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APRIL 3, 2013
New Kids' blog- starting today!

Starting today we'll be blogging from the new jeffcolibrary.org site.  You can keep following this blog at:

http://jeffcolibrary.org/kids/jcpl-kids-blog

 

We hope to see you there.  Thanks for Reading!

 

 

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posted by Kristin, Columbine Library

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APRIL 1, 2013
Groove to the music of Eric Litwin

Tired of listening to the same old versions of classic children’s songs? You should check out Eric Litwin’s CD, The Big Silly

Litwin, the author of the popular Pete the Cat books, has put a twist on a few of the classics and has created a some original songs, dances, poems, and stories everyone can get into.

Wheels on the Bus is now sung in a Ska style, and the ABC song is done with a Hip Hop groove. With a different style of music for each track there’s something to please everyone in the family! Check out some song clips from this CD!

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posted by Donna, Columbine Library

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MARCH 30, 2013
April is National Humor Month!

What do you get when you cross a vampire with a snowman?

FROSTBITE!

Why did I just tell you that silly joke? Because April is NATIONAL HUMOR MONTH! What is the funniest book you ever read? One of my favorites (and it was hard to choose just one) is:

STOP THAT PICKLE! by Peter Armour

When Mrs. Elmira Deeds waddles into Mr. Adolph's deli and asks for a pickle, chaos erupts! The pickle escapes from the jar and a cast of zany characters joins in the chase to stop the pickle as it attempts to run away. This book is so fun to read aloud. I especially like to talk like the "seventeen toasted almonds"!

Have you heard this one?

When does B come after U?

When you steal some of its honey!

A funny author I love is Jon Scieszca. All of his books, from picture books like, The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales, to his chapter books like, The Time Warp Trio, can always make me laugh. Check out his hilarious (and slightly weird) website.

 

Okay, here is my last joke:

Knock, knock (who's there?)

Cows say (cows say who?)

No silly, cows say Moo!

Do you have a favorite funny book or joke to share?

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posted by Connie, Lakewood Library

Category: Events

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MARCH 27, 2013
Living Through the Vietnam War

Do you know anything about the Vietnam War? It is a complex time period, but if you’d like to learn more about it in an easy-to-read format, then this book is for you:

Vietnam War: Living Through The Vietnam War by Cath Senker

One of the more famous events at the end of this war was the airlift of Vietnamese orphans out of the capital of Saigon. This fascinating story of one baby’s journey was written after the author interviewed the now-grown girl and pieced together amazing details about her young life in Vietnam.  Read her story in Last Airlift: a Vietnamese Orphan’s Rescue from War by Marsha Skrypuch 

Escape from Saigon: How a Vietnam War Orphan Became an American Boy by Andrew Warren, tells the story of a young Amerasian boy who is rescued during the same airlift, though he is a much older boy and remembers more.

Great fiction has also been written about Vietnam and the war.

Cracker!: The Best Dog in Vietnam by award-winning author Cynthia Kadohata, chronicles the journey of Cracker, a bomb-sniffing dog, and Rick, a hard-headed, difficult-to-get-along-with young man, as they learn to rely on each other for their lives.

Inside Out and Back Again, winner of a Newbery Honor Award by Thanhha Lai, chronicles a family’s journey to America during the uncertain last days before the Vietcong take over Saigon.

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posted by Tisha, Evergreen Library

Category: Historical fiction

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MARCH 26, 2013
International Waffle Day

Happy International Waffle Day!

This holiday originated in Sweden and is a celebration of spring that falls nine months before Christmas day. People celebrate by eating lots of waffles!

International Waffle Day is not to be confused with National Waffle Day, which is celebrated in the United States on August 24th. National Waffle Day honors the anniversary of the first patent of an American waffle iron by Cornelius Swarthout in 1869.

Waffles date all the way back to ancient Greece when flat cakes were cooked between two pans and served with cheese and herbs.

In 1620, pilgrims brought the first Dutch waffles to America. It is said that Thomas Jefferson’s Belgian cook brought one of the first waffle irons with him to the United States.

And, for a last bit of interesting waffle history, in 1953 the first Eggo waffles were sold in supermarkets! Did you know that some Americans eat fried chicken on their waffles? They even put maple syrup on top of this combination!

Also, people in Brussels eat waffles with sugar, chocolate, or cream and in Hong Kong waffles are served with peanut butter and honeydew! Check out this video for some fabulous and somewhat unusual waffle recipes and toppings!

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posted by Rachel, Golden Library

Category: Events

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MARCH 22, 2013
Calling all dancing toddlers!

 Does your toddler like to sing and dance? Do you?

Toddler Dance Party

Saturday, April 6

10 to 10:45 a.m.

Wheat Ridge Library

Come and join our dance party for exercise, learning, and most of all, fun through music!  This is geared toward 2-4 year olds, but all ages are welcome.

This party will take place at the Wheat Ridge Library before the library opens for regular business, so please come to the staff entrance located to the west and back from the main door.

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posted by Jill, Wheat Ridge Library

Category: Events

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MARCH 20, 2013
Free 'Art Stop On The Go' Workshops at the Arvada Library

Kids love to curl up with a good book, but there are more ways to experience a great story than by simply turning the pages! Take a favorite story and make it come alive by experiencing the book through art!

The Arvada Library is pleased to present a monthly series of free, one-hour Art Stop On The Go workshops for kids ages 6-12, in conjunction with the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. Read more about this innovative program in the Denver Post's YourHub Arvada section.

Facilitated by Heather Cherry, local artist and museum educator, the program begins with a reading of the theme book for the month, then kids interact with the story through a creative art project. Previous months' books include Harold and the Purple Crayon and Alice in Wonderland.

The March session of Art Stop On The Go will be held on March 28th from 4-5pm at the Arvada Library. Registration is not required, but please arrive early as entry is limited to the first 20 participants. For future sessions, please view our schedule of events.

Please join us for this special program, and be prepared to stretch your imagination and experience a story in a whole new way!

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posted by Sarah, Arvada Library

Category: Events

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MARCH 18, 2013
The spring equinox is coming!

The Spring Equinox Spring begins this year on March 20. This is the day when day and night have equal hours all over the world.

In the northern hemisphere, the earth is tilted away from the sun during fall and winter. Then gradually the days grow longer until they are equal. This day is called the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere.

The book, A New Beginning: Celebrating the Spring Equinox, by Wendy Pfeffer, has a great explanation of the beginning of spring.  It also talks about many ways people all over the world have celebrated spring over the years.

Jefferson County Public Library also has lots of fun picture books about spring. Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms, by Julia Rawlinson, is a favorite with young readers. Fletcher the fox is surprised by what he sees one spring morning and rushes to tell his friends of his discovery.

As spring arrives at your house, have you seen any new surprises?

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posted by Geri, Columbine Library

Categories: Picture booksEvents

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MARCH 15, 2013
Green for Saint Patrick's Day

Green Green Green March is all about Green! Along with St. Patrick's Day it awakens the love of GREEN in me! Do you have a favorite Green book? Green cover? Green subject? Green character?

Look at all the great library books I found with a green theme

 

All this talk of green puts me in mind of an Irish limerick!

There once was two cats at Kilkenny,

Each thought there was one cat too many,

So they quarrell'd and fit, They scratched and they bit,

Till, excepting their nails And the tips of their tails,

Instead of two cats, there weren't any.

The library has lots of funny limerick books. Send me your favorite limerick! Happy St. Patrick's Day and don't forget to wear your green!

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posted by Connie, Lakewood Library

Category: Holidays

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MARCH 14, 2013
It's Weird, but True!

Did you know that "a giant squid's eyeball can be as big as a human head"?

Or that "the most overdue library book was 288 years late"?

Or how about "if you counted all the hours Angry Birds fans have spent playing the game, it would add up to more than 200,000 years"?

Weird, right? But true!

Here are some more questions for you:

Do you know what Barbie's full name is?

How much an elephant's tooth weighs?

How fast lightning is moving when you see it?

You can find answers to these questions and more in this great series from National Geographic: Weird but True!  The books in this series are full of fascinating and weird facts! Find them at your local library today!

Can't get enough? You can also visit nationalgeographic.com/kids  for more fun facts, games, crafts, weird & wacky videos and more!

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posted by Rachel, Standley Lake Library

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MARCH 13, 2013
Read something by author Julia Donaldson

If you’ve never read a book by Julia Donaldson, you should!

She was born in 1948 in England. She and her guitar-playing husband, Malcolm, made a living for themselves early in life by being traveling musicians. This led Julia Donaldson into a career in singing and songwriting for children’s television. Soon after she became a children’s author, using her rhyming talents in books too.  Check these out!

 

A Gold Star For Zog 

Zog is a dragon in school, learning things he needs to know like flying, roaring, and breathing fire. While performing every task he is a little clumsy and ends up hurting himself. Soon he meets a princess who nurses him back to health.

The Gruffalo 

In this story a little mouse must use his wits to outsmart a big, scary creature called the Gruffalo who’s hoping to gobble him up by the end of the book!

Room on the Broom

n A witch keeps dropping things while flying on her broom and when she lands to try to find them, she also meets many new friends. They all want a ride on her broom, but will there be enough room?

The Spiffiest Giant in Town

This is the story of a giant named George who buys some new clothes for himself. On his way home from the store he sees many animals in need of help and finds that his new outfit serves more than one purpose.

Tabby McTat, The Musical Cat

Tabby McTat is a cat who belongs to a street musician named Fred. When Fred has to go to the hospital, Tabby thinks he’s left her and moves in with another family. Read this to see if the two are reunited in the end!

Where’s My Mom?

A butterfly helps a lost monkey to find his mom based on the descriptions of her the little monkey gives. The butterfly finds lots of animals he thinks might be her but he somehow doesn’t find the monkey mama on his first try.

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posted by Rachel, Golden Library

Category: Author spotlight

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MARCH 10, 2013
Running out of time? Try one of our databases!

Do you need to find information for a school assignment, but you can't get to the library? Did you know that JCPL has an online library that is 24 X 7?

We do!  We subscribe, pay for, many databases on all kinds of topics.  These databases may include word for word text from some of our reference books. They may also include full text magazine and newspaper articles.  Here are a few that I recommend regularly:

Biography in Context

If you need information on a person -- even people you may not find a full book on, there is a good chance that you can find that person in this database.

God, Goddesses and Mythology

If you are looking for a specific god or goddess from Roman, Greek or other mythologies, or if you just want to look up a god or goddess from one of the Percy Jackson books, this is the place to look.

Science in Context

Try this one if you working on a science experiment or maybe your are just looking for a science related news article.

For information on a wide variety of topics with great pictures, maps, and tables check out World Book Discover.  With more than 70 subscription databases, information on your topic may be just a click or two away.

To use these, all you need is a library card.  You can find a full list of our databases by clicking on Homework Help on the left side of this page.  To use the databases from home just enter your user name (the last name on your card). Password is your library card number! 

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posted by Rhoda, Belmar Library

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MARCH 6, 2013
Lakewood Library celebrates Seuss!

"You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child." What better way to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday ...

The Lakewood Library had a Story Time Extravaganza to celebrate!

Parents and children were treated to silly stories, Readers Theater, refreshments and crafts.

Check out these pictures of some of our little Lorax's!

A great time was had by all which goes to show, you never need a reason to grab your hat and read with the Cat!

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posted by Connie, Lakewood Library

Category: Events

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MARCH 3, 2013
After School Fun at the Standley Lake Library

 

On March 14 Standley Lake Library is offering a fun arts and crafts program for kids in First through Sixth grades.

Kids will be repurposing, recycling and reinventing old materials to make something wonderful and new! There is no better time to go green, so pick up a free ticket from the Standley Lake Library Children's Desk or online and get creative to help the earth!

Thursday, March 14 @ 4 p.m.

1st through 6th graders welcome!

Note: Free tickets are required, only children need tickets. Tickets are available one week in advance.

Want to find some of your own ideas for earth-friendly crafts? Check out some of these great books:

ReMake It! Recycling Projects from the Stuff You Usually Scrap 

Organic Crafts

Green Crafts

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posted by Rachel, Standley Lake

Category: Events

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MARCH 1, 2013
The Breadwinner trilogy and My Name is Parvana by Deborah Ellis

Deborah Ellis is the author of the Breadwinner Trilogy. This is a very tense and emotional series about a family in Afghanistan before and after Taliban rule. In the first three books, you are introduced to Parvana and her family and are a witness to the harsh reality that is their lives.

This is a story as real as today's headlines. Just a few months ago, Malala Yousufzai, a 14 year old Pakistani girl, was shot by the Taliban for the crime of going to school!

Deborah Ellis is telling the further story of Parvana, in her latest book, My Name is Parvana.

If you have read the trilogy, you should read this follow-up, set five years later. Parvana is now 15 years old and living in post-Taliban Afghanistan.

 

If you haven't read the previous three books and you are interested in what life is like in Afghanistan, this is a great series. I loved them all. Here are the other three in the series:

The Breadwinner

Young Parvana lives with her family in one room of a bombed-out apartment building in Kabul, Afghanistan. Because Parvana's father has a foreign education, he is arrested by the Taliban. The family becomes increasingly desperate until Parvana conceives a plan.

Parvana's Journey

In this sequel to "The Breadwinner, " the Taliban still control Afghanistan, but Kabul is in ruins.

Mud City

This final book in the trilogy paints a devastating portrait of life in refugee camps and shows the resourcefulness of children who endure great suffering there.

 

Deborah Ellis has also written a non-fiction book called Kids of Kabul: Living Bravely Through a Never-ending War.  Ellis went to Kabul and interviewed children who spoke about their lives since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Have things changed for children and particularly for girls? Read this book and find out!

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posted by Connie, Lakewood Library

Category: Author spotlight

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FEBRUARY 27, 2013
Read Across America on Dr. Seuss' Birthday!

Did you know that Dr. Seuss's birthday is fast approaching? Born Theodore Seuss Geisel, Dr. Seuss was born on March 2nd, 1904. On the evening of March 2nd, this year, Random House and the National Education Association (NEA) want you to participate in the second annual Read Across America event and read to a child.

Jefferson County Public Library has many Seuss classics in its collection. Settle down together and enjoy The Cat- In-The-Hat, Hunches in Bunches, or Horton Hatches The Egg, to name a few. Find even more Seuss favorites in our online catalog.

Dr. Seuss' funny rhymes do more than just entertain. They help kids develop a skill called Phonological Awareness; which means that kids learn to recognize and play with the sounds contained in words. Rhymes are lots of fun, but they also develop language and reading skills!

Other great ways to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday include watching The Lorax and Horton Hears a Who on DVD, also available at JCPL. You can also get creative and create some great Dr. Seuss-themed crafts. Make your own Light Bulb Cat-In-The-Hat or a Horton Hears a Who craft!

Enjoy even more fun online at Dr. Seuss' website, Seussville.com.

Dr. Seuss' characters may have had trouble in getting to Solla Sollew, but we at JCPL hope you will have no trouble celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday and participating in Read Across America this year!

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posted by Sarah, Arvada Library

Categories: Read Alouds

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FEBRUARY 25, 2013
Fuzzy Friends Sleepover at Golden Library

Check out these pictures from the Fuzzy Friends Sleepover at the Golden Library. Kids brought in their favorite stuffed animals to stay the night at the library.

Staff and members of the Teen Advisory Board of Golden took pictures of what they did during their stay! Some enjoyed snacks while others played games and caused mischief. Take a look!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looks like they had a blast-- -what would you do if you could spend the night at the library? 

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posted by Rachel, Golden Library

Category: Events

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FEBRUARY 22, 2013
Great family read alouds

With winter in full swing—and Read Across America just around the corner—, now is a great time to take advantage of those moments just begging for snuggling up together to share books everyone will love.

What makes a great read-aloud? Elements of a good family read include action, pacing, compelling characters, timeless themes, but most of all, a story or topic that captivates you.

What to read?

Jim Trelease’s Hey! Listen to This: Stories to Read Aloud offers up some wonderful read-aloud tips, as well as book suggestions, such as Where the Red Fern Grows by Marjorie Rawls; Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith; or Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar—a personal favorite.

Some top picks from GoodReads.com include such classics as Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis; House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne; and the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Naturalist and storyteller extraordinaire Gerald Durrell wrote My Family and Other Animals one of my all-time favorites read-alouds.

Want more book suggestions or tips?

Try PBS Between the Lions; NEA’s Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children; or Family Reading Partnership’s Read Aloud Resolutions.

Happy reading!

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posted by Susan, Belmar Library

Category: Read Alouds

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FEBRUARY 21, 2013
Presidential Fiction for School Kids!

It's that time of the year when you get a day off school because two famous presidents had their birthdays in February. You may have to study these presidents in school - serious stuff!

But, did you know that there are stories about President Washington, President Lincoln and many other presidents (some are made up!), that are fiction - and fun to read? Sure there are!

Try some of these:

Teddy Roosevelt and the Treasure of Ursa Major by Ronald Kid

Here's an imaginary story of a kid who lives in the White House. His name is Archie Roosevelt, and his dad is President Teddy Roosevelt. He and his siblings find a treasure map that takes them on an adventure through the White House to a treasure they will never forget!

Lincoln and His Boys by Rosemary Wells

This is a short book (only 96 pages) where the two sons of Abraham Lincoln (Willie and Tad) tell stories of their experiences with their dad. Well, really, Rosemary Wells is the author, who pretends that she is those boys telling their stories, with some history thrown in.

Ghosts of the Civil War by Cheryl Harness

Here is another short one, but this has an interesting twist. Lindsey goes on a trip with her family to a Civil War reenactment. She is bored and starts to talk to a kid dressed up in the clothes they would have worn back then. she doesn't know that she is talking to the ghost of Willie Lincoln, who takes her on a trip back in time to when he lived.

White House Dog by Jamie White

From the Martha Speaks TV series, this short book is about a president and his family who want a dog, and when the president finds out that Martha can speak, he knows she is the one.

The Ghost, the White House, and Me by Judith St. George

Oh, no, it's another ghost story! This one is about KayKay Granger, who finds out that there are ghosts in the White House. She plays a trick on her mother, the president of the United States! And that means big trouble!

Oh, Say, I Can't See by Jon Scieszka

The Time Warp Trio are whisked away from home on Christmas Eve and end up with the future President of the United States - George Washington. It is the night before the famous crossing of the Delaware River. If it weren't for Fred, Joe, and Samantha (and her cat), George Washington and his men might never have crossed the river and history would not be the same. If you haven't read any of the Time Warp Trio, try this short, illustrated and funny "fractured" history book!

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posted by Leslie, Standley Lake Library

Category: Holidays

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FEBRUARY 20, 2013
Newbery Honor winner Three Times Lucky

 

Three Times Lucky has won a Newbery Honor Award and is nominated for an Edgar Award.   

Eleven years after she washed ashore in Tupelo Landing, North Carolina, Miss Moses LoBeau (or Mo for short) is a rising sixth-grader. She helps out in the town's quirky cafe and is a founding member of the Desparado Detectives. Her summer is looking good . . . that is until Mr. Jesse is murdered, Miss Lana and the Colonel are kidnapped, and Hurricane Amy arrives. It's a good thing Mo has always been lucky!

Visit author Sheila Turnage's website to find out more about this lively book and how she decided to become a writer.

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posted by Sheryl, Columbine Library

Categories: AwardsNew Books

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FEBRUARY 15, 2013
Next time you're at the library- try a magazine

I love to read magazines when I'm relaxing. Sitting in a cozy corner with a new issue is a treat!  I am always looking for inspiration- whether it's for exercise or crafting or sports, there is something for everyone in a magazine.  It's great that the library gives me access to so many magazines without having to subscribe to them. You save a ton of money and don't have to deal with the clutter!

Did you know that the back issues of all our magazines check-out on your library card?

We have a wide variety for children (and grown-ups) of all ages. Here are just some of the magazines we have available.

Mom's and Dad's, did you know that magazines are great for reluctant readers?

With their colorful illustrations and photographs they are immediately engaging. Each magazine focuses on a particular subject, so the reader can concentrate on what they are most interested in. The articles are short and to the point and this can help children who might be overwhelmed with reading an entire book. There are so many different magazine subjects, it's easy to find one that is fun. When reading is enjoyed and no longer viewed as a chore or an assignment, children begin to become life-long readers.

So, next time you're at the library, try a magazine!

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posted by Connie, Lakewood Library

Category: Magazines

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