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Kids

It's going to be big.  It's going to be fun.  It's going to be here before you know it.  Passport to the World will take over Hoover Public Library from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2013.  It is our all-departments, all-ages FREE cultural diversity event spanning all seven continents.  There will be a lot, and I mean A LOT, of stuff going on during that three-hour timespan.  Passports will be issued at the event to help you navigate, but here's a quick breakdown to help you start making your travel itinerary today.

National Library Week is just around the corner, April 14-20, 2013.  This year's theme is Communities Matter -- which is so true!  Check out Hoover Public Library's official mission: The overall purpose of the Hoover Public Library is to serve all the citizens of Hoover by offering the services, resources, and facilities to fulfill their informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs and interests. The term "citizens" encompasses individuals and groups of every age, education, philosophy, occupation, economic level, ethnic origin, and human condition.  In other words, you matter!  Stop by the library and let us show you how much!
Other NLW "stuff" you probably want to know:
* Use this coupon to make a payment on your overdue fines during National Library Week.
* 2013 is the Hoover Public Library's 30th anniversary.
 

While celebrating National Poetry Month, you don't have to limit yourself to Dewey Decimal number 811.  There are many works of fiction written in verse.  This usually means two things:
1. The language may be sparse, but it is beautiful and very expressive.
2. With fewer words per page, these books are fast reads.

KIDS
Addie on the Inside by James Howe
Eva of the Farm by Dia Calhoun
Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech
Inside Out & Back Again by Thannha Lai
Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie by Julie Sternberg

Hey, Alvin Ho! Aloha, Calvin Coconut! I bet you're wondering why you're both in today's blog post. It turns out you have a lot in common.
1. Your first names rhyme.
2. You both star in hilarious and mulitcultural book series with your name prominently featured on the cover.
3. You both have a new book coming out today, April 9, 2013.

I'm posting the eighth Reading Snapshot on the eighth day of April.  No, that is not April foolishness.  That is called being thematic.  I'm a children's librarian -- I can't help myself!

APRIL 2013
KIDS
Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle
Captain Awesome to the Rescue! by Stan Kirby (#1)
The Fire Chronicle by John Stephens (#2)
Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool
Ninja Meerkats: The Clan of the Scorpion by Gareth Jones (#1)
Of Giants and Ice by Shelby Bach (#1)
The Prairie Thief by Melissa Wiley

I am an Army brat, born and raised in West Germany.  Which means, from a very young age, I was very informed about the Holocaust.  I traveled to the concentration camps.  I toured the Annex where Anne Frank hid.  These experiences had a profound effect on me as a child and have stayed with me as an adult.  If you haven't had the opportunity to travel to Europe, you can still absorb Holocaust history.  Visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.  This establishment has been demonstrating The Power of Truth for 20 years.  You can also commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day fro

No, I'm not referring to the pretty blonde lady on the right.  That is Suzanne Selfors, the author of several funny books for kids.  Her latest title, The Sasquatch Escape, came out on Tuesday, April 2, 2013.  It is the first in a new series, The Imaginary Veterinary.
When Ben Silverstein is sent to the rundown town of Buttonville to spend the summer with his grandfather, he's certain it will be the most boring vacation ever. That is, until his grandfather's cat brings home what looks like . . . a baby dragon?  Amazed, Ben enlists the help of Pearl Petal, a local girl with an eye for adventure. They take the wounded dragon to the only veterinarian's office in town -- Dr. Woo's Worm Hospital. But as Ben and Pearl discover once they are inside, Dr. Woo's isn't a worm hospital at all -- it's actually a secret hospital for imaginary creatures.  After Ben accidentally leaves the hospital's front door unlocked, a rather large, rather stinky, and very hairy beast escapes into Buttonville. Ben and Pearl are tasked with retrieving the runaway creature, and what started out as an ordinary summer becomes the story of a lifetime. (from the publisher)

When you finish the book, you'll no doubt want to read more books by Suzanne Selfors.  You'll probably want to read some informational books about Sasquatch sightings too.  This list makes it easy to do both.

Shout It, shout it, POETRY!
Fun for you and fun for me!
Clap your hands (clap, clap, clap), stomp your feet (stomp, stomp, stomp).
Feel the rhythm, feel the beat.
Shout It, shout it, POETRY!
Fun for you and fun for me!

Calling all 2nd-5th grade ninjas and Lego enthusiasts!  The Kid Zone is hosting Lego Ninja on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.  Join the quest to build amazing martial arts-themed Lego creations . . . then demolish them.  Prepare yourself for live-action spinjitzu destruction as well.  And fuel your body by consuming Snake Fangs and Spin Punch with a Kick.  All spin masters are entered into a drawing for Lego door prizes.  Register online or call 444-7830.  Continue your training by checking out one of our Lego Ninjago books or DVDs.

Yes, today is April's Fools Day.  But, instead of playing a practical joke, I've decided to use this opportunity to introduce you to the funniest section of the Kid Zone -- joke books.  We have a ton!  Okay, okay, you're right.  I'm exaggerating.  But not by much.  If you're looking for laughs, look under Dewey Decimal number 818.  You'll find riddles, knock-knocks, tongue twisters, and more to tickle your funny bone.  Here's a small sample to kick off the giggles.

Why did the Cyclops have to retire from teaching?
He only had one pupil!

What fruit do giraffes eat?
Neck-tarines!

Knock, knock.
Who's there?

This bunny is so adorable!  I want to snuggle him.  But I can't get distracted right now.  I have to convey important information about the Hoover Public Library's hours during Easter weekend.
Friday, March 29, 2013          LIBRARY CLOSED FOR GOOD FRIDAY
Saturday, March 30, 2013      Library open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday, March 31, 2013        LIBRARY CLOSED FOR EASTER

Okay, now I'm off to snuggle a bunny.  Happy Easter!

I loved these books when I was a kid.  They were just the right size for my small hands.  I even had a figurine.  He was a purple triangle wearing a tiny yellow hat.  His name was Mr. Rush.  He was the exact opposite of me, so I found him fascinating.  Now there are even more characters for kids to love.  The Hoover Public Library has two spinning displays filled with both the Mr. Men and Little Miss books by Roger Hargreaves.  We also have several DVDs under the letter M in the Kid Zone movies section.  And on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 10:30 a.m., the library will host a Little Miss and Mr. Men party!  Play a game with Mr. Happy to win a smiley face prize.  Make your own "little" colorful character out of a plastic Easter egg.  Decide whether you are a circle or a square at the Cereal Bar.  There's something for every personality!  No need to RSVP for this party!  Just follow the stars to fun!

Today's Spring Break play has inspired this blog post.  If you enjoyed the show, pick up one of these folktale versions in the Kid Zone's nonfiction section, J  398.2  CHI.
Chicken Little by Rebecca Emberley
Chicken Little by Sally Hobson
Chicken Little by Steven Kellogg
Henny Penny by Vivian French

Orange alert!  There is a spectacularful new Clementine book -- Clementine and the Spring TripFor Clementine, spring is a really big deal.  It's the time for seeing her apple tree start to grow, for watching her friend Margaret go crazy with spring cleaning, and for going on the school trip to Plimoth Plantation.  Clementine is ready for Ye Olden Times, but she isn't so sure about surviving lunch there -- the fourth graders have strict rules about no eating sounds.  If that wasn't enough, Clementine also faces the challenges of learning Olive-language and surviving The Cloud on Bus 7.  Find all six Sara Pennypacker-penned titles in the F

Yes, Tom Angleberger is releasing a new book today, March 26, 2013.  Yes, it features Star Wars.  No, it is NOT fiction.  Art2-D2's Guide to Folding and Doodling is a how-to book with over 75 things to fold, draw, and do.  This means it will be shelved in the nonfiction section of the Kid Zone.  Should you look under ANG?  No!  You are going to need to know the Dewey Decimal number.  Here it is -- 736.  May the Folds be with you.

Good news, Magic Tree House readers! Book 49 and its nonfiction companion book are coming out tomorrow, March 26, 2013. All Magic Tree House fiction books can be found in the First Chapter section under J OSB. The Fact Tracker books are under various Dewey Decimal numbers in the Nonfiction Beginning Reader section. Here's a list to help you keep track (pun intended).

Dinosaurs  E  567.9  OSB  BEGINNING READER  (#1 Dinosaurs Before Dark)
Knights and Castles  E  940.1  OSB  BEGINNING READER  (#2 The Knight at Dawn)
Mummies and Pyramids  E  932  OSB  BEGINNING READER  (#3 Mummies in the Morning)
Pirates  E  910.4  OSB  BEGINNING READER  (#4 Pirates Past Noon)
Rain Forests  E  577.34  OSB  BEGINNING READER (#6 Afternoons on the Amazon)
Sabertooths and the Ice Age  E  560  OSB  BEGINNING READER (#7 Sunset of the Sabertooth)

Grug. Eep. Thunk. Ugga.  No, those aren't sound effects.  Those are four of the stars of the newest Dreamworks animated feature, The Croods.  It's a comedy adventure that follows a family of "cavemen" as they embark on a mind-expanding journey in an incredible new world.  The Croods hits the big screen this Friday, March 22, 2013.  Hit the shelves at Hoover Public Library before you head to the theatre.  We have lots of funny and informative books about prehistoric people.
Caveman: A B.C. Story by Janee Trasler
E  TRA

When I first moved to Alabama, I lived in Oxford.  In a neighboring city, there is a wonderful place called the Anniston Museum of Natural History.  We bought a family membership and spent many holidays and weekends exploring the exhibits.  Are you planning a similar excursion to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the Birmingham Museum of Art, McWane Science Center, or the Southern Museum of Flight this Spring Break?  Do some prep work!  Check out one of these titles.

Taking a trip to the Birmingham Zoo this Spring Break?  Get ready by reading one of these zoo picture books.
The Baby Beebee Bird by Diane Redfield Massie
Class Two at the Zoo by Julia Jarman
Felicity Floo Visits the Zoo by E. S. Redmond
Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
Hippo! No, Rhino by Jeff Newman

We really stretched our imaginations, our acting skills, and our tech abilities at this month's This Just In! meeting.  After quickly introducing the group to the new books we read, we took a vote -- choosing which title would be featured in our book trailer.  That's right, we used an awesome app on the library's iPad to create a book trailer.  Take a look!
Director = Ali
Good twins = Erica & Vincent
Bad twins = Khaldoun & Youssef
Professor = Miss Katie Jane

Hoover City Schools will be on Spring Break next week.  If you and your family decide to have a stay-cation, make sure that Hoover Public Library is part of it!  We have an amazing line-up of bird-brained programs for both kids and teens.  The overall theme is Birds of a Feather Read Together.  Here's a breakdown of each event.
KIDS
The Pigeon Wants an Audience! on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 10:30 a.m.
This party takes place throughout the Kid Zone.  The Pigeon will start with a hilarious skit that (unknown to him) will keep being interrupted by other Mo Willems's characters -- the Duckling, Elephant & Piggie, Edwina the Dinosaur, and Big Frog .  There will be two games, Puppy Training and Hot Dog Dress Up, and a paper plate pigeon craft.  All kids will receive a bus driver number, cookies without nuts, and Piggie Punch.

They are finally here and definitely worth the wait!  Our games computers have been replaced with mounted iPads.  There are six preschool iPads and four elementary iPads.  Stop by the Kid Zone and give them a test drive.  Featured apps are listed below.
PRESCHOOL
Another Monster at the End of This Book (Sesame Street)
Caillou Stickers
Curious George Sunny Safari
Draw Along
GazziliScience
Let's Color!
Monster Coloring Book
Peekaboo Barn
Pigeon! (Mo Willems)
Rocket Reads
Seuss Color
Skippyjon Jones
SuperWhy
Tap a Tune
Tiny Wings
Toontastic
Trucks

Yesterday's blog gave you some behind-the-scenes art books.  Now it's time to get inspired with some storybooks and fiction perfect for Youth Art Month.

March is Youth Art Month!  Think you have an inner artist?  Read some of these books and find out!

Book Buzz, our book club for 2nd and 3rd graders, gathered last RAINY Monday night.  First, the Riddle Hat--"What is a cat's favorite color?" PURRRR-PLE.
Next, we shared books about art, dance, and music. Many of these were picture books where the illustrations were works of art;  most were biographies.

Brandon Mull's Beyonders fantasy trilogy comes to an epic conclusion on Tuesday, March 12, 2013.  This is great news for Beyonders fans and for people looking for a new fantasy series.  You can read all three in a row without waiting a year between each book to get the whole story.  Trust me, once you start this series, you don't want to stop. 

It's time to Spring Forward!  Now, you'll notice that I used an exclamation point in the last sentence.  Don't misunderstand me.  I am NOT excited about losing an hour of sleep.  I'm not a morning person at the best of times, and the beginning of Daylight Saving Time is definitely not the best of times.  But I can't wait to share this list of books about creatures that hop and jump.  They will definitely put a spring in your step -- pun intended.  And, hopefully, they will remind you to spring forward before you go to bed on Saturday night.  Daylight Saving Time officially begins at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, 2013.

Did L. Frank Baum have any idea what he started when he wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900?  His creation extended into a series of fourteen books, but it has also inspired countless other book series, TV shows, theatrical productions, and movies.  The latest cinematic ode comes to the big screen this Friday, March 8, 2013 Oz: The Great and Powerful imagines the origins of Baum's beloved wizard character.  With a big-name cast (James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, and Michelle Williams), a blockbuster director (Sam Raimi), and the backing of Disney, it is sure to be a hit.  I know I'm excited about it!

Want to be transported somewhere over the rainbow?  Want to find out more about the man behind the magic?  Here's a list of Hoover Public Library books and movies that can help.
Original L. Frank Baum series
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Marvelous Land of Oz 
Ozma of Oz
Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz
The Road to Oz
(can borrow from other JCLC libraries)
The Emerald City of Oz
The Patchwork Girl of Oz
(can borrow from other JCLC libraries)
Tik-Tok of Oz
The Scarecrow of Oz
(can borrow from other JCLC libraries)
Rinkitink in Oz
The Lost Princess of Oz
The Tin Woodman of Oz
The Magic of Oz
(can borrow from other JCLC libraries)
Glinda of Oz

Catch March Madness early -- March reading madness, that is. Our staff has already succumbed.

If you've ever attended one of the Hoover Public Library's epic Halloween programs, you know Larry Moore.  He is the goofy guy in the vest, twisting balloons into amazing creations.  What you may not know is that Larry Moore is also known throughout Birmingham as The Magic Man.  And he's bringing his magic, his humor, and even his balloons to the Plaza on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.  It's a fun and FREE show for the whole family!  When Larry inspires you to try your own hand at magic, head to the Kid Zone nonfiction shelves for some great new series.
Books by Steve Charney

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