While you're waiting for The Red Pyramid ...

If, like so many people, you're waiting and waiting for a copy of Rick Riordan's The Red Pyramid, here's another book to read in the meantime!

Voelkel, Jon (2007). Middleworld (Gr. 5-9)

(The Jaguar Stones, book 1)  Max Murphy was looking forward to a family vacation in Italy, but his parents--famous archaeologists--leave for a sudden excavation among Mayan ruins instead, leaving Max home with their strange housekeeper.  What a waste of a summer ... until Max is rushed along to Central America, too.  Smugglers, theives, murderous bandits, and the ancient Mayan gods all play a role in this thrilling mystery.

Go Green at Your Library!

The summer reading program has official opened!  Here's the scoop:

1. The program is for anyone from age three through sixth grade.
2. There are two categories: "Independent Reader" and "Read To Me", and the rules are the same for both groups.
3. You measure the amount of time that you spend reading.
• The reading logs measure time in 20-minute blocks.
• There's a new prize every time you read a total of 3 hours.

You can sign up with a paper log at the library, or you can sign up online at http://www.readsinma.org/needham --the rules are the same no matter how you register for the program!  If you sign up online, don't forget to come to the library to pick up your official summer reading bookmark.

Need some help finding a great book?  Just ask the librarians!  We have tons of ideas to get you started.

Do you despise broccoli? It might not like you, either.

Weinstock, Robert (2009). Food Hates You, Too (Gr. 2-5)

"If everyone hates different food,
Then couldn't it be true
That creamed chipped beef dislikes Gertrude,
And liver gags on Lou?"

This collection of poems will tickle your funny bone--and maybe your stomach, too.  There are poems devoted to ice cream for cats, a limerick about toast, a brief poem about a praying mantis's recent meal, and even a few lines in praise of circus fare.  We have food on the land, food underwater, and even some food in the sky.

These poems are funny when read to yourself, and funnier still when read aloud.  Be sure to look closely at the illustrations!

The Shape of Letters

Werner, Sharon (2009). Alphabeasties (Gr. K-4)

Not all typefaces look the same.  You can have this, or this, or this, or this, or thousands of other options!  An A can be sharp and pointy, or an a can be small and round.  What does the shape of a letter say to you?  In this book, letters become animals, plants, and people.  A becomes an alligator with deadly teeth, and Z becomes a zebra with bold stripes.  There are fish and giraffes, elephants and newts, and different letter shapes have very different personalities: just look at the spooky bat, the trembling rabbit, or the newly sheared sheep.

This is a book that has fun with letters, shapes, and great big ideas.  Read it once, twice, and then again.  You'll see something new each time!

Monday is a Holiday

Monday is a very important day.  Public schools won't have any classes, the Post Office will be closed, and even the librarians will be taking a break. 

What could possibly keep the wonderful teachers, postal workers, librarians, and other adults away from their jobs? 

Memorial Day!

Memorial Day can trace its roots all the way back to 1866, right after the American Civil War ended.  In the beginning, people called it Decoration Day.  "Memorial Day" didn't become a popular name until many years later.  It was a day to remember the soldiers who had died in the Civil War, and enough people continued to observe the day that the government finally made it federal holiday in 1971.   People celebrated the day for more than one hundred years before it became an official holiday!

In the past, Memorial Day was held on May 30, but workers and students really like having a three-day weekend.  Today, Memorial Day is always held on the last Monday in May, and it's a day to remember soldiers who have died in many wars.  Needham will have services and a parade this year, so you can celebrate, too!

Big Al: a lonely fish

Clements, Andrew (1988). Big Al (Gr. PreS-2)

Al is a big, scary-looking fish.  None of the little fish will get close enough to find out that Al is also the nicest fish you'll ever find in the ocean.  Poor, lonely Al tries everything to disguise himself: he wraps himself in seaweed, he buries himself in sand, and he even tries to change his color.  Still, everyone is frightened by his scary teeth and enormous mouth.  When danger comes along, Big Al finally gets to prove his kindness and bravery.

Big Al's gentle, funny story reminds us that actions speak louder than words--and that looks don't tell us everything about the people around us.

Where's Spot? At the library!

Spot, the Dog, turns 30 years old this year.  To celebrate, Spot is making a special visit to the library to meet all of the wonderful people here.  If you missed seeing Spot last Friday (5/14) or Wednesday (5/19), you still have one more chance to join in the fun. 

Come to the library on Saturday, May 22 at 10:30am for Spot's last library visit before heading home!  There will be stories, songs, crafts, and plenty of time to give Spot a great big hug.  Bring a camera to get a picture with our fun friend!

You can also watch a video of Spot during the storytime on Wednesday.  NeedhamPatch visited the story room, took pictures, and got a great video of the story, a song, and a little game.