Living in Silicon Valley is usually associated with the high tech industry and congested freeways. But there are areas only a few minutes from the busy life of Silicon Valley, where animals find refuge and people can learn and relax.

I am talking about the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge, right here in the South Bay.

On 30,000 acres the Refuge hosts over 280 species of birds each year. Located along the Pacific Flyway it is a busy stopover during spring and fall migration. Experience this amazing place with the whole family and get away from the busy urban life for a while.

If you would like your children to learn more about the Wildlife Refuge, come to one of our events with a wildlife expert at your local library.

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, March 11th @ 4pm
• Alviso Branch Library, April 8th @ 3pm
• Almaden Branch Library, April 21st @ 3:30pm

More events will be scheduled in upcoming months.

Children, teens and families are invited to come to the Edenvale Branch Library to create Valentine’s Day cards on Friday February 11 at 4:00 PM. Supplies will be provided.

Here are some cozy Valentine’s Day books that young children may enjoy:

Be Mine, Be Mine, Sweet Valentine written by Sarah Weeks, illustrated by Fumi Kosaka. Several animals and a little boy give special valentines to the ones they adore.

If You'll Be My Valentine  written by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Fumi Kosaka. A little boy gives special handmade valentines to those who are important to him.

Valentine Mice!  written by Bethany Roberts, illustrated by Doug Cushman. Several mice deliver valentines to the other animals in the forest.

If you enjoy these books, check out the websites of authors Sarah Weeks and Bethany Roberts, and illustrator Doug Cushman.

The Edenvale Branch Library will host a monthly Origami Club on Friday February 4 at 4:00 PM. Our wonderful volunteer chooses new origami designs each month to teach to children, teens and adults. Everyone is welcome!

On Saturday, February 5, at 1:00 PM, Arclight Repertory Outreach will present a Puppetry Workshop especially for children ages 6 and up at Edenvale Branch Library. Participants will create their own unique puppets and learn how to give them life and character through voice and movement. Younger children are also welcome to attend this workshop and create puppets with help of their parents/caregivers.

If you can’t make it to either of these programs, here are some fun books you can check out:

Easy Origami

Not-quite-so-easy Origami

Sort-of-difficult Origami

Difficult Origami

Origami for Fun! (also available in eBook format)

How to Make Puppets with Children

Finger Folk

The San José Public Library has several other books about origami and puppet making, and puppet plays.

Celebrate “Month of the Young Child” at the 2011 San José Children’s Faire

Booth Application Deadline is April 4

SAN JOSE, Calif.—San José Children’s Faire, to be held 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 16th, is expected to draw over 5,000 attendees to Discovery Meadow (in front of the Children’s Discovery Museum) in downtown San José. “Play Together, Learn Together: Growing with Giggles and Grins” is the theme for this year’s annual event, which features family-oriented stage entertainment, special attractions, and activity booths offering hands-on activities for children, ages two to 12, in addition to information for families about education, child care, health and safety resources, and recreational programs.

The Faire, now in its 23^rd year, is a free, one-day, outdoor festival designed to link parents and caregivers of young children with community organizations that serve their needs and is the highlight of the City of San José’s “Month of the Young Child” celebration. Booth applications are currently being accepted through April 4 from local non-profits, community organizations, local government agencies and businesses that provide programs and services for families with young children. No sales, other than food and beverages at designated food booths, are permitted at the Faire. Call Early Care and Education Services at (408) 808-2617 to request an application. Faire sponsorship opportunities are also available.

The “Month of the Young Child” is the local extension of the national “Week of the Young Child” celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. It was established in 1971 in recognition that early childhood experiences (birth to age 8) lay the foundation for success in school and later life. Local observance is a collaborative effort on the part of:

• San José Public Library
• City of San José Early Care and Education Commission
• Santa Clara County Office of Education
• California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN)
• Local Early Education Planning Council
• CA Assembly Member Jim Beall’s Office
• Center for  Employment Training (CET)
• Children’s Discovery Museum
• Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
• Penninsula Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC)
• San Jose Unified School District
• SJB Child Development Centers
• St. Elizabeth’s Day Home
• Teachable Moments Family Child Care

San José City Council proclaims April 2011 as “Month of the Young Child” in the City of San José, encouraging both individuals and organizations to support this observance.

Additional activities marking San José Public Library’s celebration of the “Month of the Young Child” include:

• City Council recognition of this year’s recipients of the “Outstanding Contributors to Child Care” Awards at a casual reception held in San José City Hall Council Chambers..
• Children’s art displays, providing insight into the imagination and development of young children at the Children’s Faire.
• More activities at selected library branches may be located by visiting the library’s Events page at www.sjpl.org/calendar and selecting “Month of the Young Child” as the event type.

For more information, visit www.sjpl.org/moyc or call (408) 808-2617.

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Ready for some puppet fun?  The Edenvale Branch Library will host “Puppet Making for Families,” a delightful interactive program for children aged 3 to 7 and their parents/caregivers on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm.  Can’t make it to this event?   The San Jose Public Library System has plenty of puppetry books that can be found in the online catalog.  

Here are two to explore:

• How to Make Puppets with Children has templates and instructions for a variety of paper hand puppets.  There are also templates for alphabet finger puppets.
• Finger Folk contains a variety of finger puppet patterns that can be sewn and stuffed or created with fun foam.   There are also finger plays and lists of picture books that the puppets can be used with.

Ready for Kindergarten, Stinky Face?, written by Lisa McCourt and illustrated by Cyd Moore, is a fun book to read to children before the first day of school or any other time of the year.  An imaginative boy is looking forward to starting kindergarten.  While walking to school with his mom and their dog, he asks his mom several questions about what kindergarten might be like.   Lisa McCourt has written many books about the little boy with the goofy nickname “Stinky Face.”  Check out her website for information about her other children’s books.   Cyd Moore’s website has information about the children’s books she has illustrated.