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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

Me, Myselfie & I

Jamie Lee Curtis has a new picture book -- Me, Myselfie & I: A Cautionary Tale!

Mom is old-fashioned. 
She likes things hand sewn.
To make her more modern, 
we bought a smartphone. . . .

For Mom’s birthday, her kids are excited to teach her how to take selfies with her new smartphone. At first, it’s lots of fun for the whole family. Soon, driven to take the perfect selfie, Mom begins to document 
everything, from ski team practice to dance class, and even photo-bombing someone's wedding—until her daughter reminds her that maybe this smartphone wasn’t the best gift after all.

In a world obsessed with self-documentation comes a tale that shows us with humor and love that the best things happen while the smartphone is turned off.

The Third Mushroom

I know, I know.  The title alone does NOT inspire.   But doesn't the book jacket remind you of another book?  A book you loved?  A book you've been desperately hoping would eventually have a sequel?  You are so astute!  This is the sequel to The Fourteenth Goldfish!

The Third Mushroom by Jennifer L. Holm ( September 4, 2018)
Ellie’s grandpa Melvin is a world-renowned scientist . . . in the body of a fourteen-year-old boy. His feet stink, and he eats everything in the refrigerator–and Ellie is so happy to have him around. Grandpa may not exactly fit in at middle school, but he certainly keeps things interesting. When he and Ellie team up for the county science fair, no one realizes just how groundbreaking their experiment will be. The formula for eternal youth may be within their reach! And when Ellie’s cat, Jonas Salk, gets sick, the stakes become even higher. But is the key to eternal life really the key to happiness? Sometimes even the most careful experiments yield unexpected–and wonderful–results.

Our First Practical Parenting Program

It's tough to be a parent.  Hoover Public Library has an excellent collection of books to help you navigate raising your child, but our parenting collection isn't the only thing we offer.  We are starting a new program series called Practical Parenting.  This series will provide useful information and strategies for dealing with everyday problems from early childhood through the teen years. You'll get practical answers to practical questions.  The speakers are local health care professionals and UAB doctoral students in clinical psychology.  Our first Practical Parenting session will be Monday, September 10, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.  The theme will be Don't Lose Sleep Over Bedtime.  Children commonly have trouble sleeping—-whether falling asleep or sleeping in their own beds. We’ll talk about ways parents can improve their children’s sleep.  There is no need to register to be part of this session.  Simply follow the stars through the Kid Zone to the Youth Program Room.

You Are Invited to an Elephant & Piggie Party!

It's time for a party, and you must be prepared!  The Hoover Public Library is hosting an Elephant & Piggie Party on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 10:30 a.m.  There will be activities based on four of our favorite E & P books.  A Big Guy Took My Ball inspired us to play Whale Ball, and Today I Will Fly inspired us to play Flying Pig.  Partygoers can make a bird nest hat inspired by There Is a Bird on Your Head.  They can also make a book (and put themselves in it!) inspired by We Are in a Book!  Will there be a chance to meet the real Elephant and Piggie?  Yes!  Will everyone get to hear an Elephant and Piggie story?  Of course!  Will there be slop and ice cream to enjoy?  What kind of party would it be without slop and ice cream?!  No RSVP required for this party.  Simply follow the stars to fun.

BOOK BONUS!
You can find all of the Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems by looking in the beginning reader collection (that's the books with orange spine labels) under E  WIL.

Welcome Back to Storytime!

Our award-winning storytime schedule resumes after Labor Day!  Find the one that's right for you!

Together with Twos on Mondays at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Miss Lindsay leads this weekly storytime for two-year-olds and their caregivers.  It includes a craft.  Registration is required each week.

Story Lab on Mondays at 4 p.m.
Miss Katie Jane leads this weekly S.T.E.A.M.-based storytime for 3 to 8-year-olds.  It features a single story and 8 hands-on learning stations.

Mother Goose on Tuesdays at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Miss Kaylen leads this weekly storytime for one-year-olds and their caregivers.  It includes a snack.  Registration is required each week.

Early Birds on Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
Miss Polly leads this weekly storytime for children under one and their caregivers.  It includes a free play time.  Registration is required each week.

Story Sprouts on Wednesdays at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Miss Anna Beth leads this large weekly storytime for children under four.  It includes acion-packed stories and lots of dancing.

ExploraStory on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Miss Traci leads this weekly storytime for children age three and up.  It features stories, music, and hands-on activities that promote school readiness.

NEW! Sensory Storytime on select Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.
Miss Katie Jane leads this storytime designed for children (ages 2-6) with autism and other sensory challenges.  Registration is required each week.

PJ Storytime on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
Mr Justin leads this weekly storytime for all ages.  Wear your pajamas for stories, songs, a short movie, and a bedtime snack.

Movers & Shakers on select Fridays at 11 a.m.
Miss Alyssa leads this music and movement storytime for 3 to 5-year-olds and their caregivers.  Registration is required each week.

* You can register for storytimes online (except for Sensory Storytime), by phone (444-7833), or at the desk. *

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