Hazy, Lazy, Fishy Daze of Summer

Guest blogger and library fish extraordinaire, Gordon-Bob Splash

I overheard Nadine say that it's Week 6 of summer reading. Up until last week, I saw a lot of excellent things happening in the library. Lately, I haven't seen as much. Things have been a bit...well...hazy. I'll explain about the haze later, but first let me tell you what I have seen...

Summer Reading has been in full swing. There's been raffle prizes and colorful stickie-dots, slap bracelets and beach balls, and lots and lots of smiling kids (some with fake mustaches) reading lots and lots of books!! As a matter of fact, it's been 4,032 books so far. Outstanding! There's also been tons of great programs like Malibu Tile Craft, Lego Club, Story Time, Baby Boogie, and Fishy Backpack (my favorite) with more programs every week. It is really something to see here in the Children's Room....

Ehem...which brings me to my recent issue "seeing"... Well, many of you have noticed that my tank looks a bit hazy. My water has taken on a peculiar green hue making it difficult for me to see out. It's also giving me bit of a headache. :-( Amy and Catherine have worked very hard to clean my tank, replace the filter, and change the water, but still I remain in a hazy state. Hmmm.... I can't figure it out. If anyone is a fishy-expert and might have advice on how to enhance my view, please stop on by and let one of the librarians know. They are taking suggestions!

Happy Splashy Reading!

- Posted by (a foggy feeling) Gordon-Bob Splash

Something's Fishy Here....

- Guest blogger, "The Fish"

Wow. What a totally bizarre week I've had! One minute I was in a teeny-tiny glass bowl and then suddenly.... kerplunk! I dove head first into the most beautiful, most colorful, roomiest tank I could have ever imagined! I have no idea where I am, but there's a treasure chest and some big green leaves I like to hide in. Outside my luxurious tank I see happy, smiling faces, a palm tree, and lots and lots of.. well... I think they're called books.

It is now Day 3 here in my new digs and it looks as if I'm here to stay. I sure hope so!! I love it! The only thing left that I need is a name. A few of those nice, smiling ladies at the desk call me, "you-who" and "fishy-fish", but those aren't real names. I want a real good fish name and I hope some of the little people who've come to look at me can help pick one for me. There's a jar that reads "Name Our Fish", so I guess there will be lots to choose from!

Well, I'm hungry so I'm going to search for some fish food around here. Miss Amy is very attentive to my fish needs.

Please stop in and say hi and be sure to check out my new home when you check out those books!

-Posted by "Fish"

Lights, Camera.... Action!

It seems as if Hollywood has discovered what our little readers (and their librarians) have known for quite sometime. Children's books are full of great, original and exciting adventures. Many fabulous stories are coming to film this year. What better way to make summer reading worthwhile than tying it into an upcoming feature film?

2009 will bring some blockbuster hits to the big screen that are all based upon childhood book favorites. Of course there is the long awaited return of our favorite boy wizard, Harry, in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince opening on July 15. Feeling hungry? How about a 3D trip to the town of Chewandswallow? Judi Barrett's delicious tale, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs opens September 18. And who can forget that devilish little imp we all love, Max, in Maurice Sendak's Where The Wild Things Are?

Stop by the Children's Room and grab some exciting soon-to-be movie titles .

Let the wild reading rumpus start!

It's Here!!!

The Be Creative @ Your Library summer reading program has started registration this week. Come on down and sign up at the children's desk. There are great prizes, fun programs, and lots to do at your library this summer. :-)

We look forward to seeing you!

Picture Your Summer

Our exciting summer reading club, Be Creative @ Your Library, kicks off on Monday, June 22 with continuous registration through Friday, August 7. We are thrilled to begin another fun summer chock full of programs, events, and great books. Come on in and see what's in store. Check out this great video about the summer reading program:


In between reading and recording all those fantastic books, children entering grades 2 through 5 will have a chance to participate in our first ever Picture Your Summer photo contest. For more information, come in and ask a librarian for a flyer. All participating contest photos will be displayed in the Children's Room.

Summer registrations are beginning. Please watch for registration dates and remember that registration is in person. We look forward to seeing you.

Happy Summer!

Summer Reading Anxiety

As school winds down, children are already dreaming of the lazy days of summer. There is swimming, the beach, camp, etc... but there's also those homework-free nights for TV and video games. Reading just doesn't seem to be considered "summertime fun" for many kids despite the list of books that they are required to read before September. For parents, encouraging reading can be an enormous challenge, especially for the parent of the reluctant reader.

Thankfully, there are emerging genres of literature, such as the graphic novel, which offer descriptive text in a variety of reading levels, relatable storylines, and exciting visual illustrations. In the Children's Room, our collection of graphic novels is constantly expanding. We have graphic versions of favorites such as Nancy Drew, Coraline, Star Wars, Goosebumps, Owly and the Bone series. For those who might prefer non-fiction, there is the wonderful autobiography To Dance, by Siena Cherson Siegel. Visit the Kids Comicon site for this year's award winners.

Be sure to stop in and see a librarian for more exciting graphic novel titles and other reader recommendations.

Just Imagine...

"Imagine a place...
where you bend and sway,
leap and land,
right where a story begins." - From Imagine A Place, by Sarah L. Thompson


One of the most exciting things about being around children's books is realizing that many of them are not just for children. Many picture books in our collection are filled with meaningful themes that challenge even the most sophisticated adult mind. Some are rich with poetic verse and others with fantastical humor. They make you stop. Think. Laugh. Cry. Remember.

Our theme for summer reading is Be Creative. And, don't let that fool you. Being creative is not just for kids. In these challenging times we, as adults, are having to be creative in many ways: with finances, family time, and even summer vacation plans. Sometimes it's nice to be reminded of where our own free minds can take us. In the exquisit children's book Imagine A Place, author Sarah L. Thomson's poetic text combined with the gorgeous illustrations of Rob Gonsalves, remind us of the creative powers of the imaginary.

If you can imagine a place. You can go there.


Come on in and ask a librarian for other children's titles you'll love just as much as (maybe more than) your kids.

We look forward to seeing you!

Get Ready... Get Set... Get Creative!

By now you've received your library newsletter and can see all the wonderful activities and fun events we have planned for summer. Whether it's storytime or Lego building, chess or wire sculpting, the Children's Room has something for everyone. Please check the calendar for registration dates. The theme for our summer reading club is Be Creative @ Your Library. The reading club is for ages 3 1/2 through Grade 5. Continuous registration begins June 22 though August 7, 2009.

Congratulations as well to Jeff Kinney's book Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which won the 2009 3 Apples Book Award. Thank you to all who stopped by to vote!

We look forward to seeing you. Happy reading!