New Books

Our summer reading program is over, but there are more great books just arriving in the library to continue your reading adventures. Check these out:

"Everything I Need to Know Before I'm Five" by Valorie Fisher is a beautiful, deliciously photographed collection of letters, numbers, and shapes. I bet most of our storytime kids know everything in this book and will be delighted to show-off their knowledge.

"Bee and Bird", by Craig Frazier is another gloriously illustrated book that tells a poignant story completely without words. Beautiful patterns and colors will grab your child's eye and together you can verbalize the story. Recent studies point to the power of wordless books in developing literacy. Plus, it's fun!

"A Butterfly is Patient" by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long is yet another incredibly illustrated picture book. I love their previous books, "A Seed is Sleepy", and "An Egg is Quiet" and can't wait to get my hands on their newest which details with scientific accuracy and an artist's eye the lives of butterflies. As a child, this is the kind of book I would have spent hours poring over.

"Bailey" by Harry Bliss is a favorite I've been waiting to share with the RML public. I met Harry Bliss in May and he signed his book for me. Unfortunately, it wasn't officially released until this month so I had to hold the book until now. This book is so sweet and so funny, as Bailey the dog goes to school as if he is just one of the children. He excels at painting with his tail and digging holes when planting flowers, delighting all and making the reader laugh along with his classmates. Charming illustrations and a dog you'll fall in love with.

These and more new books are just waiting for you.

Storytime Survey

In our ongoing effort to bring storytime joy and happiness to everyone :) we created a very short survey. The survey is only 5 questions long and should take about 5 minutes (if that). Your answers are anonymous and will help us better tailor storytime days/times and content. Take a moment, won't you, and give us your feedback.

Click Here: Storytime Survey

Thanks.

Our Global Blog

I am able to see some interesting statistics about this blog and today I noted that this week alone we've had blog-visitors from Australia, Germany, Canada, Phillipines, Brazil, Slovenia, Ukraine, India, and Singapore (and the US, of course). Wow! Most seem to be looking for storytime ideas and I am more than happy to share. Imagine Ukrainian children doing one of our action rhymes or crafts!

This summer's reading theme, "One World, Many Stories", has been lots of fun and I know that I have learned a lot more about our world. I suspect many of our young readers and their parents have too. Our world is so much more connected now; it's a wonderful thing and our youngest patrons will grow up thinking nothing odd about being connected so easily with people from all over the world. I hope we can continue to learn more about other cultures even once summer reading is officially over. For example, if you haven't had a chance yet this summer, check out (literally) the great country backpacks Ms. Eileen assembled for this summer. Each backpack is full of information, fun, books, pictures, and little things to handle and play with.

And hello, ola, hallo, vitayu, zivjo, and g'day to our international visitors.

Global Citizens

I was away for the week up in Maine, camping and hanging out at the beach. Sure, I should be putting away the tents, washing the towels, and shaking sand out of my books, but instead I wanted to check in on the blog and say hi. Hi. :)

On Monday at 6 p.m. we have a family program focusing on our global community and what we can do, even the youngest of us, to help. Ms. Eileen has identified a worthy project or two for us to help with and we'll share stories of people who have made a difference. Registration is required and the event is best for families with children age 5 and up. Call in on Monday to see if there is still room. I'm looking forward to seeing you there.

In other news, our summer reading program is wrapping up. You'll have this week to finish up your passport and get your final stamps.