Milkweed Seedpods

Our Monarchs are thriving! Make sure you visit the Children's Room to check them out and participate in our Monarch guessing contest. Would you like Monarchs to visit your yard? We have milkweed seedpods if you want to try your hand at attracting Monarchs to your garden next year. Stop into the Children's Room to pick one up!

Welcome Home Dyno!

Congratulations to all of our readers for another successful summer reading program! Dyno is back at the library. He had fun touring Hamilton and Wenham businesses, and enjoyed running into his library friends during his journey. Thank you for a great summer, and we hope you have a wonderful first day of school!

Make sure you check the blog, Facebook and Children's Room for updates as we prepare for a fantastic fall. Fall registration will begin on 

Monday, September 21 at 10:00 a.m.

Discover Dyno: Week 7!

Dyno visited Cumberland Farms in Hamilton for his last stop, and was seen by Finnegan, age 6. Congratulations Finnegan! Thank you to everyone who participated in the Discovering Dyno contest! We hope you had fun looking for Dyno.

Discover Dyno Week 6!

Dyno visited Connolly's Pharmacy in Hamilton, and he was discovered by Krisha, age 9. Congratulations Krisha! Where will Dyno visit for his last stop? If you find Dyno, fill out a raffle ticket in the Children's Room for a chance to win a special prize. Keep your eyes open, and good luck!

Summer Reading Ice Cream Party 2015

You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream! Congratulations to all of our readers for a job well done. Join us on Wednesday, August 19 at 6:30 p.m. for a summer reading celebration complete with ice cream and surprises. Special thanks go to Cherry Farm Creamery. You must register for this activity and bring your reading log as your admission ticket to the party. See you there!

Countdown to Kindergarten!

You've been counting down, and now it's time to celebrate!

On Monday, August 17 at 6:30 p.m., DW will be here to perform the play

  DW Counts Down to Kindergarten. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for children to enjoy 

"kindergarten ready" activities and games. 

 You can register in the Children's Room or online at www.EarlyChildhoodPartners.weebly.com. 

We hope to see you there!

Discover Dyno Week 5

Congratulations to Samantha, age 7, for finding Dyno at GrassyRoots in Wenham. Keep your eyes open around town for Dyno. If you spot Dyno, visit the Children's Room and fill out a raffle ticket for a chance to win a special prize. Dyno will return home to the library on August 21st. Good luck!

Diane Edgecomb, Storyteller

Celebrate your inner hero, and join us on Wednesday, August 12 at 6:30 p.m. for an evening of stories and songs. Award winning storyteller, Diane Edgecomb, shares fun-loving tales and songs to entertain and showcase heroes around the world. Families of all ages are welcome. No registration necessary.

Science is Everywhere! Muse Magazine

Science is everywhere! Each month we are highlighting a STEAM-centric magazine available in the Children's Room. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. 

This month, we'll be looking at Muse. All children's magazines can be checked out for one week, with one renewal. For a full list of our children's magazines subscriptions, click here.

Muse - Suggested for ages 9 - 14

Kids who can't help wondering whether video games really kill their brain cells, or what a gentleman ladybug is called, will find the answers here, in articles written by award-winning authors and accompanied by high-quality illustration and photography. This magazine is perfect for readers who are interested in science, history, and the arts.

July/August 2015 Highlights:  This edition is all about outbreaks. Ick!

• Is a zombie virus coming?
• How does hand-washing help you stay healthy?
• Meet a super-sniffing rat who helps scientists detect disease! 

...and MORE!

Discover Dyno Week 4!

Congratulations to Vanessa, age 10, for discovering Dyno at Allied Conservation: Fine Art Conservation and Restoration in Hamilton. Keep your eyes open around town for Dyno. If you spot Dyno, visit the Children's Room and fill out a raffle ticket for a chance to win a special prize. Dyno will return home to the library on August 21st. Good luck!

Rolie Polie Guacamole!

Wednesday, August 5 at 6:30 p.m. 

OLE!

Rolie-Polie Guacamole is ‘Kindie” music at its best! 

Come join this amazing duo as they bring family friendly 
rock n’ roll, Chips and Salsa style, all the way from New York! 

This event is free and open to public. 

All ages are welcome and no registration is necessary.

Toto the Tornado Kitten

Toto the kitten was caught in the tornado that hit Brimfield, MA in 2011. Join us on Monday, August 3 at 3:30 p.m. to hear Toto's extraordinary story of survival, and meet Toto and heroic owner Jonathan Hall! Jonathan and Toto have raised over $55,000 for animal shelters including the Animal Rescue League of Boston whose rescue services team were responsible for Toto’s survival.

Be a Hero! 

Stop by the Children's Room and donate to the Animal Rescue League of Boston or Therapy Dogs Inc. by filling out a slip of paper and taping it to our charity wall.

Topsfield Fair Read & Win Deadline!

The deadline for the Topsfield Fair Read & Win prize is swiftly approaching!

 Participants in the summer reading program may earn Sports Scrip to spend on various prizes, including the Topsfield Fair Read & Win prize. The Fair prize includes:

• 1 admission ticket to the Topsfield Fair (for readers 8 and over; children under 8 will NOT receive an admission ticket as they are admitted into the Fair for free)
• 1 hot dog & drink voucher to redeem at the fair
• AND 2 ride tickets!

The Read & Win prize costs 10 Sports Scrip, 

and you must purchase the prize no later than AUGUST 5, 2016. 

Please note that prizes may only be purchased during store hours. Store hours are found at the bottom of your reading log. For more information please visit the Children's Room.

Photo Safari Exhibit

 Your name in "lights"!

 There is still time to submit a photo collage of your name. We already have several artful pieces on display for patrons to enjoy. Make sure you stop by to take a closer look at the exhibit.

Please contact the Children's Room if you didn't participate in our Photo Safari program, but would like to display a photographic composition of your name. We will provide you with instructions on how to submit an entry for exhibit...it is fun & easy!

The exhibit will remain on display through the month of August.

Discovering Dyno Weeks 2 & 3!

Congratulations to Henry, age 9, for finding Dyno at the Salem Five Bank, and to Autumn, age 6, for spotting Dyno at the Wenham Post Office! Keep your eyes open around town for Dyno. If you spot Dyno, visit the Children's Room and fill out a raffle ticket for a chance to win a special prize. Dyno will return home to the library on August 21st. Good luck!

17th Annual Vehicle Night

Vroom-vroom! Join us on Wednesday, July 29 at 5:30 p.m. in the parking lot for a festival of fire engines, emergency trucks, police cruisers, snow plows, the Mix 104.1 ice cream truck and more! Haven and Roscoe, K-9 units from the Department of Homeland Security will be here for a meet and greet as well!There is no rain date. No registration necessary.

Paws to Read Summer 2015!

We have two new dates for Paws to Read! Tessie, a certified therapy dog, will visit the library on Friday, July 24 and Tuesday, August 25, 2015. Reading times start at 11:00 a.m., and are 10 minutes in length. This program helps children build confidence, and encourages them to develop their reading skills. Paws to Read is for children in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Registration is required. Please visit the Children's Room for more information and to register.

Alex the King of Jesters

The Hamilton-Wenham Public Library welcomes the king of jesters! Join us on Wednesday July 22 at 6:30 p.m. for an evening of surprises, lavish costumes, and musical capers, as Alex the Jester performs his timeless physical comedy and amazing stunts. Families of all ages are welcome. No registration necessary.

Fairy House Building

Join us on Saturday July 18 at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate the fairies in our garden! We will build shoebox fairy houses, make fairy crafts, and parade across the library grounds in a fanciful fairy procession. Wear your finest fairy gear for this very special day! Some supplies will be provided, but extra items are always desired. Families can bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the lawn after the event. All ages welcome. No registration necessary.

Mr. Vinny's Shadow Puppets

Mr. Vinny, a member of the famous Toe Jam Puppet Band, is visiting the library on Wednesday, July 15 at 6:30 p.m. with his hilarious and high-energy shadow puppet show! Families of all ages are welcome. No registration necessary.