Kid’s Indiana Info Guide

 

 

Introduction

 

While you can read any books for the Summer Reading Program, these books, websites, audio visual materials and databases will help you learn more about Indiana.  Lots of electronic materials are included in this pathfinder because they provide up to date information as well as fun pictures and videos that you can explore.  Hopefully these kid-friendly resources will help broaden your horizons.  You can also find some fun places to visit in Indiana using these resources.  Our mascots for our Summer Reading Program are Clifford and Garfield because their creators are both from Indiana.  So you will find some resources to help you learn about Clifford, Garfield, and a few “I Spy” Resources, too.    

 

 

 

Books at Our Library

 

Call numbers are included for these books that can be found at the Thomas Branch and / or the Hageman Branch.  You can search for more items by using the library’s catalog.  These are the results if you type "Indiana Juvenile" in the search box.  Also, check for special displays of Indiana books at both libraries. 

 

Non-Fiction

 

H is for Hoosier (2001) by Cynthia Furlong Reynolds

Available at Thomas and Hageman – J 977.2 REY

 

Something for all ages can be found in this wonderful book.  Beautiful full-page paintings illustrate something special about Indiana, starting with each letter of the alphabet.  For example, B stands for Basketball, D stands for the Dunes.  Each item also has additional information that older kids would enjoy. 

 

Indiana (1997) by the Capstone Press Geography Department

Available at Thomas and Hageman – J 977.2 IND

 

Six short chapters give readers information about the Indianapolis 500, the landscape of Indiana, Hoosiers, Indiana history, Indiana business, and sights to see.  A list of famous Hoosiers, some definitions, and an Indiana timeline are also included. 

 

Indiana Facts and Symbols (1999) by Bill McAuliffe

Available at Thomas and Hageman – J 977.2 MCA

 

This short book has a page of information and picture for each of these subjects: Fast Facts, State Name, State Nickname, State Seal and Motto, State Capitol and Flag, State Bird, State Tree, and State Flower.  This book also has a few definitions and good places to visit in Indiana. 

 

Indiana (1996) by Kathleen Thompson

Available at Thomas and Hageman - J 977.2 THO

 

About half of this book is about the history of Indiana.  This book also has information about Indiana’s economy, culture and future.  There is a special section on the Indy 500 and lots of nice pictures, too. 

 

Indiana (2000) by Ann Heinrichs

Available at Thomas and Hageman – J 977.2 HEI

 

Older readers would be interested in this book that has lots of information.  Information about Indiana’s history, natural features, government, and economy are included.  Special sections include famous Hoosiers and the different regions of Indiana. 

 

Haunted Indiana (1997) by Mark Marimen

Available at Thomas and Hageman – 398.47 MAR

 

Prepare yourself for thrills and chills before you read all four books in the Haunted Indiana series.  Suitable for older children, these stories highlight scary and unexplained happenings throughout Indiana.  For a local scary story, read “Diana of the Dunes” in book number one. 

 

Fiction

 

Clifford (Various) by Norman Bridwell

Available at Thomas and Hageman – J BRI

 

Join Clifford the Big Red Dog and his friend Emily on their adventures in these fun picture books.  The man who wrote the Clifford books, Norman Bridwell, grew up in Kokomo, Indiana and has a daughter named Emily.  Check out his biography at the Scholastic website. 

Since Clifford’s creator is from Indiana, Clifford is one of our mascots for Summer Reading.  Type “Clifford the Big Red Dog” into the library’s catalog for more library materials. 

 

Garfield (Various) by Jim Davis

Available at Thomas and Hageman – J PB 11 DAV and J 741.5973 DAV

 

Garfield loves to eat lasagna, sleep, and get into trouble.  Garfield’s creator, Jim Davis, was born and raised on a farm in Marion, Indiana.  Read more about him at Garfield’s official website.  Another mascot for our Summer Reading program, Garfield is ready to go on vacation with you!  Ask in the children’s department about checking Garfield or Clifford out to go on your vacation adventures.

 

 

 

 

Ruthie's Gift (1998) by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Available at Thomas and Hageman – J FIC BRA

 

This book takes place in a small farming town in Indiana before World War I.  Ruthie is eight years old and feels like she doesn't fit in.  At home she is the only girl.  At school she is the only third grader.  Some big changes are on the way for Ruthie the tom-boy.  Read this book to see what happens. 

 

Red Sky at Morning (1991) by Andrea Wyman

Available at Thomas and Hageman – J FIC WYM

 

Callie faces death and adversity the year she turns twelve.  It's 1909 and Callie lives in a small town in Indiana.  Callie's father has gone off to Oregon to buy a new farm and Callie's mother dies in childbirth.  See how Callie, her grandfather, and her sister deal with these hardships. 

 

Eerie Indiana series (1997-1998) by Mike Ford

Available at Hageman – J PB EER

 

Eerie, Indiana looks like an average, squeaky clean town.  But strange things are always happening.  Marshall Teller and Simon Holmes are next-door neighbors and friends who try to record all the werewolf attacks and ghost sightings.  This series would be enjoyed by older readers. 

 

Here Lies the Librarian (2006) and The Teacher’s Funeral (2004) by Richard Peck

Available at Thomas and Hageman – YA FIC PEC

 

Richard Peck was born in Illinois but he loves to write stories about Indiana for older readers.  In The Teacher’s Funeral, Russell wants to quit school and join a wheat-threshing crew.  That is until his teacher dies and his older sister starts teaching everyone in the one-room schoolhouse.  In Here Lies the Librarian, PeeWee and Jake dream of racing cars until three librarians come and turn the town upside down. 

 

Freckles (1904), A Girl of the Limberlost (1909) by Gene Stratton-Porter

Available at Thomas and Hageman – J FIC STR

 

Naturalist Gene Stratton-Porter will be "visiting" us during one of our Thursday adventures.  Learn more about her life as a naturalist, photographer, and film producer.  Older readers can also explore some of her books about the neighbors of the Limberlost Swamp in Indiana.  The Girl of the Limberlost is available on CD Book at Thomas. 

 

DVDs, CD-ROMs, and Games

 

Garfield and Friends Series (1988-1994)

Available at Hageman – J DVD GAR

 

Watch all seven seasons of the show Garfield and Friends.  The complete series of 15 DVDs is available for your viewing pleasure.  Watch Garfield, Odie, and John and enjoy the U.S. Acres skits with Orson and the gang on the farm. 

 

Clifford the Big Red Dog Adventures (Various)

Available at Thomas and Hageman – J DVD CLI

 

Watch Clifford’s stories in action with these DVDs available at both libraries.  Watch Clifford and his friends laugh, play, and share fun times together on Birdwell Island. 

 

Clifford the Big Red Dog Thinking Adventures (2000) CD-ROM

Available at Hageman – J CD-ROM 372 CLI

 

Help Clifford get ready for his BIG birthday party.  Find Clifford’s birthday package, help make his HUGE birthday cake, and help brush him for his party.  These instructional games are for kids ages 4-6 and will help them learn matching skills, counting, and build their memory. 

 

I SPY (1997) and I SPY Spooky Mansion (1999) CD-ROM

Available at Hageman – J CD-ROM 793.73 I

 

I SPY is for kids that are 5-9 years old and has lots of instructional puzzles for them to solve.  Games include Chalkboard, Codebreaker, Nature, and Find Me.  I SPY Spooky Mansion is for kids that are 6-10 years old.  Tour the spooky mansion and play games like Ghost Machine, Mystery Bins, and Creepy Collections. 

 

I SPY Memory Game (1995) Board game

Available at Hageman – TOY 422

 

Did you know you can check-out board games, cards, and toys at both libraries and take them home for a week?  This I SPY Memory Game is a game of pictures and riddles. This game can be enjoyed by all ages, even parents!  Players try to find the most matching pairs.  Older players can try some different versions including the cooperative version, competitive version, and riddle solitaire. 

 

 

Websites

 

These websites are available on the World Wide Web.  Westchester Public Library is not responsible for the content. 

For Fun!

 

Clifford Interactive Storybooks

 

Visit our Summer Reading mascot Clifford's interactive storybook website.  You can help write the story and listen to the narrator read it for you.  Games include Concentration, Make a Word, Letter Match, and Sound Match.  If you get the right answer, Clifford barks for you!  Stories are available in English or Spanish. 

 

 

WeatherBug InstaCam

 

Want to see what's going on around the state?  Check out this website to see what the weather's like in 34 different locations in Indiana.  Sneak a peak at Speedway, Munster, or Wolcott.  Live webcams show you what's going on around the state right now! 

 

 

Young Hoosier Book Awards

 

Get some ideas for books to read this summer.  Check out the Young Hoosier Book Awards website to see books that were nominated by kids like you.  Books are divided into three sections: Picture Books, Intermediate, and Middle Grades.  Click on the links to see a picture of the book along with a short description.  If you find a book that you like, search the library catalog to see if it is "In." 

 

Learn About Indiana!

 

Indianapolis Marion County Public Library Just for Kids

 

This kid’s site was created to help us learn more about different subjects.  Click on the “Indy for Kids” link to find more guides like this one that will help you learn about Indiana.  Guides include Indiana Authors, Indiana Sports and Indiana Stories.  Also, search the IMCPL’s digital collections to find pictures of artifacts from the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. 

 

 

Internet Public Library Kidspace Stately Knowledge

 

Find some general Indiana information on this site.  This site also has a list of links that will help you learn more about Indiana.  Follow the links to Encyclopedias and Almanacs.  Find the official state links and read the interesting facts about Indiana. 

 

 

World Almanac for Kids

 

World Almanac has been a trusted resource for many years.  To find information about Indiana, click on "Chapters," choose "United States," and click on "Indiana."  This website has lots of information about Indiana and is great for older kids.  Sections include Land and Resources, Population, Education and Cultural Activity, Government and Politics, Economy, and History. 

 

 

Kids' Indiana

   

This site is the official website for the state of Indiana.  This page has a list of links for kids.  Play games in Dr. Reese Eikle's Laboratory.  Learn more about your teeth at the ISDH Oral Health Kid's Corner.  Look at the Indiana State Emblems or General Indiana Facts.  Also check out the State Park "Just for Kids" activities which include rainy day activities and coloring pages.  Older kids can check out the great resources provided through the Indiana State Library's website.

 

 

Indiana Historical Society

 

Use this great primary resource to find lots of photographs, letters, maps, and pamphlets from Indiana's past.  There are also links to Notable Hoosiers, National History Day in Indiana, and the Indiana Junior Historical Society. 

 

Places to Go!

 

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore for Kids

 

Learn more about our local National Park, the Indiana Dunes.  Take the Web Ranger challenge and earn a certificate.  Take the Water Safety challenge so you are ready for safe summer fun.  Learn about the Junior Rangers program and download a Junior Rangers Discovery Guide to take with you to the Dunes. 

 

 

Westchester Township History Museum

 

Visit this local museum to learn more about your hometown.  Also, visit the Day in the Life project to see photographs of what's going on in your town.  See if you can name some of the people, places, and things in the pictures. 

 

 

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

 

Help your parents plan a trip to Indianapolis.  The Children's Museum website has information about their exhibits and also some fun games.  Click on the "Kids" section to find games for Preschoolers – 2nd grade, 3rd - 5th grade, and 6th – 8th grade.  Games include Fireworks of Glass, Cosmic Quest, and Who's Your Mummy?  

 

 

Indianapolis Zoo

 

Do you like going to the zoo and watching the animals?  Check-out these live web-cams to sneak a peak at the walrus, sea lions, elephants, penguins, and rhinos at the zoo.  Also, visit the Kid’s Corner to learn more about the zoo. 

 

 

RoadsideAmerica.com – Indiana

 

Looking for a weird place to go with your parents?  This website has lots of interesting land marks and oddities in Indiana.  Each place has a description and some have a picture.  Check out the map to see which places are close.  Older kids will enjoy this website. 

 

 

VisitIndiana.net Kid’s Stuff

 

This page has some great places throughout Indiana that you can visit with your parents.  There are links for Museums, Zoos and Animal Parks, Kid Friendly Parks, and Amusement Parks.  Follow the link to learn about Indiana Beach.  If you complete the summer reading program you’ll get a ticket to go there at a reduced price. 

 

 

Things to do in Indiana

 

Need an idea for a trip with your family?  Sections include Regional Attractions, Lodging, Outdoor Recreation, and Events.  Find information about the Pierogi Fest or the Indiana State Fair.  Learn about the Children's Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute. 

 

 

Internet Scavenger Hunt

 

These internet scavenger hunt questions can be answered using the websites in this information guide.  Good luck and have fun! 

 

1. What is the state flower of Indiana? 

 

2. Name three famous Hoosiers. 

 

3. Where is the Pierogi Fest held each year?

 

4. What's the weather like in Indianapolis right now?

 

5. What year was Jim Davis born?

 

6. Who wrote the book Here Lies the Librarian?

 

7. What is the capital of Indiana?

 

8. What is the name of the swamp that Gene Stratton-Porter writes about in her books?

 

9. Where in Indiana is the world's largest ball of paint?

 

10. What year did Indiana become a state?

 

11. Name three animals that live at the Indianapolis Zoo. 

 

12. Where in Indiana was astronaut Gus Grissom born?