Teddy Roosevelt : Mind, Body and Spirit!

Ted Zalewski as TR

An Afternoon with the President
Over four years ago, actor and author Ted Zalewski visited our library and brought to life one of America's greatest presidents, Theodore Roosevelt.  Combining history, drama, and fun, Zalewski's one-man show dazzled a standing-room-only audience.

Encore! Encore!

Mr. Zalewski returns to our library on Saturday, April 7, for an encore performance.  His show gives voice to many of Roosevelt’s own words, writings, and beliefs and shows why Roosevelt's life as a cowboy, soldier, naturalist, historian, father, statesman, and winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace continues to inspire us still.

TR @ your library : January 2008

One Man, One Show, One Unforgettable Hour...
Get ready for a “bully” time with Teddy Roosevelt: Mind, Body and Spirit. A video of Zalewski's performance has been permanently placed in the National Archives, Washington, D.C. He has appeared at a number of Presidential Libraries, including the Reagan, Ford, and Hoover libraries. He has appeared at the White House, the Smithsonian Institution, and The National Theater.

Registration Now Open
For seating purposes, registration is essential and will not be honored beyond the library Community Room's seating capacity. Click here to register online.  The performance begins at 2 p.m.

Program Sponsorship

The program is sponsored by the Durkin Family in honor and celebration of the life of the late Maria B. Durkin. 

St. Paddy's Day Fun

Isn't Everyone Part Irish?

We'll start celebrating St. Patrick's Day tomorrow, Wednesday, March 7, with an evening concert featuring the Kerry Boys, Connecticut's favorite Irish music balladeers.  Enjoy classics and originals performed by "The Boys" : Pierce Campbell, Tony Pasqualoni on bass, and Paul Neri on banjo.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. in the library Community Room; for seating purposes, click here to register.

Books and Reading : Non-Fiction for Adults
Learn a little something :
The Irish Americans : a History by Jay P. Dolan
The Irish Famine by Colm Toibin
The Truth About the Irish by Terry Eagleton
Tracing Your Irish Family History by Anthony Adolph
How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill

Fiction Books for Adults
Great books you may have missed along the way :
Ulysses by James Joyce (Go ahead; we dare ya...)
Fools of Fortune by William Trevor
Trinity by Leon Uris (Skip the sequel)
A Star Called Henry & Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle
Down by the River by Edna O'Brien
Mammy by Brendan O'Carroll
A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry
Everything In This Country Must by Colum McCann

Books for Kids

Check out our Holiday Book collection for go-green selections, both fiction and folklore.  Here's a few fun titles sure to tickle your kiddo's fancy:

It's St. Patrick's Day! by Rebecca Gomez

The Irish Cinderlad by Shirley Climo

St. Patrick's Day Countdown by Salina Yoon

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover by Lucille Colandro

St. Patrick's Day (a textured book for the littlest leprechaun in the family)

St. Patrick's Day in the Morning by Eve Bunting

Reading the Movies

Oscar Recap

Oscar's favorite films were by majority based on books.  More than a few of the books-to-film were bestsellers.  Others found an audience by way of a big screen adaptation.  Catch up on your post-Oscar reading and viewing or in advance of the latest DVD releases.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Whoa! So much consistent demand for this one (in all formats) and we don't wonder why.  Octavia Spencer won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

Albert Nobbs by George Moore
Irish writer George Moore's novella was first published in 1927, was out of print for years, but found it's way to film last year. Glenn Close was nominated for a Best Actress award for her portrayal of Albert, a woman passing as man in 19th century Dublin.  The DVD is slated for release in May 2012.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Martin Scorsese's adaptation of Selznick's Caldecott Award-winning novel garnered five Oscars.  The book is extraordinary and so is the film.  Loved the Best Picture winner but still...

The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings
George Clooney plays the confused but well-meaning dad in a film that won the gold for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay).  The book was Hemmings' debut novel.  The DVD is slated for release on March 13.

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
Based on a great historical fiction book and nominated for six awards including Best Picture, the DVD is set for release on April 3.

Moneyball by Michael Lewis
We've mentioned this one before. With six nominations, the film offered an insightful take on a great book.

My Week With Marilyn by Colin Clark
Michele Williams channels Marilyn Monroe in her Oscar-nominated role.  DVD on March 13.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
Foer's heartbreaking 9/11 novel goes small screen on March 27.

Don't forget Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, John Le Carré's masterful novel.  On March 20, we'll be holding the book's second translation-to-screen incarnation.  Who'll be your favorite George Smiley : Gary Oldman or Alec Guinness?

Isn't It Romantic?

Couples...

Nature lover alert! If you are all in for a little relaxation and inspiration from the natural world, however virtual, check out the Decorah Eagles Live Website.  A webcam has been capturing this raptor pair's every move; the camera's run by The Raptor Resource Project.

Surf's Up

A few cool websites about America's bird :

Anneberg Media's The Bald Eagle

Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology)

Environmental Education for Kids

Smithsonian Institution - Arctic Studies Center

Further Reading

Lovely books to share with your child :

Soaring with the Wind by Gail Gibbons

Bald Eagles by Doug Wechsler

Bald Eagle by Gordon Morrison

My Little Book of Bald Eagles by Hope Irvin Marston

Titanic Tales

100th Anniversary :
RMS Titanic 1912-2012
We all know the story. On April 10, 1912, the Titanic sailed from Southhampton with 2,200 passengers and crew on board.  Four days later, the ship hit an iceberg.  Here's a quick list of latest reads on this infamous event, as lead in to the 100th anniversary of Titanic's sinking.

The Band that Played On : The Extraordinary Story of the 8 Musicians Who Went Down with the Titanic by Steve Turner
The Titanic sank as the ship's band played tunes to calm passengers.  Turner explores the lives and legacies of the musicians who stayed.

Titanic Sinks! by Barry Denenberg
This YA book presents the true story of the building and launching of the Titanic, offers a "you are there" feeling, and details the recollections of actual survivors and their experiences in the lifeboats.

The Watch that Ends the Night : Voices from the Titanic by Allan Wolf
This YA novel recreates the 1912 sinking of the Titanic as observed by millionaire John Jacob Astor, a beautiful young Lebanese refugee finding first love, "Unsinkable" Molly Brown, Captain Smith, and others including the iceberg itself.

Iceberg Right Ahead! The Tragedy of the Titanic by Stephanie Sammartino McPherson
This well-written and researched title for kids includes stellar chapters about explorations of the sunken ship, as well as information about the Titanic in art, literature, and film.

We last blogged about the Titanic in 2009. Click here for still useful links.

Online Services
Use your East Hampton Public Library Card to access Encyclopedia Britannica.  What you'll  find is reputable information about the Titanic as well as links to reputable/related websites, media, and primary sources to supplement your readings.

Life Stories

Memorable Reads

If you are looking for a memorable read, try any of the following memoirs.  Something for everyone in this short list of books about people deeply affected by war, family or personal challenges, and the long road to overcoming.  As is the case with any list, expect at least one guilty read.

What It's Like to Go to War by Karl Marlantes

The author describes his experience as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corp during the Vietnam War and takes time to advocate for ensuring there are strong support systems available to our country's returning veterans.  Pair this memoir with Marlantes' acclaimed novel, Matterhorn.

The Girl's Guide to Homelessness by Brianna Karp

Karp lost her job and took up residence in her RV, which she parked in a California Walmart lot. The author busts the easy stereotypes about the 'whys' of homelessness in this candid memoir.

The Boy in the Moon by Ian Brown
The author's explores the meaning of life and love by way of his son, Walker, one of only 300 people affected by a rare genetic disorder.  The memoir made the NYT's list of top 10 books of 2011.

Missing by Lindsay Harrison
Harrison's memoir details the 40 days between the disappearance of her mother, Michelle, and learning Michelle had committed suicide.  A deeply personal story of grief and healing.

The Dirty Life : a Memoir of Farming, Food and Love by Kristin Kimball
After interviewing a young farmer, the author gave up her urban lifestyle to begin a farm with her interviewee near Lake Champlain in northern New York.

Full Service by Scotty Bowers
In this believe-it-or-not memoir, the author, now age 88, dishes on his lurid escapades as a go-to guy in post WWII Hollywood. TMI?  You decide.

Breaking the Code : A Daughter's Journey into Her Father's Secret War by Karen Fisher Alaniz
When the author's father Murray turned 81 years old, he gave her the letters he'd written home during WWII. What follows is a father-daughter discussion of Murray's role as a code-breaker and his life-long struggle with the aftermath of his WWII experiences.

American Sniper by Chris Kyle with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice
What does it take, both personally and professionally, to work as sniper for the Navy SEALS?  Find out here in Kyle's open account.

Friends of the Library Book Shop Re-Opening Soon

A Little Bit Smaller But Just as Mighty!
It's official!  The Friends of the East Hampton Public Library's Book Shop will re-open for business on Monday, February 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Saturday hours will resume March 3 with open hours set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

What's Featured?  Secondhand Prose
Though a little bit smaller, the Friends Book Shop will still feature a mighty variety of gently used books offered at very affordable prices.  Most hardcover books will sell for no more than $2 and most mass market paperbacks for 25 cents a piece.  "Special books" will be priced to sell though at a modestly higher cost.  Book lovers and bargain hunters are sure to find great deals here.

When the Book Shop Is Closed
You may also visit the library's lobby to select from a similarly great collection of secondhand prose, donated or withdrawn from the East Hampton Public Library's collections.

Like Books?  Want to Serve Your Community? Volunteer at the Book Shop!
If you have a few hours to offer to the Book Shop, please consider volunteering your time on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's a great way to meet neighbors, fellow-readers, and to help the Friends help the library.  For example, proceeds from the Book Shop have fully funded our Museum Pass Program for well more than a decade!  This program passes on significant savings to East Hampton families every year.

If you would like to volunteer, visit the library or phone us at (860) 267-6621 to sign up.

What About Donations?  Still Groovy But Changing
Our very hard-working, all-volunteer Friends continue to organize the new Book Shop so both the Friends and the library staff will ask for your assistance.  Owing to a smaller but still mighty space, donations are very much welcomed but can only be accepted in smaller quantities.  Call or phone the library for information and for Friends contact information.  We'll work with you with many thanks.

You Know It's a Thriller...

Clancy and Then Some

Unfairly described as books for men, novels about the covert world of spies, deadly assassins, and black-ops agents attract their fair share of female readers.  No matter which gender's reader is turning the pages, here's a short list of recent titles by the usual suspects and by authors you may have missed along the way.

Clancy's latest is Locked On, a Jack Ryan thriller.  Pay close attention to the cover and title page, as in with Mark Greaney.

Mark Greaney's latest is Ballistic, the third in Gray Man series.  Main character, Courtland Gentry, is the spy burned in the first book and who 'adjusts' his attitudes in the second and third.  Have fun with this trio.

Barry Eisler's The Detachment is next in the series about John Rain, now a semi-retired assassin.

Full Black is the latest thriller in Brad Thor's Scot Harvath (counter-terrorism operative) series.

If you loved Jo Nesbo's The Snowman, try The Leopard.  Inspector Harry Hole, one of Oslo's finest, investigates a serial killer.

Invincible super-agent Mitch Rapp is back in Vince Flynn's second prequel novel, Kill Shot (after American Assassin), about Rapp's early days with the CIA.

Post 9/11 novel Secret Soldier is Alex Berenson's fifth thriller featuring CIS operative John Wells (after The Midnight House).

Ben Coes' Coup d'Etat (after Power Down) follows series hero Dewey Andreas, a former Delta Force officer, to Pakistan.

Winning Books for Kids

Caldecott and Newbery Medal Awards, 2012 Edition
In late January, the American Library Association announced its Annual Youth Media Awards.  The Caldecott Medal is awarded to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.  The Newbery Medal is awarded to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

If you have not yet had the pleasure, enjoy the winning and honor book titles.

Caldecott Medal Winner
A Ball for Daisy, written and illustrated by Chris Raschka
A wordless book about a spunky dog and his well-loved red ball.

Honor Books
Blackout, written and illustrated by John Rocco
Grandpa Green, written and illustrated by Lane Smith
Me... Jane, written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell

Newbery Medal Winner
Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
In the historic town of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Jack Gantos spends the summer of 1962 grounded for various offenses until he is assigned to help an elderly neighbor with a most unusual chore involving the newly dead, molten wax, twisted promises, Girl Scout cookies, underage driving, lessons from history, typewriting, and countless bloody noses.

Honor Books
Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin

Hugs and Smooches

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day brings to mind hearts and flowers but also reminds us of the importance of family and friendship.  Here's a short list of titles sure to inspire cuddle or conversation time with the kiddos.  The list includes new and classic titles, many with a useful lesson or two, followed by a short video reminder of why we all love February 14th.

Picture Books
All Kinds of Kisses by Nancy Tafuri
Big Hugs, Little Hugs by Felicia Bond
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Hugs from Pearl by Paul Schmid
I Love the Purplest by Barbara M. Joosse
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Mr. Prickles : A Quill-Fated Love Story by Kara Lareau
My Heart Is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall
Snowy Valentine by David Peterson
You : A Story of Love and Friendship by Stephen Michael King

For Older Readers
Babymouse no. 5 : Heartbreaker by Jennifer L. Holm
Geronimo’s Valentine by Gironimo Stilon
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Nate the Great and the Mushy Valentine by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Raymond and Graham, Dancing Dudes by Mike Knudson

Holiday Books
The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond
It's Valentine's Day by Jack Prelutsky
Mouse’s First Valentine by Lauren Thompson
Roses Are Pink and Your Feet Really Stink by Diane deGroat

Archaeology Matters

The Terra Cotta Army

Terra-cotta army. Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica Online Library Edition.

Our community includes many local residents who travel widely for different reasons.  Late last year, one such resident traveled to China and visited the Qin Tomb, an ancient archaeological site well more than 2000 years old. The site contains an army of over 8,000 life-size terra-cotta soldiers; digging and restoration of the site continues to this day.

Next time you visit the library, scan the display shelves behind our circulation desk and play I Spy.  Between the fun figures, children's book character favorites, and pop-culture icons, find a well-done replica of a terra-cotta general, a gift to library by our world-travelling patron. Thank you, Pam!

To Learn More
The Qin Dynasty Terra-Cotta Army of Dreams by Lin Zhang
The Emperor's Silent Army : Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China by Jane O'Connor
The Terra Cotta Army : China's First Emperor and the Birth of a Nation by John Man
China's Terracotta Warriors, PBS Home Video

Also learn more about the Qin Tomb by using Encyclopædia Britannica Online Library Edition with your East Hampton Public Library card; find a variety of multi-media material in your search.

On Display : Beginning Next Week

Watch for the roll-out of our bulletin board display (left), all about the terra-cotta warriors with artwork by library staff member, Phil Carr. 

  

Earth Day 2012 Backyard Composting Campaign

Going Green
Kitchen scraps and yard trimmings make up 20 to 30 percent of all household wastes.  To help reduce what goes to a landfill, the library, in collaboration with East Hampton Public Works, will again be participating in the Northeast Resource Recovery Association's (NRRA) annual Backyard Composting Campaign.

In our third year of participation, any of four environmentally-friendly products will be available for purchase:

The Earth MachineTM Compost Bin : $52 ($100 retail value)
SysternTM Rain Barrel : $67 ($120 retail value)
Compost Turner : $20 ($31 retail value)
Kitchen Scrap Pails : $10

Click here for more detail about the products.

Get Ready to Go Green with Your Order
Click here to download an order form. Pre-paid orders will be accepted at the library until April 2, 2012.  Ordered items will be available for local distribution at East Hampton Public Works during the week of April 16, just in time for Earth Day, April 22.

About the Program
The library and East Hampton Public Works collaborate to participate in the NRRA program as a service to our community. There is a mark-up ($5 or $2) on the price we pay NRRA for the products you order.  The mark-up mainly covers Connecticut sales tax; the modest overage (about $100 in each of the last two years) we've used to buy books about eco-friendly topics.

Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge

A Cold Snowy Day Is a Good Day to Think About Saving Energy
If you have not yet participated in the Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge, today's a good day to think about the benefits of doing so.

Check out the N2N website for information on how to sign up for a free lighting retrofit, completing an inexpensive Home Energy Solutions Assessment, or attending workshops to learn about a variety of energy issues from basic to specific (preventing ice dams, for example).  If you have completed an Energy Solutions visit, also look for info on deeper energy savings that come from taking advantage of tax incentives, low-interest financing, and rebates on energy-saving upgrades to your home.

Tax Information Roundup

Tax Information at the EHPL
Tax forms are still arriving (everyone's favorite time of year) so we'll offer a quick roundup of where to find what you need.

Paper Forms and Booklets
The library receives an array of fairly standard federal and state tax forms. Forms and related booklet racks are located in the library's lobby.

On the Web : Forms and Other Resources
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) : Link to this official federal government site for forms, publications, and general guidance.

Department of Revenue Services, State of Connecticut : Link to DRS and find tax forms, publications, and information about online filing.

Assistance With Form Printing
Ask at the front desk if you need assistance finding and printing an online form or publication, federal or state.

Free Filing and Paid Preparers
Check out the freefile page on the IRS site to see if you are eligible to use the services listed.  If you prefer a very local and personalized approach, please do keep in mind the many local business folks who offer tax preparation and financial planning services.   

Planning Ahead : Grow Your Own Food

Sorting Through the Seeds

Though it may be a tad too early to start ordering seeds, it's never too early to plan for the greener days ahead.  Your library's gardening collection features a wide range of titles about organic gardening and as a subset, growing your own food.  Here's a quick list of available and incoming titles tied to the heirloom seed movement and related interests; these may come in handy during warmer days.

Heirloom Life Gardener : The Baker Creek Way of Food Easily and Naturally by Jere Gettle

Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Own Food : Save Money, Live Better, and Enjoy Life with Food From Your Garden by Monte Burch

Perennial Vegetables : From Artichokes to 'Zuiki' Taro, a Gardener's Guide to Over 100 Delicious Easy-to-Grow Edibles by Eric Toensmeier

Beginner's Guide to Growing Heirloom Vegetables : the 100 Easiest-to-Grow, Tastiest-to-Eat Vegetables for Your Garden by Marie Iannotti

Gardening with Heirloom Seeds by Lynn Coulter

The Heirloom Tomato by Amy Goldman or The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes by Cherie Everhart

What's Wrong with My Vegetable Garden? by David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth

Garden Up! by Susan Morrison and Rebecca Sweet or Vertical Gardening by Derek Fell

Surf's Up
A few cool web sites for your perusal :
UCONN Home & Garden Education Center
National Gardening Association
CT Northeast Organic Farming Association
Kitchen Gardeners International
Seed Savers Exchange

Winter Fun for Kids

Something Fun for Everyone

Though the winter weather outside has been calm so far, it seems like a good idea to have kiddo-friendly activity ideas up your sleeve if the trend changes.  Here's a quick list of recent books chock full of ideas suitable for every type of family budget or range of interests.

The Kids Winter Fun Book : Homespun Adventures for Family Fun

Authors Claire Gillman and Sam Martin detail a variety of boredom-busting activities, both indoor and outdoor.

Kids Guide to Paper Airplanes by Christopher Harbo

If you have a budding engineer in the family, this one provides instructions and diagrams for making a variety of traditional paper airplanes.

Sort-of-difficult Origami by Chris Alexander

Though not for novices, the step-by-step instructions are well-explained and illustrated.  Fold and fold and fold again to make a fox mask, a penguin, a seal, and more.

Valentine Crafts by Greta Speechley

The simpler crafts give this title its shine and offer a great way to help your child craft a special gift for that special someone in their life.

Scrapbooking Just for You! How to Make Fun, Personal, Save-Them-Forever Keepsakes by Candice F. Ransom

The author offers a solid introduction to a very popular pastime with examples geared mainly to girls, grades 4 and up.

Modeling Clay Animals by Bernadette Cuxart

Using non-drying clay, follow basic tips and instructions to create animal sculptures, including ladybugs, giraffes, crabs, dogs, rabbits, and turtles.

George Washington : 25 Great Projects You Can Build Yourself

Carla Mooney and Samuel Carbaugh outline the basics of Washington's life, accompanied by doable, historically-informed activities. An interesting choice for President's Day learning, grades 3-5.

Everyday's a Holiday : Year-round Crafting with Kids by Heidi Kenney

Craft ideas for classic and not-so-classic holidays. Many of the ideas can be adapted, and re-adapted, to "celebrate" holidays of your own making.

Modern Scholar Lectures on CD

"Imagine learning from some of the greatest living scholars... Well, now you can!"

If you are looking for some quality but also entertaining listening material... say, something more weighty than latest audio fiction book... why not listen to lectures from a college caliber course at your own pace, in your own time, and whenever you're in the mood to think big?

Modern Scholar Lectures

The library is incrementally rolling out a collection of audio titles from the Modern Scholar Series; the series features high-interest, college-level course lectures recorded by great professors who teach at top colleges and universities.  Listeners seeking a refresher course, an enriched understanding of career-related subjects, or a way to casually learn about culturally significant topics may enjoy this emerging collection.

Example Titles in the Series

Elemental Matters : An Introduction to Chemistry

Rules of the Game : How Government Works and Why It Sometimes Doesn't

The People's Dynasty : Culture and Society in Modern China

Understanding Movies : The Art and History of Films

Click here for other titles in the series with expectation of fifteen additional titles added by June 2012.  The Modern Scholar Series is in large part funded with memorial donations made in memory of Maria B. Durkin.

Oogy and Tuesday and Roselle and Otto and Me

Books for Dog Lovers

If you are loving the pooches in your life, here's a quick list of books, recent and continuously popular, that you may have missed along the way.  There is no shortage of inspiration to be found between the covers.  Woof!

Last Dog on the Hill by Steve Duno

Oogy : The Dog Only a Family Could Love by Larry Levin
The Puppy Diaries by Jill Abramson
Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson with Susy Flory
Until Tuesday by Luis Carlos Montalvan with Bret Witter
You Had Me at Woof by Julie Klam
Rin Tin Tin : The Life and the Legend by Susan Orlean
A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron (Fiction)
101 Fun Things to Do With Your Dog by Alison Smith (For Families)
Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (Fiction)
The Puppy That Came for Christmas by Megan Rix
Dog Sense by John Bradshaw
Be the Pack Leader by Cesar Millan
The Art of Raising a Puppy by Monks of New Skete
Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant (Kiddo Classic)
 
Books About Specific Breeds
The library has a substantial collection of books about specific breeds, different approaches to choosing and training a puppy, and otherwise having fun with your pooch.  Our Children's Services book collection also features a wide range of picture books devoted to all things dog, for the little person and best animal pal in your family's life.

Think Snow!

Snow Books for Kids
To the last, we all shoveled and plowed mountains of snow last winter yet here we are in early January 2012 with nary a snowflake in sight.  Whether this is good or bad news to you, we suspect your kiddos are probably thinking snow no matter what.

Here's a short list of contemporary snowy season theme books for little people, accompanied by a quick list of classics:

It's Snowing! by Gail Gibbons
Snowbots by Aaron Reynolds
Snowmen All Year by Caralyn Buehner
Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit by Il Sung Na
Little Mist by Angela McAllister
The Snow Day by Komako Sakai
The Smallest Snowflake by Bernadette Watts
Snow by Cynthia Rylant
Snowy, Blowy Winter by Bob Raczka
Bedtime for Bear by Brett Helquist

Cool Classics
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
Stranger in the Woods by Carl R. Sams
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton
The Snow Bear by Miriam Moss
Snowballs by Lois Ehlert
Snow by Uri Shulevitz

Song of the Airline Trail

Photo courtesy of the CT DEP

An Adventure... On the Airline Trail...
Last December, seven creative kiddos teamed up with our State Troubadour, Chuck Costa, to write a song about a favorite East Hampton place.  The group chose to write about the Airline Trail.  See our previous post about the progam.

Our Songwriters
First Row, Left to Right : Alexander Link, Elijah De Siqueria Campos McLaughlin, Vanessa Naughton, Elizabeth Link, London Brazel, Lucia Petruzziello, Dante Petruzziello Standing : Chuck E. Costa (CT State Troubadour), Mira Stanley

Song of the Airline Trail : Sing Along East Hampton!
Click here to listen to the song.
The song is slated to be included on a CT sings CD, the outcome of Costa's statewide songwriting project featuring Connecticut-inspired songs by Connecticut children. 

Chorus
It used to be a train track
now it's the Airline Trail
bikes, beasts and feet
go down the worn out rail
someday you might go there
an adventure
on the Airline Trail

One day in the springtime
I went biking there
from East Hampton to Willimantic
23 miles of fresh air

Biking in the summer
grasshoppers jumping 'round
over the viaduct
a buzzing and fluttering sound

Chorus

Miles away from everything
in a sea of golden leaves
letter boxes off the trail
look like they're full of mail

Now it's getting colder
the cranberry bog is frozen
skating and some hockey
under clouds that want to be snowing

Chorus

Who Votes In January? You Do!

2012 Nutmeg Book Awards

If you have not yet had the pleasure -- and we know so many who have -- there is still time to read another Nutmeg Book Award nominee or otherwise weigh in on which title you've read and liked best.

Think big! Which title made you laugh? Which made you ponder a new idea? Which characters did you feel like you knew or would like to know better? Which book did you talk about most or recommend to a friend?

Vote for Your Favorite @ your library or school

Voting for the Nutmeg Award runs from January 2 to January 31.  Click here for a list of Nutmeg-nominated titles for intermediate grades 4-6 (jacket art above). Click here for a list of teen titles, grades 7-8.  All of the Nutmeg titles are available at the library. 

About the Nutmeg Book Award

Established in 1991, the annual Nutmeg Book Award encourages all Connecticut children in grades 4-8 to read great books and vote for their favorite from a list of nominated titles. Jointly sponsored by the Connecticut Library Association and the Connecticut Association of School Librarians, the Nutmeg Committee is comprised of children’s librarians, school library media specialists and student representatives. They read hundreds of books to come up with the two lists which are fairly balanced by gender, reading level, and genre.

Books must also meet certain criteria to be considered for the award. These include: being fiction, with appeal for readers in grades 4-6 (intermediate) or 7-8 (teen); copyrighted in the United States and first published no more than five years from date of selection; currently in print, and available in paperback; and, obviously, well-written.

Create... Invent... LEGO!

Contraptions, Machines, and Wonders on Wheels

If you have a LEGOTM fan in the house (who doesn't?), try any of the titles in the LEGO Technic Idea series by technical writer and Lego guru, Yoshihito Isogawa.  Even if you don't have all the parts ;-(  you can still use the books to set your imagination free, improvise, invent, and build very cool functional models.

Now Showing in Our Library Display Case

Next time you stop by the library, check out our display case, the contents of which chronicles the extraordinary success of East Hampton's 2011 FIRST LEGO League teams : Belltown Bots, Brick Bros, and Nanotech Ninjas. All first year teams, team members competed in Connecticut regional competitions; the Belltown Bots went on to compete in the State Championship.  All three teams and all team members made our community bust its buttons with pride and admiration!

Funding our 2011 teams came with major support by the East Hampton Rotary Club and support from the East Hampton Public Library, Anchor Lodge, and East Hampton Parks & Recreation.

East Hampton FLL 2012

Watch for information on how your kiddo can participate in East Hampton's FIRST LEGO League, 2012 season. The league is open to girls and boys, ages 9-14, with an interest in cutting-edge science, technology, and exploring and recommending engineered solutions to real-world problems.  FLL pamphlets are available at the library and include a label with local contact information.

Further Reading

Click here for other books and games with Lego-friendly themes.   

Museum Pass Deals

Take Two!
Planning a day trip?  You may now borrow the following museum passes together, subject to availability:

The Mark Twain House & Harriet Beecher Stowe House are located next door to each other.  Borrow the passes together and explore the private lives of these two highly influential American authors.

Make a day of it in Hartford by borrowing the Wadsworth Atheneum pass and the Old State House pass at the same time.  Subject to availability, you may also request a discount coupon for the CT Science Center.  Add to your trip list a visit to the Museum of Connecticut History (also in Hartford) where admission is always free.

Take a trip to Mystic and enjoy the Mystic Aquarium & Institute of Exploration and the Mystic Seaport.

Reserves and Loan Periods
Each pass may be reserved by phone 24 hours in advance of the day you plan to check out the pass or use it.  Passes circulate for 2 days and are funded by the Friends of the East Hampton Library.

Combination offers are suspended during school vacations and July/August.