Kids

December 10th is International Animal Rights Day, and December 11th is International Mountain Day.  Do I have books you should read?  Of course I do!

What Animals Want: The Five Freedoms in Action by Jacqueline Pearce (10/12/21)
Modern science tells us that animals experience a wide range of emotions—from fear and anxiety to friendship and happiness. What Animals Want is an animal-care book with a difference. It introduces young readers to the Five Freedoms and helps them think about their pets’ physical and emotional needs, providing a framework for thinking about the welfare of all animals in human care, including farm, exotic and wild animals.

Yes, my friends, you are correct.  There is literally a holiday for EVERYTHING!  December 8th is Toilet Paper Appreciation Day.  And I definitely appreciate it.  I also appreciate that there is a brand-new nonfiction book perfect for the day.  It makes this blog so much easier to write.

A History of Toilet Paper (and Other Potty Tools) by Sophia Gholz (08/02/22)
People have been going potty since, well, since the beginning of people! Ever wonder what humans used before potties or paper? You might be surprised at the clever tools that humans came up with over the centuries. From the great outdoors to ceramic pots, bum brushes and bidets, prepare for an adventure as we explore the interesting and sometimes shocking history of human potty practices!

Don't forget to take a look at the book trailer and curriculum guide on the author's website.

The holiday season is hectic.  Believe me, we know.  That's why we're giving you an opportunity to enjoy the Christmas season using the ideas of Hygge, a Danish way of living that focuses on taking things slow and celebrating the small joys of life.  Cozy Christmas on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 2 p.m. will feature lots of crafts, snacks, and opportunities to spend time with loved ones.  Here's what you can expect at this low-key holiday program.

CRAFTS
Color and bejewel some holiday-shaped wooden ornaments for your tree. 
Thread a wreath ornament using decorative wooden beads and pipe cleaners.
Weave a heart ornament inspired by Julehjerter (Danish Christmas Hearts).
Create a unique snowflake using coffee filters and scissors.
Write a letter to Santa and post it in our special mailbox in the library!

The holiday season is definitely underway, so it's time to talk about Santa!  One, we have a special mailbox where you can send your wish list to Santa.  We even have a table with all the supplies you need to make your list.  So stop by the Kid Zone ASAP!  Two, Santa Claus is coming to town!  The library is hosting two special events with you-know-who.  Here's all the details!

Storytime with Santa on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at 6:30 pm
Make a holiday craft and enjoy storytime on the Library Plaza with our special guest!  Registration is required, so sign up online or by phone (205-444-7830).

Storytime with Santa @ Lee Branch on Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 6:30 pm
Join Santa for a special storytime and craft at East 59 Lee Branch.  Registration is required, so sign up online or by phone.

A Blue Kind of Day by Rachel Tomlinson (04/05/22)
Coen is having a sniffling, sighing, sobbing kind of day.  His family thinks they know how to cheer him up. His dad wants to go outside and play, Mom tells her funniest joke, and his little sister shares her favorite teddy. Nothing helps. But one by one, they get quiet and begin to listen. After some time, space, and reassurance, Coen is able to show them what he needs.

In the Blue by Erin Hourigan (05/03/22)
As one father embarks on an emotional journey, his daughter will navigate life lived in and around his depression. Most days the sun won’t be able to peek through the clouds. But with each new wave of change, love will always bond them together.

My Name Is a Story by Ashanti (07/12/22)
First days aren’t easy for a girl with a name like Ashanti. It feels like no one can pronounce it correctly! But with some encouragement from her mom, Ashanti spells her name and learns just how special it is.  A is for awesome, S is for sunsets, H is for hand games, A is for art…

That's Not My Name! by Anoosha Syed (07/12/22)
Mirha is so excited for her first day of school! She can't wait to learn, play, and make new friends. But when her classmates mispronounce her name, she goes home wondering if she should find a new one. Maybe then she'd be able to find a monogrammed keychain at the gas station or order a hot chocolate at the cafe more easily.  Mama helps Mirha to see how special her name is, and she returns to school the next day determined to help her classmates say it correctly--even if it takes a hundred tries.

Ice Cream Face by Heidi Woodward Sheffield (06/21/22)
As far as this ice-cream-loving kid is concerned, every meal should include ice cream. In any form, in every flavor, he loves it all. But what he doesn't love is seeing other people with ice cream .  .  .  while he's still waiting in line for his. That's when he can get his mad, "no-ice-cream-yet, waiting-in-a-long-line face"--until he finally gets his cone, and his mad face melts into something sweet.

Pick Me! by Max Amato (08/02/22)
Fudge, Mint, Berry, Bean, and Candy each think they are the MOST delicious ice cream cone around. But when Rocky Road arrives to deliver the scoop that "getting picked" means getting eaten, these silly cones earn their just desserts!

People Are Wild by Margaux Meganck (03/01/22)
Wild creatures come in all shapes and sizes. They can be playful or loud or smelly or curious or cute—just like kids!  People Are Wild turns the tables and asks what animals think of us. We may not always see eye to eye, but the more we understand each other, the better we’re able to live in harmony.

Wild Beings by Dorien Brouwers (04/19/22) 
This gloriously illustrated book for all ages is an ode to the kindred spirits of children and animals. With socio-emotional themes woven throughout, Wild Beings celebrates our universal and unbreakable bonds with Mother Nature, igniting a passion for playing and exploring the outdoors.

Pink Is for Everybody! by Ella Russell (04/15/22)
A group of kids is stuck inside on a rainy day, and they’re feeling gloomy … until they discover a pink treasure chest! Inside they find a collection of items that turn their gray day into a playground of pink. Pink is for painters and palace-dwellers, aliens and astronauts, dancers and dragons! In a parade of exuberance that celebrates all things pink, one surly cat stands apart and teaches the kids a gentle lesson about choosing what you love, no matter who you are, while respecting the unique preferences of everybody around you.