COMING UP ON FRIDAY!!

HOLIDAY STORYTIME AND COOKIE SHARE
Friday, Dec. 17, at 3:30
Help us celebrate the December Holiday Season!!
Bake up a batch of your favorite holiday cookies (for those of you who have totally run out of time---we won't turn store-bought cookies away) and bring a plateful to the Children's Room to share---if you want to, include a card telling us what kind of cookies you made, and who made them. Miss Sarah and Miss Emily will provide the juice, the stories, the songs, and a simple craft. We hope to send you home filled with holiday cheer!

Well, it's really happened---2010 has rushed by, and the holiday season is here. Fortunately, there are lots and lots of holiday books here in the Children's Room---come and check some out!
We have many of the classics that you remember reading when you were small, and a huge selection of newer titles---some of which are classics in the making.
Some of my favorites of the newer books:


This one isn't really NEW,( it was published in 1997), but it's a lovely story that reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas, and gives me a lump in my throat every time I read it. It always leaves me inspired to go out there and be a better person---and I imagine that children hearing it feel the same way...





Here's one that's brand new this year. One look at the title and you'll know this isn't a serious story, but, like all the best Christmas tales, it still manages to say something about keeping our holiday priorities straight---and it gives many chuckles along the way!


Here is a delightful new addition to the list of holiday fiction. This book is based on a true story about one of our most famous baseball players, Jackie Robinson. Sometimes we forget that this courageous man was not only integrating the world of sports, but his own neighborhood as well. In this story, a potentially embarrasing mis-step on his part becomes a celebration not only of Christmas, but of Hanukkah as well.



This lovely new book is a gentle re-telling of the Christmas story based on the King James Bible.

Animals visit the Library!

Thanks to Dave, from the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, we were treated to a visit from some native New Hampshire animals who are currently residents of the center. Dave explained how these species prepare for winter in the wild, and patiently answered all of our questions. Visiting today were a peregrine falcon, a wood turtle, two large brown bats, and best of all, a beaver! What a wonderful opportunity to get 'up close and personal' with New Hampshire wildlife---thanks, Dave!

It's November, and a chill is in the air....
As much as I hate to say goodbye to warmer weather, I have to admit to a certain fondness for the darker, colder days---which seem just perfect for curling up with a good book! Thank goodness the library is full of books to get us through the winter. Come on in and browse our Thanksgiving holiday collection, and take a look at the handprint "turkeys" that decorate our bulletin board--we had lots of fun printing them this morning!

Well, it’s voting season again, and that means it’s time for young children to vote for their favorite Ladybug Picture Book! If you’re not familiar with the Ladybug Picture Book Award, it’s a program run by the New Hampshire Center for the Book at the NH State Library. Early every year, a committee of children's librarians from around the state selects 10 picture book titles which they believe are the best in recent children's picture books. Then, during November, New Hampshire children from preschoolers to those in third grade choose the award winner. The winning picture book is announced in December. The author and illustrator of the winning book will receive a crystal award created by Pepi Herrmann Crystal. To see the books on this year’s list, click here. If your child has read and enjoyed any of these titles, please come in and fill out a ballot! Ballots will be available in the Children’s Room until November 27^th.

Two Nanny Goats Sweet

Today the families attending our “Terrific Two’s and Three’s” storytime enjoyed a visit with Briana Lafoe from Fox's Pride Dairy Goats (located in Mont Vernon), and two of her young goats. After reading the classic story, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, all of us trooped up the back stairs of the library to the parking lot, where Briana and her goats were waiting. Fortunately, these goats weren't gruff at all, but were very sweet! Not only was it a chance for our young children to get ‘up close and personal’ with a farm animal (“feel how soft this one is!”---“she’s sniffing your coat!”---“this one’s ears hang down”…..) but it was a wonderful opportunity to bring community members together here at the library. Kids having fun, and a local farmer getting a chance to spread the word to their families about another great aspect of this community---a working dairy-goat farm. It’s all good!

Well, it's that SPOOOOOOKY season again, and here in the Children's Room, we've got lots of wonderful Halloween books to help you get into the mood!
People in the know have already started checking out their favorites from the holiday shelves, but now they're waiting for you on a special Halloween Display table, where you can get a better look at them. We've got picture books, early readers, chapter books, craft-idea books, and more!
So come on in and grab a few for you and your family, and we'll see if we can "uncover" the pumpkins on the bulletin board before the holiday!

Storytimes are in Full Swing!

Fall is officially here----the mornings are a little cooler, the trees are changing their colors, and storytimes have started here in the Children's Room! As you can see, Miss Sue is working her book-sharing magic with her "Book Bunch". We offer our 4-6 year-olds stories at 11:30 on Wednesdays, so that both morning and afternoon kindergarten students can join the group for a little "Miss Sue" time. It's so wonderful to see them transfixed by a story!

If your little ones are younger than 4 years old, we have story
programs for them, too.
Our "Terrific Two's and Three's" storytime gives 2 and 3 year-olds and their caregivers a chance to listen to stories, sing some songs, and do some simple crafts together. We have lots of fun, and meet on Thursdays at 10:00am.



And if your child is younger than 2, we have a special lapsit program for them, too. "Baby Listeners" and their caregivers get together on Tuesday mornings at 10:00am to learn new and traditional nursery rhymes and songs, and to listen to one or two simple books.

Whatever the age of your preschooler, there's a storytime for you---come and join us! For more information, and storytime schedules, please click on the link at right, or call us at 673-2288.

Books in the Children's Room----look what's coming!

Anyone who spends time reading children's books has noticed the trend toward series fiction in the last decade or so.  If an author is successful with one book, I just imagine the publishers calling her/him into the head office to demand, "Let's make a SERIES out of this!!!"  Sometimes I wax nostalgic for the days when it was sufficient for a book to just be a great book. Then again, there are times when I'm really glad that an author is busily writing more and more books about a character that I can hardly wait to read some more about!  So, in a spirit of appreciation, here are some new installments in a handful of my favorite series (and one start to a new series by a favorite author)---soon to arrive in the Children's Room.  If they're some of your favorites, too, keep an eye out for them, and when you see them, check them out!

First of all, I'm glad to see a new adventure starring Knuffle Bunny---Knuffle Bunny Free.  This time Trixie and family are off on a trip to Holland to visit grandparents.  Hmmm.....what could go wrong? Due out on Sep. 28!

Knuffle Bunny author Mo Willems also has an enormously popular early-reader series starring an unlikely duo---Elephant and Piggy.  They have a new book out, too,---We Are In A Book!  So if you love Elephant and Piggy, you're in luck!

Have you been waiting for more of the irrepressible Babymouse? I have! I can't wait to see what she gets up to as Babymouse, Cupcake Tycoon.
 Due out on Sep. 28!

And here's a new installment in one of my favorite series, The Ranger's Apprentice series, by John Flanagan.  This time Ranger Halt gets top billing, in a book entitled Halt's Peril, which is due out on October 5.  If you're having trouble waiting until then, try going to the official Ranger's Apprentice website---lots of cool information, interviews with the author, etc., at  www.rangersapprentice.com/.

O.K., now for the new series-opener from a favorite author.  Rick Riordan, of Percy Jackson fame, has written The Heroes of Olympus, the first of a proposed series.  Unlike The Red Pyramid, published this summer, the new series doesn't present us with a completely new set of characters, settings, and plots.  Instead, we'll be returning to Camp Half Blood, and picking up where Percy left off, with a new generation of demigods. I don't know about you, but I'm glad we're going back to Camp Half Blood! Due out October 12!

All right--just one last teaser for a new series installment.  It's a fact---come November 7, there will be an addition to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid collection! For those of you who have loved them all, just hang in there.  The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Ugly Truth will be coming soon. If you feel like you just can't wait, have you read The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary yet? If you've ever wondered how a movie gets made, you're not alone. Author and illustrator Jeff Kinney didn't know either, but when his bestselling series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, was turned into a live-action movie by 20th Century Fox, he learned how a book gets adapted into a major motion picture. It's really interesting---did you know how they managed to make that piece of yucky cheese????

Of course, while you're waiting for these wonderful additions to the collection, feel free to come in and re-read some of the earlier titles, or ask for some help finding some other great books to read while you wait!

Greetings from Miss Sarah!

Hi there! I am Miss Sarah, the new Head of Children's Services here at the Amherst Town Library. I met several of our families this summer, when I presented storytimes to our young children. In the week-and-a-half since I've been here full-time, I've met lots more! I am so pleasantly surprised and pleased at the incredibly warm welcome I've received. So many of you have come in to say "hi" and introduce yourselves that I'm sure it will be a while before I get all of your names straight, but I will, I promise! In the meantime, I thought you might all like to know a little bit about me---Miss Sue gave me a list of questions to answer before I arrived, but if you didn't get a chance to look at the bulletin board where she displayed the answers, you might still be wondering....
* I live in Lee, NH---it's near UNH, and it takes me a little while to drive here, but it's a pretty drive, and I really don't mind it.
*I have a husband, Peter, and three children--Emma, Nora, and Andy. We all read a LOT except for Andy---he gives me lots of experience trying to find books for children who don't necessarily love to read.
*I've worked with children and their families as a daycare director, a kindergarten teacher, and a children's librarian for years and years. I tell myself that when I stop thinking each new group of toddlers that I meet is the cutest bunch yet, or when I stop having a blast talking with my fifth-graders about books, maybe it will be time to do something else, but that never seems to happen!
*I really can't decide on a favorite book---I love so many! I guess I'd have to admit that I have a special fondness for fantasy---The Lord of the Rings, The Black Cauldron, Harry Potter, Dealing with Dragons, Ranger's Apprentice, etc., etc., but I also adore animal stories, mysteries, and just plain good stories about people. Like I said, I really can't decide. I read lots and lots of children's chapter books, and can hardly wait to get some book groups up and running, so I can talk with all of you about the books YOU'RE reading.

That's enough about me---come on in and visit me in the Children's Room, and tell me something about YOU!

Slime!

It's official! You're read and reported over 5,000 hours so Miss Sue and Miss Emily will be SLIMED at the BBQ on Thursday evening. See you there...

Join us for the Make a Splash Bash

Join us on Tuesday, August 10 from 1:30-4:30 PM for the "Make a Splash Bash: High Seas Pirate Adventure"

Ahoy! It will be a fun-filled afternoon of Pirate games, crafts, and festive snacks. Ages 5 & up. Please note that the Toe Jam Puppet Band will not be appearing.

3524 hours

3524 hours have been read so far. Only another 1476 until Miss Sue and Miss Emily get SLIMED!

Upcoming Special Programs - Make a Splash!

The Summer Reading Program has been soooooooo much fun so far. It's not too late to join in the fun. Here are some of our upcoming special programs:

Family Beach Party: Monday, 7/26 @ 3pm
Join us for some refreshments, games and crafts. Registration is required. All ages are welcome.

Anime Manga Club: Wednesday, 7/28 @ 3:30pm
Come join a new club for lovers of anime and manga. Watch a variety of anime, discuss manga, and do creative craft projects. Refreshments will be provided.

Origami Workshop: Tuesday, 8/3 @ 3pm
Learn how to make all kinds of fantastic sea creatures, such as goldfish, penguins, and crabs by using special origami paper. Registration is required. Ages 11 and up.

Curious Creatures: Thursday 8/5 @ 3pm
Learn about all kinds of animals, such as alligators, frogs, lizards, turtles and more! Registration is required. Open to all ages

Use our online calendar to register.

"The Red Pyramid" is here!

If you loved Rick Riordan’s “The Lightening Thief”, you’ll be happy to know that the first volume in his new “Kane Chronicles” series, “The Red Pyramid” is here!

Egyptologist Dr. Julius Kane accidentally unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes the doctor to oblivion and forces his two children to embark on a dangerous journey to save him.
It’s getting great reviews and is supposed to have a terrific ending.
If “Red Pyramid” is checked out, place a request and try one of these similar titles while you wait:

Leven Thumps series by Obert Skye
The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
The Wolves Chronicles by Joan Aiken
Kronos Chronicles by Marie Rutkoski
Moongobble and Me (series) by Bruce Coville
AutumnQuest by Terie Garrison
Bella at midnight by Diane Stanley
Skin Hunger by Kathleen Duey
The Wanderer by Sharon Creech
Kingdom Hearts (graphic novel series) by Shiro Amano


We’ve also just received “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” on DVD. Which did you like more, the book or the movie?

New DS & Wii Games

We have new DS and Wii Games!

Nintendo DS
Ghostbusters
Cookie and Cream
Garfield's Funfest
Lego Indiana Jones
Kitten Corner
Up

Nintendo Wii
Ultimate Band (in Young Adult section)
Iron Man (in Young Adult section)
Wario Land Shake It!
Sonic Unleashed (in Young Adult section)
30 Great Games - Outdoor Fun (in Young Adult section)
Cooking Mama Cook Off
Naruto Clash of Ninja Revolution (in Young Adult section)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (in Young Adult section)

Summer Reading Registration

Come in on June 21st to register for the Summer Reading Program!

Upcoming Events and Programs!

Summer reading is upon us, but beyond registration for our summer reading program, which will be on the 21st, we also have a few special events coming up, such as the Eclipse Party on June 24th @ 6pm. We will watch previews for the new film as well as make a small piece of jewelry, chow down on some cupcakes, and play Twilight Trivia (there will be a prize for the winner). Registration is required for this event.

Magician Peter Boie will be visiting us on the 28th @ 4pm. No registration is required for this event, so feel free to bring all of your family and friends. Check out his website - http://www.peterboie.com.

We have a new Anime Manga Club, which will meet on June 23rd @ 3:30pm. We will watch The Phantom of Baker Street at our first meeting.

Starting on June 22nd, we will get back to our regular storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers and we will also be adding a weekly craft, which will take place every Wednesday from 10am to 4pm.

Farmer's Market Storytime

Storytime at the farmer's market has been canceled today due to the rain, but be sure to stop by on July 15th at 3pm.

Make a Splash!

Registration for the summer reading program begins on Monday, June 21st and will be open to all ATL cardholders. Come to the library to sign up, and receive a reading log and a special button!

Lost & Found

Please remember to check our lost & found for items that you may have left in the library. There are jackets, hats, mittens, bottles and lots of other stuff that want their owners back!

Free Comic Books for Children and Teens!

Come on down to the library for a free comic book! Yes, they are free! You'll find the comics on a table near the "new books" section in the children's room and on a small table in the young adult literature section. There's a variety of comics, such as Mouse Guard, Sonic the Hedgehog, Toy Story, Owly, Yow!, Blondie, Annie, Archie, Bloom County, Fraggle Rock, Doctor Solar and Magnus.

Princess Tea Party

On Thursday, May 13th at 3:45pm, we will be having a Princess Tea Party in the Johnson Room. Every princess in town is invited to attend our fabulous party! There will be fancy snacks and strawberry tea. We'll read a story or two, play games and make our own princess crowns. Registration is required and guests are encouraged to dress up and bring a favorite doll with them to the event. For ages 3-8.

Book Group Reads

The Junior Book Group will be discussing Tumtum & Nutmeg by Emily Bearn on May 6th at 6:30pm and the Middle School Book Group will be discussing Max Quigley Technically Not a Bully by James Roy on April 15th at 6:30pm. Copies of both books are located at the Children's Room desk.

New Fiction

There are tons of new picture and fiction books that have just been added to our collection. Here are some of my new favorites:

Woof: A Love Story by Sarah Weeks. This is a charming little story about a dog who becomes enamored with a kitty. Of course, she doesn’t understand his terms of endearment because she doesn’t speak “woof,” but the language of love has no boundaries, especially when the dog plays his music for the kitty. She finally understands his feelings for her and she falls in love with him as well. The mixed media in this picture book creates a collage of cuteness.

I Can Help by David Hyde Costello. A ducky becomes lost and is helped by a monkey, who in turn is helped by a giraffe. This endearing picture book has sweet faced little animals that are polite and obviously helpful. If you want to introduce your little one to manners then maybe this book can be of service.

Henry in Love by Peter McCarty. Ah, first love. Little Henry has fallen for cute little bunny, Chloe, who can turn a perfect cartwheel. He chases after her during tag and even gives her his blueberry muffin for snack time. Imagine his thrill when his teacher seats him next to Chloe during class. The dreamy illustrations make this story absolutely adorable.

Milo Armadillo by Jan Fearnley. Tallulah wants a pink fluffy rabbit for her birthday, but her grandmother knits a pink armadillo instead. Tallulah is disappointed at first and makes the armadillo feel that he isn’t good enough for her since he’s not a rabbit. When he leaves, Tallulah desperately wants him back. The pair is reunited when she follows a pink string all the way to her grandmother’s house and then they go home together. The drawings are filled with pastel colors, yarn, fabric and sequins. This story is charming in every way.

We also have tons of Rainbow Magic Music Fairy books, such as Victoria the Violin Fairy, Fiona the Flute Fairy, Poppy the Piano Fairy, and Maya the Harp Fairy.

New Activities and Events in the Children's Room!

April is finally here and I can see the sunshine streaming in through the windows! Yay! I've been busy ordering tons of new books and cooking up new programs for the month, especially for our spring vacation. Here are some of the events that will be taking place in the Children's Room:

Junior Book Group- April 1st, 6:30-7:30pm - We will be discussing The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo.

Family Math Game Night- April 8th,6-9pm - Join us for an evening of family friendly games that involve math. You and your children can play Connect Four, Battleship, Blockus, Mancala and much more! There will also be a math themed storytime at 6pm for younger children. Grades k-5. No registration is required.

Middle School Book Group- April 15th, 6:30-7:30pm - We will be discussing Max Quigley, Technically Not a Bully by James Roy.

Earth Day Storytime & Craft- April 22nd, 3:45-4:45pm- Celebrate Earth Day at the library by coming in for some stories and a craft. For children ages 5 and up. Registration is required.

Royal Pins for Teens & Tweens- April 26th, 3-4pm- Create your very own pin using play cards, felt, beads and sequins. Registration is required.

Eating Up Poetry- April 27th, 3-4:15pm- In honor of National Poetry Month, join us for a poetry reading/eating. Kids will get a chance to listen to a variety of poems, make a few easy snacks and then eat their tasty creations! Registration is required. Please inform the librarian of any allergies when you sign up for the program. This program is for children in grades 2-4.

John Root- April 28th, 3-4pm- This program invites children to flex their bodies, voices and imaginations. John plays a variety of instruments and the children will help create and enact new verses to familiar music and movement songs. All ages are welcome. No registration is required.

Book Bunch- April 29th, 3:45-4:45pm- This book club is for children ages 5-8. We get together and share a read aloud or two and then we do a craft. It's tons of fun! No registration is required.

Toddler Dance Party- April 30th, 10-10:30am- Join us for some singing and dancing as DJ Miss Jennie spins a selection of fun kiddie CDs. There will be plenty egg shakers, little instruments, bubbles and scarves to get silly with as well as cookies and juice for treats.

Programming Updates

Here are just some scheduling updates for our programs. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

March & April in the Children's Room

Storytimes: March 9th-April 20th
Babies-2s on Tuesdays @ 10:00am
2s-3s on Tuesdays @ 11:15am
4 yr. olds and up on Wednesdays @ 11:30am

Book Groups:
Jr. Book Discussion for 2nd-4th graders
Thursday March 4th and April 1st from 6:30-7:30pm
Middle School Book Discussions for grades 5-8
Thursday March 18th and April 15th from 6:30-7:30pm
Book Bunch for ages 5-8
Thursday March 25th and April 29th from 3:45-4:45pm

Teens and Tweens (registration required): Fashion Cuff Workshop (rescheduled) - Wednesday, March 31st from 3:45-4:45pm

Winter Carnival (registration required): Come join us for an afternoon of fun! We'll have storytime, crafts, games, cookies and hot chocolate. Wednesday, March 10th from 3:45-5:00pm

Math Night (registration required): Join us for an evening of family friendly games that involve math. You and your children can play Battleship, Blokus, Mancala and much more! Thursday, April 8th from 6:00-8:00pm

Book Club Updates!

Book Bunch will be meeting on February 25th at 3:45pm. It will also meet on March 25th at the same time.

The Junior Book Group will be meeting on March 4th at 6:30pm. They will be discussing Lost and Found by Andrew Clements. The April 1st meeting will discuss The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo.

The Middle School Book Group will be meeting on March 18th and will discuss Well Witched by Frances Hardinge.

Winter Carnival - March 10th

Please join us for our Winter Carnival on March 10th at 3:45pm till 5:00pm. We will be playing indoor foot volleyball, shoe scramble, and much more. There will be crafts and we'll also have hot chocolate and cookies! Please register on our Calendar of Events.