A summer of family movies sure to make waves!

The summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, go to a park, a beach, the pool and of course your local library for this year’s upcoming Summer Reading Club “Make a Splash, Read”! Of course there are many other things to get excited about when the sun climbs higher in the sky and the days grow longer. The summer means BBQ's with friends and family (YUM!), fireworks on the fourth of July (WOW!) and the numerous blockbuster movies that Hollywood has been saving to entertain us.
Here are a few children’s movies that should be fun for the whole family.

TOY STORY 3- June 18th marks the opening of Toy Story 3. The first two films in this series captured the hearts and imaginations of adults and children alike. Sure to display the same attention to detail and dynamite animation, Pixar brings the story of Woody, Buzz and their family of toys full circle when their beloved “child” Andy grows up and leaves for college! Donated to a Day Care center it seems as if Andy has no need of his childhood toys and the lively cast of characters must adapt to their heart breaking new situation. While the plot sounds depressing, sound bites of a young adult Andy declaring that Woody and Friends are more than just toys reassures us that our fondness for our childhood doesn’t have to fade when adulthood looms. I suspect a sweet reunion will bring this trilogy to a worthy close, after all how can Andy forget all that his toys have meant to him?


THE LAST AIRBENDER- Opening July 2nd is THE LAST AIRBENDER, although most fans of the critically acclaimed animated T.V. series (and I am one of them) know the original title for the film was changed from, “Avatar: The Last Airbender” to avoid confusion with 2009’s blockbuster of a similar name. The story is set in a fantasy world where many of its inhabitants are gifted with the ability to “bend” the elements using martial arts skills based on various forms of Kung Fu. The story’s hero Aang is the last of the Airbenders, woken from an accidental hibernation which froze him in a glacier for 100 years. When Aang is discovered and rescued by two siblings (one of them a Waterbender) he realizes the world he had known has been destroyed as the nation of Fire and their Firebending armies have conquered and enslaved most of Earth and Water Nation and completely destroyed the world of Air. But Aang is more than just the last of the Airbenders, he is also the Avatar, a being with the ability to master all four elements and bring peace to the nations. While I have some personal concerns about the film as a fan of the original series, the special effects and martial arts look stellar. I also suggest renting the animated series from the library if you have not yet seen it.

DESPICABLE ME- Opening July 9th tells the story of Gru, a deplorable villain who lives with an evil lair hidden underneath his house in an unsuspecting suburban town. Gru has been plotting evilly to perform the greatest most evil heist the world has ever known; to steal the Moon itself from the sky. With the help of his small army of loyal minions, a few freeze rays and an evil laugh it seems nothing could stop Gru from his sinister aspirations. Nothing but a trio of orphans who see Gru as more than just a villain, but a potential father! Will Gru fulfill his wishes and carryout his fiendish plans or will he give in to Margo, Edith and Agnes and abandon his devious ways for a happy home life? With Steve Carell as the voice of Gru and smooth looking animation, this film’s giddy trailer looks like it will deliver the laughs and capture more than the Moon but the hearts of its audience.

RAMONA AND BEEZUS- Opening July 23rd is a welcome addition to this blog post as it is based on the popular book series by Beverly Cleary. The story follows grade school age, Ramona Quimby and her older sister Beezus (played by Selena Gomez) as they explore the trials and tribulations of sisterly love and sibling rivalry. Along with some of Cleary’s other characters such as Henry Huggins, this film looks like it will appeal to younger children, a solid “tween” audience and maybe even those adults who have been fans of Ramona since their own childhood. So if you are looking for a family film without the action and effects that summer brings, this could be just the ticket.


Of course these are only previews of some of the many child and family friendly films appearing on screens this summer. Will they live up to their hype? That is up to the audiences to judge. Don’t forget the Syosset Public Library also has a plethora of films in the children’s room available to rent and show on your own small screen. So if these are not your cup of tea there are plenty of choices from summers past to rent and watch indoors on a rainy day.

-Posted by Miss Jessikah

It's true! Non-fiction is not fake.

There's always this confusion when a youngster is confronted with my question, "Do you want fiction or non-fiction?" It's baffling to little minds (and some bigger ones too).

Non-fiction is not fiction. It is a true account of a person, place, thing or event. Fiction =fake. Non-fiction= Not fake. That's how I learned to remember it as kid.

I love to read non-fiction because I like learning new things or even just learning more about something I am interested in (like history). Luckily for me we've gotten a lot of new non-fiction (not-fake) books in here in the Childrens' Room. There is the True Stories series which includes The Story Behind Oil and The Story Behind Chocolate (yum!). There's the Community Connections How Did That Get To My House series which has different volumes on mail, telephone, internet, etc.. There's the Disaster Survivor series that explains the science of weather and natural disasters (cool!). There's Slim Goodbody's Life Skills that deals with bullying and social relationships. The subjects are endless and age ranges from young readers up through middle school.

But my favorite new series is titled Amazing Decades in Photos. (Ironically the catalog doesn't show the cover art photos so here it is on the publisher's website.) These volumes start with the 1900's and proceed decade through decade to 2000's. What I like most about them is that they cover a vast amount of events in 20th century history in a clear and concise way. Bonnie and Clyde. The Dust Bowl. Comic Books. It also has tons of amazing photographs!

Visit our new book display to see more of the many exciting non-fiction (not fake) books you have yet to discover!

-Posted by Nadine

Children's Book Week

Children’s Book Week all began with the idea that children’s books can change lives. In 1913, Franklin K. Matthiews, the librarian of the Boy Scouts of America, began touring the country to promote higher standards in children's books (at the same time helping elderly people cross the street as well as other splendid things Boy Scouts do). He proposed creating a Children's Book Week, which would be supported by all interested groups: publishers, booksellers, and librarians. Children’s Book Week was established in 1919 and continues to this day.

I’ve been thinking about the books that I read and loved as a child. Books have always been a big part of my life—I remember walking with my mother to the bookmobile every week. They opened up wonderful worlds for a very shy, quiet child and introduced some remarkable people. They had the power to brighten bleak and lonely days. I’ve listed some favorites that are still on the shelves. And, just so you don’t think I’m stuck in the past, I’ve included an excellent recent title that I very much enjoyed:

Bread and Jam for Frances by Lillian Hoban

Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton

Silver Chief to the Rescue by Jack O'Brien

The Big Swim by Cary Fagan
When his parents send him to summer camp for the first time, Ethan has just three goals. First, to survive. Second, not to be hated. Third, not to be the worst at anything.

Please check out the link for Children’s Book Week from the Children’s Book Council http://www.bookweekonline.com/ for some fun stuff. This week in the library, we have a bookmark that you can make as well as some wordsearch puzzles. Drop in and tell us about your favorite children’s book--we'd love to hear from adults as well as children.

Posted by Sue Ann

Beep! Beep! May is Transportation Month!

Cars and trains, trucks and planes...May is transportation month! Come on in and pick a book from our transportation themed display.

-Posted by Nadine

Happy Mother's Day

It is traditional for many countries around the world to celebrate mother's day on the second Sunday of May. On this day we show our thanks to our mothers for their wonderful warmth and care. Whether it be a special gift made from the heart or one from a store, a homemade dinner or going out to a restaurant, we celebrate this special day by making mothers across the world feel special and loved. Why not include the Syosset library in your day of fun filled planning. Our mother's day display is filled with great read aloud books to share with mom, kid-friendly cookbooks to make a delicious treat, and coloring sheets to create a special piece of artwork just for mom. We also have a special mother's day certificate that you can give your mom for being the best mom in the world!!! So don't

forget to stop in and make this mother's day extra special this year.

Posted by Josephine