Today is the Last Day for Summer Reading Sign-Ups!

This is just a reminder, that TODAY is the LAST day to sign-up for the summer reading program.  If your child or teen has not signed up already, be sure to stop by the library today to get signed-up!  We are open until 9pm tonight and would love to get more kids and teens registered!  Books read since June 1st can be counted on reading records too!  See you at the library!

Last Day for Summer Reading Sign-ups: July 31st

Just a reminder, the last day to sign-up for the summer reading program at the library is Tuesday, July 31st!  Children ages birth through entering 5th grade can sign-up for the kids progrm and youth entering grades 6th through 12th can sign-up for the teen program.   If you have any questions, please stop by the children's desk or give us a call at 503-718-2656.  See you at the library!

Coby's Picks #1

I thought I would start a new series of posts based on what my two kids are "reading." I'm going to start with my 14-month-old, Coby. I'll also share some of my 4-year-old Evan's Picks pretty soon. So here are Coby's favorites at this moment in time:

• Overboard, by Sarah Weeks
• Peekaboo Bedtime, by Rachel Isadora
• My Animals, by Xavier Deneux
• Tubby, by Leslie Patricelli
• Baby Faces, by Margaret Miller
• Hello Lulu, by Caroline Uff
• Peek-A-Baby, by Karen Katz
• Clap Hands, by Helen Oxenbury

Favorite Book Fridays: Lunch Lady

If you have an elementary school aged child who likes superheroes, but you're concerned about all the extra violence, have your reader try the Lunch Lady Series.  This is one lunch lady who is packed full of punch, who secretly fights crime against the bad guys with all of her secret kitchen tool gadgets, and has a secret lair right outside of the kitchen.  With her sidekick partner, Betty, the two serve justice and lunch!  The series also makes a great transitional book for readers making the leap from early reader books to chapter books.   Plus, this series makes a great read for reluctant readers too!

Favorite Kids' Performer Gets a Library Card!

A favorite local comedian for youth, Angel Ocasio, who performs the popular Komedy 4 Da Kidz show, came to the Tigard Public Library earlier today to get ready for his performance.  And in doing so, he signed up for a Washington County Library Card.  Angel said, "I feel like a kid" after getting his card, proving that anyone at any age can get a library card.  We are always excited for new library card holders and this one is no exception!

Dragonborn

When Sam's master dies unexpectedly, he is left on his own to try to piece together what he has learned as a magician's apprentice over the last 6 years. For some reason an awful lot of people seem interested in where he is headed, and not all of them for benevolent reasons. He and his dragon friend, Starback, go on a magical journey and along the way they come across a magician's college, they deliver a dead man to the next place in the cycle of life, and a wild wolf becomes Sam's friend and protector. Fans of Harry Potter who also like dragons are sure to like the new series beginning with Dragonborn, by Toby Forward.

Angel Ocasio's Komedy 4 Da Kidz

Angel Ocasio with his high-energy, funny one-man variety show is perfectly suited for the whole family.  This wonderful interactive performance combines physical comedy, jokes, juggling, object balancing, and comedy magic.  This is one show you don't want to miss!  So please join us on Tuesday July 24th at 7:00 p.m. in the Burgess Community Room for a night to remember!

Favorite Book Fridays: Chasing Lincoln's Killer

In history class growing up, I've always been taught that John Wilkes Booth was the man who shot and killed President Abraham Lincoln.  And when I went to Washington D.C. in eight grade for a school trip, I visited the home across the street from Ford's Theater where Lincoln perished from gun shot wounds.  What I NEVER learned was that John Wilkes Booth escaped from authorities and went on a 12-day runaway escapade with his accomplices before he was captured.  I could go on and on about all the pertinent details, but if you've got a reader in 4th through 6th grade who enjoys learning about history, I highly recommend, Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson.  Mr. Swanson himself is a Lincoln history buff and is very knowledgeable about this 16th U.S. President.  Be prepared for a fast paced adventure! (And the audiobook is just as good as the print book too!)

Night Owl Crafts

Are you a night owl?  Do you enjoy staying up late?  Come make crafts inspired by creatures of the night at our Night Owl Crafts event on Monday July 23rd from 2-4 p.m. in the Puett Room.  This drop-in craft time is open for ages 5 and up where we'll create crafts that have to do with bats, owls, and fairies.  It's sure to be a dreamy time!

LEGO Construction Zone: July 22

Our next LEGO Construction Zone will be held on Sunday July 22nd, from 1:30-3 p.m. in the Puett Room. Ages 5 and up are welcome to drop in to work on their own creations with other LEGO fans. We'll supply the building blocks; you bring your creativity! It's gonna be a ton of fun!!!

Take a new look at the alphabet

I recently read the new picture book, The Turn-Around, Upside-Down Alphabet Book.  And I must say, this is a new way to look at each letter in the alphabet.  Have you ever looked up at the clouds and imagined they took shape of animals or different obejcts? Well this book shows readers that letters can take different form and different shapes.  As you hold the book at different directions, the letter becomes multiple objects.  The letter "A" becomes a birds beak, a drippy ice-cream cone, and the point of a star.  Check out the book and you'll see what I mean. You'll never look at the alphabet the same ever again!

Claim Summer Reading Prizes Starting July 15th

Kids and Teens can start turning in their summer reading records beginning Sunday July 15th.  Come with your child to the children's desk to claim their prizes, which includes a goodie bag with a Blazers Ticket Voucher and Oaks Park Discount Coupon.  Then your child can pick out a book for their very own to keep.  The last day to turn in reading records is August 31st.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Party

Back by popular demand, we are going to host another Diary of a Wimpy Kid Party!!!  Join us on Tuesday July 17th from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Burgess Community Room as we'll have crafts and activities inspired by Greg Heffley's misadventures.  We'll also be showing his second feature film on the big screen where his older brother rules.  Kids in grades 1 and up are welcome to attend.  In the mean time, be sure to keep yourself free from the cheese touch!!!

Favorite Book Fridays: Steamy Steampunk

Are you a grown up reader with grown up taste? Do you like vampires? Werewolves? The British royal family? Spunky and curvaceous heroines with attitude who sport cleverly engineered attack umbrellas? Do you find improperly tied cravats distressing? Have you ever wondered what a cravat is? Would you love to soar across European skies in a zeppelin? Dude, I totally have the book for you. 

I'm currently reading the fifth book in the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger, which begins with Soulless. Most of my reading time is devoted to YA books, and though this series has irresistible cross-appeal for mature teen readers, I relish cracking open these grown up books with their promise of fun, atmospheric Victorian fantasy.

Alexia Tarabotti is my hero. Her tongue is as sharp as her wit, she is stylish without sacrificing comfort and practicality, not shy about her fondness for food, calm and resourceful in any crisis (like intra-carriage golum attacks or finding oneself without cake when unexpected guests have arrived), and she is unfailingly infuriating to the man/werewolf who is drawn to her in spite of himself. If you have a fondness for Sherlock, steampunk, supernatural romance, highly decorated hats, and scrumptious tiny sandwiches with the crusts removed, you will love Alexia too.   

Water, Water EVERYWHERE!!!

Ready for some water fun????

Summer wouldn't be complete without some sudsy outdoor fun!!!  Imagine an hour of bubble-blowing, splashy, sponge-squeezing games, and other fun watery activities.  All ages are welcome, so bing a towel and be prepared to get wet!  Swim suits are encouraged if you don't want to get your street clothes wet!

Come to one session of your choice, either Saturday July 14 or Sunday July 15. 

The fun will be from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.  See you in the Puett Room and outside in the courtyard!!!

If You Liked Small Steps, by Peg Kehret...

I did a post not so long ago about what I believe to be the most-often-asked-for juvenile biography, Small Steps, by Peg Kehret. I had to read it to see what all the fuss was about, and after reading it, I understood the fuss. Now I just finished a book that reminded me a lot of that one, so if you liked Small Steps, you're sure to like Breathing Room, by Marsha Hayles. This is a story that happens during WWII but with a very different subject than most historical fiction taking place during that time.

Thirteen-year-old Evvy is sent away to Loon Lake Sanatorium to recover from tuberculosis. She shares a room with grouchy Dena, princessy Pearl, always cheerful Beverly, and kindred soul Sarah. The rules of the room are simple. Don't talk. Don't move. That's about it. If you want to get better, you must follow those rules. Of course, that is not so easy for 5 teenage girls, and so of course sometimes those rules are broken.

This powerful story is one of heavy loss but also of strong friendship and hope. Though it can be found in our Young Adult Fiction section, it is also appropriate for younger kids. I would say about 4th grade and up.

Presto's Magic Show

Join us Tuesday July 10th at 7 p.m. for Presto the Magician's Magic Show!  You will laugh, squal with delight, and ooh and aah as Presto combines his high-energy, comedic style with amazing magic that will make young and old wide-eyed with surprise!!!

Reading Rainbow for the next generation

Reading Rainbow ran for 26 years on PBS.  Now it's back, but for the ipad.  Reading Rainbow held a "relaunch" party in New York on June 19th to introduce its new iPad app that incorporates classic Reading Rainbow segments, 16 new video "field trips" starring Burton and 150 narrated interactive books. According to this article from ABC News announcing the relaunch, http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/reading-rainbow-back-ipad-tv/story?id=16608395 parents can purchase monthly unlimited access to this content.  However, if you prefer the real thing, we've got plenty of Reading Rainbow segments on DVD at the library that you can always check out and take home!

Favorite Book Fridays: Double Dog Dare

The best dare I ever made my sister do was to push a ball around the toilet seat with her nose, and if it fell in, fish it out with her teeth. Of course it fell in.

So Double Dog Dare, by Lisa Graff, brought back some fond memories of my childhood, and for sure it is a book that elementary-aged kids will be able to relate to. Some of the dares are laugh-out-loud funny, but there is also a serious, sweet side to the book with both of the main characters dealing with their parents getting divorced.

I highly recommend for about 3rd grade and up.

New Library Hours

The library will be CLOSED on Thursdays, beginning July 5th.  All other open hours will remain the same.  The closure is part of citywide budget reductions.  Thursdays were chosen because we were already closed on Thursday mornings and it is not as busy as other days of the week.  We will probably be busier on the six days we are open.  Some programs have been eliminated and others will be held at different times.  Check the weekly schedule on the right side of this blog for a current listing of library programs for children and families.  Also check out the library website for programming information as well at www.tigard-or.gov/library.  Please note that City Hall and the Permit Center will be closed on Fridays and will have new operating hours.  For more details, visit: http://www.tigard-or.gov/hours.asp.

New Library Hours:
Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m.
Monday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday: CLOSED
Friday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday:10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wedding Season

I just ran across a new book, Flower Girl, by Barbara Bottner. It is a very sweet book about a little flower girl. What makes it unique is that it is a true story told in photographs. I smiled the entire time I read it and I think you will, too.

Between finding this book and thinking of all the weddings that happen in the summer, I thought I would also recommend some other picture books about weddings.

• Brannen, Sarah S. Uncle Bobby's Wedding. A tale with two grooms.
• Bunting, Eve. The Wedding. A pile of animals head to a wedding together.
• English, Karen. Nadia's Hands. A Pakistani-American girl is a flower girl in her aunt's wedding.
• Jewll, Nancy. Alligator Wedding. A wild wedding down in the Bayou.
• Look, Lenore. Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding. A traditional Chinese wedding in modern times.
• Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. "I Can't take You Anywhere!" A klutzy girl isn't such a klutz after all.
• Slater, David Michael. Flour Girl. A little girl deals with her father re-marrying in an interesting way. (Slater is a local author).
• Williams, Garth. The Rabbits' Wedding. Two rabbits play together, fall in love and get married.
• Ziefert, Harriet. Grandma's Wedding Album. Grandma shares her wedding album with her grandkids.