Today is the 448th birthday of William Shakespeare -- or at least that's what scholars believe. Much of Shakespeare's life remains shrouded in mystery. But there's no mystery about Shakespeare's enduring appeal and relevance. We've got all kinds of editions of Shakespeare's work, which you'll find in 822.33, or J 822.33 for kids. For young readers, check out Tales From Shakespeare, in which master storytellers Charles and Mary Lamb detail the stories of Shakespeare's plays. (This book is also helpful for grown-ups as a way of refreshing themselves on the basic storyline before seeing a Shakespeare play). We've even got a couple of illustrated collections of Shakespeare's plays for kids; the artist who illustrated them is Marcia Williams, so just look in our all-ages comics under J 822.33 Williams. Of course, in Washington, we're also lucky to have a wonderful Shakespeare educational institution, Folger Shakespeare Library which offers regular programs about the Bard, his work and his world.
There one other famous person with a birthday today: Shirley Temple turns 84.
A last-minute reminder that all young artists are invited to our first-ever Scribblers Cabal tomorrow, Saturday April 21, from 2-4 p.m. Our program will be led by Dave Burbank, library assistant and artist extraordinaire. Bring your drawings, some paper and pens/pencils, and prepare to have fun drawing with Dave. As ever, our program is free and open to all young artists. And, if you're looking to have more drawing fun this summer, check out Dave's Comics Jam/Scribblers Cabal program at Politics & Prose bookstore Comics Jam & Scribbler’s Cabal | Politics & Prose Bookstore
Calling all young artists, aka "scribblers"! On Saturday, April 21, from 2-4 p.m., Dave Burbank, library assistant, graphic novel guru and artist extraordinaire, will lead our first-ever Scribbler's Cabal. Young artists are invited to bring their drawings, some paper, pens and/or pencils, and prepare to have some artistic fun with Dave. Kids can work on their own art as they check out what other kids -- and Dave -- are working on. Dave also will be happy to offer suggestions and advice to all young scribblers who attend. The program, which is best for ages 5 up, is free, but registration is encouraged. To register, go to:
Program Registration - Takoma Park Maryland Library or call us at 301-891-7259.
Are you up for the Nerdbery Challenge? Created in January by Illinois media specialist John Schumaker, the Nerdbery Challenge is to read all of the Newbery Medal winners. That's a lot of books, since the Newbery Medal -- given annually by the American Library Association to the best-written children's book -- was first awarded in 1922. Schumaker and Colby Sharpe, a 4th grade teacher at the same school, insist that the Nerdbery Challenge must be stress-free. But they admit that they've found it difficult to read the earliest Newbery Medal winners: Early Newbery Winners Pose a Challenge to Nerdbery Participants What about you? Do you think you can take on the Nerdbery Challenge? How many Newbery Medal winners have you read -- and loved?
Calling all budding poets: you're invited to our Green Poetry program for kids on Wednesday, April 18 at 7 p.m. This fun program of poetry, movement and art will be led by local poet Rosanne Singer, who works extensively in schools all over the area, connecting kids and poetry. April is Poetry Month and, with Earth Day (April 22) approaching, our Green Poetry program will celebrate our own Sligo Creek, and especially its wildlife. Using an African folk poem, Dance of the Animals, kids will create their own local folk poem with words and movement. Kids also will use recycled materials to make simple art. The program is free, and open to kids ages 5 up. Registration is required; to register, please go to Program Registration - Takoma Park Maryland Library or call us at 301-891-7259.
Sligo Creek
Author and National Teacher of the Year Sharon Draper on public libraries "Something that should be a right for all children"
Each year, the Children's Book Guild of Washington, D.C. chooses a winner for their Non-Fiction Award, given to the best authors and illustrators of non-fiction for kids. This year's winner is author/illustrator Peter Sis, author of The Wall, an account of his childhood in Czechoslovakia, and other non-fiction books. Sis is a much-honored author/illustrator: he is one of a handful of children's book creators who has won a MacArthur Foundation "Genius" award. And, just two weeks ago, he was chosen as the 2012 illustrator winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Medal, the "Olympics" of the world of children's literature. Sis will be in Washington on Saturday April 21 to accept the Children's Book Guild Non-Fiction Award at a gala lunch: Children's Book Guild - Peter Sís – 2012 Children’s Book Guild Nonfiction Award Winner
The American Library Association has just released its annual list of the top 10 most challenged books. This year, Lauren Myracle's young adult series --ttyl, ttfn and l8r,g8r -- tops the list.( Last year, a picture book, And Tango Makes Three, was the most challenged book in America.)
http://tinyurl.com/89c224l
Our Library sponsors two Banned Books book clubs -- one for kids and the other for teens. The next meeting of Jr. Banned Books Club is Monday, April 16 at 7 p.m., and we will be discussing Sideways Stories From Wayside School. In May, our Banned Books Club for middle and high school students will meet (at a date to be determined) to discuss censorship and racial stereotypes in some of the Tintin books.
The fourth annual Battle of the Kids Books, sponsored by School Library Journal, has just concluded, and the winner is one of my favorite-ever books, Okay For Now, by Gary Schmidt. It's a wonderfully thought-provoking book for kids ages 10-14, and a follow-up of sorts to Schmidt's Newbery Honor-winning The Wednesday Wars. Here are more details on the Battle wrap-up: And the Winner of SLJ's Battle of the Kids' Books Is...
Over the past year, children's book expert Anita Silvey has posted an essay each day focused on a children's book author or illustrator. Her Children's Book-a-Day Almanac is an invaluable resource for anyone who loves children's literature. In my capacity as the children's book reviewer for Scripps Howard News Service, I recently had the opportunity to learn more about Silvey's work on the Almanac:Children's Corner: Creator discusses her Children's Book-A-Day Almanac - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Monday, April 3, 7:30-8:45 p.m.
A special spring break story time focused on classic children’s picture books.
All welcome. No registration required.
THE LIBRARY IS A DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF TAKOMA PARK
