Dewey Discoveries: "Paint It!" by Kath Durkin

For the middle-grade artist in your house, I offer "Paint It!" by Kath Durkin. With twelve different projects from a Picasso portrait to a neat patterned bookmark, there's something for everyone, at several different skill levels. Check it out and dive into some colorful fun! Best for third to seventh graders.

Dewey Number 745.5

--Andrea W., H.Q.

Book Review: "It's a Firefly Night" by Dianne Ochiltree

Summer is a magical time for a child--swimming, biking, vacations, sleep-overs, summer camp, and plenty of time to play outside all add together to create a time of wonder and discovery. There's nothing more iconic and magical about a balmy childhood summer night than racing across the lawn catching fireflies, and Dianne Ochiltree and Betsy Snyder introduce their young readers to this delightful tradition in their lovely new book "It's a Firefly Night."

"When the moon is high/ and the stars are bright,
Daddy tells me,/ 'It's a firefly night!"

 With beautifully saturated colors to mimic the velvety darkness of nighttime, Ochiltree and Snyder introduce us to a little girl as she hunts for fireflies with her dad. The story and rhyming are very sweet and perfect for a bedtime story, while Snyder's illustrations are friendly and warm with tiny creatures of all sorts to spot on almost every page. The book also advocates catch and release as, 'I love catching fireflies,/ but they are not mine." Introduce your little one to the joys of firefly hunting today by clicking on the link above. Perfect for the preschool set.

--Andrea W., H.Q.

"The Great Lollipop Caper" by Dan Krall

Everyone loves the sweet and tasty Mr. Lollipop.  Everyone except the evil Mr. Caper.  His savory flavor is only appealing to adults.  He's sick of it, and he has a plan to make all the children love him.
You can learn more about the book at "The Great Lollipop Caper" website and request a copy from the library on the catalog.  This looks like a fun read for picky eaters or any junior foodies.  Recommended for ages 4-8.

--Angie R., HQ

Kids Music Friday: "Carry On Crickets" by Kesang Marstrand

Fall asleep tonight to the beautifully soulful Kesang Marstrand in her song "Carry On Crickets." Sweet dreams will be sure to follow.

To hear the rest of her album "Hello Night," click on the link below and reserve a copy now.

--Andrea W., H.Q.

Exploring the Sea with Jack and Annie

"Dark Day in the Deep Sea" by Mary Pope Osborne. Travel back in time with Jack and Annie to the mid-nineteenth century where they meet a group of explorers and scientists searching for a sea monster. Learn about the ocean and sea life as Jack and Annie continue to look for the secrets of happiness. 

Also, check out the non-fiction research guide “Sea Monsters: A Non-Fiction Companion to Dark Day in the Deep Sea” to learn more.






After learning all about different sea creatures you can make your own. This octopus is made with a piece of an egg carton, felt strips, beads, and googly eyes.

Cut out and paint one of the cups from an old egg carton. This will be the octopus body.

Glue two googly eyes onto the body when the paint has dried. 

Cut out eight strips of felt that are about four to five inches long. Glue these strips to the inside
of the body.

Glue beads onto the underside of the felt “tentacles”. These are its suckers.

* Regular Elmer’s glue will work, but takes some patience. Tacky glue or hot glue might
be quicker and hold a bit better.

--Shelley A., WR

Dewey Discoveries: "dreaming UP: a celebration of building" by Christy Hale

Children are born with a desire to build--with blocks, Legos, rocks, even furniture and blankets. dreaming UP by Christy Hale is an homage to that spirit of creativity. Each spread illustrates children building with all sorts of supplies (playing cards, toothpicks and gumdrops, or Popsicle sticks) and is described by a visually captivating concrete poem. On the opposite page is a photograph of a real structure that corresponds with what the children are building. I love this book for the inspiration it gives to all young builders and as an introduction to world architecture. Take this book home for your builders, from kindergarten to third grade.

Dewey Number: 720

--Andrea W., H.Q.

Dewey Discoveries: "If You Find a Rock" by Peggy Christian

I love rocks. Some people might say that I just lost all of my coolness by saying that, but I want you to think about how great rocks really are. Some have fossils, some can write on pavement, some are great for climbing, and some are just plain beautiful to look at. Peggy Christian, in simple and poetry-like prose, tells us about all the different kinds of rocks to love in "If You Find a Rock." There are wishing rocks and skipping rocks, fossil rocks and kicking rocks, and best of all the memory rocks. Accompanied by hand-tinted black and white photos of kids doing what kids do with rocks, this book of wonder will make you want to go outside, hunting for the perfect rock for you. It is appropriate for kindergarteners on up. Check it out and go on a rock hunt of your own!

Dewey Number: 552

--Andrea W., H.Q.