SALISBURY — A new baby in the home! What joy and happiness occur over the miracle of a new birth. Proud parents and family members all gather around to celebrate. Showers are held and good wishes are given. Everyone wants to love and cuddle the new bundle of joy.
There are so many questions that expectant parents and new parents would like answered. Of course, opinions on each subject abound. One of the most important of these topics has to do with your new baby and sleeping. Before we became a mobile society we parented in communities. Parents had the wisdom of generations of family members to go to for advice. Parents are now more isolated but still need help and support. For many, parenting books have helped fill the gap.
Lack of sleep is one thing that most parents can look forward to as they start on this new and wonderful adventure in their lives. One of the avenues that new parents may want to explore is the information given by experts in this area.
Of course, Rowan Public Library is the place to start to find out what these experts have to say. We have a wealth of information in books that you may want to peruse as time permits. One of the newest books we have on our shelves is “The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep: Simple Solutions for Kids from Birth to 5 Years,” by Dr. Harvey Karp.
Karp’s focus is on the needs of young children and how to keep them happy. He is a nationally renowned pediatrician, child development specialist and assistant professor of pediatrics at the USC School of Medicine. After being in practice for almost 30 years, Karp’s latest book is filled with new ideas to prevent or cure most sleep problems in children under 5 years old. These methods have been endorsed by thousands of satisfied parents. His other books also include bestsellers “The Happiest Baby on the Block” and “The Happiest Toddler on the Block.”
Then there are the classics by compassionate authors such as Jennifer Waldburger and Jill Spirack, co-authors of “The Sleep Easy Solution: The Exhausted Parent’s Guide to Getting Your Child to Sleep.” Waldburger and Spirack are psychotherapists and co-founders of Sleepy Planet, a sleep-consulting company. Their book is filled with advice on such topics as teaching your child to sleep through the night and take regular naps, saying good-bye to early morning waking and ending bedtime battles. These three situations cover about every parent’s dream, right?
Another tried-and-true book is “The 90-Minute Baby Sleep Program: Follow Your Child’s Natural Sleep Rhythms for Better Nights and Naps” by Polly Moore Ph.D. We also have other books: “Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems” by Richard Ferber M.D., and the “Baby Sleep Book: The Complete Guide to a Good Night’s Rest for the Whole Family” by William Sears M.D., to name just a few. Of course, not all authors agree on what is best for your baby. Only you can decide that, but hopefully some of the many books we have on the subject here at the library can help you during this often frustrating part of bringing up baby. Please come visit us soon and let us help you find books on baby’s sleep and as well as on all aspects of parenting.
Summer movie series — Headquarters, Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, “Calendar Girls” (PG-13); July 30, “The Neverending Story” (PG).
East branch, Mondays, 4 p.m.; Monday, “Holes” (PG); July 29, “The Neverending Story” (PG).
South Regional, Wednesdays, 2 p.m.; Wednesday, “Holes” (PG); July 31, “The Neverending Story” (PG).
Movies are free and all ages are welcome. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Movies run through Aug. 20. Free popcorn and lemonade. In keeping with summer reading program themes, children’s movies will “Dig Into Reading” and teen films will look “Beneath the Surface.” The lineup also includes “groundbreaking” films for adults.
Children’s summer reading program — Rowan Public Library’s “Dig Into Reading” weekly programs run through Aug. 1 for children ages 12 months to rising fifth-graders. Children will be able to earn prizes by reading throughout the summer. Those who complete their Treasure Map can pick out a free book.
Tiny Treasures: 12- to 24-month-olds, each program lasts about 30 minutes and runs for four weeks. Headquarters, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.; East Branch, Mondays, 10 a.m.; South Branch, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.
Little Diggers: 2-year-olds, Each program lasts about 30 minutes and runs for four weeks. Headquarters, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; East, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; South, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.
Fossil Finders: 3- to 5-year-olds, each program lasts 30-45 minutes and runs for seven weeks. Headquarters, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; East, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; South, Mondays, 10:30 a.m.
Paleontologists: Rising first- through fifth-graders, programs last about 45 minutes and runs for seven weeks. Headquarters, Wednesdays, 2 p.m.; East, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.; South, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. Cleveland Town Hall, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.
July 22-25: Discovery Place Science Reach, A Matter of Science.
July 29-Aug. 1: Blue Moon Puppets, Pea Pickin’ Tales.
Beneath the Surface teen summer reading: Teens can participate in the Beneath the Surface Summer Reading Program at RPL. Rising sixth- through 12th-graders will explore the underground through fun events, activities and reading.
All teen programs are through July 25 for sixth- through 12th-graders. Programs will be 3:30-5 p.m. at all locations: Tuesday, Headquarters; Wednesday, East; Thursday, South.
Each teen will receive a booklet to keep track of the library dollars they earn. Those dollars are then used to enter various raffles for prizes provided by the Friends of RPL and other local sponsors. Winners will be announced at the end-of-summer Masked Ball at South Branch on Aug. 1, 3:30-5 p.m.
Upcoming programs include: Beneath Your Feet: July 24-26. Underground cities and tunnels.
For more information, check the library website at www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or call your closest RPL location — Headquarters, 704-216-8234; South, 704-216-7728; East, 704-216-7842.
Book Bites Club: South (only), July 30, 6:30 p.m., “The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein. Book discussion groups for adults and children meet the last Tuesday of each month. The group is open to the public and anyone is free to join at any time. There is a discussion of the book, as well as light refreshments at each meeting. For more information, please call 704-216-8229.
Displays for July: headquarters, Fiber Guild; South, water colors by Rowan Doll Society; East, photo display by Bonnie Cagle.
Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.