Wednesday, December 30, 2009

It's All Fun and Games @ The Library!

They're here....And you should be, too!! Video games are now available for loan in the Children's Room (and in TeenSpace)! Our collection has been jump started with fun, family-oriented (rated E for Everyone) games for Wii, PS2, PS3, and Xbox systems.

Gaming provides stories and information in a new format while enriching vocabulary and encouraging literacy activities. Simply put, you have to know how to read to know how to play. It is also a great way to try out new games (without the financial investment) like Madden NFL 10 or The Great Dinosaur Rescue, while having a little indoor fun on these blistery winter days.

And, if you're kids are new to the Wii system then perhaps they'd like to join us for our Wii Buddies program on Wednesday, Feb. 17 @ 2pm. Children in grades 1-5 will learn the ins and outs of Wii Sports with some help from our teen volunteers. Limited program registration begins on Feb. 3.

Children's video games are on loan to Syosset residents for seven days. There are no renewals and no holds. Click here for more information on the wonderful things gaming can bring to your library.

- posted by Nadine

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

In praise of winter

Winter in the Children’s Room includes such telltale signs as the requisite snowflake window clings, the winter-themed bookmarks (all gone already, sorry!), beautiful displays of holiday books, mitten nametags for our storytimes, and serious behind- the-scene preparations for the summer reading program.

I have a special attachment to winter. I was born in the very heart of the season, on a cold day with snow on the ground as my family “fondly” recalls. It is a season for reflection; thoughts turn inward as we turn indoors to keep warm and cozy. It is not a season to simply be endured, to be rushed through to the more favored spring and summer. It has its own magic; its own special, quiet beauty. I know that everyone is already weary of shoveling snow, icy roads, slushy pavements, gray skies and bitter cold. And yet, I feel compelled to defend this much-maligned season. I put together a list of my favorite things about winter and since it seems hypocritical to do this indoors where it’s comfortably warm, I’m donning my many layers of winter clothing to trudge outside in the slush and snow to sing winter’s praises (I hope winter appreciates this).
Here goes:

1. Snow days
2. Beautiful scenery
3. Winter holidays
4. Sledding
5. Snowmen
6. Angels in the snow
7. Snowball fights
8. Ice skating
9. Skiing
I think it’s starting to snow…..
10. Snowshoeing in the woods
… the wind is picking up….
11. the Super Bowl
…my fingers are turning blue…
12. the Winter Olympics
…I can no longer feel my feet…
13. Hot cocoa
...Hot cocoa?....

OK, I think I’ve had enough. I’m going back inside and let winter defend itself. I’m going to have some (you guessed it) hot cocoa and settle down with a good book. Here are a few of my old favorites (along with some newer, wintry titles):





The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson









The Witch Family by Eleanor Estes













Straight to the Pole by Kevin O'Malley









Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner








One final note, a quote from Ward Elliot Hour:
The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination.
Posted by Sue Ann

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

Registration for our exciting winter programs has started at the Syosset Public Library! Come on in and sign up for one, two, or as many of our fun and exciting programs as you'd like. We have classes for all different ages. Please keep in mind that these classes fill up very quickly so try to get here as early as possible. Here are a few of the programs we have coming up for 2010:





Programs & Registration Dates:

Storytime for tots (2 1/2-3 1/2 yr olds) December 14
Preschool Storytime (3 1/2-5 yr olds) December 14
Book Buddies (ages 3 1/2 - K) December 14
Creative Journaling (Grades K-2) December 15
Toddler Playtime (18-30 months) December 16
Lego Club (Grades 3-5) December 16
Snacks & Stories (Grades K-2) December 17
Baby & Me (newborn to 18 months) December 17
Martial Arts For Kids (Grades 2-5) December 19
Family Storytime (3-5 year olds) December 19
Chess Workshop (Grades 2-5) December 19



Hope to see you and your child/children soon!!



Posted by Josephine

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Books and cats, a Purr-fect pair.

Continuing with Miss Sue Ann's dog theme of a few weeks ago, I thought it may be fun to do an entry about some wonderful literary cats.

Famous author and illustrator Edward Gorey once was quoted, "Books. Cats. Life is good." And who could blame him? Most cat lovers know there is nothing better than curling up on a quiet afternoon with a good book and a purring kitty in your lap.

Here are a few of my favorite books about cats.

Dewey. There's a Cat in the Library! by Vicki Myron

Based on the true story of an abandoned kitten who became a library's mascot, Dewey is illustrated to look so soft and fluffy young readers (and their parents) will feel as if they can simply reach through the pages and pet him. Children will be overjoyed as Dewey wins the hearts of everyone in his new home and learns what it means to be a library cat.



Two Bobbies, a true story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival By Kirby Larson

This next book is also based on a true story and it is truly amazing. It tells the story of a dog and cat found wandering the streets together during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Both were rescued and named Bobbi due to the fact that both had bobbed tails. However, when the shelter attempted to put the two in different cages the true meaning of the pair's inseparable nature was revealed. Bobbi the cat was blind and Bobbi the dog appeared to serve as his seeing eye dog! The book ends with a note and picture of the real Bobbies. A touching tale not to be missed.




Cat Dreams by Ursula Le Guin

For lighter fare this story by Ursula Le Guin strives to give us a window into the adventures our cats have while they appear to be peacefully asleep. Cat Dreams assures its readers that while a cat may think herself a lioness in her dreams, she is always a kitten in our laps.


Bad Kitty gets a Bath by Nick Bruel


Probably one of the funniest and my favorite of all cat books, this is actually a chapter book that can be enjoyed by everyone from a reluctant reader to an avid book worm and cat lover. As anyone who has ever tried to bathe a cat knows, cats hate water. Author, Nick Bruel repeats this fact in numerous ways which include several of the most humorous illustrations I have ever seen. This step-by-step story subtly adds a few educational tidbits of information while preserving the fun of the story. Check it out. You will not regret it, though Bad Kitty will remain unamused throughout the tale.

Posted by Miss Jessikah

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Holiday Ponderings

Have you ever wondered How the Reindeer Got their Antlers or Where Teddy Bears Come From or why there was a Runaway Dreidel? If so, the answers can be found in one of our very many holiday picture books. Our Hanukkah and Christmas books are currently on display in the Children’s Room and will be replenished throughout the holiday season. From the classics to the new books, we have an abundance to choose from! Stop in and pick up a book or two and settle in for a warm, cozy night of reading with your children.




New For 2009:

Hanukkah Lights by David Martin
Candles on the menorah, ready to light! At Hanukkah, there are many much-anticipated rituals — latkes to eat, dreidels to spin, presents to give and receive, and shiny gold treats. Add some free-form fun, from shadow puppetry to singing and dancing, and you have a warm, truly child-friendly celebration.

Stick Man by Julia Donaldson
Stick Man ends up far away from his family tree when he is fetched by a dog, thrown by a child, used as a snowman's arm, and even put on a fire, but finally Santa Claus steps in to make sure that Stick Man and his family have a joyous Christmas.



The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup
When Jim's gingerbread pirate, Captain Cookie, comes alive, the tasty treat prepares to battle Santa Claus, who likes to eat cookies on Christmas Eve.




Classics:

Just Enough is Plenty by Barbara Diamond Goldin
With Hanukkah about to begin, Rivkeh is worried because her family is so poor, but when a poor stranger comes to the door, her generous family cannot turn him away.


The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore
The well-known poem about an important Christmas visitor.




The Polar Express by Chris van Allsburg
A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus.

Happy Holidays!

Posted by: Amy