Kids

The last week of our regular storytime season is almost here!  Don't miss out!

Mother Goose - You Are My Sunshine - Monday, April 25, 2022 at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. (must register)
Storytime@East 59 Lee Branch - Monday, April 25, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.
Story Lab - Tentacles! - Monday, April 25, 2022 at 4 p.m.
Together with Twos - Ahoy Matey! - Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. (must register)
Story Sprouts - Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.
PJ Storytime - Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 6 p.m.

Our summer storytime series will begin in June.  Stay tuned for information about Sail the Story Sea (Mondays) and Storytime @ Lee Branch (Fridays)!

I noticed that there are quite a lot of WILD new books.  Do you dare to read on the wild side?

April is National Poetry Month!  We have a very large collection of poetry books, as well as an impressive selection of novels-in-verse.  But here are some of the latest and greatest titles for kids and teens.

Do you know what it means to upcycle?  It means to reuse discarded objects or material in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original.  Some people describe it as turning trash into treasure.  Miss Traci is hosting an Upcycle That! event for 1st-3rd graders next Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 4 p.m. Make faux stained glass jars and learn about other ways you can use your creativity to make our world a better place. Registration is required.  You can sign up online or by phone (205-444-7830).

It Take Guts: How Your Body Turns Food into Fuel (and Poop) by Dr. Jennifer Gardy (09/13/21)
Everybody eats, and everybody poops. Pretty ordinary stuff, right?  But what happens in between is far from ordinary! That’s where your digestive system—also known as your gut—works its magic. 

• The surprising role that food and digestion play in your mood and immune system.
• The amazing tools your body uses to break down food including acids, which do their thing without burning a hole in your stomach!
• The incredible truth that not all bacteria is bad! Billions of “helpful bacteria” belong in your gut.

Dr. Jennifer Gardy also takes stomach-turning detours to investigate the science behind burps, barfs, and farts, proving that learning about the wonderful world of your gut—takes guts!

How's that for an attention-grabbing title?!  No, I didn't make it up.  It's the name of a hilarious new doomsday novel that asks: What happens when five unsupervised kids face the apocalypse under outrageously silly circumstances?

It's the End of the World and I'm in My Bathing Suit by Justin A. Reynolds (04/05/22)
Twelve-year-old Eddie Gordon Holloway has concocted his most genius plan ever to avoid chores . . . especially the dreaded L-A-U-N-D-R-Y. If he wears every item of clothing in his wardrobe, summer will be halfway over before he has to do laundry! 

On the day of the highly anticipated Beach Bash, Eddie ends up grounded until he can get his clothes clean. While left home alone to do his laundry, the power goes out mid-cycle. With his first load of laundry soaking wet and the rest still filthy, Eddie sets out to explore the seemingly empty neighborhood in just his swim trunks and flip-flops. 

We're getting a jumpstart on Earth Day during this month's Homeschool Hub!  Join us for Earth Day Science next Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 2 p.m.  Students in grades K-8 will complete two water-related experiments, one exploring the water cycle and the other demonstrating the effects of water pollution.  Registration is required, so sign up online or by phone (205-444-7830) today.

Karina Yan Glaser, author of the super popular Vanderbeekers series, has a new standalone book out this week!  It is described as "a triumphant tale of friendship, healing, and the power of believing in ourselves told from the perspective of biracial sixth-graders June and Tyrell, two children living in a homeless shelter."  Sounds good to me! 

A Duet for Home (04/05/22)
It's June’s first day at Huey House, and as if losing her home weren’t enough, she also can’t bring her cherished viola inside. Before the accident last year, her dad saved tip money for a year to buy her viola, and she’s not about to give it up now.

Tyrell has been at Huey House for three years and gives June a glimpse of the good things about living there: friendship, hot meals, and a classical musician next door.

Can he and June work together to oppose the government, or will families be forced out of Huey House before they are ready?

April 3-9, 2022 is National Library Week!  This year's theme is Connect with Your Library, and we hope you'll take that as a sign that you need to stop by for a visit.  We've planned a few extras for the week -- check it out!

BOOK DISPLAY
Grab a picture book, novel, or nonfiction title that features libraries!  You'll find them on display in the last bookcase along the starred hallway that leads to the Youth Program Room.

FAMILY NIGHT
Drop by the Library Plaza on Monday, April 4 at 6 p.m. for Family Night-Connect with Your Library.  There will be games and crafts.  No registration is required.