Beaverton City Library Kids' Blog

New Book Review: Dumpling Days

2012-01-29T14:55:00.000-08:00

By Grace Lin
Call Number: J Lin
Best for grades 3-6

Grace Lin is one of my new favorite authors (Where the Mountain meets the Moon, Ling and Ting, etc…) and so I was super excited when I heard that Dumping Days was coming out. Remember Pacy/Grace? The middle child from The Year of the Dog and The Year of the Rat? Well, she’s back and on an all new adventure with her family as they travel to Taiwan for the first time. She tries new foods (especially lots of different kinds of dumplings), meets new people, and takes a class. She gets lost, doesn’t understand the languages, and even runs into some trouble with a fancy toilet during her 28 days in Taiwan.

What I like best about the Pacy/Grace books is how real they are—Grace Lin bases many of these stories on those from her life, and because of that they are so easy to relate to. Anyone who enjoys the auto-biographical elements Laura Ingles Wilder, or the timelessness of Ramona Quimby, or even the struggles of being a middle child (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) will enjoy Dumpling Days.

Click here to view this title in the catalog.

-JW-

And The Winner is.....

2012-01-23T12:40:00.000-08:00

It's official-- The Youth Media Awards have been annouced for 2012!

Enjoy!

John Newbery Medal
Dead End in Norvelt
by Jack Gantos

Newbery Honor books:
Inside Out and Back Again
by Thanhha Lai

Breaking Stalin's Nose
by Eugene Yelchin

Randolph Caldecott Medal
A Ball for Daisy
by Chris Raschka

Caldecott Honor books:
Blackout
by John Rocco

Grandpa Green
by Lane Smith

Me ... Jane
by Patrick McDonnell

Coretta Scott King Author Book Award
Heart and Soul: The story of America and African Americans
by Kadir Nelson
Kadir Nelson also won a Coretta Scott King Illustrator honor for this book.

Coretta Scott King Author Honor books:
The Great Migration: Journey to the North
by Eloise Greenfield illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist

Never Forgotten
by Patricia C. McKissack illustrated by Ledo and Diane Dillon

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Book Award
Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom
by Shane W. Evans

Pura Belpré Author Award
Under the Mesquite
by Guradalupe Garcia McCall
(This one is a young adult book)

Pura Belpré Author Honor books:
Hurricane Dancers: The First Caribbean Pirate Shipwrek
by Margarita Engle

Maximilian and the Mystery of the Guardian Angel: A bilingual Lucha Libre Thriller
by Xavier Garza

Pura Belpré Illustrator Award
Diego Rivera: His World and Ours
Written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh

Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor books
The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred
by Samantha R. Vamos and illustrated by Rafael Lopez

Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match / Marisol McDonald no combina
by Monica Brown illustrated by Sara Palacios

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade
by Melissa Sweet

Sibert Honor books:
Black & White: The confrontation between Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene 'Bull' Connor
by Larry Dane Brimnerand

Drawing from Memory
by Allen Aayland

The Elephant Scientist
by Caitlin O'Connell and Donna M. Jackson

Witches!: The Absolutely True Tale of the Disaster in Salem
by Rosalyn Schanzerand

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
Tales for Very Picky Eaters
by Josh Schneider
(We reviewed this one here.)

Geisel Honor Books:
I Broke My Trunk
by Mo Millems

I Want My Hat Back
by Jon Klassen

See Me Run
by Paul Meisel

-JW-

Liesl and Po

2012-01-23T10:23:00.000-08:00

by Lauren Oliver

for ages 9-12 years

(Children's New Books)(J Oliver)

Liesl and Po is a modern day fairy tale with all the classic elements. Of course there is the wicked step-mother who locks Liesl in the attic after her father passes away. Children are pests to the adults in this book. The only sympathetic adult is a lowly guard named Mo, who chases down a child to give him a hat to cover his ears.
Liesl has but one friend. An apparition comes to her and calls itself Po. Po has a companion named Bundle. They come from the "Other Side" where things become more indistinct. Po is neither a boy nor a girl, Bundle is neither a cat nor a dog. Po has seen Liesl's father on the other side.
Will is an orphan who is taken to apprentice for a mean old alchemist. He is poorly treated and overworked. He observes Liesl in the attic and wonders about her during his nightly deliveries. One night he accidentally switches two wooden boxes, one containing the ashes of Liesl's father and one containing the greatest magic in the world. The box was to go to a very important lady named Lady Premier.
Liesl escapes from the attic in order to deliver her father's ashes to a willow tree of her younger days. Will also escapes the alchemist when it is discovered he has delivered the wrong box to the wrong person. Miraculously they run into each other, after each has sneaked onto a train headed north. They band together to outwit the step-mother; the alchemist and the Lady Premiere; a policeman; and a nosey old woman on the train. Even Mo gets into the action when he finally gets to deliver that hat to Will.
The story is written at a good pace so the plot keeps moving along fast enough to keep the reader interested. The full page black and white illustrations sprinkled throughout the book add a nice touch to the story.-SC-

Check our catalog for this title.

Anti-Bullying Program, Monday, January 23, 3:30 p.m.

2012-01-20T12:35:00.000-08:00

Have you witnessed people at school getting harassed or excluded? Bullying isn’t cool. Standing up for yourself and others is. Celebrate No Name Calling Week by learning solutions with activities, tips and resources. Snacks provided. FREE!

Handouts for parents will be available at the end of this program,
but this program is just for kids/teens! You can make a difference!

Monday, January 23, 3:30-4:30 PM
For Grades 3-7
Registration required.

To register call or stop by the
Children's Desk (503) 350-3600
or the Young Adult Desk (503) 350-4001.

-sv

New Book Review: Wonderstruck: A novel in words and pictures

2012-01-12T21:06:00.000-08:00

By Brian Selznick
544 pages
Grades: 4-8th

Wow! What a beautiful book and captivating read! From the beginning, I was quickly drawn into the two stories of Rose and Ben. Rose’s story is told solely in beautifully rendered drawings and Ben’s through text. Rose is a deaf girl living in the 1920s silent movie era, who is trying to escape her lonely life in Hoboken, New Jersey. 12-year-old Ben who lives in Minnesota in 1977 and is dealing with the tragic death of his mother and the loss of his hearing, goes on an adventure to New York to find his father. The illustrations are really amazing and often times made me feel as though I was right next to Rose experiencing everything she was experiencing. Readers will have fun trying to decipher the little clues that the author put in his detailed drawings. Both of the characters are adventurous, curious, and full of heart and their stories are touching, emotional, and sometimes heartbreaking. Readers will care deeply about Rose and Ben and will be rooting for them to find what they are looking for. There is so much to love about this book and I found myself speeding through to find out what was going to happen next!
Look for it in our catalog here.

If you like this book, check out Brian Selznick’s first book, The invention of Hugo Cabret: a novel told in words and pictures. It is also told in both text and beautiful drawings. Check our catalog for it here.

-ML-

New Book Review: Breadcrumbs

2012-01-11T11:40:00.000-08:00

By Anne Ursu
312 pages
Best for grades 3-6

Looking for good winter book for these cold days? I picked up Breadcrumbs and could hardly put it down!

A re-telling of the lesser-known Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale "The Snow Queen" Breadcrumbs is a book for people who like books. It is full of allusions to both classic and newer fantasy books for kids (The Golden Compass, Narnia, A Wrinkle in Time, When You Reach Me, Coraline, etc...), as well as classic fairy tale scenarios, but still has plenty of originality and adventure to keep the story moving quickly.

The first half of Breadcrumbs is realistic fiction. We follow Hazel to her new school where she doesn't quite fit in. Her dad recently moved away, and her life is in flux. One constant in her life is her best friend and next door neighbor Jack. They imagine impossible worlds, with comic book super hero powers, baseball, and drawings, not unlike Bridge to Terabithia. Until one day when Jack changes. A piece of glass no bigger than a grain of sand lands in his eye and his heart and he beings to freeze. A white which comes from the woods and takes him away and no one seems to notice except Hazel. Now she has to get him back.

The second half is pure fantasy novel-- Hazel's journey through the woods, against all odds and advice to find her best friend and bring him home. Will she make it? or will the wolves, witches, wizards, and woodsmen get the better of her?

This book not only makes for a great silent reading book, but also and excellent read-aloud for any older elementary schooler.

Click here to view Breadcrumbs in the catalog.

-JW-

I'm a Shark

2012-01-09T14:40:00.000-08:00

I'm a Shark
by Bob Shea
Children's New Book Display
2011

Sharks are the scariest thing in the ocean! Sharks aren't afraid of anything. Or are they?

Bob Shea has come up with yet another winning picture book with this confident shark. The pictures are clean and sharp and set against bright, solid backgrounds. It is sure to capture and hold your little one's attention. You'll just have to read it to see what sharks are afraid of. If you like sharks, you'll like this book.-sc-

Check our catalog for this title.

Book Buddies Book Group

2012-01-02T13:13:00.000-08:00

Come make new friends and read good books! Compete for fun and yummy trivia prizes.

This month's book is The Best School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson. Pick up and read your book ahead of time. Book Buddies books are at the children's desk.

Book Buddies meets the second monday of the month.

Monday January 9th.

3:30-4:30 p.m.

for 3rd-5th graders

Storytime room

Beaverton City Library

-sc-

New Fiction Review: In Front of God and Everybody: Confessions of April Grace

2011-12-22T15:55:00.000-08:00

By K.D. McCrite
298 pages
Best for grades 4-7
Copyright: 2011
Call Number: J MCCRITE

In the first book in the new April Grace series we meet the nearly 6th grade girl from the Ozarks, her family, and neighbors. Some call her a hillbilly and a hick, but we learn through this first person account how she solves mysteries, observes people, and stops two terrible tragedies in just one book. What I love about this title is how April Grace is a very real character and how all of her family members and neighbors have clear personality complete with likable parts and failings. Even April Grace.

After I got over the shock of a historical fiction book taking place in 1986 (shoulder pads, new-fangled VCRs, dramatic eye shadow and everything!). I couldn't put April Grace down! A good winter break read when you want to loose yourself in the summertime.

Click here to view this title in the catalog.

-JW-

Book Review: The Romeo and Juliet code

2011-12-19T16:50:00.000-08:00

By Phoebe Stone
Call Number: J STONE, P
For ages 8-12 years old

Living in London during World War II, 11-year-old Felicity must go to Bottlebag, Maine to stay with her father’s estranged and kooky family. Once she and her parents arrive, she realizes that there is so much about her parents, Winnie and Danny, that she doesn’t know and that no one is willing to tell her. Her lively uncle, aunt, and grandmother change the subject whenever she asks where her parents are and when they will return. When letters start arriving from Portugal, Felicity is convinced that they are from her parents but her uncle refuses to tell her anything about them. With the help of her adopted cousin, Derek, they find the letters and discover they are written in code. Clever, charming, and persistent, Felicity won’t stop looking at the clues around her until she finds out the truth about her parents. This light spy novel is filled with humor, a little bit of romance, mystery, and plenty of heart!

Check our catalog for this title.

-ML-

Holiday Movie

2011-12-19T10:37:00.000-08:00

Come enjoy a holiday movie for the entire family!
Thursday, December 22nd

2 p.m., auditorium

All ages welcome, but children under 10 years must be accompanied by an adult.-SC-

Lego Build-at-Home Contest Results

2011-12-16T15:30:00.000-08:00

Here are photos of all the entries of our first-ever build-at-home contest:

All the entries were great so we had a hard time choosing the winner. The winner of the contest is Zak K.! Honorable Mentions go to Cameron & Samir. The entries of all contestants are show below. Thank you to all who entered! We will have another Lego Build-at-Home contest again sometime, but for now if you enjoy building with LEGOs® or Duplos®, please join us for the Brick & Little Builders progam. This is a drop-in program on the second Saturday of each month. The next session is:

Brick & Little Builders
Saturday, January 14, 10:30-11:30 AM
We encourage adults to join their kids as they create with LEGO/Duplo blocks (bricks for older and little kids will be separated). No registration required. Ages 3-11 with their adults.

-sv

Monday, December 19: Penny's Puppets

2011-12-15T14:28:00.000-08:00

It's the time of year we've all been waiting for... Winter Break is just around the corner! You might be thinking what in the world can you do with your kids while they're out of school.

Why not drop by the library? Fun things are happening almost every day next week starting off with a puppet show!

Mr. Moose goes for a winter walk and meets all kinds of new friends and gets caught in a snow storm. Come and walk, sing and dance in this winter frolic fun puppet show.

Penny's Puppets

Monday December 19, 2011

2:00 PM

All ages are welcome and no registration is required.

We hope to see you there!

Rest in Peace Russell Hoban

2011-12-14T15:53:00.000-08:00

It has come to my attention that Russle Hoban, author of Bread and Jam for Frances (among many other classic children's books) has passed away.

Frances has always been one of my favorite picture book characters because of the issues she tackles and how she expresses her feelings through song. We've mentioned her before in this blog, too. (When my sister shared this new with me she mentioned that she feels as though she should sit under the sink and sing a sad little song.)

For more information you can visit the School Library Journal article linked here.

Click here to view all of Russell Hoban's books in the catalog.

-JW-

Jingle Babies

2011-12-13T15:14:00.000-08:00

December 21st, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Come wiggle and jiggle to some festive music and make a card to send to the North Pole!
For children ages 0-6 years, and their families.
Library meeting rooms A/B

Día de Manualidades del Invierno/ Winter Craft Day

2011-12-12T13:11:00.000-08:00

Día de Manualidades del Invierno/ Winter Craft Day

Martes, 20 de diciembre, 1:00-2:00 PM

Tuesday, December 20, 1:00-2:00 PM

Ven y haz manualidades del Invierno, escucha un cuento bilingüe y canta villancicos en Español. Para familias con niños de edades entre 2 y 10 años.

No se requiere inscripción. ¡Gratuito!

Come make holiday crafts, hear a bilingual story and sing some holiday songs in
Spanish. No registration required. For ages 2-10 with their families. Free!

-sv

December Programs for the whole Family

2011-12-11T12:58:00.000-08:00

So many great things are happening at the library this month! Be sure to take some time out to enjoy the free puppet shows, crafts, puzzles, dances, movies, and stories!

-JW-

A Bad Kitty Christmas

2011-12-05T14:15:00.000-08:00

by Nick Bruel
E Bruel (Christmas)
2011
for ages 4 and up

"Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the city, not a creature was stirring...Except for BAD KITTY." Bad kitty just can't be good, even at Christmas time! She continues to cause mayhem as she zips through the alphabet three different times. She escapes into the city, where she makes an understanding friend. Meanwhile, you can guess Puppy tracks her in the snow, and you can follow his progress along the bottom of the pages. The story ends on a happy note with a warm ending just right for the holidays. All your bad kitty fans will be delighted!-SC-

Check our catalog for this title."

BCL's Frequent Reader's Club

2011-11-22T17:37:00.000-08:00

Do you love to read as much as we do?

Be one of the first to sign up for Beaverton City Library’s brand new Frequent Reader’s Club! All you have to do to become a member is stop by the Children’s Desk and pick up your reading log beginning December 1, 2011.

As a member, you will track the hours you read, or are read to, in your reading log. Once you have completed 24 hours of reading, bring your reading log back into the library and have your name added to our Reader’s Wall of Fame!

It’s that simple.

All ages are invited to participate!

New Non-Fiction Book Reviews: Learn about kids in the world

2011-11-20T14:08:00.000-08:00

I’ve been looking forward to these books for a long time, and now I can’t wait to share them with you!

Off to class: Incredible and Unusual Schools around the World By Susan Hughes
64 pages
J 371 HUG

This is a book unlike any I’ve seen. Each double page spread features a different school in the world and something unusual about it. You might see a school like yours, but more likely you’ll find all the great innovative ideas to make these schools serve the needs of the students, families, community, and the greater world. Each page gives a small map so you know where in the world the school is, as well as fun sidebars full of information. But my favorite part of this book is the pictures. 4-7 photos from each school of the students, the building, the teachers, and what they do. Whether it’s the heartbreaking photos of children digging through trash in Cambodia or the mobile school in India you’ll learn not only about education, but also about kids all over the world, and the people who care for them. Defiantly one to check out for anyone who spends time in a school.
Click here to view this title in the catalog.

Children of the World: How we live, learn, and play in poems, drawing and photographs
By Anthony Asael and Stephanie Rabemafara
415 pages
J 305.23 ASA

If you want MORE photos and information about children of the world this book has all you could ever want. 191 countries are represented, alphabetically arranged from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. Each country has a full page photograph of kids in each country beautifully captured. On the rest of the full page spread is art work from a child in the country, and a poem hand-written in the language the child speaks and translated and typed in English. A map of the continent with the country highlighted helps orient the reader to where the country is in the world. Another great one for teachers, or for kids wanting to learn more about the world.
Click here to view this title in the catalog.

Series: Earth’s Continents
By Mary Lindeen
24 pages

Africa J 960 LIN
Antarctica J 919.89 LIN
Asia J 950 LIN
Australia J 994 LIN
Europe J 940 LIN
North America J 970 LIN
South America J 980 LIN

If those last few books were a bit overwhelming we also just got a brand new series of contentment books, great for the very earliest readers, or to read aloud to groups of children. Each book is very predictable, text on the left, a large photo or map on the right. Starting with a map of the world and our continent highlighted, this book touches on geography, wildlife, city life, rural life, language, and other unique aspects of each continent.
Click here to view these titles in the catalog.

Lego Building Contest

2011-11-12T15:00:00.000-08:00

We’re having our first-ever build-at-home contest! The rules are simple: build a space or Star Wars themed LEGO® creation at home and bring it into the library. We’ll take a picture of it, and the winner will receive a small LEGO® set to take home.
This contest is for children in Grades 1-5.
Bring in your creation on:
Saturday, December 10
between 10 am– 12 noon
The winner will be announced one week later.
All entries will be featured on our blog.

Also, we have a monthly building club, called Brick Builders, on the second Saturday of each month from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Join us and make your own creation! The pictures are from our last session. The next session is:

Saturday, December 10
10:30-11:30 a.m.
For Grades 1-5
Registration required
Call (503) 350-3600 or stop by the Children's Desk

-sv-

11 Experiments That Failed

2011-11-07T14:52:00.000-08:00

by Jenny Offill (Children's New Picture books) (E Offill)(2011)

For ages 4-8 years

This is a book by the same author who brought us 17 Things I'm Not Allowed To Do Anymore. If you read that one, you know how funny it was. This book continues in the same way and is just as funny. We follow the same curious girl we followed in the first book, only this time she's doing science experiments. She comes up with a question, lists what you'll need, finds the hypothesis, and then there is "what happened."

Her first experiment is to find out if one can survive on snowballs and ketchup all winter. She also seeks to find if a washing machine can wash dishes, or if stinky cheese can be made to smell better with perfume, and if yodelling makes the time go faster. The illustrations are a fun combination of photographs and drawing that really add to the humor of the book. It is as funny to look at as it is to read.

Her experiments are hilarious and go hilariously wrong. You'll have to read it yourself to find out the results. Kids will be tickled by her questions and results. Just don't try it at home.-sc-

Check our catalog for this title.

Little Builders & Brick Builders New Format

2011-11-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

We are now combining our Little Builders & Brick Builders program into one, drop-in program! No need to sign up, just stop by with your favorite adult on the second Saturday of the month and play with LEGO® or Duplo® blocks. (Bricks for the 3-5-year-olds are separated from the regular LEGOs so as to avoid any choking hazard. Please help your child choose the age-appropriate bricks).

The next session is this Saturday and is sharing the space with the Winter Crafts program, so you can make a craft that day, too!

Little & Brick Builders
Saturday, December 10
10:30-11:30 AM
Meeting Room
Ages 3-11 (accompanying parents and guardians are encouraged to stay)

No registration required. Call (503)350-3600 if you have any questions.

*Remember, the LEGO® build-at-home contest for kids in Grades 1-5 is also this Saturday. See the LEGO® Contest post below for more details.

-sv-

New Book Review: PIE

2011-10-30T13:20:00.000-07:00

By Sarah Weeks
Best for grades 4-7
183 pages
2011, Scholastic

I just finished a tasty new mystery by Sarah Weeks all about one of my favorite foods, pie. It involves a cat, an unexpected death, and the secret of an award winning pie crust recipe.

Alice has recently lost her aunt Polly when she finds out that Polly left her cat, Lardo in Alice's care, and that the award-winning pie crust recipe has been left to the cat. With everyone in town after the recipe, Alice and Lardo are in danger where ever they turn until they figure out the mystery of the pie crust. Each chapter starts out with a recipe for pie that will make your mouth water as you follow Alice and her friend Charlie to the clues they need.

PIE is a great rainy day mystery that may even inspire you to bake your own pie.

Click here to view this title in the catalog.

-JW-

Storytime Break Oct. 25-27

2011-10-20T15:19:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that next week all Baby Bugs, Fun for Ones, Toddler, Preschool, and PJ storytimes are on a short break between October 25-27.
These storytimes will resume their regular schedules on November 1st.

Saturday's Family Storytime and Spanish Storytime will continue without interruption.

There is still lots of things to keep you busy at the library next week! Be sure to come to the library for our special programs Make Your Own Monster, Puss-in-Boots Party, and Spooky Babies Dance Party!

-JW-

Spooky Babies

2011-10-20T14:02:00.000-07:00

Wednesday October 26th
10:30-11:30 a.m.
For ages 0-6 years and family!

Wear your costume and bring your friends to the library where you can dance, dance, dance to some of the funnest Halloween songs we could find! -sc-

Make Your Own Monster

2011-10-17T15:27:00.000-07:00

Use glue felt and other material to make your own funny or scary monster!

Monday, October 24

3:30-4:30 p.m.

Grades 3-5

Registration required.

Call or stop by the Children's Desk
(503) 350-3600.

-sv

New Easy Cookbooks for Kids

2011-10-16T13:17:00.000-07:00

Series: Easy Cookbooks for Kids
Authors: Heather Alexander and Sheila Griffin Llanas
Pages: 48
Best for Ages: 4-12 with adult assistance

Now that fall has really hit us you might wonder what to do with your kids when it's raining-- How about trying some new recipes!

On the new bookshelf we have a new series of Easy Cookbooks for Kids by Sheila Griffin Llanas and Heather Alexander. This series includes Easy Breakfasts from Around the World, Easy Lunches from around the world, Easy Snacks from around the world, Easy Main Dishes from around the world, Easy Vegetarian Foods from around the world, and (my favorite) easy Desserts from around the world.

Each title features information about safety, using the kitchen, nutrition before diving into the recipes. Each of the 11 recipe gives facts about the food, about the country it comes from, tools needed, ingredients (with helpful hints for where to find less well known ingredients, and easy to follow instructions for the recipe along with some fun did you know facts.

The print is large and easy for kids to read and follow, and all have full color pictures and maps so not only do you know what your cooking, but you can see where it comes from and some of the yummy ingredients that go in to making it.

Personally I can't wait to try out these recipes. If you're the same way check out these books from the library! Click here to view these titles in the catalog.

-JW-

Family Resource Fair this Saturday!

2011-10-13T17:40:00.000-07:00

Drop in anytime between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM to meet people from over 40 local organizations providing no-cost/low-cost services for families just like yours!

Visit at least 15 tables and you could win a fabulous prize donated from local business!

For a full list of participating visit our webpage all about it!

-JW-

Spooky Books

2011-10-11T13:15:00.000-07:00

Get ready for Halloween by reading some spooky books! Here are some suggestions for various ages:

For ages 2-5*
Peek-a-booo! by Marie Cimarusti
Play peek-a-boo with this lift-the-flap book things you see on Halloween.
Find it in the catalog.

For ages 5-7
In a Dark, Dark Room, and Other Scary Stories by Alvin Schwartz
Seven scary stories to tell at night in front of a fire or in the dark, based on traditional stories and folktales from various countries.
Find it in the catalog.

For ages 8-9
Spooky America: Four Real Ghost Stories by Lori Haskins
Recounts four fact-based tales of hauntings, including a ghost horse on the coast of Massachusetts, a haunted painting at a Virginia plantation, a skeleton in Colorado, and a ghostly sea captain of California.
Find it in the catalog.

For ages 8-11
Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery by Deborah and James Howe
Though scoffed at by Harold the dog, Chester the cat tries to warn his human family that their foundling baby bunny must be a vampire.
Find it in the catalog.

For ages 9-13
Ghosthunters and the Totally Moldy Baroness! by Cornelia Funke
Mrs. Worm and Gloomsburg castle are taken over by ghosts.
Find it in the catalog.

For ages 10-14
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
After the grisly murder of his entire family, Nobody Owens wanders into a graveyard where the ghosts and other supernatural residents agree to raise him as one of their own.
Find it in the catalog.

*suggested age ranges are approximate. You know your child best.

-sv-

Podcast-a-rama

2011-10-07T16:08:00.000-07:00

Learn how to create your own podcasts and online videos at home and help produce an episode of our very own Beaverton Library video podcast!

Thursday, October 13 3:30-5:00

Beaverton City Library

For students in grades 4 & 5

Registration is required. Please register at the Children's Desk

or give us a call at 503-350-3600

Little Bird Tales

2011-10-07T15:14:00.000-07:00

Little Bird Tales is a fun, simple, and free website for budding young authors. Once you create a free account you can upload custom illustrations and photos (or create illustrations with the online art pad), record your voice telling the story, and then share your book publicly on the website or keep it to share with only friends and family. This seems like a great place for kids who love telling stories or making their own books. This is also a wonderful resource for practicing narrative skills and developing creativity!

Browse their library of "Public Tales" to help find your inspiration!

--cm

Nerd Camp

2011-10-03T15:18:00.000-07:00

Nerd Camp

by Elissa Brent Weissman

Children's New Book (J Weissman, E.)

Gabe is like a lot of 10 year olds, but maybe a little more gifted. His father is about to get remarried and he's about to get the brother he's always wanted. His new step-brother is a really cool guy named Zack, who is from LA. He can surf and do all kinds of cool stuff.

Gabe starts to fear that he may be a geek, and he needs to hide this fact from Zack. Yes, he's going to an awesome sleep away camp for six weeks, but its SCGE (Summer Center for Gifted Enrichment) also known as Smart Camp for Geeks and Eggheads. Gabe goes and has the best time ever and makes new friends and does amazing things logic proofs and Color War.

At the end of summer camp Gabe's mom brings Zack. Gabe is able to prove to Zack that just because he's a nerd doesn't mean he's not cool. -sc-

Science and Math for Little Kids

2011-10-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

This program is so popular we've added a second session!

This interactive "play and learn" session is for parents of children ages 1-5 to have fun with science and math activities that encourage lifelong learning and exploration.

Monday, October 10
1:00-2:00 p.m.

For parents and children ages 1-5.

Registration required.

If you're signed up for the 10:30 a.m. session and would like to come to the 1:00 p.m. session instead, or to register for the second session (the first one is full), please call the Children's Desk at (503) 350-3600.

-sv

New Book Review : Lunch-Box Dream

2011-09-13T16:21:00.000-07:00

By Tony Abbott
Call number: J Abbott
Best for Grades: 4-7

Tony Abbott’s Lunch-Box Dream reminded me of a cross between Christopher Paul Curtis’s Newbery Honor Book Watsons Go To Birmingham—1963 and the best selling adult novel The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

In June 1959 Bobby is a white boy from Ohio traveling with his mother, grandmother, and older brother, Ricky, through the South stopping to look at Civil War battlefields. Jacob is ten years old and also on the road to spend time with far-away relatives. Their paths come closer and closer together until they finally cross. Each chapter leaves you wondering what happens next until the very last page.

One thing I liked about this book was the different points of view the story was written in. We get to know what characters are thinking when they meet one another and what drives their actions (even if we don’t like or agree with them.) In this novel we see the beginnings of the civil rights movements from the point of view of every day people and the strong influence of prejudice, fear, and the Jim Crow laws not typically depicted so blatantly in children’s books.

Lunch-Box Dream would make a great book to read with your children, class, or in a book group to discuss the issues that come up—family stresses, race relations, loss of a loved one, and American history are just a few topics which you can talk about together.

Click here to view this title in the catalog.

-JW-

Brick Builder Creations

2011-09-10T12:31:00.000-07:00

Here are some creations from our last Brick Builders. Join us the second Saturday of each month from and make your own creation!

Saturday, October 8
10:30-11:30 a.m.
For Grades 1-5
Registration required

Call (503) 350-3600 or stop by the Children's Desk.

-sv

Truck Day for Preschoolers

2011-09-09T14:54:00.000-07:00

Come enjoy a variety of vehicles (police cars, garbage trucks, etc.) up close!

Monday, September 19
10:30-11:30 a.m.
West parking lot (where the Farmers Market is held)
For ages 0-6

-sv

Mad Science Water Program

2011-08-30T12:06:00.000-07:00

Join us to learn about the cool properties of water and ways to conserve it in this fun, interactive program.

Friday, September 9

3:30-4:30 p.m.
Grades 1-5

No registration.

-sv

New Juvenile Chapter Book Review: Ruby Lu, star of the show

2011-08-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

By Lenore Look
Call Number: J LOOK, L
Pages: 136
Grades 1-3

Ruby Lu is back and starting the 3rd grade! In the latest of the Ruby Lu series, we follow Ruby as she deals not only with the changes of starting a new school year but with the changes that come when her father loses his job. Her cousin, Flying Duck, who communicates through Chinese sign language, her brother Oscar, dog Elvis, and neighborhood friends as usual, are always there to help her get through these changes.

When Ruby realizes how desperately the family needs extra money, she and her friends come up with some ideas that can save the family. Though Ruby has the best of intentions, some of these schemes are more troublesome than helpful and produce hilarious results. The author takes a realistic look at a family struggling with a job loss and treats it with humor, sensitivity, and a lightheartedness that keeps the story uplifting. Ruby is charming and entertaining and the cartoonish illustrations add humor to the text.

As a Chinese American who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I love reading the Chinese words, phrases, and cultural references that are sprinkled throughout the books and would have enjoyed reading a series with a character like Ruby Lu when I was a girl.

Click here to view this title in the catalog.

If you enjoy this book, check out the others in the series!

Ruby Lu, brave and true

Ruby Lu, empress of everything

~ML

New Book Review: I feel Better with a frog in my throat: History’s Strangest Cures

2011-08-23T18:52:00.000-07:00

By Carlyn Beccia
Call Number: J 615.88 BEC
Pages: 48
Best for grades 1-5

Pop-Quiz time!

Did any of these cures help with a cough?
A. Caterpillar fungus (Ancient China)
B. Frog Soup (Sixteenth-century England)
C. Cherry Bark (Ancient Native American)

In a multiple choice format “I feel better with a frog in my throat: History’s Strangest Curse” presents many common maladies like colds, sore throats, wounds, stomachache, fevers, and headaches with a verity of cures and treatments that people throughout time relied on. You’ll find out that some worked better than others.

My favorite was learning about how people throughout time cured and treated wounds: from moldy bread, honey, silver, puppy kisses, spider’s webs, mummy powder, maggots, a bulls mouth, and a dead man’s skill (ugh!—which apparently actually worked, who would have thought?!)

Each question is presented, and then each multiple choice option is explained with a “yes,” “no,” or “maybe” with comical illustrations depicting not only the curse, but also the dress , art, and architecture of the time and place from Ancient Egypt and China to Early twentieth century America.

“I feel better with a frog in my throat” is the sort of book that makes the non-fiction collection so much fun! Be sure to check it out!
Click here to view this title in the catalog.

Answers: A: maybe. B: No. C: Yes!

-JW-

Hot Off The New Books Display!

2011-08-18T14:06:00.000-07:00

The New Picture Books display is probably my favorite browsing spot in the library. There is almost always something exciting just begging to be seen in its shiny new plastic cover. This morning was one of those mornings when I happily found several new books by consistently wonderful authors. As my eyes scanned the shelf my mutterings (yes, I was alone) sounded something like this, "Oooo, a new Emma Dodd book. Oohhh, a new David McPhail. Whoa, a new Phillip Stead book. Wow, and a new Rosemary Wells!"

I Love My Mommy
By: Giles Andreae Illustrated by: Emma Dodd

A very sweet and simple rhyming book that lists all of the things baby loves about his mommy.

Find this title in our catalog

Pig Pig Returns
By: David McPhail

Poor Pig Pig. The last thing he wants to do this summer is take a road trip with his aunt and uncle. Along the way Pig Pig sees all kinds of wonderful things and, despite his worries, begins to enjoy his adventure.

Find this title in our catalog

Hands Off, Harry!
By: Rosemary Wells

Harry is a bit of a trouble maker who spends a lot of time in the "Thinking Chair" in his kindergarten class. After a series of accidents resulting from Harry not respecting his classmates personal space his teacher finally gets him to understand how to be more respectful.

Find this title in our catalog

Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat
By: Philip C. Stead

When Jonathan loses his best friend Frederick he decides to set sail to find him. This book is absolutely beautiful and chock-full of imagination. The best in the bunch, in my opinion!

Find this title in our catalog

--cm

GameUp

2011-08-13T14:28:00.000-07:00

GameUp is BrainPop.com's recently unveiled website featuring educational (and fun!) games for smarty-pants students. BrainPop has designed a few of their own games, such as Chronopticon, in which players have to help Tim and Moby operate a time machine based on the movements of the solar system, and have also commisioned several outside organizations, including Nobelprize.org and the Space Science Institute, to create others.

All of the games on GameUp feature charming animated characters and audio. A stand-out for me is the Diabetic Dog Game that asks players to care of an adorable dog by making sure his blood sugar levels do not get too high or low.

BrainPop is, itself, a subscription service but, lucky for us, GameUp is offered free of charge! Also, make sure you stop by Brainpop Jr. for games designed for K-3 graders and BrainPop ESL for games designed for English language learners.

--cm

Captain Underpants Party

2011-08-13T13:15:00.000-07:00

Like the crazy and courageous Captain Underpants? Well join us and unleash you inner silly superhero with games, crafts and goofy fun at our Captain Underpants Party!

Friday, August 19
2:00-3:30 p.m.
Grades 2-5

Registration required. Sign up at the Children's Desk or call (503) 350-3600.

-sv-

Brick Builders Creations for August

2011-08-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

Here are picturess of some of the creations at August's Brick Builders.
Join us next month (the second Saturday of every month) to build you own creation.

Saturday, September 10th

10:30-11:30 a.m.

Grades 1-5

Registration required. Sign up at the Children's Desk or call (503) 350-3600.

-sv-

New Book Review: 13 Photos Children Should Know

2011-08-10T17:59:00.000-07:00

By Brad Finger
Call number J 909.82 FIN
45 pages
Best for ages 8-12

What better way to learn history than by learning through the eyes of the people who lived through it? In 13 photos children should know momentous events are captured on film and presented on a large page spread complete with information surrounding the event and a little bit about the photograph.

Some moments children may already be familiar with through school or popular culture, such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, or they may even remember the event such as the 2008 Olympic games in China or last year’s disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Others might not be so familiar to them, such as the importance Nelson Mandela being released from prison or how the world changed when the Berlin Wall came down. Each photo is accompanied by a short explanation (with unfamiliar words available in a glossary) and supporting photographs both large and small. Running along the top of each page is a timeline showing important moments leading up to the featured on, and what came after, as well as world events that affect how each event is remembered.

What is especially great about 13 Photos Children Should Know is it gives a great jumping off point to talk more about momentous events of the last century and the people and times surrounding them through real photographs of real people and places. Beatlemania, The Lindbergh flight, the Moon Landing, and so many others children want to know about.

You might even ask the question of what photos do you think are missing… What events are significant enough to change the world?

Click here to view this title in the catalog.

-JW-

August 10 = Last Chance to Pick up Summer Reading Prizes!

2011-08-07T15:41:00.000-07:00

Summer Reading is winding down to a close.

This Wednesday, August 10th, is the last day that kids who have finished their 15 hours of reading can pick up their Summer Reading Prizes at the Beaverton Library and the Murray-Scholls Branch.

When you finish summer reading you'll receive a fun folder full of prize coupons AND you'll be able to pick out a brand new book to keep!

August 10 is also the day of our Oaks Park Party! Be sure to join in the fun!

-JW-

Family Movie at the Library

2011-08-07T14:51:00.000-07:00

Monday, August 8, 2011
2:00 PM
Library auditorium

For all ages.
Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

This film is 96 minutes and raged G.

-JW-

Beaverton Modular Railroad Club, August 6 & 7

2011-08-02T16:49:00.000-07:00

Like trains? Drop by this weekend and visit with members of the Beaverton Modular Railroad Club. The club will have models set up for viewing and be available to answer questions about this fascinating hobby. All ages.

Saturday, August 6, 10:00 am-4:30 pm.
Sunday, August 7, 1:00 pm-4:30 p.m.

-sv

Read it! Eat it!

2011-07-30T14:56:00.000-07:00

I love picture books about food--especially those about food and family and cooking together. Many of my favorite food picture books also include a recipe at the end which is, in my opinion, a super bonus feature! Here are a few of the best:

The Ugly Vegetables

By Grace Lin

A young girl thinks her mother's garden is the ugliest in the neighborhood until she realizes that it takes ugly vegetables to make delicious Chinese soup.

Find this title in our catalog

Whopper Cake

By: Karma Wilson
Grandpa wants to make a whopper cake for Grandma's birthday that is as big as her heart but a regular sized mixing bowl just will not cut it.

Find this title in our catalog

Ugly Pie

By: Lisa Wheeler

Bear wakes up with a mean craving for Ugly Pie but can't find one anywhere. Whatever will he do with all of these ugly raisins and green apples?

Find this title in our catalog

Bee-bim Bop!
By: Linda Sue Park

A little girl, eager for her favorite meal, helps Mom with the shopping, cooking, and table setting.

Find this title in our catalog

Peeny Butter Fudge

By: Toni & Slade Morrison

A day with Grandma turns out to be full of fun despite their mother's perfectly planned schedule.

Find this title in our catalog

When you try out these recipes at home make sure you bring in a sample for your hard-working librarians!

--cm

The adventures of Mal and Chad: the biggest, bestest time ever!

2011-07-29T13:52:00.000-07:00

By, Stephen McCranie
(Grades 3-6)
Call Number: J MAL AND CHAD

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be small enough to swim in your kitchen sink or travel back to the time of dinosaurs? Child genius, Malcolm and his talking doggie side-kick, Chad take readers on a fun and action packed ride! To deal with the monotony of his everyday life, doing chores, sitting through class, and admiring his classmate Megan from afar, Malcolm uses his staggering intellect to create anything he can imagine. He invents a rocket ship, jet pack, time machine, and a shrink ray while concealing his genius and creations from everyone around him. His latest homework assignment to write about what he wants to be when he grows up prompts him to use his secret inventions to explore his options while taking Chad along for the ride.

Fans of Calvin and Hobbes will be drawn to this loveable duo and will enjoy following the hi-jinx and misadventures they get themselves into! This graphic novel is full of non-stop adventure and dynamic black and white illustrations that capture the emotion, action, and humor of each scene. The dialogue is funny and quick and the chapters, broken down into smaller manageable parts will keep readers engaged and wanting more!

Check our catalog for this title.

-ML-

New Book Review: Amazing Cows

2011-07-24T00:54:00.000-07:00

By Sarah Boyton
89 pages
Best for kids ages 6-10 (or all ages up to a hundred and moo)
Call Number: J 818.54 BOY

“Knock knock”
“Whose there”
“Interrupting Cow”
“Interrupt—“
“Moooo!”

Part graphic novel, part joke book Sandra Boyton’s Amazing Cows has everything you (n)ever wanted to know about cows full of cow puns, jokes, stories, graphic novel (the cow version of superman), and many pages of miscellaneous cow related humor fills the pages.

My favorite page shows the “four stages of metamoophosis” for the species: Lepidoptra Bovinae. (spoiler alert: it becomes an “undderfly”).

With quirky pictures and funny puns your little joksters are sure to get their giggle full of all cow related humor imaginable.

It’s amazing what one can find in the non-fiction collection!

Click here to view this title in the catalog.

-JW-

Time For a Great Animal Book

2011-07-22T17:14:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the gecko has no eyelids? Geckos instead have to lick their eyeballs to keep them clean and dust-free. Cool.

I love Steve Jenkins. When I see a new Steve Jenkins book sitting on the New Non-Fiction shelf I get a little squeally. This series of three-- Time for a Bath, Time to Sleep, and Time to Eat--are a fun way to explore oddities of the animal kingdom for children of all ages. Jenkins' signature paper collage illustrations add texture and depth while the energetic bolded text, scattered throughout, makes this series an excellent choice for sharing aloud with the kindergarten crowd.

Find this title in our catalog

over and out --cm

Summer Reading Performance: BJ the Clown

2011-07-22T11:15:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, July 27th
12:30 pm AND 2:00 pm
Beaverton City Library, Meeting Rooms A & B
For all ages. Children under ten must be accompanied by an adult.

Come to the library to see comedy, magic, juggling, music, storytelling and puppets all with BJ the Clown as part of our Summer Reading Wednesday Performer program.
Come to to either show and prepare to laugh out loud!

No registration required. There is a limit of 300 at these performances.

This program sponsored by WCCLS, Washington County Cooperative Library Services.

-JW-

Family Movie Matinee

2011-07-21T15:40:00.000-07:00

Monday, August 8 @ 2:00 p.m. in the library auditorium.

This movie is rated G and is 96 minutes long.

Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

-sv

Fun with Baby Sign!

2011-07-20T14:12:00.000-07:00

Fridays, July 22 & 29, August 5, 2011
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Library Storytime Room

This Friday starts our workshop series Fun with Baby Sign!
Join in for practicing fun signs with your preverbal infants and young toddlers! (Birth to 18 months)

We look forward to seeing you there!

Summer Reading Continues with Mr. Shoehorn

2011-07-14T15:00:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, July 20th
12:30 pm
Beaverton City Library, Meeting Rooms A & B
For all ages. Children under ten must be accompanied by an adult.

Mr. Shoehorn creates music with his feet and dances with his horn! Mixing tap-dancing with saxophone and other instruments, Shoehorn combines body rhythms, jazz and world music into an entertaining spectacle!

No registration required. There is a limit of 300 at this performance.

This program sponsored by WCCLS, Washington County Cooperative Library Services.

Leapin' Louie Lichtenstein: This Wednesday!

2011-07-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

12:30 PM

Front Lawn of the Library

Bring a blanket for the whole family and enjoy a show of amazing cowboy tricks.

It's for all ages and FREE!

(Remember: Children under 10 must always be accompanied by an adult.)

-JW-

Brick Builders Photos

2011-07-09T13:02:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of creations made at Brick Builders.

Join us next month, August 13 @ 10:30 to make your own creation.

Brick Builders is a monthly program for kids in Grades 1-5.

-sv-

Prizes for 15 hour finishers are available

2011-07-09T09:18:00.000-07:00

Have you finished your 15 hours of reading?

Remember to stop by the Beaverton City Library (or the Murray Scholls Branch) before Wednesday, August 10th to pick up your prizes! When you complete your 15 hours of reading you will receive a prize folder filled with:

A pass for a discounted ride bracelet at Oaks Park

A Dairy Queen coupon for free ice cream

A McDonald's coupon for a free happy meal

An Izzy's coupon for a free lunch or dinner

A coupon from Valley Lanes for 2 free bowling games

A coupon for free admission to a movie at Valley Cinema

A coupon for a free ticket to a Blazer's game
AND

A FREE paperback book of your very own (there are lots of great choices!)

Haven't registered yet? You can do it online! The last day to register is July 31st.

-JW-

Family Movie Matinee

2011-06-27T11:22:00.000-07:00

Thursday June 30th

89 min, rated G

2:00-4:00 pm

auditorium

Children under 10 years must be accompanied by an adult.-sc-

Great Astronomy Sites

2011-06-19T14:15:00.000-07:00

You will get starry-eyed when exploring these wonderful Astronomy websites for your space-crazy kids! Okay, so that was a bad joke but these websites certainly are no joke (booo). These websites are great for both elementary and middle school-age children as well as curious adults!

HubbleSite

This is the online version of a traveling exhibition all about the Hubble's numerous contributions to astronomy. This site features photographs, interactive games, and short videos of stars, planets and the rest of the universe.

Astronomy for Kids

This site is full of games, animations, sky maps, and fun activities! Take a look at what the sky will look like tonight or explore the future of space travel.

NASA Kid's Page

Of course NASA has a cool space website for kids! Play all kinds of games, stare into space (through your computer monitor, of course) browse through photographs and even send your name to Mars on the Curiosity rover. I encourage older kids to check out NASA's main site as well for amazing multimedia displays, photographs, and blogs.

--Cm

New Book Review: The Penderwicks at Point Mouette

2011-06-17T12:40:00.000-07:00

By Jeanne Birdsall
Pages: 295
Best for Ages: 8-13 (and younger for read-aloud!)
Call Number: J Birdsall, J.

The Penderwicks are back! But this time torn apart—Mr. Penderwick has flown off to England with the lovely Iantha for their honeymoon, Rosalind is going on a much needed vacation to New Jersey with a school friend, leaving soccer and science loving Skye as the Oldest Available Penderwick (or OAP) for the first time to take care of younger sisters Jane and Batty as they visit Main with Aunt Claire.

This is the longest that the sisters have ever been apart and Skye isn’t sure she’s up to the challenge—Can she keep Jane from falling in love head over heels (literally) for the first boy who rolls by on his skate board? Can she keep Hoover, the small dog next door from terrorizing their own dog Hound? Can she keep Batty from blowing up? Luckily the Penderwicks good friend Jeffery is back and loving his music more than ever (especially when the next door neighbor lets him play his piano). But Jeffery has some discoveries of his own to make…

What I like best about the Penderwick series is that each sister gets to tell part of the story—Not only do we know the stress that Skye is under, but also how much Batty misses Rosalind, and what motivates Jane to learn all about love for her writing. While this third installment will make most sense if you’re already familiar with the Penderwicks from their first or second book, each character is fully developed and important points are revisited so even if you jump in with number three you’ll enjoy the vacationing sisters as their lives change at Point Mouette.

The perfect start to Summer Vacation!

Click here to view this title in the catalog.

-JW-

Harry Potter Party, Friday, July 15 @ 2:00-3:30

2011-06-14T09:14:00.000-07:00

Celebrate the release of part 2 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows with trivia, games, crafts and snacks related to the books and films. Dress in costume and you may win a prize.

For Grades 3-7

Friday, July 15 @ 2:00-3:30

Meeting Rooms A & B

Registration required.
Register at the Children's or Young Adult Desk, or by calling 503 350-3600.

-sv-

Sunday Family Movie Matinee

2011-06-13T15:19:00.000-07:00

Sunday Family Movie Matinee
2 p.m. auditorium
Rated G, 105 minutes
all ages welcome
Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Tales For Very Picky Eaters

2011-06-09T13:34:00.000-07:00

by Josh Schneider

2011

early reader

If you know a picky eater like I do, you may both get a chuckle out of this book. My picky eater insists on reading this book over and over. It contains five stories, all revolving around yucky things to eat: disgusting broccoli, smelly lasagna, repulsive milk, lumpy oatmeal and slimy eggs.

The book involves one boy (aka the picky eater), his dog, and his dad. In each story the dad finds ingenious ways to get the boy to eat his food. Prechewed gum, dirt, sweaty socks, basement trolls and rat circuses-they are all in here. There are clever cautions about why it might be good not to drink your milk or what happens if you don't eat growing oatmeal.

The book is silly and fun. The stories are short but both clever and hilarious.-sc-

Check our catalog for this title.

Homeschool Family Event

2011-05-18T14:22:00.000-07:00

Tuesday May 24th

2-4:00 p.m.

Come play fun games from all around the world!

Meeting rooms A/B
grades K-5 with accompanying adult
Register at the children's desk!

-sc-

New Fiction Book Review: Small Persons With Wings

2011-05-16T13:55:00.000-07:00

(They hate to be called fairies)

By Ellen Booraem
302 pages
Best For Grades 4-8
J Booraem

When Mellie Turpin was in kindergarten she had a fairy friend named Fidius. Only they don’t like being called “fairies” they are “Small Persons with Wings” and they speak Latin. But when Mellie tried to take Fidius to school for show-and-tell he got mad and left. When she showed up at school without a fairy her classmates call her “Fairy Fat.” Not very nice, right? The bullying gets so bad that Mellie herself even starts to believe that Fidius never existed.

This continues for years until the summer after 7th grade when Mellie and her parents receive a phone call that her Grand-père had passed away and they have inherited his Inn. They move to away, far from the mean classmates and people who called her “fairy fat.” Mellie is excited to make a new life for herself and is just about ready to settle to the hard work of cleaning the Inn with her parents when what do they uncover but another Small Person With Wings.

This starts all the Turpins on a great adventure involving a whole colony of Small Persons, a missing magical ring, a grandfather clock that doesn’t tell time, and a walking store front mannequin that enchants men. All the Turpin’s lives are at stake until Mellie can come up with a plan to save them.

What I liked most about Small Persons with Wings is how Mellie grows into her grandeur and makes a few real friends along the way. Told entirely in her voice this fun read gets more exciting with each chapter as more secrets of magic are reviled.

Just a few weeks of school are left! Time to get into the mood of summer with a fast paced fun book full of adventure, magic, and fun.

Click here to view this title in the catalog

-JW-

Books About Bottoms

2011-05-13T16:22:00.000-07:00

Who knew there were so many books about tushies? Here are a couple of silly books and a couple that are informative, most of which feature the rear-end of a chicken on their front cover.

Chicken Cheeks
By: Michael Ian Black
This simple and humorous book features a variety of animals and a whole new vocabulary of words to refer to their backsides including a Gnu Wazoo and Penguin Patootie.
Find this item in our catalog

Bottoms Up!
By: Marilyn Singer
A non-fiction book about the myriad of different ways animals use their posteriors-- from attracting a mate to hatching an egg. This is a silly and wonderfully illustrated book that children will love.
Find this item in our catalog

Bug Butts
By: Dawn Cusick
Another book about the different ways animals use their fannies but this one is all about bugs. Did you know that most spiders spin silk from spinerettes on their behinds?
Find this title in our catalog

Chicken Butt!
By: Erica Perl
A new spin on a classic joke--"you know what?" "Chicken Butt!" A young boy nearly drives his father crazy with his silly jokes in the humorous picture book.
Find this title in our catalog

Enjoy! --cm

World Language Storytimes, Monday, May 16 through Friday, May 20

2011-05-13T12:48:00.001-07:00

Please join us for stories in various world languages at the Beaverton City Library! Whether you know the language or not, it's fun to hear songs and stories in another language!

For ages 2 – 6 years and accompanying adults.

No registration required.

Join us @ 10:30 AM in the Storytime Room

Monday, May 16 — Danish
Tuesday May 17 — Hindi
Wednesday, May 18 —Russian
Thursday, May 19 — German
Friday, May 20 —Korean

-sv

"One World, Many Stories", Summer Reading 2011

2011-05-12T09:10:00.000-07:00

"One World, Many Stories", Summer Reading 2011 begins
Wednesday, June 1, 2011.
You can register in person in the Children's area on the first floor of the library or online at www.beavertonlibrary.org/kids. Summer Reading is for all children, birth to those entering grade five in the fall of 2011. Read on your own or have someone read to you for 15 hours and collect prizes and a paperback book of your own. And be sure and check out our summer program schedule for fun things to do at the library over the summer. We hope to see you this summer at the Beaverton City Library!

-gw-

Family Movie Matinee

2011-05-08T16:00:00.000-07:00

Sunday May 15th, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Auditorium

Free!

Children 10 years and under must be accompanied by an adult.

New Picture Book Review: The Last Day of Kindergarten

2011-05-02T14:16:00.000-07:00

By Nancy Loewen
Illustrated by Sachico Yoshikawa
Call Number: E Loeman, N.
Best for Ages 4-7

I’ve been waiting for summer and now it’s just around the corner! Time to review one of our new picture books: Nancy Loewen’s Last Day of Kindergarten.

In this story we follow a girl through her last day of kindergarten with all of her colorful pink-cheeked friends in Mrs. Popinski class—she reminisces about what it was like on the first day of kindergarten—when her crayons were all pointy and new, and all the fun things they did in the school year like playing Grocery Store, or dressing up for Halloween, and even losing her first tooth.

During the last day of kindergarten her class cleans up the room, then dons mortarboards (those funny flat graduation hats) made from construction paper and yarn and has a graduation ceremony for friends and family (which explains the predominance of little boys wearing neck ties to kindergarten—something that didn’t seem quite normal in the first few pages.)

My favorite part about The Last Day of Kindergarten is that it really captures the feelings of the last day of school: sadness that something is ending, but excitement for summer, and anticipating what the next school year will bring. In first grade the class will eat lunch in the cafeteria, make new friends and play on the big kid’s playground. While the details of this girls’ story may not fit exactly with what happens with your child’s last day of kindergarten this certainly is a great book to check out and discuss with your class or to read one-on-one with your child getting ready for their last day of school.

Click here to view this title in the catalog

-JW-

Tip Your Hats To The Royal Couple!

2011-04-30T15:56:00.000-07:00

It is time to don your most beautiful bonnets, tremendous toppers, hillarious hats, and fabulous fascinators in celebration of the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The Hat That Wore Clara B.
By: Melanie Turner-Denstaed

In church on Mothers' Sunday when all the older ladies dress in white and wear their most beautiful hats, Clara B., sitting in the pew behind her grandmother and admiring her every move, determines to find a way to wear her grandmother's hat.

Which Hat is That?
By: Anna Hines

Mouse tries on all kinds of different hats until settling on her favorite hat of all!

Millie's Marvellous Hat
By: Satoshi Kitamura

"When Millie cannot afford the very expensive hat that she wants to buy, the owner of the shop comes up with an imaginative solution to her problem."

Jennie's Hat
By: Ezra Jack Keats

When the hat Jennie receives from her aunt is not as fancy as she had hoped, her bird friends decorate it for her.

Twelve Hats for Lena
By: Karen Katz

Lena Katz prepares a beautiful hat for each month of the year.

-cm

Dia de los Niños/ El Día de los Libros, Saturday, April 30, 2:00-3:00 PM

2011-04-11T15:29:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day with us! On this day we celebrate children, families and reading. We will celebrate with bi-lingual storytelling and songs (in Spanish and English), crafts and refreshments! For families with children, but this program will be most enjoyable for children age 2-8. Free! No registration required.

Día de los Niños/Dia de los Libros Sábado 30 de abril del 2011, de 2:00 p.m. a 3:00 p.m. Celebra con nosotros el Dia de los Niños/Dia de los Libros. En este día celebramos a los niños, a las familias y a la lectura. ¡Celebraremos con cuentos y canciones bilingües (en Español y en Inglés), y artesanías y refrescos! Este programa estará dirigido para familias con niños, pero sera de mayor disfrute para niños entre edades de 2 a 8 años. ¡Gratuito! No se requiere inscripción. -sv-

Fortune Cookies

2011-04-11T12:51:00.000-07:00

by Albert Bitterman (2011)

A little girl receives a box of seven fortune cookies, one for each day of the week. Each day she opens one up and reads the typical fortune cookie message, for example on monday the cookie says, "You will lose something you don't need." Then she loses a tooth!

Each cookie on the page actually has a pull out message that you can slide out and then back in. After you see the message there is the repeating phrase, "And guess what?" The next page tells you. Each fortune seems to come true and the story is adorable.

The book has little text and bright simple pictures that will appeal to young children. On the cute meter, this one's reading is way up there.-SC-

Check our catalog for this title.

Family Movie Matinee

2011-04-08T15:07:00.000-07:00

Come watch a great family movie at the library!

Sunday April 17th
2:00 p.m.
auditorium
FREE!
Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Flex Your Creative Muscles Online

2011-04-05T18:04:00.000-07:00

There so many websites for kids these days that it is hard to wade through them all to find a few real gems. Here is a list of great websites that allow kids to use their imaginations and creativity to create their very own comics, music, podcasts, and stories.

PBS Kids' Design Squad This site is full of creative projects for kids to do online. Make your own music in String Thing or invent, sketch, and share ideas for world-changing innovations.

Make Beliefs Comix Create your very own comic strip in one of several languages

PBS Kids' Crank it Up! Join Arthur and his buddies in making your own music using different instrument sounds and beats.

Genna's World A creative writing website where you can post and share your own stories, illustrations, and book reviews or contribute to collaborative stories in-progress.

Meet Me At The Corner Go on virtual field trips around the globe and learn how to make your own videos, podcasts, and book reviews.

Captain Underpants Make Your Own Comics Choose characters, situations, and dialogue to create your very own, hilarious, Captain Underpants comic strip.
--cm

New Picture Book Review: Ribbit Rabbit

2011-04-01T16:09:00.000-07:00

By Candace Ryan

Illustrated by Mike Lowery

Call Number: E Ryan

Best for ages 2-8

Frog and Bunny are best friends, and they do practically everything together from swimming, eating Peanut Butter sandwiches, fighting monsters, to playing with robots. But like most friendships, sometimes they don’t get along very well.

In fun playful language*, we learn not only about sharing, but about friendship, compromise. Frog and Bunny’s play is creative and Mike Lowery’s illustrations are simple enough for a child to emulate, and still full of movement and emotion. Whether you’re needing books on sharing and friendships, or just looking for a fun word-play check out Ribbit Rabbit and enjoy.

Click here to view this title in the catalog

* Well, with a title like “Ribbit, Rabbit” we KNOW there’s going to be some awesome word play to build up phonological awareness. If you aren’t sure what Phonological Awareness means be sure to check out the Early Literacy workshops happening this month!

-JW-

Chapter Book Chips - "Benjamin Pratt & The Keepers of the School" Series

2011-03-29T11:29:00.000-07:00

Andrew Clements has an exciting new series, "Benjamin Pratt & The Keepers of the School". Perfect for upper elementary grades, it combines adventure with history and a bit of sleuthing too. Benjamin is a sixth grader facing changes at home and at his school, Captain Oakes Elementary. His parents are separated and his school is going to be torn down and turned into an amusement park. When the school's janitor gives him a mysterious coin with strange engravings on it and then dies, Benjamin unwittingly becomes the new "Keeper of the School". He and his best friend, Jill, must decipher what the engravings on the coins mean and find the items hidden in the school by the real Captain Oakes over two hundred years ago. Those items may help Benjamin save the school from destruction. But Benjamin and Jill also have to deal with the new school janitor, Mr. Lyman. He is determined to stop them from saving Captain Oakes Elementary.

The first title in the series is called "We the Children" and the second installment is "Fear Itself". Six books are planned for the series and here is fair warning - each book ends with a cliff-hanger and you have to wait until the next book is published to find out what happens next. If you can stand the suspense, you will have fun and adventure with Benjamin and Jill as they try to decipher the clues and save their historic school. And try to outsmart the nasty Mr. Lyman.

Check our catalog for "We the Children."

Check our catalog for "Fear Itself."

-gw-

Family Movie Matinee

2011-03-15T15:16:00.001-07:00

Spring Holidays

2011-03-15T11:29:00.001-07:00

The spring holidays of Purim, Passover and Easter will be
celebrated in March and April.
The library has books, DVDs and other materials
about these celebrations.
Check our catalog for ideas.

Check our catalog for titles about Purim.

Check our catalog for titles about Passover.

Check our catalog for titles about Easter.

-gw-

St. Patrick's Day Fun

2011-03-15T10:37:00.001-07:00

It's almost time for St. Patrick's Day!
Take the time to check out some library materials on this fun holiday.

Check our catalog for St. Patrick's Day titles.

-gw-

2012 Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award Nominees

2011-03-15T10:00:00.000-07:00

The nominess for the 2012 Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award are out. Happy Reading!

Check our catalog for this title.

Check our catalog for this title.

Check our catalog for this title.

-gw-

Voting Begins March 15, 2011 for the Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award

2011-03-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

Voting begins on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 and continues through Sunday, April 10, 2011 for the Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award. You can vote online , by email to bccca@onlinenw.com or by mail to:

Dayton Elementary School

526 Ferry Street

Dayton, OR 97114.

Be sure and send your vote in! -gw-

Spring Break at the Beaverton City Library

2011-03-14T11:56:00.001-07:00

Spring break is almost here. If you are looking for something fun to do, please join us at the Beaverton City Library for some children's programs planned for that week. Here are some of the events scheduled:

Chess Club
Saturday, March 19, 2011
10:30 am - 11:30 am
For grades 3 through 6.
Registration required. Please phone (503)350-3600.

Anti-Bullying Program
Saturday, March 19, 2011
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Grades 3 through 7.
Registration required. Please phone (503)350-3600.

Family Movie Matinee
Sunday, March 20. 2011
2:00 pm
For all ages; children under ten must be accompanied by an adult.
No registration required.

The Art of Sonic the Hedgehog
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Grades 3 through 7.
Registration required. Please phone (503)350-3600.

Symphony Storytime
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
10:30 am - 11:30 am
For ages 3 to 5 years and accompanying adult.
Registration required. Please phone (503)350-3600.

Early Literacy Storytime
Thursday, March 24, 2011
10:30 am - 11:00 am
For ages birth to 5 and accompanying adult.
No registration required.

Nature Park Mobile Learning Center
Thursday, March 24, 2011
1:30 pm - 2:15 pm
2:30 pm - 3:15 pm
For ages 4 to 10 and accompanying adult.
Registration required. Please phone (503)350-3600.

-gw-

2011-03-13T14:32:00.000-07:00

For All!

Don't let your math skills slip away over Spring Break, visit these websites for great math games and practice activities for all grade levels:

Mathtastic!

ORCA voting

2011-03-11T10:17:00.000-08:00

It is your chance to vote for the Oregon Reader's Choice Award! The nominees are in, so you choose! Ballots are in the chapter book area of the children's room. Voting goes from March 1st to March 15th.-sc-

Hurry Up Spring!

2011-03-03T11:37:00.001-08:00

When will Spring get here? Don't worry, it's on the way! Until then, spend some time reading about this soon-to-arrive season.

Spring by Jill Kalz
Colors, flowers, holidays and springtime baby animals.

Check our catalog for this title.

Spring by Ann Herriges
Simple text in this beginning reader introduces the changes spring brings.

Check our catalog for this title.

Let's Look At Spring by Sarah L. Schuette
What happens to weather, animals and plants in the spring.

Check our catalog for this title.

Everything Spring by Jill Esbaum
Lovely photographs illustrate this title from National Geographic Kids.

Check our catalog for this title.

Are You Ready for Spring? by Sheila Anderson
I sure am!

Check our catalog for this title.

-gw-

New Book Review: Moon Over Manifest

2011-03-02T14:11:00.000-08:00

By Clare Vanderpool
Pages: 351
Call number: J Vanderpool, C.
Best for grades 5-8

As soon as I heard that Moon over Manifest won the Newbery Medal this year I added my name to the hold-list and just finished reading it. This historical fiction novel alternates between over two time periods in the small fictional town of Manifest, Kansas. We start in the depression—the summer of 1936 with Abilene Tucker, 12, who’s father sends her to Manifest while he works on the railroad.

Abilene stays with Pastor Shady who is, well… shady, and has been the interim Pastor/bartender for the last 14 years, and much to her dismay she has to go to school, even if it is just the last day. Assigned with the summer homework of writing a story and a couple of cousins to help, Abilene visits Miss Sadie, the fortune teller who begins to tell her stories of Manifest in 1918, during WWI when her father was in town.

Miss Sadie tells her the stories of Jinx and Ned and all the trouble they get into. While is starts with the predictable hijynx of small-town boyhood we soon learn that there’s more to the story than meets the eye, and that these boys could not only bring terrible trouble to Manifest, but also could become the town’s salvation. Not only during WWI, but also 18 years later during the depression.

Moon over Manifest brings to life the fact that everyone has a story, and there is more to every story than can ever really be told. This is a book you can read again and again and always find something new.

Click here to view this title in the catalog
-JW-

Anti-Bullying Program, Saturday, March 19, 1:00-2:30 p.m

2011-02-28T18:08:00.000-08:00

Kids, want to learn how to tackle the problem of bullying? We’ll have fun and learn solutions with activities, tips and resources. Snacks provided. Handouts for parents will also be available, but this program is just for kids!

Please arrive on time so that you don't miss the introduction and icebreaker game!

Anti-Bullying Program
Saturday, March 19, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Meeting Rooms A & B
Registration required. Grades 3-7.

-sv-

Pocketful of Posies

2011-02-24T13:03:00.000-08:00

by Sally Mavor

(2010)(Children's New Books J398.8 POC)

for ages infant to preschool

Although it is full of classic rhymes, beginning with morning rhymes and ending with bedtime rhymes; this is no ordinary nursery rhyme book! The artwork is truly amazing and makes this book stand out. Each scene is sewn by hand by the author. In her author's note she says she uses naturally dyed felt, a variety of stitching methods, found objects and the very occasional drop of glue. You could spend a lot of time just enjoying the details on each page.

Included in the back is an index of first lines for the rhymes therein. It's a lovely book that could be enjoyed for years.-sc-

Check our catalog for this title.

Family Movie Matinee

2011-02-20T16:06:00.001-08:00

Sunday February 27th,

2:00 PM

library auditorium

A pair of wolves who are at opposite ends of the social order are put together to repopulate a wolf habitat. They are forced to interact in order to get back to their rightful home.

Children 10 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Little Builders: next session is Saturday,February 26 @ 10:30-11:30 a.m.

2011-02-18T11:13:00.000-08:00

We have a new blocks to play with! A kind patron donated MEGA bloks®, so we have a lot of new-to-us bricks, vehicles and ramps to play with!

Come join us for this regular monthly program (usually held on the 4th Saturday of the month),for children ages 3 through 5 to play with Duplo® blocks and MEGA bloks® and make new friends. Space is limited and regristration is required. Registration for this session is now open! We would love to see your youngster at this program.

Little Builders
Saturday, December 18
10:30-11:30 AM
Storytime Room
Ages 3-5 (accompanying parents and guardians are welcome, too)

Registration is required. Please phone (503)350-3600 to register or sign-up in person at the Children’s Desk on the first floor of the library. Registration begins one month before each session. -sv-

Great Website for Kids

2011-02-05T13:38:00.000-08:00

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's All About Birds site is an amazing and extensive resource for anyone with an interest or curiosity about our feathered friends. All About Birds offers up colored photographs, abundant facts on each species, video, and a sound bite for each bird just in case you want to know what a Black-capped Chickadee sounds like (I sure do!). In addition, the site is beautifully designed and super easy to use and offers suggestions on how to get involved with conservation efforts.

I would highly recommend All About Birds as a first stop for any student working on bird research for a school report as well curious explorers of all ages. While visiting the site make sure not to miss the Owl Cam, a streaming video that lets you get up-close and personal with a Great Horned Owl.

--cm

New Non Fiction Review: Kakapo Rescue

2011-02-04T15:19:00.000-08:00

Kakapo Rescue : Saving the World's Strangest Parrot

Text by Sy Montgomery

Photographs by Nic Bishop
Best for grades 4 and up

Call number J 639.978 MON

I didn't quite know what to expect from the Seibert Medal winner this year. I'm not what you'd call a bird person, but this book made the plight of the kakapo very accessible to me.

These strange parrots found their way to New Zealand, and without any mammals around, and very few predators began to fill niches never thought possible. They lots the ability to fly and grew to enormous sizes for birds (between 5 and 10 pounds), with very soft feathers and a very distinctive sweet smell. They can live up to be over 100 years old, but unlike other parrots, they are nocturnal -- sleeping during the day and wake up and look for food during the night. When faced with an unusual situation is to remain perfectly still and see what happens. These adaptations did not pose well when mammals DID make their way to New Zealand in about 1150 AD.

At the time this book was written there were only 87 known kakapo left on the entire planet! All are currently on Codfish Island near New Zealand, and have round the clock staff and volunteers to care for them and their eggs. Sy Montgomery spend a lot of time talking about the kakapo Lisa-- a first time mom and her egg. Volunteers set up an infrared camera in her nest, and sleep in a tent not far away. When Lisa goes on the move to look for food the team moves in and sets up and electric blanket around the egg to keep it warm-- when there are only 87 of something left in the world they don't take any chances that something can go wrong.

I learned so much about a bird I never new existed, and I learned the great lengths that people go to to protect an entire species, as well as how easily a species once numbered in the millions, can be wiped down to less than 100 birds in just a few centuries.

Nic Bishop's photographs are extraordinary, and certainly make this title worth wining the Seibert award, especially along side Sy Montgomery's easy and informative writing.

You won't want to miss the Kakapo!

Click here to view this title in the catalog

To learn more about this remarkable bird and the efforts of humans to save it, visit the kakapo recovery programme webiste. It keeps a current kakapo count and gives updates on information presented in the book. The efforts of the folks on Codfish island-- Today the Kakapo count is up to 120!

-JW-

February Holidays

2011-02-02T16:22:00.001-08:00

February is full of holidays. Check out some materials about them by visiting the library's online card catalog.

President's Day

Valentine's Day

Chinese New Year

-gw-

Chapter Book Chips - "Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream" by Jenny Han

2011-01-26T13:21:00.000-08:00

Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream by Jenny Han
Clara Lee is a fourth grader who likes her best friend, Shayna, her family, autumn and the Apple Blossom Festival. Every year in her town, the festival is held at the beginning of October and kicks off the holiday season. And each year a "Little Miss Apple Pie" is selected to ride on a float during the festival's parade. Clara Lee would love to try out for the pageant but after having a bad dream, she's not so sure. Her grandfather tells her bad dreams bring good luck and sure enough, Clara Lee has a whole day full at school. But luck can change and Clara Lee has a fight with her friend and gets sent to her room for arguing with her sister. Will her good luck return? And will she try out for "Little Miss Apple Pie"? Will she win? This is a delightful story, perfect for third graders. -gw-

Check our catalog for this title.

Oregon Book Awards - Eloise Jarvis McGraw Award for Children's Literature Finalists

2011-01-26T08:28:00.000-08:00

The finalists for the 2010-2011 Oregon Book Awards have just been announced. Here are the nominees for the Eloise Jarvis McGraw Award for Children's Literature. The winner will be announced on April 25, 2011. To see past winners, visit the Oregon Book Awards website.

Rapacia: The Second Circle of Heck by
Dale E Basye

Check our catalog for this title.

Calvin Coconut: The Zippy Fix by Graham Salisbury

Check our catalog for this title.

A Small Brown Dog With A Pink Nose by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen

Check our catalog for this title.

The Nest Where I Like To Rest
by Dawn Babb Prochovnic

Check our catalog for this title.

The Extraordinary Mark Twain by Barbara Kerley

Check our catalog for this title.

-gw-

Family Movie Matinee

2011-01-18T13:37:00.000-08:00

Sunday January 23rd

2:00 p.m.

auditorium

Children under 10 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Come see one of your favorite green men in the last chapter of the saga.-sc-

The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester

2011-01-11T20:20:00.000-08:00

by Barbara O'Connor (2010)

for ages 8-12 years

Owen Jester just moved into his grandfather's house in Carter, Georgia. He must now contend with his grandfather's cranky housekeeper and his new nosy girl neighbor named Viola. On top of that he is now farther away from his two best friends.

He has a stroke of luck, though, when he catches the biggest, most beautiful toad around. He names the frog Tooley and is reluctant to give Tooley up even when he appears not to be thriving in captivity.

His second stroke of luck is when he hears something big fall from a train at the nearby railroad tracks. His investigations lead him to something wonderful that just might be the answer to some of his problems. Unfortunately, he must keep it secret from his parents and from Viola, both of which are hard to do. At the risk of damaging his friendship with his two best friends he may have to bring Viola in on the secret, though.

This is a charming story of good old-fashioned summer intrique. The story will appeal to both boys and girls. Plus, the giant toad on the cover is quite eye-catching.-sc-

Check our catalog for this title.