DIARY OF A WIMPY KID READ-ALIKES

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: the Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney (#5 in the series) is coming out on Nov. 9, 2010. Can't wait? You might like some of these titles:

Doodlebug: A Novel in Doodles
By Young, Karen Romano

Moving is tough. But the hardest thing of all about the move that Doreen "Dodo" Bussey's family is making is that she suspects it might be because of her. Her mother gives Dodo a blank notebook, which she uses to chronicle the move and the first days in a new city. 

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda
By Angleberger, Tom

In this funny, uncannily wise portrait of the dynamics of a sixth-grade class and of the greatness that sometimes comes in unlikely packages, Dwight, a loser, talks to his classmates via an origami finger puppet of Yoda. 

Big Nate: In a Class by Himself
By Peirce, Lincoln

Inspired by Peirce's "Big Nate" comic strip, this first book in a six-part series introduces Nate Wright: sixth grader, class clown, self-described genius, and the all-time record holder for school detentions. Illustrations. 

The Popularity Papers: Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt + Julie Graham-Chang
By Ignatow, Amy

Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang are best friends with one goal: to crack the code of popularity. Lydia's the bold one: aspiring theater star, stick-fighting enthusiast, human guinea pig. Julie's the shy one: observer and artist, accidental field hockey star, faithful recorder. In this notebook they write down their observations and carry out experiments to try to determine what makes the popular girls tick. But somehow, when Lydia and Julie try to imitate the popular girls, their efforts don't translate into instant popularity. 

The Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life
By Russell, Rachel Renee

This hilarious novel follows eighth-grader Nikki Maxwell as she chronicles through text and sketches her thoughts on friendships, crushes, popularity, and family. Illustrations.  

Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf: A Year Told Through Stuff
By Holm, Jennifer L. 

Told entirely through notes, grocery receipts, report cards, bottle caps, newspaper clippings, and other pieces of a young girls life, Newbery Honor winner Holm delivers the story of Ginnys seventh-grade year using all the things that "really" matter. Full color. 

Drooling and Dangerous: the Riot Brothers Return!
By Amato, Mary; Ill. by Ethan Long

Orville and Wilbur embark on new adventures as spies, movie stars, and insect flingers, wreaking havoc on the unsuspecting world!

Max's Logbook
By Moss, Marissa

Clever, curious Max, a budding scientist, begins a logbook to record his hilarious experiments and ideas for inventions. In a journal-like style, his logbook also introduces us to his school, friends, family, and an inventive comic strip, Alien Erasers. 

Regarding the Fountain: A Tale, in Letters, of Liars and Leaks
By Klise, Kate

The hilarious chronicle, in letters, cards, transcripts, and other documents, of the nefarious doings in the town of Dry Creek, as collected by Mr. Sam N.'s fifth-grade class. A highly original work of middle-grade fiction that's a visual and verbal delight on every page, from the cast of characters to a variety of subplots. 

Never Underestimate Your Dumbness
By Benton, Jim

The wedding between Jamie's aunt and Angeline's uncle is nearing, and they will be joined together until death--or a much-wished-for divorce. Now, three of Jamie's most dreaded nightmares are about to be combined into one unbearable event. Illustrations. 

FALL IS HERE!

Fall officially begins with the autumnal equinox, the date in September when hours of day and night are roughly equal. It arrives tonight at 11:09 PM, and for the first time in 19 years, it comes on the same night as a full moon, the one known as a Harvest Moon!

Of course, just because Fall is here doesn't mean that New England will have cool temperatures right away or that the leaves will suddenly change color! To find out more about why leaves change color, visit the Environmental Education Center for Kids.

And for good measure, if we have clear skies tonight, you will see an unusually bright star right near the moon. It's actually not a star at all; it's the planet Jupiter, at "opposition," coming closer to the earth than at any time since 1963!

BABYGARTEN!

 

We are very excited to introduce Babygarten, a fun and exciting program for children ages 0 to 2 and their caregivers! 

Babygarten will run in multiple 6-week sessions during the year, and will require registration for each session. The first 3 days of registration are for Coventry residents only, then registration opens up to everyone. Space is limited! Families who attend at least 4 of the 6 dates in each session will receive a library tote bag.

• The first 6-week session begins at 10:15 AM on Tuesday, Oct. 12 - the dates are as follows: Oct. 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2, 9, and 16. Registration begins on Sept. 28. Call the library at 746-7606 or register online.

• The second 6-week session begins on Tuesday, Dec. 7 - the dates are as follows: Dec. 7, 14, 21, Jan. 4, 11, and 18. Registration begins Nov. 30. Call the library at 746-7606 or register online.

What is Babygarten?

• Infants and their caregivers will share nursery rhymes, songs and books, but also get a chance to make fun projects that demonstrate the children's developmental milestones - usually a homemade toy or a baby book item.
• Many projects and activities will emphasize the importance of reading to babies and parents will learn how to do this most effectively.
• The class concludes with a free play period.

The program includes:

Nursery Rhymes and Songs – Infants in the womb are soothed by the ever-present beat of a mother’s heartbeat. Babies of all ages still respond to a steady beat no matter what form it takes – rhymes, music, windshield wipers, dishwashers, etc. Rhymes also provide interesting repetition of the sounds we use in everyday language. Using familiar rhymes on a regular basis encourages your child to make sounds and eventually form first words.

Book Sharing – We’ll read books in unison (yes, the same ones over and over!) and the librarian may recommend books that are most popular with babies. For infants, a book represents the closeness of being held and the soft sounds that come from a familiar person. Eventually, they will understand how a book “works” and that the black squiggles somehow correspond with the sounds the reader makes. These are all pre-literacy skills that better prepare your child for a lifetime of learning.

Parenting Information – Questions about infant development and parenting often arise during the Babygarten program. We welcome your questions and will do everything we can to help you find answers. Sometimes the best source is the person sitting next to you on the floor!

Handmade Toys and Mementos – The playthings that babies enjoy most are always the least expensive ones. You’ll have the opportunity to construct simple, effective toys from items we all have around the house. Also, to help you remember the fleeting moments of your child’s babyhood, we’ll make some items that are perfect for grandparent gifts or the baby book.

Free Play Period – At the end of each session, we’ll do what we THINK comes naturally to all caregivers. Playing is how babies learn and your involvement can enhance their enjoyment and enlightenment. It’s fun to see how other people play and how babies respond to each other. This is where some of your best discoveries will originate – either through observation or conversation (with babies and adults!).

***BABYGARTEN made possible by funding from the 2010 Book Sale.***
                 

Win A Signed Copy of Rick Riordan's THE LOST HERO!

WIN A SIGNED COPY OF RICK RIORDAN'S THE HEROES OF OLYMPUS: BOOK ONE, THE LOST HERO


The Lost Hero comes out on October 12. Win a signed copy by submitting a book review for the library! It's easy: fill out the book review form on the right-hand side of this blog. Each book review submitted will be entered into a raffle to win a signed copy of The Lost Hero. Contest ends on October 12. You may also send your review to bdkids@coventryct.org. The winner must be able to pick up their prize at the library!

According to author Rick Riordan, Heroes of Olympus will be a five-book series. It is set in Percy Jackson’s world, and Percy has an important role to play in the series. At different points in the series, you will get to catch up with most of the characters from the first series, but The Lost Hero also features a new cast of main characters.

Bink & Gollie

Coming to the library soon! Watch the book trailer...Bink & Gollie by Kate Di Camillo & Alison McGhee, illustrated by Toni Fucile.

Talk Like A Pirate Day! is September 19

Avast ye hearties! Sunday, September 19 is Talk Like A Pirate Day! To prepare, I thought I'd offer up some sites that will help you get Pirattitude. Don't forget to check out some pirate books from the library, too, or yo-ho-ho, you'll be walkin' the plank!

FUN STUFF

How to Be Speakin' Pirate-Like
http://www.yarr.org.uk/talk/

What did Pirates eat and drink?
http://www.gone-ta-pott.com/Pirate_Food.html

Fun pirate foods for kids.
http://recipehut.homestead.com/KidsRecipe.html

Pirate Fun Facts - http://www.gone-ta-pott.com/Oceansoffun_Pirates.html

Pirate Jokes - http://www.gone-ta-pott.com/Pirate_jokes.html

STORIES

Blackbeard...Terror of the Sea
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/blackbeard/interactive.html

Blackbeard the Pirate...and the Presumed Wreck of Queen Anne's Revenge
http://www.ncmaritime.org/Blackbeard/

Women in History: Female Pirates
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/femalepirates/Female_Pirates.htm

MUSIC

Shanties and Sea Songs
Well shiver me timbers! This site offers a boatload of shanties, pilot verses and sea songs. There is also a treasure chest full of CD and book recommendations, and information on tall ships, pirates, and sailing books. You’ll be singing and sailing the seven seas in no time at all! http://shanty.rendance.org/index.php

CRAFTS

Jolly Roger Pirate Flag Poster
http://parenting.leehansen.com/Printables/Posters/jolly-roger-flag.pdf

Pirate Activities for Children – Make a Treasure Map or telescope, your own pirate ship and more!http://tinyurl.com/lhz3zt

DLTK- Kids - Make your own pirate, parrot or mouse bookmark.
http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/pirates/mpiratebookmark.html

Pirate Sticker Sheets
http://parenting.leehansen.com/Printables/Stickers/pirate-stickers.htm

New Jeff Smith "Bone"Book!

Are you a fan of the "Bone" graphic novel series by Jeff Smith? Another title has been published! It's called "Tall Tales" and, according to Jeff Smith,  it's "a major repackaging of a book I did with Tom Sniegoski a few years ago called Stupid, Stupid Rat-Tails. This new book, which takes place after the Bones have returned to Boneville, revolves around Smiley and Bartleby telling tales around a campfire to a group of young Bone Scouts (their names are Ringo, Bingo, & Todd!). One of the tales will be the long out of print story I did for Disney Adventures that was not in the BONE books, and will now be returned to the BONE cannon with a beautiful coloring job by Steve Hamaker. Another will be the The Adventures of Big Johnson Bone, Frontier Hero, which appeared in black & white as Stupid, Stupid Rat-Tails."

Get it now at the library! And visit Jeff Smith's website BONEVILLE for lots more info about the books, as well as games and more.

Language & Literacy Begin At Birth!

Children begin learning about language and literacy from the moment they are born -- and these early experiences affect their ability to learn to read as they get older.

Storytimes at the library are developed to reflect these important experiences. We offer storytimes as a fun experience for young children, but more importantly, to provide adults with ideas and information to help them provide these experiences for their children when they are not at the library. Check out our Event Calendar for our story times schedule. Coming Soon: A new lapsit story time for ages 0 to 2 called Babygarten!

A great resource for parents of young children is the ZERO TO THREE website. ZERO TO THREE is a national nonprofit organization that informs, trains and supports professionals, policymakers and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers. It's got a lot of great resources available, including a section on Early Language and Literacy. Watch their 5-minute video about promoting early language and literacy development.