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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

It's Thanksgiving Week!

Ok, not quite yet. But it's coming soon! Hoover City Schools (and other local school districts) are off for the entire week of Thanksgiving. If you're looking for something to do, look no further than Hoover Public Library. We have three thematic programs and a special event that week, and you don't even have to register to be part of the fun!

  • Story Lab: Delicious Desserts
    Monday, November 25, 2019 at 4 p.m.
    This is Miss Katie Jane's weekly S.T.E.A.M.-powered storytime for 3 to 8-year-olds.  One story prompts lots of hands-on activities.  This week's stations will include erupting cupcakes, pie slice fractions, cookie measurement, and more sweet fun. 
     
  • Family Movie: Aladdin
    Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 2 p.m.
    Watch the 2019 live-action Disney adventure with Miss Lindsay and your whole family.  Free refreshments!
     
  • Craft Cornucopia
    Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at 10:30 a.m.
    Get into the holiday spirit with Miss Christine and Thanksgiving crafts for all ages.
     
  • Storytime Allstars: Family Fun
    Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 10:30 a.m.
    Join Mr Justin for stories, songs, and a short movie that celebrate family and togetherness. This program is for all ages and will include a snack.  

DON'T FORGET!
The Hoover Library will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27.  We will also be closed Thursday, November 28 - Friday, November 29.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History

New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Vashti Harrison shines a bold, joyous light on black men through history in her follow-up to Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History (2017) and Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World (2018).

Little Legends:  Exceptional Men in Black History  (11/19/19)
This beautifully illustrated and engagingly written volume brings to life true stories of black men in history.  Among these biographies, readers will find aviators and artists, politicians and pop stars, athletes and activists. The exceptional men featured include artist Aaron Douglas, civil rights leader John Lewis, dancer Alvin Ailey, filmmaker Oscar Micheaux, musician Prince, photographer Gordon Parks, tennis champion Arthur Ashe, and writer James Baldwin.  The legends in this book span centuries and continents, but what they have in common is that each one has blazed a trail for generations to come.

It has already received starred reviews in Kirkus and School Library Journal.

Creative Storytelling Games

The holiday season is fast approaching.  This means lots of family togetherness.  Sometimes it can feel like too much, especially if you've run out of ideas to keep the kids and adults from driving each other crazy.  I have just the thing to help you avoid all that drama.  Brightly contributor Melissa Taylor has curated a list of 6 Creative Storytelling Games for Kids that are sure to keep everyone happy during the holidays.  And guess what?  They also encourage hours of creativity and development!

Sleep Help from Practical Parenting

Our next Practical Parenting session will be this Sunday, November 17, 2019 at 3 p.m.  The theme will be Sleep Help.  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.  The speakers, Haley Bednarz and Helen Root, are graduate students in UAB's Medical Clinical Psychology Program.  We'll also have parenting books that address sleep problems as well as picture books about bedtime to check out and share with your children.  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.

Talking about Race

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recently added racism to the list of critical child health issues that require immediate attention and action.  Having worked with children in public libraries for almost 20 years, I could not agree more.  With the increased access to technology, especially smartphones and social media, today's youth have even more ways to be exposed to racism.  It's easy to be a target for racist attacks . . . and it's easy to target others.  That's why it is so important to talk about race and racism with your children!  It won't be easy.   But it will be worth it.  Here are some resources you can access to help you prepare for this discussion.

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