I Laughed! I Cried! It Was So Romantic!

Favorite Romance Novels?
With Valentine's Day fast approaching, romance may be much on your mind. Let us not forget greeting cards, flowers, a great dinner pour deux, or perhaps an addition to your favorite someone's 'bling' collection.

All of this being said and scheduled, February is also a good time to catch a ride on the romance reader train. Here's a few romance and love story titles suggested by local readers in an unscientific survey. Read 'em and weep...

Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon
Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

MacKenzie's Mountain by Linda Howard
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer
Atonement by Ian McEwan
Too Good to Be True by Kristan Higgins
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

From This Day by Nora Roberts
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
The End of the Affair by Graham Greene
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
Sophie's Choice by William Styron
A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux

Snackin' and the Super Bowl

Perfect Partners
If you are planning a party for the... big... day... we offer a few quick book lists; titles sure to help you add a little "yum" to the festivities. Pick and choose from these and many other titles available at the library.

Pizza Party!
You can always order out but can also do it yourself.
My Pizza : the Easy No-knead Way to Make Spectacular Pizza at Home by Jim Lahey with Rick Flaste
Pizza : Grill it, Bake it, Love it! by Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough
Pizza on the Grill : 100 Feisty Fire-roasted Recipes for Pizza & More by Elizabeth Karmel and Bob Blumer

Image courtesy of eatright.org

Are You Ready for Some Popcorn?
Perhaps you missed National Popcorn Day on January 19th? There's still time to celebrate this odd holiday on February 3rd:
Popcorn Treats : Delicious Recipes for Savoury Snacks & Sweet Treats by Hannah Miles
Let's Cook with Popcorn! : Delicious & Fun Popcorn Dishes Kids Can Make by Nancy Tuminelly
101 Things to Do with Popcorn by Christina Dymock

Planning Ahead : Slow Cooking
Go with a theme : Mexican, Mediterranean, or French or pick and choose from:
150 Best Slow Cooker Recipes by Judith Finlayson
The 150 Healthiest Slow Cooker Recipes on Earth by Jonny Bowden and Jeannette Bessinger
The Everything Vegan Slow Cooker by Amy Snyder
Slow Cooker Revolution : One Test Kitchen, 30 Slow Cookers, 200 Amazing Recipes by the editors at America's Test Kitchen

A Sandwich By Any Other Name
Supply the ingredients and play make-your-own "sammich" with your guests.
Emeril's Kicked-up Sandwiches : Stacked with Flavor by Emeril Lagasse
Vegan Sandwiches Save the Day! : Revolutionary New Takes on Everyone's Favorite Anytime Meal by Celine Steen and Tamasin Noyes
200 Best Panini Recipes by Tiffany Collins
American Sandwich : Great Eats from All 50 States by Becky Mercuri
Panini by Melanie Barnard

Mix and Match on the Tasty Front
Snackin' around the big TV; have a happy football day!
Small Bites : Tapas, Sushi, Mezze, Antipasta, and Other Finger Foods by Jennifer Joyce
Salsas of the World by Mark Miller with Robert Quintana
Wings : More Than 50 High-flying Recipes for America's Favorite Snack by Debbie Moose
Gourmet Game Night : Bite-sized, Mess-free Eating for Board-game Parties, Bridge Clubs, Poker Nights, Book Groups, and More by Cynthia Nims

A Football Cookbook : Simple Recipes for Kids by Sarah L. Schuette
Gluten-free Vegan Comfort food : 125 Simple and Satisfying Recipes, From "Mac and Cheese" to Chocolate Cupcakes by Susan O'Brien
America's Best Ribs : Tips and Recipes for Easy, Lip-smacking, Pull-off-the-bone, Pass-the-sauce, Championship-quality BBQ Ribs at Home... by Ardie A. Davis and Paul Kirk

Surf's Up : A Food-Friendly Feud
Peruse menu ideas for Baltimore or San Francisco fans from the foodies at Epicurious. If you're neutral, you can always tip your chef's hat to New Orleans.

Happy Anniversary, Mr. Darcy...

Bennet Sisters, Too
On January 28th, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice celebrates its 200th anniversary. Read (or re-read the book), listen on CD or downloadable audio, watch the book-to-film (Hello, Mr. Firth), and please do expect the decade-long Austen craze to continue...

Quick lists in several categories:

Popular Fiction Inspired by Jane
Jane Austin in Boca by Paula Marantz Cohen
The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler
Austenland by Shannon Hale
Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
Jane Austen Mysteries by Stephanie Barron
I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend by Cora Harrison

Austen-Inspired Films
Becoming Jane
Bridget Jones's Diary
Clueless
The Jane Austen Book Club

Non-Fiction Reads
A Jane Austen Education : How Six Novels Taught Me About Love, Friendship, and the Things that Really Matter by William Deresiewicz
The Jane Austen Handbook : Proper Life Skills From Regency England by Margaret C. Sullivan
What Matters in Jane Austen? : Twenty Crucial Puzzles Solved by John Mullan

Surf's Up for Austenites
You choice to link-to :
The Republic of Pemberley : for the very true-blue.
Jane Austen Society of North America
Austenprose : All that is Austen and then some.
Austentacious : Three American fans of the BBC share their thoughts...

... and our favorite : Pride and Prejudice as told through Facebook status updates, courtesy of DeeDee Baldwin.

Take Your Child to the Library Day!

The Name and Logo are copyrighted work held
by the Connecticut Library Consortium and
artist Nancy Elizabeth Wallace. Used by permission. 

Let's Have Some Fun... Library Style!
Join us on Saturday, February 2, for a full day's worth of events all about you! For all ages.

Schedule of Events
Here's a quick line-up of scheduled events. For each event you attend, you may fill out a ticket to take a chance on winning a small prize at end of each event. All tickets will be entered in end-of-day Grand Prize drawing!

10:00 a.m. Story Hour
Join us for super stories about books and the library. We will also sing and dance, just in case you'd like to wear your favorite shoes (comfy, colorful, blinking, sparkly, sporty) for a shoe-riffic photo ready to share.

11:00 a..m. Craft : Owl Love You
Come join us for our "Owl Love You!" craft. This adorable owl craft, made entirely out of gently folded paper hearts and decorated with a potato stamp, comes just in time for Valentine's Day giving. For ages 4-8; registration is required.

12:00 p.m. Bookmark Design Contest
We'll supply the tools; you design a bookmark! Our contest will have three winners, based on age group. We will print 25 copies of each winning bookmark design for all to share and mark their place in a favorite book.

1:00 p.m. Face Painting, Balloon Twisting, and Get Cartoonized!
Get your face painted by local resident Cheri Kelley; learn to twist simple balloon animals with library staff member Phil Carr, or get a cartoon version of yourself drawn by Children's Services Librarian, Tim Guay!

2:00 p.m. Trivia Contest
What color do you get when you mix red and blue? What is the capital of France? What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow? Join us for a trivia contest with a variety of questions for all ages levels.

3:00 p.m. Scavenger Hunt
Work in teams; decode clues; and use a compass to hunt for and find hidden treasures, small but nifty.

So Much to Do on Take Your Child to the Library Day!
Also plan to have some fun with :

• Board games
• Puzzles donated by the MOM's Club of East Hampton, CT
• Our Jelly Bean Guessing Contest, or...
• Pin the book on the Library!

About Take Your Child to the Library Day

Take Your Child to the Library Day is a Connecticut-grown, grass-roots project dreamed up in 2012 by Nadine Lipman, Children's Services Librarian at the Waterford (CT) Public Library. Now it's second year, this annual event created by Lipman and Caitlin Augusta (Stratford Library Association), has become a national campaign dedicated to bringing more children into their local libraries. As of January 16, 2013, 229 libraries (33 states, 3 countries, 1 province, and 1 school library) had signed on to participate. 

Odd But Wonderful Holidays

Winnie the Pooh Day!
“A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.” ~ Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh Day : Friday, January 18th
The creator of Winnie the Pooh, author A.A. Milne, was born on January 18, 1882 so quite naturally January 18th is Winnie the Pooh Day! Take a little Friday time to share bear-time with your kids, plus Winnie's pals Eeyore, Piglet, Tigger, and Christopher Robin. Click here for a quick list of titles.

Winnie the Pooh : Not Just for Kids?
Check out a Pooh wisdom adaptation courtesy of Forbes; this one rated one of the top 5 customer service articles at the turn of 2013's calendar year.

Pooh and Friends Originals
Check out Treasures of the New York Public Library.

A Pooh-Friendly Tune
Your choice to click on over to YouTube : House at Pooh Corner, performed by Loggins and Messina.

Tax Form Update

Paper Forms
We understand many in our community traditionally look to our library as a convenient source of printed tax forms. Please note that the IRS has reduced distribution points for tax forms and libraries were included in the plan.

The IRS will provide us with a select number of forms. A few paper schedules have arrived but instruction booklets are not expected for a few weeks. Tax forms and instructions are first-come, first-served; we cannot set aside documents for you. Form racks are located in the library's lobby.

Form Downloads
Some forms are, however, now available online. We do offer free computer access to download tax forms from government web sites; printing is available for a nominal fee; i.e., 10 cents per page.
Federal Publications and Forms
Connecticut Publications and Forms

Beginning January 30
The IRS reports processing paper and e-file tax returns will begin starting on January 30. This year the filing deadline is April 15, 2013. According the IRS web site, households claiming key forms on their returns will be able to start in late February or March.

e-File (Federal)
Free File (Federal)

Tax Preparation Assistance
2012 Tax Centers List
Also check with the East Hampton Senior Center to determine if you are eligible to participate in an AARP tax clinic offered through the Center.

Resolutions

New Year, New You?
Well before the clock strikes midnight, we all resolve to make some sort of change in a new year. Whether you've resolved to exercise more, lose weight, spend more time with your family -- improve relationships, revive a set-aside talent, or try something new -- the library resolves to offer a variety of titles to support your goals.

Quick lists follow and don't forget to recommend a good read for library purchase, either online or in person.

Diet and Exercise
A few of the latest or most popular :

The Miracle Carb Diet by Tanya Zuckerbrot
The Digest Diet by Liz Vaccariello
Everyday Paleo Family Cookbook by Sarah Fragoso
Eat to Defeat Menopause by Karen Giblin and Mache Seibel
Body by You by Mark Lauren
Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook
Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Dummies by Meri Raffetto and Wendy Jo Peterson
7 Years Younger by the Editors of Good Housekeeping
The First 20 minutes : the Myth-busting Science That Shows How We Can Walk Farther, Run Faster, and Live Longer by Gretchen Reynolds

Making the Most of Your Gadget
Enjoy titles sure to appeal to the gadgeteer in you : smartphones, iPad, with several how-to books for popular tablets on the way. Don't forget a variety of resources, a few mentioned here, on how to achieve better digital camera results.

Relationship Building
Better family or work communication on your list for 2013? Here's a few on-point titles. Mix and match!

Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler
Just Listen : Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Everyone by Mark Goulston
Would It Kill You to Stop Doing That? : A Modern Guide to Manners by Henry Alford
Decisive Parenting : Strategies That Work With Teenagers by Michael Hammond

Personal Growth
From different perspectives :

The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John C. Maxwell
The Big Shift : Navigating the New Stage Beyond Midlife by Marc Freedman
Making Good : Finding Meaning, Money, and Community In a Changing World by Billy Parish and Dev Aujla
Happier at Home : Kiss More, Jump More, Abandon a Project, Read Samuel Johnson, and My Other Experiments in the Practice of Everyday Life by Gretchen Rubin
There's a Better Day A-Comin' by Ronda Rich
The Procrastination Equation : How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Things Done by Piers Steel
The Art of Procrastination : A Guide to Effective Dawdling, Lollygagging and Postponing by John Perry

Don't Be Afraid to Just Call Me!

Reserve Notifications Just Got a Little Easier...
If you are currently receiving email notifications to pickup items you've reserved for checkout, you may also receive these notices on your cell phone. All you need to do is update your patron record and append your cell phone number to your email address.  Here's how you can opt in to the service:

Login in to your local library account. Your user name is your library barcode number, printed on the back of your card; the password is yours. If you don't know or remember your password, give us a call. We'd also encourage you to reset your password with some frequency as a hedge against losing your card.

Click on My Account
Verify your email account name then insert a comma, your cell phone number@ your provider's messaging address. Example? emailname@email.com,8605551111@provider.xxx

A Number of Cell Providers and Their Formats
Next time you stop by the library, pick up a quick list of providers and the format you'll need to use to accept a cell phone message.

In the Garden : 2012 Edition

Regards to Our Gardens
Gardening books come in all varieties and are fun to read, even if your thumb isn't as green as you might like. We offer a quick list of 2012's high-profile and/or award-winning gardening books -- not all of them DIY -- but all sure to instruct, impress, and inspire.

Decoding Garden Advice : The Science Behind the 100 Most Common Recommendations by Jeff Gillman and Meleah Maynard

American Grown: How the White House Kitchen Garden Inspires Families, Schools and Communities by Michelle Obama

What a Plant Knows: A Field Guide to the Senses by Daniel Chamovitz

The Layered Garden: Design Lessons for Year-Round Beauty from Brandywine Cottage by David Culp

How Carrots Won the Trojan War by Rebecca Rupp

The Untamed Garden : A Revealing Look at Our Love Affair With Plants by Sonia Day

Little House in the Suburbs : Backyard Farming and Home Skills for Self-sufficient Living by Deanna Caswell and Daisy Siskin

The Year-round Vegetable Gardener : How to Grow Your Own Food 365 Days a Year No Matter Where You Live by Niki Jabbour

Small Green Roofs by Nigel Dunnett

The Holistic Orchard : Tree Fruits and Berries the Biological Way by Michael Phillips

Free-range Chicken Gardens : How to Create a Beautiful, Chicken-friendly Yard by Jessi Bloom

The Beginner's Guide to Growing Heirloom Vegetables by Marie Iannotti

All Hearts On Deck!

Hearts On Hands Crunch Time...
By now, just about everyone in our community has heard about The Kissing Hand Mitten Project, conceived by our extraordinarily humble neighbor, Kim Piscatelli.

If you are not a knitter but would like to contribute your time, basic sewing skills and heart to the cause, here's one easy way to support the Kissing Hand Project:

Show Your Heart, Sew A Heart
Beginning Monday, January 7, you can pick up one or more mitten/glove kits at the library. Each kit contains a pair of mittens or gloves, felt, a 'kissing hand' heart template for the felt, and yarn. Sew one heart on to each of the mittens or gloves; also use the yarn to connect the pair. Work at the library as a group (we'll make room) or take a few kits home to share with your neighbors.

All completed Kissing Hand kits must be returned to library on Friday, January 11 by 3:00 p.m.

All of the kit components, 50 plus, were donated by local and area residents. Hope to see you Monday and let's get sewing!

Sports Page : 2012 Edition

Reader Up!
Sports books take up their fair share of slots on bestseller lists, both short and long. Here are but a few sports titles in our collection that found their way into the spotlight in 2012.

Fenway 1912 : the Birth of a Ballpark, a Championship Season, and Fenway's Remarkable First Season by Glenn Stout
Essential reading for any Red Sox fan.

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach
A baseball star at a small college launches a routine throw that goes disastrously off course and inadvertently changes the lives of five people. The author's debut novel.

When the Garden Was Eden : Clyde, the Captain, Dollar Bill, and the Glory Days of the Old Knicks by Harvey Araton
A recounting of the 1970's Knicks and how they made their way to two NBA championships.

American Triumvirate : Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, and the Modern Age of Golf by James Dodson
A celebration of three legendary champions on the centennial of their births in 1912.

Chasing Dean : Surfing America's Hurricane States by Tom Anderson
Re-released in 2012, a quirky read about science and surfing. Pair this one with fiction book, The Dawn Patrol by Don Winslow or Susan Casey's non-fiction book, The Wave.

Girl Hunter : Revolutionizing the Way We Eat, One Hunt at a Time by Georgia Pellegrini
The second book from a popular foodie blogger.

Eat and Run : My Unlikely Journey to Ultra-Marathon Greatness by Scott Jurek
The ultra-runner author opens up about his life and career as an elite athlete.

The Secret Race : Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France by Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle
Exciting, quick moving, shocking and winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year.

The Good Son : the Life of Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini by Mark Kriegel
The story of fathers and fighters. Even if you don't watch boxing, this one's a great read.

Sweetness: the Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton by Jeff Pearlman
The challenging and not all glittery story of a Chicago Bears superstar.

Cooler Than Cool : Young Adult Books 2012

Great for Adults, Too
YA books sales skyrocketed this year and the Hunger Games Trilogy offered proof positive that young adult books aren't just for young adults anymore. We offer a quick list of YA and tween-age reads, all of which appeared on one or more of 2012's notable book lists.

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
The companion book to Graceling and Fire.

Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick
A National Book Award Finalist from the author of Cut, a summer reading list favorite. Based on true story.

Son by Lois Lowry
The final book in a quintet, companion to : The Giver, Gathering Blue, and Messenger.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
An excellent, complex, and unforgettable read and no, no, no -- not anything like summer reading list favorite, Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper. Pair Green's book with Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson. Both are great choices for adults, too.

A Tale Dark and Grimm and In a Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz
Enjoy classic fairly tales -- homage to the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen -- but with a decidedly creative twist and just enough 'yuk' to please the crowd.

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde
Not the first adult book author to throw a hat into the YA ring; this one's the first in the Chronicles of Kazam series.

Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead
Follow-up to the author's Newbery-winning title, How You Reach Me. Both are quirky and fun to read.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Wein's book is as cool as they come. A great pick for families who share an interest in mystery, historical, adventure, and friendship reads.

Angelfall by Susan Ee
First in a planned series and another in a stream of YA novels with a post-apocalyptic theme.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Lemony Snicket for older kids. Great vintage photographs; a sequel is planned and the film rights have been purchased...

Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Last in a series of four.

Crossed by Ally Condie
A sequel to Matched. Sequel to sequel, Reached, is already available.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Historical fiction, based on the author's family experiences and a 2012 YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) award winner.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
From the author of the Scorpio Races and Wolves of Mercy Falls series, all unconventional YA reads that respect the reader.

Every Day by David Levithan
What would happen if you were able to take over the body of a different person each day at midnight? Explore some very, very interesting questions with this one.

The Best of the Best : Reading Roundup 2012

Image courtesy of the East Lansing
Public Library (Michigan)

Making a List or Two or Three...
What's a 'best book'? Tough call and a highly personal one for sure. However, as we count down to 2013 we'll be using the week ahead to highlight 'best books' included on a variety of lists from a variety of sources.

From the NYT
The top ten features five fiction and five non-fiction reads. The list includes a Booker Prize and a National Book Award winner.

Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel
This and its predecessor, Wolf Hall, won the Man Booker Prize and is set in the days of Henry VIII.
Building Stories by Chris Ware*
A Hologram for the King by Dave Eggers
NW by Zadie Smith
The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers

Behind the Beautiful Forevers : Life, Death, and Hope in the Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo*
2012's National Book Award Winner in the non-Fiction category explores life in Annawadi, a Mumbai slum.
Far From the Tree : Parents, Children, and the Search for Identity by Andrew Solomon
The Passage of Power : The Years of Lyndon Johnson by Robert A. Caro*
The Patriarch : The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy by David Nasaw*
Why Does the World Exist? : An Existential Detective Story by Jim Holt

Parent's Magazine

"Reads they'll relish"...

Z Is for Moose by Kelly Bingham and Paul O. Zelinsky
Trains Go by Steve Light
Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Sky Color by Peter H. Reynolds
Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature by Nicola Davies and Mark Hearld
The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer
Mrs. Noodlekugel by Daniel Pinkwater and Adam Stower
Wonder by R. J. Palacio

Newsday

Including four other titles, which also made the NYT's top 10 list*, these eight round out Newsday's top 12:

Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Beautiful Ruins : a Novel by Jess Walter
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Monkey Mind : A Memoir of Anxiety by Daniel Smith
May We Be Forgiven by A.M. Homes
This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz
Carry the One by Carol Anshaw
Fire in the Belly : The Life and Times of David Wojnarowicz by Cynthia Carr

Oh, No, No! Not That Song Again...

But pretty cool nonetheless...

For Holiday Vacation Week Day-trippers

Museum Pass Fun
If you plan to stay close to home during the holiday vacation period, you can use our library's museum pass program to add a little money-saving spice to your day-tripping schedule.

Museum passes may be reserved up to 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.

Passing Along the Fun : Places to Go and Things to Do
Here's a quick list of holiday places to go and things to do using a library pass. Special event charges may apply.

Mystic Aquarium (Mystic CT)
Winter Waterland : Saturday's and Sundays in December; Thursday, December 27 and Tuesday, January 1.

Peabody Museum (New Haven, CT)
Seasons of Change : Visit the interactive traveling exhibit about climate change. Don't forget the Discovery Room, which comes equipped with "Please Touch" exhibits for ages 5-12.

Connecticut River Museum (Essex, CT)
Make tracks to the 19th Annual Holiday Train Show, always extraordinary.

New England Air Museum (Windsor Locks, CT)
Take flight! Enjoy family vacation fun December 26-30. Special event program fees may apply.

Roger Williams Park & Zoo (Providence, RI)
Winter Wonder Days : "Into the wild" you'll go; exhibit opens New Years Day, January 1, 2013.

Harriet Beecher Stowe Center (Hartford, CT)
Typically open on weekends only, enjoy Child's Tour during vacation week and a kids-eye view of life in the Stowe household. Tour's start time is 1:30PM, December 26-28.

Old State House at Hartford (Hartford, CT)
If you plan to attend Hartford's First Night Celebration, kid-friendly activities begin at 2PM and end at 8PM.

Florence Griswold Museum (Old Lyme, CT)
Check out The Magic of Christmas, including free and for-fee events.

Gift Giving Ideas

Holiday Countdown
If you are busy noodling gift ideas for your family and friends, there is still time to find some inspiration...

If You're Handy...
Fa La La La Felt: 45 Handmade Holiday Decorations by Amanda Carestio
Martha Stewart's Handmade Holiday Crafts by Martha Stewart
Upcycling Celebrations by Danny Seo
Happy Cute : 25 Amigurumi Gifts to Celebrate Special Occasions by Annie Obaachan
I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas by Anna Getty
Zakka Style : 24 Projects Stitched With Ease to Give, Use and Enjoy by Rashida Coleman-Hale
Weekend Handmade : More Than 40 Projects + Ideas for Inspired Crafting by Kelly Wilkinson
Ikebana Style : 20 Portable Flower Arrangements for Perfect Gift-giving by Keiko Kubo
Everyday's a Holiday : Year-round Crafting with Kids by Heidi Kenney
A Homemade Christmas by Tina Barseghian

From Your Kitchen

Edible DIY : Simple, Giftable Recipes to Savor and Share by Lucy Baker
Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunch Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cookies by Alice Medrich
Making Artisan Chocolates by Andrew Garrison Shotts
Canning and Preserving with Ashley English by Ashley English
Vegan Pie in the Sky by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
Gluten-free & Vegan Bread by Jennifer Katzinger
Cool Pet Treats : Easy Recipes for Kids to Bake by Pam Price
Irresistible Macaroons by Jose Marechal
Christmas Cookies by Lisa B. Zwirn
Tart and Sweet : 101 Canning and Pickling Recipes for the Modern Kitchen by Kelly Geary and Jessie Knadler

Gift Wrapping
There's more than one way to wrap your perfect gift. Be creative!

Ruby Star Wrapping : Creating Packaging to Regive, Reuse and Relove by Melody Miller and Allison Tannery
Creative and Thoughtful Gift Giving : Easy Ideas for Making Gifts Special by Leah Ingram
The Wrapping Scarf Revolution : the Earth-Friendly Idea that Will Change the Way Your Think About Your World by Patricia Lee
Wrapagami : the Art of Fabric Gift Wraps by Jennifer Playford

Conversation With Your Kids

Resources for Parents
We offer a list of resources from Healthnet which may be helpful to you as you talk to your children about the tragedy in Newtown.

HEALTHNET:
CONNECTICUT CONSUMER HEALTH INFORMATION NETWORK
The attached material is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or opinion. This information is the result of an extensive search of online resources and represents what we judge to be appropriate information. You should be aware that medical experts may disagree on the various aspects of situations such as this one.

American Psychological Association
Helping your children manage distress in the aftermath of the shooting.

National Institute of Mental Health
Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Parents Can Do/How Parents Can Help

National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Children and the News

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
Coping With Unexpected Events: Depression and Trauma
SEE SECTION: Helping and Talking with Children

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Tips for Talking to Children about the Aurora Shooting

Resource List Compiled by Healthnet
Healthnet: Connecticut Consumer Health Information Network
Lyman Maynard Stowe Library
University of Connecticut Health Center

It's FriBrary Time! 2013 Edition

After-School Programs for 4th and 5th Graders
Parents of our community's 4th and 5th graders are invited to register their kiddos for one or more programs in our 2013 after school FriBrary Time series.  The series invites kids to meet with local experts on a particular topic, invent, craft, move and groove, act and improvise, play, and have plenty of fun, too.


Registration Is Now Open : January through March 2013 Series

The first leg in our FriBrary Time series runs from January 2013 through March 2013. We'll offer two programs each month; choose to attend one or more -- or all six!  Programs begin at 3:30 p.m. in the library Community Room and end at 4:30 p.m.

FriBrary Fun Awaits: Click for Details
Use the clicks below to read program descriptions and to register your child to participate.

January: Choose a Smash Bros. Brawl video game competition or Upcycling Crafts.
February: Enjoy a Chinese New Year celebration or take part in a local edition of FriBrary Family Feud!
March: Play a fun game called Telepictionary or take some time to learn the basics and benefits of Martial Arts.

See you after school in 2013!

Playing Games

New Additions to Our "Got Game?" Collection
Our very popular and ever-expanding video game collection includes more than a few newbies, just in time for the holiday season. Here's a few :

LEGO Lord of the Rings (Wii or XBOX 360)
Epic Mickey 2 (Wii or XBOX 360)
Just Dance 4 (Wii)
Madden NFL 13 (Wii or XBOX 360)
Ice Age Continental Drift : Arctic Games (Wii)
Let's Dance (Wii)

Click here to browse a quick list of available titles.  One title per family at a time, adult cardholders only.