FairyTale Bits - NEW !

Fri, 04/13/2007 - 3:15pm by ryanikoglu

Jan Pienkowski's The Fairy Tales is a stunning and dramatic visual treat! "Exquisitely beautiful silhouettes ... complete the atmosphere of magic and enchantment". There are Four traditional tales that have been faithfully translated from the German Brothers Grimm and the French Charles Perrault. Danger and Romance exist in the words and the pictures on every page. Very sumptuous indeed !

Goddess Bits - NEW !

Fri, 04/13/2007 - 3:03pm by ryanikoglu

A lovely new book arrived at the Library full of "Goddess Stories from around the World". The Lady Of Ten Thousand Names brings 8 goddess myths with lovely illustrations, ... just the right length for grade school ages and older to enjoy.

Storytime Scoop

Fri, 04/13/2007 - 2:55pm by StoryLaura

Hold onto your hats for windy, rainy stories to Wake Up Spring at the Downtown and Pittsfield preschool storytimes the week of April 16th.

Tales of Science Projects - 3rd-5th grade

Fri, 04/13/2007 - 2:35pm by ryanikoglu

Have Science Fair projects entered your life at school? These books are about scientific projects ... good and bad. 4th grade science wiz Phineas is assigned to work with the new boy in class in Phineas L. McGuire ERUPTS!. Jake Drake Know-It-All wants to win the Grand Prize in the 3rd grade. 10 yr old Jackson has more zucchini than he ever wants to see in Jackson Jones And Mission GreenTop. And in Gloria Rising, 4th grade Gloria meets a woman astronaut.

Tween Scene—Cup Stack Attack

Sat, 04/07/2007 - 1:44pm by lola

Stop by the Pittsfield Branch between 2 PM and 3 PM with your cups on Monday, April 9th and get a little practice in, working on your best time. We’ve got speed stacks to borrow if you don’t have your own or want to see what cup stacking is like.

We’ll run through some practice drills and for those that feel competitive, there will be a mini tournament with prizes for the top three winners in the light or heavy brackets. Come and have fun and relax during your spring break!
For Ages 9 +

Tween Scene—Slime Time

Fri, 04/06/2007 - 1:49pm by lola

Feel like getting down and dirty and making slime? Come to the Malletts Creek Branch on April 9th from 11 AM-12 PM or the Northeast Branch on April 11th from 2-3 PM, and create your own gross and gooey slime.
For Ages 9 +

Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming

Thu, 04/05/2007 - 10:28am by Tahira

This Reading Rainbow book tells the story of a Katje who lives in Holland after World War II. There is very little to eat and other supplies such as socks and warm clothing are scarce. She receives a care package from a little girl named Rosie who lives in America and shares the wonderful surprises inside with her family, friends and neighbors. Katje decides she would like to send Rosie something special to thank her for all the wonderful gifts. But what could a poor girl with nothing send? This book is based on true events and is wonderful way to show young readers that even those who believe they have nothing always have enough to share.

Oy Vey!

Tue, 04/03/2007 - 2:20pm by StoryLaura

This irreverent celebration of Yiddish is the perfect parody of the Five Little Ducks for a Passover chuckle. Author Dave Horowitz sends five little chopped fish balls on adventures through the colorful streets of NYC. All I can say is, don’t let the bus driving pigeon meet up with the feisty gefiltes-OY VEY!

Freedom Ship by Doreen Rappaport

Tue, 03/27/2007 - 3:23pm by Tahira

A small boy recounts an amazing story of bravery and determination in Doreen Rappaport's Freedom Ship. Based on the true story of a Confederate Steam ship that was kidnapped and turned over to the Union Army by a slave crew who sought freedom. The ship’s pilot Robert Smalls went on to become captain of the ship and was elected to South Carolina’s state legislature and the state senate.

Library Songsters

Fri, 03/23/2007 - 2:45pm by iralax

In the spirit of the 1950s folk music revival, the AADL Library Songsters program brings folk musicians, storytellers and dancers into our public schools to teach these traditional arts to students. This year Banjo Betsy Beckerman taught fourth graders at Angell and Pattengill how to write Michigan history songs; Glen Morningstar Jr. brought "Dancing Through American History" to Burns Park, and Lee Knight showed storytelling to sixth graders at Slauson. At the end of each three-day residency, students came to the library to perform their creations for each other or parents. They had a good time learning history, and some go to hear live folk music at places like The Ark or Crazy Wisdom Tea Room. AADL has a excellent collection of folk music recordings, histories and songbooks.