Stealing Our Thunder?

I just read about a service for book lovers called GiftLit.com. For $25+ a month (!), with a minimum 3-month subscription (!), "pick the gift recipient and experts (librarians, educators, authors) will recommend a book collection with themes as varied as bedtime stories and adult science fiction. Ten percent of the profits support literacy programs."

All right, that last part is nice. But, here's the thing: you DO know that you can get this service for free, right? At your public library? It's true! We need a little lead time for a list like this, but we LOVE giving recommendations. You can also check our Goodreads page, which is updated weekly. Not only do we know what kids like, but, as adults and voracious readers ourselves, we might actually be able to give you some decent adult reading suggestions, too! If you then choose to write a donation check for $25 or more, one hundred percent of the "profits" support your local library; or, you can donate directly to the literacy organization of your choice. Win-win, right?

Pfft. GiftLit.com, indeed......;-)



[image courtesy of Katie's Book Blog]

Tredyffrin Library holiday closures... and a musical interlude.

Just a reminder that the library will be closed Monday, December 24 through Wednesday, December 26. We will reopen Thursday, December 27 at 9:30am. In the meantime, enjoy a song from one of Miss Angela's favorite holiday movies.

Tot Rock Grooves!

We were grooving in the class  presented by Groove, children learned beats and rhythms using a variety of unique, hands-on percussive instruments and devices. They danced, moved, and burned off a ton of energy while having fun. Check us out showing our best rock star poses. Rock on tots!!!

Lego + Pigeon = Brilliant.

This is basically the best thing I've seen all day.

Photo from Andertoons.com

Want to know how they built it? Check out the step by step process on the Andertoons blog.

(And thanks to Beverly Michaels at Paoli Library for sending this along to me!)

Friday Bag of Awesome

Looking for weekend reads?

Willing to be surprised?

Unafraid to be at the mercy of librarians?

If you answered yes to the above questions, you might be interested in a new program we're starting in the children's department this January at Tredyffrin Public Library. It's called the Friday Bag of Awesome, and it's exactly what it sounds like - an awesome bag that you can only get on Friday.

For those of you are more detail-oriented, here's the scoop. Based on your answers to our handy online questionnaire, the children's library staff will pick out books, movies and/or music that we think you might enjoy and throw them in a bag for you to pick up on Friday after 4pm. It's just that simple!

Okay, it's not that simple. There are a few more things you need to know:

1. The program begins the first full week of January and ends Friday, May 24. The program does not run throughout the Summer Reading program.

2. You can submit a questionnaire at any time during the week, but Friday between 4 and 6pm is the only time for pickup.

3. We can only have a bag ready for you by 4pm on a Friday if we've received your questionnaire by noon that same day. If you submit it any time after Friday at noon, your bag won't be ready until the following Friday. If you're unsure about when to collect your bag, please call 610-688-7092 and ask for the children's desk.

4. Regular loan periods apply to the items in the bag - 3 weeks for books and music, 1 week for videos -  so the items do not have to be returned together.

5. The questionnaire will be available on January 7 on our Books & Reading page.

6. You are not required to take or like everything we pick out for you. Think of the bag as a plate at a big family barbeque that somebody else put together for you while you were off playing horseshoes. You might love the pasta salad, or you might not. If you don't, no hard feelings. If you do, then we're glad you tried it.

Any additional questions? E-mail Angela at anewman@ccls.org or catch her in person at the library.

Ornament Painting Party

Holiday stories, music, singing, dancing and finally painting were the order of events at our Ornament Painting Party on Thursday. We had a great time and yes we even got out the glitter for this special holiday program.

Holiday Origami Workshop on December 28

Join us Friday, December 28 from 1 to 3:30pm for an Origami Workshop!

Interested in the traditional art of Japanese paper folding? Join us at the library and learn how to make swans, cranes, and lucky stars. All levels of experience welcome. 

Workshop led by the 1000 Cranes Project Club from Conestoga High School.
Ages 6 and up, parents welcome! No registration required.

PAWS Cancelled for 12/1

Just a quick note to let everyone know that PAWS for Reading is cancelled for Saturday, December 1.

Miss Judy from Sally's Music Circle

What a wonderful time we had with Miss Judy here at the library. She played her guitar and sang songs for us. We had such a fun time jumping, clapping, singing and dancing. See www.sallysmusic.com for information on classes at Sally's Music Circle.

Question: What is the gift that costs nothing yet gives you free stuff all year long?

Answer: Ask Santa!

Books in Brief: Lemony Snicket returns!

Who Could That Be At This Hour? by Lemony Snicket
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First things first. This is not A Series of Unfortunate Events.

That being said, it is the first in a series, and there are some events that could be called unfortunate. (The near-drowning comes instantly to mind...) In this noir-flavored detective story, a young Lemony Snicket is trying to get to the bottom of a mystery of an odd wooden statue in a nearly deserted ink industry town.

I'm a huge Snicket fan from way back, and I was pleased to see elements of the previous series - defining potentially tricky vocabulary words, a love of reading and libraries, etc. - appear in this volume. Other highlights for me included the bickering police couple and the clever system Lemony devises to communicate with his partner in the city.

The plot didn't really grab me until about halfway through, but when it did, I was ready for the next book in the series.

View all my reviews

Happy Thanksgiving, Tredyffrin Kids!

Just a reminder that Tredyffrin Public Library will be closed Wednesday and Thursday this week. We will be open on Friday.

Have a safe and happy holiday, everyone!

Tickets Again for Family Story Time

We have such a great group that attends Family Story Time, but it is getting a little crowded. Starting December 3 we will be using tickets again. Starting 30 minutes before story time you can come to the circulation desk and get a ticket for admission into Family Story Time. There will be a basket at the story room door for you to leave your ticket.

PRIZES HAVE ARRIVED for 1KB4K Club!!!!

Our prizes have arrived! If you have not received a prize for completing 1 or more reading logs please stop by the Children's Circulation desk to receive your prizes.
We have a prize for each 100 level. From stickers to ribbons to bookmarks to rubber ducks we have some fun incentives to keep on reading!!!

Check out a few examples below.

 

Fall session ends 11/16

Today marks the end of our fall program session at Tredyffrin Public Library. Our regular programs will resume when we begin our winter program session on Monday, January 7.

Until then, we will continue to have Family Storytime with Miss Angie twice a week - Mondays and Thursdays at 10:30am, as well as Wee Ones Storytime on Mondays at 9:30am.

And of course, I hope you'll join us for special holiday programs starting next week and running throughout the month of December. Most holiday programs require registration, so call 610-688-7092 or stop by and visit us today!

PAWS dates for Winter & Spring

Just a quick reminder that our PAWS program is now held the first Saturday of every month, with appointments beginning at 11am. (Don't know what PAWS is? Find out right here.)

For the rest of the program year, the dates are:

December 1
January 5
February 2
March 2
April 6
May 4

Please call 610-688-7092, ext. 210 to make your December appointment today! 

Date Change for Thank You Storytime!

Just a quick note to let everyone know that our Thank You Storytime, which is listed on our holiday flyer as being held on November 26, has been changed to Tuesday, November 20.

Join Miss Carla for thankful stories, songs, and games followed by a "thank you" gift craft designed to give to someone special in the spirit of appreciation.Ages 2 to 6, with caregiver. Registration required.

Call 610-688-7092, ext. 210 for more information or to register.

The Ink that Screamed

Edited to add: Our film made the cut! The Ink that Screamed will be shown at the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival on December 2 in New York City. Check out what festival curator James Kennedy had to say about our film here.)

For those of you just joining us, the 90-Second Newbery is a film festival that features (very) brief adaptations of Newbery Award or Honor-winning books created by kids all over the country. The kids at Tredyffrin spent eight weeks over the summer compressing Ingrid Law's Savvy down to a 90-second film. (Or in this case, a three minute film. I couldn't cut out the birthday party sequence, now could I?)

If you've read the story, you know that it's a heartwarming coming of age tale that centers on a family with magical talents. However, it also features a character who hears voices and a person trapped in a wall..

Turning it into a thriller seemed like the obvious choice.
Thanks to everyone who came out for this project. It was such a great experience!

Tot Rock Rescheduled!

Attention toddlers and pre-schoolers! Our Tot Rock preview class, originally scheduled for November 1, has been rescheduled for Thursday, December 13.

In this class, presented by Groove, children ages 2 to 5 will learn beats and rhythms using a variety of unique, hands-on percussive instruments and devices. They'll also dance, move, and burn off a ton of energy while having fun.

This program will be held at 9:30am in the large meeting room. Registration is required, and space is limited, so call 610-688-7092 to sign up today! 

PAWS cancelled for 11/3

Just a quick note to let everyone know that our November PAWS for Reading visit, scheduled for Saturday, November 3, will be cancelled. Join us on December 1 when Beau and Jack visit next!

Library Closed Tuesday, October 30!

Due to the severe weather from Hurricane Sandy, Tredyffrin Public Library will be closed Tuesday, October 30. All programs for that day are cancelled. Stay safe!

Library Closed Monday, October 29

Attention all patrons of Tredyffrin Public Library! Due to the impending storm, the library will be closed on Monday, October 29.

All regular programs for that day are cancelled, and the Halloween Stuffed Animal Sleepover has been postponed to Monday, November 5.

Stay safe, everyone!

Tot Rock Preview Class

Attention toddlers and pre-schoolers! Join Groove at Tredyffrin Library on Thursday, November 1, for a special music experience!

In this Tot Rock preview class, children ages 2 to 5 will learn beats and rhythms using a variety of unique, hands-on percussive instruments and devices. They'll also dance, move, and burn off a ton of energy while having fun.

This program will be held at 9:30am in the large meeting room. Registration is required, and space is limited, so call 610-688-7092 to sign up today! 

Books in Brief: The Lonely Beast

The Lonely Beast by Chris Judge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A rare creature sets out on a journey to find others of his kind.

Five reasons this books is awesome:

1. A very endearing main character (who manages to be expressive even with an almost complete lack of features...)

2. A long and interesting journey.

3. A gentle thread of humor.

4. Really wonderful illustrations. (The underwater scenes are my particular favorites.)

5. A happy ending.

A great read-aloud choice for 4's and 5's.

View all my reviews

Books in Brief: In a Glass Grimmly

In A Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Adam Gidwitz has done it again! As with his debut novel A Tale Dark and Grimm , the author stitches together classic folk and fairy tales into a journey of self-discovery for two very brave children.

(And when I say fairy tales, I'm not talking about magic wands and fluffy ballgowns. I'm talking about old-school, blood-and-guts, rolling people down hills in nail-spiked barrels. Just so we're clear.)

Though published after A Tale Dark and Grimm and told in a similar style, In a Glass Grimmly is not meant to be a sequel. We follow two entirely different characters - cousins Jack and Jill - on an entirely different set of adventures. (And yes, there is a hill and a head injury.) However, fans of the first novel will find a few threads to connect the two. The ravens are back, as is the narrator, who tries to warn us of the particularly scary bits before they happen. (And apologizing when he forgets.)

Suspenseful, dark, peppered with humor, and ultimately wise, this is a great choice for middle school students who don't mind a little gore in their happily ever after.

View all my reviews

Books in Brief: Ten Little Caterpillars

Picture Book:  Ten Little Caterpillars

Author:  Bill Martin Jr.

Reviewer: Carla

Five Great Things About This Book:

-Bold, bright, fabulous artwork by Lois Ehlert.

-Ten busy caterpillars wiggle through vivid pages while counting all the way.

-Rhyming text lends itself to lively read-alouds.

-Dramatic, fluttering butterfly ending complete with terrific butterfly bush garden.

-"Epilogue" revisits and names the "1 to 10" caterpillars providing more detailed facts about each.

Books in Brief: Green

Reviewer: Carla

Book and Author: Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Five Reasons Why this Picture Book is a Winner:

-Fabulous artwork dramatizes the many lush, vibrant hues of green.

-Peek-a-boo cutouts cleverly link pages and concepts while providing a fun and active learning opportunity.

-Bold depictions of "never green" offer a clear, interesting twist on the theme.

-Timely, take home message of how we can contribute the world's "green."

-Hopeful "forever green" grand finale.

Where to Find Green:  Shelved with our "New Picture Books," JE SEE.

Books in Brief: Meet Caroline

Meet Caroline by Kathleen Ernst
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I had never read any of the American Girl books, but when I discovered that the latest adventures were set in my old stomping grounds - Sackets Harbor, New York - I had to check it out.

In addition to being a charming place to have Sunday brunch, this small lakeside town played an important role during the War of 1812, which is the conflict that is just beginning as we meet Caroline Abbott, a young girl who dreams of being the captain of her own ship someday.

Unfortunately, her dreams are put on hold when the British capture her father and attack her community. Will the town be able to defend themselves against the invasion? Will Caroline be reunited with her father? Luckily, we have five more books to find out...

Recommended for ages 7-10, fans of well-written historical adventure, or anyone who's ever walked the Sackets Harbor battlefield. (Admittedly, we might be a small crew.)

View all my reviews

Books In Brief: Scaredy Squirrel

Reviewer: Michele

The name of the book being recommended: the Scaredy Squirrel series by Melanie Watt

Please give us five reasons why this series is awesome:

1. Perfect for reading aloud (ages 4+) or alone (ages 6-8).

2. Bright, adorable, clear, graphics-style illustrations.

3. HILARIOUS stories. Truly, you and your audience will be laughing out loud.

4. Scaredy Squirrel is so overly safe and cautious and scared of anything outside his normal routine that he has a convoluted master plan for every occurrence...or so he thinks...

5. Cleverly portrays the fears that many children have about unfamiliar things, people, and situations, and presents solutions that are practical and very, very funny.

How can I find these books in the library? These can be found in the Children's Department, in picture book fiction, under the call number jE WAT. Titles in the series so far are: Scaredy Squirrel; Scaredy Squirrel at Night; Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach; Scaredy Squirrel has a Birthday Party; Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend, and Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Christmas.

E-books vs. print: How do you prefer to read together with kids?

My niece is three years old. My sister has always surrounded her with books - board books, cloth books, picture books, and lately, e-book apps. The last time they came for a visit, I was treated to a reading of The Monster at the End of This Book, courtesy of my sister's iPhone.

Was I impressed that my niece, who was still learning to how put on her own shoes, could open and navigate a smartphone app? For sure! Was it a good adaptation of the story, one of my own childhood favorites? Absolutely! Do I love the sound of Grover's voice? Obviously!

But I'd still rather have had the print version in front of me.

Credit: Joan Ganz Cooney Center

That I prefer print books to e-books is not a shocker; I still have a pen pal (with whom I correspond in pen) and will always choose a paper map over GPS. (Always.) 

But, according to The Joan Ganz Cooney Center, the majority of iPad owners surveyed in their recent study also prefer print books over e-books when reading together with their children. (Here are some other findings of the study, summed up nicely by School Library Journal.)

I confess to being a little surprised by this.

How do you prefer to read together with kids, and why?

Attention, Music Lovers!

Don't miss this opportunity to go behind the scenes at the Delaware County Symphony to experience first-hand how an orchestra rehearses for a concert!

The rehearsal will be held at Meagher Theater at Neumann University on Monday, October 1 from 6:30 to 9pm. Guests should plan to arrive at the theater by 6:15pm for a pre-rehearsal overview. The program includes:

Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor by Sergei Rachmaninov
Irish Rhapsody No. 1 by Charles Villiers Stanford
Symphony No. 3 by Jean Sibelius

Registration for this program is required, and attendees must provide their own transportation to the theater. Recommended for children 10 and older and their families.

For more information, please contact Angela at anewman@ccls.org. To register for this program, please call the children's department at 610-688-7092, ext. 210.

Books in Brief: Iris and Walter

Reviewer:  Carla

Book and Author:  Iris and Walter  by Elissa Haden Guest

5 Reasons Why This Beginning Reader is Terrific:

-Iris misses the big city after a move to the quiet country but gradually learns to appreciate nature and outdoor adventures.
-Iris sets off on her adventures with her wise, kind, and ready-for-action grandfather.
-Iris climbs a tree and finds not only a nifty tree house but a friend too, Walter!
-Truly stunning water color drawings tell the tale visually while the text lends itself to reading success for new readers.
-Starry skies, cool grass, wild horses, that nifty tree house plus a good new friend combine to create a perfect happy ending.

Where to Find this Book:  "JE READER IRIS,"
shelved with the featured readers

Books in Brief: Dinosaur Dig!

 

Book Reviewer:  Carla

Book and Author:  Dinosaur Dig! by Penny Dale

Five Reasons Why This Picture Book is a Crowd Pleaser:

-Winning combination of dinosaurs and trucks are sure to appeal to our young aficionados

-Tons of action, adventure, purpose, and, the all important, DIRT!

-Lively, expressive, and compelling graphics

-Collaborative effort offers the opportunity to count from 1 to 10 dinosaurs as the work force increases

-Raucous "ta-da" ending

How to find this great book:  JE DAL, shelved with the new picture books

Plant a Learning Seed....... READ

1000 Books
Before

Kindergarten
Club

---

Plant a learning seed and read with your child!

Welcome to the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Club! This FREE program encourages you to read 1000 books with your child before he or she enters school- a goal experts say children need to help them learn to read for themselves.

One of the best ways to encourage learning is to spend time sharing books every day. Reading together helps develop important pre-reading skills that provide a solid reading foundation- a key to school and learning success. Plus, sharing stories together is fun!

Here are the easy steps for participation:

1.    Get your Reading Log and FREE Tote bag (while supplies last) during  Wee Ones Story Time (Mondays at 9:30 am) or Toddler Story Time (Tuesdays or Fridays at 10:30 am)

2.    Read together.

3.    Write the titles on your Plant a Learning Seed, Read reading log. If you read a book more than once you may record it each time. Books read at library story time, at daycare, or by others to your child also count!

4.    When you finish 100 books, bring your completed reading log to Tredyffrin Public Library and:

a.    Place a sticker on our Plant a Learning Seed, Read Mural.

b.    Collect your next reading log for your next 100 books.

c.    Collect a special prize.

5.    Repeat steps 1-3 and receive a sticker for our Plant a Learning Seed, Read Mural and a new reading log at each 100 book level.

When you reach the 500 book level you will receive an extra special gift.

6.    After finishing 1000 books, your child

Receives a certificate of completion.

Has his or her name placed on our Reading Hall of Fame on our blog

Has the opportunity to apply for his or her own library card.

Receives a special holder for their library card.

The club has no end date except your child’s starting school, so don’t feel rushed, just enjoy the experience. Take every chance you have to read with your children, tell and talk about stories, say nursery rhymes, sing songs, and attend library programs (especially story times).

By reading just three stories a day you and your child will have read over 1000 books in one year. You will also have shared many special moments. The reading log you keep will become a special keepsake memory.

If you have any questions please email Angie at aandre@ccls.org or Carla at vastines@verizon.net

Happy Reading!

We have Playaway Views!

Tredyffrin Public Library is pleased to announce the arrival of the Playaway View!

Photo credit: www.playaway.com

The Playaway View is a durable, handheld video player that comes pre-loaded with popular children's titles. It's convenient, intuitive, and now available at your friendly neighborhood children's library.

Our current titles include adaptations of classic picture books from Weston Woods, like Caps for Sale, The Napping House, and How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight, as well as PBS shows like Sesame Street, Dinosaur Train and Super Why.

(Need more infomation? Visit the Playaway View FAQ page.)

The Playaway View has no rental fee, circulates for one week, and is on library shelves now. Check one out today!

Books in Brief: Revenge of the Whale

Revenge Of The Whale: The True Story Of The Whaleship Essex, Adapted For Young People From In The Heart Of The Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I could not put this down, even though I had to, because I needed to eat meals and work. (Though I felt bad about the eating, since the sailors of the Essex spent much of the book starving.)

Adapted from the author's own award-winning tale for adults, this is the riveting story of a 19th century whaling crew attacked and shipwrecked by a large sperm whale in the middle of the Pacific Ocean - and how at least some of them lived to tell the tale.

Recommended for ages 10 and older. Not for the faint of heart.

View all my reviews

Books in Brief: The Year of the Book

The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First things first: Hooray for books about introverts!

Sometimes it seems as though there are so many sassy and outspoken heroines out there that we forget about the ones who are quietly sewing a drawstring bag as a gift for their school crossing guard.

Anna Wang is not sassy. She is not outspoken. If given the choice, she'd rather be reading a book in the corner. However, her life is just as full of growing pains and potential drama as the next fourth grader's. She feels left out by the other girls in her class. Her mother sometimes embarrasses her. She doesn't always want to do what she's supposed to be doing. But Anna takes it in her stride, relying on her books to help her both to escape from and to connect to her world.

I'd recommend this story to upper elementary students - or any bookworm, ever.

View all my reviews

STAR WARS STARS COME TO TREDYFFRIN LIBRARY!!

The force sure was with us today at the Tredyffrin Library!  Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Tie Pilot, Clone Trooper, a trio of Stormtroopers and more stormed the library to the delight of our young and young-at-heart patrons.  Our thanks to the Garrison Carida Legion for a dazzling afternoon of trivia, nifty prizes, and fun photo opportunities.  Check out pictures here of our Star Wars Stars in action!

Special Story Time Guest

We had such fun last Thursday at our 10:30 am Family Story Time. We had a visit from a very special guest, Miss Judy, from Sally's Music Circle. Miss Judy gave us quite a musical show. She played many fun songs on her guitar and got us dancing and singing. Miss Judy offers fun music classes at her Wayne location. Go to www.sallysmusic.com for more information.

Books in Brief: Oh No, George!

Book Reviewer:  Carla

Book/Author:  Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton

Five Reasons Why This Book is Terrific:

-Bold, bright, snazzy colored graphics

-Temptation, ah, temptation is the focus

-Added bonus of an interesting/thought-provoking quote about freedom with the dedication

-Progress is merrily made and lessons are dutifully learned

-A dramatic, cliff-hanger ending....

Where to Find This Book: Call number JE HAU shelved with the new picture books

Books in Brief: The Great Cake Mystery

The Great Cake Mystery: Precious Ramotswe's Very First Case by Alexander McCall Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When desserts start going missing in Precious Ramotswe's school, she decides to solve the mystery of who is taking them.

For those of you who've read Alexander McCall Smith's grown-up series The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency , you'll know that Precious does grow up to be a detective, but it's in this book that we see how she gets her start.

I've never read any of the grown-up Precious Ramotswe books, but I can tell you that this one is a delight! With evocative illustrations and a narrative voice that is educational without being didactic, it's a lovely mystery with a fun twist. Definitely looking forward to more books in this series!

Recommended for children aged 7-10. 

View all my reviews

Books in Brief: More

Book reviewer:  Carla

Book: More by I. C. Springman

Five Reasons Why This Picture Book is AWESOME:

1.  Superb, lifelike illustrations

2.  Simple, straight forward, striking life lesson of "How much is enough?"

3.  Cooperation and collaboration between different species; birds and mice

4.  Collected flotsam includes fabulous and diverse items ranging from a string of pearls to Lego bricks.

5.  A triumphant fly away ending.

 Where to find this book:  Call number jE SPR, currently displayed in our "New Picture Book" section

Meet Books In Brief Reviewer Brianne Woyak!

Brianne has been volunteering year-round at the Tredyffrin Public Library Children's Department for almost three years. She helps us check in, sort, and find books; assists patrons during the summer reading club; and works on various arts and crafts projects and displays. She has also learned the first rule of working for a non-profit: free snacks are the best snacks. Brianne is about to begin her sophomore year at Conestoga High School.

Hi, Brianne! What are your favorite genres and subjects to read about?
I like anything that has romance or humor in it.

Besides reading, what are your other hobbies and interests?
I really love playing the guitar.

What else should we know about you?
I have one sister, Kailyn, and three pets: two cats (Alvin and Snickers) and one dog (Chester).

Books In Brief: The Junie B. Jones Series

Reviewer: Brianne

The name of the book being recommended: the Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park

Please give us five reasons why this series is awesome:

1. It was always interesting.

2. It was a good series for my age at the time (ages 7-9).

3. It was really funny. She always had me laughing while I was reading it.

4. There weren't many words that were hard for me at the time, but it was challenging enough to keep me reading.

5. It was usually about things that were important to me at the time: school, friends, family, etc.

How can I find this book in the library? All of the Junie B. Jones books can be found in the Children's Department, in series fiction, under the call number j series JUNIE B.

How to have a better storytime.

We love story times at Tredyffrin Library!  Here are some friendly reminders about how to make them even better:

*Remember, all adults in the room act as role models for the children.  So....please participate positively with your story tellers and save adult, side conversations for later.

*Late admittance will be at the discretion of the storyteller.  If you do enter late, please wait until the story is finished before coming into the room.

*Action and movement is a-ok for our younger story time groups. Prolonged screaming, however, is harder for the group dynamic and the story teller. If your child needs a moment to settle down, please step out of the room and re-enter when they calm down.

Have fun!

Books In Brief: The Locked Garden

Reviewer: Michele

The name of the book being recommended: The Locked Garden by Gloria Whelan

Please give us five reasons why this book is awesome:

1. Did you see the title? Mysterious gardens are always intriguing (see The Secret Garden, etc.).

2. It's historical fiction. Which is awesome. Well, if you like historical fiction, that is.

3. The characters become richer and more complex as you get further into the story.

4. It describes mental illnesses in a way that is personal, interesting, and compassionate, and gives the reader insight into how such illnesses and their treatments were viewed 100 years ago (hint: quite differently, for the most part).

5. As with all of Whelan's books, the writing is gentle and intelligent, yet always accessible, and strong female characters are the norm.

How can I find this book in the library? It can be found in the Children's Department, in fiction, under the call number j WHE, and it is recommended for ages 9+. At 166 pages, this is a relatively quick read, so if you want to find other good books by Gloria Whelan in the collection, start with Homeless Bird, which won the National Book Award, Angel On the Square, and The Impossible Journey. Ms. Whelan also writes for teens, and we have those books in the YA section.

Volunteers Needed!

Are you age 13 or older? Do you like putting things in order? Hunting for lost items? Creating craft samples? Reading and reviewing books? Are you interested in seeing what it's like to work in a library? Are you free at least two hours per week? Then please keep reading.....

Volunteering in the Children's Department is not just a summertime event. We can use volunteer help all year long. Opportunities during the school year include:

• Circulation: including, but not always limited to: emptying the outside book drops; checking in items; sorting items for shelving; taking full book carts upstairs.
• Shelving: including, but not always limited to: shelving j fiction, jE fiction and readers, graphics, folk tales, and media; pulling books for withdrawal and display; finding books on the shelf using paging slips.
• Adopt-a-Shelf: adopting a particular subject or section and keeping it in alphabetical or numerical order; pulling books for display; alerting staff to books that are out of date, worn, or damaged.
• Reviewer: reading books from the collection and writing brief reviews for our social media sites (blog, Goodreads, Facebook); volunteer must able to submit at least two reviews per month.
• Program Assistant: Nice Threads (for applicants who have experience with needle work): setting up for the program; assisting children ages 8+ with independent needle work projects; cleaning up after the program (must be available first and third Thursdays from 4:00-5:30 pm starting September 20).
• Program Assistant: LEGO Club: setting up for the program; supervising children ages 7-12 during the program; cleaning up after the program (must be available second and fourth Thursdays from 4:00-5:30 pm starting September 27).

Benefits of volunteering include:

• your own library card
• canvas book bag (while supplies last)
• seeing new titles as soon as they come in
• free rentals on DVDs, video games, and audio books
• no overdue fines (although volunteers are still responsible for replacing any lost/damaged items)
• school/church/scout community service credits
• discovering how a pubic library works from the inside out
• the undying gratitude of library staff

If you are interested in volunteering, please print out the application and drop it off in the Children's Department (or mail it to the address on the application). Questions? Please contact Michele at 610.688.7092 x214 or mbolay@ccls.org. We hope to see you at the library this year!

PAWS returns to Tredyffrin Library!

That's right - your favorite four-legged friends are back this fall at Tredyffrin Public Library. Sign up for PAWS for Reading and practice reading aloud to Jack and Beau, who will be here on October 6, November 3, and December 1. (All dates are Saturdays.)

Our friend, Beau.

Reading to well-trained, gentle therapy pets in a one-on-one setting is a great way for emerging or struggling readers to gain confidence. The program is aimed at children ages 5-12, but all independent readers are welcome.

The PAWS program does require registration; sign-ups for the October session will begin September 17. Please call 610-688-7092 for more details.

Family and Wee Ones Story Time Continue

Miss Angie will continue with the Wee Ones Story Time (ages birth-15 months) at 9:30 am on Mondays and Family Story Time (ages 5 and under with an adult) at 10:30 am on Mondays and Thursdays.
No registration is required for these story times.

Books in Brief - Hawksmaid

Hawksmaid: The Untold Story of Robin Hood and Maid Marian by Kathryn Lasky
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

One part historical romance, one part origin story, and one part magic, Hawksmaid is a prequel to the Robin Hood legend as told by Matty, the girl who will grow up to be Maid Marian.

All the familiar elements are here - the wicked Prince John, the Merry Men stealing from the rich to give to the poor. What's new is Matty's vocation as a falconer, a person who trains birds of prey. It's a twist that plays out in a fantastical third act as Matty goes on a mission for king and country.

For ages 10 and up.

View all my reviews

Out with a bang.

And like that - summer reading was over.

Thanks to everyone who joined us Friday afternoon at our end of summer reading party. We hope everyone enjoyed rocking out to the sounds of Groove, and even more importantly, that you had a good summer full of reading.

If you weren't able to join us at the party, you can still collect your end-of-summer prize anytime the library is open over the next two weeks. Just be sure to bring your dream journal or passport with you.

If you did join us and still need to pick up your rockstar photo (like the awesome one pictured to your right), we will also be keeping those at the children's desk for the next two weeks.

The children's department will be taking a short break from our programming to prepare for fall, but we will still be having our twice-weekly Family Storytimes every Monday and Thursday at 10:30am for children 5 and under and their grown-ups. (And look for the return of another popular program in a few weeks...)

Enjoy the rest of your summer, and keep reading!

Best. Random. Question. Ever.

Hey, all. Miss Angela here. There are times when I wish I could share with you all the absolutely priceless moments in my day as your children's librarian. Today I finally realized, wait! We have a blog. Let the sharing commence!

Last week was my final week of reading stories to the children at the Tredyffrin Township day camp this summer, and I tried to build a little extra time into each session for Q&A.

Some of the questions I got were about the book I'd just read. Some were about summer reading. Was it still going on? Could they still sign up? (Yes, and yes.) One girl asked me what my favorite book was. (Currently, my favorite picture book is Extra Yarn.)

But one group was utterly silent. I asked if they had any questions about the book. Blank stares. About summer reading? Nothing. About the library? Dead silence. (Which is difficult to do outdoors.) About me?

Finally, one girl raised her hand. "Do you dye your hair that color?"

Books in Brief: Breaking Stalin's Nose

Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A quick read about a young boy's reversal of fortune over the course of only two days in Stalinist Russia.

When the book begins, Sasha is a happy 10-year-old, devoted to his father and to the Communist regime. When his father is arrested, everything changes, and slowly Sasha begins to question the system he used to believe in so completely.

Author Eugene Yelchin paints a deceptively simple and very effective picture of a police state whose citizens - even its children - are encouraged to inform on each other or lie to implicate the innocent. And even though the book doesn't have what I'd call a happy ending, we leave Sasha with at least one person who is kind.

View all my reviews

Reading and Read-To-Me Clubs End Thursday, August 9!

1. The last day to stamp your Dream Journal or Read-To-Me Chart is Thursday, August 9. The library closes at 9:00, so please be at the Reading Club table by 8:30 pm so that we have time to help you. The Reading Club Table will not be open on Friday, August 10.

2. The party for the participants in the Reading and Read-To-Me Clubs (Groove Rockstar Event) will be on Friday, August 10 at 3:00. Registration is not necessary, but since this event is only open to summer participants, you MUST bring your stamped Dream Journal with you to gain admittance. We will have the Read-To-Me binder at the door for members of that club to claim their completed charts and use them for admission. Just a reminder that attendees under the age of 6 must be accompanied and closely supervised by an adult.

3. The Final Prize Store for participants in the Reading Club only will open during the Groove Rockstar Event, and will remain open in the Children's Department through Friday, August 24 at 6:00 pm. You MUST bring your stamped Dream Journal to claim your final prize. One prize per Reading Club member. Read-To-Me members received weekly prizes and are therefore not eligible for store prizes.


4. If you have any questions, please direct them to either Angela or Michele. Thank you!

Lego Club

Just a reminder that Lego club will set sail for the last time this summer this Friday, August 3 at 1pm. But don't worry, Lego Club will be back again this fall. Check back for more details!

Upper Gulph Road Closure

Hey, all. Just a quick note to let everyone know that even though portions of Upper Gulph Road are closed starting today, July 30, the library will still be open.

If you're coming for a program, please do allow yourself extra drive time, as it's possible you may be detoured.

Review: See You at Harry's

See You at Harry's by Jo Knowles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First things first. This book made me cry like a baby. It is the Steel Magnolias of middle grade fiction.

When we meet 12-year-old Fern, she is just about to start middle school. She has some average-type problems - parents that can be embarrassing, siblings that can be annoying, a friend whom she might have a crush on, and the worst bus driver ever. But all of that changes about halfway through the book when her average-type problems are eclipsed by a devastating accident that blindsides the whole family.

(Side note: It also blindsided me. I was lured by the ice cream cover into thinking this was a lighthearted romp. Which is what I get for not reading the inside flap.)

Author Jo Knowles does an amazing job here. The characters are well-developed and Fern's often conflicted perspective is right on. I love the way the siblings have each other's backs, and how there are still moments of levity even as the characters are struggling to come to terms with their grief.

This book might not be for everyone. It is not a lighthearted romp. But it has such a healing touch and is so emotionally honest that I'd definitely recommend it.

View all my reviews

Save the date... for the dark side.

Yes, even those who have been seduced by the dark side use the library. Join your favorite Star Wars villains on Sunday, September 9 from 1:30-3:30pm for an afternoon of trivia, photo opportunities, and of course, free stuff! (Get the flyer!)

Tickets will be available, first-come first-serve, to the first 130 attendees on the day of the event, starting when the library opens at 1pm. When the tickets run out, no other attendees will be admitted. However, you may join the characters outside the library after the trivia portion of the program for photos.

Photo from Wookieepedia

Climate control

Hey, all. Just a quick note to let you know that the air conditioning in the children's department is a bit, shall we say, overzealous today? If you're planning to visit us, it might not be a bad idea to make like Mister Rogers and bring a sweater.

With great facial hair comes great responsibility.

Fake Mustache by Tom Angleberger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Could a seventh grade kid seize the United States presidency just by wearing a fake mustache? Well, he might be able to, if his mustache was good enough. And the Heidelberg Handlebar #7 is definitely good enough.

Can his best friend stop him before he goes too far? Maybe, with the help of teen cowgirl queen Jodie O'Rodeo and her wonder horse, Soymilk.

(And yes, Soymilk might have been my favorite name in the whole book.)

Brought to you by the man who gave us the Origami Yoda series, Fake Mustache is a hilarious cautionary tale about the power of facial hair.



View all my reviews

Movie Monday - Fingers Crossed!

Hey, all. Due to a significant flood in the library on Friday, Movie Monday will not be held upstairs in the Large Meeting Room today.

As many of you know, we've been having some trouble with the DVD player in the Tyler Hedges Room, but we'll take a chance on it today, so meet us there at 1pm for today's movie! (With your fingers crossed!)

Movie Monday will Meet in Large Meeting Room

Due to technical difficulties in the Tyler Hedges Room we will be showing Monday's Movies upstairs in the Large Meeting Room.

Same time 1:00 pm.

You may collect your ticket at the door starting at 12:30.
Please see the flyer at the Children's Desk for a list of upcoming movies.