Happy Anniversary to Charlotte's Web

Today marks the 60th anniversary of the publication of the beloved classic Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White. Anyone who has read the book understands the timelessness of the story and can appreciate the beauty of the language. Even the most reluctant listeners will surely be drawn in by the first sentence.
     “Where’s Papa going with that ax?” said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast."

We Mainers claim E. B. White as our own. In 1933, he purchased a farm in Blue Hill and lived there until his death. The idea for his famous story, which won a Newbery Honor in 1953, came about because of his life on the farm. Animals on a farm are not raised as pets, but as food for the table. But, what would happen if a pig’s life could be saved from the dastardly farmer’s plan? Who would step up to the task?

The book follows the story of the pig Wilbur who becomes desolate when he discovers that he is destined to become the farmer’s Christmas dinner. He is saved by Charlotte, the amazing spider who uses her common sense -- and her impressive weaving skills -- to let the world know Wilbur is “Some Pig.” For many children, listening to Charlotte’s Web is the first time they make the connection between what they eat and where it comes from.

If you haven’t shared this book with your children, do so now. Regardless of their age, this is one story you don’t want them to miss. I love everything about the book, the characters, the black & white drawings done by Garth Williams, but mostly, I love the language. Charlotte’s Web is one of those rare stories that once you get to the ending, you want to go right back to page one and read it all over again. It is unforgettable.

“Wilbur never forgot Charlotte. Although he loved her children and grandchildren dearly, none of the new spiders ever quite took her place in his heart. She was in a class by herself. It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both.”

I agree.

Other children’s books by E. B. White: Stuart Little and Trumpet of the Swan.



To learn more about the life of E. B. White for adults, read The Story of Charlotte’s Web by Michael Sims. To hear his interview on NPR, go here.

Banned Books Week September 30 - October 6

Every year, there are hundreds of attempts to remove books from schools and libraries. Sunday, September 30 marks the 30th anniversary of Banned Books Week. Since 1982, Banned Books Week has rallied librarians, booksellers, authors, publishers, teachers, and readers of all types to celebrate and defend the freedom to read.

What's your favorite book? Chances are good that someone has tried to ban it. Here is a list of frequently challenged books.

• Hunger Games
• My Mom’s Having a Baby
• It’s Perfectly Normal
• Olive’s Ocean
• Gossip Girls series
• Captain Underpants series
• Bridge to Terabithia
• Twilight
• And Tango Makes Three
• Scary Stories 3
• Harry Potter series

It’s crazy!

Many libraries, schools, bookstores, universities, and other organizations promote Banned Books Week. North Carolina State University recorded excerpts from banned books read by members of the NC State community. Go here to listen.

Celebrate YOUR freedom to read and right to choose your book during Banned Books Week.  The Scarborough Public Library will have a week-long display in throughout the Youth Services Department.

ALL FOR FALL!

The leaves are changing colors, and the temperatures are dropping as the days grow shorter and shorter. September 22, 2012 marks the Autumnal Equinox.

NONFICTION TITLES

Why Do The Seasons Change? by Melissa Stewart, part of the Tell Me Why, Tell Me How series, offers children an examination of the phenomena and scientific principles behind the changing of the season, in just 32 pages. 

Share, How Leaves Change Color by Betsy Maestro (Let’s Read and Find Out Science series)  or How Leaves Change by Sylvia A. Johnson to help answer your child’s questions about this amazing occurrence.

If you spend a lot of time outdoors in Fall, check out The Kids’ Guide to Nature Adventures : 80 Great Activities for Exploring the Outdoors by Joe Rhatigan.  From reading the weather to making a camping utility belt to casting tracks, this book will offer plenty of family friend activities.

Mushrooms seem to appear overnight in Fall. Katya’s Book of Mushrooms by Katya Arnold and Sam Swope is a colorful introduction to identifying different kinds of mushrooms.


And don’t forget poetry…Autumnblings by Douglas Florian is a collection of poems that portray the essence of the season between summer and winter. Each poem is graced with the whimsical paintings by the poet.

Stop in to the Library for more books that celebrate Autumn.

Books to Read Aloud

The atmosphere has changed a lot in the Youth Services area now that children are back in school. All summer long, families streamed into the Library checking out stacks of books to read for pleasure. Now, the crowds come after school and the items going home are often fulfilling homework assignments. Gone are the leisurely days of summer.

Now that your children are back in school or at nursery school, I’m guessing there is a difference to your evening routines. Maybe an earlier bedtime? If you are spending more time reading aloud, let us make some recommendations of sequels to stories we’ve loved.

In 1999, Helen Lester wrote an engaging picture book, Hooway for Wodney Wat, about a young rat who is teased because he can’t pronounce his ‘r’s’. He pronounces his name Wodney Wat, instead of Rodney Rat. Then one day a new student barges into the classroom. Her name is Camilla Capybara. Now the bullies are bullied by Camilla! Poor Wodney. He imagines what Camilla will do to him once she hears him speak. Read the story to find out how Wodney Wat, an unassuming hero, saves the day.

In Wodney Wat's Wobot, Lester returns with another story about the beloved rat. It’s Wodney’s birthday and he gets one tewiffic pwesent – a wobot! Not just any wobot, but one that can talk! Wodney soon discovers that the wobot will wepeat whatever he tells it, even magically turning his lunchroom request of “wibs and wice” into “ribs and rice.” How Wodney uses his wobot to outsmart the boastfull Camilla Capybara makes for a joyous read aloud.

Author Tad Hills introduced the cute little dog Rocket in How Rocket Learned to Read. In that book, “A little yellow bird teaches Rocket the dog how to read by first introducing him to the "wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet." Rocket is back and now he wants to write a story!  Rocket Writes a Story follows Rocket as he collects new words from his word tree, searches for inspiration, writes – and rewrites—every day, until, best of all, when his story is finished, he shares it with his new friend. A charming read aloud. Perfect for all ages, especially those who have aspirations of becoming a writer.

We have many more titles you’re children will want to hear again, and again, and again. Stop in to the Library. The Youth Services staff will be happy to suggest some other, equally terrific books to read aloud.

So you want to be President?

We are in an election year. The rhetoric will heat up now and many children will ask what is this all about. How do you get to be The President? The Library has many books to help you answer that, and other questions your children may have from now until November. 

Some books to get you all in the spirit:

So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George; illustrated by David Small

This celebration shows us the foibles, quirks and humanity of forty-two men who have risen to one of the most powerful positions in the world.

Vote by Eileen Christelow

Using a campaign for mayor as an example, the steps involved in an election are shown, from the candidate's speeches and rallies, to the voting booth where every vote counts, to the announcement of the winner.

Vote by Philip Steele

Presents the history of the election process from Roman times to the present day.

Woodrow for President: a tail of voting, campaigns, and elections by Peter Barnes

Woodrow is running for president of the United Mice of America.

The Class Election from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler

Grace for President by Kelly S. DiPucchio 

When Grace discovers that there has never been a female U.S. president, she decides to run for school president.

For young listeners, try:

Bad Kitty for President by Nick Bruel

 or Duck for President by Doreen Cronin

There are lots of other great titles we can recommend. Stop in to the Youth Services Room and let us help you.

Pick up your Reading Logs

Time flies during the summer. There is so much going on each day that things can get away from me. Our Summer Reading Program ended on Wednesday, August 15, 2012. Over 400 people came to our End of the Summer Reading Program Ice Cream Party. The Library was packed! Our performer was terrific, as was the ice cream that was generously provided by our Friends of Scarborough Library. Thank you! We had a lot of great readers this summer. So many of your children read lots and lots of books. We marveled at those who had to add pages to their reading logs. Who ever said children are reading less? Our numbers prove otherwise.

If you were not able to attend the party, but your child did turn in their Reading Log, please stop in to the Youth Services Department anytime the Library is open to pick it up and select their free book. We have lots of books left.

To help us plan for next summer, we are going to ask you to fill out a simple online questionnaire. Keep checking this blog to learn more details.

Thank you all, and keep reading!

Summer Reading...Week Four!

We are at Week Four in our Summer Reading Program. WA Hoo! We have had a tremendous turn out of children coming in each week to return their books, stamping and stickering their Reading Logs, placing a sticker on The Wall of Fame, and then checking out more books. It is wonderful to see so many eager readers. I know the teachers and school librarians will be tickled with the results!

Here are two pictures of The Wall of Fame.

Week One.

 Week Four. Can you see the variety of different colored stickers?

We are curious what you've been reading. Send us an email to tell us what books you have enjoyed so far this summer.