Awesome Robb's Pirate Magic Brings Lots of Laughter!

This Wow! It's Wednesday! brought Awesome Robb to the Hamilton-Wenham Library where over 100 children enjoyed his magic as well as his humor. This marks the halfway point for our summer programming - don't miss the rest of our summer fun. For a complete list of Wednesday night programs click here.

Next week is our 14th Annual Vehicle Night! Don't miss your chance to climb aboard fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars, as well as meet Apache, a canine from the Department of Homeland Security.

Congrats to Vanessa, she spotted Silverwing!

This past week, Silverwing visited Jolie Tea Co. in Hamilton. Vanessa, age 7 spotted Silverwing while there. For all of Silverwing's travels so far click here and don't forget to search for Silverwing at his new location this week.

Wizard of Oz Highlights

This past Wednesday, the Hampstead Stage Company performed The Wonderful Wizard of Oz for over 150 children and their parents. A few pictures are below. More can be found on Facebook and videos should be up there as well shortly.

Don't miss any other Wow! It's Wednesday! performances. Click here for the complete schedule. Make sure to stop by this Wednesday, July 25 at 6:30 pm for Awesome Robb's Pirate Magic Show.

Lily spotted Silverwing - Can you find him this week?

Silverwing, our Dream Big - Read mascot began traveling throughout Hamilton and Wenham last week. He spent his first week at Talbots, where Lily, age 9 spotted him. Make sure you find him at his new location this week. If you do, stop by the Children's Room to enter yourself in a raffle. You can also take a look at where Silverwing has been by clicking on Silverwing Sighting.

Wingmasters - Owl Education Fills the Room!

 This Wednesday, Wingmasters visited our library to present information about owls, their habitats, hunting habits and to show off a few live ones. Crowds gathered and everyone enjoyed Jim's lively presentation. Here are a few highlights from the night.

Don't miss the rest of our Wow! It's Wednesday programs - next week join us for a presentation of The Wizard of Oz. For a complete list of the schedule click here.

Read to Tessie the Dog - 2 New Dates!

Sign up and read to

Tessie the dog!

 Thursday, July 19 at 3:00 pm

and 

Thursday, August 2 at 1:00 pm

Tessie is a certified therapy dog,

through Therapy Dog Inc.

Readers who are in Kindergarten through 3rd grade are invited to sign up to meet Tessie and read a book to her. 

Pre-registration is required. Sign up at the children’s desk for more information.

Vic & Sticks Recycled Rhythm Band - Fun for All

Last night kicked off our Wow! It's Wednesday performances with Vic & Sticks Recycled Rhythm Band. Not only was it a great performance, but the kids became part of the band as well. Here are just a few photos from the event.

If you weren't able to make it to this event - don't worry there are plenty more ahead. Wingmasters is next. Don't miss your chance to meet live owls on July 11 at 6:30 pm.
For the entire Wow! It's Wednesday line up click here.

Photograpy Events in the Children's Room

This Saturday, Toni Carolina taught children in grades 1-6 the basics about photography and how to ensure a good picture. The children had a blast, and you can see them learning below. If you missed out on this event, you don't have to miss out on all the photography fun this summer.

The Children's Room is once again holding a photography contest for children in grades 1-6 throughout July. For complete information visit Photography Contest.

Also make sure to check out all of our Wow! It's Wednesday events!
This week Vic & Sticks Recycled Rhythm Band is coming to the library June 26 at 6:30 pm.
No registration is necessary for this family event. For more information click here.

Read to Tessie the Dog - July 13

 

Sign up and read to

Tessie the dog!
Friday, July 13 at 3:00 pm

Tessie is a certified therapy dog,

through Therapy Dog Inc.

Readers who are in Kindergarten through 3rd grade are invited to sign up to meet Tessie and read a book to her. 

Pre-registration is required. Sign up at the children’s desk for more information.

Summer Reading Lists!

Schools out and it's time to think about those Summer Reading Lists. Each school and grade has different requirements. Most are merely suggestions to keep children reading. For your convenience we keep a binder full of the reading lists in the Children's Room. If you'd like to view the lists online, click the school link below.

Buker's Reading List

Winthrop Main Page

Cutler Main Page

For the Middle School and High School Reading Lists visit the Young Adult Blog.

Last Week of Spring Storytimes - Register for the Summer Session June 18!

This week concludes our Spring Storytime Session and next week kicks off the beginning of Summer!

Beginning Monday, June 18 you can sign up for any of our weekly programs, as well as the Summer Reading Program.

Registration is required for Baby Bookworms, Music & Movement, the Photography Workshops as well as Dream Big with Bryan. Registration is appreciated for the rest of our weekly programs. For more information about all of our summer programs be sure to click on the tabs above. The weekly story programs can be found under Summer Weekly Programs and Dream Big with Bryan can be found at Special Thursday Programs.

There is one exception. Registration for the Photography Workshops begins this week Tuesday, June 12. Children entering Grades 1 - 6 have the opportunity to sign up, but space is limited. For more information click Super Summer Saturdays.

You can always stop by the Children's  Room for a brochure with all the dates as well.

Raindrop Guessing Contest Winners

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Finn, age 5

and

Lucas, age 7

WINNERS OF

THE HAMILTON-WENHAM LIBRARY’S

CHILDREN’S ROOM 

2012 RAINDROPS GUESSING CONTEST

THERE WERE   

155

RAINDROPS!!

New Media in the Children's Room

We've been busy expanding our collection in order to serve you better!   Below you will find information about all types of  new media available for checkout.

Introducing....

MUZZY Multimedia Language Courses

MUZZY Multimedia Language Courses are designed to help you learn the basics of foreign language. We have  two levels in eight different languages. Muzzy includes DVDs and CDs, with activity sheets available online. Languages available are Spanish, French, German, Italian, English (ESL/ELL), Russian, Portuguese, and Mandarin Chinese. Click for a list of all the languages and levels available.

Playaway Views

The idea is similar to Playaway audios except these are light weight, portable videos, with high quality imagery at the touch of a button.  This new technology can be found in libraries only, and are durable and easy to use, even for our youngest patrons. Headphones are not required, as views have small built in speakers, though they are an option.  Playaway views come fully charged, but have an charger included in the case for charging as needed.   Just check them out, hit play and you can learn about history, weather, mythology, animals and more! A complete list of our Playaway views can be found here.

Look What's New & Updated!

Hooked on Phonics

We've had Hooked on Phonics in the room for awhile now, but we've recently ordered new and updated editions in a complete eight-level program, serving preschoolers through second graders. Each level has storybooks, workbooks, and a DVD to help your child learn to read. The levels begin at pre-K and continue through second grade. Stop by and check one out. Click for a list of the levels as well as what each level focuses on.

Playaways

Playaways are a portable audiobooks. Unlike CDs or tapes you don't need anything except headphones and a AAA battery to listen to this book.  They can also be played in the car if you have the required cable. We've added 18 new Playaways to our collection. For a complete list of all our Playaways click here.

Books on CD

We've also been working to expand the number of audiobooks we have on CD as well as CD and book sets. For a list of our new audiobooks click here.

Paws to Read!

That's right! Our favorite dog, Tessie, is visiting the Children's Room once again. If you have a child in Kindergarten through 3rd grade they can sign up to read to Tessie for ten minutes. Reading to a dog builds confidence in young readers and it's fun! For all the information click here. 


Sign up to read to Tessie May 29 at 4:00 pm, June 15 at 2:00 pm or June 29 at 11:00 am. Pre-registration is required and must be done in person, in the Children's Room. Stop by to sign up today! 

Live Duck Storytime Pictures

This Thursday, our favorite neighborhood ducks joined us once again for storytime. After sharing stories and songs children had the chance to meet and greet Peeps, Samer and Blackie. Here are a few pictures from that day, for more check out our Facebook.

June Saturday Storytimes

Super Saturdays in June

June 16, 11:00 am

Summer Storytime and Craft

Enjoy summer stories, then create a

craft to take home.

 June 30, 11:00 am

Dads and Donuts

Enjoy stories, with donuts, juice, and

coloring to follow. (Moms are always

invited too)

This month’s theme is Dream Big- Read!  

Both programs designed for ages 2 and up.

No registration necessary. Open to the public at no charge.

Tessie is coming back!

Tessie the Dog is coming back for several days in the next few weeks - but she's making her first return this 

Tuesday, May 22 at 4:00pm!

If you are in Kindergarten through 3rd grade you can sign up to read to Tessie. 

You must register ahead of time and 

registration must be done in person. 

For more information call or stop by the Children's Room.

Bunny Storytime Pics

This Saturday, Cooper the Rabbit came to visit the Library. Children had a blast petting him and we even made a circle so Cooper could hop around. If you missed this live animal storytime - make sure you don't miss the next. This Thursday, May 17 at 10:30 am we will have live ducks visiting storytime! Find all the details here. 

Growums Program - back for a second year!

Growums

Monday

June 18, 2012

3:00 pm

Add a some flavor to your garden!

Come and grow your own Pizza Garden,     

Taco Garden, or Herb Garden!

All materials provided.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

Offered at no charge to the public through the generosity of the Topsfield Fair.

Designed for ages 4 and up.

Magic Workshop Fun!

Magician Richard Nunziato came to the Hamilton-Wenham Children's Room to share his tricks. For three weeks, children had the chance to learn to amaze their friends with cards, wands and more! Each child was given their own magic kit at the end to continue the fun at home.