It's almost about time for March Madness! No, not the kind that requires a basketball. We're talking about another kind of March Madness -- the Battle of the Books! For the third year in a row, School Library Journal has set up brackets that pit 16 of the best kids' books of the year -- fiction and non-fiction -- against each other. Fifteen judges -- some of the biggest names in the kids' book-writing business -- will determine which books make it to the final round. The online opening ceremony takes place on March 8, with Round One set for the week of March 14. Children's book lovers are invited to read the books and make comments on the judges' decisions. They're also urged to participate now in the Undead poll by voting for a book to be added to the final round even if it loses in earlier rounds; the Undead poll closes March 6.
Our Library has all of the book contenders; come in and check them out so you can participate in The Battle of the Books. For more information, click here:School Library Journal's Battle of the Kids' Books
Last year's Battle of the Books winner was Marching for Freedom, a look at civil rights activists by Elizabeth Patridge. This year's book contenders include: Countdown by Deborah Wiles; They Called Themselves the KKK by Susan Campbell Bartoletti; Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan and The Good, the Bad and the Barbie by Tanya Lee Stone. Among the judges are: Goosebumps author R.L. Stine: Newbery Medalists Karen Cushman, Karen Hesse, Susan Patron and Laura Amy Schlitz; and poet Naomi Shihab Nye. Newbery Medalist Richard Peck is the Big Kahuna, the judge who determines the winning book on April 4.
If you're looking for some great kids' books, check out the winners of various kid lit prizes awarded annually by the American Library Association. The most famous awards are, of course, the Newbery Medal -- given to the best-written kids' book of the year -- and the Caldecott Medal -- given to the best-illustrated children's book of the year. But there are a number of other awards, and winners of those awards are worth checking out. To give you an idea of what's out there, here's an article about some of this year's winners that I wrote in my capacity as the children's book reviewer for Scripps Howard News Service. Our library either has all of these books, or will have them shortly: Children's Corner: A look at prize-winning books
Bienvenue! Welcome! Our twice-monthly French Circle Time takes place this Saturday February 12 2011 at 10:30 a.m. Registration isn't required, but we encourage it so you can be notified of any changes or cancellations. You just have to register once, and then you're on our list! To register, go to Library Program Registration - Takoma Park Maryland Library or call us at 301-891-7259. A bientot!
Brian Jacques, whose Redwall books are some of the most popular animal fantasies for children, died earlier this week at the age of 71. Jacques (pronounced Jakes) held a variety of jobs before finding his calling as a children's book author. He loved to tell a story about meeting a school librarian who told him how his books had inspired a particular reader. This reader wasn't interested in books, and reluctantly came into the school library one day saying he had to read a book of 100 pages. The librarian handed him Redwall, which has 352 pages. The young man protested, saying the book was too long; the librarian told him just to read the first 100 pages. The following week, the young man bounded into the library, saying he LOVED Redwall and just had to read the entire book, and was there another? And yes, there are many more wonderful books by Brian Jacques. Come to the library and check them out!
Here's more about Brian Jacques: 'Redwall' Author Brian Jacques Dies at 71
Come join us this evening at 7 p.m. for our monthly Bedtime Stories program. This half-hour program is perfect for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their grown-ups, and no registration is required. Come in p.js., bring your favorite stuffed animal or blanket.
Kids: you're invited to come on Saturday February 12th 2011 from 1-3 p.m. to make your own valentines. We'll have all the supplies; you provide the creativity! You can make it a fun afternoon: come create valentines at the Library, and then head over to the Community Center next door for the Takoma Park Mid-Winter Play Day, which runs from 2-4 p.m. Our valentine-making workshop is sponsored by the Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library, and registration is required to ensure we have enough supplies for everyone. To register, go to:Library Program Registration - Takoma Park Maryland Library or call us at 301-891-7259.