National Hug Day

It's National Hug Day!! 

Celebrate this day by giving those you love a great big BEAR HUG and reading one of these 
hug-tastic children's books!

 

 The hug machine is available to hug anyone, any time, whether they are square or long, spiky or soft.







A huge bear is wandering through the forest - but wait a minute! Who's that he's hugging? A beaver? And a moose? And a bird? And a tree?

Welcome to the world of Big Bear Hug, a contemporary fable about a bear who has an appetite for hugging everything in sight - even creatures that bears have been known to eat. One day, the benevolent bear meets up with a human. This human proceeds to do something the bear cannot understand: he raises his axe and begins to cut down a tree. Suddenly the bear doesn't feel like hugging anymore and must make a difficult decision on how to stop this destruction in his forest.

The environmental message of Big Bear Hug is both funny and powerful, while simple enough to engage very young children and show them the awesome power of a hug.






Could you imagine no one wanting to hug you? Poor Ella porcupine is just hoping that someone will hug her someday very soon! Will she finally receive a hug, like she's always wanted? Find out in Hug Me  

AR Points
0.5 

Book Level 
2.6



In this Beginner book, Howie is trying to find someone in his family to give him a hug but everyone just seems to be too busy. Read this adorable book to find out if Howie Finds a Hug.

AR Reading Level: 1.1
AR Reading Points: 0.5





 A collection of eighteen short poems celebrating love and friendship between animals, from cats and sheep to giraffes and crocodiles.

AR Reading Level 
2.9

AR Points                                                                                                                                             0.5 

 

A perfect book to read to your toddlers. This fun board book shows how hugging, as well as singing, kissing, etc. can show your little ones you love and care about them! 

HAPPY NATIONAL HUG DAY!! 

Hope your day is filled with hugs of love and friendship! 

What We've Been Reading--Abby

This January I decided to set a goal to read 50 books this year, and have since been reading away. While not all the books have been children’s books, these past few months I’ve been picking them up more. Around this time of year, as the season changes, I find myself drawn to stories that lean towards being a bit darker. I want some mystery. Maybe a creepy house, a twisted fairytale, or something just weird. I found what I was looking for in Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol, The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry, and Nooks & Crannies by Jessica Lawson.

Anya’s Ghost is better suited for older readers. We consider it a YA novel, because of the cigarette smoking, and some other mature content. However, it’s a great story of Anya, a first generation Russian immigrant, as she deals with her cultural identity, being a teenager, and the creepy events that happen after she falls down a well, and finds a human skeleton.

The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place is a super fun murder mystery. The students of St. Etheldreda’s School for Girls face a harrowing situation, as their headmistress and her brother drop dead during dinner. Do they tell someone what’s happened and face being separated from each other, or conceal the murder, and pretend all is well? Set in Victorian England, it’s a fun read full of great characters.

Nooks & Crannies is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets the board game Clue. Tabitha Crum a smart, mystery-loving girl is unloved by her parents. With no friends besides her pet mouse, Pemberley, she sets out on an adventure after receiving a mysterious invitation to the country estate of the wealthy, and reclusive Countess of Windermere, whose mansion is rumored to be haunted. She finds herself among five other children, unsure of why they’ve been invited. Soon, a large secret, one that could change their lives forever will be revealed, but not before Tabitha’s investigative skills are put to the test.

As a Librarian and lover of books, I often get swept up in the newest book that we’ve got in, and completely ignore my own bookshelf at home, which is full of books I’ve meant to read, but haven’t got to. While trying to get back to the I’ve-been-meaning-to-read-this-for-5-years-or-longer book, I picked up the classic, Heidi. The copy I have was once my grandmother’s, which she has since gifted to me. Published in the 1945, the book has beautiful illustrations, and makes reading a classic even more enjoyable. I found Heidi’s innocence, and positivity to be very inspiring, and found great joy in reading a story that’s 134 years old. Having not given travelling to Switzerland much thought previously, I now think travelling through the Swiss Alps would be an incredible, and restorative experience, just as it was for Heidi. 

In keeping with reading classic Children’s literature, I also recently picked up The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. I found the friendships between Mole, Ratty, Badge, and Toad to be most amusing, and somewhat inspirational. I found a certain honesty, and introspection to the characters and the writing that I haven’t read for a while, and very much enjoyed.

Here are some other books I’ve read, and really enjoyed:

Beyond the Laughing Sky by Michelle Cuevas

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

The Nest by Kenneth Oppel

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

Vacation Reads

Happy (belated) New Year! We have been busy preparing our programs and catching up from the holidays. We hope you all had a most enjoyable holiday season. We had some time off in late December, and I filled my time with reading. I read three books over my vacation, and it got me thinking about how we choose what to read. I usually have a trunk full of books to choose from and generally have no less than 20 checked out at a time. This may seem like over-kill, but I rest easy knowing that I can select a book from various genres, reading levels, and length on a whim. The three I read over vacation were: Diary of  Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney, The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, and A Greyhound of a Girl by Roddy Doyle. These books couldn't be more different from each other, but I enjoyed them all.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. Amulet Books, 2007.

This book series is still very popular at our library, especially with the recent release of book 9 in the series, The Long Haul. When I was browsing the shelves for good vacation reads and actually saw book one on the shelf, I snatched it up. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about!

With minimalistic and goofy drawings coupled with his own words, Greg Heffley walks us through life in middle school in his diary journal. Greg goes through some tough times with his best friend, Rowley, as they get chased by bullies on Halloween, try to avoid the Cheese Touch at recess, and have to survive through a unit on wrestling in gym. In typical preteen fashion, Greg is utterly unaware of others feelings and his commentary is what drives the humor in the book.

A Greyhound of a Girl by Roddy Doyle. Harry N. Abrams, 2012.

I mean, look at that cover! Who wouldn't want to immediately crack this baby open?? I chose this book based on the cover (I know, I know! We shouldn't do that.) The story takes place in Ireland and follows 12 year-old Mary O'Hara as she struggles between being a girl and growing up. Mary is very close with her ailing grandmother, Emer, and visits her daily in the hospital with her mother, Scarlett. On Mary's walk home from school she meets an odd and old-fashioned woman. Upon further interaction, the woman turns out to be the ghost of her great-grandmother, Tansey! This book is so beautifully written, and celebrates the love a family can share, as well as the special bond between generations. After reading this cheeky and touching book, I want to move to Ireland and start saying 'grand'.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. Bullseye Books, Reprint Edition 1988.

This classic book was originally published in 1961, and illustrated by Jules Feiffer. I often think I missed the boat on so many classics and have been chipping away at a list. If you're looking for a list New York Public Library shares a list of 100 classic children's books.

Milo is a young boy who is easily bored and unenthused about life in general. All of this changes for young Milo when he arrives home one day to find a magical tollbooth in his room! He assembles the booth and motors off in his play car, and into a world of imagination. Milo quickly makes several friends and they travel through a strange new world to save the princesses, Rhyme and Reason. The word play in this book had me laughing aloud, and I instantly fell in love. I was so eager to finish reading this book during a car trip that my helpful husband read the end to me. 

What books did you miss the first time around? Are there classics on your radar you want to read? What is it about a book that grabs your attention? Be sure to follow our books on Goodreads!

Celebrate Independence Day!

This Friday marks our nation's 238th year of independence. July 4th typically means cookouts, hangouts with friends, and fireworks. So what is this holiday all about? According to Just4kidsmagazine.com, Independence Day, also known as the 4th of July, is America's birthday. It's the anniversary of the day on which The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress - July 4th, 1776. The 13 colonies no longer wanted to be ruled by Britain. The men who helped fight in the Revolutionary War should be remembered on this day. In towns and cities, the American flag is displayed and people march in parades. In 1941, Congress declared July 4th a federal, legal holiday. The History channel's web site posted a great video and a fact-filled page of info for those eager to learn more about our country's origins.

Did you know?!? It's estimated that over 150 million hot dogs will be consumed On July 4th! 

Joke Time!
Q: What did one flag say to the other flag?
A: Nothing, it just waved.

Q: Why did the duck say "Bang!"
A: Because he was a firequacker.

Calendar Mysteries: July Jitters by Ron Roy
In the seventh book of the Calendar Mysteries - an early chapter book mystery series featuring the younger siblings of the A to Z Mysteries detectives - the mayor is having a special Fourth of July contest; the person whose pet has the best Independence Day costume gets to be mayor for a day! Bradly, Brian, Nate, and Lucy transform Polly the pony into Thomas Jefferson and Pal the dog into the Declaration of Independence. But when the pet parade rolls around, the animals are nowhere to be found! Maybe they have stage fright. Can the kids find their dressed-up pets and calm them down before the Fourth of July fun begins?

The Redcoats Are Coming! by Marianne Hering and Nancy Sanders
The first of a three-book story arc about the American Revolution, The Redcoats Are Coming follows Patrick and Beth as they assist the revolutionaries by waking up the sleeping citizens of 1775 Concord before the Redcoats come. In this adventure, the cousins meet Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. They help smuggle musket balls, sound the alarm that the Redcoats are coming, and deliver a secret message to Paul Revere. Along the way they learn that most of the revolutionaries leaned on God’s direction and even pastors helped in the cause.

Fireworks, Picnics, and Flags: The Story of the Fourth of July Symbols by James Cross Giblin 
What famous American thought that the turkey would make a better national bird than the bald eagle? Who was the real Uncle Sam? Each familiar Fourth of July symbol has an amazing story taken from an exciting chapter in our country's history, and each has its place in the traditions surrounding the birthday of our nation. All remind us of how hard our forefathers fought for the freedoms we enjoy today...and are celebrated in the pages of this entertaining book.  

To keep the holiday fun going, scope out these fun links!

PBS shares historical information about the origins of 4th of July.  

Fireworks safety from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Look for activities being hosted the week of the 4th at National Parks!

US Department of Agriculture shares some safe food handling tips.

Delish shares some kid-friendly cookout recipes.

Come Together Kids shares some cookout activities for the kiddos.

The government website for the United States shares some great historical information on the holiday's origins .

From the children's staff at the Grafton-Midview Public Library, we hope you have a safe and happy holiday!

  

Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day is the third Sunday in June, and this year falls on Sunday, June 15th. This special day is celebrated to show fathers everywhere that they are loved, appreciated, and remembered. Father's Day is a relatively new holiday, beginning in 1972, 58 years after President Wilson declared Mother's Day a national holiday. For more information on the beginnings of this holiday, scope out History.com. While many men initially balked at the day for its sentimentality, we are so glad the holiday exists so we can celebrate how cool our dads are. We'd like to share some awesome books to read with your favorite daddy-o.

Just Like Dad by Gina and Mercer Mayer. Little Golden Book, 2001.
Little Critter is eager to be just like his dad, and looks up to him very much. Each page shows him trying his best to mimic his dad in this sweet picture book.

The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish by Neil Gaiman. Harper Collins, Reprint Edition 2006.
What would you do to get some goldfish as pets?  Would you trade your dad?  In this story a child does just that and his dad barely notices at first because he is so busy reading the newspaper. Will he be able to make it back to his family?

Daddy's Do It Different by Alan Lawrence Sitomer. Disney-Hyperion, 2012.
Daddies and mommies do a lot of things differently, and this adorable picture book shows many of them. Mommy makes a delicious breakfast and eats with you at the table, but when daddy makes breakfast it involves a fort made out of waffles. Grocery shopping with mommy includes label reading and coupon clipping, but when daddy does the shopping he makes mustaches from bananas. But what is really important is what daddy and mommy do the same.

 

Saturday is Dadurday by Robin Pulver. Walker Childrens, 2013. 

Mimi's favorite day of the week is Saturday because it means she gets Daddy all to herself! When Daddy's work schedule changes, so do her Saturdays. Can Mimi still make Saturdays special? 

When Dads Don't Grow Up by Majorie Blain Parker. Dial, 2012.
This charming picture book follows four dads and their sons. Some dads have a tricky time growing up and show they are young at heart with shopping cart races and drinking from crazy straws. 

Things to Do With Dad by Chris Stevens. Buster, 2008.
This book has a ton of ideas for projects, crafts, games, and many activities to do with your dad. The fun doesn't have to stop with dad, however. Moms and grandparents can get in on the fun, too!

My Dad's a Birdman by David Almond. Candlewick, 2011.
In rainy England, Mr. Poop goes through the streets announcing the Human Bird Competition. Lizzie looks on in wonder as her dad begins eating bugs, donning wings, and building nests. Despite all of these odd behaviors, Lizzie and her father share a loving bond and she cheers him on in the competition.

My Dad Thinks He's Funny by Katrina Germein. Candlewick, 2013.
Urban Dictionary defines Dad Joke as "the style of joke limited to the dads of the world because anyone else would be able to see how embarassing the punch-line and response will be". You know that special brand of funny that dads have and when you hear it you cringe and roll your eyes? This book is for anyone who has ever marveled as the corny jokes dads make, smiled, and felt your heart swell with joy because you love him anyway. 

Where Did Daddy's Hair Go? by Joe O'Connor. Random House Books for Young Readers, 2006.
Jeremiah keeps hearing that his dad has 'lost' his hair. He searches all over the house to find his dad's hair, and in the process accepts diversity.

Wherever you are this Father's Day, remember to take a moment and let your dad or special father-figure know that you're thinking of him.

Superstitions and Paranormal Science

This Friday falls on the 13th of the month, commonly believed to be an unlucky day. The assumption that this day is full of evil is steeped in history and myth, dating back to Biblical times. You can read more about the lore surrounding this day on National Geographic's site. The phobia of Friday the 13th is called friggatriskaidekaphobia after the Norse goddess, Frigga, whom Friday is named after, and triskaidekaphobia, or the fear of the number thirteen. 

The Chicago Tribune listed 13 superstitions for Halloween, but many of them are feared all year long. Live Science uncovered the history of 13 common superstitions and shared them in 2012. You can read the article here. Time Magazine shared a brief history of Friday the 13th, and one of my favorite fun facts: In 1939 citizens of a small town in Indiana attached bells to all the resident black cats so they wouldn't cross paths with them. This seemed to be a successful way to avoid these felines, so they continued this precaution for the next three years. Many people have tried to debunk the myths surrounding Friday the 13th, and one group was formed to do just this. History.com tells us about the popular group the Thirteen Club, which was formed in the 1880's and ran through the 1940's. This group of New Yorkers would meet on the 13th and eat in groups of 13, on a table covered with spilled salt, naturally. 

As an elementary school student, some of my favorite non-fiction sections to explore were the 000s and 100s, home to such wondrous topics as UFOs, ghosts, aliens and witches. To celebrate the week of Friday the 13th, we want to share some books that we think are out of this world.

Alien Alert by Elizabeth Jaffe.  Phonics Comics, 2005.
Beginning readers can join in the graphic novel craze and enjoy three short stories all about aliens. The first story follows an alien band, the Crater Heads, as they explore the world around them to find new sounds to inspire their songs. From staplers to toilets, they try to find the right beat to get the crowd to tap their toes. The bright illustrations and silly plots are sure to entice readers to continue the stories.

Bigfoot and Adaptation (Part of the  Monster Science series) by Terry Collins. Graphic Library, 2011.
This non-fiction series, Monster Science, is represented in graphic novel format and aims to explain scientific principles with fun characters and easy to understand writing. Adaptation is explained using Bigfoot as a model to show how species can change over time. Check out the whole series! 

Witches by Roald Dahl. Puffin, Reprint Edition 2007.
After James's parents pass away, he goes to live with his Norwegian grandmother. She tells James stories about scary witches who like to cast spells to get rid of children. James believes his grandmother is just telling stories, until he comes face to face with a real witch!

Aliens Don't Wear Braces by Debbie Dadey. Scholastic Books, 1993.
After the art teacher disappears amid strange, bright lights, the surprising (and very pale) replacement teacher arrives. The longer she stays, the more objects around Bailey City start mysteriously losing their colors. Even more mysterious, the new art teacher seems to be getting brighter! Can the Bailey School Kids save the city?

  
Monster's Monster by Patrick McDonnell. Little, Brown, 2012.
Three little monsters, Grouch, Grump, and Gloom 'n Doom, think they are the worst monsters around and they're very proud of it! To put their bickering to a rest, they work together to create an even bigger and badder monster! But their monster isn't so bad after all.

 

Aliens on Vacation (Book one of the Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast series) by Clete Barrett Smith.  Disney-Hyperion, 2012.
David reluctantly leaves Florida for the summer to stay with his crazy grandma in Washington state. He isn't excited about hanging out in the "Middle of Nowhere", but his attitude changes once he realizes his grandma's Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast is more than it seems.  

Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem by Rosalyn Schanzer. National Geographic Children's Books, 2011. 
This award-winning work of non-fiction chronicles the events leading up to the Salem witch trials. Two young girls in Salem Village begin twisting and choking, and when a cure can't be found they are pronounced bewitched. 



Don't forget that this is the first official week of our 2014 summer reading program, "Fizz! Boom! Read!". If you or your little one love paranormal topics and science fiction, join us for a special science fiction themed storytime this Friday the 13th! We will share stories of Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster and other spooky, fun creatures! All ages are welcome and you will get to leave with a cool craft. Tweens can get together for our Fear Factor event to play gross games and minute to win it challenges. Do you have any Friday the 13th traditions or superstitions?

Happy Holidays

The holidays are nearly upon us! December has went by oh so quickly and I am personally very excited to have some much needed time off to relax, spend time with friends and family, and to read of course.

To celebrate, I've listed some of my very top choices for family friendly holiday books, films and audiobooks. These are wonderful choices to share bundled up on the couch while you munch on cookies or even to share as last minute gifts!


Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Christmas: A Safety Guide for Scaredies by Melanie Watt (Kids Can Press, 2012). Everyone's favorite, slightly neurotic squirrel is back for Christmas! Scaredy Squirrel must figure out what gifts to buy, how to decorate and what to wear for the special holiday. This book is full of silly laugh out loud moments that children and adults will be able to enjoy together.





Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko           ( Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012). Sadie's family celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah, and readers will be able to get a peek into traditions from both holidays by reading this wonderfully illustrated picture book.   





Christmas Wombat by Jackie French; Illustrated by Bruce Whatley ( Clarion Books, 2012). A carrot-loving wombat accidentally stows away on Santa's sled after munching on the reindeer's vegetables! This humorous story will entertain toddlers and adults with comic antics and beautiful illustrations set against a stark white background. 

 Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson; Illustrated by Jan Chapman. (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2008). Bear learns that giving is one of Christmas's best presents when his friends decide they are determined to keep him awake for Christmas! The rhyming text and enchanting illustrations are sure to be a hit for years to come. 





 
  The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992). A must-watch for any Muppets fan. Enjoy the full Muppet cast and Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge in this hilarious and heart-warming retelling of the Dickens classic. My family watches this film together every December!  








A Charlie Brown Christmas ( 1965). A classic that grandparents, parents and children can enjoy together about Charlie Brown attempting to wade through the rampant commercialism at Christmas to find the true meaning of the holiday.    







 How the Grinch Stole Christmas! And Other Gifts from Dr. Seuss by Dr. Seuss (Listening Library, 2008).  Gather the family, grab a cup of hot chocolate and listen to this lovely audiobook together this holiday. How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the familiar story of one grouchy green creature and his attempt to ruin Christmas for the Whos of Whoville, takes on a wonderful character when read by the charismatic Walter Matthau. 



 What are some of your family's favorite holiday choices? Do you have any films that your family watches each year? If not, this can be the year that you start a new family tradition! All of us here at the gmplkids blog would like to wish you and your family a very happy holiday season!