Want to unplug over the holidays?

In the technology-filled world that we live in, it is easy to get swept up in obsessing over the latest gadget or getting glued to the screen, especially during the holiday shopping season.  At the same time, the holidays are a time when families are together unwinding.  As such, they present a good opportunity for the whole family to disconnect from devices and go tech-free for a while!  

Here are some recommended picture books to read with your child that illustrate the joys of unplugging.

hello! hello! by Matthew Cordell

A child seeks a way to communicate with parents and a brother who are busy with their electronic devices.

Chloe by Peter McCarty

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Chloe Bunny lives with her big family of ten older brothers and sisters and ten younger brothers and sisters, but it is only Chloe who is able to compete with the new television set that Dad brings home one evening.

Unplugged : Ella gets her family back by Laura Pedersen

Upset that her family is so focused on the screens on their various electronic devices that they no longer talk, laugh, and play games together, Ella takes all of their chargers and small devices.

Blackout by John Rocco

When a busy family's activities come to a halt because of a blackout, they find they enjoy spending time together and not being too busy for once.

Doug Unplugged by Dan Yaccarino

Doug the robot discovers that cities are much more than downloaded facts when he unplugs from the computer feed and explores one first-hand.

 Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman

A boy and a robot strike up a friendship despite their differences.

Do you have any children’s book recommendations regarding technology you’d like to share?  Post in the comments below!

*Thanks to Kathy Kleckner of Dakota County Libraries for the recommendations at the Minnesota Library Association Conference 2013- "Early Literacy and Screen Time."

 

Sarah Hawkins, Branch Librarian, Chisago Lakes Area Library

Stuffed Animal Sleepover at the Chisago Lakes Area Library

14 lucky stuffed animal friends got to sleep over at the Chisago Lakes Area Library on July 17th as part of the DREAM BIG--READ Summer Reading Program. 

First, children and their stuffed animals came to a special evening storytime.  We read sleepover stories such as Sophie and Sammie’s Library Sleepover and Time to Sleep Sheep the Sheep and had a bedtime snack.  When the children were ready to leave, we sang lullabies to our animals, and tucked them in for the night. 

After the children left, the animals didn’t stay in bed for long.  They got up and wanted to play.  How FUN the library is at night! Here’s a peak at the mischief our special friends got into.

Playing games on the children's computer.

Hanging out by the picture books.

Coloring a BEAUTIFUL picture.

Relaxing with "Read It" the froggy who lives at the library!

"Look!  This movie is about a puppy, just like me!"

These animals decided to take a break from all the fun and help the librarians by shelving books.  Thanks guys!

When these animals grow up, they might want to work in the library.

Peek-a-boo!

"Can we go for a ride in this basket?"

Playing hide-and-go seek in the book drop.

Hanging out in the staff's breakroom.

Uhoh, the animals are hungry again.  They're getting into the librarians' food!

Settling down to watch a movie.

The next morning, the children came to our regular storytime at the library to pick up their friends.  Each child took home a photo book of their animal’s adventures.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the program!

Sarah Biro, Branch Librarian, Chisago Lakes Area Library