Zoo keeper, Amos McGee loved working at the zoo and visiting his friends the elephant, tortoise, penguin, rhinoceros, and owl. Until one day he woke up not feeling well and had to take the day off. Of course his friends wondered where he was and decided to take matters in their own hands to see about their friend. They make a surprise visit to see Amos and cheer him up on his sick day as he would do for them. In this wonderfully illustrated picture book children will learn the lessons of compassion and friendship.

Recommended by: Denyce Malone - Flanner House Library

• Amazon Look Inside: A Sick Day for Amos Magee
• GoodReads: A Sick Day for Amos Magee
• GoogleBooks: A Sick Day for Amos Magee
• More Staff Recommends

More books about sick days and the people who show up to help out:

Children and families are invited for stories from guest readers, games, activities and snacks during this program sponsored by IMCU. Meet the Library's mascot, Digit, as well as Cubbie from IMCU. Those attending are encouraged to register for the Library's 2013 Summer Reading Program and receive a prize. Schedule

In this world of ever changing technology it is nice to come across the simplest style of interactive entertainment in a small book that children of all ages can enjoy.  The book Press Here by Herv’e  Tullet  needs no plugs, no accessories, no “apps” for that.  All it requires is a willing reader.  It will make you smile, it will make you laugh, it will amuse you as you follow along with the instructions printed on every page.

Recommended by: Susan G. Barhan - Southport Branch

More Staff Recommends

Here are some more stories that encourage you to play along as you read:

In celebration of International FireFighters' Day take a look at these images from the history of firefighting right here in Indianapolis. At right is a photo of a horse drawn firetruck from 1874. In this digital collection you will be able to show your kids photos of old firetrucks and actual fires being fought right here in Indianapolis. A great hometown field trip? The Indianapolis Firefighters Museum and Historical Society on Massachusetts Ave.

Websites:

• IndyPL Digital Collection: Indianapolis Firefighters Museum
• Official Website: Indianapolis Fire Department NOTE: Registration Form for Firefighter For a Day Camp in June!
• VisitIndy: Indianapolis Firefighters Museum & Historical Society
• Firefighters: Survive Alive!

Books:

That lovable little red puppy who grew up and became Clifford the BIG RED DOG is coming to town! Clifford will appear in the 2013 Indy 500 Festival Parade with library staff making sure he doesn't take any wrong turns or float away!

Made possible by The Indianapolis Public Library Staff Association and Friends of the Library through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. 

Here are some websites and books that will help you know all the fun details of Clifford's BIG adventures with Emily Elizabeth.

•  Clifford's Official Website
• Clifford: Activities & Printables
•  PBS: Clifford
•  NPR’s 2012 Norman Bridwell Interview on the occasion of Clifford’s 50^th birthday. Did you know Norman was from Kokomo, Indiana?
•  Indy 500 Festival Parade
•  SLJ’s Interview with Norman Bridwell

Books:

Clifford DVDs:

Downloadable Audiobooks:

• Clifford the Big Red Dog
• Clifford Takes a Trip
• Clifford at the Circus
• Clifford’s Birthday Party
• Clifford’s Good Deeds
• Clifford’s Pals
• Clifford’s Happy Easter
• Clifford’s Christmas

Books Recommended By: Janet Spaulding - Selection Services

Children of all ages and families are invited to Central Library's Clowes Auditorium as the Indianapolis School of Ballet performs an excerpt from its upcoming show, "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Following the performance, ballet dancers will conduct a workshop in the Learning Curve's Green Screen Theatre highlighting various ballet dance moves. Children will be invited to participate in practicing the ballet steps the dancers will exhibit.

Sunday, May 5, 2013 @3:00pm

Websites:

• Indianapolis School of Ballet
• Folger Shakespeare Library: Shakespeare for Kids
• University of Texas at Austin: ShakespeareKids
• BBC: William Shakespeare

Books:

By dialing 275-4444, or toll-free at 877-275-9007, callers will hear recorded stories from Pacers players who demonstrate their love of reading as a way to encourage young ones to develop the habit.

This year's "Read Like a Pro — Call-a-Pacer 2013" schedule includes:

Beginning April 29 Read by: Paul George Is Your Mama a Llama? Deborah Guarino	Beginning May 6th Read by: Gerald Green I’ve Lost My Hippopotamus Jack Prelutsky
Beginning May 13th Read by: Orlando Johnson How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You? Jane Yolen	Beginning May 20th Read by: George Hill How Do You Feel? Anthony Browne
Beginning May 28 Read by: Ian Mahinmi Never Take a Shark to the Dentist Judi Barrett	Beginning June 3rd Read by: Jeff Pendergraph Wiggle Doreen Cronin
Beginning June 10th Read by: Tyler Hansbrough Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Bill Martin, Jr.	Beginning June 17th Read by: Miles Plumlee Pop! The Invention of Bubble Gum Meghan McCarthy

Websites

• Official Website: Jack Prelutsky
• Official Website: Shel Silverstein
• Official Website US Poet Laureate: J. Patrick Lewis
• Official Website: Maryann Hoberman
• Official Website: Marilyn Singer
• The Poetry Foundation
• Giggle Poetry
• Children's Poetry Archive
• Freegal Downloadable Music: Shel Silverstein Reading his Poetry - Type Shel Silverstein in the search box (Freegal is a downloadable audio service. Checkout items with your IndyPL Library Card.)
• IndyPL Digital Collection: James Whitcomb Riley Recordings

Favorite Poetry Books:

New Poetry Books:

Books Recommended by: Janet Spaulding, Selection Services

"We're going over in a safe area," she told the 5-year-olds. Then, she opened a book and started to read. CNN

This is what we have to offer you today in the aftermath of the inexplicable. Come. Open a book. Start to read. Hold them close and revisit old friends together; Curious George, The Cat in the Hat, Arthur, The Little Engine That Could.

Or stay at home and do the same. Find the books in the bookcase with the dog-eared pages and the tell-tale bite marks on the spine; the ones you can probably recite without looking at the pages. Choose the one with the coffee ring on the cover for having been on the bedside table every night.

Favorite stories are steadfast old friends to count on in times of trouble.

It is clear from the resources we have gathered below that one of the best things we can all do is simply reassure children that many people - their family, their teachers, their neighbors, the people at day care or church or the library love and care about them and are looking out for their safety.

“Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh?" he whispered.
"Yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's hand. "I just wanted to be sure of you.”

― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

This video shares some expert advice from the makers of Sesame Street:

Professional Advice about Helping Children Cope with Violence and Tragic Events:

• The Fred Rogers Company: Fred Rogers Talks About Tragic Events in the News
• KidsHealth: How to Talk to Your Child About the News
• Boston Children's Hospital: Talking to Children After Tragedy
• Family & Children's Services: Boston Marathon Explosion - Resources for Parents
• Books to Help Kids Cope with Boston Marathon News
• Talking with Kids about the Tragedy in Boston
• Psychology Today: Helping Children Cope After the Boston Marathon Bombing
• Today Show Video: Psychiatrist Dr. Gail Saltz offers tips on how to tell your kids about the tragedy in Boston and answer their questions while making sure they feel safe and secure.
• PBS Arthur Special Program: Helping Our Children Feel Safe
• El Señor Rogers: Cómo ayudar a los niños con acontecimientos trágicos en las noticias
• National Association of School Psychologists: Helping Children Cope
• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Talking to Children about Community Violence
• LA Times: Helping Children Cope With Tragedy
• The National Institute of Health: Coping With Trauma after Violence and Disasters
• Common Sense Media: Explaining the News to Kids

How to Help:

If your family would like to do something tangible to help, here are some sites that can help you find where to offer support. There will be more, probably, in the coming days and we will add to this list when that information becomes available.

• How to Help: Boston Marathon Support & Resources
• Runners World: How to Help or Show Support for Boston
• American Red Cross: Donations
• American Red Cross: Donating Blood
• American Red Cross: Safe and Well Listings
• Google Person Finder: Boston Marathon Explosions

While favorite stories are comforting and familiar, you may find that it would be helpful to read a book together that helps your child understand feeling afraid or anxious; or answers questions he or she might have about death. Below are several children's books that address separation anxiety, fear and grief. These are just a small sampling to show you the kinds of books that are available. Also listed are some parenting books about helping a child cope with anxiety. Click on any book jacket to go directly to the online catalog to make a request with your IndyPL Library Card, or visit any of our branch locations. IndyPL librarianswould be happy to help you find books like these.

	A Terrible Thing Happened - After Sherman sees something terrible happen, he becomes anxious and then angry, but when a counselor helps him talk about these emotions he feels better.		Jenny is Scared - When Jenny and her brother are frightened by events in the world, their parents help them talk about their fears and feel better.
	On That Day: a Book of Hope for Children - This book tells children that although terrible things happen, there is still hope that the world can be a better place.		Tough Boris - Although he is a very tough pirate, Boris von der Borch cries when his parrot dies.
	Love Waves - While they are at work a mother and father send powerful "love waves" to their child at home, offering reassurance and comfort in their absence.		The Kissing Hand - When Chester the raccoon is reluctant to go to kindergarten for the first time, his mother teaches him a secret way to carry her love with him.
	The Kiss Box - As they prepare for a short separation, Mama Bear and Little Bear find a way to reassure each other while they are apart.		Mommy in My Pocket - A little girl gets anxious about separation from her mommy when she goes to school.
	When Dinosaurs Die - Explains in simple language the feelings people may have regarding the death of a loved one and the ways to honor the memory of someone who has died.		Freeing Your Child From Anxiety - Written by an expert in the field of childhood anxiety disorders, this indispensable guide is for parents looking for safe, proven methods for reducing childhood anxiety. Dr. Chansky shows them how to teach their child to successfully deal with stress and face the challenges and uncertainties of life. This resource is a CD but is also available as a Downloadable eBook
	Growing Up Brave - The author, a childhood anxiety expert, helps parents identify and understand anxiety in their children, outlines effective and convenient parenting techniques for reducing anxiety, and shows parents how to promote bravery for long-term confidence.		Tear Soup - A modern-day fable, told in a richly illustrated children's book format, about a woman who has suffered a terrible loss. Grandy has just suffered a big loss in her life, so she is cooking up a batch of "tear soup," in which the ingredients are parts of the grieving process, including memories, misgivings, feelings, and tears.

For the past year, Ms. Denise has been sharing her love of reading with the youngest patrons at College Avenue. Through sign language, songs, stories, activities and crafts, Denise helps families to realize that reading comes in different formats and can be found in many different places. Adults are always encouraged to be engaged and interactive with young people along their reading journey.

Ms. Denise looks forward to reading with you soon and invites you to visit one of her storytimes:

• All programs begin at 10:30 am
  
• Tuesdays- Baby & Me (children ages 9 months and younger who are not crawling - this program is not for older siblings)
• Wednesdays- Preschooler & Me (children ages 3-5 years)
• Thursdays- Toddler & Me (children 10 months to 2 years)

Meet Ms. Denise:

Time with the Library: 4 ½ years

Favorite book: Any book that gets a young child excited about reading.

Favorite Thing about being a Librarian: “Hearing from parents about how their children “play library” or sing our regular storytime songs while at home and the stories about the adults who encourage their friends and even strangers to come to the College Avenue Branch storytimes. Sharing a love of learning and reading with others.”