Program

Love is in the air, even if you're just 8-12 years old.  Valentine's Day gives us the opportunity to show our family and friends just how much we care about them.  And the Hoover Public Library is here to help you get creative about it!  Our Tween Scene program for this month is How-To Crew Makes Pop-Up Cards & Candy Necklaces on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 6:30 pm.  Guess what we'll be making?  Did you say pop-up cards and candy necklaces?  Good guess!  Call 444-7833 if you want to be part of this heart and candy-filled craft extravaganza.

It's time for the first Tween Scene program of 2012, and it's going to be a great one!  Hot Reads, Sizzling Pizza on Tuesday, January 24 at 6:30 p.m. gives 8 to 12-year-olds a chance to introduce fellow readers to some of their favorite books.  Which means they will also have a chance to discover a bunch of future favorites.  And, of course, there's free pizza too!  Call 444-7833 to let us know you want to be part of the fun.

What do the following items have in common?

1. Oranges
2. Red envelopes
3. Fireworks
4. Dragons

The answer is . . . Chinese New Year!  If you want to find out more, stop by the Kid Zone this Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 10:30 a.m.  for Year of the Dragon.  There will be Chinese folktales, yummy food, and several fun crafts to help us learn about the holiday.

Local favorite Larry Moore, The Magic Man is coming back to the Hoover Public Library!  His magical comedy show will be on the Plaza this Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 6:30 pm.  Families should be prepared to laugh and be amazed.  Oh, and I should probably warn you that toilet paper will play a major role in the entertainment.  This FREE event does not require a reservation, but make sure you come a little early to get a good parking spot and a prime seat.

This is the THIRD TIME I have attempted to make this blog post.  Technology has not been my friend.  But, as they say, third time's a charm!

Fourteen of us pulled ourselves away from the pre-LSU vs UA mania to discover some amazing award-winning books at Reader's Studio: Blue Ribbon Books on Monday, January 9, 2012.  We were introduced to big-eared mice, regurgitating wolves, and even flying frogs.

Alonna - The Seven Chinese Brothers by Margaret Mahy (ALSC Childrens' Notable Book)

Aziza - Tuesday by David Wiesner (Caldecott Medal)

Emily & Maddie - The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (Caldecott Medal)

Ethan - To the Top of the World: Adventures with Arctic Wolves by Jim Brandenburg (Orbis Pictus Honor)

Grace - Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann (Caldecott Medal) 

Isabella - The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (Newbery Medal)

Juliana - The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (Newbery Medal)

Miss Katie Jane - Two biographies about Marian Anderson - When Marian Sang by Pam Munoz Ryan (Sibert Honor) & The Voice That Challenged a Nation by Russell Freedman (Sibert Medal)

Mark - Flotsam by David Wiesner (Caldecott Medal)

Miss Polly - A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park & Emma's Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty by Linda Glaser (both won the Jane Addams Children's Book Award)

Sophia - Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary (Newbery Honor)

We also created our own book awards.  Check out the pics to see what you've been missing!  Then call 444-7833 to register for our next Reader's Studio, a super-cool book club for grades 2-5.  We will delve into Fractured Fairy Tales on Monday, February 13, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.

 

Next Wednesday, our Artisans on the Plaza series will continue with Adam Snyder. Arriving in Birmingham in the fall of 2007, Snyder followed his wife South as she pursued a post doctorate at UAB. He opted to take a sabbatical from his life as a social worker and use his time in Birmingham to enhance his techniques and explore new directions, marrying inspiration from his home State of Vermont and his new Alabama surroundings.

Most of his pieces are created from porcelain and then designs applied using porcelain slip, liquefied clay. Each piece is handpainted while it is still wet. Once dried, it’s fired and then a clear glaze is applied. Unique to the slip process, the glaze enhances the individual design of each piece and adds a sense of dimension to the design.

All his work, Green Mountain Ceramics, are food safe, microwave safe, oven safe and most are dishwasher safe.

If you are interested in clay work, or enjoy seeing an artist at work, stop and visit on Wednesday January 18th at 12:30 p.m. on the Library Plaza.

Adam Snyder is a juried member of the Alabama Designer Craftsmen.

The Artisans on the Plaza series is funded by the Friends of the Hoover Public Library.

-AD

You aren't the only one!  Our storytellers have enjoyed the holidays, but we're excited to kick off 2012 in the very best way . . . with books, songs, fingerplays, puppets, and more.  And there's even more reason to celebrate.  Miss Laura is back from maternity leave, which means she'll be back in Tiny Tot Tales, shaking her bean bag.  Welcome back, Miss Laura!

Here's a list of the starting dates for each of our storytimes. 

Mother Goose - Tuesday, January 3 at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

Early Birds - Tuesday, January 3 at 10 a.m.

Tiny Tot Tales - Wednesday, January 4 at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

After Lunch Bunch - Wednesday, January 4 at 1:30 p.m.

Storytime Live - Thursday, January 5 at 10:30 a.m.

PJ Storytime - Thursday, January 5 at 6:30 p.m.

Together with Twos - Monday, January 9 at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

If you've never been to one of our storytimes before, you can find out more information on our Kid Zone website.  You can also watch a short video clip of each of our talented storytellers.  If you still have questions or would like to register for Together with Twos, Mother Goose, or Early Birds, give us a call at 444-7833.

Ok, so our Christmas tree of readers is a little lopsided, but it's still completely adorable.  The Reader's Studio met on December 12 to talk about all the great holiday books we had read.  There were a lot of Christmas titles (surprise, surprise), but a few other holidays were represented too.

Alonna - Don't Be My Valentine: A Classroom Mystery by Joan M. Lexau

Ana - Juliet the Valentine Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Aziza - An Elk Dropped In by Andreas Steinhofel (Christmas)

Chandler - Hurry, Santa! by Julie Sykes 

Emily - Who Is Stealing the Twelve Days of Christmas? by Martha Freeman

Ethan - Christmas Gifts (from Boy's Life magazine)

Josie - The Christmas Toy Factory by Geronimo Stilton

Juliana - The Dog Who Saved Christmas by Allan Zullo

Miss Katie Jane - The Star Maker by Laurence Yep (Chinese New Year)

Maddie - The True Gift by Patricia MacLachlan (Christmas)

Miss Polly - Peiling and the Chicken-Fried Christmas by Pauline Chen (Chinese New Year and Chanukah too)

After we talked about the books, we made ornaments representing all of the major holidays.  You can see the result of our hard work on display in the Kid Zone, on top of the DVD shelves.  We would love for you to be part of the fun in 2012.  Our first meeting in the new year will be Blue Ribbon Books on Monday, January 9 at 6:30 p.m.  We will be focusing on award-winning titles.  That is also the night of the big game between LSU and UA, but you shouldn't have any problem doing both.  Call 444-7833 to register today.  And Happy Holidaze!

 

Who's hungry for gingerbread?  Satisfy your sweet tooth and your hunger for holiday hilarity at Santa's Gingerbread Man this Tuesday, December 13 at 6:30 p.m.  Get ready to Ho Ho Ho in the Library Theatre as the talented Kid Zone staff entertain with an original Christmas production.  After the show, head to the Meeting Rooms for a chance to decorate and eat your own tasty gingerbread treat.  And make sure you bring your wish list because Santa Claus will be making a special guest appearance!

Get ready for some season's greetings and eatings!  The Hoover Public Library's Kid Zone will be Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree this Saturday, December 10 at 10:30 a.m.  There will be plenty of fun festive songs and tasty holiday treats.  Plus, kids can make ornaments to trim their tree, including rock 'n roll snowmen.  Call 444-7833 to reserve your family's spot around the tree.