May 2006

Dear Fellow Book Lovers:

SIBLING APPRECIATION DAY

There are all kinds of celebrations that translate into excellent library programming. We make good use of the traditional ones—April Fool’s Day, May Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Day. I have found that many young patrons respond especially well to little-known celebrations, like Sibling Appreciation Day which is observed on May 2nd. There are children and adolescents who might say that honoring their siblings is the last thing they want to do. Allowing them to do it through books and good book discussion gives young patrons the opportunity to think about their role as a sibling and to examine the ways they can foster a good relationship with their siblings. Here are a few programming ideas:

•  Sponsor a panel of children to discuss their role in the family. Use an oldest child, a middle child, and a youngest child. How does birth order affect their relationship with their siblings? What are things they enjoy doing together? Ask an only child to participate by discussing their desire to have a sibling.

•  Ask patrons to write down what book they would most want their sibling to read and why. Allow them to remain anonymous. Display the books they recommend on the day of the panel.

•  Dedicate a special night for parents. Invite a child psychologist to speak about fostering good sibling relationships. Encourage the parents to read some of the books suggested by young patrons for their siblings to read. What do the book suggestions reveal about sibling interaction?

•  Have young patrons bring a sibling (of any age) to the library and read to one another.

•  Sponsor a game day where siblings play as a team. For example, have a Scrabble or Monopoly championship. A team of siblings should play against teams from other families. All decisions must be made as a team. Give a prize to the winning team.

•  Ask patrons to locate books in the library that deal with sibling relationships. Have them prepare a discussion of at least one book. Suggestions from Random House include:

- A Summer to Die by Lois Lowry (Ages 11 up)

- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (Ages 10 up)

- All About Sam by Lois Lowry (Ages 6–8)

- All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor (Ages 8–10)

- Ashes of Roses by Mary Jane Auch (Ages 12 up)

- Flush by Carl Hiassen (Ages 10 up)

- Journey by Patricia MacLachlan (Ages 10 up)

- Spite Fences by Trudy Krisher (Ages 12 Up)

- Sweet Thang by Allison Whittenberg (Ages 8–12)

- The Quigleys by Simon Mason; illustrated by Helen Stephens (Ages 5–12)

- The Boy-Girl Novels by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (Ages 8–12)

- The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis (Ages 10 up)

You may email me at pscales@bellsouth.net.