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CM . . .
. Volume X Number 16 . . . . April 8, 2004
excerpt:
The American Library Association has prepared this how-to resource intended primarily for librarians and early childhood educators. With the assistance of the PLA/ALSC Early Literacy Task Force and the ALSC Summer Reading Committee, this CD-ROM package is filled with information on how to successfully launch a reading program for three different target audiences. The program could be used with children who do not read on their own OR with newly independent readers OR with children who are starting to read and their reading "buddy." The general target audience age range is birth to six years. Underlying the program is a real desire to engage parents or caregivers in reading activities and help them learn how to help their children get ready for reading and support independent reading activities.
This product is carefully organized and easy to use. In the first section, there is an evaluation form (with a chance to win ALA products if completed this year); a license agreement and instructions on use. The product contains an extensive selection of artwork and graphics to promote the early literacy reading program in your community. The CD also contains a PR toolkit with sample letters and media releases, webs banner images, posters, bookmarks, a game board, certificates, an ad template, brochure template, bumper sticker, button and doorknob hanger graphics, a Curious George display font for both Windows and Macintosh, 16 Curious George book images, a note card, page borders, and stickers. The program guide to successfully launching the program could also be used as a model for many children's public library programs, and it is extensive, helpful and 50 pages long! The heart of this project is the promotion of early literacy skills through activities. The six key skill areas are vocabulary, phonological awareness, print awareness, narrative skills, print motivation and letter knowledge. There are 18 different related activity sheets, and each page represents one activity and is printed three across for easy copying. Each sheet is double-sided, and there is room on the second side for library information. The activity pages are designed for use with different age levels and explain to parents the importance of the skill. For example, the excerpt at the beginning of this review is from one of the activity sheets on developing vocabulary. The text is simply written and attractively organized. On another page to promote phonological awareness, the aural game of "I Spy" is suggested for four and five-year-olds. The activities are very easily done at home without too much expense or using complicated supplies. Especially nice features of the project are the suggestions for rewarding parents for participating in the program as often only children receive prizes or recognition. This CD is highly recommended, and it is well worth the price even if a library only uses the graphics for promotional materials. The reading program is easily adaptable to different situations and communities and will be welcomed by public libraries looking for a new, fresh and attractive program which would appeal both to boys and girls. Although the intent of the program is for use in libraries, many other institutions would find this reading program adaptable for their clients and families. The man with the yellow hat should doff his cap and salute ALA for creating this project! Of professional interest for educators, librarians, family literacy practitioners, and day care staff. Highly Recommended. Lorraine Douglas of Winnipeg, MB, is a Board member of the Canadian Children's Book Centre and has worked in libraries for 30 years.
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title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal
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This CD-ROM is formatted for Windows or Macintosh and has PDF files for graphics in Adobe
Acrobat and various formats like jpgs or tif files for web publishing. All of the files I tested
worked well, and the documents printed beautifully on our low end printer. Many of the files are
on the CD in Spanish, and numerous associated products are also available for purchase at the
online ALA store. The retail price of one CD-Rom is $99.00 US, but special pricing arrangements
are listed at the ALA online store at www.alastore.ala.org. The licensing agreement allows one
user on one computer at one time to use all the images and program materials at no cost and with
the permission of the publisher for reproduction.