Book in Brief: Free-Range Kids

Reviewer: Michele

The name of the book being recommended: Free-Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry) by Lenore Skenazy

Please give us five reasons why this book is awesome:
1. The author writes an op-ed column that appears in more than 100 papers and magazines AND an award winning blog, she can be heard on NPR, she spent several years on TV as a (younger, cuter) Andy Rooney at CNBC and the Food Network.
2. It's full of sensible, practical advice. Chapter headings include "Quit Trying to Control Everything. It Doesn't Work Anyway," "Relax: Not Every Little Thing You Do Has That Much Impact on Your Child's Development," and "Fail! It's the New Succeed."
3. It's hilarious. Chapter headings include "Play Dates and Axe Murderers: How to Tell the Difference," "Study History: Your Ten-Year-Old Would Have Been Forging Horseshoes (or at Least Delivering Papers)," "Why Other Countries Are Laughing at zee Scaredy-Cat Americans," and "Licking the Batter Off Beaters While They Are Still Plugged In."
4. It releases you from the exhaustion of unnecessary worry and downright paranoia.
5. Have I mentioned that it's both sensible AND hilarious?

How can I find this book in the library? Check both the parent/teacher (jPT 649.1 S) and adult (649.1 S) sections.

Books In Brief: A Good Day

Reviewer: Carla

The name of the book being recommended: A Good Day by Kevin Henkes

Please give us five reasons why this book is awesome:
1. A Good Day is my idea of the perfect preschool-age picture book.
2. It has fabulous, beautiful, striking pictures.
3. The text is compelling but simple and clear.
4. Drama! Suspense!
5. There's a happy ending and a subtle moral, too.

How can I find this book in the library? Look in the picture book section under jE HEN

Meet Books In Brief Reviewer Carla Vastine!

Carla, or "Miss Carla," as she is known to the diaper set, works at the children's checkout desk, advises on board book and picture book purchases, and runs our baby, toddler, early preschool, and family story times.

Hi, Carla! What are your favorite genres and subjects to read about?
At work, I love to read and discover classic and fabulous new picture books for preschool-age children. In my free time, my tastes are pretty similar as far as liking what is classic and fabulous, but on an older level, of course. I'm drawn to classic literature and any new, smart, well-written fiction.

Besides reading, what are your other hobbies and interests?
I love spending time with my family (husband Cole, sons Taylor, 14, and Colin, 13, and our pet fish), traveling, and visiting museums.

To find reviews and recommendations by Carla, simply click on her name in our "Contributors" list on the right, or search for the label "Carla."

NEW FEATURE! Books In Brief

We love writing longer reviews and articles....when we have the time. But you know how it is! Life is busy, for you, too. So our new feature "Books In Brief" will allow us to post more frequent reviews and recommendations, and will allow you to check in with us even when you don't have a lot of time.

The first time a staff member or volunteer posts, I'll briefly introduce him or her. After that, you can elect to follow the reviewers whose tastes coincide with yours. And if YOU have a book, series, or author to recommend, you can email it to me at mbolay@ccls.org. Just put "Books In Brief" in the subject line.

Happy reading!

Calling All Toddlers and Preschoolers....

Ready for Fall Storytimes?
We (almost) are!
Here's a sneak peek at SOME OF our all new, revised and revamped plan of action...

FOR TODDLERS (16 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS OLD +CAREGIVER):
Tuesdays,Thursdays, or Fridays 9:30 to 10:15am
-Spring into action with a toddler-friendly craft
-Theme related picture books, old favorites and hot new picks
-Songs with shaker eggs, "Hammer Song" with rhythm sticks
-Parachute action
-Free play time at end of each program to mix with friends
FOR PRESCHOOLERS (3 TO 5 YEARS OLD +CAREGIVER):
Tuesdays or Fridays 10:30 to 11:15am

-All new "ABC/123" story time with a fun and action filled focus on letters and numbers
-Classic and new and noteworthy age appropriate picture books
-Preschool level craft related to theme
-Games, songs, puzzles and free play at end of program
REGISTRATON STARTS SEPTEMBER 12TH
FALL SESSION RUNS FROM SEPTEMBER 19TH TO NOVEMBER 18TH.
Hope to see you there! Miss Carla

Summer Reading Club Ends August 12!

A few reminders about the Summer Reading Club:

1. The last day to stamp your passport (RC) or map (RTM) is Friday, August 12. The library closes at 6:00, so please be at the Reading Club table by 5:30 pm so that we have time to help you. To be eligible for the sweepstakes drawing, your passport must be stamped and your entry must be in the jar no later than 3:00 pm on Friday, August 12.

2. During the last week of the Reading Club, those who have gold registration cards and who have eight stamps in their passports will be given a sweepstakes ticket each as their Week 8 prize. Only those who are eligible Reading Club participants will receive a ticket; all others in the Reading Club (stamping for Weeks 1-7) and Read-To-Me Club (stamping for Weeks 1-8) will receive those weeks' prizes.

3. Sweepstakes winners will be announced at the Ice Cream Social at 4:00 pm on August 12. If you haven't yet registered, please do! To win the iPod Shuffle and the door prizes, you must be present at the social. All other winners need not be present.

4. If you registered for the Reading Club but never returned to stamp your passport, it's not too late to earn a Week 1 canvas book bag! Just make sure to bring in your passport and get it stamped by 5:30 on Friday, August 12.

Bach2Rock Violinist Caryn Lin Returns to Tredyffrin!

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
Live at the Library presents

“BACH 2 ROCK”
With violinist Caryn Lin
Monday, August 8, 7:30 pm

FREE! No registration required, but please be prompt. The show is appropriate for ages 7-adult (ages 7-9 must be accompanied to the library by an adult). No babies/toddlers/preschoolers, please.

Caryn Lin is a Cherry Hill, New Jersey native who started violin lessons at age 9, and soon began studies with the Philadelphia Orchestra's Larry Grika. She earned a degree in violin performance from Northwestern University, but even then she took a unique approach to the violin. After graduation Caryn moved to Germany to study under virtuoso Susanne Lautenbacher but, staying true to her love of innovation, she also jammed with street musicians and played in several bands. During a show on her last night in Germany, a guitarist wondered what would happen if they plugged an echo box into the pick up on her acoustic violin. Caryn listened as the sound of her violin filled the room, accompanying itself, and creating a fantastic soundscape unlike anything else she'd ever heard. It was as exciting as an electric guitar, but it was even closer to her heart. The classical musician who had always felt like a misfit had found her place.

After years of experimenting with sound, Caryn puts on a live show that is truly unique. Sometimes as a solo artist and sometimes with a backing band, she plays her 4, 5, and 6 string electric violins and uses a jam man to make short on-the-spot recordings of her voice, percussion instruments, and other sounds. As she plays the violin, the recorded snippets play back in a continuous loop adding layer upon layer of sound over deceptively simple melodies. The result is music that is both otherworldly and totally catchy.

Caryn has played everywhere form Lincoln Center to Six Flags, the Kimmel Center to the Crayola Crayon Factory. Her music has been featured on MTV's The Real World and on 150 radio stations across the county, and she (and her music) appeared in the movie Philadelphia. she has just released her fifth studio album, The Call.