ZZZZZZZ

Cozy up in your cave this winter and share these books about hibernation

Chaucer's First Winter

By: Stephen Krensky

Chaucer does not want to miss the magic of his first winter and so decides to skip hibernation this year.

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Sleep, Black Bear, Sleep

By: Jane Yolen

It is getting cold outside and it is time for all kinds of animals to snuggle up for their winter nap. Rhyming, lyrical text make this a great cozy bedtime book.

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Time To Sleep

By: Denise Fleming

When bear and the other forest creatures begin to notice the signs of winter approaching they begin to prepare for their long winter naps.

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Hibernation

By: Margaret Hall

Beautiful nature photographs and simple text fill the pages of this non-fiction book about how and why some animals hibernate.

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Sleepy yet? -cm

The Eyeball Collector

The Eyeball Collector

by F. E. Higgins (Childrens New Books)(J Higgins, F.)(2009)

for ages 12 and up

Hector Fitzbaudly's father has been blackmailed by a clever con man, the eyeball collector. The boy is orphaned after his father's sudden death. After having lived his days on the wealthy side of town, he is now thrust into the seemy side of Urbs Umida where he is taken in by a home for orphans. He uses his knack for riddles to make a living, until the fateful day he runs across the same con man, Gulliver Truepin, aka Bovrik de Vandolin.

His knowledge of butterflies is called upon to take him to Withypitts Hall, where Lord and Lady Mandible live. A giant feast is in the works and both he and the con man Truepin are useful for the preparations. Hector plots revenge, while Gulliver Truepin has his own plans, which include acquiring a different jeweled eyeball for each day of the week. It turns out Lady Mandible has plans of her own as well and the night turns out to be unforgettable as all the plans collide.

This book is a "polyquel" to the Black Book of Secrets and the Bone Magician. The books all stand alone, but there is some cross-over in characters so it is doubly intriquing if you are familiar with the other books. The book moves along and easily absorbs its reader. -SC-

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Chapter Book Chips - "The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis" by Barbar O'Conner

Popeye lives in Fayette, South Carolina, a place where nothing much ever happens. He spends his summer days with his grandmother, Velma, who likes to teach Popeye new vocabulary words for fun. Popeye's only real friend is his dog, Boo. But that all changes the day the Jewell family Holiday Rambler gets stuck in the mud on the road outside Popeye's house. The Jewell's have six children, including Elvis, the oldest. He and Popeye strike up a friendship that leads to adventure. Some mysterious person is sending "Yoo-hoo" boats down the creek by Popeye's house. The little boats have secret messages inside. But where do they come from and who is sending them? As the two boys solve the mystery, Popeye leaves behind his lonely days and even learns to be a "Royal Rule Breaker", sometimes. This gentle, quiet story will touch your heart as Popeye finds the very thing he longs for, a friend. -gw-

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The Year's Best in Picture Books

School Library Journal has published their picks of the best children's books for 2009. Here is a sampling of picture books included on their list.
Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales by Lucy Cousins
"Little Red Riding Hood", "The Three Little Pigs" and six other stories with Lucy Cousin's trademark illustrations. Perfect for young fairy tale lovers.

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Thunder-Boomer by Shutta Crum
A hot summer day, a big, nasty thunderstorm and then a surprise.

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Let's Do Nothing by Tony Fucile
What do two boys do when there is nothing to do? Why nothing!


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Birds by Kevin Henkes
Henkes' delightful illustrations will make you long for spring and the chance to look for some beautiful birds.

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The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
Stunning illustrations fill this book about Aesop's timeless fable.

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-gw-

Penny's Puppets, Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.

Penny and her delightful puppets return to the library for some new year fun. Join us for her show "Winter Magic" on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. in Meeting Rooms A & B. This program is for ages 0 to 6 and accompanying adult and no registration is required. For more information, please phone (503)350-3600. -gw-

New Non-Fiction: Princesses

By Nancy Hajeski
2009
J 398.22 HAJ

If you are anything like me you can’t seem to escape the Princess frenzy surrounding the new Disney flick The Princess and the Frog. We have a new book at our library that is all about Princesses—from traditional Fairy tales, to Disney, and even real princesses of the world today. Even Star War’s Princess Leia gets in on the action! From the Hammond World Atlas publishers, this book is laid out like the popular DK Eyewitness series with lots of photographs and captions, and just a little introduction to the information presented. By following the princess theme through this book I learned about the governmental structures and folklore of many countries throughout the world. So if you’re looking for an educational book to check out for your little princess take a look at what this has to offer.

To view this title in our catalog click here.
-JW-

New After School Club for Kids Who Like to Knit and Crochet

Do you like to knit or crochet? Or have you always wanted to learn how? Our new after school club, Stick Buddies may be just for you. Our group will meet Thursday, January 21, 2010 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Stick Buddies is for beginning and more experienced stitchers. You can bring a project that you are working on to stitch or you can come and learn some basic stitches from our volunteer teachers. This program is for grades two through five and accompanying adult. If you are a beginner who wants to learn some simple stitches, please bring your own yarn and needles or hooks. Grown-ups are invited to bring along their stitching projects too or bring some yarn and needles to practice with. Registration is required for Stick Buddies. You can sign up in person at the Children's Desk on the first floor of the library or register by phone at (503)350-3600. Registration begins Monday, December 21, 2009. -gw-

The Magic of Christmas

As Christmas draws closer, some lovely new picture books that celebrate the holdiay.


The Christmas Baby by Marion Dane Bauer
A simple re-telling of the Nativity story that is perfect for very little ones.

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What's Coming for Christmas by Kate Banks
While all the people in the small village get ready for Christmas, the farm animals also get ready for a special event.

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The Twelve Days of Christmas illustrated by Gennady Spirin
Exquisite illustrations are the star of this picture book version of the tradtional carol.

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On this Special Night by Claire Freedman
Kitten and her mama go to find out why such a bright star is shining
over the stable.

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The Christmas Magic by Lauren Thompson
Far up north, Santa gets ready to bring his Christmas magic.

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-gw-

Chapter Book Chips - "The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity" (The Brixton Brothers) by Mac Barnett

Steve Brixton wants to be a detective. He's read The Bailey Brothers' Detective Handbook so many times he has it memorized. A freak essay assignment from his teacher, Ms. Gilfeather, sends Steve to the library for a book on early American needlework. This sets in motion a real-life crime case. The book Steve checks out, An Illustrated History of American Quilting, is the key to finding the Maguffin quilt. No ordinary quilt, this is a top-secret quilt where all the information about America's most top-secret secrets is stitched. The chase is on as Steve is followed by the mysterious Mr. E, who is looking for the Maguffin quilt. And Steve is also being chased by the United States Librarians, "the most elite, best trained secret force in the United States of America. Probably the world." They want the quilt back too. Along the way, Steve is almost arrested, kidnapped and late for class on Monday morning. Will Steve get away? Will he find out where the stolen quilt is? Will he finish his essay in time for class? The answers lie in The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity. A great read for fourth and fifth graders. -gw-

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New Picture book review: Stormy Weather

By Debi Gliori
2009
For ages 3 and older
Call Number: E Gliori, D

The last few nights of heavy winds and days of freezing temps are a little bit scary and give me the shivers. Luckily a new book has come to our shelves. Stormy Weather by Debi Gliori tells a sweet and comforting tale of animals being tucked in at night, even in the scariest weather. The bold watercolor and ink illustrations of animals in their habitats give much for children and adults to look at together, and complement the rhyming text quite nicely. My favorite part about Stormy Weather is the detail in the illustrations—it is clear that the grown-up Fox is reading Stormy Weather to the baby fox: it’s really a nice touch and adds a fun preview and reflection of the previous pages. So if you’re looking for a new bedtime book, or one to comfort during our changeable weather, check out Stormy Weather.

Click here to see this title in our catalog.

-JW-

Winter Break Programming for Children at the Beaverton City Library

If you are looking for something fun to do over the upcoming winter break from school, please check out some of the fun events planned for kids here at the Beaverton City Library.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Meeting Rooms A & B
Jingle Babies
Jingle, jangle and bop to fun holiday music to celebrate the season. For ages 0 to 6 and accompanying adult.

Monday, December 28 through Thursday, December 31, 2009
2:00 p.m.
Library Auditorium
Holdiay Movie Matinee
Enjoy a new release kid's movie each day. For all ages. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Meeting Rooms A & B
"Bored" Games Day
Family board game fun. Come and try out some new games you haven't played before. For ages 5 to 10 and accompanying adult.

-gw-

World Language Storytime Program, December 14 - December 18, 2009

Please join us for our second World Language Storytime program the week of Monday, December 14, 2009 through Friday, December 18, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. each morning in the library's Storytime Room. No registration is required. For more information, please phone (503)350-3600. Below is the schedule:

Monday, December 14: Stories in Japanese
Tuesday, December 15: Stories in French
Wednesday, December 16: Stories in Russian
Thursday, December 17: Stories in Arabic
Friday, December 18: Stories in German
-gw-

Sign Language with Dawn Prochovnic

Local author Dawn Prochovnic will pay a visit to the Beaverton City Library on Friday, December 18, 2009 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dawn will share her new book about learning sign language and teach some basic signs. This event is for children ages 4 to 10 who are interested in learning American Sign Language. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration is required. This program will be held in Meeting Room B on the first floor of the library.
-gw-

When Will It Snow?

Will it snow? I don't know! But we can read some new picture books about snow and dream.

When Lucy Goes Out Walking by Ashley Wolff
Lucy sees her very first snow and lot's of other kinds of weather before she turns one year old.

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The Smallest Snowflake by Bernadette Watts
Will the very smallest snowflake of all find a home?

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Mine, All Mine by Claire Hawcock
Squirrel doesn't want to share his snowflake with anyone.

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Little Snow Goose by Emily Hawkins
Can a fox and a goose really be friends?

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Here Comes Jack Frost by Kazuno Kohara
Sometimes winter turns out to be your best friend.

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Baby Polar by Yannick Murphy
Baby and his mama get separated in a blizzard. Will baby find her?

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-gw-