April is School Library Month!

April is School Library Month; I'll be reposting quotes from the American Association of School Libraries on the blog. Feel free to add your own in the comments!

Celebrate Read Across America on Feb. 28

The National Education Association (NEA) sponsors the Read Across America event each year on or near March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss, who epitomizes a love of learning.

NEARI will celebrate Read Across America on Saturday, February 28, at Warwick Mall.

The fun begins at 10:00 a.m. and continues until 4:00 p.m. Read Across America is free to the public and includes pencils for every child; a chance to register to win prizes donated by NEARI; puzzle and activity sheets; reading advice for parents; a book give-away table, sponsored by NEARI education support professionals; and an opportunity to visit and pose with Cat in the Hat herself. 

Daytrip Idea: Concord Museum Family Trees Exhibit

If you're looking for a fun family daytrip, why not consider the Family Trees: A Celebration of Children's Literature exhibit at the Concord Museum? This annual display uses picture books to inspire Christmas tree decorations (but it's open through January 4, so you can go over vacation).

Can you figure out which books are featured below?

RI Festival of Children's Books and Authors

Did you know that every October, well known children’s book authors and illustrators come to Rhode Island for a day of presentations, crafts, and booksignings? And that it only costs $5 to attend? And that your family might be able to get in for free if you return the drawing entry that went home in the library newsletter?

On Saturday, October 18, the Lincoln School in Providence will host the following authors and illustrators. Most of them have worked on A LOT of books, so I’m just going to list the ones that Stadium students would be most familiar with.

• Joseph Bruchac – Skeleton Man 
• Carmen Agra Deedy – The Library Dragon 
• Jeff Kinney – Diary of a Wimpy Kid 
• Herman Parish – new Amelia Bedelia books 
• Jon Scieszka – The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs 
• Bob Shea – Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great (which won our Mock Caldecott last year!) 
• David Wiesner – Tuesday 
• Chris Van Allsburg – The Z Was Zapped 

There will be books for sale! And lunch available from food trucks! And storytellers like Len Cabral! And FUN!

Public Library Fun - Week of August 4

Feel like you're running out of fun things to do yet? Your local public library continues to offer FREE fun! Check out the events happening during the week of August 4:


Auburn

• Make Your Own Video Game with Scratch - Tuesday 2:30 (Grades 6 and up)

Central Branch

• Biomes - Sea Creatures - Monday 6:30 (pick up tix 1/2 hour in advance)
• Teen Tuesday: 3D Printing - Tuesday 3:00 (Grades 6 and up, registration required)
• Kids Read Across RI Book Club - Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library - Wednesday 6:30 (Grades 4-7)

William Hall Branch

• Bubblemania - Monday 3:00
• Disgusting Discoveries with Professor Strange - Thursday 3:00 (ages 9 and up, registration required)

You Can Meet Jeff Kinney!

Guess what ... the author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books is coming to Rhode Island! On Saturday, October 18, Jeff Kinney will be at the Rhode Island Festival of Children's Books and Authors.

So will Bob Shea, who wrote our Mock Caldecott winner Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great. And Jon Scieszka, who wrote The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.

This annual event takes place at the Lincoln School in Providence, and it is AWESOME. You get to listen to authors and illustrators talk about their work, and then meet them and have them sign books. The best part is, it's only $5 ... free if you win some of the free tickets that I will be getting ...

If you're reading this over the summer, please leave a comment below with your initials and last year's homeroom included. I'll put you on the shortlist for the free ticket drawing.

More details to come when the schedule has been finalized.

Public Library Fun - Week of July 28

Your local public library continues to offer FREE fun! Check out the events happening during the week of July 28:


Auburn

• In Flight Paper Airplane Building and Flight School - Tuesday 2:30 (kids 10 years and younger need adult caregiver on premises)

Central Branch

source: eventkeeper.com

• The Great Baldini Magic Show - Monday 6:30 (pick up tix 1/2 hour in advance)
• Teen Tuesday: Animal World Experience presents Hunger Games 2: Catching Fire - Tuesday 3:30 (Grades 6 and up)
• Bubble Extravaganza - Wednesday 2:30
• Minecraft After Hours - Thursday 5:00 (Grades 6 and up, registration required)
• Here's the Story Writing Workshop (Grades 3-5, registration required) - Saturday 9:30 or 10:30

Oak Lawn Branch

• Electric Dough! with the RI Museum of Science and Art - Friday 2:30 (grades 5 and up, space limited)

William Hall Branch

• Angry Birds Live! - Thursday 3:00 (ages 9 and up, registration required)

Public Library Fun - Week of 7/21

Looking for something to do? That doesn't cost any money? Why not check out some events at your local public library? Here's what's happening during the week of July 21:


Central Branch

eventkeeper.com

• Storyteller Clare Vadeboncoeur presents the art and science of shadow theater - Monday 6:30 (pick up tix 1/2 hour in advance)
• Teen Cafe Dr. Who Party - Tuesday 3:00 (Grades 6 and up)
• Road Trip to URI School of Oceanography - Wednesday 9:15-2:30 (Grades 6 and up, registration and permission slip required)

Knightsville Branch

• Ron Sargent of Balloon Creations Galore drop-in proram - Monday 5:30-7:30

eventkeeper.com

Oak Lawn Branch

• Mad Science - Friday 2:30 (pick up tix 1/2 hour in advance)

William Hall Branch

• Toe Jam Puppet Band - Tuesday 6:30 
• Bharatanatyam Indian Dance Demonstration - Wednesday 6:30
• The Great Baldini Magic Show - Thursday 3:00

Public Library Fun This Week - July 14

Looking for something to do? That doesn't cost any money? Why not check out some events at your local public library? Here's what's happening during the week of July 14:

darrenyonglive.com

Auburn Branch

• Darren Yong Magic Show - Tuesday 2:30

Central Branch

• Polynesian Fusion: Go to Hawaii with Lola! - Monday 3:00 (pick up tix 1/2 hour in advance)
• Teen Gaming Alliance - Mondays 4:00 (Grades 6 and up)
• Teen Cafe Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Tuesday 3:00 (Grades 6 and up)
• To Sum It All Up Math Workshop - Wednesday 6:30 (Grades 3-5, registration required)
• Here's the Story Creating Writing Workshop - Saturday 9:30 or 10:30 (Grades 1-2, registration required)

Knightsville Branch

• Craft Drop by program - Tuesday 12-4
• Make Your Own Video Game - Tuesday 1:30 (grades 6 and up - registration required)
• Polynesian Fusion: Go to Hawaii with Lola! - Wednesday 2:00

Oak Lawn Branch

• Scott Jablonksi's Ben Franklin Show - Friday 2:30 (pick up tix 1 hour in advance)
• Teen Knitting Club - Saturday 2:00 (grades 5 and up - registration required)

William Hall Branch

• Quidditch Tournament - Tuesday 5:30 (grades 5 and up - registration required)
• Biomes: Sea Creatures - Thursday 3:00

fanpop.com

Public Library Fun This Week

We've been out of school for more than two weeks ... are you bored yet? Why not check out some events at your local public library? Here's what's happening during the week of July 7:

Auburn Branch
ONOMATOPOETRY! Mixed Art Show - Tuesday 2:30

Central Branch
Create a Coloring Book for Kids at Hasbro - Monday 2:30 (Grades 6 and up) 
Hampstead Stage: Knights of the Round Table - Monday 6:30 (pick up tix 1/2 hour in advance)
Teen Cafe Divergent Party - Tuesday 3:00 (Grades 6 and up) 
Beginning Readers Book Club - Tuesday 6:30 (registration required - Grades K-2)

Minecraft Construction Challenge - Friday 2:30 (registration required - Grades 2-5)

eventkeeper.com

Knightsville Branch

Craft Drop by program - Tuesday 12-4
Mad Science - Wednesday 2:00

Oak Lawn Branch
The Great Baldini Magic Show - Friday 2:30 (pick up tix 1 hour in advance)

William Hall Branch
Build It! - Monday 3:00
T-Bone Concert - Tuesday 6:30
Dave Marchetti's Animal Experience - Thursday 3:00
Old2Kook Concert - Thursday 6:30

Summer Reading Kickoff is Today!

Head to your local public library branch today for the summer reading program kickoff. Info from the Cranston Public Library web site:

Kids in grades K-5 will receive a reading log that allows them to keep track of their reading all summer. If you read at least 35 days, collect 3 signatures from people you shared your reading with, and visit the library 7 times between June 23 and Aug 8, they'll put a bookplate with your name on it in a library book, and you'll be eligible to win a Kindle Fire Tablet!

Kick-off Dates:

Central Library: MON, June 23, 1-3:30 PM, 5:30-7:30 PM or WED, June 25, 5:30-7:30

William Hall Library: MON, June 23, 3 PM

Auburn, Knightsville, Oak Lawn, and Arlington Branches: Drop in any time

Celebrate Read Across America on March 1!

The National Education Association (NEA) sponsors the Read Across America event each year on or near March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss, who epitomizes a love of learning.

NEARI will celebrate Read Across America on March 1, at Warwick Mall.

The fun begins at 10:00 a.m. and continues until 4:00 p.m. Read Across America is free to the public and includes stickers for every child; a chance to register to win prizes donated by NEARI; puzzle and activity sheets, and reading advice for parents; a book give-away table, sponsored by NEARI education support professionals; and an opportunity to visit and pose with Cat in the Hat herself.

Public Library Fun This Week

If you have been participating in the Summer Reading Program, the week of August 5 is the last week to check in days read. If you are between the ages of 6 and 12, pick up a Pawsox All Star Reader entry form for your chance to represent your library at a Pawsox game on August 20. One lucky reader from RI will win a trip to Disney World! Visit your local Cranston library branch for more details. And in the meantime, you can attend some other FREE events:

Auburn Branch

• Percy Jackson The Sea of Monsters movie celebration week & movie ticket raffle (age 10 and up) - every day

source: CPL eventkeeper.com

Central Branch

• Shark Week: Take & Go Crafts & Fun Activities (grades 5 and up) - every day
  
• The Great Baldini - Monday 6:30 (pick up tix 1/2 hour in advance)
  
• Miss Minoes movie - Tuesday 6:00 (pick up tix 1/2 hour in advance)
  
• Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters Party - Thursday 3:00 (registration required; grades 4-8)
  
• Dinosaur movie - Friday 10:00 (pick up tickets 1/2 hour in advance)

Knightsville Branch

• Pencil Toppers Drop by craft - Tuesday 12-4

Oak Lawn Branch

• Create-a-Craft - Friday 11-4
  
• Make a Backstage Pass - Friday 2:30 (grades 3 and up)

William Hall Branch

• Fused Glass workshop - Thursday 3:30 (ages 10 and up)
• Joe's Backyard Band - Thursday 6:30

Public Library Fun This Week

It's almost August ... do you feel like you're running out of new and interesting things to do during your vacation? Why not check out some events at your local public library? Here's what's happening during the week of July 29:

Auburn Branch
Dig up some fun! Pirates! Drop by program - every day from 10-5
Malik the Magic Guy - Tuesday 3:00

Central Branch
Mad Science - Monday 6:30 (pick up tix 1/2 hour in advance)

source: CPL eventkeeper.com

Drawing Comics with Eric Fulford - Tuesday 2:00 (registration required - Grades 5 and up)
The Lorax movie - Tuesday 6:00 (pick up tix 1/2 hour in advance)
Sound Effects Workshop - Thursday 2:00 (registration required - Grades 5 and up)
Winnie the Pooh movie - Friday 10:00 (pick up tickets 1/2 hour in advance)
Mutti-i-grees in the Library: Create a Doggie Blanket - Friday 3:00 (Grades 4 and up)

Knightsville Branch
Pom Pom Turtles Drop by program - Tuesday 12-4
Creating Comics Performance by Eric Fulford - Wednesday 2:30

Oak Lawn Branch
Create-a-Craft - Friday 11-4
Meet a Caver - Friday 2:30 (Grades 3 and up)

William Hall Branch
RISEUP Paranormal Investigation - Tuesday 7:30 (registration required - Age 10 and up)
Malik the Magic Guy - Thursday 3:00

Public Library Fun This Week

I hope some of you were able to hang out at your local branch library last week and take advantage of the AIR CONDITIONING while having fun. Don't forget that it's not too late to sign up for the Summer Reading Program at the public library and DIG INTO READING. Here are some events you can attend during the week of July 22:

Auburn Branch
Dig up some fun! Ancient Egypt! Drop by program - every day from 10-5
Rick Morin Rhythm Imaginarium! - Tuesday 3:00

Central Branch
Storyteller Carolyn Martino - Monday 6:30 (pick up tix 1/2 hour in advance)
Ice Age: Continental Drift movie - Tuesday 6:30 (pick up tix 1/2 hour in advance)
To Sum It All Up Math Workshop - Wednesday 6:30 (registration required)
Beethoven's Fifth movie - Friday 10:00 (pick up tickets 1/2 hour in advance)

Knightsville Branch
Duct Tape Designs Drop by program - Tuesday 12-4

Oak Lawn Branch
Create-a-Craft - Friday 11-4
Animal World Experience: Can You Dig It? - Friday 2:30

William Hall Branch
Music: Rolie Polie Guacamole - Tuesday 6:30
Make a Pet Rock! - Wednesday 2-4
Library Kung Fu - Wednesday 6-7:30
Animal World Experiences: Dino Discovery - Thursday 3:00

source: CPL eventkeeper.com

Public Library Summer Reading Program

Hey, everyone! Hope you are having a GREAT summer vacation so far. It can be even more fun if you sign up for the Summer Reading Program at the public library and DIG INTO READING. Per the library web site, it's this easy:

Read for at least 20 minutes, three days a week. Listening to audiobooks or attending a library program counts as reading, too. Check into your library to claim your weekly prize. We’ll raffle off some larger prizes too – one lucky reader will win an iPad Mini at the end of the summer!

And there are a ton of events you can attend. Here are just a few happening the week of July 15:

Auburn Branch
Dig up some fun! Dinosaurs! Drop by program - every day from 10-5
Animal World Experience - Tuesday 3:00

Central Branch
Sarah Gardner interactive music program - Monday 6:30 (pick up tix 1/2 hour in advance)
Talespinners - Wednesday 3:30 (registration required)
Alice in Wonderland movie - Friday 10:00 (pick up tickets 1/2 hour in advance)
Here's the Story Writing Workshop - Saturday 9:30 and 10:30 (registration required)

Knightsville Branch
Bingo Maker Art Drop by program - Tuesday 12-4

Oak Lawn Branch
Create-a-Craft - Friday 11-4
Malik the Magic Guy - Friday 2:30

William Hall Branch
Toe Jam Puppet Band - Tuesday 6:30
Storyteller Carolyn Martino - Thursday 3:00

Dig Into Reading - Kickoff Event June 6

Kids Reading Across RI

The KIDS Reading Across Rhode Island program encourages students across the state in grades 4 through 6 to read the same book, and engage in community discussions and programs.

This year’s selection is Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai. On Saturday, June 1, a kickoff celebration at the State House will include crafts, games, and a free copy of the book (one per family) while supplies last. Ha will speak at 2:30 p.m.

Visit the OLIS web site for more information.

Caldecott Voting - 2004 Style

2013 marks the 75th anniversary of the Caldecott Medal. This annual award from American Library Association, goes to "the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children." Mrs. Haggerty, the art teacher, will be covering the artistic aspect of past award-winners with second-grade students. She asked if I would like to complement her lessons with the books themselves, which I thought was a great idea. Mrs. Steward, another Cranston school librarian, gave me some ideas on how to proceed.

After reviewing the list of past winners and honorees, I decided to start with the 2004 batch ... the year some of the second-graders were born. Here are the four books we read ... I covered up the medals on the covers so the kids wouldn't know which won what.

There was a CLEAR winner among Stadium and Garden City students. Here is the data, presented three ways. Which way do you think is the easiest to read?

Bar Chart

Data Table

Pie Chart

 

The actual winner of the ALA medal was my favorite: The Man Who Walked Between The Towers by Mordecai Gerstein, which is based on a true story. Here is the trailer for the recent documentary about the events, called "Man on Wire":

Picture Book Month

I've been a bit behind with the blogging, so I'm a little late telling you that November was Picture Book Month.

However, I did manage to put together a display window at school, including a way for students to participate: they could fill out a slip of paper with their name and their favorite picture book and return it to me. Then I added their info - and a copy of the book - to the window.

Favorite titles included:

• The Z Was Zapped by Chris Van Allsburg
• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff

What is your favorite picture book? Add it to the comments below.