Review- Zoe gets Ready- Bethanie Deeney Murguvia

On school days, soccer days, and rainy days, Zoe's mom chooses what Zoe will wear. But it's Saturday, and Zoe can wear whatever she wants! But there are so many choices.Will be be pocket day? Or a day of exploring? Perhaps a time for twirling with little sister and puppy? Zoe better decide soon, or the day will be over.

This is a very cute, fun book  for girls who love to dress-up. I especially love the glittery cover, the use of adjectives and the ending itself.

Zoe gets Ready by  Bethanie Deeney Murguvia
Age Level: 3-5
***** ( 5 stars)

Dream Big-June Programming

Summer is just around the corner, and so is the library's summer reading program. Starting June 4th, and continuing until July 28th, children ages 2 to 14 can earn prizes by reading  library books. All they have to do is read one  book, magazine, or audio book and return to the Children's Department, where our teen volunteers will record each book read  on a special card, and eventually earn prizes by every 10 picture books or 500 chapter book pages read.

We will also be having programming during  the summer, too. Here are some programs that will happening next month in the Children's Dept at the Central Library. Please visit Library Events for information and to register.

Mother Goose on the Loose - Tuesdays, June 5 and 19 at 10 am or 2pm.
Audience: Infants 6-23 Months and caregiver.

Story Time for 2 and 3 yr Olds- Mondays at 10am or 2pm.
June 4- Going Batty
June 18-Bump in the Night
Audience:2 and 3 year olds and caregivers.

Story Time for 4 and 5 yr Olds- Tuesdays at 10 am or 2pm.
June 12-Dream Big
June 26-Wish Upon a Star
Audience: 4 and 5 year olds.

School-Age-Thursdays at 4pm.
June 14- Dreams and Wishes
June 21- Pajama Rama ( Note-Patrons are welcomed to attend in library-appropriate pajamas)
Audience: K to 5th grade and families



Family Movie Day ( Wednesday at noon)
Patrons can bring a lunch or snack. No red or dark colored drinks!
June 13-Sleeping Beauty
June 20-Bedtimes Stories
June 27-Adventures of Tintin
Audience: All Ages.  Children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older.

Other Programs:
Thursday,June 28 at 4 pm -Twilight Night ( Grades 3-5)
Tuesday, June 19 at 4 pm- Lego Club ( Grades 2-6)
Wednesday June 20 at 6 pm-Gaming Night ( Teens 12-17)
Hope see everyone soon. Happy Summer!!

Rest in Peace Maurice Sendak

With yesterday's pasting of  author/ illustrator Maurice Sendak, I felt like re-posting a review I did in October of last year  on Sendak's final book ( according to some obituaries, he was writing more book, release date unknown.) To be honest, I didn't really become of fan of his work until I got older ( although  as a kid, I did  enjoy seeing the cartoon Really Rosie, which is really an adaption of  the Nutshell Library series and The Sign on Rosie's Door). His work is a bit dark and strange, but it sort of grows on you. So enjoy the review and may the wild rumpuses continue.

Review-Bumble-Ardy-Maurice Sendak ( originally posted on October 4, 2011)

A few  weeks ago, I read Maurice Sendak's new picture book for our Cool Kids program ( and they enjoyed it, but said it was a little weird.Of course,  not all of Sendak's stuff is  cute and cuddly). What I did discovered via some of the book reviews is that the story  is based off a old Sesame Street cartoon ( and oh I remember it, especially the mom counting  nine until the pigs and her son left, then welcoming him back in and kissing him "nine times over nine.")

Here is the You tube link for those that want a trip down memory lane- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2TVYdQU3-I&noredirect=1 

In the story, Bumble-Ardy the pig ( in the cartoon, a boy) has never had a birthday party until at age eight his parents " gorged and gained weighted/ And got ate."  He is then adopted by his sweet aunt Adeline, who gives him a party for turning nine. But she has to work, so Bumble throws the party himself... and a wild rumpus is had by all. But what will Aunt Adeline think when she gets home?

Fans of Sendak will most likely treasure Bumble as much as  the author's past works, Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen . Some readers might it a little bit weird and dark, but it has the author's familiar visual style and rhymes and ends on a very sweet note

Bumble-Ardy-Maurice Sendak

Age Range: 5-7

**** ( 4 stars)

Review-The Great Cake Mystery- Alexander McCall Smith

 

When Precious dreamed about becoming a detective, she never dreamed it would happen right way. But it does at school, when a piece of cake and other sweets disappear. Soon classmates are accusing a rotund boy, and it's up to Precious to find the real culprit.

This is  a quick and easy read ( especially for those who are starting to read mysteries), filled with wonderful characters and simple, African-inspired illustrations from Iain McIntosh ( including illustrated pronunciation letters of hard to say names.) What also adds to the story's plot is the author's musings on human nature ( which might be a bit much for  some younger readers, but adds a personal tone). The plot itself does a wonderful job of teaching an important lesson not to judge others without proof. As readers get older, they may also want to follow Precious as an adult in The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series ( currently 13 books).

The Great Cake Mystery (Precious Ramotswe's First Cases)-Alexander McCall Smith
Age Range-9 and up
***** ( 5 stars)