Need to Know:
Volunteers Needed for Friends Annual Book Sale
The Friends Annual Book Sale is returning in August and we need your help to make it a success!
Volunteers will be rewarded with warm fuzzy feelings... and first crack at the books for sale. We need help setting up on August 5 and help during the sale itself August 6, 7, and 8.
Fill out our interest form and let us know your availability!
P.S. It's not too late to sign up for summer reading. Log your hours and you could win an amazing prize! Adults welcome!
From the Stacks:
Staff Recommends: Queer Sci-Fi & Fantasy
5 great sci-fi and fantasy reads with LGBTQ+ characters. Happy Pride!
Have You Tried Mango Languages?
A language learning app that's completely free with your library card!
You Asked, We Answered!
Question: Hi! I work at a library in Utah, and I've been put in charge of organizing a book display for Pride Month this June. Do you have suggestions for good pride display books, especially those featuring transgender people?
Answer: For my Pride displays, I typically steer more towards educational titles about queer history and key figures. Since our library is in Northwest Indiana (right outside Chicago) we have a lot of books about LGBTQ+ life in the Chicagoland area. Maybe you can find some titles geared toward Utah's history.
Some titles I've used myself are The LGBTQ+ History Book from the DK Big Ideas series, A Queer History of the United States by Michael Bronski (which also has a young readers' version), and The Book of Pride by Mason Funk. These are all about queer history or the Queer Liberation Movement. Another popular one is The Queens' English by Chloe Davis, which discusses the slang and idioms that come from queer culture. I always think it's useful for folks to learn the context of popular queer phrases and how these connect to larger histories.
Looking at trans experience, a couple books I really like are Trans + and The Trans Teen Survival Guide. Both of these provide social and medical advice for trans youth. There are other titles that speak more to personal experiences from trans individuals, like Growing Up Trans edited by Dr. Linda Herriot and The T Guide by drag performers Gigi Gorgeous and Gottmik.
Finally, here's a quick random list of other titles that have been crowd-pleasers on my displays: Felix Ever After, Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda, Leah On The Offbeat, Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, The Magic Fish, Queer - 2nd Edition, Transgender History, Beyond the Gender Binary, A Quick & Easy Guide to Queer & Trans Identities. I could keep going, but hopefully this gives a good jumping-off point!
Kids' Skill-Building Books:
Iguana Miss You by Sandra Boynton
Skills:
• Phonological Awareness
• Letter Knowledge
Practices:
• Talking
Extend the book with a paper bag dino puppet!
Dino Duckling by Allison Murray
Skills:
• Narrative Skills
Practices:
• Talking
Extend the book with a paper bag dino puppet!
How does TALKING help my child get ready to read?
Lake County Public Library
1919 W 81st Ave
Merrillville, IN
(219) 769-3541