The Children's Room 2010-02-09T00:59:09Z Takoma Park Maryland Library services for children. tag:www.takomapark.info,2010:/library/children//3 Movable Type Copyright (c) 2010, KarenM No Circle Time 2010-02-09T00:59:09Z 2010-02-08T19:59:09-05:00 tag:www.takomapark.info,2010:/library/children//3.2140 2010-02-09T00:59:09Z There will be no Circle Time on Tuesday, Feb. 9 because the city of Takoma Park -- including the Library -- will be closed due to snow conditions. We will hope to gather for Circle Time next Tuesday (Feb. 16)... KarenM karen.macpherson@gmail.com There will be no Circle Time on Tuesday, Feb. 9 because the city of Takoma Park -- including the Library -- will be closed due to snow conditions. We will hope to gather for Circle Time next Tuesday (Feb. 16) at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

]]> Valentines Postponed 2010-02-08T04:19:59Z 2010-02-07T23:19:59-05:00 tag:www.takomapark.info,2010:/library/children//3.2138 2010-02-08T04:19:59Z Because the Library is closed on Monday, Feb. 8 due to the snowstorm, our Make Your Own Valentines program is postponed until Saturday, Feb. 13 from 2-4 p.m. If you already registered for our program, you do not need to... KarenM karen.macpherson@gmail.com Because the Library is closed on Monday, Feb. 8 due to the snowstorm, our Make Your Own Valentines program is postponed until Saturday, Feb. 13 from 2-4 p.m. If you already registered for our program, you do not need to re-register (although we would appreciate hearing from you if you cannot make the Saturday program). Registration is required for our Make Your Own Valentines program, so if you haven't yet registered, please go to events registration or call us at 301-891-7259 on Tuesday, Feb. 9, when we expect to re-open. All materials will be provided, courtesy of the Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library -- kids just need to bring their creativity!

]]> Intrepid Twos 2010-02-03T15:37:05Z 2010-02-03T10:37:05-05:00 tag:www.takomapark.info,2010:/library/children//3.2134 2010-02-03T15:37:05Z The program for two-year-olds will go on as scheduled but remember - it's limited to those who preregistered. Wear your mittens. Information about both regular Library hours and where to look for cancellation notices.... library The program for two-year-olds will go on as scheduled but remember - it's limited to those who preregistered.

Wear your mittens.

Information about both regular Library hours and where to look for cancellation notices.

]]> Groundhog Day 2010-02-02T19:18:13Z 2010-02-02T14:18:13-05:00 tag:www.takomapark.info,2010:/library/children//3.2132 2010-02-02T19:18:13Z We celebrated Groundhog Day at Circle Time today by learning a new rhyme about Mr. Groundhog. To do the rhyme, ball your hand up into a fist -- this is Mr. Groundhog's house. Your thumb is Mr. Groundhog, and he... KarenM karen.macpherson@gmail.com We celebrated Groundhog Day at Circle Time today by learning a new rhyme about Mr. Groundhog.

To do the rhyme, ball your hand up into a fist -- this is Mr. Groundhog's house. Your thumb is Mr. Groundhog, and he should be tucked inside his house as the rhyme begins. Here's the rhyme:

Mr. Groundhog in the ground
Pop (pop up your thumb) your head up, look around.
Look up high (put your thumb up high)
Look down low (put your thumb lower)
Will you see your little shadow?

]]> Jan. 25-30 2010-01-26T19:54:47Z 2010-01-26T14:54:47-05:00 tag:www.takomapark.info,2010:/library/children//3.2121 2010-01-26T19:54:47Z Here's our schedule of children's programs for the week of Jan. 25-30, 2010: Tuesday, Jan. 26: __ 10 a.m. Circle Time __ 11 a.m. Circle Time Wednesday, Jan. 27: __ 11 a.m. -- Wonderful Ones (pre-registration required; program is full)... KarenM karen.macpherson@gmail.com Here's our schedule of children's programs for the week of Jan. 25-30, 2010:

Tuesday, Jan. 26:
__ 10 a.m. Circle Time
__ 11 a.m. Circle Time

Wednesday, Jan. 27:
__ 11 a.m. -- Wonderful Ones (pre-registration required; program is full)
__ 1:45 p.m. -- Piney Branch Elementary School 4th graders -- presentation on biographies

Thursday, Jan. 28:
__ 10:30 a.m. -- Spanish Circle Time

Saturday, Jan. 30:
__ 10:30 a.m. -- French Circle Time

]]> Book Awards 2010-01-14T21:45:58Z 2010-01-14T16:45:58-05:00 tag:www.takomapark.info,2010:/library/children//3.2111 2010-01-14T21:45:58Z On Monday, January 18, the American Library Association will announce the winners of the most prestigious awards in American children's literature -- the Newbery Medal, given for the best-written children's book, and the Caldecott Medal, given for the best-illustrated children's... KarenM karen.macpherson@gmail.com On Monday, January 18, the American Library Association will announce the winners of the most prestigious awards in American children's literature -- the Newbery Medal, given for the best-written children's book, and the Caldecott Medal, given for the best-illustrated children's book.

These awards are chosen annually by selected committees of librarians and other children's book experts. The committees meet in secret and pledge never to divulge the content of their meetings.

But there's plenty of talk among librarians who aren't on the Newbery and Caldecott committees. Some libraries hold mock Newbery or Caldecott award selection events at which participants discuss a pre-selected group of books and then vote on which they think deserves a Newbery or Caldecott.

Here's a link to my Scripps Howard News Service column this week in which I round-up some of the top Newbery and Caldecott possibilities:

Corner: A look at some potential Newbery, Caldecott winners | ScrippsNews

]]> The winner of every mock Caldecott so far has been The Lion & the Mouse, an Aesop's fable masterfully illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. This definitely would be my pick as well. If Pinkney wins, he would be the first individual African-American to win the Caldecott Medal since it was established in 1938; an interracial couple, Leo and Diane Dillon, have won two Caldecott Medals.

In the mock Newbery events, there have been several winners. One popular favorite is When You Reach Me, a novel by Rebecca Stead. Another novel, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin also has won several mock Newbery events. Two non-fiction books, Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose, and Marching For Freedom by Elizabeth Partridge, also have been running strong in the mock contests. In addition, two other books, a debut novel titled The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly and The Dunderheads, a highly-illustrated novella by Newbery Medalist Paul Fleischman also are on the short lists of many mock Newbery events.

My pick would either be Claudette Colvin or The Dunderheads, but my guess is that When You Reach Me likely will be the actual Newbery winner. Few non-fiction books have won the Newbery Medal, which generally goes to a novel, so Claudette Colvin isn't a likely choice. And The Dunderheads would be a highly unusual choice for the Newbery because it has so many illustrations. The criteria for the Newbery Medal state that illustrations can be considered only if they detract from the text in a book.

So... stayed tuned for Monday's announcement! I'll post comments on the winners then.

]]> Jan. 18-23 2010-01-14T19:14:36Z 2010-01-14T14:14:36-05:00 tag:www.takomapark.info,2010:/library/children//3.2109 2010-01-14T19:14:36Z We're going to try to post each week's library programs on this blog. Here's what's happening next week: Monday, Jan. 18 — CLOSED for Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Tuesday, Jan. 19: 10 a.m. — Circle Time 11 a.m. —... KarenM karen.macpherson@gmail.com We're going to try to post each week's library programs on this blog.

Here's what's happening next week:
Monday, Jan. 18 — CLOSED for Martin Luther King Jr. holiday

Tuesday, Jan. 19:
10 a.m. — Circle Time
11 a.m. — Circle Time

Wednesday, Jan. 20:
11 a.m. — Wonderful Ones (Program is full)
1:45 p.m. — Piney Branch Elementary 4th graders — presentation on African-American history

Thursday, Jan. 21
10:30 a.m. — Spanish Circle Time

Saturday, Jan. 23
__ 10:30 a.m. — Time to Sing program for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their grown-ups. (No registration required)

If you have any questions, give us a call at 301-891-7259.

]]> Program Postponed 2010-01-08T18:20:33Z 2010-01-08T13:20:33-05:00 tag:www.takomapark.info,2010:/library/children//3.2098 2010-01-08T18:20:33Z The Stories in Action program for toddlers ages 1-3 and their parents -- schedule for Saturday, Jan. 9 -- has been postponed because our storyteller, Arianna Ross, is ill. The program has been rescheduled for Saturday Jan. 16 at 10:30... KarenM karen.macpherson@gmail.com The Stories in Action program for toddlers ages 1-3 and their parents -- schedule for Saturday, Jan. 9 -- has been postponed because our storyteller, Arianna Ross, is ill. The program has been rescheduled for Saturday Jan. 16 at 10:30 a.m. If you have already registered, you don't need to re-register. We still have spaces available; to register, Event registration - Takoma Park Maryland Library or call us at 301-891-7259.

]]> Favorite Books 2010-01-07T20:02:27Z 2010-01-07T15:02:27-05:00 tag:www.takomapark.info,2010:/library/children//3.2097 2010-01-07T20:02:27Z Here are my favorite books for 2009, drawn from my work as the children's/teen librarian for this library, as well as my job as the children's book reviewer for Scripps Howard News Service. Perhaps my two favorite books are a... KarenM karen.macpherson@gmail.com Here are my favorite books for 2009, drawn from my work as the children's/teen librarian for this library, as well as my job as the children's book reviewer for Scripps Howard News Service.

Perhaps my two favorite books are a non-fiction book, Claudette Colvin: Twice Towards Justice by Phillip Hoose and a picture book, The Lion & the Mouse, a reworking of the Aesop fable by illustrator Jerry Pinkney. Both of those books have been mentioned as top possibilities to win the most prestigious children's book awards -- the Newbery Medal, given for the best-written children's book, and the Caldecott Medal, given for the best illustrated children's book. Those awards will be announced on Monday, Jan. 18 by the American Library Association, and I'll blog about them here as soon as we know the winners.

]]> Now, here's my entire list of 2009 favorites:

BOARD BOOKS:


Baby, I Love You (Little Simon, $7.99), by Karma Wilson; illustrated by Sam Williams. (Ages infant-two years).

Daddy, Papa and Me and “Mommy, Mama and Me (Tricycle, $7.99
(Simon & Schuster, $17.99), by Liz Garton Scanlon; illustrated by Marla Frazee. (Ages 3-6).

Truckery Rhymes by Jon Scieszka; illustrated by David Shannon (Simon & Schuster, $17.99). (Ages 4-8).


BEGINNING/EARLY READERS:


Dodsworth in London (Houghton Mifflin, $15), written and illustrated by Tim Egan. (Ages 4-8).

The Dunderheads by Newbery Medalist Paul Fleischman; illustrations by David Roberts (Candlewick Press, $16.99, ages 5-10).

Pigs Make Me Sneeze (Hyperion, $8.99), written and illustrated by Mo Willems. (Ages 4-7).


GRAPHIC NOVELS:


Luke On the Loose by Harry Bliss (TOON Books, $12.95, ages 4-6).

The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook written and illustrated by Eleanor Davis (Bloomsbury, $10.99, ages 7-12).

The Lunch Lady series, written and illustrated by Jarrett Krosoczka (Knopf, $5.99 each, ages 6-10).

Little Mouse Gets Ready, written and illustrated by Bone creator Jeff Smith (TOON Books, $12.95, ages 4-7).

Adventures in Cartooning, written and illustrated by James Sturm et al (First Second, $12.95, ages 6-12).


NOVELS:


The Magician’s Elephant by Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo (Candlewick Press, $16.99, ages 8-12)

Scat by Carl Hiaasen (Knopf, $16.99, ages 9-12).

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly (Henry Holt, $16.99, ages 10-14).

Melonhead by Katy Kelly (Delacorte, $12.99, ages 7-10).

The Faceless Ones, the latest “Skulduggery Pleasant book by Derek Landy (Harper, $16.99, ages 10-14).

The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis by Barbara O’Connor (FSG, $16.99, ages 8-12).

A Season of Gifts, the latest in the Grandma Dowdel saga, by Newbery Medalist Richard Peck (Dial, $16.99, ages 9-12).

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (Random House, $15.99, ages 9-12).

HYBRIDS – PART NOVEL, PART GRAPHIC NOVEL


Dog Days, the latest Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney (Amulet Books, $13.95, ages 7-12).

Malice by Chris Wooding (Scholastic, $14.99, ages 12 up).


NON-FICTION:


Mr. Lincoln’s High-Tech War by Thomas and Roger Allen (National Geographic, $18.95, ages 10 up).

The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous of Showman P.T. Barnum by Candace Fleming (Random House, $18.99, ages 12 up).

Moonshot, written and illustrated by Brian Floca (Atheneum, $17.99, ages 7-10).

Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman (Henry Holt, $18.95, ages 12 up).

Claudette Colvin: Twice Towards Justice this year’s National Book Award winner in the Young People’s Literature category, by Phillip Hoose (FSG, $19.95, ages 12 up).

Saving the Ghost of the Mountain by Sy Montgomery; photographs by Nic Bishop (Houghton Mifflin, $18, ages 9-12).

Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting by Jim Murphy (Scholastic, $19.99, ages 12 up).

Marching for Freedom by Elizabeth Partridge (Viking, $19.99, ages 10 up).

Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride by Andrea Davis Pinkney; illustrated by Brian Pinkney (Jump at the Sun/Disney, $16.99, ages 5-10).

Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Stone (Candlewick Press, $24.99 hardcover, $17.99 paperback, ages 10 up).

POETRY:


City I Love by Lee Bennett Hopkins; illustrated by Marcellus Hall (Abrams, $16.95, ages 4-8).

Be Glad Your Nose Is On Your Face, a treasury of poems by Jack Prelutsky; illustrated by Brandon Dorman (Greenwillow, $22.99, ages 4 up).


YOUNG ADULT FICTION:


Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson (Viking, $17.99, ages 13 up)

Fire by Kristin Cashore (Dial, $17.99, ages 13 up).

Catching Fire, the second book in “The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic, $17.99, ages 13 up).

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork (Scholastic, $17.99, ages 13 up).



]]> Ambassador Paterson 2010-01-05T02:26:46Z 2010-01-04T21:26:46-05:00 tag:www.takomapark.info,2010:/library/children//3.2096 2010-01-05T02:26:46Z The new National Ambassador for Young People's Literature is Katherine Paterson, a two-time winner of the Newbery Medal who began her career as a children's writer while living in Takoma Park. Paterson's best-known book is Bridge to Terebithia, a Newbery... KarenM karen.macpherson@gmail.com The new National Ambassador for Young People's Literature is Katherine Paterson, a two-time winner of the Newbery Medal who began her career as a children's writer while living in Takoma Park.

Paterson's best-known book is Bridge to Terebithia, a Newbery Medal-winning book based on the tragic death of a young girl in Takoma Park who was the best friend of Paterson's son David.

Paterson is the second children's author to be chosen for the ambassador's job, which is jointly sponsored by the Library of Congress and the Children's Book Council, a children's publishers' group. Paterson's apppointment was first reported by The New York Times on Monday.

Jon Scieszka, author of the Caldecott Honor-winning book The Stinky Cheese Man, was the first children's writer to hold the two-year position.

]]> Circle Time 2010-01-04T22:46:16Z 2010-01-04T17:46:16-05:00 tag:www.takomapark.info,2010:/library/children//3.2094 2010-01-04T22:46:16Z There's no heat in the Library's Children's Room because of a furnace problem. So, if you're coming to the Tuesday Circle Time programs -- either 10-10:30 a.m. or 11-11:30 a.m. -- be sure to dress warmly and be prepared to... KarenM karen.macpherson@gmail.com There's no heat in the Library's Children's Room because of a furnace problem. So, if you're coming to the Tuesday Circle Time programs -- either 10-10:30 a.m. or 11-11:30 a.m. -- be sure to dress warmly and be prepared to do lots of movement exercises!

]]> Petites Chansons 2009-12-30T23:45:14Z 2009-12-30T18:45:14-05:00 tag:www.takomapark.info,2009:/library/children//3.2091 2009-12-30T23:45:14Z Welcome, bienvenue, babies, toddlers, preschoolers and your grown-ups! Our monthly French Circle Time -- newly named Petites Chansons -- will take place on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 10:30 a.m. Join Madame Marie as she leads us in French songs and... KarenM karen.macpherson@gmail.com Welcome, bienvenue, babies, toddlers, preschoolers and your grown-ups! Our monthly French Circle Time -- newly named Petites Chansons -- will take place on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 10:30 a.m. Join Madame Marie as she leads us in French songs and rhymes. No registration required, and you don't need to know French to enjoy this program. Thanks to the Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library for sponsoring this program.

]]> Time to Sing 2009-12-30T23:40:15Z 2009-12-30T18:40:15-05:00 tag:www.takomapark.info,2009:/library/children//3.2090 2009-12-30T23:40:15Z Babies, toddlers and preschoolers – you’re invited to come sing and dance with Ms. Audrey on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 10:30 a.m. Bring your favorite grown-ups and join Ms. Audrey in a half-hour program of fast-paced fun. No registration is... KarenM karen.macpherson@gmail.com Babies, toddlers and preschoolers – you’re invited to come sing and dance with Ms. Audrey on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 10:30 a.m. Bring your favorite grown-ups and join Ms. Audrey in a half-hour program of fast-paced fun. No registration is required for this program, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library

]]> Stories in Action 2009-12-30T23:38:11Z 2009-12-30T18:38:11-05:00 tag:www.takomapark.info,2009:/library/children//3.2089 2009-12-30T23:38:11Z Prize-winning storyteller Arianna Ross will offer the first of four monthly workshops for parents and children ages 1-3 on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 10:30 a.m. The January program, and a follow-up one on Feburary 13 at 10:30 a.m., will begin... KarenM karen.macpherson@gmail.com Prize-winning storyteller Arianna Ross will offer the first of four monthly workshops for parents and children ages 1-3 on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 10:30 a.m. The January program, and a follow-up one on Feburary 13 at 10:30 a.m., will begin with a storytime for kids and adults. Arianna then will offer parents tips on how to bring stories alive for their children. Those two programs are titled Stories in Action .

The last two programs – on Friday, March 19 and Friday, April 30 – are titled Silly Letters. Those programs are aimed at older children, ages 3-5, and adults, including daycare providers. All of the programs focus on fun, but also are designed to spotlight some key pre-reading skills.

]]> The entire quartet of programs is funded mostly by a grant from the Montgomery County Arts & Humanities Council, with additional funding provided by the Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library.

]]> Twisted Tales 2009-11-25T22:55:40Z 2009-11-25T17:55:40-05:00 tag:www.takomapark.info,2009:/library/children//3.2073 2009-11-25T22:55:40Z All are invited to enjoy a performance on Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. of the poetry created by elementary school students in their “Twisted Tales: Nursery Rhymes for Big Kid” workshop. The four-week workshop, led by poets Elizabeth Rees and... KarenM karen.macpherson@gmail.com All are invited to enjoy a performance on Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. of the poetry created by elementary school students in their “Twisted Tales: Nursery Rhymes for Big Kid” workshop. The four-week workshop, led by poets Elizabeth Rees and Rosanne Singer, was sponsored by the Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library. Nine students participated in the workshop, and had a great time coming up with their own versions of nursery rhymes. No registration required.


]]>