Toto the Tornado Kitten!

Over 40 kids and their families enjoyed meeting Toto the tornado kitten and owner Jonathan. Jonathan shared Toto's amazing story of survival after a tornado swept through western Massachusetts in 2011.

Toto visits the Hamilton-Wenham library!

Toto and the kids listen to a story.

Toto gets lots of love.

To check out more photos from this fun event visit the Wicked Local Hamilton site.

Congratulations, Nicole!

Congratulations, Nicole on becoming Whitman Public Library's new Children's Librarian! Thank you for all that you did for us here! We will all miss you. Be sure to stop by this week (Wednesday afternoon through Friday) to wish Nicole all the best as she begins this new adventure!

Congrats to our Food Guessing Contest Winners!

Congratulations to

Caroline, 5

Lila, 4

Carter, 6

and

Sophia, 9

Winners of our food guessing contest!

There were

99

food items in our grocery cart!

Congrats to our Story Writing Contest Winners!

Congratulations to our Story Writing Contest Winners! 

1^st – 3^rd Grade

1^st Place: Fuzzy Fox Goes to Bed by Gabriella

2^nd Place: Artic Kingdom by Maya

3^rd Place: Life Forms Discovered on a Planet in Alpha Centuri by Jack

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order)

Gavin and the Big Catch by Gavin

Ava’s Dreams Come True by Elizabeth

Wars in Space by David

The Sinking Ship by Rebecca

The Letters Take a Trip by Julia

Fudgy Wudgy Had a Cludgy by Nate

Juice Cubes Everywhere by Elsa

4^th – 6^th Grade

1^st Place: A Cat Connection by Rosie

2^nd Place: Rainforest Rescue by Michael

3^rd Place: Drum Recital by Owen

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order)

Liam’s Pumpkin Pie by Lily

The Legend of Allo Hesha’s Kingdom by Oliver

The Perfect Christmas Tree by Sophie

Opposite May by Sadie

Beatrice and Olive and the Surprisingly Good Cookies by Annabelle

Adventure by Libby

The Day at the Beach by Lucy

Read all the great stories here.

December Magazine Highlight: Ranger Rick and Babybug

Each month we are highlighting two magazines we subscribe to in the Children's Room. (For previous posts click here.) This month, we'll be looking at Ranger Rick and Babybug. 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.

December Magazines:

Ranger Rick: Suggested for ages 9 -12. 

This advertisement-free magazine is full of stunning photography, exciting animal adventures and articles as well as fun activities.

December/January Issue Highlights:

-Attack of the Meat-Eating Plants

    Fabulous pictures grab the readers attentions while the text educates children about carnivorous plants.

-Ends of the Earth

     Pictures and facts explore the similarities and differences of the land and animals on each end of the earth.

- A Tall Tale

     Learn about the tallest land animal on earth - the giraffe! 

Babybug: 

Sturdier than other magazines, this is full of stories and poems to share with your littlest ones.

November/December Issue Highlights: 

Enjoy stories, rhymes and songs to go with the season, from giving thanks to baking gingerbread cookies.

Stop by to check them out today! 

December Programs: Storytimes, Legos, Art Club, Toto the Tornado Kitten and more!

We've brought back the ever popular December drop-ins with Baby Bookworms, Music & Movement, Terrific Twos & Threes, Lego-mania and Art Club.

In addition, there is a new story program presented by Lisa Cheney of Hamilton-Wenham Early Childhood Partners and CFCE. Designed for children 0- 5 years, Lisa presents a Musical Storytime Jam every Monday at 10:30 am. More information can be found here.

Join us on Saturdays for Dads & Donuts and Holiday Storytimes and Crafts.

Don't miss our special program with live cat, Toto the Tornado Kitten! All the details are here.

To view our entire December schedule, click here.

Monday's Kindermusik Demonstration cancelled

The Kindermusik demonstration scheduled for Monday, November 18 at 12:30 and 1:00 pm has been cancelled due to illness.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

November Magazine Highlights: Click and National Geographic Kids

Each month we are highlighting two magazines we subscribe to in the Children's Room. (For September's post, click here. October's Post is here.) This month, we'll be looking at Click and and National Geographic Kids. 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.

Click: Suggested for ages 3 - 6 

Answer all those why's and what's your children are asking with this magazine. Each issue explores a different topic in nature, science or the arts.

November Highlights: 

-Numbers Count: A cute illustrated story about roman numerals and how our number system began. 

-For Good Measure: Illustrations demonstrate the different ways to measure and discusses when to use what measuring system. 

-Stories, look and find pages, and more! 

National Geographic Kids: Suggested for ages 6 - 14.

A fan-favorite magazine with games, weird facts, fun quizzes, and awesome articles. 

November Highlights:

-Foxes on Ice: Learn how arctic foxes survive through the snow, ice and freezing temperatures.

-The Truth Behind Your Favorite Stars: Learn the true facts about the animals those famous characters are based on (such as Spider-Man and Perry the Platypus).

-Games, weird but true facts, and more! 

Stop by to check these out today! 

October Contest Winners

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Liza, age 8

Chloe, age 7

Brayden, age 6

Caden, age 5

& Lila, age 4

WINNERS OF THE “EYEBALL” GUESSING CONTEST

THERE WERE

95

“EYEBALLS”

Also be sure to check out the winners of our Pumpkin Decorating Contest!

Here's a picture of the pumpkins entered into the contest!

Kindermusik® Demonstration

Kindermusik® Demonstration

Monday, November 18 

12:30 pm & 1:00 pm

Join us at the library with Susan Carter-Krugman for a Kindermusik demonstration. 

Imagine That! 

12:30 pm for 

3-5 year olds 

Kindermusik Village 

1:00 pm for 

0-18 months 

Explore music, movement, singing, and instruments with your children. 

 

Space is limited and registration is required. 

Open to the public and offered at no charge. 

 

Ms. Carter-Krugman has been teaching Kindermusik® classes since 1998. 

Questions? Please contact Ms. Carter-Krugman at smkrugman@gmail.com 

Read to a Dog!

There is still room to sign up to read to Tessie the dog on Friday afternoon. Tessie has been visiting the children's room for a year and a half and loves being read to by children in Kindergarten through third grade. For all the details click here.

Stop by the Children's Room to sign up.

October Magazine Highlight: Discovery Girls and Odyssey: Adventures in Science

Each month we are highlighting two magazines we subscribe to in the Children's Room. (For September's post, click here.) This month, we'll be looking at Discovery Girls and Odyssey. 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.

October Magazines:

Discovery Girls: Suggested for ages 8 -12 

Designed for girls entering middle school each issue is filled with articles, advice, quizzes, embarrassing moments and fashion.

October/November Issue Highlights:

-Discovery Girls of British Columbia

       Learn about girls from another country; what they like to do, eat and wear 

       as well as what they hope to do when they grow up.

-Solve Your Friendship Problems: Talk it Out!

       This article highlights common friendship issues including competition, 

       being a shadow, rejection and being teased. Each one is followed by 

       a solution and how discussion can help solve these problems.

-Stop Comparing Yourself

       An article on self-esteem designed to help girls stop comparing 

       themselves to friends, classmates and the media. 

Odyssey: Adventures in Science: Suggested for 9-14

Each issue tackles the hottest topics in physics, biology, and environmental science, introduces new and emerging technologies, and highlights top science careers. 

October Issue Highlights: 

- Meow! Woof! 

        Explores the idea and facts about the relationship between cats and dogs? 

        Are they truly natural enemies and why? 

- Your Dog = Your BFF

       Discusses the benefits of owning a dog

- Good Vibrations

       Discusses how owning a cat, and a cat's purring can effect us.

Stop by to check these out today! 

Butterfly Contest Winners

Congratulations to the winners of our Butterfly Guessing Contest!

Marianna, 8

Ava, 8

Ryanne, 11

Trenton, 8

Trevor, 11

Una, 7

Noah, 3

Isabelle, 5

We raised and released 17 butterflies this year!

New Advantage Ebooks and Audiobooks

We're happy to announce that we have purchased some new ebooks and downloadable audiobooks, exclusively for Hamilton-Wenham patrons. Click on the book cover to be linked to the book on Overdrive. Click the tabs above to the see all of the exclusive children's titles we own. 

New ebook:

2013 Newbery Winner! Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all. Instead, Ivan thinks about TV, friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art. Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it's up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.

New ebook and downloadable audiobook:

Holy unanticipated occurrences! A cynic meets an unlikely superhero in a genre-breaking new novel by master storyteller Kate DiCamillo. It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident that has unexpected consequences. The squirrel never saw the vacuum cleaner coming, but self-described cynic Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, is the just the right person to step in and save him. What neither can predict is that Ulysses (the squirrel) has been born anew, with powers of strength, flight, and misspelled poetry—and that Flora will be changed too, as she discovers the possibility of hope and the promise of a capacious heart. Also check this one out as an audiobook.

New downloadable audiobook (available October 8): 

At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy's instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea's forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?

Meet Goats, Sweetie and Darling, at Storytime

Giddy Goats Storytime

Monday, October 7

10:30 am

Join us for goat filled stories and songs! 

Then you’ll get to meet two goats - Sweetie and Darling, 

with owner Jeremy.

There will be plenty of time for pictures and petting. 

All ages welcome. 

Caregivers must accompany their children at all times.

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

October Saturdays and a Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Don't miss our October themed fun next month!

First off - a Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Fun for all ages - bring in your pumpkin decorated any way (no carved pumpkins will be accepted) throughout the month of October. 

Everyone wins a prize. For all the details click here.

We also have three drop-in Saturday events.

October 12, 11 am: Dads and Donuts

October 19, 1 pm: Harry Potter Extravaganza

October 26, 11 am: Halloween Storytime and Craft

Click here for more information. 

Children's Magazines - American Girl and Cricket

Did you know the Children's Room has magazines that you can check out? We'll be highlighting a few each month so you can get to know them. If you'd like to skip ahead a view the full list click here.

September Magazines: 

American Girl: Suggested for ages 8 and up

American Girl was created as an alternative to teen magazines for younger girls. Each issues is filled with stories, crafts, advice and games. 

September/October Issue Highlight: 

 - Fun Boredom Busters
      - Each day of the month has a new suggestion of something to do

 - How to Beat Bullying

       - A flow chart for dealing with bullyings helps girls understand  their options and the
         best course of action in different situations
- Delicious Apple Recipes

       - Recipes for apple snakes including mini apple pies, green apple smoothies,
         apple sandwiches and cran-apple oatmeal.

Cricket: Suggested for ages 9-14 

This magazine is primarily filled with short stories, but also with book reviews and author interviews. 

September Issue Highlight:

         

 - 7 Short Stories of various genres 

 - Get to Know: Kate Dicamillo

        An interview with author of the Mercy Watson series, The Tale of Despereaux and
        many more! Also an excerpt from Flora & Ulysses, her new book coming later
        this month! 

 - Book Reviews by Cricket Readers

Paws to Read to Tessie the Dog! Monday, September 23.

Paws to Read 

to Tessie the dog!

Monday, Sept. 23, 4 p.m.

All children entering kindergarten through 3rd grade can sign up to meet and read to Tessie, a 3 year old labradoodle!

Each session will last approximately 10 - 15 minutes.
Tessie is a certified therapy dog, through Therapy Dog Inc.

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

Fall Program Schedule Available

The Fall Schedule is available! Click here to view it. Hard copies are also available in the Children's Room.

Please note that registration for these programs does not begin until September 25 (except Chess for Kids. You can register for that now in person, in the Children's Room). Different programs have different registration requirements. If you have any questions call, email or stop by the Children's Room.

Topsfield Fair Packet Pick-Up

If you signed up for the Topsfield Fair Packets through our Dig Into Reading program, you need to pick up your packets by next week. We must return all packets that are not picked up to the Topsfield Fair and will not be able to continue to hold them after their deadline.

Stop by the Children's Room any time the library is open to pick them up.

Congratulations to our Photography Contest Winners!

Congratulations to all the winners of our Dig Into Reading Photography Contest 2013!

Children’s Grades 1-3
1st Place: Silvia C.
2nd Place: Isabella O.
3rd Place: Maya B.

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order):
Alison B.
Celia C.
Ella T.
Abby S.
Jack W.
Jessica B.

Children’s Grades 4-6:
1st Place: Michaela D.
2nd Place: Fanny V.
3rd Place: Ian C.

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order): 
Mary C.
Thomas D.
Ainsley S.
Ethan E.
Griffin B.

Look for the winning photographs in upcoming issues of the 
Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle!

Kindermusik Demonstration & Read to a Dog

Next week marks the end of our summer programming, but there's still more fun to be had before school starts. 

Join Susan Carter-Krugman on Monday, August 19 for a Kindermusik Demonstration. There will be three sessions for ages 0-5 years. Siblings are welcome. Please sign up for your age group in the children's room. More information is available here.

On Tuesday, August 20 our favorite dog is back. Children entering Kindergarten through third grade can sign up to read to Tessie the dog! Five slots are available - sign up in the Children's Room. Click for more information. 

Wow, It's Wednesday continues with Vehicle Night and Storytelling!

Wow, It's Wednesday is winding down, but the weeks have still been packed with fun. 

July 31st marked our 15th annual Vehicle Night. Many thanks to all of the police officers, fire fighters and EMT's and many more that made it possible. 

Last night, Davis Bates & Roger Tincknell performed songs and stories including children in the telling. 

Next week concludes our summer programming with our Super Summer Ice Cream Party. All summer readers and photography participants are invited, but we ask you to sign up. So stop by the children's room if you haven't done so yet. 

Monarch Butterfly Program Highlights

On Saturday we held our Monarch Butterfly Program. Charlie Hoffman has been teaching residents how to identify, collect and care for Monarch eggs and caterpillars for over a decade. We were so happy to have him back again. This year is a hard year for Monarchs so if you find them, help them grow or drop them off to be cared for in the children's room. Please see Lorraine if you found some you'd like us to care for.

Sparky's Puppets Performance - Halfway through Summer!

This Wednesday Sparky's Puppets performed several stories including The Fisherman and His Wife and Why the Sea is Salty. Sparky's performance marks the halfway through summer point. If you haven't made it to a Wow, It's Wednesday event make sure you miss no more! 

Next week is our 15th Annual Vehicle Night - don't miss the fun.

Magician Scott Jameson amazes crowd of nearly 200!

This Wow! It's Wednesday! brought Magician Scott Jameson to the library, drawing almost 200 people to his performance. With twists on classics such as metal rings and balloon animals as well as new tricks, Scott Jameson amazed everyone in the room.

Don't miss next week's performance by Sparky's Puppets or click here for the complete Wow! It's Wednesday line-up.

Fairy House Building a Huge Success - Many Thanks to the Sheckells Family

On Saturday children had the chance to come and build a fairy house, create a crown and other crafts as well as skip through a fairy procession complete with bubbles and fairy dust. 

This fantastic idea was brought to us by Tinamarie Sheckells and would not have been possible without her careful planning, enthusiasm and help throughout the event 

(as well as her husband Bryan, and able assistance from the Glass family & Marissa). 

Thank you to all the Sheckells family for all your hard work and help here in the Children's Room!

Check out more pictures from the event on Facebook.

Two Charlies Kick Off Summer Performances

On July 1 Charlie Williams, the Noise Guy kicked off our summer performances with sounds and humor. The children and adults were laughing non-stop at his jokes and sounds as he imitated cars, rain and nails on a chalkboard!

This week, Charlie Hope was the first to perform on our Wow! It's Wednesday! line-up. Performing familiar and new songs, children loved getting up to dance along.

Check out these pictures from the nights and be sure to check out our Wow! It's Wednesday! page so you don't miss any more great events.

Read to Tessie the Dog

Paws to Read 

to Tessie the dog!

Monday, July 29

1:00 PM

All children entering kindergarten through 3rd grade can sign 

up to meet and read to Tessie, a 3 year old labradoodle!

Each session will last approximately 10 - 15 minutes.

Tessie is a certified therapy dog, 

through Therapy Dog Inc.

Pre-registration is required. 

Sign up at the children’s desk or for more information. 

Congratulations to our Dig Into Reading Guessing Contest Winners!

Congratulations to

Seth, 4

Bizzy, 6

and

Annalise, 10

Winners of our

Dig Into Reading Guessing Contest!

There were

48

Gummy Worms in the Box!

Dig Deep into Science with Bryan and Drop-In Terrific Twos and Threes

More information and themes are now available for our Dig Deep Into Science clubs. 

Registration is required, but you can sign up for one, two or all three. (Registration begins Monday, June 24).

We are also happy to announce there will be at least three weeks of Terrific Twos & Threes.

As always, if you have any questions, stop by the Children's Room.

Elementary School Summer Reading Lists

For your convenience we've linked the summer reading lists for you. The elementary grade schools have no specific required titles. Parents and children can make independent choices. The titles on these lists are age appropriate suggestions and recommended goals. If the book you want is out or your child isn't interested in the titles on the list - please stop by the desk for more suggestions from Lorraine or Nicole. The ultimate goal is just to get children reading.

And of course - don't forget to stop by the children's room beginning Monday, June 24 to sign up for our summer reading program.


Winthrop Reading List

Buker Reading List

Cutler Grade 1

Cutler Grade 2

Cutler Grade 3

Cutler Grade 4

Cutler Grade 5

Summer Schedule!

I'm happy to announce that we have published an overview of the summer schedule! 

More information will be coming on some programs, as well as our summer mascot and summer reading store hours, but for now mark your calendars for all these great events. Click the tabs above or the links below for more information and as always if you have any questions, stop by the children's room. 

Summer Weekly Programs

Wow! It's Wednesday!

Super Saturdays!

And don't miss the great programs between now and summer

Art Club

and

Growums 
(registration required)

Lorraine Booktalks the Schools - Favorite Highlights

Lorraine is making her way around the three elementary schools beginning this week to talk about all of our summer programming (schedule to be published later this week) as well booktalk new favorites and highlights from the Massachusetts Children's Book Award. Below are a few of our favorites. The book covers are linked the catalog for easy requesting. This is just the beginning of what she has brought to the schools so if there's something you're child vaguely recalls, stop by the children's desk and we'll help you find it.

The Emerald Atlas - by John Stephens

This was one of this year's MCBA Honor Books. The Emerald Atlas is the story of Kate, Michael and Emma, siblings who have moved from one orphanage to the next until landing in Cambridge Falls. Here in a home with no other orphans, the children discover their life is not as it seems, that magic exists, and the real reason for their parent's disappearance. This book is excellent as an audio narrated by Jim Dale (available in playaway, or book on CD) . Don't miss the sequel The Fire Chronicle!





The One and Only Ivan - by Katherine Applegate

This year's Newbery Award Winner tells the story of a gorilla named Ivan who has lived at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade for as long as he can remember. When a baby elephant is brought to the mall and tells the story of her capture, she brings change to the Big Top Mall and within Ivan himself.


Liar & Spy - by Rebecca Stead

From the author of When You Reach Me comes a new novel. When Georges and his family have to move from their house to an apartment, he meets Safer a spy. Georges joins him in his quest to watch Mr. X a mysterious neighbor, but how far is too far to go for a friend?

The Lions of Little Rock - by Kristine Levine

In 1958, Little Rock, Arkansas closed it's high schools to avoid integration. Set here, The Lions of Little Rock focuses on Marlee and her family. Marlee has never spoken much and is terrified of started middle school, but the new girl Liz begins to bring her out of her shell. When Liz mysteriously disappears, its rumored she was really only passing for white. Marlee decides she doesn't care what color her friend's skin is, but can they maintain a friendship with so much fear and anger in Little Rock?



Palace of Stone - by Shannon Hale

This sequel to The Princess Academy takes place just before Britta's wedding as all the girls from Mount Eskel's Academy travel to Asland for the wedding. Miri attends school, makes new friends, and is forced to confront political ideals in Shannon Hale's sequel that is just as good as the first.

Read to Tessie the Dog!

Paws to Read!

Tuesday, June 25

4:00 pm

Sign up and read to 

Tessie the dog! 

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. 

Art Club Returns!

We are happy to announce that Art Club will be returning for two more weeks before the summer schedule begins. Art Club has changed days and will now meet on Wednesdays at 2:00 pm. Old and new members are welcome - drop in on the fun. 

Art Club

Wednesdays

June 12 & June 19

2:00 pm

Join us for an informal Art Club. 

Designed for children in preschool and up. 

No registration required; 

no experience necessary.

Drop in on the fun to 

create an art project. 

Themes:

June 12: Stained Glass

June 19: Pointillism Painting