One World, Many Stories

Summer is around the corner, which means it is almost time for the 2011 Summer Reading Program: One World, Many Stories.  I am very excited about this year's program.  There are a few changes from last year.  Children in preschool through 2nd grade will have the option of keeping track of book titles OR time spent reading.  Children in grades 3-5 will keep track of time.  Children who fill out an entire reading log will be entered into a drawing.  The prizes are a Nintendo Wii and a $100 gift card for American Girl.  We will also be drawing one name a week for the Reader of the Week.  The winner will receive a book and will be photographed to star in their very own READ poster. 

For more information about events or programs this summer, stop by the library or view the One World, Many Stories brochure on our website http://www.humboldtpubliclibrary.com/ under Children's Library.

Registration begins Thursday, May 19th.

Eggstravaganza!

The Tween Advisory Board (TWAB) is sponsoring an event for kids in grades 3-5.  The Eggstavaganza will take place on Friday, April 15th from 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.  We will be having relay races, treasure hunt, prizes, and...eggs!  You can register by calling the library at 332-1925 or emailing the children's department at childrenslibrary@humboldtpubliclibrary.com

Storytimes are back!

This February, bundle up the munchkins and bring them down to the library for Wee Read and Let's Pretend storytimes.

Wee Read is a program for children ages 0 - 2 years, and their parents/caregivers.  (Older siblings are welcome to attend as well!)  While I call it a storytime, most of the time is spent singing and doing bouncing/clapping rhymes.  We also read a couple of very brief stories.  After the storytime portion is over, participants are welcome to stay, visit, and play with toys the library will provide.  Wee Read will run from February through March, every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Let's Pretend is geared toward children ages 3-5 years old.  (Older and younger siblings are welcome to attend.)  It takes place on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.  (The morning and afternoon sessions are identical).  Each week's stories and rhymes pertain to a specific theme.  The storytime ends with a related craft.    

American Girl Book Club (Grades 3-5)

I love all of the programs we have at the library, but this one is especially dear to me as I grew up reading the American Girl books and playing with my own Samantha and Felicity dolls.  I love how the books, dolls, and accessories make history come alive.  This has been such a fun program to plan.  The club meets on the third Saturday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  We usually start out by having an informal conversation about the book while we eat a snack.  I make a point to talk about what it would have been like to live in that era.  The second half hour is spent making a craft that ties in with the time period.  I have a few photos of the book club I will post at a later time.  But for now, please scroll down to see what activities we have done in book club thus far.


The girls seem to really enjoy book club and I will be doing it again next year.


February
Girl of the Month: Addy Walker    
We will be reading Meet Addy by Connie Porter.
Girls are encouraged to bring a doll (does not have to be an AG doll) to each meeting.  Beginning in February, we'll be having a monthly fashion show and the models will be our dolls, of course!


January
Girl of the Month:  Josefina Montoya, (1824 - near Santa Fe, New Mexico) 
Book:  Secrets in the Hills by Kathleen Ernst
Craft: Painted hair combs
Snack: Biscochitos (New Mexican anise cookies)


December 
Girl of the Month: Felicity Merriman (1774 - Williamsburg, VA)
Book:  Felicity's Surprise by Valerie Tripp
Craft:  Pomander balls (oranges covered in whole cloves, rolled in spices - the girls loved making these!)
Snack:  Christmas cookies


November
Girl of the Month: Kit Kittredge (1934 - Cleveland, OH)
Book: Kit Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp
Craft:  Scotty dog felt pillows (just like Kit's special pin)
Activity:  Listened to an episode of the Little Orphan Annie radio show
Snack:  Ovaltine


October
Girl of the Month:  Molly McIntire (1944 - Jefferson, IL)
Book: Meet Molly by Valerie Tripp
Craft:  Victory garden in a jar (we planted herbs in glass spaghetti jars)
Snack: War cake and mock apple pie (they had fun guessing the missing ingredient - apples).  The girls each received a mini ration book with coupons to exchange for treats.


September
Girl of the Month:  Kirsten Larson (1854 - Sweden & Minnesota)
Book:  Kirsten Saves the Day by Janet Shaw
Activities: Learned the Virginia Reel; tried to make homemade butter but it turned out to be whipped cream because I put too much cream in the jar...oops!
Craft: Corn husk dolls
Snack: Biscuits with homemade cream and jam