As parents we try to pepper our children’s experiences with learning opportunities. Below are some books you can share with your children about Independence Day. Have a Happy 4th of July!

Fourth of July, Sparkly Sky by Joan Holub—board book toddlers will enjoy.

Hats off for the Fourth of July by Harriet Ziefert—(Preschool to 1st Grade)—Spectators wait to see what will come next as they watch the town's Fourth of July parade.

Apple Pie Fourth of July by Janet S. Wong—(Kindergarten-Gr. 2)—A Chinese American child fears that the food her parents are preparing to sell on the Fourth of July will not be eaten.

Beat the Drum : Independence Day Has Come selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins/illustrated by Tomie dePaola—An anthology of poems for all ages about American independence.

Happy 4th of July, Jenny Sweeney! by Leslie Kimmelman—(Kindergarten-Gr. 2)—Town residents prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July with food, a parade, and fireworks.

Happy Birthday, America by Mary Pope—(Kindergarten-Gr 2)—The whole family joins in a lively small-town celebration of Independence Day, including a parade, a picnic, music, and fireworks. An author's note explains the origin of the celebration of July 4th.

Hold the Flag High by Catherine Evans Clinton—(Gr 3-6)—Describes the Civil War battle of Morris Island, South Carolina, during which Sergeant William H. Carney became the first African American to earn a Congressional Medal of Honor by preserving the flag. In July 1863, a significant battle in the Civil War was fought. Sergeant William H. Carney, an officer of the newly formed Massachusetts Fifty-fourth Regiment - comprised entirely of African Americans - led his soldiers over the ramparts of Fort Wagner, where Union soldiers charged the Confederates. As the soldiers fought, they gained strength from the stars and stripes of the American flag, Old Glory. It was Carney's vow to never let Old Glory touch the ground, and despite several gunshot wounds, he was able to rescue the flag from the fallen bearer. Carney held the flag high as a symbol that his regiment would never submit to the Confederacy. The battle of Fort Wagner decimated the Fifty-fourth Regiment, but Carney's heroism that night inspired all who survived.
 

I knew I’d have a difficult time adjusting to life without Harry.  I love the Harry Potter books and have savored reading each one of them.  What I miss most about them, though, is the excitement that each book release brought.  One of the things that struck me about the spectacle that accompanied each book release was how people from so many different walks of life embraced these books.  I’m delighted that, although there won’t be any more books in the Harry Potter series, we can look forward to two more movies.

I’m not the only one still struck with Harry. To celebrate Harry’s birthday and the release of the new movie, the Milwaukee Public Library is hosting two events. Join us!

Harry Potter Celebrations:
Get ready for the movie release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and celebrate the birthday of Harry Potter, the famous boy wizard.  Activities include treats, games, prizes, and Quidditch!  Registration is required.

Bay View Library                         Zablocki Library
Thursday, July 16, 6-8 p.m.          Wednesday, July 29, 6-8 p.m.
Call 286-3019 to register             Call 286-3055 to register

This might be the perfect time to reread one of the books in the Harry Potter series.  If you’ve never listened to them, I recommend an audio book.  The 17+ disks make for a lot of listening, but Jim Dale’s narration brings JK Rowling’s words to life.  Welcome, back Harry. I’ve missed you.

There is an old adage that change is the only thing in life that remains the same.

In this blog I share information about books and reading tips that I hope you find useful.  For me, that is the library.  The library is also the buildings and materials, the people, the information we share, and the heart of a community.

If you follow local news, you know that the Milwaukee Public Library is faced with some serious issues regarding our budget and the future of our aging system.  See this link for more about this challenge: www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/51360527.html

We are not alone in this crisis.  Libraries across the country are facing similar challenges.  I think libraries are at a crossroad, but I by no means believe that libraries have lost their importance or relevance in the 21st Century.

If you care about libraries, if you have an opinion about libraries, and if you want to be part of change that is necessary, I encourage you to make time to attend one of our Community Meetings.  For dates and locations for the community meetings: mpl.org/file/news_community.pdf

It’s your library.  Listen and be heard.  It’s an exciting time and an opportunity to help shape the future of our libraries.