Folktales are stories or myths, often with a lesson or message, that are passed on from generation to generation through storytelling. Children can learn about different cultures and traditions through folktales. Here are a few of the great folktales you can find at FDL:

The Magic Orange Tree and Other Haitian Folktales by Diane Wolkstein

A collection of folktales gathered by the author in Haiti with comments on Haitian folklore. From orange trees growing at the command of a child to talking fish, these stories present us with a world of wonder, delight, and mystery.

The Gigantic Turnip by Aleksey Nikolayevich Tolstoy

In this traditional Russian tale, a farmer grows a turnip so big that it takes the combined efforts of him, his wife, six canaries, five geese, four hens, three cats, two pigs, one cow, and, finally, one mouse to pull it from the ground.

The Empty Pot by Demi

When Ping admits that he is the only child in China unable to grow a flower from the seeds distributed by the Emperor, he is rewarded for his honesty.

Coyote Rides the Sun: A Native American Folktale by Amanda St. John

A Native American tale of how the dusty coyote got its coloring, especially its black-tipped tail, and why the coyote is nocturnal.

Once a Mouse by Marcia Brown

When a small mouse’s life is threatened by large jungle predators, a kindly hermit uses magic to change him into a cat, a dog, and a majestic tiger. But the proud tiger must suffer the consequences when he becomes ungrateful and forgets his humble origins.

The Lion Book of Wisdom Stories by David Self

This collection includes fifteen traditional stories drawn from a variety of cultures from all across the globe. Each tale focuses on a different key issue – among them sharing resources, the downfalls of pride, and the nature of true wealth – and offers insight on how they can best be resolved.

– Jackie Laredo, Youth Services Assistant

Hi everybody! We were really sad to have to cancel the Big Rig Petting Zoo again this year due to Covid-19. Since we couldn’t have a big event, we have a surprise for you! We collaborated with the Fon du Lac Park District Police and East Side Community Media (Channel 22), to make a video that highlights the rescue equipment they use, including 4 big vehicles that are always favorites at the FDL Big Rig Petting Zoo. So cool!

We want to send out a huge THANK YOU to Chief Johnson and Sergeant Keil from the Fon du Lac Park District Police and Deral and Susan Dixon and Paul Coussens from East Side Community Media for making this video possible!!

But wait, there’s more Big Rig fun at the library! After you watch the video:

2. Pick up a Take & Make craft from the Youth Services department or drive-up window.
3. Enjoy the StoryWalk in the Reading Garden: Alphabeep: A Zipping, Zooming ABC written by Debora Pearson and illustrated by Edward Miller. In this book, you’ll see pictures of lots of the same vehicles that you would have seen at our real Big Rig Petting Zoo.
4. Next, take a walk around the Civic Plaza building (Library and City Hall) and check out the Big Rig Scavenger Hunt. We’ve put pictures of the vehicles from previous Big Rig Petting Zoos in the windows. You can pick up the Scavenger Hunt Vehicle List in the Youth Services department or at the drive-up window. (You will need to get out of your car to walk around the building.) Return your completed Scavenger Hunt List to the Youth Services department or drive-up window for a prize.

While you’re in the Youth Services department check out some of the great Big Rig books, in the Nonfiction Section, Board Books, and the GO Section in the Picture Books. Don’t forget online resources like Libby, Axis 360, and Hoopla. You can also browse our catalog, put books on hold, and pick them in person or at the drive-up window.

Here are just a few of the many books Big Rig books you can find at FDL:

Nonfiction

Fire Trucks: Racing to the Scene by Molly Aloian

The Usborne Big Book of Big Trucks by Megan Cullis

Humvees by John Hamilton

Trucks: The Ins and Outs of Monster Trucks, Semis, Pickups, and Other Trucks by Jeff Young

Tractor Trailers by Lola Schaefer

GO Section

Five Trucks by Brian Floca

Dump Trucks by Judith Jango-Cohen

Trucks Galore by Peter Stein

Grandma Drove the Snowplow by Katie Clark

I Stink! By Kate McMullan

Board Books

Construction Zoo by Jennifer Thorne

Busy Builders, Busy Week! By Jean Reidy

B is for Bulldozer by June Sobel

Colorful World: Construction Site by Nastja Holtfreter

Colorful World: Vehicles by Nastja Holtfreter

eBooks

Police Cars Machines with Power! by Amy McDonald (Libby)

Heavy-Duty Trucks by Joyce Milton (Axis 360)

Snowplows by Rebecca Pettiford (Hoopla)

Coast Guard Boats by B. J. Best (Hoopla)

– Kris, Youth Services Specialist

No time to browse? Our Book Bundles for kids are a great way to quickly pick up books for your child, or discover new books by specific subjects, read-alikes, or reading level. Each bundle contains 5 curated books centered around a theme and grade level, and each includes a corresponding craft or activity. Bundles can be requested through the online form, by email, or by phone. Choose from more than 20 topics, including adventure, mysteries, own voices, science, and more! Additional Bonus Bundles are available to check out monthly in Youth Services on a first-come, first-serve basis. Learn more at fondulaclibrary.org/book-bundles/.

Miss Alice thinks you’ll love learning all kinds of cool facts in the fun Who Would Win? series that pits two different types of animals against each other to see what might happen if they were to meet face-to-face! Head to our catalog to place one on hold!

When you mention “reading to children,” lots of people envision curling up in the rocking chair with little kids sitting quietly and listening to the story from beginning to end. Those day are wonderful and make lots of happy memories! However, there are also the times when kids are flipping the pages, crawling down off the chair, or crying because they have better things to do.

This happens occasionally during story time at the library, too. Kids are just finding their feet and going on adventures as they learn to move around. Children are often very busy! There is so much to explore, who can sit down?

On days when your children don’t want to sit down and listen to a story, interactive books may just be the ticket! Not only do interactive books let the child participate in the reading, there are also developmental benefits.

Touch and feel books offer sensory experiences. Pushing, pulling, turning, and lifting tabs help with the development of fine motor skills, as do touching and tracing the images on the pages. Tracing the words, starting at the top, moving left to right, down to the bottom of the page also gives children a very important beginning skill for learning to read.

Movement books help with the development of gross motor skills. Children learning how to walk, dance, run, jump, and wiggle will have lots of fun acting out the stories in these books. Interactive books make it easy to take a break from reading and ask some questions. Taking time to ask children questions throughout the story can help develop critical thinking skills. A great question is “What do you think will happen next?” This will help children make predictions, a skill that is very important throughout life.

Here are some fun books and activities that you and your child can interact with.

Touch and Feel

That’s Not My Giraffe … by Fiona Watt

P is for Puppy by Ellie Boultwood

Happy Thanksgiving Day! by Jill Roman Lord

Lift the Flap

What is Poop? by Katie Daynes

Jonny Lambert’s Construction Site by Jonathon Lambert

Peek-a-Boo Little Dinosaur by Yu-Hsuan Huang

Rapid Responders by Finn Coyle

Movement Books

From Head to Toe by Eric Carle

Boogie Monster by Josie Bissett

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

Dancing Feet by Lindsey Craig

Wiggle by Doreen Cronin

You are a Lion! by Tae-Eun Yoo

Is Everyone Ready for Fun? by Jan Thomas

Clap Your Hands by Lorinda Bryan Cauley

Move by Robin Page

Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson

Rhymes

If You’re Happy and You Know It by Jane Cabrera

The Itsy-Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani

Teddy Bear Teddy Bear by Timothy Bush

The Wheels on the Bus by Annie Kubler

We are the Dinosaurs by Laurie Berkner

Baby Shark by John John Bajet

Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes

Games

Simon Says

Freeze Dance

Activity Cube

– Kris, Youth Services Specialist