March is Women's History Month- when we recognize the acheivements of great women throughout history and honor women who are making history every day.

If you are looking for a great book about history-making women, check out this year's Sibert Medal winner.  Given for the most distinguished work of non-fiction for children, this year's Sibert Medal was awarded to Tanya Lee Stone's Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream.   The book chronicles the experiences and efforts of thirteen women who worked throughout the 1950's and 1960's to become astronauts in NASA.  (One women, Jerrie Cobb, had more flying time than the legendary pilot and astronaut, John Glenn!)  Forced to undergo extreme testing that the men were not required to endure, they women proved time and again that they had "the right stuff."  Despite their qualifications, the women were met with strong opposition, prejudice, and unfair restrictions.  But that didn't stop them from persuing their dreams and paving the way for future female astronauts like Sally Ride.  Complete with photos, primary documents, and interviews with the subjects, Stone's book is in turns fascinating and infuriating but, ultimately, inspiring.  

New Moon Girls magazine also has a terrific online exhibit on famous women, with videos, photos,and brief biographies.

For more information and books about famous women throughout history, check out the books we tagged as "Women's History Month for Kids."  If you are working on reports and projects related to Women's History Month, you can also find great biographies in our Biography Resource Center database. 

One Book, One Community is an annual program which encourages everyone in town to read the same book and then come together to explore its themes.  This year's selected books are set during the 1930s, and centers around the experiences of those who survived the Great Depression. 

The kids book is Out of the Dust.

The adult book is The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl.

Kids' One Book, One Community Programs

BookMANIA!:  Free Verse Writing Program

Ages 7-9, Tuesday March 16 at 4:15 p.m.

What is free verse?  Kids will be introduced to stories told in verse, similar to Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse.  After the reading, they will write their own stories in verse.  Drop-In.

Nature and the Dust Bowl

Ages 5 and up, Wednesday, April 14 at 11:30 a.m.

Discover the science and causes behind the Dust Bowl era in this nature program for children.  Learn about wind erosion and "black blizzards" whil also gaining hands-on knowledge with nature projects.  To register, contact the Children's Library (203) 669-5235 or email childrenslibrary@darienlibrary.org

Book Group for Kids

Ages 9-12, Thursday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m.

A book discussion of Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse and The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan.  We will examine the way both of these non-traditional books, both free verse and graphic novel, reflect the time period during the Dust Bowl.

Registration for the Winter 2 session of iKids will run from  Monday, March 1 - Monday, March 15. 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, March 20, 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 slideshows, videos, music, and web pages.

Ages 9 -12                                                                                                                                                                

Tuesday, 6:30 - 7:30 PM

4 sessions

Tuesday, March 23, March 30

Tuesday, April 6, April 13                                                                                                                               Photo courtesy of Flickr user Jim Sneddon

There is still time to sign up for BookMANIA! this Thursday, February 25, at 4:15pm. The program includes a book discussion, snack, and craft for kids ages 7-9.

In celebration of Black History Month we will read selections from Stichin' and Pullin': A Gee's Bend Quilt  by Patricia McKissack and illustrated by Cozbi Cabrera.

This book is a collection of verses - stories full of family tradition, a community's struggle, and the power of art.

The women of Gee's Bend, Alabama have continued to quilt for generations. Most recently their creations have covered the walls of many art galleries and museums across the United States. To learn more about this community of quilters, view The Quilts of Gee's Bend website. 

After a snack and discussion kids will create their own designs using various types of paper and fabric.

There is still time to register for this program! Contact the Children's Library at (203) 669-5235, or via email at crstaff@darienlibrary.org.