Story Times

"Meet and Greet" story times will start up again on November 30th!  Register your 2-5 year olds for stories, songs and snacks.  Take this opportunity to connect with other parents and caregivers while your child plays with new friends.

 4-5 year olds on Tuesdays at 11am

2-3 year olds on Wednesdays at 11 am

This 4 week session begins on November 30th and runs til December 22nd.

Please call the Children's Department at 846-1573 to register for this free program!

We Have Our Winners!

The seeds from our Great Pumpkin Seed contest have all been counted and the results are in!  Jackie O. Lantern, our 16 pound pumpkin donated by Sweet Berry Farm, had a whopping 748 seeds in her! 

121 children entered our contest and two lucky winners who were closet to the exact number of seeds will each receive a Friends of the Library book bag and a gift certificate to either Sweet Berry Farm or to Island Books.

The two winners each guessed 708 seeds and 700 seeds, respectively.  Congrats to our two winners for their extraordinary estimation skills!

Pumpernickel Puppets

The Pumpernickel Puppets will perform "The Lion and the Mouse" and "Three Billy Goats Gruff" at the Middletown Public Library on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 (Election Day - no school) at 10:30 am.

The show features colorful hand puppets, sound effects and lots of audience participation.  The performance is appropriate for children three years of age and older.

John McDonough's Pumpernickel Puppets have entertained families throughout New England for more than thirty years.  For more information, please call the Children's Room Library Desk at 846-1573.

Let the Wild Rumpus Start!

It's Halloween!

Meet Max's favorite monster at the Middletown Public Library when a life-sized "Wild Thing" will be visiting our library on Friday, October 29th at 4pm.  We'll also be reading from Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are".  Bring your camera for photos and pick up an activity sheet!


For more information, call the Children's Room desk at 846-1573

An Afternoon of Spooky Halloween Fun!

Join us for spooky stories and  make a spooky spider to take home!  Candy corn and pumpkin bookmarks for all! Grades PK -3 Thursday October 14th  @ 4 pm.  Please call  846-1573 to register!

The Great Pumpkin Seed Contest!

Ever wondered how many seeds are in a pumpkin?  Here's your chance to guess how many there are AND win a prize!

The two children who guess the number of seeds closest to the exact number in the library's pumpkin will receive a fantastic prize.  The winners will recieve a Friends of the Library book bag and a gift certificate to Sweet Berry Farm or to Island Books!


Who:  Children 12 and under may enter.
When:  Visit the Children's Room of the library between Oct 1st - Oct 27th
How:  Fill out the ticket provided.  One entry per child is allowed.

Fall Storytimes!

"Meet and Greet" storytimes will start up on October 5th!  Register your 2-5 year olds for stories, songs and snacks.  Take this opportunity to connect with other parents and caregivers while your child plays with new friends.

4-5 year olds on Tuesdays at 11am

2-3 year olds on Wednesdays at 11 am

This 4 week session begins on October 5th and runs til October 27th.


Please call the Children's Department at 846-1573 to register for this free program!

Magician Debbie O'Carroll Coming to "Make A Splash" Finale!

Magician Debbie O'Carroll is fishing for books in a delightful, participatory magic show created especially for "Make a Splash - Read!" participants!  Ms. O'Carroll is known for her theatrical magic shows.  She writes the scripts, creates the costumes and builds the props for each show.

WHEN: O'Carroll will entertain readers at the "Make a Splash" Program Finale on Tues., August 10, 2010 at 10:30 a.m!

Children who have read at least five books and have completed questions from the Fish Bowl will receive a certificate and a variety of beach-themed prizes after the performance.  Certificates and prizes for readers who do not attend Tuesday's program will be held in the Children's Room until Sept. 30, 2010.

The free program is co-sponsored by the RI Office of Library and Information Services, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Friends of the Middletown Public Library.  For tickets and information, please call 846-1573.

Read Regarding the Fountain! Join the Book Club!

Subtitled "A Tale, in Letters, Liars and Leaks", this book is a comical mystery with a stimulating plot, cleverly formatted in letters, faxes and newspaper articles. This book was selected as the 1st Youth Reading Across Rhode Island title.

Read Regarding the Fountain by Kate Klise and join us for a Book Group event !  What did you think of this book? How would you have designed the fountain?  Refreshments will be served!

Who:   Children entering Grades 3-6

When:  Wed., Aug 4th 10:30  Added date! Aug 11th 10:30!

Where: Middletown Public Library 846-1573 to register for this program!

Seahorses, Starfish, and Crabs, Oh My!

The Biomes Marine Biology Center will be visiting the library and bringing with them some of the fantastic marine animals that live right here in Narragansett Bay. 

Be ready for a hands-on, interactive demonstration of some of the most interesting marine animals. Horseshoe crabs, seahorses, starfish and puffer fish are just a few of the animals they will be discussing. The first half of the program will be a meet and greet group presentation about each animal. This will be followed by a hands-on experience where kids can touch the animals and get an up-close look at them.

When: Tuesday, July 20th at 10:30 am

For *free* tickets please call or visit the Children's Department at 846-1573

Drop-In Storytimes

Children of all ages are invited to join us for a drop-in storytime that will feature stories, fingerplays, music, and movement.  No registration is required, so join us for one storytime or come every week!



When: July 22-Aug 12
Time: Thursdays, 10:30am-11am
Ages: All ages
Registration: Not required
Supervision: Children must be accompanied by an adult

If you have any questions, please contact the Children's Room at 846-1573

Cartoonagrams with Steve Brosnihan

Steve Brosnihan is a Rhode Island cartoonist who has been teaching his “Cartoonagrams” program for over 15 years. Using letters of the alphabet, Steve teaches students to draw cartoon characters he has created.

 

Cartoonagrams are very easy to learn and remember. This program is great for all students, including those who don’t believe they have artistic ability.  No matter what characters are taught, the method guarantees satisfying results-and lots of fun - for everyone. 

 

When: Wednesday, July 14 at 10:30 am

 

For *free* tickets, please visit or call the Children's Room at 846-1573

Make a Splash - READ!

     Be sure to mark your calendars! On July 1^st, children in grades K- 5 are invited to sign up for the library’s 2010 Summer Reading Club, “Make A Splash- READ!”

     
    Children will “fish” for questions and make a variety of projects after reading their books. Each child’s progress will be recorded in a “Make A Splash” reading record and on the library’s bulletin board.

     
   The program features storytellers, performers, craft programs, book groups and free passes to fun places around the state. Readers who complete five books or more qualify for a reading certificate, a paperback book, an ice cream cone and a bag of beach-themed prizes!

Save the dates!

Sat. 6/12   12:00 – 3:00 Youth Reading Across RI!

                               State Kickoff for the Summer Program!

                               Rhode Island Statehouse, Providence           

Thurs. 7/1 10:30  “Take Two Tandem Tellers”

Tues.  7/6  10:30   Thawn Harris, Native American storyteller

Wed.  7/14 10:30   Steve Brosnihan, Cartoonist

Tues. 7/20 10:30   Biomes Marine Biology Center

Tues. 8/10 10:30   Debbie O’Carroll, Magician

    Research has shown that children who participate in reading programs during the summer keep up their skills and develop a positive attitude about reading. The program is co-sponsored by the RI Office of Library and Information Services, McDonald’s Restaurants of RI and

Middletown Public Library.   

2010 RI Children's Book Award

The results are in and Rhode Island's students have cast their votes!  Amulet (Book 1: The Stonekeeper) by Kazu Kibushi is the Rhode Island Children's Book Award winner for 2010.  The RICBA Committe summarizes:

"Emily and her brother Navin are lost in an alternative world of Alledia as they chase the tentacled beast that kidnapped their mother. The key to their survival lies in Emily's amulet and her ability to control its powers."

 This series also continues with Amulet (Book 2: The Stonekeeper's Curse), and Amulet (Book 3: The Cloud Searchers).  These books are recommended for grades 4-6.


 The complete list of nominees for this year were:

Kibuishi, Kazu. Amulet. Book 1, The Stonekeeper.
Scieszka, Jon. Knucklehead.
Korman, Gordon. Swindle.
Schulman, Janet. Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City.
Look, Lenore. Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School and Other Scary Things.
Law, Ingrid. Savvy.
Cox, Judy. Puppy Power.
Nobleman, Marc Tyler. Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman.
Wolf, Joan M. Someone Named Eva.
Avi. The Seer of Shadows.
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Dexter the Tough.
Giff, Patricia Reilly. Eleven.
Barrows, Annie. The Magic Half.
Nuzum, K.A. The Leanin' Dog.
Hurwitz, Joanna. Squirrel World.
Dowell, Frances O'Roark. Shooting the Moon.
Preller, James. Along Came Spider.
Park, Linda Sue. Tap Dancing on the Roof.
Perkins, Mitali. Rickshaw Girl.
Frazier, Sundee T. Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It.

Children's Book Week

Children’s Book Week (May 10-17) is a time to celebrate all of the awesome children’s books that are out there to read.  Whether it’s a timeless picture book such as “Where the Wild Things Are”, a fantastical adventure like “Harry Potter”, or a graphic novel like “The Time Warp Trio” that gets you reading, you can be sure that the children’s department of the library has something for you. 

If you are looking for the next great book to read, look no farther than the 2010 Children’s Book Choice Awards List.  This year, over 115,000 school children voted on their favorite books, and this year’s winners are (drumroll, please!):

 Children’s Choices for 2010

Author of the Year
James Patterson for Max (A Maximum Ride Novel) (Little, Brown)

Illustrator of the Year
Peter Brown for The Curious Garden (Little, Brown)

Kindergarten to Second Grade Book of the Year
Lulu the Big Little Chick written and illustrated by Paulette Bogan (Bloomsbury USA)

Third Grade to Fourth Grade Book of the Year
Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute written and illustrated by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Knopf/Random House)

Fifth Grade to Sixth Grade Book of the Year
Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-so-fabulous Life written and illustrated by Rachel Renee Russell (Aladdin/Simon & Schuster)

Teen Choice Book of the Year
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic)

For the full list of all the fantastic finalists for 2010, click here: http://www.cbcbooks.org/news/14

Playful Preschoolers

"Playful Preschoolers" will be held on Thursday mornings at 10:30 am beginning May 13. This storytime is for children three to five years old who are ready to join a group. Registration is limited to 14 children.

May13: A Bear-y Good Time

May 20: Things with Wings

May 27: Under the Sea

June 3: Summer Fun

All storytimes feature stories, songs, fingerplays and a craft on a weekly theme. Each session runs for four weeks. Parents may register for these free programs at the library or by calling the Children's Room Desk at 846-1573. We hope to see you here!

Spring Break Boredom Busters!

School vacation is here and your kids are home!  So, what to do with them that will get you and them out of the house?  The answer is easy!  Take them to a museum, the zoo, or an aquarium with one of our discount passes that are available through the library.  Passes and coupons can be obtained at the Circulation desk.  Here's the rundown on what we have:

• Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Bristol, RI & Seekonk, MA
  Pass admits 2 adults and 4 children under the age of 18  www.asri.org
• Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Aboretum, Bristol, RI
  Pass admits 2 adults and 6 children under the age of 18  www.blithewold.org
• Children's Museum, Providence, RI
  Coupon allows free admission for up to 4 people  www.childrenmuseum.org
• Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
  Coupon admits 2 adults at $8.00 each and discounted admission to special exhibits       www.mfa.org
• Museum of Science, Boston, MA
  Coupon admits up to 4 people at $5.00 each   www.mos.org
• Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT
  Pass allows free admission for 2 adults and 3 children under age 19  www.mysticseaport.org
  
  
  • New England Aquarium, Boston, MA
    Coupon admits up to 4 people at $8.00 each - not valid during July and August  www.neaq.org
  • Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
    Pass allows 2 adults free admission and 10% discount in the museum store   www.risdmuseum.org
  • Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence, RI
    Pass admits up to 4 people at the following prices:
    July and August: $9.00 adults, $5.00 children/Rest of the year: $6.00 adults, $3.00 children  www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org                    
  
  With so much to offer, it's tough to make a choice! 

Going to the Dogs!

 Middletown Public Library is going to the dogs!   MPL will be sponsoring three Potter League "Read Fur Fun" programs in April and May.  On Tuesday April 27th, Thursday April 29th and Tuesday, May 4th, Potter League volunteers and their pet dogs will be at the library from 3:45-5 pm listening to children read aloud.  The children will also make a dog-themed craft to take home.

Each child will be partnered with a dog who is an eager and experienced listener.  Both dogs and pet owners have been screened, and have passed a special test which certifies them for participation in the Read Fur Fun program.  The program has proven to be a fun way to motivate youngsters to become more confident in their read-aloud skills. Sign up for one or all three sessions!

When: April 27 (a Tuesday), April 29 (a Thursday), May 4 (a Tuesday).
           Sessions are from 3:45pm - 5:00pm
Who: Children in grades 1-3
How:  Come in or call the Children's Desk at 846-1573 to register for these free programs. 
          

Make a dog's day by signing up to read with a furry friend!

Go Green with the Toe Jam Puppet Band!

The Toe Jam Puppet Band will perform "The Green Show" at Middletown Public Library on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 2 pm during school vacation week.

The Toe Jam Puppet Band has performed throughout New England and is well-known for high-energy entertainment with lots of humor and audience participation.  "The Green Show" features interactive puppets, storytelling and songs that celebrate all creatures on earth.  The performance reminds us to recycle and take good care of our planet.

For *free* tickets and more information, please call the Children's Room Desk at 846-1573. 

Calling all Wimpy Kids!

SEE THE MOVIE! READ THE BOOKS!
      The movie " The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley's Journal", opens today in Middletown and in theaters across the country! Diary of a Wimpy Kid tells about  preteen Greg Heffley's misadventures  as a "weakling"  in a school of cool kids. In the movie, Greg is played by actor Zachary Gordon. Zachary has been in other movies and has won a Young artist's Award for his acting. Robert Capron co-stars as Zachary's friend, Rowley. In real life, Robert comes from Rhode Island, and took acting classes at Trinity Rep in Providence.  READ THE BOOKS!  Author Jeff Kinney, an online game designer, first began writing the series as a comic strip blog. There are four books in the humorous Wimpy Kid series so far. The books are written to look like Greg's diaries. Greg is pictured in the books as a cartoon character with a big head, big nose, big ears, big backpack and three strands of stand-up-straight hair. Middletown Public Library's Kids' Dept.has many copies of the Wimpy Kid books. You can also listen to Greg's tales on CD. If our copies of this popular series are out, we'll be happy to reserve one especially for you! Pick up Kinney's books and get wimpy now!

Guys Read

We hear it all the time at the library, “My son doesn’t know what to read”, “I need a book that will keep my son reading”, or (from the guys themselves) “I can’t find anything good to read!”.  Well, our website of the week is here to help you!  Guys Read, an amazing site by Jon Scieszka, is just for guys (and little guys too).  It offers a variety of booklists that would interest boys and young men.

By clicking on a title in a booklist, it will show you the cover art, age level, page count, genre, and whether it is part of a series (series are great for reluctant readers; if they like one book then they will probably like the rest in that series).  All of this is very helpful when deciding on the next reading adventure you want to take or to gauge how interested your guy might be in the book!

Want some of our own recommendations for guys?  Here you go!

• "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney
• "A Series of Unfortunate Events" by Lemony Snicket
• "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" by Rick Riordan
• "39 Clues" series (various authors)
• "Holes" by Louis Sachar
• "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen 
• "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" by Alvin Schwartz
• Anything written by Dan Gutman, Gordon Korman, Roald Dahl, or Mike Lupica

And the winners are : 2010 Caldecott and Newbery Medal Awards!

   The 2010 Caldecott Medal winner is The Lion & the Mouse, illustrated and written by Jerry Pinkney (Little, Brown and Company for Young Readers). The screech of an owl, the squeak of a mouse and the roar of a lion transport readers to the Serengeti plains for this wordless retelling of Aesop's classic fable.  Pinkney's beautifully textured watercolor illustrations masterfully portray the relationship between the two very unlikely friends.

   The Caldecott Medal is named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded each year by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished  American picture book for children .

    The 2010  Newbery Medal winner is When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (Wendy Lamb Books, an imprint of Random House Books). In the book, twelve-year-old Miranda tries to make sense  of  shifting friendships, a sudden punch, a homeless man  and mysterious notes that seem to defy the laws of time.

These seemingly random events converge in a brilliantly constructed plot written as a first person  narrative.

    The Newbery Medal is named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children,
a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.


Click here for the full list of the 2010 Caldecott Award Winners!

 Click here for the full list of the 2010 Newberry Award Winners!

Save the Bay

Come learn about the Harbor Seals who winter in Narragansett Bay!

Join us as "Save the Bay" educators tell about the seals' habits, migrations and adaptations!  Discover the reason Seals visit Narragansett Bay only during the coldest times of the year!  Find out what is being done to protect these beautiful and unique marine mammals!

When: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 3:45 pm
For: Children in Grades K-4

Call the Children's Room Desk at 846-1573 for information or to register for this free program!

Spring Preschool Storytimes!

Registration for Middletown Public Library's "Your Two and You" and "Playful Preschoolers" storytimes will begin at 9:30 am on Monday, March 22, 2010.

"Your Two and You" will be held on Wednesday's at 10:30 am beginning March 31st. "Your Two and You" is a special sharing time for parent/caregiver and child. Children who have turned three years old and have never been to a storytime may also join this program. Registration is limited to 10 children.

"Playful Preschoolers" will be held on Thursday mornings at 10:30 am beginning April 1st. This storytime is for children three to five years old who are ready to join a group. Registration is limited to 14 children.

All storytimes feature stories, songs, fingerplays and a craft on a weekly theme. Each session runs for four weeks. Parents may register for these free programs at the library or by calling the Children's Room Desk at 846-1573. We hope to see you here!

Website of the Week!

Kaboose, a Disney sponsored website, is a treasure trove of craft ideas, parenting articles, health advice, community blogs, games, recipes, and much more.  The website is attractively designed and easy to navigate.

Our favorite parts of the website are the “Crafts” and “Holidays” sections.  Having used quite a few of their craft ideas, we can attest to how creative, fun, and easy they are for parents and children to make together.  Be sure to take advantage of the Craft Finder to find just the right craft according to age, materials used, holiday or theme, and difficulty level.  Thousands of boredom-busting creative crafts are right at your fingertips!

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Storytellers Cindy Killavey, Christopher Carbone and Piper Padilla will be performing favorite Dr. Seuss stories at the Middletown Public Library on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 4 pm.  The program, "Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!" will feature Reader's Theater and musical interpretations of "The Cat in the Hat", "Green Eggs and Ham", "The Sneetches" and other beloved Seuss books.  Seuss bookmarks and puzzle sheets will be available to take home.

The performance is sponsored by The League for the Advancement of New England Storytelling.  For free tickets and more information, please call the the Children's Room at 846-1573.

March Into Reading!

As February draws to a close, the March Into Reading campaign begins!  It kicks off on Friday, February 26, when authors and illustrators will be visiting local schools to discuss their books with students.  It continues on Saturday, February 27 at Salve Regina University's O'Hare Academic Center from 9:30 am - 1 pm.  There will be children's discovery rooms, author and illustrator workshops, book sales and signings, and community information centers.  All are *free* and open to the public.

Click here for the full schedule of events! 

Black History Month

February is National Black History Month!  Celebrate the cultural contributions,  achievements, and extraordinary lives that African Americans have given and lead in our country this month by visiting the library to check out the books that we have to offer on Black History.  There are multiple book displays around the library for readers of all ages to browse and check-out.

In the Children's Room, visit our special display of books where you can read books such as:

"Coretta Scott: Poetry" by Ntozake Shange with paintings by Kadir Nelson
"Onward: A Photobiography of African-American Explorer Matthew Henson" by Dolores Johnson
"Satchel Paige" by Lesa Cline-Ransome with paintings by James E. Ransome
"Jesse Owens: Fastest Man Alive" by Carole Boston Weatherford with illustrations by Eric Velasquez
"Ray Charles "by Sharon Bell Mathus with illustrations by George Ford

These are just some of the many books that we have to offer in the library, so please let us know if there is a biography or history book that you are looking for during Black History Month!

Stories from Snowy Lands

Sparky’s Puppets will perform “Stories From Snowy Lands” at the Middletown Public Library on Friday, February 19, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.

The show will feature lively adaptations of “The Snowman,” “The Bear Goes Ice Fishing,” “The Grasshopper and the Ant,” “The Tale of the North Wind” and other classic tales.

Sparky’s Puppets have been dramatizing children’s stories in schools and libraries throughout New England for over 25 years. The show features colorful hand puppets, lively humor and audience participation. Free tickets can be picked up at the Children’s Room Desk or by calling the library at 846-1573.

Happy Valentine's Day!

You're invited to join us for a free Valentine's Day program where your child can make a Valentine card for their favorite person or pet, listen to a story, and have a chocolate treat!

When: Thursday, February 11th at 4 pm

Who: Grades K-4

Where: The Meeting Room of the Middletown Public Library

To register, please call the Children's Room Desk at 846-1573

Preschool Storytimes

Registration for Middletown Public Library's "Your Two and You" and "Playful Preschoolers" storytimes will begin at 9:30 am on Monday, January 25, 2010.

"Your Two and You" will be held on Wednesday's at 10:30 am beginning February 3. "Your Two and You" is a special sharing time for parent/caregiver and child. Children who have turned three years old and have never been to a storytime may also join this program. Registration is limited to 10 children.

"Playful Preschoolers" will be held on Thursday mornings at 10:30 am beginning February 4. This storytime is for children three to five years old who are ready to join a group. Registration is limited to 14 children.

All storytimes feature stories, songs, fingerplays and a craft on a weekly theme. Each session runs for four weeks. Parents may register for these free programs at the library or by calling the Children's Room Desk at 846-1573. We hope to see you here!

Abigail Jefferson's Multicultural Celebration!

   Celebrate and Participate on Saturday, January 9th at 11 am!

Storyteller Abigail Ifatola Jefferson and performance artist Cynthia Burke will share interactive stories, songs and rhythms from around the world. Begin your New Year with a program that creates a spirit of joyful community!  The performance is for families with children ages 4-10. Please call the Children's Room Desk at 846-1573 for free tickets and more information.