Book a Day: Day 25

Today's Book-a-Day review is not a book but a magazine, my favorite child-related magazine "Family Fun". On days like today when we are snowbound pull out an issue of Family Fun and suddenly you have lots of things to do; healthy snacks to make, games to play, crafts to try. I guarantee you that you will discover at least one thing in each issue that will become a family standby. If you've looked at Family Fun, you know that each issue has several crafts, recipes, fun outdoor and indoor games, as well as reviews and articles. One gets the sense that every single idea has been kid-tested and approved. The parenting and child-related magazines are housed in a rack between the DVDs and the children's non-fiction. You can check out magazines (including the most current issue) for one week. Many parents look through the magazines at the library while children are playing or in storytime but feel free to take them home. I highly recommend Family Fun! Ms. Patty

Yet Another Snow Day

Today, Thursday 1/27, the library is closed (mostly because we won't be plowed out until late in the day) so all storytimes are cancelled for the day. I will reschedule the storytime either in the week of school vacation (2/24) or at the end of the session in March.

Book A Day: Day 24

I can't say enough about today's pick! This is one of those books

that will charm young and old, and leave you with the warm fuzzies! And if you have a child at home who is into firefighters, you MUST check out this book. It is based on the true story of a lightbulb (yes, I said lightbulb) that was installed in 1901 in Livermore, CA for the local volunteer firefighters. Believe it or not, through 100 years of changes in the way firefighters do their jobs, through a new firehouse and a century of technological advances, that same lightbulb is STILL glowing! This book is a fascinating glimpse into history and is also a wonderful tribute to the men and women who have and continue to protect us all. Perfect for storytime, lessons on community helpers, or anyone for that matter because it is just a cool story! And though it is non-fiction, you will find it with the new picture books. Thank you to the Ribera-Merritt Family for the donation of this charming book. Ms. Eileen

p.s. The lightbulb has it's own webcam! After you read the story, take a look at www.centennialbulb.org

Book a Day: Day 23

"Martha Doesn't Say Sorry!" by Samantha Berger, with illustrations by Bruce Whatley is today's selection. Martha is an otter (I felt that was important to state since I wondered myself) who is good at many things including giving hugs, sharing, and doing karate. But, she has a bit of an attitude and does not say she's sorry. As you can imagine this creates a problem for her mother, father, and baby brother. This book has charmed the library staff and it will charm you too. We love the illustrations, from Martha's ladylike haircut and pink dress to her nose-in-the-air attitude. And we like how Martha comes to see the error of her ways (mostly). Berger and Whatley have another Martha book, "Martha Doesn't Share", that is equally charming and I hope we see more of Martha's adventures. Both books are on the new shelf with call number JE Berger. Ms. Patty

Book a Day: Day 22

Today's selection is "A Very Big Bunny" by Marisabina Russo (author of storytime favorite "The Bunnies Are Not in Their Beds"). Once again, Ms. Russo creates the most lovable bunny-children with her lively colorful illustrations. The story of Amelia, who is the biggest bunny in her class, is realistic in its portrayal of school life, and poignant as Amelia struggles to fit in. On her own Amelia never feels too big but feels unhappy and out of place with her school mates. One day Susannah, a very small bunny, joins the class and things begin to change for Amelia. You'll see echos of Kevin Henkes' "Chrysanthemum" in this tale. Sharing this book is satisfying on its own, but it also easily lends itself to discussions of feeling left out and fitting in. Ms. Patty

Winter Storytime Week One: Polar Bears

Welcome back to Storytime! For our first week we'll read about polar bears (because don't we all feel like polar bears right about now!)

This Week's Books:
Snow Bear, by Piers Harper
Bear Play, by Miela Ford
Touch the Sky, My Little Bear, by David Bedford and Jane Chapman
Polar Bear Night, by Lauren Thompson, ill. by Stephen Savage
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr.

This Week's Music:
Polar Bear, by The Quiet Two
Polar Bear Stomp, by The Chenille Sisters
Polar Bear Waltz, by Baby Einstein

This Week's Action Rhymes:
The little polar bear swims in the sea
And eats all the fish that he can see
He gets out and shakes his white fur
Rolls in the snow and gives a little "Grrr"
Then he stretches big and tall
And goes to sleep curled up in a ball.

Marco the Polar Bear, white as the snow
Sat down on the ice near the cold water's flow.
"Lunch!" he said, "I'll make a wish."
He stuck in his paw and came up with a fish!

This Week's Art/Craft: A snowy landscape with puffy paint

Book A Day: Day 21

Anthony Browne is the current Children's Laureate of the United Kingdom. This is a position to which a distinguished children's author is elected; it's akin to the Poet Laureate position. Browne's work is immediately recognizable by his crisp, detailed, realistic (almost surreal) illustrations. And his stories touch on philosophical issues in the guise of a simple picture book. Browne is the author/illustrator of "Willy the Dreamer", "The Gorilla" and dozens of others. His most recent book is called "Me and You" and it takes the Goldilocks and the Three Bears fairy-tale into the 21st century. Told through parallel stories, we follow the urban bears take a walk while a young girl becomes lost in the same city. Their stories collide in the predictable way but with an interesting coda. It's a unique book that lends itself to retelling and exploration. This book has the call number JE Browne and is currently on the New Shelf. Ms. Patty

On a separate note: STORYTIMES START THIS WEEK!!!! (HAPPY DANCE)

Book A Day: Day 20

Today's book is a little odd for a storytime choice, but I'm going with it!
Maybe you have one of those kids that really prefers non-fiction, or maybe your kids are like mine and have conned you into not only stories before bed, but time to read or 'look' quietly at another book before lights out. This book is great for both situations. I've talked before about our JE-NF section - easy non-fiction books for our younger children. When it is no longer 'new', that is where this book will be found, along with another title in this country series - China in Colors.
There is a text box on every other page in these books, that highlights something of each color found on each 2-pg spread. For instance, in Russia, gold represents the lights of Moscow, while purple can be found on matryoshka dolls and red teaches us about borscht!
The photos are HUGE, and the entire book is really eye-catching. They include some basic facts in the back as well as a glossary.
I currently have China at home for the 4-yr-old to peruse before bed - better yet, I'll get the 8-yr-old to read it to her! Check these out!
Ms. Eileen

Book A Day: Day 19

I'm so DONE with this weather! So today's book has
nothing to do with winter or snow or anything remotely close! It has to do with balloons and cute porcupines! Isabel wants a balloon more than anything to hold at graduation, like the rest of her classmates. But alas, she is a porcupine, and like her teacher says, "Porcupines + balloons = trouble". Our plucky heroine is not about to give up however, so she and friend Walter come up with some clever ways (such as a 'pop-stopper' and bubble wrap) to keep their quills from popping the balloons. Adorable critters and just a cute, fun story make this a perfect choice for a day when you'd rather think of balloons than snowballs!
Ms. Eileen

Book A Day: Day 18

I saw several moms and children this morning for our Mom's Club story time and was interested to hear that some hadn't heard about our "Book A Day in January" blog event. Hopefully, they've discovered it now and have had a chance to read about some of the great new materials here at RML.

Today's selection is a non-fiction book (J 790.1 Stevens) currently on the New Shelf: "Things to Do With Dad", by Chris Steven (with editing, design, and illustration help from others). This little book is packed with all sorts of fun, mostly free, activities for kids and grown-ups to share. I was delighted to see some of the things my husband and I did with our kids such a making a button yo-yo (p. 97) and building a snow fort (p. 11). (By the way, this is the perfect time to do that!) But I was more delighted to see suggestions for things I'd never thought of such as creating a crazy golf course (p. 6) and making a cloud in a bottle (p. 22). These kinds of activities can make an ordinary day extraordinary and are the kinds of things we remember from our childhoods. Have fun. Ms. Patty