Odds Bodkin, Storyteller Extraordinare!

 We were so lucky to have Odds Bodkin come to visit us, and share his storytelling magic!  Kids and adults alike were enchanted----

 

Speaking of storytelling magic, make sure to come to Baboosic Lake(at noon)or to the Farmer's Market on the Town Square(at 3:00) on Thursdays---you'll get a chance to listen to Miss Sue read some of the magical books that we have here at the library!

SUMMER READING IS HERE!

 

Hola!!

Well, it's official---we have hundreds of Amherst children signed up, and they're doing lots of summer reading! Miss Sue and Miss Sarah are just loving all the visits we're getting from our school-aged patrons.  It's so nice to have a chance to talk to you all about the books you're reading (and about the summer fun you're having!)
Miss Sarah will be telling stories (and teaching a song or two) from MEXICO this week--so be sure to come in and join us on Thursday morning at 10:00!---Next week, it will be stories and songs from China.
If you're enjoying the day at Baboosic Lake on Thursday, be sure to look for Miss Sue at noontime---she'll be there with stories to tell! She'll also be at the Farmer's Market at 3pm, so if you miss her at the lake, come and hear some stories on the Town Green.
This morning, we had a visit from Mr. Keith of the Peterborough Players, who read some excerpts from the book Stuart Little, and some passages from the play that is based on the book.  Peterborough Players are performing Stuart Little during the month of July.
 Some of the kids in the audience were so inspired by the talk of the theater that they decided to make up a play and perform it right here in the Children's Room! A great time was had by all!

LINEUP OF SUMMER READING ACTIVITIES !

Believe it or not, the end of the school year is just around the corner, and that means that the time for SUMMER READING is almost here!
We have lots of things planned for the summer, from movie matinees to magicians, from make-your-own  crafts to storytimes at Baboosic Lake with Miss Sue! Here's the full lineup:  

Storytimes

Drop in anytime your schedule permits!

Baby Listeners  Newborn—age 2: 10:00 am on Tuesdays, July 5 - August 16

Stories and Songs w/ Miss Sarah---a family storytime geared for kids ages 3-8 10:00am on Thursdays, July 7 to Aug. 11

Read to Miss Sue and Miss Sarah

Sign up for a 15 minute time slot for some one-on-one reading time.

Friday afternoons from 2:00-3:00

Storytime at Baboosic Lake with Miss Sue

Pack a lunch and head on down to the town beach for some stories by the water.

Thursdays at 12 noon.  From July 7 to Aug 11, weather permitting.

Stories at the Farmer’s Market

Let the kids listen to stories while you shop for fresh local produce!

Thursdays at 3pm.  From July 7 to Aug 11, weather permitting.

 

Matinee Movies : 2pm on Tuesdays---July 5 to Aug. 16

Drop in to watch a movie on our big screen!  The library is dry on a rainy day and cool on a hot day!  Bring your water bottle and a pillow, we'll provide the popcorn! All movies rated either G or PG---check our website for listings.

Whoopie! It’s Wednesday!---Family Event Series from July 6 to Aug. 10

Every Wednesday at 10:30am, come to the Children’s Room for a fun-filled performance.  No registration is necessary—come to one, or come to them all!  Here’s the line-up:

July 6---Peterborough Players—a dramatic reading from their summer production of Stuart Little by members of the cast.  If you like it, you can travel to Peterborough to see the entire play! Recommended for children ages 4 and up.

July 13---Odds Bodkin— Award winning master storyteller and musician, Odds Bodkins will share his stories and talents in an audience participation program full of great stories and adventures.  Recommended for the slightly older child of 5 and up.  A remarkable and entertaining performer. 

July 20---Curious Creatures— Live critters from around the world! 

An educational program designed to be fun and interesting with an emphasis on teaching respect and appreciation for all animals. 

July 27---Steve Blunt and Marty Kelley--- This award winning team of musicians and authors are always a fun time.  Join Steve and Marty for songs and stories from around the world.  Fun for all ages.

Aug. 3---Norman Ng--- Come prepared to be AMAZED and ASTOUNDED!  A wonderful hour- long show of magic and tricks that will leave you wondering 'how did he do that?'  This hugely talented magician is back by popular demand.  Recommended for the slightly older child, 5 and up.

Aug. 10---Petting Zoo--- Local farmers will share their animals in this hands-on learning experience, highlighting the kinds of animals our Summer Reading Program's efforts will allow Heifer Project to purchase. Among the animals we will have a chance to learn about are sheep, chickens, bees and goats. Fun for all ages, weather permitting.

Make-it/Take-it Craft

Materials and instructions will be available all summer long at our Make-it/Take-it craft table.  Each week a             different call!raft will be provided---see if you can make them all!                                                                              

The Children's Room is for the Birds!

If you approach the library from the back of the building, you can see a small birdhouse attached to a tree..

Shhhh.......there's somebody sleeping in there! There are 3 newly hatched house sparrows....

and now they hear someone approaching---Mom! Feed me! Feed me!

 

If you watch carefully, you may see Mom feeding her babies, and then sitting on them to keep them safe and warm

 Thanks to the Garden Club, we have a video camera and TV monitor installed in the Children's Room --Come on down, pull up a chair....and watch our babies grow!

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LOOK AT OUR NEW SHELVES !!!

I arrived at work on Monday morning to be greeted by the beautiful display shelving I'd been dreaming about for months! Thanks to our talented carpenter, we now have a space to show off all of our new books. We have lots of new non-fiction, chapter books, picture books, and early readers---so come on down to the Children's Room and check some out!
In case you're wondering what happened to all of the VHS and DVD movies that used to be in this spot, the VHS collection has been discontinued, and the DVD collection is now housed next to the audiobooks.

We had a blast!!!

What a wonderful April vacation we've had! We started out on Tuesday afternoon with a visit from Keith Michael Johnson, otherwise known as THE AMAZING BUBBLEMAN---and he was--Amazing!!! Over 60 children gathered to "oooh" and "ahhh" at the bubbles, and laugh at loud at his antics. The 30+ adults that were here had just as much fun as the kids (maybe even more, if that's possible!).

On Wednesday, we hosted a TEDDY BEAR SLEEPOVER---and what a grand time they had! First, we enjoyed a teddy-bear storyhour, complete with teddy-snacks and a short movie. Next, we made pillows for each of our special stuffed lovies...And finally, each child tucked his or herstuffed animal into a special spot in the Children's Room, to sleep for the night. Miss Sarah and Miss Melody took pictures of all the mischief they got into while they were supposed to be asleep! By opening time on Thursday morning, all the animals were quietly sitting on a shelf, ready to be picked up by their loved ones....



And on Thursday morning, we were lucky enough to have a visit from a staff member and some animals from the Seacoast Science Center at Odiorne State Park. Scott brought a selection of tidal pool creatures to show to the children. They learned a lot about these animals, and had a chance to gently handle them.

APRIL VACATION IS COMING!!

Next week is school vacation week, and we've got lots of things planned here in the Children's Room. On Tuesday afternoon, Keith Michael Thomas, otherwise known as THE AMAZING BUBBLE MAN will be visiting us to demonstrate the science and the magic of---BUBBLES!! We've heard from reliable sources that this show truly is "Amazing!!" We are asking people to register to help us estimate space needs, but there's room for everyone, so make sure you put this on your calendar.
On Wednesday evening, at 6:30, we'll be hosting a TEDDYBEAR SLEEPOVER party! Bring one of your special stuffed toys (but make sure it's someone you can sleep without!) and we'll gather in the story room for some Teddybear stories and songs and a little snack. Feel free to come in your 'jammies! Then we'll each make a special pillow for our stuffed friends, find the perfect spot in the Children's Room for them to spend the night, give them a kiss, and go on home. Beginning at noon the next day, your stuffed friends will be available for pickup, and we'll have photos of what they were actually doing during their library sleepover! It's lots of fun, and space is limited, so sign up now!



We'll have a "Rainbow Windsock" craft set up at the Make-it/Take-it table all week long. Make sure to stop by and get creative!

If you love trains, then the Children's Room is the place to be during vacation week. Miss Sarah will set up the train table for everyone to use. There are trains available, but if you want to bring some of your own to run on our tracks, feel free!---just make sure to label them with your name so we know they're yours.

I hope to see all of you next week!