December 31 New Year’s Eve

Make a resolution to visit your library often in 2016. See you next year!

December 26 Kwanzaa begins today.

Kwanzaa runs through January 1. This festival’s name means “first fruits of the harvest” in Swahili.  Explore the Seven Principals with Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture by Maulana Karenga.

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December 25 Merry Christmas!

December 24 Christmas Eve

Read aloud the classic poem The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clark Moore in this richly illustrated edition.

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December 22   Winter Solstice, 2015

Today’s Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Check out The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer.

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December 16    Big Bad Detective Agency by Bruce Hale

While he can’t claim to be totally innocent, Wolfgang (aka The Big Bad Wolf) isn’t happy to be accused of breaking in to Dieter, Martin and Hans Pig’s homes, trashing them, and eating all the food.  After all, he had spent the evening quietly at home reading a gardening book!  In order to save himself from a lifetime in the castle dungeon eating only porridge, Wolfgang has until sundown to bring the true culprit before the court.  Can he prove his claim of not guilty?   Will Ferkel, the youngest Pig brother, really be a help?  Featuring many favorite fairytale characters, readers will delight in the twists and turns this who-done-it takes.

Reviewed by Jennie Tuttle, formerly at Wickes Library

Recommended for grades 3-5

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December 12   Today is National Poinsettia Day.

Author/Illustrator Tomie de Paola tells the story of how the poinsettia flower came to be in The Legend of the Poinsettia.

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December 9      Lantern Sam and the Blue Streak Bandits by Michael D. Beil

 Ten- year-old Henry and his new friend Ellie are riding the Shoreliner from New York back home to Ohio when Ellie is kidnapped. Is she still on the train? And, if not, how did the kidnappers get her off the train? Henry, with the help of Clarence the Conductor and Clarence's amazing cat Lantern Sam set out to solve the mystery and to save Ellie. I loved Lantern Sam and the Blue Streak Bandits.  Such a fun mystery! 

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December 6     Happy Hanukkah!

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, begins today at sundown. Read Eight Winter Nights: A Family Hanukkah Book by Laura Krauss Melmed.

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December 4     It’s National Cookie Day!

 Our English word “cookie” is derived from the Dutch word “koekje.” Dutch bakers used small amounts of batter to test oven temperature. It was soon discovered the little pieces of cooked batter were themselves delicious. Bake a batch of cookies or read The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins.

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Author Visit This Week!

December 1 is New Book Month!

Your library has many new titles to choose from.

It’s Ed Young’s birthday today!

Choose one of his many folktale stories and take in his dynamic illustrations. For more information, click on the link to visit Mr. Young’s website.

Go to Ed Young's website

Happy Thanksgiving!

Reflect on gratitude with Giving Thanks: Poems, Prayers, and Praise Songs edited by Katherine Paterson.

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Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle by George Hagen

12-year-old Gabriel Finley loved riddles and word play.  He lived with his Aunt Jaz in an old Brooklyn brownstone because his father had vanished without a trace a few years before the start of our story.  Soon, Gabriel and Aunt Jaz are joined by house guests-- his father’s school friend Trudy and her daughter Pamela.  When Gabriel rescues an orphaned baby raven named Paladin, he discovers a hidden family secret that could help him find and rescue his father.  You see, Finleys are able to bond with ravens in some extraordinary ways—they are able to share thoughts and speak to one another, and even merge into one being—with the human able to fly or the raven able to walk.  Gabriel and Paladin, along with Pamela, neighbor Abby and schoolmate Soames, set off for a foreboding netherworld miles under Brooklyn called Aviopolis, where Gabriel’s father Adam is held captive by his evil brother Corax, a half-raven-half-human evil demon looking for a hidden torc and scepter that will grant him unlimited wishes and power, enabling  him to take over the world above.  An epic fantasy adventure full of unique characters, seemingly unanswerable riddles and magic at unexpected turns.

Reviewed by Kathy Thornhill, Zauel Memorial Library

Recommended for grades 5-8

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One Family by George Shannon

This sweet title explores numbers and the concept of multiple parts creating a whole through the idea of family.  Each two-page illustration depicts various sized families during different parts of their day going from one to ten with the refrain of “one family.”  A great tale for discussions of families or counting practice, children and adults will enjoy sharing this book!

Reviewed by Jennie Tuttle, formerly at Wickes Library

Recommended for ages 4-6

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Today is Homemade Bread Day.

Are you like Mercy Watson, who loves toast with a great deal of butter on it?

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Troll and the Oliver by Adam Stower

Every day, Troll tries to find and eat Oliver.  But Oliver outsmarts him every time until one day Oliver does not see the troll all day long.  He becomes a little over-confident that the troll has given up forever.  But Troll jumps out of the closet and gobbles Oliver right up.  Lucky for Oliver, he tastes terrible.  The two of them then figure out something very tasty that works for both of them.     

Review by Michelle Zimostrad, Hoyt Library

Ages 3-7 years

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Author Visit and Book Signing

Goodnight songs: A Celebration of the Seasons by Margaret Wise Brown

This book touches your heart with beautiful poetry, art and music.  There are twelve seasonal songs about nature and each one is brought to life with an award-winning artist.   It will be hard to decide whether to read or sing each poem.  This book contains a 12 song CD.

Reviewed by Michelle Zimostrad, Hoyt Library

Ages 3-6 years

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Happy Birthday, Yuyi Morales!

Enjoy one or more of her award-winning stories. Just click on the title to find the book in our catalog.

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book

Little Night

My Abuelita

Nino Wrestles the World

Viva Frida

I Am Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton

This humorous book about spiders is full of interesting facts that just may comfort a person who is afraid of spiders (maybe).  For instance, did you know you have a better chance of being struck by lightning than being fatally bitten by a venomous spider?  Does that make you feel better?  Consider the fact that spiders are helpful to have around because they can eat up 75 pounds of bugs in a year.  This book may help you to forget your fears or at least learn some new and interesting facts about spiders.

Reviewed by Michelle Zimostrad, Hoyt Library

Ages 4 and up

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It’s El Dia de los Muertos!

This is a special holiday for remembering deceased relatives and friends. Read The Day of the Dead: El Dia de los Muertos by Bob Barner.

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November is Also Peanut Butter Lovers Month

Check out Peanut Butter and Cupcake by Terry Border.

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November is Picture Book Month

Share your favorite picture book with someone you love.

Happy Halloween!

October 28 is National Chocolate Day!

Munch on your favorite candy bar while reading one of our recommended reads.

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Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling