WHO IS STEVE PRIDMORE? COME AND SEE!

       Let me tell you who Steve Pridmore is. 
     If you have children ages 4 to 8 years old, you should bring them to the Children's Library on Saturday, October 2nd, at 4:30 p.m. to meet Steve Pridmore. 
     He is the author of the Reese Madison, P.I., children's stories.  The Daily Mountain Eagle says he is "the Nancy Drew for a new generation."  And The Torch (Chicago) says he "balances education and entertainment, giving a new excitement for kids."
     Steve is a native of Alabama.  He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Theater Conservatory of the Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.  He has written, directed and/or produced over 15 theatrical state productions.  And he's been an essential part of some of the biggest television shows in America, such as American Idol, The Apprentice, Heroes, Grease: You're the One that I Want, Dance War--Bruno vs. Carrie Ann, and Steven Spielberg's On the Lot, just to name a few.
     If you're wondering who Reese Madison, P.I., is, then it's time you and the kiddies came to the library event to check her out.  She's a sharp, ambitious eight-year old private eye.  She and her sidekick, Braden, set out to solve the next great mystery. 
     Reese Madison, P.I, teaches children lessons about vowels, basic math, science, safety, basic problem solving, and several life lessons.
     Children who come to the event will be able to talk to Steve and purchase autographed copies of his new books, "Ghost of Adventureland" and "Case of the Missing E."  There's a special on the books for you...$10 for each one or both for $18.  And, parents, I have to tell you, these will make great birthday or Christmas presents.
      Remember, Saturday, October 2nd, 4:30 p.m. in the Children's Library at the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library, 204 5th Street Southeast, in Moultrie (that's in Georgia).
    

"A BEACH TAIL"

     Like many of you, my Labor Day holiday is over and it's back to work...somewhere....  Lots of us work in offices, many of us work outside, others of us are traveling for our businesses.  It doesn't matter where you are or what you're doing, the Labor Day holiday is over.  September is in full bloom and we must move with the tide.
     Ah!  Did I say "tide"?  For some reason, my thoughts of the beach never leave me.
     So, it wasn't a surprise when I came in to work today and passed the checked-in books that I saw a children's book with the title "A Beach Tail."  And because my curiosity is always on high, I picked up the book and took it to the office for a fast read. 
     I am a lover of children's books and this one shows a little African-American boy on the cover with a stick in his hand as he digs in the sand.
     I wasn't disappointed with the book at all.  The pictures are gorgeous.  They look as if they've been painted with sand, lots of shades of brown and tan, soft blues and reds.
     Gregory is the little boy's name and he's at the beach with his dad.  Like all good parents, Dad tells Gregory as he draws a lion in the sand, a lion he's named Sandy, that he's not to go in the water and he's not to leave Sandy.  And Gregory promises he won't.
     As Dad sits under a blue umbrella on a dolphin towel, Gregory, with stick in hand, makes the lion's tail grow longer and longer.  It's during the length of the lion's tail that the story is told, as it circles around a purple jellyfish, goes past an old sand castle, zig-zags around a golden horseshoe crab, on an on down the beach, until Gregory realizes he can no longer see Dad and the blue umbrella.
     Does that make you wonder what happens next?   Well, good then.  It's a book to check out even if you don't have a child to read it to.  The pictures bring back good times at the beach, good times not only for children, but of the pleasures adults have at the beach also.
     I can close my eyes and see the waves rolling in, smell the beachy air of fish and birds, see the gulls and sandpipers and pelicans, listen to the music of everything around me.
     Sure, September is here and Labor Day is gone, but here in South Georgia we're not too far from an ocean beach no matter which direction we go (excluding beaches at lakes, several of which are to the north of us).
     But there's one way you can always keep a beach nearby.  We have lots of good books and audio books at our library about beaches.  Of course, there are always the novels (try reading those by Dorothea Benton Frank) and the nonfictions (try those about Jekyll Island and Cumberland and the islands of the Golden Coast of Georgia).
     Oh, yes, and remember...September is National Library Card Sign-up Month at libraries all across the nation.  If you don't have a library card, you're missing one of the most important cards you can keep in your wallet or purse. It's a guaranteed way of getting to the beach even when you have to wait until the next holiday to get to the real thing.
     That book I read...well, it's by Karen Lynn Williams and the illustrations are by Floyd Cooper.  If you're lucky and want to read it, you might find it in the Children's Library, unless it's already checked out again.

You can't believe the good stuff going on in the Children's Library

     I mean, it's absolutely great all the things happening in the Children's Library these days.
     On Tuesday there was a great big Dr. Seuss birthday party!  The kids had a big, wild, wonderful time.  And you know, their parents did too!
     Yesterday I had a good chat with the Children's Library Coordinator Michele Croft.  She's lining up all the people for the Summer Reading Program which will begin in June, as well as the programs for the Teens.  Sign-up for Summer Reading will be held all during the month of May, so the kids with their parents just need to come to the Children's Library and get their information.
     (I have to tell you right now, while I'm thinking about it, that the new season for the adult book club will begin also in June - that's the Summer Reading Program for us adults that we decided to make a year-round event.  This current season has been "Novel Destinations" and we read books that took us all over the world - fiction, nonfiction, whatever.  But the new season will be called "Between the Covers" for all months except May and December.  In June "Between the Covers" will meet every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.  Then we'll meet just once a month, the second Tuesday, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.   Meetings are held in the auditorium.  Put it on your calendar now to join us.)
    Michele told me they now have a bunch of new mysteries for children:  Nancy Drew for second and third graders, Pirate School by Brian James, and Ghost Detectors by Dottie Enderle.  She's also added NASCAR Graphic Novels and the Miraculous Magic Trick Series by Mike Lane.
     And this morning Michele told me that another Origami Class will be held in April.  Teacher will be Jeff Kininas.  But I'll have to tell you more about that later.
     Michele said a partnership has been formed with Amerigroup Community Care.  Marketing Account Manager Jocelyn Cooper will be available to give five to ten minute talks here at the library to families about health topics.  Since Jocelyn covers the entire Southwest Georgia area, her visits will be scheduled and publicized early enough for people to sign up.
     One of the most amazing things Michele has done is to contact artist John Rocco to see if he'd be willing to give us a couple of his children's book illustrations.  He did even better!  He obtained about twenty prints by various illustrators and sent them for framing and placement in our library.  Now, if you don't know who Mr. Rocco is, you should visit our library and see his books (or visit his website www.roccoart.com).   In the E R section of the Children's Library, you'll find (if they aren't already checked out) his books Blackout, Fu Finds the Way, Moonpowder, and Wolf! Wolf!  The illustrations are just amazing and enchanting.  And before long you'll get to see all the other illustrators' works he sent, too.  But remember it will take a little time to get them matted and framed.
     What else can I tell you?  Well, Michele is planning a family night in May for the first Prime Time Families group.  She's working on a special program for them.  Watch for more about that.
     And June...it will be here before you know it with more specials about the Children's Library.
     Oh, what excitement!  There's lots of good stuff going on in the Children's Library and I can hardly keep up with it all.  Just hang in there with me.  I'll tell you more as it all comes about.

We have little visitors again

     The little people are visiting again.  Yesterday I watched a group of about 20 children walk toward the Children's Library, and I decided to see what they would be doing...so I followed.
     They were very orderly, but excited, even if they were three-to-five year olds.  I mean, after all, that's what they're supposed to be...excited.  They came with three mothers and one dad.  (It was wonderful to see that dad in the group.)  Everyone was from Heritage Church.  They all filed into the Reading Garden and sat on the carpet, except for the moms and pop who sat in strategically placed chairs.
     Now, we have one of the best children's storytellers in the whole state and the minute she begins to quiet everyone down for her program, excitement just fills the air like static.
    Miss Norma has been the storyteller for a good number of years and her helper is the Library Mouse.  Of course, he attends all the children's programs and often has a special song sung about him.
     Today Miss Norma took the kids on a trip around the world.  Books were involved and as she raised each book, something special appeared.  For Scotland, it was the Loch Ness Monster (a small colorful toy), which caused the kids to squeal with delight.  For America, Miss Norma waved the American flag, and the kids all cheered.  For China, there was the panda bear, and the trip went on for at least three more books.
     After talking about each country and showing an appropriate toy or flag, Miss Norma encouarged everyone to stand while they marched in place, then turned around, and sat back down.  They sang a little tune as they marched (helps keep the figets away).
     When Miss Norma told about Mexico, she brought out a very small sombrero. "And who does this hat fit?" she asked the kids.  Everyone knew.  Everyone shouted, "LIBRARY MOUSE!"  And there he was!  And when Miss Norma put the sombrero on Library Mouse's head, the room was filled with laughter and shouts.
     Well, the story about Mexico and the sombrero was the lead-in to Miss Norma's story, "Manana Iguana" by Ann Whitford Paul and illustrated by Ethan Long.  The story is about Iguana planning a party.  Her friends (the Rabbit, the Tortoise, and the Snake) all want to come, but will they help?  This is a version of "The Little Red Hen" with a glossary of Spanish words.
     Need I say more?  Can't you just see Miss Norma standing in front of the kids and acting out the parts (voices and all) of the iguana, the rabbit, the turtle, and the snake?  And the kids?  Well, they had the hardest time sitting on that carpet, when all they wanted to do was jump up and help Miss Norma with the story.
     Believe me, I love going to the Children's Library to listen to Miss Norma's stories.  But the best part is watching all the little people who come to visit.  Just fills my heart with delight!
     If you're an organization with little people, why not call the library and see how you can set up a storytime for your group.  It's easy.  And you'll have a wonderful time.  The phone number is 229-985-6540. 
     And remember...it's another free service of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library.

The Igloo Is Growing

Today I took a trip to the Children's Library to see how the igloo is growing. It's about half finished, I guess.
Miss Norma, the Children's Librarian, and I took a closer look at it, because it's had a little problem with leaning inward. It's bound together by clear and white duct tape, and it's waiting for the top and entrance tunnel to be built. So, that means more milk jugs are needed. That's right...milk jugs. It's built out of milk jugs.
We sat on the bright primary-colored couch in front of the igloo and stared at it. It has a long construction sign taped across it exclaiming "Danger" and three chairs are holding the sides up. But it's coming along just fine.
When I asked Norma how she got started with such a project, she said she was researching a theme for her January story times when she came across websites of kids doing igloos in school. It took the classrooms several months of collecting the jugs, and Norma has been collecting a little over a month. The size of the igloo depends on the number of jugs needed, and our library igloo will need about 225 jugs. To date, we have about 190. So, you can see we do need a few more.
Norma said she's been lucky, however, because the local "Y" and some school classrooms have brought milk jugs to her. She also has a request on Facebook for milk jugs and has had some responses.
Norma said she equates each round of jugs to the story of a building. The first three stories of the igloo were actually made by a mother and her daughter, Lily, as they helped one afternoon with the initial construction. There are six, going on seven, stories now.
I asked her what is inside the jugs, thinking there had to be something like a small amount of sand for weight. But she said there's nothing inside. Well, just air. When you look in the igloo, it's really nice to see all the colorful lids; they're primary colors to match the couches in the Children's Library.
Norma said the kids are getting excited about it being finished. She hopes to have it completed by March 1st. That's not too far away.
What's she going to do with all the jugs when the igloo begins to disintegrate? She said she's been thinking about recycling. But she hopes before then to have wonderful discussions with the kids about such topics as construction, measurements, plastic, etc. There's just lots to do with an igloo, you know.
Come check it out the next time you're in the library. Watch our igloo grow.

I Found Miss Tizzy

Occasionally, I don't want to write the blog. The words just don't seem to come to me, and I promised I'd write things about the library that would interest you. But, like I said, some days the words just don't come.
It's on days like these that I take myself for a walk around the library, checking up on who's here and what's going on. Of course, I start in the Genealogy Library and work my way down the long white hallway.
We have "Our Memory Wall" up again this year with the hopes that the public will recognize some of the faces in the pictures. We're still trying to identify many people. Maybe when we hold the Veterans' Coffee, someone will add to our identification struggle.
My walk always ends up in the Children's Library, and it's there I take peeks into various children's books.
Today I found Miss Tizzy.
This is a lovely, little story about a woman with personality. She's an individual with a purple hat and high-top green tennis shoes. And she loves the neighborhood children.
Each day of the week she has something planned to do with them. On Mondays, they bake. On Tuesdays, they make puppets and have a show. On Wednesday, she plays her bagpipes and the children form a band with spoons and pans. Each day is a special day with Miss
Tizzy.
Toward the end of the book, the children turn the story into a real work of love. You'll have to read it for yourself. I won't give the end away. But it is a lovely, little story.
"Miss Tizzy" is written by Libba Moore Gray and illustrated by Jada Rowland. The pictures are beautiful watercolors, full of patterns and shapes.
I'm going to put Miss Tizzy back in the Children's Library in the "EG" section. But I won't leave empty-handed. I'm sure I'll find another book just as lovely.
Why don't you see if you can find Miss Tizzy?

Food Must Be On My Mind!!!

Maybe it's because I baked a bunch of cinnamon swirl muffins for the Veterans Coffee last week. Or maybe it's because I decided (what a wrong time to do that...right before Thanksgiving!) to go back on my Weight Watchers food.
Anyhow, there I was, minding my own business, walking past the rack of returned books, when I saw this book I had to pick up...If You Give A Moose A Muffin. Isn't that cute?
It's from the Children's Library, of course, by Laura Joffe Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond. The moose on the cover is charming! What else can I say? And he's holding a stack of titillating, good-smells-rising muffins! Made my mouth water!
I took the book back to the office and sat right down to look at it. The summary said: Chaos can ensue if you give a moose a muffin and start him on a cycle of urgent request. That was very intriguing to me and I had to read the book from front cover to back.
Here's a hint about the story: If you give a moose a muffin, he'll want jam on it; and another muffin and another muffin. You'll have to go to the store to buy muffin mix; he'll want to go, but will need to borrow a sweater. And it goes on and on. Get the idea? One thing leads to another.
If you have kids, I hope you read to them, because this is a great book to read aloud.
If you don't have kids, I'd advise you to come to the Children's Library, pick out a book, and then sit and read it for a while. Your whole day will brighten UP and you'll leave with a grin on your face.
Take the time. Read a kid's book. Brighten up your day.