For years Charles Dickens kept the story of his own childhood a secret. Yet it is a story worth telling. As a child, Dickens was forced to live on his own and work long hours in a rat-infested blacking factory. In this book, you will be drawn into the winding streets of London in 1824, where you will learn how the legendary author got the inspiration for many of his characters. The 200th anniversary of Dickens's birth is February 7, 2012, and this tale of his little-known boyhood is the perfect way to introduce kids to this great author. Here is historical fiction at its ingenious best.

The first day of the 2012 Chinese New Year is Monday January 23. On that day, the mystical dragon returns, in its first appearance since the turn of the millennium. The dragon is the epitome of power, nobility and perseverance, tracing back to early Chinese mythology.

Countless Chinese dragon legends run through ancient Chinese history. In The Dragon Emperor : a Chinese Folktale the dragon emperor Ying Long is a powerful ruler. But a warrior named Chi You plans to overthrow the emperor and take control of China. How will the emperor protect his country? For a look at all twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, try The Dragon's Tale and Other Animal Fables of the Chinese Zodiac, with striking illustrations by Demi.

You can listen to Mandarin or English dialog with subtitles in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, or Hanyu Pinyin on the DVD Story of the Chinese Zodiac : Shi er Sheng Xiao di Gu Shi.

And why not try your hand at Origami : Asian Arts & Crafts for Creative Kids?
However you celebrate, we wish you a healthy and prosperous new year!

Jenny and David Heitler-Klevans make up this dynamic duo and once in a while they cruise through A2, singing their inspiring and original songs for the whole family. Join us for clapping and dancing along as we celebrate their brand new CD, Sing Me Your Story, on Thursday, January 26 at 7 pm Downtown!

We SING in Storytime. You SING in the yard ... in the car ... at the park. We sang "Two Kinds Of Seagulls ... HEgulls and SHEgulls" by Tom Chapin in Storytime with Ms. Sarah. Folks liked it and asked for more suggestions.
Here is a list of some of my favorite recording artists for young families.
These artists provide fun songs for elementary school ages,
AND the preschool siblings enjoy going along with the fun.
Cellabration! A Tribute to Ella Jenkins with various artists all singing songs written by Ella Jenkins
You'll Sing A Song And I'll Sing A Song with Ella Jenkins
Making Good Noise with Tom Chapin
Jim Gill Sings Do Re Mi on His Toe Leg Knee with Jim Gill
Daddy-O Daddy with various artists all singing songs written by Woody Guthrie
Train Songs And Other Tracks with Kevin Roth
You Are My Little Bird with Elizabeth Mitchell
All Wound Up! with Cathy Fink
Crazy Hair Day: original songs and stories with various artists
SING-on !

Sunday, January 22 | 1:00-3:00 PM | Downtown Multipurpose Room | Grades K-5

Have a blast pumping up your math muscles. Mathnasium staff will help you practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division skills through fun games and team competitions. Plus, learn about geometry through FUN Tangram puzzles!

What are the virtues of a real Princess?
She will have good manners.
She will be exceedingly sensitive.
She may apply and interview to marry a Prince.
The PRINCESS And The PEA is a classic folktale by Hans Christian Anderson.
It can be retold in many ways.
Ms. Rachel presented the African version in storytime this week, based on the version by Rachel Isadora The PRINCESS And The PEA.
Here are more versions to try:
ASL Tales: PRINCESS And The PEA which includes a DVD of the story in ASL sign language.
The PRINCESS And The PEA in Kit format, to let a learning reader follow the book, while a CD speaks the words.
La PRINCESA Y El GUISANTE is written in both Spanish and English languages.
The VERY SMART PEA And The PRINCESS To BE is the tale from the view of the Pea ... a favorite of mine.
Each version will be slightly different in how the story goes.
It's fun to consider the possibilities!

Brainfuse

Remember last year's Summer Game and how geeked you were to win prizes just for using our website? Well you can can continue to (sorta/kinda) win points by using our website, specifically if you log onto Brainfuse Tutoring. OK, not points per se, but you would be sure to win points from your parents and teachers. (Can I hear a collective "Cool!" being uttered by the masses)? Brainfuse has on-line learning options that are sure to enhance your study experience. The HelpNow 3.0 upgrade Study Suite will offer study tools for an array of Standardized Tests.

Steven Spielberg directs Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson and David Thewlis in War Horse (PG-13), based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo - a tale of loyalty, hope and tenacity set against a sweeping canvas of rural England and Europe during the First World War.

It begins with the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and a young man called Albert, who tames and trains him. When they are forcefully parted, the film follows the extraordinary journey of the horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets.

John le Carré's Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is adapted by Director Tomas Alfredson for Universal Pictures into a feature film starring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, and Tom Hardy.

This international espionage action-thriller is set at the height of the Cold War when George Smiley, a disgraced British spy, is rehired in secret by his government in fear that MI-6 has been compromised by a double agent working for the Soviets.

Have you ever considered making your own board game? What would it look like? What would it do?

Come to the Pittsfield Branch Library on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. and make your own board game. Will it have a path? Will it have dragons blocking the way? What will be the reward for finishing?

This is for children preschool through 5th grade. Supplies and boards will be provided. For a start to planning your game, look at this.

Get ready to ring in 2012! Come to the Pittsfield Branch Library on Friday, Dec. 30 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. and create some hats and noisemakers to help you bring in the new year.

This is for preschool through 5th grade children. All supplies will be provided. For more about this holiday, click here.