CHECK IT OUT:New e-database, books to bolster success

Attention all students: The Newport Beach Public Library has new databases for helping research your reports, assignments and papers.

Access the World Book Online for its collection of online reference resources.

This new-to-the-library database contains the well-known World Book Encyclopedia as well as a dictionary, an atlas, assorted educator’s tools and even a special Explore California feature. This database is updated online, thereby keeping the information current. The online features are a boon not only to students, but to teachers, parents and the home schoolers among you who value organized subject matter and discussion questions.

The World Book Kids interface is geared toward elementary school students and the World Book Advanced for high school and college students. Verified primary-source materials are an added plus for producing A+ papers.

Additionally, check out Kids InfoBits online database. Sections include subjects such as invention and technology, people, animals and plants, geography, and more. There’s an online version of the Merriam-Webster Elementary Dictionary with a helpful search function for spelling accuracy.

Another well-used resource, the Biography Resource Center, has been updated with a new look, streamlined navigation and recent news biographies. This resource contains historical, literary, political and celebrity profiles of people from all walks of life. This is information you can trust for accuracy and timeliness.

It’s easy to access these databases from your home, office or school. Simply go to the library’s website at www.newport beachlibrary.org and use your library card number as your password. This simple maneuver will bring you all the databases described here and more. Along with sharing our resources online, here are some suggestions for the parents of the back-to-school crowd.

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“Little Big Minds: Sharing Philosophy with Kids” by Marietta McCarty: Children (and adults) can always benefit from discussions concerning responsibility, justice, courage and other important concepts. Author McCarty offers elementary ways to encourage and nurture those values you consider dear in your children.

“Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder” by Richard Louv: California, especially Southern California, has a wide range of fabulous natural environments, from beaches to deserts, from forests to mountains. Make sure your kids know about and appreciate the spectacular scenery, animal life and just plain fun the great outdoors has to offer.

“The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids’ Favorite Meals” by Missy Chase Lapine: An age-old problem is addressed here by stealth cookery-how to fix nutritious, kid-friendly food children actually eat. This is a literal lifesaver, especially for those school lunch boxes and after-school snacks.

“How to Talk So Your Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk” by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, with illustrations by Kimberly Ann Coe: A perennial favorite, this classic title addresses the very heart of parenting. All ages can benefit from this refreshing reminder about how to avoid misunderstandings and verbal mistakes.

“The Dangerous Book for Boys” by Conn and Hal Iggulden: Relive the wonderful days of your youth by recreating some of the fun activities you experienced. This great book for boys (and for girls!) gives instructions for classic projects, such as building go-carts, paper airplanes and even tree houses. Look for fun facts, science experiments and short, informative biographies of notable people.