Celebrate National Black History Month!

February is National Black History Month, when we take time to remember and celebrate important and influential African-Americans throughout our history. 

We have tagged many of our favorite biographies, non-fiction books, and historical fiction books as "Black History Month for Kids."  Click the link to see our booklist. 

There have been several excellent books for children written this year that focus on important, but previously untold stories, about the Civil Rights Movement in the United States:

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose, is the story of a young girl who stood up for her rights in the face of harrowing opposition and prejudice.  She is a figure that should be as well-known as Martin Luther King, Jr. or Rosa Parks, but whose story had remained untold until very recently.  This new biography about her life and contribution to the Civil Rights Movement recently won a Newbery Honor. 

 

 

 

 

Antother wonderful and recently published book about the Civil Rights Movement is Marching For Freedom: Walk Together Children, and Don't You Grow Weary by Elizabeth Partridge.  Unlike other books on similar topics, Marching is distinguished in that it focuses on the contributions of children and teenagers in the history of the Civil Rights Movement.  If you are looking for an inspiring story that demonstrates the power that children have to change their world for the better, check out this moving and well-researched book. 

 

 

 

For other great books about famous African-Americans throughout history, check out our list!

Saturday Children's Programs in the *lovely* month of February!

Most are drop-in!  Interested in Beadtastic, R.E.A.D. or 21 Things?  Contact the Children's Library at (203) 669-5235 or email at crstaff@darienlibrary.org to sign-up. For a complete listing of February's programs, check out the Kids Calendar.

Feb 6:  A drop-in Chinese crafts and games program AND the kickoff for a 12-week program about web 2.0 technology

Dragon Club for ages 3-8 at 2 p.m.

Parent Kick-off Event at 2 p.m.

 Feb 13:  Make your own beaded creations program.  Sign up in the Children's Library

Beadtastic for ages 7-11 at 2 p.m.

Feb 20: A drop-in Dad and baby storytime AND readers develop literacy skills by reading to a therapy dog. Sign-up in the Children's Library

Dad's Storytime at 11 a.m. R.E.A.D. for ages 5 and up at 1 p.m.

 

Feb 27: Storytime for children on the autistic spectrum and their families.  To sign-up, contact Librarian Kiera at kparrott@darienlibrary.org

Stories on the Spectrum for ages 3-8 at 11 a.m.



Spaces Available for iKids Winter 1 - Register Now!

There are still a few slots available in the Winter 1 iKids session. Please contact the Children's Library at 203-669-5235, or email us at crstaff@darienlibrary.org to sign-up. The session begins tomorrow and will run for 4 weeks.

iKids is a technology program which introduces kids to a variety of applications using both Mac and PC computers. Participants will use new programs to create projects such as photo slide shows, videos, music, and web pages.

Ages 9 -12

Tuesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 PM

4 sessions

Tuesdays, February 2,  February 9, February 16, February 23

 

photo courtsey of flickr user r-z

Well Done to the Nutmeg @ Nite Kids!

Nutmeg @ Nite this week was a blast...high fives to the over 50 kids who participated!  Your psyched, can-do, teamwork spirit really made the event!  Everyone went home with a goody bag, but the Gold Team got an additional prize from Barrett Bookstore for the most points. 

A HUGE thank you to the school media specialists: Mrs. Blake from Ox Ridge School, Mrs. Heyde from Hindley School, Mrs. Ley from Royle School, Mrs. Murphy from Holmes School, and Mrs. Ramsey from Tokeneke School for volunteering at the event, and writing special guest questions! 

What is Nutmeg?

Nutmeg @ Nite at Darien Library annually celebrates the Nutmeg Award, chosen by Connecticut's children.  The Intermediate Award (grades 4 -6) and Teen Award (grades 7-8) encourage children to read quality literature and choose their favorite from lists of 10 nominated titles chosen each year by Connecticut librarians, school media specialists, and teachers.

Tween Tournament - Friday, January 29 @ 4:15pm, Ages 10-12

There will be a Tween Tournament tomorrow -Friday, January 29, at 4:15pm.

Come to the Children's Library  to compete in this gaming program for ages 10 - 12.

Gaming on the big-screen and snacks...what a perfect way to spend a Friday! !

*photo courtesy of Flickr user rodrigofavera

No Name Calling-Week - Starts January 25

Monday marks the beginning of No Name-Calling Week, an annual effort to stamp out all forms of name-calling within our communities. The Darien Library's Roots and Shoots Team wanted to spread the word among children by creating posters which urge kids to address bullying and name-calling in their schools. Visit the Children's Library this week to view these powerful messages.

Last year the Children's Library addressed the issue of bullying, and created a booklist for this timely topic.

 

 

Last Day to Register for Children's Technology Programs

                       photo courtesy of Flickr user hiestand24

Registration is now closed for this program. Check back for Session 2 registration in March, 2010!

The Children's Library will be offering two winter sessions this season for both iKids and Little Clickers. Registration will be Monday, January 11 - Monday, January 25. To register your child, please click on the program links below. 

-Important Enrollment Information-

*Registration is a lottery and participants will be contacted via email by Saturday, January 30, 2010 

*Registered programs are for children whose parents are Darien residents, employed in Darien full time, or contributors to the Darien Library Annual Campaign at the $300 level.

iKids - Click HERE to register

This technology program introduces kids to a variety of applications using both Mac and PC computers. Participants will use new programs to create projects such as photo slide shows, videos, music, and web pages.

Ages 9 -12

Tuesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 PM

4 sessions

Tuesday, February 2

Tuesday, February 9

Tuesday, February 16

Tuesday February 23 

 

Little Clickers - Click HERE to register

Share an interactive computer class with your child! This technology program will introduce kids to new websites and help your preschooler to learn basic computer skills. Caregivers participate with their children in this program.

Ages 3 -5

Fridays, 10:30 - 11 AM

6 sessions

Friday, February 5

Friday, February 12

Friday, February 19

Friday, February 26

Friday, March 5

Friday, March 12

Nutmeg @ Nite 2010 - Nutmeg Trivia Game Show

The Children's Library would like to announce our annual Nutmeg @ Nite which will be held on Tuesday, January 26, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM.

This year the Darien Library will celebrate Connecticut's Nutmeg Book Award by holding a Nutmeg Trivia Game Show. Kids in grades 4 to 6 are invited to test their knowledge of the Intermediate Nutmeg Book Award Nominees.

Registration for the event is currently closed. If you have any questions, please contact the Children's Library at 203-669-5235, or via email at crstaff@darienlibrary.org.

 This event is brought to you by the Darien Library and supported by Hindley School, Holmes School, Ox Ridge School, Royle School, and Tokeneke School.

 

The 2010 Youth Media Award Winners

Three big winners: the Newbery, Caldecott, and Sibert awards.

 

Today at 7:45am in Boston, the American Librarian Association and the Association for Library Service to Children announced before a packed room of hundreds, the winners for the 2010 Youth Media Awards. 

And the winners are.................... (click Read More)

2010 Notable Books for Older Readers

Each year a committee of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children's books.   Being considered a "notable" book means that it is important, distinguished, or outstanding.   They are books that are of especially commendable quality, exhibit venturesome creativity, and reflect and encourage children's interests in exemplary ways.

The Notables list also includes the 2010 Newbery, Caldecott,  Belpré, Sibert, Geisel, and Batchelder Award and Honor books.

 

 

Here are the 2010 Notable books for Older Readers (generally, children between the ages of 10 and 14):

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