The new school year is a time for establishing new habits with your children. Make reading and visiting the library a habit. The junior room is open until 6 p.m. most afternoons, Tuesday evenings until 8 and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find a time that works for your family and visit the library regularly.

The library and several other libraries in the Arrowhead Library System have received a grant to bring back “reading to the dogs.” We have a local dog and owner who love listening to children read. Watch for more information about having your child read aloud to a dog and watch their reading confidence soar.

Here are a handful of titles to provide an enjoyable time with a child. Goat and Donkey in Strawberry Sunglasses by Simon Puttock and Russell Julian is a hoot. Goat has a tendency to get in a muddle but Donkey doesn’t have time to do the shopping so Goat promises that he will not be “muddly” at all. I’m sure you can guess the what happens to goat.

Alphabet books are always popular and Gone Wild by David McLimans is sure to please. This is an endangered animal alphabet book and the letters are graphically rendered with animal characteristics. Learn a bit about each animal.

And while we are looking at animal books, check out Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard. This is a silly story about a grumpy bird (imagine that) and the animals who follow him. For another silly story be sure to read When a Monster is Born by Sean Taylor and Nick Sharratt. The story begins “When a monster is born there are two possibilities — either it’s a faraway-in-the-forests monster … or its an under-your bed monster … And thus begins the saga of monsters.

If you have a young girl who loves to dress up I’m sure you have discovered Fancy Nancy. Now Fancy Nancy wants a puppy and not just any puppy, Fancy Nancy of course wants a posh puppy (or does she?) Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy by Jane O’Connor. I love cat stories, so, if I have a dog story we have to include a cat story. All you beginning chapter book readers, check out A Girl, a Boy and a Monster Cat by Gail Gauthier. Be prepared to laugh.

Access the library catalog and a variety of indexes and online reference resources 24 hours a day via our Web site at www.arrowhead.lib.mn.us/ifalls/. Check out our blog for the latest in program information and more. http://ifallslibrary.blogspot.com/

If you have a flier promoting a local event, please drop one off at the checkout desk. And if you are looking for something to do, stop by and check out the bulletin board for a variety of fun, interesting, educational and cool events.

The library has a meeting room that is available for use during library hours. Please contact the library for information about use of the room and to make a reservation.