We Bend Over Backwards For You

Over the last few weeks we have been doing some housekeeping here in the Children's Room. We are going through the shelves and making room for new books, organizing our books, making repairs, and getting reaquainted with our collection, among other things. While doing this, a fellow librarian (Amy) made a unique discovery. Books on the bottom shelves just are not going out much. This is not surprising, since it requires one to bend down to the floor to browse. Only our smallest patrons could do that with ease... and they are probably the ones who still can't read!

This prompted our first ever "Books From the Bottom Shelf" display. With so many wonderful authors in the simply unlucky position of being stuck on the bottom shelf, we decided to create an eye-level display just for them. Here are few you no longer have to bend down to enjoy:

Lizzy and Skunk by Marie Louise Fitzpatrick : Lizzy and her puppet Skunk have lots of adventures all while Lizzy faces her fears.

Utterly Otterly Day by Mary Casanova: Little Otter likes to play and thinks he's big enough to take care of himself. He learns that it's always good to have someone you love looking out for you (no matter how big you are).

Seamore, The Very Forgetful Porpoise by Darcie Edgemon: Seamore can't remember a thing. This is a huge problem for him, especially when he runs into a killer whale! What will Seamore do?

-Posted by Nadine

A Book's Best Friend

It’s no secret. I love dogs (and books, too!). History has shown that books and dogs often make a winning combination. Just recently, a wonderful book was published entitled Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle by Brian Dennis. It’s a story about the friendship between an Iraqi dog of war and an American Marine, how they were separated and how they came together again. It is powerful and moving, all the more so for taking place in the harsh circumstances of war. As I read it (through tears, I must admit), I could not help but think of my own sweet dog—a faithful friend who always, always knows how to lift my spirits and brighten my day. And so, as a tribute to him and all the beloved dogs who enrich our days and fill our lives and without whom the world would be a bleaker place, I dedicate this list of favorite dog stories (rest assured, they all have happy endings!):

Lucky Boy by Susan Boase:

A neglected dog digs his way out of an unhappy home and brings love and companionship to a lonely, elderly widower.

Riptide by Frances Ward Weller

Based on a true story of a dog who loved the beach and the ocean (despite the No Dogs Allowed signs) and who becomes an unofficial but dedicated lifeguard.

Togo by Robert J. Blake
A gripping tale based on the historic serum run of 1925 and of the brave dog who led his team through the Arctic icelands to save Alaska from an outbreak of diphtheria.

I saved my favorite for last:

Orville: A Dog Story by Haven Kimmel

From the book jacket--This is the story about a big, ugly dog named Orville, who can see into people’s hearts and smell their dreams. It’s a story about lonesomeness, about barking, about getting free from chains, and about love.

And finally, a quote from Groucho Marx:
Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.

Posted by Sue Ann

Books, Books, Books!

New books are always arriving at the Syosset Public Library. You will find the latest books from your favorite authors on our "New Book" display. Don't forget if you are looking for something that you don't see you can always ask the children's librarians for help. We are always excited to help our fellow readers!!

Here are some great new books that you will find on display this week:

Runaway Twin by Peg Kehret.

Thirteen-year-old Sunny, accompanied by a stray dog, takes advantage of a windfall to travel from her Nebraska foster home to Enumclaw, Washington, to find the twin sister from whom she was separated at age three.

100% Wolf by Jayne Lyons.

At the time of his first transformation, a young werewolf of noble and proud ancestry, is driven from his pack when, instead of turning into a fierce wolf, he changes into a little black poodle.

Tell Me Who by Jessica Wollman

Two sixth grade girls are obsessed with fortune telling discover a machine that tells them who they and anyone else will marry.

Rich: A Dyamonde Daniel Book by Nikki Grimes

Free is excited about a local poetry contest because of its cash prize, but when he and Dyamonde befriend a classmate who is homeless and living in a shelter, they rethink what it means to be rich or poor.

Posted by Josephine

A Pirate's Life for me!

While most of our young patrons were enjoying the benefits of a Saturday Halloween, (more time for trick-or-treating!) I was manning the desk in our Children's Room in full costume.

Halloween is a great holiday to let your imagination run wild and be whomever you wish for just 24 hours. Now, as a librarian and a history lover I chose to be none other than the infamous Irish Pirate Queen, Grace O'Malley.

Grace (or Grainne Ni Mhaille as she was known to her people) was the daughter of a sea fairing chieftain who grew to command fleets of pirates! Her legendary exploits included confronting Queen Elizabeth I herself when several members of her family were captured by the British.

The story goes that the Queen of England was so impressed by the Pirate Queen, that Elizabeth negotiated a release of the prisoners.

Whether you choose to become a spooky ghost or a character from your favorite movie, there is always a story behind every costume! And that's another thing I love best about Halloween.

In other news, today marks the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street! It may be hard to believe, but we have been welcoming Big Bird, Bert, Ernie, Cookie Monster and many other friends into our hearts and living rooms for four decades. With an ever expanding cast of Muppets and a talent for putting an educational spin on fun we can look forward to many more "sunny days."

Posted by Miss Jessikah