Percy Jackson Party

Saturday, May 9 from 10:30 a.m. to noon The Stratford Library Children’s Department will host a special party to celebrate the release of The Last Olympian, the fifth and final book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, created by Rick Riordan. This event will take place on Saturday, May 9 from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Children’s Department. The program is free and open to all children 8 years and older.

In the first book, The Lightning Thief, readers meet Percy Jackson, who seems to be an average New York City kid until he learns his father is Poseidon, the Ancient Greek god of the sea. The other books in the series continue his adventures in a war between good and evil forces.

Activities at the party will include crafts, games, and Greek snacks. Copies of Mr. Riordan’s books will be available for reviewing and check out. Children are encouraged to dress as their favorite Greek character and will win prizes for their knowledge of Ancient Greece. For further information or to register, call the Stratford Library Children’s Department at 203.385.4165 or visit its website at http://www.stratfordlibrary.org/.

Sensory Storytime

Sensory Storytime will meet this Saturday, March 14th at 10:30 a.m. And ... this week's theme is blocks! I've had a peek in the box, and there are crunchy blocks, squishy blocks, and blocks with bells inside. Share stories and songs and then use all your senses to enjoy everybody's favorite toy ... blocks!

Sensory Storytime is designed for special needs children with tactile interest. Please call the Children's Department at 385-4165 to register, or for more information.

Award Winning Books

Okay, so I'm a few weeks late, but we're all busy people, and if you're like me, you may not have yet read this year's award winning children's books. Probably the book with the most media buzz is The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. It won this year's Newbery Award, which, to refresh our collective memory, is for excellence in literature. The winner needs to be an American or living in America. In his book, Gaiman describes a human baby raised by ghosts with all the concomitant sadness and humor. Gaiman is also well known for twittering in, um, colorful language, upon receiving the news of his award. But, hey, I'm sure it was an exciting moment. The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson won this year's Caldecott book. The Caldecott award is for excellence in illustration, so while the words are important, it is much more about the pictoral elements. It is based on an old rhyme, and it's a cumulative story. I would consider it a quiet, bedtime book. The illustrations are black and white scratchboard with gold embellishment. I can't quite decide on an age range; maybe 3 or 4 on up. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta is probably my favorite of the three winners. Jellicoe Road won the Printz Award for excellence in teen literature. This winner does not need to be an American, and I believe Ms. Marchetta is Australian. Jellicoe Road is the story of a boarding school and the mysteries several of its students keep. Students from a military school visit the area each year to camp, and while they are there, an unofficial war takes place. Boarding students, townies, and 'army' boys fight over territory and rights. But this year, the students find out how the war first started, proving the point there are no coincidences. Wonderfully rich and winding.

Be sure to check one out today!

Abraham Lincoln - Our Favorite Books

I loved the idea of Obama's favorite books so much, I thought I'd show y'all a smattering of the new crop of Abraham Lincoln books that have been emerging in children's literature lately. Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek by Deborah Hopkinson. This tall tale starts out with the true fact that Abe Lincoln was rescued from a raging river by a friend. Then the book speculates with different stories what would have happened if history hadn't turned out quite the way it did. Honest Abe's Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln by Doreen Rappaport. Written in free verse, this epic covers the course of Lincoln's life. Spectacular illustrations make this one worth looking at. It received notable reviews from many sources. The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary by Candace Fleming. A unique couple in American history, Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln have piqued our interest all along. Now explore portraits, maps, and other primary source materials to decide for yourself what made these great Americans real.

Tommy the Tooth Visits the Library

Are you smiling? Be sure you are tomorrow, February 6, on “Give Kids a Smile Day,” organized by the Stratford Health Department, in collaboration with the Oral Health Bridgeport Initiative (ORBIT). Tommy the Tooth will pay a visit to the Stratford Library Children’s Department Feb. 6 at 11:15 a.m. Children who check out some of our special 'toothy' books receive a free goody bag from the Stratford Health Department. Additional information about “Give Kids a Smile Day” and free dental care available for children can be obtained from the Stratford Health Department at 385-4058. Remember, healthy smile, healthy kids!

Knitters Unite!

The Children's Department has always welcomed readers ... and now ... knitters! Our Learn to Knit club for kids in grades 1 to 6 is one of our favorite activities of the week. We meet Mondays at 3:30 p.m. in the Carol Pieper Book Nook in the Children's Department. Last week we had 17 participants, mostly beginners, and 2 wonderful volunteers. As we learn about yarn, needles, and basic knitting stitches, we're also seeing the children develop coordination, motor skills, and problem solving. We're still looking for a few more adult volunteers to teach basic knitting skills. Please call the Children's Department at 385-4165 if you are interested in joining us on Mondays.

Cooking with Children

I can't think of anything more joyous around the holidays than time in the kitchen with children. It can be a little messy, and maybe a few ingredients get left out, but it's still pretty great.

So ... why not check out a few of our cookbooks? Retire those tired old recipes and try some new ones that are kid friendly.

The Mash and Smash Cookbook. With the Bubbling Yo-Yo shake and the Squishwich, you'll be jumping and crunching all over the kitchen.

On another note, there's the Laura Ingalls Wilder Country Cookbook. Miracle Rolls, Gingerbread, and other traditional favorites will warm you in cold weather.

Trying to downsize this holiday season? How about Gifts to Make and Eat? Fudge, Chocolate pretzels, and raspberry vinegar are just a few of your gift giving options.

My last pick is To Every Season: A Family Holiday Cookbook. There are recipes for every holiday (I didn't know Father's Day meant Blueberry Pancakes or that we could make Eggless Eggnog).

Stop by and let us know how the recipes worked; we love to hear your success stories :) C

Art, the Great Mystery

Recently, the Children's staff have been enjoying the book Masterpiece by Elise Broach. Although it takes place in contemporary times in New York City, its true center is the life and work of artist Albrecht Durer. A boy, James, and a beetle, Marvin, attempt to protect one of Durer's drawings from theft. Elise Broach has also written one of this year's Nutmeg nominees, Shakespeare's Secret. Two children seek out a hidden diamond necklace which may reveal important information about the great Bard himself. Kids who enjoy art mysteries might also like the books of Blue Balliett or the unforgettable From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Enjoy! :) C