Check Out These New Titles at RML!

Here's a look at some of the newer books for children that have recently arrived at RML:

Elvis and the Underdogs by Jenny Lee

Fashion Fairies series by Daisy Meadows

Get Into Gear, Stilton!: (Geronimo Stilton #54)



I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011 (I Survived #8) by Lauren Tarshis

Something New (Confectionately Yours #4) by Lisa Papademetriou

                                     Thing About Luck by Cynthia Kadohata

 The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

Yoo-Hoo, Ladybug! by Mem Fox

Blog Contest Winners & Summer Pics!

Thanks to those who commented on here (and I even gave you credit for commenting on the facebook page) and won some great prize books! The winners were:

Elaine Castro & Skylar

Pam Montstream

Deb Dalton

Traci D'Amico

Things are winding down with summer reading here at RML - time to cram in those last vacations before the start of school! If you need some books to keep the kiddos busy in the car, check out our display:

This Friday we will have a drawing for all the children who completed 6 weeks of reading with the 'Dig Into Reading' program. They are automatically entered in the drawings if they have reached 480 hours in the Evanced system.

Here are some pictures from our 'Rock' programs last week. We had The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center from Mystic come by for a great program on rocks and minerals - especially those in Connecticut. Ms Patty had the kids 'pan for gold' afterwards - believe me when I tell you she worked really hard on making that 'gold' look real! 

 Exploring things like amber, fool's gold, mica, granite, and even dinosaur poop!

Here's the prospectors looking for gems and gold:

And here's Ms Patty's relative, William Kulju, who actually made a claim at the Klondike Gold Rush! She shared some history with us (which explained her obsession with making these 'gold' nuggets above!) Notice the gold pocket watch chain:

And finally, a picture just for fun - our Director Nancy Wood's new puppy addition to her family:

LIZZIE!

Prize Book #6

Chances are, if you have kids, you know what a Graphic Novel is. And you may have a child who knows who the Lunch Lady is. Yup, she's a modern day superhero.

This is the latest offering in the popular series by awesome guy Jarrett J. Krosoczka. It's recommended for ages 7-10 and it's AUTOGRAPHED!!! So,

LEAVE US A BLOG COMMENT WITH YOUR NAME AND BE ENTERED TO WIN!!!

Prize Books #4 & #5

Today's books may not be quite right for summer, but we're looking ahead with author Amy Hest and her new book,

Her book, In the Rain With Baby Duck is a favorite of mine. She writes adorable picture books, and this one even has a dog and a Grampa in it! Plus, it's autographed by Amy!!!!

This paperback doesn't even get released until September, but it can be yours, if you:

LEAVE US A COMMENT WITH YOUR NAME!


AND...

Here is another winter offering, but I guarantee this one will be a hit any time of the year.

 You may have a fan of Otis in your house already. If not, I'll tell you that Otis is a tractor (the cutest one ever) and lives on a farm. This offering has everything including farm animals and a Christmas miracle.

Plus, it doesn't get released until October, and not only did Loren Long autograph it, he even drew a little picture in it for you!

I can't stand it - these giveaways are awesome! - you people really need to just

LEAVE A COMMENT WITH YOUR NAME AND BE ENTERED TO WIN!!!!

Special Prize Book You Won't Want to Miss

We are giving away prizes for 6 days but I actually have 7 awesome books to give away.

There are so many reasons why this title is great. Forget the awesome team of writer Patricia MacLachlan and illustrator Steven Kellogg. Forget that it's AUTOGRAPHED BY BOTH OF THEM! Forget that it can just be a great winter story about snowflakes, hope, and how every one of us is special. Especially for those of us who live in CT, it's even more than that.

These longtime friends teamed up to write and illustrate this book (that doesn't get to happen often in the world of children's literature unless you are uber-special authors/illustrators).  

They created this book following the tragic events in Sandy Hook, CT on 

December 14, 2012. 

 Kellogg lived in Sandy Hook for 35 years and raised his family there.  The publisher, Random House, made a donation to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund, and is also donating 25,000 new books to the national literacy organization First Book in the community's honor and in support of children everywhere.

Ms Patty and I got to meet Patricia MacLachlan and Steven Kellogg at Book Expo, where we had them sign this galley copy for you. It doesn't come out until late October. ('Galley' means its a preview and this copy is not bound.)

COMMENT ON A BLOG POST AND BE ENTERED TO WIN THIS SPECIAL TITLE!

Prize Book #3

Today's book prize isn't even released until October! Ms Patty and I heard actress Octavia Spencer (The Help) speak at Book Expo this year where she gave out copies of her new book, Randi Rhodes: Ninja Detective, Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit.

It's suggested for ages 8 & up and an advanced reader copy. If you know me, you know I'm not a fan of most celebrity authors. But we did have a test reader give this one a try and said it's actually pretty good. Plus, Randi just looks cool on the cover.

Leave a comment and be entered to win one of these great giveaways!!!

Prize Book #2

Today's book is a picture book that is perfect for summertime!

And it's autographed by the illustrator, Erin E. Stead!

She won the 2011 Caldecott Medal for illustrating A Sick Day for Amos McGee (which is a favorite of both Ms Patty's and mine)

Hint: there's a lot of waiting involved...

Leave us a comment and be entered to win!

Prize Book #1

Here is the first of our 6 prize books for our Blog Contest!

 39 Clues: Unstoppable Book 1: Nowhere to Run by Jude Watson

If you have a fan of the 39 Clues series in your house, you are not going to want to miss this! This new series is not released until October! That's right - you can get the uncorrected proof right here and be the first kid to read it on your block! (or save it for a torturous car ride this summer).

From the publisher: "Thirteen-year-old Dan Cahill and his older sister, Amy, are the latest guardians of the Clues. They think they’ve done everything right, but a tiny mistake leads to catastrophe. The serum is missing and Dan and Amy have to get it back and stop who stole it . . . before it’s game over. For everyone."

So leave a comment - do your kids read this series? Which one is their favorite? Or what books have they been enjoying this summer?

It's a contest here at the bloggity blog!

Ms. Eileen has done a wonderful job with content on this blog in recent months, so browse though and comment for a chance to win exceptional swag.  This blog is an excellent place to keep up with all of our antics at RML, as well as stay informed about kids literature.  While Ms. Eileen is away in Vermont today for the kick-off of our blog contest, I thought I'd share with you some thoughts in our summer reading program so far.

Every year, Ms. Eileen and I remind ourselves to "not go crazy like last year", but every year we plan activities and events that stretch our time and budget.  But we can't help it; you guys make it too much fun!  And Mrs. Wood, our director, is always so supportive. So far this year we have had great fun with our traveling gnomes and, I see from the photos you've sent, that many Marlborough families have too.  We've also enjoyed excellent events such as our thunder storm kick-off, rainy terrarium making, wiggly worms,  hot-hot-hot touch a truck event, and Dino discovery.  We finish off with a rock workshop and panning for "gold".

(Don't even get us started on our Teens Take Over the Library  night, Katniss EverGnome hunt, and other teen events!)

And thanks to all of your serious reading we have hit the mark on our Mole Meter; we've reached 1924 books!  (Actually, we've blown it out of the water, exceeding 2000 books already.) We will all celebrate that achievement soon with a special event.

This week, check out the new craft in the storytime room, plus a new flannel board game, and the arrival (finally!) of our ant farm.

What have you enjoyed so far this summer? What about next summer...any suggestions?
Ms. Patty

Blog Contest Coming Next Week!

Beginning Monday, July 29, we are having a CONTEST! Just comment on any post from the week, and be entered into a drawing to choose one of the great book prizes that 
Ms. Patty and I brought back from Book Expo!
(Sorry, contest only open to readers who can come in to Richmond Library to select their book prize!) 
We will randomly choose a winner each day (Mon-Sat) to come select a prize book. You only need to comment 1 time to be entered - multiple comments won't increase your chance of winning. Please leave your FULL NAME so we know who wins!

Here's a look at the prize books:

                       If You Want to See a Whale by Julie Fogliano, illus. by Erin E. Stead
                                                                       (picture book)  

      Autographed (by illus.)Copy

 An Otis Christmas by Loren Long (picture book)

Autographed & Advanced Reader Copy

 When Charley Met Grampa by Amy Hest, illus. by Helen Oxenbury (picture book) 

Autographed  & Advanced Reader Copy

 

Snowflakes Fall by Patricia MacLachlan, illus. Steven Kellogg (picture book)  

Autographed by both author & illus., Advanced Reader Galley edition

 Lunch Lady and the Video Game Villain by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (graphic novel) 

Autographed Copy

 Randi Rhodes: Ninja Detective – The Case of the Time Capsule Bandit by Octavia Spencer 

(chapter book)  Advanced Reader Copy       

 39 Clues: Unstoppable series – Nowhere to Run by Jude Watson (chapter book)  

Advanced Reader Copy