Kids
The 2013 Nutmeg Nominees Are Here!
Written by egattullo on 01/31/2012
It's that time of year again - the 2013 Intermediate Nutmeg Nominees have been announced! The books this year include titles by popular authors like Grace Lin and Tim Green, as well as Darien Library favorite Adam Gidwitz!
Each month, our Nutmeg Book Group will meet to discuss one of the nominees. The first meeting is Wednesday, Febraury 29th. We'll discuss The Potato Chip Puzzles.
Come into the children's library today to start reading, and click below to see the full list!
R.E.A.D. Program Sign-ups
Written by claire on 10/12/2010There is still space for the R.E.A.D. program for this Thursday, February 2 at 4:15pm.
Kids can sign up for individual reading sessions with Darien Library's R.E.A.D.er dog Brasil and his friends.
Winter R.E.A.D. sessions*. Register by selecting the date.
March 1
April 5
May 3
*All sessions begin at 4:15pm, and are 15 minutes each
*Sessions are for kids reading on their own, or with help. Ages 4 and up recommended.
To find out more about the R.E.A.D. program at Darien Library click here.
Online Resources...What are they?
Written by Anna on 02/06/2009
The Library's website talks about online resources. What are they? How are they different from searching Google and the Internet?
Online Resources are reference books (like encyclopedias) and articles that you get to, by using the computer. You can not search them by using a search engine like Google. The Library buys them for you to use.
Go to the Library's website, have your Library card ready...and you are ready!
Top 6 Cool Things to Know About Online Resources
1. They are totally accurate and have correct information
2. Their information originally appeared somewhere in a book, magazine, or newspaper...somewhere in print
3. Sometimes online resources are called databases
4. Each one of them specializes in something like biographies, states, pictures and photographs
5. They tell you how to cite the information for your bibliography!
6. If you have a big school project coming up, get a hold of us; make an appointment! We can help you with online resources so your project will be awesome!
Call 669-5235
Email crstaff@darienlibrary.org
Celebrate Black History Month!
Written by KieraP on 02/02/2012February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate and honor great and influential African Americans throughout history.
Did you know that Black History Month was first celebrated in 1926? It was originally called "Negro History Week" (a term that we no longer use) and was started by historian Carter G. Woodson. Mr. Woodson was one of the first scholars to study African American history and promote the importance of discovering and understanding the history of African Americans here in the United States and around the world.
Here are a few inspiring books to share in celebration of Black History Month:
For young children:
Langston Hughes' melodic poem is paired with stunning photography by Charles R. Smith, Jr. to create a siimple, yet moving tribute to beauty in its particular and universal forms.
For elementary-aged children:
Did you know that one of the 2011 Caldecott Honor books tells the story of a slave who went on to become an influential artist and poet? Dave the Potter by Labban Carrick Hill is a beautifully illustrated, powerful true story.
For older readers:
In this tour-de-force sequel to Chains, Curzon, a 15-year-old escaped slave, joins the Continental Army at Valley Forge. Will he and his friend Isabel finally be granted true freedom?
More books to celebrate Black History Month.
Looking for in-depth information on famous African Americans? Check our Biography Resource Center or History Resource Center.
Book Review of The Dead Gentleman
Written by claire on 02/02/2012
2013 Nutmeg Nominee author Matthew Cody has a brand new book on the shelves. One of the Kids Galley Bloggers decided to share their thoughts.
The Dead Gentleman is a great book. There are many things I like about this book. One is that the author always keeps you on the edge of your seat. There is a ton of action. the main characters are Tommy and Jezebel. Tommy is a 20th century homeless kid who gets involved in the secret explorers society. The explorers travel through portals to different worlds and times. Jezebel lives in the apartment complex that Tommy got trapped in a hundred years earlier. There she gets a message from Tommy. The message is: to beware of the dead gentleman. That is when the adventure starts for both Tommy and Jezebel. This book is very well written. Not too much action, but just enough to keep you reading.
Jonathan
Crow by Barbara Wright
Written by claire on 02/02/2012
The Darien Kid Bloggers bring you two new book reviews this month.
This historical fiction book is about a boy named Moses around the year of 1900. His father works at the local newspaper company, and he makes a decent living. Moses is teaching his grandmother named Boo Nanny to read. She is also finally telling the stories of when she was a slave. African Americans are finally somewhat getting the respect and positions of power in Wilmington, North Carolina. But not everyone is happy with the situation. Some of them will do anything, including a violent plot, to maintain what they are comfortable with.
I, personally, like the style of Christopher Paul Curtis better about the same topics. With grandma’s stories jumping back and forth, it is hard to keep track and easy to get confused for me. But I do think it is a good book and most kids will enjoy this story.
John
If you are interested in becoming a Darien Kid Blogger, ask one of the children's librarians for details. Kid Bloggers are given ARCs (advanced reader's copies) of soon to be published books and asked to write a review for the Library's website.
UnBEARably Cute Books
Written by KieraP on 01/30/2012
The New York Times Book Review recently profiled three new picture books about bears including Otto the Book Bear and Maudie and Bear. Whether they are of the grizzly, polar, or teddy variety, we love picture books about bears! Here are a few of our very favorite bear stories:
Make Your Own Zine!
Written by claire on 01/25/2012
Saturday, January 28
2 to 3:30 pm
RSVP Online
A zine is a mini magazine where you can write about whatever you want. Do you have a story, idea, or comic that you would like to share? Do you ever wish you could be a published author?
In this hands-on workshop, taught by zine artist Eleanor Whitney, participants will look at other zines for inspiration and learn how to write and layout a zine. Ages 9 to 12.
Photo by Flickr user squeezomatic.
2012 Children's Book Awards Announced!
Written by egattullo on 01/23/2012
On Monday morning in Dallas the 2012 Youth Media Awards were awarded by the American Library Association.
The winner of the 2012 Caldecott Medal was A Ball for Daisy, by Chris Raschka.
The winner of the 2012 Newbery Award was Dead End in Norvelt, by Jack Gantos.
Click the link below for a full list of winners and honorees!
Did you know...? Snow!
Written by missmarian on 01/21/2012
All this snow might have you wondering more about the white stuff, so here are some interesting snow facts to satisfy that curiosity.
Every winter one SEPTILLION (1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000!) snowflakes fall! Each snowflake is made up of 180 billion molecules of water. That's a lot of zeroes.
The biggest snowball fight took place in Korea and 5,387 people participated. Hmm, maybe it's time for that record to be broken...
New York State has the snowiest cities: Rochester averages 93 inches of snow a year, and Syracuse averages 115 inches!
The average winter snowfall along the Connecticut coastline is 30-35 inches.
Check out the Guinness Book of World Records website for more snow facts.
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