Poetry Favorites

April is National Poetry month and we couldn't let this month slip by without posting some of our favorite poetry books for kids.

All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee
P SCA     The poem, which follows a family through their day, is simple enough for younger children to enjoy and the illustrations in the Caldecott Honor book are gorgeous. Every time I open this book I just want to crawl inside the panoramic landscapes! Alia

Dogku by Andrew Clements, illustrated by Tim Bowers
J 811 Cle      Every bit of this book is in haiku form, including the jacket flap which introduces the book as: "A tale in haiku/of one adorable dog./Let's find him a home." This is the story of Mooch, a lovable stray dog taken in by a kind-hearted family.  But the big question is, will he be allowed to stay? Alia

This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness by Joyce Sidman
J 811 Sid     Inspired by the title poem of apology, which was penned by William Carlos Williams, this book is full of paired poems of apology and forgiveness. My favorite pairing features jelly donuts stolen from the teacher’s lounge. In the end, Mrs. Garcia does forgive the offender but explains, “I still have to call your mother.” Meghan

A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
J 811 Sil     A Light in the Attic is probably the most popular anthology of children's poems there is out there.  I will never forget the poem "Crowded Tub," in which you'll find out what happens when there are too many kids in one tub! Trust me, it's hilarious. So if you want to meet a Polar Bear in a Frigidaire or Quick-Digesting Gink, open up this book and start reading. Amanda

Food Hates You, Too and Other Poems by Robert Weinstock
J 811 Wei     This hilarious picture book collection of poems is about different type of foods that kids don't like. The illustrations are humorous and colorful and the selection of poems is interesting. It is a good book for kids who think they don't like poetry. If you need to check out a poetry book, you won't want to miss this one. It will leave you laughing out loud! Kim

The Red Pyramid

Hey Percy Jackson fans, get ready for some new adventures in mythology - Egyptian mythology this time! The Kane Chronicles, Book One: The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan will be released on May 4th.  You can put a hold on the book online here. In the meantime you can read up on Egyptian gods and goddesses at the library. Try Egyptian Myths by Jacqueline Morley, The Star-Bearer: A Creation Myth From Ancient Egypt by Dianne Hofmeyr, and The Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt by Leonard Everett Fisher. And check out the video posted below.  It's Rick Riordan discussing the success of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians and previewing the fifth book in the series The Last Olympian.

Ramona and Beezus Trailer

We just watched the offical trailer for the upcomming Ramona and Beezus movie.  It looks like they made Ramona and Beezus a bit older than they are in the books.  We're not sure if we like that or not. Still, we can't wait to see the movie! Have you read any of the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary? Do you think the movie will be any good?

Win a Chance to see Curious George (and other cool prizes)!

Hey, did you know that you could win great prizes just by reading? Well thanks to the NJ State Library, you can! As part of  their ongoing commitment to encourage families to read and learn at their library, the NJ State Library is launching several new contests. Contests running right now include: free tickets to see Curious George at the IZOD Center, a free poster of NJ Devil Zach Parisi and free tickets to see the 2009 Woman's Professional Soccer Team, NJ SkyBlue!

Click here to enter. All you need to do to enter is put in the latest book you've read!

Peep-o-rama Pics

Check out the pictures from our Peep-o-rama program.  Peeps at the beach...Peeps at the zoo...Peeps on stage...you can tell the creativity was really flowing!

National Library week.

Come experience all the Library has to offer April 11-18, 2010 during our annual celebration of National Library Week. We have a ton of exciting programs for the family.  Come work those wiggles out with our Story Stretchers program, an active storytime for ages 4 and up, Saturday, Aril 17th from 1p.m. - 1:50 p.m. Then get crafty at our Make and Take Family Crafts from 3p.m. - 4:30p.m. And on Sunday, April 18th, you can preview our Summer Reading theme at our Make a Splash storytime, 2p.m. - 2:50pm.   For a full list of all our National Library Week events, check our calendar here.

We Need Your Voice!

Library users, we need your help. Gov. Christie's budget calls for an unprecedented 74% decrease in funding for statewide library services. This cut includes the elimination of all statewide library programs and services. 

There is also an attack on libraries from members of your legislature. Proposed legislation A2555 will ELIMINATE minimum funding for libraries and will result in fewer books, fewer hours and fewer services and will cause some libraries to close. Local library funding targeted in A2555 typically represents less than 3% of local property taxes.  We need your voice.  Please tell your legislators to OPPOSE A2555, and support funding for municipal libraries as a dedicated tax. County Libraries and Open Space are currently funded with dedicated taxes.

Save My NJ Library is an online resource with up to the minute information about library funding and what you can do to help SAVE YOUR LIBRARY! With just one click of your mouse you can contact legislators and become a library champion!

Too young to vote? We still would love for you to contact your legislators but there is plenty more that you can do to help.

• Come into the library and participate in our postcard campaign.
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  Write a letter about what our library means to you and send it to the newspaper.
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  Talk to your friends. You can help spread the word by asking your friends to become library champions too! Try challenging yourself to talk to five people a day about the library and ask them to spread the word.
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  Use our resources, attend our programs, and bring your friends. The more you use the library, the more community leaders will see how important our services are. 

Chillin' With My Peeps!

Hey kids in grades K-5, are you looking for a fun spring activity this weekend?  Join us this Saturday for Peep-orama and make your own spring Peep Scene out of a shoebox, marshmallow animals, sequins, pipe cleaners, and more!



Saturday, April 3 :: 2:30 p.m. -  3:30 p.m.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
call: 856-903-1229 or register using our online calendar!

April Book Buzz

April showers bring May flowers, but they also keep us inside reading! If you're looking for a good book to curl up with try one of these staff  recommended titles!

Schooled by Gordon Korman

Capricorn (Cap) Anderson isn’t just the new kid at Claverage (also known as “C Average”) Middle School. He’s new at school all together. This eighth grader has been homeschooled by his hippie grandmother, Rain, on a commune that required very little contact with the outside world. When Rain breaks her hip, Cap finds himself living with a foster family and attending the local middle school. His long hair, hemp sandals and tai chi practice make him stand out- A LOT! Cap is quickly voted class president by his peers (as a joke) and does his best to serve the students of the school. Cap is confused but can’t fathom that any of his classmates may have ill intentions. Will Cap’s presidency go down in flames or is he really the greatest president ever to serve C Average Middle School? Meghan (YA Fiction)

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan (the 2nd book of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians)

This second adventure is just as exciting as the first—The Lightning Thief. Percy and Annabeth are off to save the camp and Grover with the help of a new friend of Percy’s, named Tyson. They meet new enemies and some old ones on their trek to the Sea of Monsters—known to mortals as the Bermuda Triangle. How will they fend off all the mythological creatures they meet? A must read for adventure fans!! Kristin (YA fiction)

This World We Live In (The Last Survivors, Book 3) by Susan Beth Pfeffer

It's been a year since a meteor collided with the moon. In that year Miranda Evans has watched her friends and neighbors disappear as she and her family survive famine, sickness, and endless winter. Then just as the snow begins to melt, Miranda’s father and stepmother arrive with a baby and three strangers in tow. One of the strangers is a boy named Alex who is about the same age as Miranda. Slowly Miranda and Alex’s feelings change from suspicion to friendship and then to something more. But how can they plan for the future when each new day brings another disaster? If you have already read Life as We Knew It and The Dead and the Gone, you won’t want to miss the third book in the series, This World We Live In. Alia (YA Fiction)

Twilight the Graphic Novel Volume 1 by Stephenie Meyer, Art and Adaption By Young Kim

You’ve read the book, you saw the movie, now experience Twilight in graphic novel form! Bella Swan moves to the small town of Forks, WA and meets a mysterious, beautiful, boy named Edward Cullen who happens to be a vampire…and, well, you know the rest. In this first volume, you relive the blooming romance between Bella and Edward. The wonderful illustrations are used to move the story along at a faster pace, than the original book. This is a must read for any Twilight fan! Jaclyn (YA graphic novel)