Nov 24

Written by: Joe Longo
Monday, November 24, 2008 

Dec. 12 is the last day to vote for the 2008 Debbie Zimmerman Early Years Niagara Literary Award for children's literature aimed at the 0-6 age group.

Families are encouraged to read these books together before voting by paper ballot at public libraries, Ontario Early Years Centres, regional child care centres or online at www.earlyyearsniagara.org

The books are:

“The Cow That Laid an Egg” by Andy Cutbill

“I Don’t Like Gloria” by Kaye Umansky and Margaret Chamberlain

“If You’re Happy and You Know It: Jungle Edition” by James Warhola

“An Orange in January” by Dianna Hutts Aston

“A Visitor For Bear” by Bonny Becker

“Bon Chien Fergus” by David Shannon

All may be borrowed at our four libraries where you can vote for your favourite until Dec. 12th. The winner will be announced in January.
This award is named for Debbie Zimmerman in recognition of her service as Regional Chair of the Niagara Region. It highlights the importance of the youngest citizens in Niagara; encourages early reading with children from infancy to age six; helps parents choose the right books for children from infancy to age six; helps parents choose the right books for children; and celebrates children's authors.
This award aims to draw attention not only to the value of reading with children in their early years when their brains are at peak development, but also to the need for quality books for this age group.

It recognizes the invaluable role that libraries, Ontario Early Years Centres and child care centres play in supporting Niagara’s families and encouraging early literacy in our community. In partnership with the Touch-a-Truck fundraiser, copies of the award-winning books have been given to these sites where families and children gather.

Look for the following when choosing books for infants: Simple, clear and colourful pictures, with or without words; bright patterns or pictures with high contrast; real life pictures of babies, people, animals and toys; rhythm, rhymes, songs and simple poems; stories told with short, simple sentences; board or chubby books manageable for little hands; cloth or soft vinyl which is easy to wash and grasp.

Look for the following when choosing books for toddlers: Books with objects to name and identify; illustrated song books and movement stories; stories with textures, smells and sounds; books with high interest topics, simple plots, predictable endings, colours, and numbers; stories having repeat phrases for a child to echo.