This Week In The Children's Room

We have some fun programs coming up this week in the children's room. Stop by if you have a chance! Also, don't forget to sign up for summer reading. If you have already signed up, please start reading and fill out your reading logs to win some fun prizes. :)

Wednesday, June 3rd
Program: Preschool Story Time
Time: 10:30 am
Ages: 3-5 year olds
Description: Join us in the Children's Room for stories, songs, rhymes & more!

Saturday, June 6th
Program: Crafternoon
Time: 2:00 pm
Ages: any, younger children should be accompanied by an adult
Description: Join us in making a fun seasonal or story inspired craft.

Calling All Shutterbugs!

I just found out about a really cool photo contest being sponsored by DCPL. To celebrate some of the wonderful images of the DC Metro area put up on the DCPL Flickr Commons, the public library system is hosting a photo contest.

To enter, simply:
1. Browse photos at the DCPL Commons and look for buildings or locations still around today

2. Photograph a building or locale in a fun or interesting way

3. Add your photographs to the DC Then & Now group on Flickr. You are free to represent the content in anyway (collage form, black and white, etc)

4. In the description of your photo you must include a link to the original photo from the DCPL Commons.

5. Assign a Creative Commons license to your entry. An easy way to do this is under “Additional Information” on your photo’s page.

Photos must be submitted by July 3rd. On July 10th the winners will be announced!

There are some great prizes for the winner, first, and second runners up, including a Flip MinoHD Camcorder, Wireless SD Card, and a Holga Starter Kit! This a fun way for adults and kids to be creative this summer using resources from DCPL.

Teen Book Making and Journaling Workshop

On Thursday, June 4 at 1:30 pm, we're hosting our first Teen Summer Reading Guest!
Adjoa Burrowes, local author and illustrator, will present a workshop on paper making, book making, and journal writing. Join us for "Beyond Just Words." For ages 11 - 17.

Birds and Other New Picture Books

We are getting some great new picture books in the children's room. Some titles are perfect for our summer reading theme (Be Creative @ Your Library) and some are just perfect for other reasons. One great new book I think everyone should check out is Birds.

Birds, written by Kevin Henkes and illustrated by Laura Dronzek, is a wonderful new picture book just in time for bird watching weather. The wondrous simplicity of this book and the bold illustrations make it a perfect introduction to the carefree world of our feathered friends. Concepts such as color, size, and amount are worked into the text. Told from the perspective of a littler girl, the observations of bird behavior are fresh and imaginative. For example, when describing a flock of black birds perched in a tree, Henkes writes “If there are lots of birds in one tree and they all fly away at the same time, it looks like the tree yelled,” and when you turn the page, “SURPRISE!” as the illustration shows the black birds taking flight. This is definitely a delightful book to share with your young ones. Find it on the new books display today!

Here are some of the other new titles we've received this week:
Can You Hear It - by William Lach
Muriel’s Red Sweater - by Dara Dokas
The Travel Game - by John Grandits
I Know a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Cello - by Barbara S. Garriel
Belinda and the Glass Slipper - by Amy Young
Which Puppy - by Kate Feiffer
Froggy Plays in the Band - by Jonathan London

(Image courtesy of the Kevin Henkes website)

NEW: Text Message Holds Notification

As you may already know, if you provided your e-mail address when you signed up for your Library Card, you can receive e-mail notifications from DC Public Library when a reserved item becomes available or when you have overdue items.

A new feature DCPL is offering also allows you to receive a text message notification (in addition to your e-mails) when your reserved items are ready for pickup and/or when you have overdue items.

To enroll simply go to the on the enrollment page on the DCPL website and complete the following steps:

1.) Enter your Customer ID or your Onecard/License#.
2.) Enter your PIN.
3.) Enter your mobile phone number.
4.) Choose your carrier.

That's all it takes! If you have questions, please ask a librarian.

Preschool Story Time Tomorrow

Just a reminder that we will be offering our neighborhood Preschool Story Time tomorrow morning. We hope to see you there.

Program: Preschool Story Time

Date: May 20

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Ages: for 3-5 year olds

Description: Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and more!

Coming Up in the Children's Room

We have some great events coming up in the Children's Room this week. Children's librarian Miss Rachel will host the ever popular PJ story time and dont' forget weekly preschool story time.

Next Monday, as part of the special events schedule for Summer Reading, we will host a special performance by Nicolo Whimsey.

Program: PJ Story Time
Date: May 12

Time: 7:00 p.m.
Ages:0-6 w/an adult
Description: Snuggle up with stories, songs, & snacks. Feel free to wear your pjs and slippers and bring your stuffed animal or lovey.

Program: Preschool Story Time
Date: May 13
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Ages: for 3-5 year olds
Description: Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and more!

Program: The Nicolo Whimsey Show

Date: May 18

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Ages: 4-9
Description: This show combines juggling, music, poetry, and storytelling. Nicolo emphasizes language skills and encourages children' to discover and voice their creativity.

(Image courtesy of About Faces Entertainment)