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OCTOBER 19, 2012
Scary Stories

The Library is putting the "boo" in books on Thursday, October 25, when kids ages 5-up are invited to join us for scary stories at 3:30 p.m.  Then at 4:15 p.m., really, really, REALLY scary stories will be presented for ages 8-up.  (Please note:  age limits enforced.) 

posted by Jeanne

Categories: Storytime KidsUpcoming Events

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AUGUST 31, 2012
Kids Succeed by Reading
The Library’s annual Summer Reading Program wrapped up on July 25 after eight weeks of activities designed to keep kids reading during the school break.  Studies show that kids who don’t read over the summer lose some of their reading ability and return to school in “catch up” mode.  This summer, over 500 children recorded that they read approximately 10,000 books, and sixty-three of them participated through the Bookmobile. 

Until next summer rolls around, the Library continues its regular schedule of storytimes for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers to ensure that students in the years to come have a head start on their reading and language skills.

posted by Jeanne

Categories: In the KnowStorytime Kids

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JUNE 9, 2012
Goodnight Moon Room
“In the great, green room…” So begins Margaret Wise Brown’s classic children’s picture book Goodnight Moon.  For this year’s Summer Reading Program kick-off event today (theme:  Dream Big: READ!) a replica of the great, green room was beautifully recreated by our resident artist, Library Assistant and 2ndyear professional library school student, Barbara Daniels.  The “look-but- don’t -touch” “Goodnight Moon Room” has been the object of respectful awe from the moment the library doors opened this morning!  Many children are very familiar with this gentle, bedtime tale and its soothing illustrations, as are their parents and even their grandparents!  
At closing time, the components of the great, green room will be carefully “put to bed” in a quiet corner of the basement storage area until the next time the Library has an opportunity to assemble it for a special event.  Until then, good night, room.

posted by Jeanne

Categories: In the KnowStorytime KidsStaff Reads

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JUNE 5, 2012
Dream Big: READ!
This year’s Summer Reading Program gets underway on Saturday, June 9, when there will be a variety of events taking place throughout the Library from 10 a.m. until closing time at 6 p.m. 

Children and Teens may sign up to participate by setting an individual reading goal and receiving a log book to keep track of reading progress.  Each week there will be prizes for accomplishing reading goals, in addition to programs to keep kids engaged and entertained.  This year’s theme “Dream Big: READ” has inspired a range of activities ranging from learning about the night sky, to scary stories around the indoor campfire, to meeting a live bat, a puppet show, and even a sleepover for stuffed animals!  For teens there will be peer-led writing workshops, art projects, and a visit from a professional dream coach who will talk about the meaning of your dreams.  Adults may also participate by writing book reviews and entering prize drawings. 

Read more about all the dreamy activities in store this summer by visiting us at www.monterey.org/library.

posted by Jeanne

Categories: Upcoming EventsLets Talk BooksStorytime Kids

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MARCH 26, 2012
Farm Day Thursday
On March 29, from 10:30-2:30 there will be a farm petting zoo set up on the patio behind the Library.  There will be toddler storytime at 10:15 and then the children will visit the barnyard at 10:30.  The preschool storytime will begin at 11:00, with the children visiting the barnyard at 11:20. To facilitate this plan, please try to use the front Library door when you come to storytime. 

 During the rest of the day, come any time, to any door, to see the animals, the book display and farm toys.  If you're allergic, sorry.  We look forward to seeing you next week!

posted by Karen

Categories: Storytime KidsUpcoming Events

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JANUARY 10, 2012
Winter Family Reading Program

There is still time for you to "visit" all 50 states in the U.S and win your family prize for completing the Winter Family Reading Program before the program ends on January 14.

posted by Dina

Category: Storytime Kids

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DECEMBER 22, 2011
Yes, the Library's closed, but holiday stories are still available
The Library closes today at 6 and won't reopen until Wednesday.  Maybe you forgot to pick up books for the holidays?  Don't despair!  Read along and watch the animation of Twas the Night Before Christmas on Tumblebooks and Bookflix.  Bookflix also has Morris's Disappearing Bag ,Seven Candles for Kwanzaa, and Too Many Tamales along with nonfiction on the holidays.  The International Children's Picture Book Database has Christmas books in many languages available to read with no waiting, including A Christmas Carol, Christmas Rhymes and  TheChristmas Tree Ship..  A Christmas Journey is in German, as is Waldo, Tell Me About Christmas - also in Norwegian.  The New Year Picture Book is in Serbian.    Of course, you can also watch Jane and me telling Christmas stories too.    Download your materials for the Winter Family Reading Program to win a prize besides having fun. All this starts on the the Monterey Public Library Kids Page.   Happy Holidays from the Library!

posted by Karen

Categories: Storytime KidsLibrary Tech

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DECEMBER 10, 2011
Winter Family Reading Program
Today I met someone from the first family to complete the Winter Family Reading Program.  This family chose a beautiful hardcover copy of The Jungle Book for their family reading prize.    There is still plenty of time left, though.  The program continues until January 14. 
Cross off an additional state if you find a map or flag of the state to color on the Kids Page under “Find a map”.
 

posted by Karen

Categories: Storytime KidsIn the KnowLibrary Tech

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DECEMBER 1, 2011
Travel Across America with the Winter Family Reading Program
Visit the Library's Kids Page to download your reading / activity record and get more info.  Do these online activities to cross more states:
Click on the icon below or go to the Kids Page and click on "Look it up World Book Encyclopedia"  That’s where the Library gives you free access to the enhanced World Book Encyclopedia.   (Notice there’s an easy World Book for Kids as well as the full one – The World Book Online Reference Center.)  Look up Alaska and write down two things you learned.  Add a picture of something you saw there.  Then visit the web sites that are recommended.   What else did you see and learn about?   
World Book Kids
Pick another state and do it again!      

Have fun, and get closer to filling in all 50 states and winning your special family prize.    

 
 

posted by Karen

Categories: Storytime KidsUpcoming EventsIn the Know

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NOVEMBER 30, 2011
Christmas Stories on the Kids Page
During the storytime break in December, you are invited to watch librarians Karen and Jane  tell two of their favorite stories, "The Christmas Cat", and "Christmas and the 3 Bears", online. Sit back, enjoy, and have a happy, healthy holiday.

posted by Dina

Category: Storytime Kids

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NOVEMBER 22, 2011
Winter Family Reading Program
As one book title suggests, "Winter is the Warmest Season" partly because it is a time for cozying up and reading together, maybe by the fireside.  To help you provide those warm holiday experiences, the Library is providing a Winter Family Reading Program kit.  The family reads, views and listens to library materials, creates something based on a book, visits the Library or the Library's e-branch.  Color in a state and write on the reading log.  When you color in all 50 states, the family gets a warm holiday present - a great book for reading aloud together.  More info  and downloadable materials on the Library's Kids Page.  Color in two states if you watch/read two books on Bookflix (at the bottom of the page) as part of your holiday - Giving Thanks:  A Native  American Good Morning Message and its partner Thanksgiving.  

posted by Karen

Categories: Storytime KidsUpcoming Events

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NOVEMBER 9, 2011
Visiting New York

Storytimes this week will be featuring stories about New York.   We'll be doing sidewalk games and sidewalk drawings in between the books.  Can you guess what the stories will be about?  Pigeons! Subways!  Tall buildings, and more! 
Watch a book online to get in the mood - Look at the bottom of the Kids Page for BookFlix and Tumblebooks.  Then look for Zoe and Sophia in New York, Subway Ride, Postcards from New York City, The Man Who Walked Between Two Towers and The Castle on Hester Street.

posted by Karen

Categories: Storytime KidsUpcoming Events

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NOVEMBER 9, 2011
Yankee Doodles, Dreams & Dangers

On Friday, November 18 at 4:00 p.m., MaryLee Sunseri will be taking kids 5 and up on a musical journey through the New England states. In variety show style we'll travel from Colonial America all the way to modern Broadway using songs, shadow play, & stories.
Free tickets will be available at 2:30 p.m. on the 18th. Come early, space is limited.
Ages 5 & up

posted by Dina

Categories: Upcoming EventsStorytime Kids

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OCTOBER 14, 2011
Lindsay Wins Giant Pumpkin Contest!
Lindsay, with her guess of 331 seeds, came amazingly close to guessing the actual number of pumpkin seeds in the jar on the Bookmobile. Her prize is a giant, more than 100 pound, pumpkin generously donated by Monte Vista Market. There were 327 seeds in the jar. Congratulations Lindsay.

posted by Dina

Category: Storytime Kids

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OCTOBER 3, 2011
Cowpoke Storytime

As part of our Storytime theme, “Across America,” this Thursday we will be celebrating the cowpokes of our west coast. Do your children have boots, hats or other cowpoke gear they like to wear for dress-up?

Be sure to wear your Western clothes this Thursday, October 6th.  Also, everyone can get in the act by putting their head in our cowpoke stand-up for a cowgirl or cowboy photo. The Toddler Storytime at 10:15 is for children ages 18 to 36 months. The Preschool Storytime at 11:00 is for children 3 to 5 years old. Remember to bring your cameras and be ready for Western stories, music and fun.

 

 

posted by Jane

Categories: Storytime KidsUpcoming Events

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2011
Congratulations Lauren!
Lauren Pritchard won the Name the Sea Otter contest with her entry, "Kelp".  More than 80 kids entered excellent ideas making the choice a difficult one. Great name Lauren!  Stop in and say "hi" to Kelp next time you're in the library.

posted by Dina

Category: Storytime Kids

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AUGUST 31, 2011
Let the Storytimes Begin!

Starting this Thursday, September 1, Toddler and Preschool Storytimes will be presented every Thursday for a new season of fun. Our theme, “Across America,” will include flannel stories, finger plays, music, puppets and the best books in children’s literature. The Youth Team carefully plans age appropriate materials so consider which programs are best for your child: The Toddler Storytimes at 10:15 are for children ages 18 to 36 months. The Preschool Storytimes at 11:00 are for children 3 to 5 years old. In addition, Pajama Storytimes for families with children ages 3 and up are given on the last Tuesday evening of the month at 7:00. Don’t forget to wear your pajamas and bring your teddy bear!

Check the Kid’s Page of the Library’s website for updates and special events.

See you at Storytime!

 

posted by Jane

Categories: Storytime KidsUpcoming Events

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AUGUST 30, 2011
Attention All Babies!

Attention all babies!  Are you looking for some fun? Are you longing for some music, rhymes and stories to help prepare your brain for language and literacy? Would you love to meet other babies and maybe even set up a play date? Ask your parent, grandparent, caregiver or nanny to bring you to Baby and Me Rhymetime at the Monterey Public Library. Check the Kid’s Page of the Library’s website for the schedule of special guests who lead us in music and movement activities.  Your older siblings are invited too!  It’s held in the Library’s Community Room and this Fall, it’s at 10:30 on these Fridays: September 2, September 23, October 14, October 28, November 4, and November 18.

Come join the fun!

 

posted by Jane

Categories: Storytime KidsUpcoming Events

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AUGUST 4, 2011
Lets have an ocean book group!

It's easy to have a book group with the Library's online book products.  We can all read the same book  and talk about it here.  Our first book will be a Tumblebook storybook for all ages, Jessie's Island by Sheryl McFarlane.  Find Tumblebooks at the bottom of the Kids Page, and then read about Jessie's cousin who writes about all the things there are to do in the city.  Thomas thinks Jessie's life on an island would be boring.  See what you think as they each tell about the things to see and do where they live.  Then click on comments here to say what you think.

We can talk about:
What did you think about this book?
Which place is more like Monterey?
Here in Monterey, have you seen any of the things that Jessie sees?
If you had to choose one, who would you rather visit - Thomas or Jessie?
What are your favorite things to see or do in Monterey?  What would you write about to a friend or cousin? 

Want to read ahead?  Next,  a short chapter book in Tumblebooks Readalongs, Sea Dog

posted by Karen

Categories: Storytime KidsLets Talk Books

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JULY 14, 2011
Summer Reading Beach Party

Celebrate the close of a summer filled with reading on Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Monterey Beach Party.  Come to  Del Monte Beach  & dance to the music of Senegal - drums, kora  & singing. Enjoy crafts, food, and fun! Bring your signed contract and reading log to get your final prizes. Everyone is invited!

posted by Dina

Categories: Storytime KidsUpcoming Events

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JUNE 25, 2011
The Tween Travel Team

Have you noticed the world map up in the youth area?  Maybe you've noticed a group of excited big kids after the summer reading program?  Maybe your child received a passport this summer?  This is all evidence of the adventures of the teen travel team.

This year 10-12-year-olds are invited to join this team, to add extra activities and prizes for older kids to the usual programs and incentives for all children.  The Tween Travel Team meets after every program at the Library, Thursdays at 4 pm, for just 30 minutes or so.  We have snacks, interview the speaker/performer, share books and other activities - and play the tween travel game.

Kids playing the game have made it almost all the way around the world, had lots of fun with computers, and learned a bit about countries and research along the way.  One more stop and we will have earned a prize for each tween.

This past week we sampled some foods from different cultures and learned about foreign coins - each got a few to keep.  Next week, after the Taiko drummer, we will interview the performer, play a chopstick game, hear a Japanese scary story and have Japanese snacks.  Know a 10-12-year-old?  They're welcome to join us!

posted by Karen

Categories: Upcoming EventsStorytime Kids

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