Kids

The world of Erin Hunter has actually been created by a collaboration of five authors -- Cherith Baldry, Kate Cary, Victoria Holmes, Gillian Philip, and Tui Sutherland -- and the result is impressive.  There are currently four complete Warriors series (with the first in a fifth series, Warriors: Dawn of the Clans: The Sun Trail coming March 5, 2013), five super editions, five field guides, and numerous manga books.  There are also two Seekers series and a Survivors series.  The exploits of these cats, bears, and dogs have completely captivated young readers with their themes of courage, hard work, loyalty, and inner strength.  Have you read them all?

The most recent meeting of This Just In!, our new-books book club for grades 4-6, took place on February 25, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.  Here are some of the lastest and greatest titles we've been reading.
Elana = Eight Keys by Suzanne LaFleur
Emily = The Code Busters Club: The Haunted Lighthouse by Penny Warner (#2)
Erica = Penelope Crumb by Shawn K. Stout
Miss Katie Jane = Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool

The Kid Zone is hosting A Seusstastical Birthday on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. in honor of the good doctor.  Read these clues, straight from Dr. Seuss's books, to help you guess what's in store for party goers.
CLUE #1
"I know some good games we could play," said the cat.
"I know some new tricks," said the cat in the hat.
CLUE #2
I speak for the trees.
CLUE #3
Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small,
Were singing -- without any presents at all!
CLUE #4
And here comes your cake!  Cooked by Snookers and Snookers,

Have you ever noticed an accidental trend in your reading?  A central theme that ties books together that you didn't notice when you picked them up?  This happens to me all the time, and the most recent incident involved codes and ciphers.  I checked out a teen book, Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, on my sister's recommendation.  And my hold on the second title in The Code Busters Club, The Haunted Lighthouse by Penny Warner, arrived almost simultaneously.  Both are excellent and sparked an interest in code making and breaking.  When you read them, you'll be curious too.  So, here's a list of books available at Hoover Public Library to satisfy that curiosity.

Love is in the air -- a love of books!  Here's what our Kid Zone/Teen Spot staff is currently reading.

February is Library Lovers' Month!  One of the best ways to demonstrate your love for Hoover Public Library is to fill out a comment card.  These lime green cards, available at every desk, give you the opportunity to tell us what we're doing right and suggest ways we can be even better.  You can also send an email to hvcontact@bham.lib.al.us or fill out this online form.

The second Tuesday of February is officially known as Extraterrestrial Culture Day in New Mexico.  In 2003, the state legislature passed a memorial to acknowledge the Roswell UFO Incident of 1947, which has drawn the world's eye to New Mexico and unexplained mysteries.  It is a day "to celebrate and honor all past, present and future extraterrestrial visitors in ways to enhance relationships among all citizens of the cosmos, known and unknown."  This year, Extraterrestrial Culture Day falls on Tuesday, February 12, 2013.  Do you think it's a coincidence that the newest animated alien movie, Escape from Planet Ea

Let's face facts -- it is hard to fit reading into our jam-packed lives. Yes, even librarians have a difficult time finding a spare moment to sit down and read. That's why we are so grateful for audiobooks. They make it possible to fit reading into our work commute, our workout, and our housework. There are three audiobook formats available at Hoover Public Library -- book-on-CD, Playaway, and downloadable -- so you can choose whatever works best for you. If you're new to the realm of audiobooks, we've compiled a list of staff favorites to get you started.  You should also take a look at the Odyssey Award winners. 

Not sure what to give your mom and dad for Valentine's Day?  What about your brother, sister, or best friend?  Any ideas for them?  No?  Hoover Public Library to the rescue!  We're hosting Art from the Heart on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.  You can make two cute valentine crafts -- a puppy love lacing puppet and a love bug -- to give to one of the people you love on February 14.  And we have some sweet treats for you -- cupcakes and tickled pink punch.  You don't have to register for Art from the Heart.  Simply follow the stars (and the smell of sugar) through the Kid Zone.

All you need is love . . . and a willingness to share that love with the young patients at Children's of Alabama.  Bring signed valentines to the desk in the picture book room February 1-11, 2013.  The cards can be handmade or storebought, but they must follow these guidelines:
1. NO candy, gum, or food
2. NO balloons, rubber bands, or tiny objects that a child could swallow
3. NO religious messages

In exchange for your generosity, you can choose one of these holiday treats: toad-ally sweet gummes, valentine monster pop-up, valentine disc shooter, heart-shaped candy jewelry, two-sided valentine stamper, or mini valentine rubber ducks.  In 2012, we collected 980 cards.  We would love to make it to 1,000 this year.  Share the love, and help us meet this goal.

Prepare yourself for action and laughs with your favorite principal-turned-superhero . . .

First of all, congratulations This Just In reporters!  Several of the books you've read since the start of this group in September 2012 were just announced as major award winners.  Check out the It's Official! blog for details.  New year, new kids, new books -- This Just In's January 28 meeting had all three.
Ali = Always October by Bruce Coville

Prove you're ready for it by learning these fun facts:
#1 The average groundhog is 20 inches long and weighs 12-15 pounds.
#2 A baby groundhog is called a kit or a cub.
#3 A groundhog can whistle when it is alarmed.
#4 The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
#5 Punxsutawney Phil first left his burrow on Gobbler's Knob on February 2, 1887.
#6 The Hoover Public Library is hosting a Groundhog Day party on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 10:30 a.m.   There will be a skit featuring the famous Punxsutawney Phil, followed by an animal shadow match game.  Party-goers will also make a Groundhog Day card and an official holiday top hat.  Groundhog punch will wet your whistle, and dirt cups will fill you up.  You no longer have to register for this event (ignore the PDF calendar).  Just follow the stars through the Kid Zone on Groundhog Day morning.