Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Cook-a-Book

Early Release? Nothing to do?

Well, mark your calendars - Wednesday, March 3rd at 3:30pm is Cook-a-Book.

Kids 5-12, join us as we prepare crepes, play games, read books, answer trivia questions and win prizes!

Food for March's Cook-a-Book is provided by Uptown Market.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Much Ado About Books


Did you know Much Ado About Books is this weekend?

The children's chapter presents lots of free activities for kids on Saturday February 27th from 9:00 a.m. – noon at the Main Library!

Events include:
Local & national children’s authors
Hands-on activities for families
Interactive booths
Celebrity readings

Celebrity Reader Schedule:
9:30 a.m. - Eileen Erikson: Up in Nathanel’s Room
10:00 a.m. - Tim Farley, Black Stallion Literacy Foundation
10:30 a.m. - Gigi Morales David, Just Mollie and Me
11:00 a.m. - Carlla Cato, A Gaggle of Geese
11:30 a.m. - Mayor John Peyton, Mayor's Book Club Selection

March Calendar


Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Pirates!

Ahoy there mateys, there be PIRATES afoot!

International Talk Like a Pirate Day be not 'til September 19th. What is a young pirate to do 'til then?

Well, have ye heard the musical stylings of Captain Bogg and Salty?


Ye may sample their songs by clicking on t' link below. Arrr....

http://www.boggandsalty.com/music.php

Ye'd be a scallywagg not to check out their piratical tunes.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

What We're Reading


Ever wonder what your children's library staff are reading?


Well, wonder no more!


Ms. Jaime loves the bluesy, rhythmic Big Momma Makes the World by Phyllis Root.


In this book, Big Momma, with a baby on her hip and laundry piling up, makes the world and everything in it. At the end of the sixth day she tells the people she has made that they must take some good care of her creation.

Phyllis Root has written many other books including;
Flip, Flap, Fly
Kiss the Cow and
Paula Bunyan

Check them out!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Preschool at the Library

Do you have a child between ages 3-5 who is not enrolled in full-time preschool?
Ms. Jaime at the Main Library wants to teach your child what they need to know to be Kindergarten-ready! Join us every Wednesday at 11:00am for Preschool at the Library. Our weekly themes and activities support the preliteracy skills needed to be successful readers. Followed by the art program, Preschool Project with Ms. Marie, this is an hour at the library preschoolers just can't miss!


11:00-11:30- Ms. Jaime's Preschool Class is in session
11:30-11:45- Freeplay in the Preliteracy Center
11:45-12:00- Preschool Project with Ms. Marie

Black History Month Reading List

Celebrate Black History month through books! This reading list highlights African American authors and illustrators.

Picture Books:

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
Although a classmate says that she cannot play Peter Pan in the school play because she is black, Grace discovers that she can do anything she sets her mind to do.
Grace also has chapter books! Check out other books by Mary Hoffman to see Grace as she grows.

Marc Just Couldn't Sleep by Gabriela Keselman
Marc can't sleep because he's scared. He tells his concerns to his mother, who attempts to help him get to sleep by using creative solutions such as making him mosquito-proof pajamas!

Peekaboo Morning by Rachel Isadora
A toddler plays peek-a-boo throughout the day with family and friends.



This Jazz Man by Karen Ehrhardt
An adaptation of This Old Man presents an introduction to jazz music and nine well-known jazz musicians, set to the rhythm of the traditional song, "This Old Man." Includes brief facts about each musician.

Welcome Precious by Nikki Grimes
Illustrations and text welcome a new baby to some of life's delights, from "the glistening mystery of soap bubbles" to "the swish of leaves in the breeze."

Chapter Books:

Drita, My Homegirl by Jenny Lombard
When ten-year-old Drita and her family, refugees from Kosovo, move to New York, Drita is teased about not speaking English well, but after a popular student named Maxie is forced to learn about Kosovo as a punishment for teasing Drita, the two girls soon bond.

A Friendship for Today by Patricia McKissack
In 1954, when desegregation comes to Kirkland, Missouri, ten-year-old Rosemary faces many changes and challenges at school and at home as her parents separate.


Junebug by Alice Mead
An inquisitive young boy who lives with his mother and younger sister in a rough housing project in New Haven, Connecticut, approaches his tenth birthday with a mixture of anticipation and worry.

Last summer with Maizon by Jacqueline Woodson
Eleven-year-old Margaret tries to accept the inevitable changes that come one summer when her father dies and her best friend Maizon goes away to a private boarding school.

The Watsons go to Birmingham--1963 : a Novel by Christopher Paul Curtis
The ordinary interactions and everyday routines of the Watsons, an African American family living in Flint, Michigan, are drastically changed after they go to visit Grandma in Alabama in the summer of 1963.

Poetry:

Brothers & Sisters : Family Poems by Eloise Greenfield
Brothers and sisters. Full, half, step, old and young, close in age and far apart. The bond between all siblings is powerful and special. Celebrate the love of brothers and sisters everywhere with award-winning author Eloise Greenfield in this poignant collection of poems for and about families.

Hey you! C'mere : a poetry slam by Elizabeth Swados
A collection of free-verse, rap-style poems. The selections explore the urban setting, the dynamics of group friendships, and the awkwardness and joys of being a kid.


In daddy's arms I am tall : African Americans celebrating fathers / illustrated by Javaka Steptoe
A collection of poems celebrating African-American fathers by Angela Johnson, E. Ethelbert Miller, Carole Boston Weatherford, and others.

Life Doesn't Frighten Me by Maya Angelou
Presents Maya Angelou's poem illustrated by paintings and drawings of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Features biographies of both the author and artist.



The Palm of my Heart : poetry by African American children edited by Davida Adedjouma
A collection of poems written by Afro-American children celebrating what it means to be Black.

Why War is Never a Good Idea by Alice Walker
Simple, rhythmic text explores the destructiveness of War, which has grown old but not wise.


Non Fiction:

Let it Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Tells the stories of ten African-American women freedom fighters.


Martin's Big Words: the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport
Using quotes from some of his beloved speeches, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. comes to life in stunning collage art and vibrant watercolor paintings in this profound and important biography about beliefs and dreams and following one's heart.

Teammates by Tiki and Ronde Barber
A story of teamwork and perseverance based on the childhood of National Football League stars and twin brothers Tiki and Ronde Barber



We Are the Ship: the Story of Negro League baseball by Kadir Nelson
The story of Negro League baseball from its beginnings in the 1920s through the decline after Jackie Robinson crossed over to the majors in 1947.


When Marian sang : the true recital of Marian Anderson : the voice of a century by Pam Muñoz Ryan
An introduction to the life of Marian Anderson, extraordinary singer and civil rights activist, who was the first African American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera, whose life and career encouraged social change.

Check out more reading lists from:
The Horn Book

Saturday, February 6, 2010

What We're Reading



Ever wonder what your children's library staff are reading?

Mr. Keith is currenly loving the Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems (you might know him from such books as 'Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus').


These fun early readers are a real treat!


In 'My Friend is Sad', Piggie is determined to cheer up his friend Gerald the Elephant, but finds after many tries that it only takes the simplest thing to change Gerald's mood.

Be sure you keep an eye out for other books in this series, including;

I am Invited to a Party

There is a Bird on Your Head and

Today I Will Fly

Friday, February 5, 2010

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Superheroes... like you've never seen them before

You've heard of Batman and Superman... but how about Noodle Man? Check out our list of all the heroes you've never known and be introduced to a whole new world!

Atomic Ace : (he's just my dad) by Jeff Weigel
In this rhyming story told in comic book format, a boy considers his family normal, though his superhero dad, Atomic Ace, does amazing feats, even battling the evil Insect King.

Baron von Baddie and the Ice Ray Incident by George McClements
When Baron von Baddie defeats his nemesis, Captain Kapow, he discovers that it is not as much fun to create chaos and engage in bad behavior if no one tries to stop him.

Kapow! by George O'Connor
Truth, justice, and the American Eagleway! A young boy realizes what it really means to be a superhero.


Noodle Man : the Pasta Superhero by April Pulley Sayre
Al Dente's invention of a portable pasta machine turns him into a superhero and helps to save the family's fresh pasta business.

Sumo Mouse by David Wisniewski
When an evil toy store owner brings crime to the city of Tokyo, only a mysterious, and large, hero is able to defeat the villain.


Superdog : the Heart of a Hero by Caralyn Buehner
Tired of being overlooked because he is so small, a big-hearted dog named Dexter transforms himself into a superhero.


SuperHero ABC by Bob McLeod
Humorous SuperHeroes such as Goo Girl and The Volcano represent the letters of the alphabet from A to Z.


Superhero Max by Lawrence David
A second-grade boy has trouble fitting in at his new school, until he wears his Captain Crusader costume for Halloween.


Supersnouts! by Steve Björkman
Hamlet the piglet joins Snoutbuster and Kernel Hog in a flying confrontation with two burglars on Farmer Frank's farm.


Traction Man is here! by Mini Grey
Traction Man, a boy's courageous action figure, has a variety of adventures with Scrubbing Brush and other objects in the house.


And for older readers....

The Adventures of Captain Underpants : an Epic Novel by Dav Pilkey
When George and Harold hypnotize their principal into thinking that he is the superhero Captain Underpants, he leads them to the lair of the nefarious Dr. Diaper, where they must defeat his evil robot henchmen.


The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby : the First Graphic Novel by George Beard and Harold Hutchins by Dav Pilkey
Irrepressible friends George and Harold create a new comic book superhero, Super Diaper Baby.

The Caped Sixth Grader : Happy Birthday, Hero! by Zoe Quinn
Just after her twelfth birthday, Zoe Richards, daughter of a police officer and a social activist, learns that her family tree holds an inheritance even more exciting.


The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy: The Hero Revealed by William Boniface
Ordinary Boy, the only resident of Superopolis without a superpower, uncovers and foils a sinister plot to destroy the town.

The Great Cape Rescue by Phyllis Shalant
Upon entering fourth grade, Fin and his friends think they must stop playing superheroes, until they discover that their game might become real through a magical cape, and the Society of Secret Superheroes is born.

Horace Splattly, The Cupcaked Crusader by David Lawrence
Horace is the shortest 10-year-old in the town of Blootinville. When his taller, smarter, younger sister makes him eat her experimental cupcakes and wear a purple costume, he becomes a superhero.

Melvin Beederman, Superhero: The Curse of the Bologna Sandwich by Greg Trine
After graduating from the superhero academy, Melvin Beederman heads for Los Angeles, where he unexpectedly teams up with Candace Brinkwater, school play actress, to nab the evil McNasty Brothers

Shredderman: Secret identity by Wendelin Van Draanen
Fifth-grader Nolan Byrd, tired of being called names by the class bully, has a secret identity--Shredderman!