, second place to Derek Nieland and third place went to Mike Steinmeyer. No braille book reports were received.


The Rose Project
Receive World Book Encyclopedia Articles in Braille
Thanks to a generous grant from the Claire Giannini Fund, this service is offered free of charge for blind students in grades 1-12.

To order an article, contact Seedlings toll-free at 1-800-777-8552 or go to http://www.seedlings.org/rose.php and fill out the form toward the bottom of the page.


Harry Potter is Here!!!
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone RC 47260 & DVS00282
  • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets RC 48437 & DVS00303
  • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban RC 48772 & DVS00349
  • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire RC 50228 & DVS00467
  • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows RC 64495

Please let us know
Are your preferences changing or do you wish to increase/decrease the number of books that you are currently receiving?

Contact your Reader Advisor so that they may assist you.
  • If your last name starts with A through I, ask for Mary
  • If your last name starts with J through R, ask for Carrie
  • If your last name starts with S through Z, ask for Brian

New Non-Fiction books for all ages
  • RC 62913 The Fastest Dinosaurs - Don Lessem
    Explains the way scientists determine which dinosaurs ran the fastest by comparing their fossil remains with living animals. Discusses why speed mattered to dinosaurs and probable causes of their extinction. For grades 2-4. 2005.

  • RC 62072 The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey - Louise Borden
    Biography of the Jewish writers who fled from Nazi-occupied France with the original manuscript for Curious George. Features the creation of the illustrated story and its four-month journey with the couple by bicycle, train, and ship to New York City, where the book was published. For grades 3-6. 2005.

  • RC 63530 Kids' Container Gardening: Year-Round Projects for Inside and Out - Cindy Krezel
    Author provides an overview of plants and garden requirments. Presents a variety of projects and craft ideas organized by season, including a worm bin, a Venus flytrap terrarium, clay-pot people, and Halloween hats. Some adult assistance recommended. For grades 3-6. 2005.

  • RC 58214 You Must Be Joking! Lots of Cool Jokes - compiled by Paul Brewer
    Not only a collection of over two hundred jokes and riddles but also tips on writing, memorizing, and telling them. For grades 3-6. 2003.

  • RC 63254 Heroes of Baseball: The Men Who Made It America's Favorite Game - Robert Lipsyte
    Sportswriter presents baseball's greats and discusses the reasons they acheived legendary status. Explains that beyond hitting amazing home runs, pitching perfect games, making impossible catches, or stealing home, these players affected American culture and the history of the game. For grades 4-7. 2006.

  • RC 63361 The Founders: The Thirty-nine Stories behind the U.S. Constitution -Dennis Brindell Fradin
    Biographical sketches of the thirty-nine men who wrote and signed the Constitution in Philidelphia in 1787. Biographies are arranged by the twelve states represented. Includes the full text of the Constitution. Companion to The Signers: The Fifty-six Stories behind the Declaration of Independence (RC 56435). For grades 5-8. 2005.

  • RC 63396 Built to Last: Building America's Amazing Bridges, Dams, Tunnels, and Skyscrapers - George Sullivan
    Traces the history of the design and construction of seventeen architectural and engineering feats in the United States in the past two hundred years. Features the U.S. Capitol, Brooklyn Bridge, Hoover Dam, Golden Gate Bridge, the interstate highway system, and the Sears Tower, among others. For grades 5-8. 2005.

  • RC 63010 American Medical Association Boy's Guide to Becoming a Teen - Kate Gruenwald Pfeifer
    Advice for preteen boys on the physical and emotional changes experienced during puberty. Discusses body functions, shaving, acne, and relationships. Also addresses resisting peer pressure to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, use drugs, and become sexually active. Some descriptions of sex. For grades 5-8. 2006.

  • RC 63009 American Medical Association Girl's Guide to Becoming a Teen - Kate Gruenwald Pfeifer
    Advice for preteen girls on the physical and emotional changes experienced during puberty. Discusses acne, menstrual cramps, health, exercise, and weight issues. Also addresses resisting peer pressure to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, use drugs, and become sexually active. For grades 5-8. 2006.

  • RC 63593 The Calendar - Patricia K. Kummer
    Discusses the origins and history of the calendar. Explains the concept of reckoning time in ancient civilizations, differences between lunar and solar calendars, the change from the Julian to the Gregorian system, and modern formats. For grades 5-8. 2005.

  • RC 61908 Guys Write for Guys Read - edited by Jon Scieszka
    A selection of writings by boys' favorite authors - Avi, Chris Crutcher, Dan Gutman, Stephen King, William Sleator- about being a boy. Scieszka, who took these pieces from his Guys Read web site, describes them as "funny, action-packed, sad, goofy, gross, touching, stupid, true, and all very short." For grades 6-9. 2005.

  • RC 63633 Big Snacks, Little Meals: After School, Dinnertime, Anytime - Rose Dunnington
    Presents over forty easy-to-fix dishes, ranging from sweet to salty and from fruit and vegetables to seafood or meat. Many are finger foods. Introduces kitchen basics, cooking terms, and safety tips. Recipes list equipment needed, ingredients, and step-bystep directions. For grades 6-9. 2006.

  • RC 62945 Stars and Galaxies - Ron Miller
    Discusses properties of stars, constellations, and galaxies. Explains the life cycle of a star, the space between the stars, the classification of stars, and theories about the universe. Includes simple experiments and quick facts. For grades 6-9. 2006.

  • RC 63526 The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood - Howard Pyle
    Recounts the legend of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws-- including Little John, & Friar Tuck-who plunder the rich to help the poor. Describes Sherwood Forest escapades against their enemy the Sheriff of Nottingham. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 1883.

  • RC 63612 Animal Care
    Guide to careers dealing with both wild and domesticated animals. Discusses job duties, salaries, work environment, and required education for such occupations as animal trainer and shelter employee, park ranger, pet groomer, veterinarian, zookeeper, and more. For senior high and older readers. 2006.

  • RC 62855 Coping with Vision Disorders - Debbie Stanley
    Provides a brief overview of eye conditions that can cause vision impairment or blindness, such as retinitis pigmentosa, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, papilledema, macular degeneration, and traumatic injury. Discusses treatment options and ways to accommodate vision disorders. For senior high and older readers. 2001.

  • RC 63350 Louis Braille: A Touch of Genius - C. Michael Mellor
    Biography of Louis Braille (1809-1852), who by age sixteen designed a code of raised dots enabling blind people to read and write easily. Discusses the advantages of his tactile reading system. For junior and senior high and older readers. 2006.


New Fiction Books
For grades Kindergarten - 3:
  • RC 57880 - Pinky and Rex and the Just-Right Pet
  • RC 58218 - I Am Not Going to School Today!
  • RC 59452 - Goodbye Mousie
  • RC 59455 - Froggy's Day with Dad
  • RC 60052 - Don't Let the Peas Touch! And Other Stories
  • RC 60939 - If I Ran the Circus
  • RC 62588 - Amanda Pig and the Really Hot Day
  • RC 62685 - Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa
  • RC 62778 - Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride
  • RC 63062 - Iris and Walter and the Birthday Party
  • RC 63372 - Henry and Mudge and the Big Sleepover
For grades 2- 4:
  • RC 58215 - Elisa Michaels, Bigger and Better
  • RC 60569 - Judy Moody Saves the World!
  • RC 61393 - Lenny and Mel
  • RC 62746 - Jigsaw Pony
  • RC 63459 - Martin Bridge: On the Lookout!
For grades 3-6:
  • RC 57582 - Nothing Wrong with a Three-Legged Dog
  • RC 58216 - Saving Lilly
  • RC 60061 - The Tattletale Mystery (Boxcar Children)
  • RC 60942 - Avram's Gift
  • RC 61396 - Ophie out of OZ
  • RC 62599 - The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
  • RC 63257 - The Last Schoolhouse
For grades 4-7:
  • RC 59693 - Ida B ... and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and...
  • RC 61167 - The Penultimate Peril: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 12
  • RC 61390 - Each Little Bird That Sings
  • RC 62598 - A Bear Named Trouble
  • RC 63007 - Archer's Quest
  • RC 63091 - The Jungle Book: The Mowgli Stories
  • RC 63151 - Defiance
For grades 5-8:
  • RC 60396 - The Last of the Roundup Boys
  • RC 61395 - My Guardian Angel
  • RC 61397 - Fire in the Hole!
  • RC 61487 - Whisper in the Dark
  • RC 62556 - Wizards at War
  • RC 63253 - The Fighting Ground
  • RC 63464 - Singing Hands
For grades 6-9:
  • RC 61630 - Heroes Don't Run
  • RC 62064 - Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie
  • RC 62322 - Sea Glass: Golden Mountain Chronicles, 1970
  • RC 63054 - The Will of the Empress
  • RC 63360 - Alice in the Know
For Senior High Readers:
  • RC 62540 - Black and White
  • RC 63169 - Accidents of Nature
  • RC 63359 - Brunettes Strike Back
  • RC 63397 - Confessions of a Hollywood Star
  • RC 63569 - The Rules of Survival

Descriptive Video Catalog
Borrow great blockbuster videos - We have all of the following genres:
  • Action adventure
  • Biographies
  • Comedies
  • Documentaries
  • Drama
  • Family and Children (Animated)
  • Family and Children (Non-animated)
  • Holiday Classics
  • Horror
  • Mysteries
  • Musicals
  • Romance/Romantic Comedy
  • Science Fiction/Fantasy
  • TV show episodes for kids
  • War
  • Westerns
The Descriptive Video catalog is now available on our website. Once you get there you can browse titles, download the catalog, or go to the WEBOPAC (online ordering site) and order specific titles.

You may also request a paper copy (braille or large print) or an audio copy of our Descriptive Video catalog and order form.

If you would prefer one of these three forms sent to you, please contact your Reader Advisor at 1-800-423-6665.


Holidays
Celebrate Native American Day at Crazy Horse Memorial! Enjoy free admission for the 18th annual celebration that will feature Native American singers, dancers, artists and storytellers. Program at 10:00 am, followed by a blast on the mountain and free buffalo stew for all.

The Braille and Talking Book Library will be closed on the following holidays:
  • Labor Day - September 3
  • Native American Day - October 8



The Kid's News, published quarterly, is our means of communication with the younger patrons of the Braille and Talking Book Library. The Kid's News is available in braille, on cassette, in large print, or on a diskette upon request and is posted on our website: www.sdstatelibrary.com/b&tb

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.