Monday, January 23 at 7:45 am CST the American Library Association announced the 2012 winners of over 15 awards. Among those were the John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott awards.
To read the complete list of winners, click here.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Thursday, December 15, 2011
New Chapter Books
It is 1936, and Rachel's family is broke. They don't even have two nickles to rub together. Her dad finds a job and moves the family to upstate New York to a farm at North Lake. Rachel finds it hard to leave her friends behind, especially Miss Mitzi. Things aren't much better up there, but Rachel loves the farm. Miss Mitzi and Rachel write letters back and forth, filling each other in on their lives apart, until something special happens and soon Miss Mitzi will be....Wait! I can't give the ending away.Read, R my Name is Rachel by Patricia Reilly Giff.
Author L
ois Lowry holds a special place in the hearts of Mainers. It is because she used to call Falmouth, Maine her home. She's written The Giver, Number the Stars, Gooney Bird Green, and now we can add another title to her long list of wonderful stories.In Bless This Mouse, Church mouse Hildegarde is mistress of the mouse colony at Saint Bartholemews. When she learns they are to be exterminated, Hildegarde musters her ingenuity to keep the mice safe. The pages are graced with sketches by Caldecott winner Eric Rohmann.
A promising new series by Claudia Mills stars 9 year old Mason Dixon. In book one, Mason Dixion: Pet Disaster, Mason isn't interested in owning a pet until his best friend adopts a three-legged dog. Book 2, Mason Dixon: Fourth Grade Disaster finds Mason worrying about starting fourth grade. Humorous and perfect for intermediate readers
New Picture Books at the Library
In Big Brothers Don't Take Naps by Louise Borden, big brother James and younger brother Nicholas are counting the days because something special is coming to there house. Emma Dodd's art style perfectly complements the text.
Melvin and the Boy by Lauren Castillo tells the story of a boy who longs for a pet, but his parents always say, "No!" Then, after a visit to the park he brings home a turtle and names it Melvin. The boy soon realizes that Melvin does not enjoy being captured, so the next day returns the turtle back to his habitat.
Alberto has a problem. All the customers coming to his new restaurant brings a pet! Dogs, cats, bunnies, reptiles, you name it. Read "No Dogs Allowed written by Linda Ashman and illustrated by Kristin Sorra to find out Alberto's solution!
Interested in gardening? Read Yucky Worms by Vivan French to find out lots of facts about one of the most important ingredients in any garden...worms!
In Ed
win Speaks Up by April Stevens and Sophie Blackall, Baby Edwin tells his mother where the misplaced object are and helps her with shopping. Only thing is mom doesn't understand Edwin, especially when he reminds her to buy some sugar. "Plopin grouff shooop CAKE sweet No No." A lively story for bedtime.
When a storm comes during the night leaving lots of snow, Jim and Scott are glad, because playing at recess is much more fun when there is snow! Perfect Snow by Barbara Reid.
Other titles too good to miss:
Too Many Dinosaurs by Mercer Mayer
George Flies South by Simon James
Melvin and the Boy by Lauren Castillo tells the story of a boy who longs for a pet, but his parents always say, "No!" Then, after a visit to the park he brings home a turtle and names it Melvin. The boy soon realizes that Melvin does not enjoy being captured, so the next day returns the turtle back to his habitat.
Alberto has a problem. All the customers coming to his new restaurant brings a pet! Dogs, cats, bunnies, reptiles, you name it. Read "No Dogs Allowed written by Linda Ashman and illustrated by Kristin Sorra to find out Alberto's solution!
Interested in gardening? Read Yucky Worms by Vivan French to find out lots of facts about one of the most important ingredients in any garden...worms!
In Ed
win Speaks Up by April Stevens and Sophie Blackall, Baby Edwin tells his mother where the misplaced object are and helps her with shopping. Only thing is mom doesn't understand Edwin, especially when he reminds her to buy some sugar. "Plopin grouff shooop CAKE sweet No No." A lively story for bedtime.When a storm comes during the night leaving lots of snow, Jim and Scott are glad, because playing at recess is much more fun when there is snow! Perfect Snow by Barbara Reid.
Other titles too good to miss:
Too Many Dinosaurs by Mercer Mayer
George Flies South by Simon James
Friday, December 2, 2011
Blockhead: the life of Fibonacci by Joseph D'agnese
Oftentimes, a book can inspire us to seek more titles on a particular topic. For example, the Percy Jackson and the Olympian series had children seeking more books about the Greek gods. It is really fun as a librarian to help children find those book connections.
Yesterday, I read Blockhead: the life of Fibonacci by Joseph D'Agnese; Illustrated by John O'Brien. It is a very brief look, what we call a picture book biography, on how the mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci. (1170 ? - 1240?) might have discovered his number pattern known as the Fibonacci Sequence. "Scientists and mathematicians now describe how living things as flowers grow in an orderly, harmonious way. The numbers even pop up in works of human imagination -- buildings, music, art, and poetry."
While reading Blockhead I said to myself, "Isn't there a book that used the Fibonacci Sequence to solve a mystery?"
Can you guess the title? Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett. In this first book in a series of three, Petra an
d Calder combine their talents to solve an international art scandal involving a painting by the famous Dutch painter, Vermeer.If you still are curious and need some photos to see the number pattern, Growing patterns: Fibonacci numbers in nature by Sarah C. Campbell has beautiful, photographs to show repeats in nature. Sunflowers, snails, and other spirals.
Stop in. We are happy to connect you and your children with some really fabulous books.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Saturday Story Time!
If you too busy during the week to attend our weekday story times, then come to the Library on Saturday mornings. Lauren Isele, the newest member of the Youth Services staff has begun offering a story time on Saturday mornings at 10:15 am. It is held in the Youth Services Room in what is called, 'The Pit' or 'Ampitheater' or 'Story Area'. (It's that place where the puzzles are located.)
Called Read to Me, this 30-minute program includes songs, fingerplays, rhymes, and great stories for children ages 3 and up. (younger siblings are always welcome)
This program is free and requires no preregistration. For more details, call us at 883-4723 ext. 6277.
Click here for more information about other events and programs in the Youth Services Department.
Called Read to Me, this 30-minute program includes songs, fingerplays, rhymes, and great stories for children ages 3 and up. (younger siblings are always welcome)
This program is free and requires no preregistration. For more details, call us at 883-4723 ext. 6277.
Click here for more information about other events and programs in the Youth Services Department.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Come Celebrate Babar's 80th Birthday at the Library!
To celebrate Babar's 80th birthday, we are having a party!You are invited!
This special party will be held on Tuesday, November 8 at 1:15 pm. We will have French songs, rhymes, and some French folk dances. We'll read Babar books, make a fun elephant craft,
and of course....
Celebrate with Birthday Cake!
What a fun way to spend your "day off" from school.
It is certain to be tres magnifique!
All ages welcome.
Friday, October 28, 2011
We Skyped with author Laurel Snyder!
On Friday, October 28, 2011 I was invited to sit in on a very special event at Wentworth school. 34 fifth grade students talked with author, Laurel Snyder via Skype. We all had a really great time listening to the answers Laurel gave to our questions. She is a pretty cool person, if you ask me.
I wrote down the questions and answers, because I remember best when I write things down.
Laurel started out with explaining how she became a writer.
“When I was in fourth grade I decided I would grow up and become a writer who would be rich and famous by writing stories and plays for children. I’d buy a mansion where I’d live with all the cats and dogs I would rescue. What made me decide to become a writer was that my parents separated and got divorced when I was in third grade. Writing was a way for me to figure things out.”
She has published 4 novels [Up and Down Scratchy Mountain, Any Which Wall, Penny Dreadful, Bigger Than a Breadbox] and 4 picture books for children. 2 books of poems and a collection of essays for adults. Ms Snyder has written 100’s of other stories that, to this day, have not been published. Her favorite picture book she has written is “Inside the Slidy Diner”. Her favorite chapter book for children she has written is, “Bigger than a Breadbox.” It has 4,000 words!
“Where do you get the names for you characters?
L. Mostly, I steal them from my friends.
“How long does it take you to write a book?”
L: Six months to 3 years!
“In the story, Bigger than a Breadbox, Rebecca asks the magic breadbox for $1000. What would you do with that much money?”
L: I’d take a trip with my family. Children have to think carefully how they will spend that much money, because if they bought a bike or an iPod or a computer, your parents would find out!
“Which of your books has sold the most copies?”
L: Baxter the Pig who wants to be kosher.
“Are you going to write a sequel to Penny Dreadful?”
L: I would like to write a story about Luella. It would sync up with Penny Dreadful.
“In the book Penny Dreadful, Duncan has allergies. Do you have any allergies?”
L: No. I do not suffer from any allergies, nor do my children. What I was trying to show in the story is that nowadays people can Google symptoms and you can think yourself sicker than you are. By poking fun of Duncan and his allergies, I wanted kids to see that having allergies can inhibit your life, making it difficult for you to do so many things.
“What is your favorite part of Penny Dreadful?”
L: The last scene. I love bonfire potlucks.
“Have you ever written a book you didn’t like?”
L: Oh, Lots! Those are the books not published. Sometimes you can write a story that isn’t that good. If you set it aside for awhile and then come back to it, you might like it better…or, not. By waiting, when you come back and read the story you might find a better way to tell it. For my next book I’d like to write about Lice!
“Is it a cool feeling to see your book after it is published?”
L: Yes, it is cool to see the actual book and the cover. It’s also scary. I never read my books after they’ve been published.
What is your favorite part of writing a book?
L: the beginning. You take an idea and then it becomes an outline. Sort of the same as those Choose your Own Adventure books. You keep playing with the idea, going this way and that, until the idea is just right.
“Why didn’t you let Penny find the gold?”
L: Penny wanted to save her family, and she did, just not the way she thought she would. I wanted to show that you are not always able to be in control of your life.
“What inspired you to write your next book about time traveling to 1937?”
L: The book I’m working on is a prequel to Bigger than a Breadbox. It is about Rebecca’s mom, Annie. When Annie’s mom says they must go visit Annie’s grandmother because she’s dying, Annie is surprised. She didn’t even know she had a grandmother. So, Annie falls back in time to 1937 and gets to know her grandmother when she was 12 years old.
“What were you thinking about when you started writing your book, Bigger Than a Breadbox?”
L: I was thinking about Loss and Sadness and how to go thru it. This book is autobiographical in many ways. I remember how sad and upset I was when my mother moved me away from my friends and father.
“What is the name of the book you read from?””
L: My newest book that was just published, Bigger Than a Breadbox.”
“If you weren’t an author, what would you like to be?”
L: I’m also a mom. That is my other job and I like that a lot. But if I had to decide to work at something else, I’d be a teacher or a librarian. Why? Because I LOVE BOOKS! I just want to stand around and talk about books all day!
“When you wrote about Down Betty & the mint in her garden, I wondered if you also have a garden?”
L: I am a terrible gardener. Mint is an invasive plant, so I grow it and other invasive plants because then I don’t have to weed or worry about how the garden looks.
“Where do you write?”
L: I have a shed that’s been newly renovated. There is no TV or computer or WIFI in it. I have to go inside and be quiet and when I’m quiet I hear my stories.
“If you don’t have a computer, does that mean you write by hand? On paper?”
L: Yes. I write the picture books by hand and the novels with a computer. I suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis, so I have to be careful not to overuse my hands.
Laurel said, “I love corresponding with kids. So, email me if you have any other questions or just want to talk about books.”
Visit her site at laurelsnyder.com
Books Laurel mentioned today that she hopes you’ll read.
Elizabeth Enright – Gone Away Lake
Lemony Snicket – A Series of Unfortunate Events
Betty MacDonald – Mrs Piggle Wiggle
Polly Horvath – The Canning Season
Victoria Forester – The Girl Who Could Fly
Rebecca Stead – When You Reach Me
Ellen Potter – Olivia Kidney stories and The Kneebone Boy
Anne Ursu – Breadcrumbs
Kurtis Scaletta – Mamba Point
I wrote down the questions and answers, because I remember best when I write things down.
Laurel started out with explaining how she became a writer.
“When I was in fourth grade I decided I would grow up and become a writer who would be rich and famous by writing stories and plays for children. I’d buy a mansion where I’d live with all the cats and dogs I would rescue. What made me decide to become a writer was that my parents separated and got divorced when I was in third grade. Writing was a way for me to figure things out.”She has published 4 novels [Up and Down Scratchy Mountain, Any Which Wall, Penny Dreadful, Bigger Than a Breadbox] and 4 picture books for children. 2 books of poems and a collection of essays for adults. Ms Snyder has written 100’s of other stories that, to this day, have not been published. Her favorite picture book she has written is “Inside the Slidy Diner”. Her favorite chapter book for children she has written is, “Bigger than a Breadbox.” It has 4,000 words!
“Where do you get the names for you characters?
L. Mostly, I steal them from my friends.
“How long does it take you to write a book?”
L: Six months to 3 years!
“In the story, Bigger than a Breadbox, Rebecca asks the magic breadbox for $1000. What would you do with that much money?”
L: I’d take a trip with my family. Children have to think carefully how they will spend that much money, because if they bought a bike or an iPod or a computer, your parents would find out!
“Which of your books has sold the most copies?”
L: Baxter the Pig who wants to be kosher.
“Are you going to write a sequel to Penny Dreadful?”
L: I would like to write a story about Luella. It would sync up with Penny Dreadful.
“In the book Penny Dreadful, Duncan has allergies. Do you have any allergies?”
L: No. I do not suffer from any allergies, nor do my children. What I was trying to show in the story is that nowadays people can Google symptoms and you can think yourself sicker than you are. By poking fun of Duncan and his allergies, I wanted kids to see that having allergies can inhibit your life, making it difficult for you to do so many things.
“What is your favorite part of Penny Dreadful?”
L: The last scene. I love bonfire potlucks.
“Have you ever written a book you didn’t like?”
L: Oh, Lots! Those are the books not published. Sometimes you can write a story that isn’t that good. If you set it aside for awhile and then come back to it, you might like it better…or, not. By waiting, when you come back and read the story you might find a better way to tell it. For my next book I’d like to write about Lice!
“Is it a cool feeling to see your book after it is published?”
L: Yes, it is cool to see the actual book and the cover. It’s also scary. I never read my books after they’ve been published.
What is your favorite part of writing a book?
L: the beginning. You take an idea and then it becomes an outline. Sort of the same as those Choose your Own Adventure books. You keep playing with the idea, going this way and that, until the idea is just right.
“Why didn’t you let Penny find the gold?”
L: Penny wanted to save her family, and she did, just not the way she thought she would. I wanted to show that you are not always able to be in control of your life.
“What inspired you to write your next book about time traveling to 1937?”
L: The book I’m working on is a prequel to Bigger than a Breadbox. It is about Rebecca’s mom, Annie. When Annie’s mom says they must go visit Annie’s grandmother because she’s dying, Annie is surprised. She didn’t even know she had a grandmother. So, Annie falls back in time to 1937 and gets to know her grandmother when she was 12 years old.
“What were you thinking about when you started writing your book, Bigger Than a Breadbox?”
L: I was thinking about Loss and Sadness and how to go thru it. This book is autobiographical in many ways. I remember how sad and upset I was when my mother moved me away from my friends and father.
“What is the name of the book you read from?””
L: My newest book that was just published, Bigger Than a Breadbox.”
“If you weren’t an author, what would you like to be?”
L: I’m also a mom. That is my other job and I like that a lot. But if I had to decide to work at something else, I’d be a teacher or a librarian. Why? Because I LOVE BOOKS! I just want to stand around and talk about books all day!
“When you wrote about Down Betty & the mint in her garden, I wondered if you also have a garden?”
L: I am a terrible gardener. Mint is an invasive plant, so I grow it and other invasive plants because then I don’t have to weed or worry about how the garden looks.
“Where do you write?”
L: I have a shed that’s been newly renovated. There is no TV or computer or WIFI in it. I have to go inside and be quiet and when I’m quiet I hear my stories.
“If you don’t have a computer, does that mean you write by hand? On paper?”
L: Yes. I write the picture books by hand and the novels with a computer. I suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis, so I have to be careful not to overuse my hands.
Laurel said, “I love corresponding with kids. So, email me if you have any other questions or just want to talk about books.”
Visit her site at laurelsnyder.com
Books Laurel mentioned today that she hopes you’ll read.
Elizabeth Enright – Gone Away Lake
Lemony Snicket – A Series of Unfortunate Events
Betty MacDonald – Mrs Piggle Wiggle
Polly Horvath – The Canning Season
Victoria Forester – The Girl Who Could Fly
Rebecca Stead – When You Reach Me
Ellen Potter – Olivia Kidney stories and The Kneebone Boy
Anne Ursu – Breadcrumbs
Kurtis Scaletta – Mamba Point
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