Bella on Books

Getting Ready for December...

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:46:01 GMT

With the holidays just around the corner, we're getting ready at the Library! When you come in, check out all our Book Displays!

There are so many New Books, that we've added an extra shelf for Series (both fiction and non-fiction) and Graphic Novels. Make your first stop just inside the Youth Services Area and check those out! New series include the Jack Sparrow novels, a new Mike Venezia series on the Presidents of the U.S., and some really cool series on animals, religions and disasters!

On the opposite side of the Series Display, we have some Gift Suggestions for the Holidays. Can't think of a gift for that special person? Try one of our book suggestions! If you think you can't remember the titles on display long enough to get to a book store, take one of our brochures with suggestions when you go!

Next, you'll hit our round display, with Craft Ideas for the Holidays! Whether you're trying to find something to do during those boring weekends, or trying to come up with some handmade craft ideas for gift-giving...check out the books on the display. We guarantee you'll find one that fits your needs!

If you keep walking, you'll see me! (And really, you can't miss me.) I'm sitting on top of the display of Christmas Books. Koko and I are all dressed up in holiday attire, complete with a little tree we've been trying to decorate. We have a lot of Christmas books, so be sure to check them out!

On the Children's Desk are books about Kwanzaa. There are some fun ones in there, so look at them and see if there's something you like!

On the Picture Book Display are all our Hanukkah Books. Hanukkah is early this year, so lots of them have already gone out. Keep looking though, because there are some great stories about the holiday, as well as cookbooks and poetry.

The Picture Book Windowseat Display has Stories about Wolves...to go with our Wolf Talk special presentation on Saturday, December 1st. Whether you visit and see the wolves or not, there are lots of books with facts about wolves, stories about the Big Bad Wolf, and stories about good wolves in the wild. If you try one, we're sure you'll like it!

The Fiction shelves have Winter Books on display, at the end of each shelf, with the cover facing out. Winter sports, winter holidays, blizzards, snowstorms, and more. Take one for the next time you're snowed in!

Over the computer catalog, there's a small display of Chapter Books about the Holidays. If you're looking for longer stories about Hanukkah or Christmas, look there!

...and that's it for displays. Come in soon, and find the perfect book for you! As always, ask any of the librarians if you need help finding anything. That's what they're there for!

Happy November!

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:02:28 GMT

It's November...just two more months until 2008. That's even more scary than Halloween was!

We have lots of new book displays, if you want to come in and check them out! As you're coming in, turn to the right and see our Try a Different Perspective display. Non-fiction, picture books and fiction from all our collections about seeing things from a different point of view. Read about Sherlock Holmes from the street rat point of view in The Case of the Baker Street Irregular"by Robert Newton. See the world from an ant's perspective in Two Bad Ants by Chris Van Allsburgh. It's all very interesting.

If you continue straight on, you'll hit three free-standing displays.

Non-Fiction Not to Miss is on the round display, featuring factual books about a whole range of topics--from how to probe a volcano to how to run a sleepover to the lost colony of Roanoke to history's grossest moments! All interesting, and educational.

Veteran's Day is a display of books about Veterans, wars, and the military and includes everything from picture books about brave deeds during wartime to details of the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber to fiction about living in wartime Europe.

On the other side are New books in series--Akiko, Frank & Joe Hardy, the girls of Ann Martin's Main Street, Jack Sparrow and Solomon Snow.

As for me, Bella, I'm sitting on a display of Thanksgiving Books! Whether you're looking for information about the holiday, crafts and recipes to try at home, or stories about going over the river and through the woods to visit grandma, we've got them! Also, if you're a third grader who needs to do a report on the Pilgrims or the Wampanoag, look on the bottom shelf under me and Koko. (Plus, check out our costumes. We're about as authentic as you can get for a couple of stuffed apes!)

On the picture book window seat windowsill, we have books about Teddy Bears.

On the other window, a display of Hanukkah Books is going up this weekend.

On top of the bookshelf, there are books about Visiting Family. (Since that's what many people do over the holidays!)

Near the gerbil's cage, there's a small display of books on Adoption, since November is National Adoption Month.

On the desk, beside our library booklists, there are chapter books on Dragons.

That should be everything--there is a display on the dictionary stand of the books on the Massachusetts Book Awards list, if you're participating in that voting!

Now my fingers are hitting the wrong keys, so I'll just sign off. Come in and see my favorite Thanksgiving books when you get a chance!

Halloween Bella

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 20:12:40 GMT

Bella has her costume already...do you?

Fall Update

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:50:37 GMT

Welcome back!

We had a long and busy summer in the Youth Services Department...over 250 kids participated in our Summer Reading Programs for preschool through middle school! If you haven't picked up your Summer Reading Folder, please do so before the end of September...anything not picked up by then will be recycled for next year.

September is turning out to be a very busy month too. Many of our summer books are coming back, and new books are arriving at an alarming rate! Staff is busy planning our Fall schedule of programs, which will begin the first week of October.

Check the Library Calendar at http://www.eventkeeper.com/clients/westonpl/ek_westonpl.cfm for more information.

Our Halloween Books are already out, on Bella's Bookshelf. If you want to scare yourself silly, take out a few!

We have lots of new books that have arrived...have you checked to see what they are? If you didn't know, we have lists of our newest titles available on the Webpage. If you didn't know, check these out!

Newest Picture Books:
http://www.booksite.com/texis/scripts/bookletter/showlist.html?sid=6213&list=CNL11

Newest Fiction and Chapter Books for Kids:
http://www.booksite.com/texis/scripts/bookletter/showlist.html?sid=6213&list=CNL12

New Non-Fiction for Kids:
http://www.booksite.com/texis/scripts/bookletter/showlist.html?sid=6213&list=CNL14

New Young Adult Novels:
http://www.booksite.com/texis/scripts/bookletter/showlist.html?sid=6213&list=CNL13

New Movies, Books on Tape and Music for Kids and Teens:
http://www.booksite.com/texis/scripts/bookletter/showlist.html?sid=6213&list=CNL16

You can put yourself on an e-mail list to receive any updates when we add new books. Think about it! You could be the first person to put a hold on something that looks great!

We hope to update this blog weekly, starting this fall. If it doesn't get too busy! Check every Monday for new information, booklists and reading suggestions!

Today is the Ice Cream Social!

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 20:46:17 GMT

Join us on the library lawn for Ice Cream sundaes, listen to the Dixieland Band, and socialize with your neighbors.

We're hoping that the thunderstorms hold off, but if they do manage to sweep through between 6:00 and 8:00, we'll be moving everything into the Field School gym. It might be crowded, but it will still be fun!

Look for staff outside with star-shaped balloons and clipboards if you want information about the Summer Reading Programs. The YA program registration is inside, by the Youth Services entrance.

See you soon!

Ice Cream Social!

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 19:46:09 GMT

Did you know tomorrow is the ICE CREAM SOCIAL to kick off the Summer Reading Program? If you don't, why not?!?

Come to the library for ice cream sundaes, and sign up for the reading programs at the same time. You don't even have to come in to see me...just look for Youth Services Staff (Kelly, Beth, Karen, Shannon, Jennie, Iris and Laura) with star-shaped balloons and clipboards wandering around outside! They can sign you up AND explain how the program works!

See you tomorrow!

Summer Reading

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 19:40:58 GMT

It's that time of year again...Summer! And my friends at the Library are moving into full swing with the Summer Reading Program! This year's theme is "Catch the Beat @ the Library!" and we'll be featuring music and travel. Join us for a summer full of fun, crafts, books and reading!

There are three levels to the program:
The Young Readers Summer Program, for preschool through kids entering first grade,
The Reading Program, for kids entering grades one through six,
and
The YA Summer Reading Program, for teens entering grades six through twelve.

You might notice some overlap there...that's because some kids seem to be happy to be moving on to another level and school, while some kids are a little worried about it. We like to let those kids in transition feel comfortable with picking which program they want to do.

Anyway, for all three programs, all you have to do is read and write down what you're reading this summer. Pretty simple, right? The best part about these Summer Reading Programs? We have PRIZES! And the more you read (and write down and hand in) the more prizes you get!

You can even read whatever you want! I know most people think that reading means books at your reading level, but you can read more! Shorter books! Longer books! Old favorites! Comic books! Magazines! Manga! If you are in the Reading Program, and you have a little brother or sister in the Young Readers program, you can read to him or her, and count that for BOTH of you!

So...more information later. It's summer, so maybe I'll try to jump down off my shelf and add a little more information to my journal every day. Summer makes me happy!

In the meantime, tell me what you're reading! I'm in the middle of a new book on orangutans. If you look in the section with the call number J 599.88, you might find it there.

Kelly is reading Anthony Horowitz's "Nightrise". It's very creepy. Very, very creepy.

Beth is reading "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart. It's both hysterical and intriguing!

They both just finished "The Titan's Curse", by Rick Riordan. It's the third book in the Percy Jackson series. Very thrilling, with some unexpected twists and turns. Anyone who's read the first two will want to read this one. And if you haven't read the first two...why not?!?

Jennie just read "The Pink Refrigerator" by Tim Egan. It was a terrific story! If you read it too, you'll just want to tickle that little mole (or is it a mouse?) off the page. For older kids, she just finished "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney. It will make you laugh out loud! (Especially if you've ever considered yourself a nerd.)

Both Karen and Shannon are reading, but they're not here at the moment so I can't make them tell me! Maybe next time...

So celebrate summer and Catch the Beat! Keep Reading!

Out of Print Books

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:03:44 GMT

It's fun to find a book that your parents enjoyed as much as you did when they were kids. Stories are meant to be passed down through generations, and books aren't that different! If you're an adult, and trying to remember a favorite from your childhood but can't, ask our librarians! We're pretty good at finding almost anything...and if we can't, we know where else to ask!

On the same wavelength, have you ever remembered a book you loved, and gone down to the library to get it, only to discover that the library USED to own it, but it was lost/damaged/disappeared years ago? And the library cannot replace it because it's out of print?   It can be especially frustrating when it's the first in a series of books, and the library has the rest or the series.

In the interest of filling out some gaps in our collection, here are some titles that we'd love to have. Some of them we do have in paperback, some we do have hardcover copies, but they're in terrible shape. Thirty years of circulation will do that!

If you happen to have one of these titles sitting somewhere in a box, unused and unread,in hardcover and in good condition please consider donating it to the library for circulation. And if you haven't read them, then do so!

The Marvelous Inventions of Alvin Fernald by Clifford Hicks
The Narrow Passage (a sequel to The Enormous Egg) by Oliver Butterworth
Henry Reed, Inc. by Keith Robertson
   (also Henry Reed's Journey, Henry Reed's Babysitting Service and Henry Reed's Big Show--the library has the hardcovers, but they're not in very good condition.)
Soup and Soup & Me by Robert Newton Peck
The Staright Barking by Dodie Smith
The Secret Language by Ursula Nordstrom
Magic Elizabeth by Norma Kassirer
Shadow Castle by Marian Cockerell
The Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Lovelace
Magical Melons (the sequel to Caddie Woodlawn) by Carol Ryrie Brink
The Little Broomstick by Mary Stewart

That's it for now!

If you have a favorite book you're trying to remember, consider asking the librarians for help. In the meantime, try one of the titles above. They're great!

New Book Displays and Vacation week

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 21:08:15 GMT

Bella and friends have been busy changing all our book displays around for April! If you're looking for suggestions, there are several new topics to try.

Bella's quite royal, sitting on her bookshelf wearing her crown and holding her sword and shield. Koko's wearing a princess tiara and wimple. On the shelves under them are Fairy Tales and Folk Tales. If you like stories of princesses, dragons, talking animals and other tales remembered and handed down through the generations, then this display is for you. From Cinderella to stone soup to Epossumondas, Bella's got them all! (And if she doesn't, we can find it for you.)

On the Picture Book window display, we have cowboys, wagon trains and other Wild West topics. Git yer hoss an' saddle up fer a good ole story!

Did you know that April is Poetry Month? If you look on the computer beside Jo the Gerbil's cage, you'll see a display of some of our favorite poetry books. Young, Old, Meek, Bold...everyone enjoys a poem!

If you're going to be around during Vacation Week, don't forget our Vacation Craft in the Craft Room. Come in all day, any day (until 30 minutes before closing) and make a craft! Directions are on the work tables, materials are on the supply table, and you bring your own imagination and craftiness! Children who cannot read will need an adult to help them. Some supplies may be at the Youth Desk, so make sure you look at the directions to know what you need!

Also during Vacation Week, we have a special Animal Adventure! Come in on Wednesday, April 18th from 1:00 - 2:00 to meet and touch some real wild animals. For more information on Animal Adventures, the organization coming to help us with this, visit animaladventures.net.

Spring has Sprung!

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 19:47:10 GMT

And we've changed our book displays! Visit the library now to see Bella (and Koko) dressed in their spring outfits, including bunny ears!

Bella's Display: Spring Holidays!
If you need a book on Easter, Passover, April Fool's Day, Earth Day and more, check out the books on Bella's shelf!

Spring Books!
Bunnies, eggs, flowers, gardens and all those signs of warmth coming back and snow disappearing are on the window display in the picture book area. Come in and take something home to celebrate!

What We're Reading:
Children's staff are reading several of the new spring releases! Ask us what we'd recommend!

Kelly is reading: The Game, by Diana Wynne Jones.

Beth is reading: Confessions of a Not-It Girl by Melissa Kantor

Jennie is reading: Alpha Dog by Jennifer Ziegler, Falling for Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox and Runaway Dinner by Allan Ahlberg.

Welcome!

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 16:59:37 GMT

Here we are...Bella and all her friends at the Weston Public Library! This will be our way of letting everyone know what's new at the library.

Currently, Bella has a new display for March...Leprechauns, St. Patrick and Tales of Ireland!Come in and check out picture books, fiction and non-fiction. Some of our favorites are Tim O'Toole and the Wee Folk by Gerald McDermott, The Boggart by Susan Cooper, and A Pot O' Gold : a Treasury of Irish Stories, Poetry, Folklore, and (of course) Blarney, selected and adapted by Kathleen Krull.

Other book displays you might like to look at include:

If you liked The Lightning Thief... stories featuring kids who meet gods and goddesses of many ancient cultures as either enemies or allies! One of Kelly's favorites is The Thief by Megan Whelan Turner; about Gen, a young thief in prison, forced by the kind of that country to steal a valuable artifact. Only everything is not quite as it seems and Gen has his own mission to fulfill.

Alphabet Books Learn your ABCs with books from our display. ABCs on ships, butterflies, flowers, animals, racecars, and even kids named Matthew!

Explorers Are you a third grader who needs a book report on an Explorer? Lucky for you, Bella's friends have pulled a whole shelf full! Whether you want Ferdinand Cortez or Sacajawea, you'll find some good choices!

All these and more, when you visit Bella and her friends at the Library!