Penguin Webcam

Some have asked about the penguin webcam I shared at storytimes this week.  It's from the California Academy of Sciences and here's the link: Penguincam.  In addition to the super cute penguins, there's lot of great information and another webcam for other sea life.  Enjoy!

A Day in NYC

Yesterday, Ms. Eileen and I had the distinct pleasure of spending the day with several other Connecticut librarians in New York City.  We took a tour of the new Children's Library Discovery Center at Queens Library which is a cutting edge combination of a science/discovery museum and children's library.  It's truly a remarkable place where scientific exploration is made super fun!  All of us oohed and aahed and had fun playing with the many unique exhibits (dozens of them!).

Check out some of the wonderful things you'll see there by clicking here: Discovery Center.  And remember, it's a public library, so it's free!  If your holiday plans take you anywhere near NYC definitely go check it out.  Hours of fun for all. Meanwhile, Ms. Eileen, and I, and the other librarians are thinking about how to incorporate these principles and practices into our libraries.

After lunch we toured the wonderful exhibit of children's book illustrations at the Society of Illustrators.  The art in children's books is superlative, truly, and it seems to get better each year.  The opportunity to see the original, beautiful and whimsical art in full-size form was wonderful.  Again, if you head to Manhattan for shopping or holiday fun head over to 63rd Street to the Society of Illustrators Museum (clickable link).

Winter Stortyime Week 3: Penguins!

Oh who doesn't love those little tuxedo-ed fellows.

This Week's Books:
Lost and Found, by Oliver Jeffers
Up and Down, by Oliver Jeffers
Little Penguin's Tale, by Audrey Wood
A Penguin Story, by Antoinette Portis
Penguins 123, by Kevin Schafer
Penguins ABC, by Kevin Schafer


This Week's Action Rhymes:
1 Five little penguins standing still
One little penguin slides down the hill
Where did he go? I don't know
(Four, Three, Two, One)
Oh, I know
All five penguins playing in the snow!

2 Five perky penguins stood on the shore
One went for a swim and then there were four
Four perky penguins looked out to sea
One went swimming and then there were three
Three perky penguins said, "What can we do?"
One jumped in the water and then there were two
Two perky penguins sat in the sun
One swam off and then there was one
One perky penguin said "This is no fun"
He dove in the water and then there were none

This Week's Art: A super cute craft paper penguin

Books for Holiday Giving

The Connecticut Library Consortium has published its annual lists of books for holiday giving for children in all age categories.  Librarians throughout the state contribute their suggestions and they are compiled into these handy, printable,brochures that you can access online.   Click here:  Books for Giving.  You'll notice that both Ms. Eileen and I contributed our suggestions to these lists.