Katiem's blog

These books aren't just for little kids.  Read one if you don't believe me.  And look to the blog on Monday, January 28, 2013 to see if any of the titles from this series of posts won an ALA Youth Media Award, such as the Newbery, Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, or Sibert Medals.

These outstanding informational books deserve a standing ovation. Nonfiction is for kids of all ages, so engage your brain. That means you, too, parents and teachers and fellow librarians!
1. Animal Encyclopedia by Dr. Lucy Spelman (National Geographic)
2. Barnum's Bones by Tracey Fern
3. A Black Hole Is Not a Hole by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano
4. Bomb: The Race to Build -- and Steal -- the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin
5. The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math by Sean Connolly
6. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Young Reader's Edition by William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer
7. Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Baseball Team by Audrey Vernick
8. The Camping Trip That Changed America: Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and Our National Parks by Barb Rosenstock
9. Citizen Scientists: Be a Part of Scientific Discovery from Your Own Backyard by Loree Griffin Burns

Here it is, the moment you've been waiting for -- the official announcement of the Kid Zone's favorite books of 2012!  Please hold your applause till the end.  Let's start with the best fiction.
1. 

The How-to Crew has turned T-shirts into bags and candy into necklaces. And now they are embracing the upcycling craft craze on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.   If you're in grades 3-6, you can be part of the crew that makes Cute-as-a-Button Rings.  You'll learn how to turn discarded buttons into fun and colorful jewelry.  Please register online or by phone (444-7830).  We want to make sure we have enough supplies for all.  If you have any special buttons that you would like to incorporate into your project, please bring them!  I plan on bringing my button jar.  I've been adding buttons to it since I was a child.  It's a treasure trove of crafting possibilities!

Looking for a good excuse to stay in your PJs on the weekend? Look no further than the Kid Zone's Llama Llama Red Pajama Party on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. There will be a funny skit and games! There will be quilt and pajama crafts! And the Egg & I will be providing the tasty treats! All the fun is based on the popular picture book series by Anna Dewdney. Haven't read them yet? You can still be part of the fun, but make sure you grab one of these great books before or after the party.  And don't forget to register -- either online or by calling 444-7830.

My friend gave me a necklace that never fails to get attention when I wear it. Why? Because the pendant is a flower made from a Cherry Coke can. I don't know about you, but, when I finish a can of pop, I usually toss it in a recycling bin. It never crossed my mind that my trash could be turned into treasure. But upcycling is the hottest crafting trend right now, even for kids. Which is why the Hoover Public Library is hosting From Trash to Treasure on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. Kids will use leftover bits and ends to create a framed collage. No reservations are required. Just follow the stars to the program room.

I'm sure you've noticed our new website, but have you discovered that you can now register online for our storytimes and special events? Well, you can, and it's easy! Simply click on the event on the calendar. You will see a blue underlined link to evanced. Click on the link, fill out the information (name, age, etc), and you're registered. If all spots are full, you can add yourself to a waiting list. If you include your email address, you will get an event reminder in your inbox. You can also cancel your reservation online. * Important note: You will see an evanced link even if the event does not require a reservation.

Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays / 'Cause no matter how far away you roam / When you pine for the sunshine of a friendly face / For the holidays you can't beat home sweet home.  That song is right on the money.  At Christmastime, our hearts and minds are fixated on home.  So take a break from your holiday reading, and try one of these books set in Sweet Home Alabama.

I AM SO EXCITED!!!! Do you know what movie hit the big screen today, December 14, 2012? The first installment of Peter Jackson's return to the Shire -- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.  I loved how he handled The Lord of the Rings trilogy.  And, as a child, I loved the animated version of The Hobbit. In fact, I used to terrorize my little sister with my dead-on impression of Gollum.  I finally read the book in high school and realized that my beloved cartoon left out a "bit" of the story.  Not sure if there's enough material to do THREE movies, but I can't wait to find out.  Stop by the Hoover Public Library to see the fantastic display in the Teen Spot.  And pick up every "little" hobbit thing that we have to offer. 

Give warm hands, get a warm heart.  Add mittens and gloves to the clothesline in the Kid Zone by Thursday, January 31, 2013.  They will be donated to Pathways, a United Way agency that serves homeless women and children in the Birmingham area.  While you're at the library, pick up one of these great picture books featuring mittens.