Pirate Sightings South of the River!

Westover Hills Children's Services Associate Kim Smith reports:

Shirley Tellefson (in white) loves to teach
 children about her birds.

The Westover Hills Library turned up the heat with a Caribbean theme at its annual Winterfest celebration on Saturday, January 19.  Cap’n Clay Dishon, assisted by first mates Ellen Wolf, Pat Jones, and Kim Smith and an able crew of volunteers, presided over the morning’s festivities.  Neighborhood resident Shirley Tellefsen delighted patrons big and small with her beautiful exotic birds, including cockatoos, cockatiels, and parrots.  Shirley educated her audience in the care of exotic birds and gave patrons the opportunity to hold and be photographed with them.  Younger library visitors also enjoyed creating pirate-themed crafts and watching “Muppet Treasure Island.” The Caribbean flavor extended to the snacks as well, featuring pineapple upside-down cake, goldfish crackers, and fruit “kabobs.”

First Mate Kim Smith

The staff at Westover Hills would like to thank the wonderful members of the Westover Hills Library Advisory Group who made Winterfest possible: "Arrr, me hearty! Fine gentlemen o' fortune be ye!"  **

Learn to speak Pirate on the RPL website.

** That's Pirate for "Great, my friends. You are fine pirates!"  Pirate is one of the many languages taught by Mango Languages, available from the RichmondPublicLibrary.org website on the Online Library page.

New Children's Picture Books @ RPL

Summer is a great time to check out new titles at your library and the children's collection at the Richmond Public Library is growing every day.  Stop by soon and pick up some of these new picture books.

Zorro Gets an Outfit, written and illustrated by Carter Goodrich.  In this follow-up to Say Hello to Zorro, Mister Bud and Zorro are having a wonderful time together, following their daily routines.  Everything changes the day their owner brings home a costume for Zorro.  Even the cat, Slim, teases Zorro about his new look on their daily walk to the park. The author/illustrator has a great talent for small illustrations that convey emotions perfectly.  Zorro is completely subdued until a new friend arrives at the park named Dart.  Dart is fast, does tricks, and has his own outfit!  The following illustrations convey their exuberance with few words.  Let's hope the adventures of Zorro and Mr. Bud continue for many books to come.

Dolphin Baby!  written by Nicola Davies with illustrations by Brita Granstrom.  Part picture book and part non-fiction, the new title Dolphin Baby! tells the story of the birth of a new dolphin and the first days with its mother.  Each illustration is filled with the colors of the ocean, varying from pale blue-greens to deep, dark indigo.  "Tail first, head last, Dolphin pops out into the blue."  The text is accompanied by sidebars in small font that give the factual details to the story as it unfolds.  On the last pages the author gives a brief description of the variety of dolphins on Earth and gently suggests the dangers they face.  Included is an index. 

Zero the Hero, written and illustrated by Joan Holub and Tom Lichtenheld.  Meet Zero the Hero!  All the numbers feel Zero has no worth.  He's never included in counting games and his friends sometimes confuse him with other round objects.  They even run away when they realize that any number multiplied by 0 equals 0!  So Zero moves on feeling that he is just a big Zero.  It's not long before his friends realize that they don't "add up" to much without Zero.  This brightly illustrated, comic version of numbers is both a wonderful introduction to the concept of zero and an excellent review for older children. 

One Two That's My Shoe! by Alizon Murray. With simple, block print illustrations this book takes the old rhyme and gives it a new twist. A young girl chases her dog to try and catch her shoe. Large numbers and little text makes this a refreshing new number book for toddlers and preschool children.

I Know a Wee Piggy by Kim Norman, with pictures by Henry Cole.  This new color book will have children reading along.  A big piggy begins by wallowing in the brown mud.  He then continues through the fair and wallows in a rainbow of colors.  Each page repeats the color line from the page before making this a great read-aloud.  A wonderful title to introduce and reinforce colors as well as give an introduction to a country fair and some of the things you might see when you visit.

Girls of Summer 2012: One Night, Three Authors and One Amazing Book List

Gigi Amateau and Meg Medina

If you were not downtown at Library Park on Tuesday, June 19th, you missed a real treat! Oh and ice cream too. Local authors, Gigi Amateau and Meg Medina, presented their second annual Girls of Summer book list. Books about amazing, strong girls for amazing, strong girls! The list is made up of 18 titles for girls of all ages; and includes fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels. The complete list is posted to their Girls of Summer website.

Each book was introduced at random with a short review. We were even treated to a few readings, which were all done by three wonderful young ladies.

Each Friday, their website will feature and interview with a different author who wrote one of the books on the list. Short reviews of each of the books on the list are also posted.

We were also treated to a conversation with a conversation with Wendy Shang, author of The Great Wall of Lucy Wu.

Wendy used to be a lawyer, and a few years ago she found herself wondering what was the one thing she hadn't done that she still really wanted to do? The answer was write a children's book!

It is hard to grow up and have one foot in two different cultures and no one is every completely comfortable with it. You are always told, to write about what you know, so she did. Which was also the reason why Lucy is twelve.Wendy remembers being twelve better then most other times in her life.

But she also wanted to make Lucy different, so she made Lucy a short, basketball player. (Gigi will tell you that is great basketball in the book!)

Wendy's advice to aspiring writers is this: read! Read a lot, read everything. Write a lot, write a little every day, and learn to edit your own work. 

We are looking forward to next year's event at Library Park!

a crowd of all ages

Saturday Events@ Main

If you are out and about this weekend and looking for something to do, the Main Library is the perfect place to be. Come join us for these programs.

The Chamber Music for the River City will be having a free concert, Legends, in the Gellman Room at 12 noon. The concert will be depicting watery tales of beauty and mystery told through the music of Debussy, Szymanowski and Richard Strauss.









As part of the event series, Why Children's Books, Anita Silvey, author of Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Children's Book, will be here Saturday at 2 pm. This will be the last program for the event.


 

Stories In-Creasing

Celebrate Children's Book Week with us by attending a storytelling/paper-folding magic show presented by the Origami Swami, Megan Hicks.

 The show will be presented at the following Richmond Public Library branches:

• Belmont: Thursday, May 10 at 10 am
• West End: Thursday, May 10 at 11:30 am
• Ginter Park: Thursday, May 10 at 2 pm
• Hull Street: Friday, May 11 at 10:30 am
• East End: Friday, May 11 at 2 pm
• Westover Hills: Friday, May 11 at 4 pm
• Main: Saturday, May 12 at 11 am
• North Avenue: Saturday, May 12 at 2 pm

The shows are free and the public is invited!

"Why Children's Books" Events

"WHY CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Inspiring Generations" is an exhibit on display now at the Main Library. It explores the power of children's books through stories shared by notable Richmonders. If you want more information on the exhibit and the people involved, you might enjoy reading this article written by Bill Lohmann for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

The "Why Children's Books" exhibit will be on display through May 29th. If you enjoy reading the stories and hearing about the experiences of the Richmonders featured, you might like to attend some of the events associated with the exhibit.

On Tuesday, April 24th at 6:30 and on Tuesday, May 8th at noon, Dr. Leila Christenbury will be in the Main Library's Special Collections Room to lead a community discussion about favorite children's books and the future of children's literature in the digital age.

On Saturday, May 12th from 10:30 to 2:30, we'll be holding "Children's Day" at the Main Library. Celebrate Children's Book Week and the exhibit with authors Meg Medina and Gigi Amateau, Megan Hicks and her storytelling magic show, crafts with the Children's Museum of Richmond, readings from the exhibit, and more. This event promises to be fun for the whole family.

Anita Silvey, author of Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Children's Book, will be at the Main Library on Saturday, May 19th at 2 pm. Silvey's book is what inspired the Friends of the Library to sponsor the "Why Children's Books" exhibit, and we can't wait to hear her discuss the topic of children's literature.
 

Visit from Richmond Symphony

Next Friday, we'll have special visitors from Richmond Symphony at the Main Library. They'll be sharing anectdotes about some of the instruments you'll find in the symphony. Kids of all ages are invited to this event featuring Sarah Valentine and Michael Boudweyns, guest performers for Richmond Symphony's Lollipops Saturday Concert, The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra. The musical fun starts at 10:30 am. Groups are welcome, but must register ahead of time by calling (804) 646-4768. Bring your kids by to enjoy this delightful free program and they'll leave with a new appreciation of classical music and musical instruments.

Preparing For a New Sibling

Welcoming a new baby to the family is something many preschool aged children will experience. There is a wealth of wonderful picture and nonfiction books written to help children prepare for the transition to being a big brother or sister. If you are expecting a new addition to your family, check out some of these titles or ask your librarian to help you find others. There are many great books on this topic!

What to Expect When Mommy's Having a Baby by Heidi Murkoff

Angus the Answer Dog answers children's questions about pregnancy and how the baby grows. One question is addressed on each double page spread, including "what does the baby eat?" and "how did the baby get in there?" (Angus tells his readers that mommy and daddy put the baby together like putting together the pieces of a puzzle). If you enjoy this title, follow it with What to Expect When the New Baby Comes Home.


Pecan Pie Baby by Jacqueline Woodson

This title is suitable for older preschool children and early elementary age. In it, Gia is worried about the changes that a new baby will bring to her world, but finally Gia and the reader realize that her special bond with her mother will endure the addition of a sibling.

What's Inside Your Tummy, Mommy? By Abby Corovini
This is an interesting non fiction book for almost any age. On each double spread of pages, it shows the fetus' growth in real size for one month and gives information about its development. The final page has a fold out picture of the baby!

 

There's Going to be a Baby by John Burningham and Helen Oxenbury

This is the fanciful story of a boy's imaginings about the future career of his baby brother or sister. It includes funny illustrations of the baby cooking, tending animals in the zoo, gardening and more. The little boy is curious and excited about the coming baby, but also not always sure he wants a new sibling.

Circus Story Times Featuring a Real Clown

Kids love clowns! See the proof above in a video clip featuring a couple hundred pre-schoolers enjoying a little juggling action from a Ringling Brothers clown. He's visiting our libraries to juggle, dance, joke, and read If I Ran the Circus by Dr. Seuss.

If you missed today's special circus story time, it's okay. You have four more chances to see some clowning at our branch libraries:

• North Avenue Library - Friday, January 20th - 10:30 am
• West End Library - Friday, January 20th - 3:00 pm
• Hull Street Library - Saturday, January 21st - 10:30 am
• Belmont Library - Saturday, January 21st - 3:00 pm

All ages are welcome to these events. Kids that attend will receive free clown noses and circus coupons, courtesy of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus. If you have a group that would like to attend, please call your branch for a reservation.

Barefoot Puppet Theatre tours presents: Little Red and the Gingerbread Man

On Wednesday, December 7th, Heidi Rugg and Barefoot Puppets present a puppet show that combines two well-loved, classic tales to create an original, fun-filled romp through fairy tales. Original music, snowy scenery, and everyone's favorite Big Bad Wolf make up this seasonal favorite for young audiences. This wonderful production is presented at the Hull Street Branch.

Barefoot Puppet Theatre tours award-winning programs to theatres, schools, libraries, children's museums and more. Families, educators, librarians, and theatre directors give enthusiastic reviews of our programs and invite them back again and again.

The shows feature contemporary adaptations of world folktales, classic tales with a twist, myths, and works based on true stories. The scripts, puppets, music and sets are all original. Knowing that children's shows need to be fun and interactive, so each script is carefully written to create a rhythm that balances the actions, words, and music of the production with the laughter and spontaneity of the children. Audiences love the innovative, hand-crafted puppets and beautifully built staging and scenery.

All of the shows are self-contained and can adapt to a variety of spaces. They travel with a professional sound system and supplemental lighting, though they are always thrilled to perform in spaces with full technical support. They work hard to create a theatrical environment wherever they perform.

Mother Goose

Have you tried checking out any Mother Goose books for your young children? These classic nursery rhymes are a part of our cultural heritage that children should not miss out on, and they are enjoyed by children from birth through the preschool years. The rhythm and rhyme of the language used makes them easy to memorize and fun to sing. Nonsense rhymes such as Hey Diddle Diddle encourage children to make up their own fun words and the simple stories presented in a rhyme like Jack and Jill are a great introduction to the concept of beginning, middle and end. Looking at the many different and varied illustrations for just one rhyme found in multiple books could teach children that there are many "correct" ways to interpret the poem. They may even be inspired to try doing their own illustrations for a favorite rhyme!

Most Mother Goose books can be found in the children's nonfiction section at 398.8. You can look for more Mother Goose in the board books section. When you are looking for a break from the traditional, try the books of Izza Trapani or Jane Cabrera. They are just two of the authors who take classic nursery rhymes and expand them into full picture books.


Pocketful of Posies by Sally Mavor
This collection of nursery rhymes is illustrated with incredibly beautiful and detailed fabric and thread creations. Mavor's rhyme selection has been loosely organized to follow the course of the day, starting with morning rhymes and closing with bedtime rhymes.




My Very First Mother Goose by Iona Opie

This is an ideal collection for reading aloud to the youngest children and babies. The illustrations but Rosemary Wells, creator of Max and Ruby, are big, bold and bright.






The Neighborhood Mother Goose by Nina Crews
Crews' collection of Mother Goose rhymes is illustrated in photo-mosaic style and set in her hometown of Brooklyn, NY. Crews brings the classic rhymes into the modern day by showing the "fine lady riding on a white horse" on a carousel and including a wide range of multi-ethnic kids in her illustrations.







Old Mother Hubbard by Jane Cabrera
This is a good example of a one rhyme picture book. Cabrera illustrates the classic rhyme with colorful, light-hearted illustrations.

Everyday Heroes

Small children are often fascinated with firefighters and police officers. These everyday heroes are the subject of many great nonfiction and storybooks for the preschool age group. Check one out today, and feed your little one's curiosity! Look below for some picture book suggestions, or if you are interested in information books about firefighters, look at call number 614.


Firefighter Frank by Monica Welling
Bold, bright pictures show Firefighter Frank's life as a firefighter. This book is great for children as young as 1 or 2.




Policeman Small by Lois Lenski
A classic children's book first published in the early 20th century, this story follows Officer Small's day directing traffic and helping children cross the road. If you enjoy Policeman Small, look for the many other fine books about Mr Small such as Cowboy Small or The Little Auto. This book is enjoyed by very young children.


Fire Engine Man by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha
A little boy pretends to be a fire engine man in this sweet story that includes loving interactions between a boy and his baby brother.



The Police Cloud by C. Niemann
In this charming story a cloud dreams of being a police officer, but being a cloud gets in the way of fulfilling his mission. In the end he finds his true calling as a firefighter. This story is great for children ages 2 to 4.



Fire! Fire! Hurry! Hurry! by Andrea Zimmerman
In this story Captain Kelly's firefighting crew is trying to eat their dinner but the alarm bell keeps ringing again and again. The repetitive language in this imaginatively illustrated picture book is very appealing for a young audience.

Fun for all at the SRP Finale!

It was a fun day for all at the Summer Reading Program Finale! Something for everyone and a great time. See more photos on our ---> flickr <--- page.
10 am-2 pm– Children’s Museum of Richmond: Create a summertime craft

10 am-12 noon– Books on Wheels providing free bike repair and books

11-11:45 am– Storytelling Theatre with the RPL Storytelling Stars

11 am-12 noon– Nutzy: Visit with Richmond’s favorite squirrel

11:30 am-1:30– DTLR: Teens- bring your friends and play Wii (DJ Hero and more) with DTLR

11:30 am-1:30– Lunch- It’s Pizza! While quantities last, sign up at the information table, Lobby

12 noon – Recognition & Winners: Top readers receive medals and winning grand prize coupons are drawn

12 noon-2 pm – Radio Disney arrives with music, interactive games and prizes for the family

Ongoing activities include:
- Community Partners share information and give-aways
- Prize wheel by Noodles & Company
- Balloon sculptures by Mr. Mayo
- Misting tent
- Frog Bounce and street games
- Music
- And more!

More photos on flickr.

Musical Picture Books

Nothing catches and holds the attention of children of all ages like music. There are many wonderful picture books that pair songs with illustrations for a musical reading experience. In addition to being fun, singing with your children builds early literacy skills like phonemic awareness, so try it today! Some of these books are shelved in the picture book section and others are in the juvenile nonfiction section in the 780's so you can also browse the selection there. Check out some of these titles and enjoy singing and reading together with your child. Be prepared to be asked for an encore because kids like to hear these books again and again.

The library also offers children's music CD's, so while you are picking up your books you can check out something fresh, fun and family-friendly to listen to in the car on the way home.




Old MacDonald had a Farm/ Penny Dann








Wheels on the Bus/Raffi










This Little Light of Mine/ Earl B. Lewis








There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly/Simms Taback









If You're Happy and You Know It!/Jane Cabrera












He's Got the Whole World in His Hands/Kadir Nelson











Hush Little Baby/Sylvia Long











Jesus Loves Me!/Tim Warnes

Do Your Ears Hang Low?/ Caroline Jayne Church