Mother Goose Day

Not only is today the first day of May but it is also Mother Goose Day! Most of us grew up reciting these wonderful nursery rhymes and tales and today we share our love of them with our children, endlessly singing Jack and Jill, Farmer in the Dell, and Hey, Diddle Diddle, just to name a few.


Spend the day celebrating Mother Goose by visiting your local library and reliving your childhood by sharing these memories with your child.

Crafts are always a great way to add to the celebration. Visit mothergoose.com for coloring pages and crafts.

http://www.mothergoose.com/index.htm





posted by Josephine

E.L. Konigsburg

This past weekend we lost one of the "greats" of children's literature.

E.L. Konigsburg penned several books for young readers, including "From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler".  The book features the story of two siblings hiding away at the Metropolitan Museum of Art over night in order to solve a mystery!  Today, the MET features a special map at the museum information counter, that allows fans of Konigsburg's book to follow in the footsteps of protagonists, Claudia and Jamie.

"From the Mixed up Files..." won Konigsburg a Newbery award, which was followed up 29 years later with a second Newbury for "A View from Saturday".

She will live on forever within the pages of her books!

-Posted by Miss Jessikah

National Haiku Poetry Day

In the heart of April, National Poetry Month, we celebrate the genre of haiku -- a form of poetry whose origins date back a millennium in Japan.

Here are some samples:

From the Hound Dog's Haiku and Other Poems for Dog Lovers by Michael J. Rosen

dozing, paws outstretched,
you soar across cloud-pillows
superhero dreams








From Spring:  A Haiku Story selected by George Shannon


Spring rain:
Everything just grows
More beautiful








If you are inspired to write your very own haiku, check out this link for a haiku starter to help you along:

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/printouts/30697_haiku.pdf

Posted by Sue Ann

Grow Your Own Garden

 Do you want to start a garden this spring but aren't sure where to begin?  Not to worry it's easy, fun and rewarding!  First thing is to decide on what type of garden you want to have such as a vegetable, fruit or herb garden or maybe a combination.
 Next you might want to ask an adult to drive you to your local store and purchase some of your favorite seeds.  With their assistance in planting you will be amazed to watch the garden grow from seeds and dirt into full plants, and finally dinner for the whole family!

Books that are available in your library:

Our Organic Garden by Precious McKenzie

Explains what organic gardening is, how to start an organic garden, and how organic gardening benefits the earth.

Growing a Garden by Mari Schuh

Getting started -- Preparing and planting -- Watering and weeding -- Picking time









                                                                                                                                                                               

In My Garden: A Child's Gardening Book by Helen & Kelly Oechsli

A general guide to beginning gardening, with specific instructions for growing beans, carrots, lettuce, peppers, and other vegetables.







by Josephine