Storytime Update!

I wanted to share what Ms Patty and I have been doing in storytime for the past 2 weeks! We kicked off Session I with a bit of a mish-mash. We wanted to welcome our storytime friends back, but we also wanted them to help us create this display board as the Library transitioned from Summer Reading to Autumn:

 So we ended up having them create these cute "leaf friends" with faces - yes, we can stretch a theme like nobody's business.

For the second week, we went with the tried and true Apple Storytime. Ms Patty loves Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington (for the adorable girl with her own business!) and I always enjoy All for Pie and Pie for All by David Martin.

 We found a cute craft on Pinterest by the blog, Sturdy for Common Things - thanks! It was a little difficult to do with multiple kids who needed help lacing, etc but we let them do the best they could and either staple or fix what wasn't attached. They loved the smell that filled the air!
Apple Pie Craft

 And of course we had to bust out the apple flannel board and play "Hide the Wormy". A few versions of that piece-o-flannel worm have walked away because the kids just think he's so darn cute!

 Action Rhymes:
Way up high, in a tree
Two red apples smiled at me
So I shook that tree as hard as I could-
Down came the apples - yum, they were good!

I see an apple red and round
It fell from a tree, on to the ground.
Pick it up
Wash it
Cut it in two
Half for me
and half for you!

Ms Patty also has a great "Apple" CD to have on in the background during the craft - I still can't get "I like to eat, eat, eat, a-pples and ba-nay-nays"  out of my head...

New Picture Books We Love!

If you've ever come in the Library when Ms Patty and I have just received a UPS shipment of new books, you have seen that we look a lot like children on Christmas morning. This is definitely one of the most exciting times of the day.
Here's a look at some of the latest picture books we've ordered for RML - come find them and see for yourself!

 

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown

Ms Patty and I drooled over the artwork on this one. I adore Peter Brown - I have a poster he signed for my daughters hanging in their room of one of my favorites, Children Make Terrible Pets.

You can read more about this one at the book blog, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast - follow the link below.

Seven Impossible Things Debuts Mr. Tiger Goes Wild

You can also get a free downloadalbe poster of Brown's book, The Curious Garden at his website:

 

Free Downloadable Curious Garden Poster

 This adorable illustration is from the new picture book by Hope Vestergaard and David Slonim, called Digger Dozer Dumper. If you have a mini truck fan in your house, this collection of 16 rhyming poems is needed in your house! And just to drive you moms more crazy, here's link to a YouTube video with the most annoying music, that your child is sure to love:

 YouTube Does Diggers Dozers and Dump Trucks

 

 Next up, totally awesome book by debut author Courtney Dicmas. Harold Finds A Voice is about a flashy red parrot looking for his own distinct sound. This one is all about the adorable bird and gorgeous illustrations. Check out the animated book trailer below:

'Harold' Book Trailer

 

 Locomotive by Brian Floca

And finally, something that is called a non-fiction picture book because it is chock-full of information, following a steam-powered train as it crosses to the West in 1869. It's more than the train though - it's also about the passengers and the journey. I'm stressing about where to put this one, but I think Non-Fiction is going to win. See the whole review by Kirkus in the link below:
“Nothing short of spectacular, just like the journey it describes.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Kirkus reviews Locomotive 

Continuing Gnome Adventures...

Ms Patty and I are so glad that everyone had such fun with our Traveling Gnomes this Summer! The Summer Reading decorations may have come down, but 2 of our Gnomes are not quite ready to settle down yet.

Through the wonders of Facebook, we have hooked up with the Olton Library in Solihull, England - they were willing to have one of our Gnomes come visit! They thought George the Curious Gnome would be a perfect fit, so he was shipped off last week and recently arrived in good health! (We sent him with another traveling companion because we just didn't think the postal services could handle him without an adult chaperone!) Here he is:

So stay tuned for updates on the great places that George gets to visit in the U.K.!  They are a very creative and clever bunch at the Olton Library (I hope George comes home with one of their lovely crochet creations, hint hint.)
Here are some of the characters he may encounter over the 'pond':

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!