Kids

July 22nd is National Pajama Day . . . in Australia!  But don't let that stop you!  It's a great excuse to stay in your PJs and read!

PICTURE BOOK
The Problem with Pajamas by Lauren Stohler (02/22/22)
Pajamas are the worst! They zap you! They trap you! They scritch and they scratch you! And then, when you think it can’t get any worse, they make your feet sweat.  Cody has had enough of wrinkly socks, itchy sweaters, and too-tight pants, so she’s definitely not going to wear PJs to bed. But Dad has a soft, snuggly plan that just might help Cody realize some pajamas aren’t so awful after all.

Wildfire! by Ashley Wolff (11/02/21)
There is a flash. Then a crack. Bluejay spreads the news: “Firefirefire in the forest!”  There’s a wildfire on Spruce Mountain! High up in the Evergreen Tower, dispatcher Maria sees it, too. She calls on expert teams of pilots, smokejumpers, and firefighters to battle the blaze. Meanwhile, the animals of the forest, from bears to deer to turtles, take shelter from the smoke and flames.  Featuring detailed end matter about forest fires and firefighting techniques and tools, this timely picture book is perfect for anyone interested in firefighting and protecting our natural spaces.

I like themes.  I like to coordinate my clothing and movie-watching to match the season.  For example, I wear red, white and blue and pop in Flight of the Navigator on the Fourth of July.  So it should come as no surprise that I like to read stories set in the summertime during Summer Reading.  Do you?  Here are some of the newest novels featuring summer adventures.

I like to match up two new books in Perfect Pair posts on this blog.  But, this time, I have three titles that work well together.  Say hello to this Tremendous Trio!

Dorothy the Brave by Meghan P. Browne (03/29/22)
Dorothy Lucas yearned to discover all that she was capable of. After the devastating news of Pearl Harbor, her brothers joined the World War II war effort, but Dorothy wanted to do her part, too.   So, she  enlisted to serve as a Women Airforce Service Pilot  (WASP). After hours of flight school and roaring engines, Dorothy and her fellow WASPs risked their lives towing targets in the air for the male fighter pilots in training. Through many mechanical scares and smoke-filled cockpits, Dorothy remained brave and committed to her job–defying gravity and defying the odds. 

Shark Week was something my sister and I always looked forward to in the summers.  The teeth, the divers in cages . . . it was all so terrifyingly exciting!  If you're looking for fin-tastic thrills this summer, mark your calendar for Shark WEEKend on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.  Feed the Shark in a fish-hurling toss game, hunt for shark teeth (yes, you get to keep some!), and identify shark species in a scavenger hunt.  You'll also make a pool noodle shark and a Great White Shark diet wheel. 

duunnn dunnn… duuuunnnn duun… duuunnnnnnnn dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dunnnnnnnnnn dunnnn ..

Did you know?
July 14 is Shark Awareness Day.
Did you also know?
We have lots of great new shark books.

I'm sure everyone knows that the World Games are coming to Birmingham!  And not just Birmingham, but Hoover, too!  An anticipated 3,600 elite athletes from over 100 countries will compete for gold in more than 30 of the fastest growing sports in the world.  We're celebrating at Hoover Public Library in a variety of ways.

We're hosting a World Games kick-off party on Friday, July 8, 2022 at 2 p.m.  Complete a parkour-style obstacle course with rope swing, play a bit of softball, test your bowling ability, and express yourself with ribbon dancing.  You'll also make a sport pennant and pose in a weightlifting photo op.  This free family event does not require registration.

Our monthly book display in the Kid Zone is dedicated to the World Games and filled with amazing sports titles, from picture books to novels to nonfiction.

Our last Summer Reading event just for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders is going to be a blast . . . . a beach blast!  Join us for a Beach Party on Monday, July 11, 2022 at either 4:00 or 6:30 p.m.  We'll hunt for sea creatures in the sand, toss a beach ball around, and go fishing.  We'll also weave a rainbow fish and turn a clothespin into a tiny but ferocious shark.  Registration is a must, so sign up online (by clicking on the blue time slot in this blog) or by phone (205-444-7830).

Graphic novels continue to be super popular Summer Reading choices.  There have been a lot of great releases in 2022 that you may not know about yet.  I'm happy to fill you in!

It's a big day for Gordon Korman, guys.  His 100th novel is being published!  I knew he was prolific, but I had no idea he had written so many.  Turns out, he's been writing amazing books for 45 years.  That's longer than I've been alive!  If you're a fan of his work (and who isn't?), make sure you make this one part of your Summer Reading.

The Fort by Gordon Korman (06/28/22)
The morning after Hurricane Leo rips through their town, four friends find a total mess outside, with downed branches and uprooted trees everywhere. They know they should stay indoors, but they want to go exploring, even if it means having a new kid, Ricky, tagging along.