SCHOOL VACATION ACTIVITIES IN THE LIBRARY

We are having a special PAJAMARAMA!

Tuesday, February 21 @6:30 pm
The theme for this program is Fairytales.

"Run, run, as fast as you can". The Gingerbread Boy eludes the grasp of a host of hungry characters, including the old woman who baked him, until he happens upon a fox more clever than he and goes the way of every single gingerbread boy that ever came out of an oven.--
The Gingerbread Boy By Paul Galdone

We'll also listen to:
The 3 Bears And Goldilocks By Margaret Willey
Red Riding Hood By James Marshall

Craft: Decorating King And Queen Crowns

Puppet Theater
Wednesday, February 22 at 10:30 am.
Join Lauren, Marilyn, and Mrs. C as they bring some stories to life using puppets and flannel board.

We will continue our regular story times.
Note: we will be closed Monday the 20th for the holiday.

2012 Book Awards Announced

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.

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 Lois 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 Edwin 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

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 and 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.

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.

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.