Grow Your Own Garden Today!

Spring has finally arrived! There is already a faint smell of it in the air and the winter chill is slowly fading away. With Spring, comes the preparations for the growing season and lots of early planting, so why not start your own garden today. Just think of all the great yummy vegetables or beautiful flowers that will bloom within the next couple of months. You can also keep a garden journal for your garden that way you know what you planted this year, what your favorite plant is, and what you would do differently next year. To find out more great planting ideas and flowers of different season come take a look at our garden section in the Children's Room. Happy Planting!!

The Kids Can Press Jumbo Book of Gardening

Kids Garden! : the anytime, anyplace guide to sowing & growing fun

Garden

Gardening Wizardry for Kids

Posted by Josephine

Not your Grandmother's Fairy Tales

Fairy tales, like so many other types of classic literature, have shaped the way stories are told today. While the Walt Disney Company has taken popular Grimm's titles such as Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty and added their own magic to the tales, many children's authors have done the same using popular story elements found in fairytales. Here are some of my favorites.

Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris

A young man named Christian is found abandoned and raised by a kind forest troll. As Christian grows into a young man he falls in love with the unhappy Princess Marigold from afar. The two begin communication through messenger pigeons (or "p-mail") and Marigold tells Christian of her cruel Stepmother, the evil Queen who is plotting to dispose of Marigold and her kind father the King.

The story is full of comedy, romance and adventure and is highlu recommended. There is even a sequel, "Twice Upon a Marigold" which revists the characters and the fun.

The Key to Rondo by Emily Rodda

A fun adventure story which follows the story of two opposites.

Mild and responsible Leo Landlanger inherits an enchanted music box from his eccentric aunt. His impulsive outcast of a cousin, Mimi breaks the rules set for playing the music box they are pulled into the world of Rondo, where THEY are the fairy tales. When the evil Blue Queen kidnaps Mimi's dog Mutt, the cousins must work together to discover who they can trust and how to get home from Rondo.

With a nod to The Wizard of Oz and many other fairy tales and nursery rhymes, Rodda takes her readers on a fun ride which will leave them clamouring to return to Rondo as soon as the last page is turned. Luckily the second book, The Wizard of Rondo is already on the shelf, so they won't have to wait too long.

The Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley

Daphne and Sabrina Grimm go to live with their grandmother Relda only to discover they are decendents of The Brothers Grimm! Even more exciting is when the sisters realize that all the characters from the Fairy Tales (called the Everafters) live in their Grandmother's neighborhood!
But all is not starlight and fairydust in their new home. Someone has unleashed a horrible giant upon the town and it is up to Daphne and Sabrina to solve the mystery. Several sequels follow.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

While Beauty and the Beast is a well known fairy tale, "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" is a lesser known, "sister tale" of sorts. " Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow", takes this tale and fleshes it out. A young girl without a name is taken to an enchanted kingdom of ice where a white bear promises her family will find wealth if she stays as his guest. As the girl stays she finds herself endeared to the Bear and befriends the many enchanted servants in the castle. However she soon discovers that she is the key to breaking a spell which holds her companions captive. I especially love this tale because it features a young lady who rescues her prince! Check out the authors other books as well.

Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale.

While everyone knows the story of the girl with the long hair waiting for a prince to climb it, this graphic novel takes the fairy tale and sets it in the Wild West! Rapunzel had been raised in luxery by the evil Mother Gothel. When she discovers Gothel had kidnapped her from a simple peasant woman, Rapunzel rebels causing Gothel to punish her by locking her in a high tree. Not one to sit and wait for her prince to come, fiery Rapunzel escapes boldly learning to use her long braids as lassos. She meets up with Jack (of Beanstalk fame) and the two of them embark on a fast paced adventure where they use their skills to defeat Gothel and rescue Rapunzel's mother and the townsfolk who have been terrorized by Rapunzel's captor for years. And yes, fans of Jack, there is a sequel!

-Posted by Miss Jessikah

National Craft Month

Do you love to scrapbook or make jewelry? Have you been meaning to learn how to crochet or knit? If you or your child love to craft or are thinking about taking up a craft or hobby then this is the month for you! The Craft and Hobby Association designated March National Craft Month. The Children's Room offers a variety of craft books for every level of crafting expertise.

Here are just a few:

Check out Crayola's page dedicated to National Craft Month for some easy and fun tips and ideas.


Don't forget...we're having Family Craft Day on Tuesday, April 6 from 2-4 PM. Families with children ages 3 and up can drop in and make fun crafts, while supplies last. No registration required.

Posted by: Amy

Think YOU Can Be A Librarian?

Why not give it a try? A fun and funny online matching game (with a not so true to life representation of a librarian.)

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

I don't know anyone who doesn't love Dr. Seuss. His wonderfully fluid poetry and quirky illustrations have been entertaining children and their parents for decades, and probably always will. On the occasion of his 106th birthday, I found myself reflecting on my favorite Dr. Seuss books and characters. My earliest memories are The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins , Yertle the Turtle and Green Eggs and Ham. And, while I have great affection for Horton and the irrepressible Cat in the Hat, it is the crotchety, cantankerous Grinch who stole my heart, as well as Christmas. Exactly the kind of character I find most endearing--devious, dastardly, downright despicable, but in the end, not such a bad guy after all.




So, stop by the Children's Room and share a Seussian memory. Check out our display and pick up a bookmark (while they last).
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! The Cat lives on...



Posted by Sue Ann