Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Join us for Teen Book Club this Thursday!
“We Beat the Street” is an inspiring true story written in their own words about three young black kids who made a pact to rise up out of the ghetto and become doctors. Instead of falling victim to the drugs, crime, violence, and hopelessness that are simply accepted as part of life, these three friends worked hard to get good grades and scholarships that would enable them to succeed. This book shows just how difficult it is for some neighborhoods to foster talent, intelligence, and dreams instead of stifling them under peer pressure. The culture of smart people being looked down on, teased, and shunned, is compounded in poor neighborhoods where trying to better oneself invites violence from peers who don’t understand that education is a good thing, even if it’s not “cool”. Each chapter gives a narrative account of different episodes in the lives of the young boys told from their perspective at the time of the events. Afterwards, there is an interview-style aside from the present-day person who the chapter is about, adding matured, adult insight to the situations they faced in their youth. These situations ranged from drug-addicted parents to inspiring teachers to the boys committing crimes (and spending time in jail because of them). After beating the odds stacked against them and becoming the first ones in their neighborhoods and families to go to college and eventually medical school, the three doctors formed a non-profit organization to reach out to the young people in the neighborhoods they came from. They gave back to their communities by introducing the next generation to the idea that college was not only their best opportunity to succeed, but an attainable goal otherwise unheard of for people from their areas. This book is a wonderful example of potential realized despite hardships, and the best part about it is that it’s completely true, and it should serve as an inspiration to people everywhere. Regardless of age, race, or socio-economic status, everyone can enjoy and learn from this book.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Author/Illustrator Janis Pacileo Event Recap
On July 19th, local author/illustrator, Janis Pacileo read us her book, "A Shrimp Called PeeWee", and taught enthusiastic children and adults alike how to draw its main character. This book uses rhyming verse and cute characters to relate to children the dangers of human pollution as well as the effects of being different for a young person. In the story, PeeWee's mother seems unaffected by the Gulf Coast oil spill, until PeeWee is born weak and without a shell. The sturgeon surgeons work hard to save him, and ultimately they build him a beautiful new shell. At first PeeWee is proud that he is different, but then he starts to feel uncomfortable with all the stares and murmurs. His family loves and supports him, however, he learns that it's okay to be different.
After reading her book, Janis demonstrated how to draw not only PeeWee, but other animal characters as well, both from the land and the sea. Children and adults present found themselves becoming instant artists under Janis' direction, and a few lucky winners were able to take home Janis' over-sized originals. Janis stayed to answer questions and autograph smaller drawings of PeeWee for all the children. We're looking forward to her second book, which is coming out in October.
Click on any picture to see a larger version.
Author Bonnie Feuer Event Recap
On July 7th, West Haven Public Library was lucky enough to have author Bonnie Feuer share her new book with us, "Wallaby the Wanna-be". It is a delightful little story about a wallaby in Australia who wants to be every animal he meets, but in the end, he discovers that he is perfect just being himself. The children had a great time listening to Bonnie tell her story, and she stayed and chatted with people who were curious about the book's creation process.Click on any picture to see a larger version.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
All Summer
Readers
We are approaching the half way
marker!! I invite you to stop by the library to show us how you are doing with
your summer reading! If you have read five or more books there is a prize
waiting for you! Please stop by and put a sticker on your shooting star! Bring your reading log.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Birds of Prey Blue Moon Raptors Rose Crisci
Monday, July 23, 2012 at 6:00PM
Connie Sacco Room
This program is offer free by Blue Moon Raptors.
Rose will gladly accept donations to help defray her cost so she may continue her rehabilitation work with injured birds of prey.
Items needed
¨ Soft sided dog crate
¨ Zip lock freezer bags: large/small
¨ Non-latex/latex gloves
¨ 9% saline solution
¨ Sterile solution
¨ Anti bacterial wipes
¨ Clorox wipes
¨ Hand sanitizer
¨ Stamps
¨ Cash donations also helps to feed/house birds
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Summer Reading Kick-off Event Recap
Pictured here we have Mary-Jo Maichack rocking out with the kids for our summer reading kick-off event, which was held on June 19th. Mary-Jo had the children and adults alike singing and dancing along with her musical story-telling.
Our summer reading theme this year is "Dream Big: Read!" and "Own the Night!". Mary-Jo tailored her stories for the evening to fit our themes, with a song about a baby who didn't want to go to bed, a story about a thief who became part of the Milky Way, a story about a prince who wanted to touch the stars, and more.
Snacks were served, and everyone who attended got a summer reading goodie bag from the library. Don't worry, though, you can still grab your own in the Graham Room by coming in and signing up to be a part of our summer reading program. It's free, and you can win prizes just by reading books!
Below you can find more pictures of the event. Click on any picture to see a larger version.
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