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HPL Kids

The Kidzone has programs galore as well as books, movies, and other cool stuff. Read our blog below for more information and check out our upcoming events to get an idea of what's happening at the Kidzone! Our main phone number is 205.444.7830.

Recent Book Reviews

Horten's Incredible Illusions: Magic, Mystery & Another Very Strange Adventure
Lula Bell on Geekdom, Freakdom & the Challenges of Bad Hair
A Mutiny in Time
Starry River of the Sky
Pickle: The (Formerly) Anonymous Prank Club of Fountain Point Middle School
Iron Hearted Violet
Jake and Lily
Paris Pan Takes the Dare
Me and the Pumpkin Queen
Read All About It!
The Boy on Cinnamon Street
Nerd Camp
The Classroom
Smells Like Dog
Mission Unstoppable
On the Road to Mr. Mineo's
The Mark of Athena
A Whole Lot of Lucky
Alien on a Rampage
One for the Murphys

More of our favorite books on GoodReads »

Kidzone Blog

Perfect

Max Amato's debut picture book is a delight!  In Perfect, a finicky, fussy, perfectionist eraser tries to keep the pages clean by erasing the scribbles of a mischievous pencil, and in doing so learns that imperfection can lead to our most spontaneous, beautiful, and creative moments.  I know a lot of kids who could use this book's message.  Actually, I know a lot of adults, too!  Share this title with any perfectionist in your life!  Perfect can be found shelved under E  AMA  NEW BOOK.  You can also access the ebook via Overdrive.

BONUS!
Watch the book trailer!  The background music is so catchy!
Get more sneak peeks of the book on the author/illustrator's official website.

Rotten!

Kids like the most disgusting things. I know. I had 42 of them at my Grossology Story Lab back in October. Their enthusiasm for diaper dissections and digestion-in-a-bag was epic. Want to feed their need for the nasty while also educating them about an important part of nature? Of course you do. 

Rotten!: Vultures, Beetles, Slime, and Nature's Other Decomposers by Anita Sanchez, illustrated by Gilbert Ford (January 22, 2019)
J  581.714  SAN
What’s that terrible smell?  Plug your nose! Run!  Something smells…rotten!  But rotten isn’t always bad. If nothing ever rotted, nothing could live. Decomposition seems like the last stop on the food chain, but it’s just the beginning. When dead things rot, they give life to a host of other creatures.  So who are these decomposers? Sharks and vultures feast on animal carcasses. Worms, maggots and dung beetles devour decaying plant and animal matter. Decomposition is happening everywhere: oceans, forests, in your backyard—even between your teeth! It’s nature’s way of creating energy for all living things.  So unplug your nose! Open this book to uncover the dirty rotten truth about one of nature’s most fascinating processes.

An Evening with Margaret Peterson Haddix

One week.  Just one week until the big event.  The big deal author.  I'm so excited I can't even write in complete sentences!  Margaret Peterson Haddix will be on the Plaza at Hoover Public Library next Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.   An Evening with Margaret Peterson Haddix will include the chance to hear the New York Times-bestselling author of over 40 books for kids and teens talk about . . . well, I'm hoping she talks about EVERYTHING!  Her books have been honored with the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award; American Library Association Best Book and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers notations; and numerous state reader’s choice awards. They have also been translated into more than twenty different languages.  You'll have the opportunity to buy one of her books at the event and get it signed.  There will also be a delicious reception after her presentation.

Her books are available at Hoover Public Library and throughout Jefferson County, so you can read up before the event.  Our teen librarian Wendy has also curated a list of her books available on ebook and downloadable audio via Overdrive.  The list will show up once you log into your Overdrive account.   I hope everyone will take advantage of this opportunity to see an amazing author, up close and personal.

The Earth Gives More

Today, April 22, 2019 is Earth Day!  Read this love letter to our home planet!  It's perfect for Earth Day because it shows us all the wondrous things the Earth does for us and how we can give back!

The Earth Gives More by Sue Fliess, illustrated by Christiane Engel
E  FLI  NEW BOOK
From leaves falling and becoming fertilizer to raindrops bringing plants to life in the spring, the cycle of every season has something to enjoy. While delighting in all nature offers, we need to remember to respect and treasure the world around us. This sweet rhyming story follows the change in seasons and illustrates how we can all be stewards of the Earth.

Watch the book trailer! Read an interview with the author and the illustrator!

Last Week of Storytime

Our final week of the regular storytime season is here.  Hope to see you at one of these!  And go ahead and get excited about our stellar summer storytime series -- Story Constellation.  More info coming soon!

Together with Twos = Happy Birthday! = Monday, April 22, 2019 at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. (registration required)
Story Lab = Moon Landing = Monday, April 22, 2019 at 4 p.m.
Mother Goose = Fish Tales = Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. (registration required)
Early Birds = Beach Party = Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 10 a.m. (registration required)
Story Sprouts = Ms. AB's Favorites = Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.
ExploraStory = Let's Get Messy= Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 10:30 a.m.
PJ Storytime = A Universe of Stories = Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
Movers & Shakers = My Energry = Friday, April 26, 2018 at 11 a.m. (registration required)

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