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:
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"!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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?
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!
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?
Legos and lots of creativity at the Arvada Library
What do you get when you put plastic blocks and kids with lots of creativity together? Check out the fabulous creations from Arvada Library's latest Lego program!
February is Black History Month and a great time to learn about and recognize the contributions and history of African Americans. Here are just some of the great books you can read that are about Black History or are written by African American authors.
I just finished reading Christopher Paul Curtis' new book, The Mighty Miss Malone and it is great. Deza Malone is a fourth grade whiz and she tells the story of a most important time in her life.
Sometimes I think history can seem a bit boring or dull, but these books are winners! Try one and let me know what you think.
Check out Reading Rockets' website for Black History Month and watch Reading Rockets' interviews with celebrated African American children's book authors and illustrators. If your favorite author is here, you can see what they look like! You will also find lots to see and do to celebrate this month.
Reading group for kids with aspbergers or high functioning autism
At the Columbine Library
Pets: Tuesday, February 12 at 4 p.m.
Join us for a book club for kids ages 7 to 12 with high functioning autism or sensory integration issues the first Tuesday of every month. Kids are asked to share a book (fiction or nonfiction) that they've read on the topic of the month.
Each session will also include an activity or game. Kids are welcome to participate in activities and learn about books other kids have enjoyed even if they don't have a book to share!
Kids must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
Future meeting dates and topics:
Tuesday, March 12 at 4 p.m.- People (biographies)
Tuesday, April 9 at 4 p.m.- Sports
Tuesday, May 14 at 4 p.m.- Adventure & Survival
Tuesday, June 11 at 4 p.m.- Mysteries of the Unknown: Ghosts, UFOs and more
Calling ALL parents! Was your resolution for 2013 to spread the love of reading throughout your community? If you answered YES, then we can help, World Book Night is looking for volunteers just like you.
World Book Night is a celebration of literacy by publishers, booksellers, libraries and individuals who love reading. On World Book Night, volunteer book givers distribute 20 copies of a special edition not-for-resale book they've read and loved to strangers in their communities - people at rec centers, bus stops and restaurants - who may never have owned a book before.
In 2012, More than 80,000 volunteers in the United States, the UK, Ireland and Germany distributed more than 2.5 million books. So, mark your calendars for Shakespeare's birthday, April 23rd, and help make a difference in your community this year.
To learn more about World Book Night and apply to be a book giver, visit the World Book Night U.S. website.
Don't delay - the deadline for applications is Friday, January 25th. Sign up today so you and your family can help us share the joy of reading!
Lieutenant Governor Joe Garcia has announced the launch of voting for the One Book 4 Colorado. One Book 4 Colorado is a collaboration between the Lt. Governor's office, Reach Out and Read Colorado and the State Library aiming to provide a free book to every 4 year-old in the state!
The books will be passed out at participating Reach Out and Read clinics and your own local public library later this spring. But, in the meantime, YOU can help decide which book will be chosen!
Kevin Kirby from the Golden Fire Department visited the Golden Library last Thursday and read a story and show off his gear. Here are some pictures from this fun event!
Kevin in his gear
Kiddos checking out the fire truck!
To find more fun events at Jefferson County Libraries check out our Events Calendar.
Tonight, December 4th, marks the annual Lagniappe (lahn-yap) celebration in Olde Town Arvada. A lagniappe is a small gift that is given to a customer at the time of purchase. Head down to Olde Town and join in as local business owners thank patrons with small gifts of appreciation such as hot chocolate and cookies.
The Mayor will begin the festivities by lighting the Tree in Town Square. Olde Town will glow with holiday lights, carolers will sing traditional holiday songs, and Santa will be waiting to meet young children and listen to the Holiday wishes! To get more information visit the Historic Olde Town Arvada website.