Afternoon Explorers - April 30th

Today the Afternoon Explorers helped to celebrate the next step in the life of the caterpillars by creating their own butterfly art.

Thanks to all the kids who became Afternoon Explorers with Miss Ellen this spring and don't forget to stop in to see the caterpillars as they turn into butterflies.

Cocooning!

The caterpillars have begun to form their chrysalides! Come and see!

Tuesday's Movie - Mirrormask

From the creative team of Neal Gaiman and Dave McKean (who brought us such books as Coraline and The Wolves in the Walls), comes Mirrormask, part live action, part animated, and a visually stunning, very far-out fantasy film.

Helena is a young girl being brought up in her family's traveling circus. After her mother falls mysteriously ill, Helena falls into a strange dreamscape filled with masked creatures, fish that swim through the air, and books that fly. With the help of her new friend Valentine, she embarks on a quest to save the white queen, who has fallen into a deep sleep while her kingdom is slowly being overtaken by the neighboring shadow land.

Recommended to general lovers of fantasy and those who are already fans of Neil Gaiman or Dave McKean, and the strange, dream-like atmospheres they create. If you like films like Labyrinth or The Dark Crystal, you also might want to check this out.

Rated PG.

Don't forget the folk tales!

When choosing picture books, remember that we have a great selection of folk and fairy tales located in the nonfiction section, at J Non Fiction 398.2. The collection offers many beautiful picture books for kids pre-school aged all the way up through middle school.

If you love Cinderella, check out different Cinderella stories from all around the world! If you like animal stories, there are so many folk tales in which animals talk, trick, or have their nature explained! If you like funny stories, we have many 'fractured' fairy tales - traditional tales turned on their heads - like a version of Little Red Riding Hood in which Red wears a red-hooded sweatshirt and rides her bike across the prairie (granny is a tractor-riding, tough-talkin' lady). In these fairy and folk tales there is plenty of adventure, love, magic, friendship, and more.

We have a booklist of good folk and fairy tales to read aloud, and also be sure to ask a staff member if you need any help in selection!

TV turnoff week continued with Game Night!

On April 24, 2008, to celebrate TV turnoff week the library hosted game night. There were fun classic board games, games from around the world and spinning tops. All and all fun was had by all who came and gamed!

The Caterpillars are growing!

See how much the caterpillars have grown in a week? Just imagine how much they will in another week!!

TV Turnoff Week

Look at all these great pictures from TV turnoff Week! First there is Create a Family Game which happened on Wednesday April 22. And then there was the PJ story time with Miss Ellen on April 23. See all the fun you can have without a TV?

Tuesday's Movie - Really WILD Animals

Check out our brand spankin' new dvd series - National Geographic's Really Wild Animals!

Each dvd covers a different topic within the animal kingdom. For example, in "Awesome Animal Builders," you'll learn about different ways animals build their homes. Did you know some birds make their nests entirely out of spit? Well, they do. You'll also see how spiders spin their webs, how termites craft their tall towers, and how the male weaver birds weave their nests (in order to attract a nice lady weaver bird).

Check out all the episodes in this great series, hosted by the wacky animated character "Spin." They each have fantastic footage showing up close and personal the wondrous/amazing/gross/cool animal kingdom. Funny and informative - complete with musical numbers! Great for kids K and up.

About a Book - 39 Uses for a Friend

Storyteller. Napkin. Backrest. Dancing Partner. Taxi.

These are a few of the uses for a friend, as told in the book 39 Uses for a Friend by Harriet Ziefert. Accompanied by sweet pictures, the descriptions of friendship are tender and often giggle-out-loud funny. (see: napkin.)

This is a sweet and (very) short read for grade school kids, exploring the nature of friendship. Check it out!

The Caterpillars are here!

The caterpillars have arrived in the Children's Room. At the moment they are living by the new books so stop in and watch them grow. We'll keep you updated here also on their growth as they start on the way to becoming butterflies. Then join us on May 7th and May 10th for our Butterfly Release Party. You can also check out our selection of caterpillar books located next to the caterpillars.

Afternoon Explorers April 16th

Thanks to the run of good weather this week, the Afternoon Explorers got to head outdoors this past Wednesday for some fun activities. Afternoon Explorers meets on Wednesdays at 1:30 for an afternoon of fun songs, games, and crafts.

Tuesday's Movie - Millions

What would you do if you a million dollars fell from the sky, and landed right at your feet?

This is what happens to seven year old Damian - and only the week before England (where Damian lives) is going to switch currency to the euro - so he only has a week to decide what to do with it. Damian, who is obsessed with religious saints and their lives, thinks the money is a gift from God and he wants to spend the money to help the poor - but his older brother Anthony has some different (less selfless) ideas!

This movie has humor, warmth, fantasy, and exitement. A good choice for the whole family.

Millions is rated PG. Click here for the Common Sense Media review (family movie ratings and reviews).

Legos at the Library

Come join in the fun and play with Legos right here in your
library! This event is happening April 19th at 2pm. Register at Children's services and have fun creating playing and building with Legos!

Tuesday's Movie

If you only know Kermit and the rest of the Muppets from their appearances on Sesame Street or feature length films like The Muppet Movie and Muppets in Space (among others), you need to check out episodes of The Muppet Show!

Jim Henson's The Muppet Show was the Muppets' variety show which aired in the late 70's and early 80's. Each show had a celebrity guest, including Elton John, Julie Andrews, and Mark Hamill (he played Luke Skywalker in Star Wars). The variety show itself includes wacky musical numbers and skits, but we also get to see all the crazy backstage antics. Poor Kermit has a hard time of it being M.C. and stage manager for this wild bunch!

We have two collections of "The Best of the Muppet Show," with three episodes each. Check them out!

Tuesday's Movie

Check out a new addition to our DVD collection - the Pixar Short Films Collection, Voume 1!

This collection is cool because you'll not only get to watch a bunch of quirky and hilarious short animated films, but you'll also get a glimpse into the evolution of Pixar films (Ratatouille, Toy Story, Finding Nemo...you know 'em). For example, in Tin Toy, about a frightened new toy facing the wrath of a seemingly monstrous baby, you can see how ideas for Toy Story began. The collection also includes shorts starring characters you may know and love - like Jack-Jack from The Incredibles and Mater from Cars.

These shorts are funny and imaginative, and all very different. A great choice if you're just looking for some good giggles and also perfect if you're really into Pixar's movies, can't get enough, and want to lean what makes these guys tick.