Thank You Note Workshop

Thank you to everyone who came out for the Thank You Note Workshop this week. With help with volunteers from Tau Gamma, everyone had a fun time thanking their friends and family for the nice gifts they received this year.

more....BINGO!

We have another Masterpiece Bingo winner! Karen Sam just claimed her prize for completing her Bingo card. Of her classic reads, she highly recommends A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. What better time to read this one? Find it at the call number J CLASSICS DICKENS.

And bingo was their name, OH!

We've got two more bingo winners! Both Marissa Mullen and Patrick Mullen brought in their completed BINGO cards to claim their prize this week (a gift certificate to Giordano's). Way to go!

We asked Patrick and Marissa to tell us one classic book from their card that they would highly recommend to another reader - Patrick named Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt, and Marissa recommends The Black Stallion by Walter Farley.

There's still time for the rest of you Masterpiece BINGO players out there! If you don't know what this is all about, stop by the children's room or check out our previous blog post.

Stories & Santa

Thank you to everyone who attended Stories & Santa this weekend. Below you'll find links to 2 different albums, one from each camera. These albums will allow you to download the picture of your child with Santa to your own computer by clicking on the download tab (found directly above the picture) when you are looking at the individual picture. Be sure to check out both albums for your pictures.

http://picasaweb.google.com/rfplkids/StoriesSanta1#


http://picasaweb.google.com/rfplkids/StoriesSanta2

About a Book - Tasting the Sky

Tasting the Sky is the childhood memoir of Ibtisam Barakat, a Palestinian woman who was three years old when the Six-Day War between Israel and Palestine broke out, and who lived out years of her young childhood in a country under military occupation. The story tells of the horrors of war and the harshness of life as a refugee, but also shows how many of the small pleasures of childhood endure even through such times and in all cultures - like the first day of school, and a love for a family pet.

Ibtisam recalls learning about Alef, the first letter of the Arabic alphabet. Learning about Alef and his fellow letters introduced Ibtisam to the power of language and stories, and how that power can set us free. In the author's own words: "I grew up in a world that ached for freedom but could not touch it. So I wrote Tasting the Sky as an exercise in freedom and as an expression of it. When I lived in Ramallah, there was the sense that anything I loved or owned could be taken away from me in an instant. In writing this book, I finally could own a piece of my childhood, which itself felt like a piece of Ramallah, in the form of story."

Tasting the Sky is a story of hope and peace, home and family, and the power of language and learning; both a celebration of Palestinian culture and life and a celebration of that which is universal. The book can be found in the juvenile biography section: J BIO BARAKAT.

We Have a B.I.N.G.O. Winner!

Dear reader, did you know about our Masterpiece Bingo game? Well, you can pick up a BINGO card from the children's room, and each square contains the title of a book from our "Classics" collection. Cross out books you've already read, and then read enough books to get BINGO (5 in a row). You can read aloud with your family, listen in an audio format, or read independently. Once you've got BINGO, you can claim your prize of a $20 gift certificate to Giordano's Pizza. The contest runs through December 31st.

We celebrated the announcement of our first BINGO winner this week! Mary Bea Halloran claimed her prize and received a special pizza box trophy for being the first winner. Not only did she get five in a row, she filled up half her BINGO card! Mary Bea is an avid reader, and for those of you out there looking for a good book here are two of her recommendations (one from the Classics section, one a more contemporary pick):

Sounder by William Armstrong (Find it at J CLASSICS ARMSTRONG)

Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Find it at J FICTION HADDIX)

A Child's Christmas in Wales

Today we were very lucky to get a sneak peak of the unreleased film adaptation of Dylan Thomas's A Child's Christmas in Wales. Children and parents alike enjoyed the movie, and afterwards made Christmas crackers, a Welsh holiday tradition. Thanks to all who came out!

'Tis the Season

Celebrate the wintry holiday season at your library!

On Saturday, December 13th, come to the library for holiday stories and a special visit with Santa Claus. You'll get a chance to talk with him personally to tell him what you're wishing for this year, and it's a perfect opportunity to take a keepsake photo. (Here's a secret: Santa Claus actually told Miss Ellen that the River Forest Public Library is one of his favorite places to visit. He loves seeing familiar faces every holiday season, and he'll miss you if you're not here!)

No registration is required, drop in any time between 10 am and 3 pm.

Twister Competition and Gaming Day

On Saturday November 15, 2008 River Forest Library was part of the American Library Association's National Gaming Day. There were games throughout the library for patrons of all ages. Upstairs by the fire there were puzzle and board games, and in the meeting room there were video games. There was even a twister competition in the children's room! Everyone who particpated had a fun time getting twisted up into knots all over!

Teddy Bear Picnic!

We hope you can make it to the Teddy Bear Picnic, this Saturday, November 8 at 2 pm.

Bring your teddy bear or favorite stuffed friend and join us for stories, a craft, and teddy bear treats.

Ages 3 to 8. Please register by calling the children's desk at 708-366-5205, or email parry.rigney@riverforestlibrary.org

Thanks to those that attended the Fireside Halloween!

Thank you to all that attended the Fireside Halloween Party this year at the library. With all the fun spooks, games, crafts, storytimes, costumes and fun; it was a great time had by all! Even more exciting was the marionette show that was a dazzle to watch! Thanks again for all that attended!

Happy Halloween!

The Children's Room staff would like to thank everyone who joined us on Friday evening for the 2008 Family Fireside Halloween. We had a great time and hope that you did too. Check back this week for pictures from the event.

About A Book: Henry Works

Henry is a bear who lives in the woods. Some folks don't realize all the work that Henry does! He makes sure even the wild plants have enough water in the dry season. He places stones in the stream so people can cross. He keeps his eye on the land and sky. And at the end of the day, he begins his most important work of all.

Read D.B. Johnson's Henry Works, and other books about Henry, the bear whose character is based on the life of Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau lived over 150 years ago, and he wrote about his experiences living simply in the woods of Concord, Massachusetts.

Other books about Henry include: Henry Builds a Cabin, Henry Hikes to Fitchburg, and Henry Climbs a Mountain.

Halloween!!!

With Halloween just around the corner be sure to stop by the library for some fun activities and Halloween books! Don't forget that on October 24th at 7pm until 8:30pm is our family fireside Halloween with a marionette act to finish off the night! There is also Trick or Treat story time on October 31st at 10am... Get into the spirit of Halloween and enjoy all the hauntings and happening at your local library!

Fall is Falling!

Welcome Fall! In case you haven't checked in with us in a while, here's what's going on at your library:

Fall Storytimes are running the first three weeks of every month:

Mother Goose storytime - Tuesdays at 10 am (9/30, 10/7, 10/14)
Toddler Time - Thursdays at 10 am (10/2, 10/9, 10/16)
Preschool storytime - Wednesdays at 10 am (10/1, 10/8, 10/15)
Preschool crafternoon - Wednesdays at 1:30 pm (10/1, 10/8, 10/15)

Pajama storytime will be held on the third Monday of the month at 6:30 (10/20)

We'll also have a special spooky Trick or Treat Storytime on Friday, October 31st at 10AM. Join us in costume!

Also, for kids in middle school and up, join Margaret our Teen Librarian and Make Your Own Magnetic Poetry Set ! On Saturday, September 27th, 2 to 4 p.m. Get crafty and make your own poetry kit, with words that mean something to you! You can make a magnetic poetry set for yourself, to give to a friend, to decorate your locket and more! All materials will be provided.

Lastly, stay tuned for information about this year's Family Fireside Halloween gathering, taking place Friday October 24th.

About a Book - The Fledgling

Georgie Hall wishes she could fly. Everyone knows Georgie's kind of a dreamy girl, but no one expects she will actually get her wish when she befriends a wild goose stopping over with his flock. Georgie loves her Goose Prince, brings him presents, and the Goose Prince shows her how to fly. Flying is dangerous, though - especially when there are people in town like Mr. Preek who has his sight set on hunting Georgie's Goose Prince.

A Newbery Honor Book, Jane Langton's fantasty The Fledgling is a wonderful story for any day, and a perfect story for a day in fall.

About a Book - Midnight Blue

Midnight Blue is a captivating tale that weaves fantasy and reality together. It is the story of Bonnie, who runs away from home and her evil grandmother ("Grandbag") by way of a mysterious hot air balloon. The magical balloon ride lands her in another world which strangely parallels her own, only much more loving and beautiful. That is, until evil Grandmother Marvell enters the picture...

This is a strange and beautiful story. If you like fantasy or books with both fantastic and realistic elements (think: A Wrinkle in Time), try reading Midnight Blue. Miss Parry highly recommends!

Storytimes!!!

Storytimes are back up and running in the children's room! Drop-in storytime include Mother Goose storytime, Preschool stories, Preschool Craftnoons and Toddler Time. There is also a special Pajama Storytime once a month! So do come and check out our wonderful storytimes!

Royal Gathering

On Saturday August 16th the library held a Royal Gathering. We had invited all the princes and princesses from River Forest to join for an afternoon of stories, royal crafts, and a treasure hunt. A grand time was had by all and we hope that you will join us for our next royal event.



Many of our royal attendees


Storytime


There was a treasure hunt in the children's room with gold coins


That each royal attendee got to take home in their new treasure chest.

Our new book worm

A new home for many of our Board Books has arrived! Come in and say hello to our new bookworm and sit on one of our blankets and read your favorite books.

Dave Rudolf Party

Last night was the library's Get in Game Concert to mark the end of summer reading. The library was happy to welcome Dave Rudolf who put on a great show for the whole family.

Even though Summer Reading has come to an end you still have until August 11th to turn in your completed book logs. Thanks to everyone who came out to the library this summer!

Extra! Extra! More Storytimes and Fun

Next week is the last week of summer reading. There's a lot going on at your library, celebrating all of our great summer reads!

There will be regularly schedule storytimes, Wednesday Lunch on the Lawn, and Thursday afternoon craft.

Also, we've newly added two story times. We hope you can come!

• Monday July 21, 3 PM - Stories on the Lawn - our preteen volunteers will be reading stories for kids age 3 - 8


• Tuesday July 22, 7 PM - Pajama Storytime (feel free to come in your pj's, but you don't have to!)

Plus! Don't forget, next Friday July 25, at 7 PM, Dave Rudolf will be performing at the library. Dave is a musician, comedian, and self-described goofball! This will be an all-ages, highly interactive, FUN show.

Lunch on the Lawn - Field Hockey

Today RFPL was glad to welcome Abbey & Emma from the OPRH Field Hockey Team. They taught us about Field Hockey, showed us some of their moves, and then taught us how to play!