Wednesday, August 31, 2011

We Have Been Wonderstruck!

Brian Selznick, author of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, has a new book coming out on September 13, 2011! Wonderstruck is the story of two children, set fifty years apart. Both kids, Ben and Rose each embark on wondrous journeys. Rose finds away to escape to New York to follow an actress she admires, and Ben follows a clue that may help him discover his past.

Similar to The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Wonderstruck is a story told with artwork and prose. This is definitely one book not to miss, filled with action and adventure - perfect for the tween reader looking for something different!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Artist Trading Cards SWAP

Our First Swap:
We had our first Artist Trading Cards (ATC) Swap at the Nesconset Branch on Friday, August 26th. Our young artists used a variety of art supplies ranging from watercolor pencils, oil pastels, and markers to scrapbook papers, lace and glitter. We will periodically host 45 minute sessions where you can make their own ATCs along with other young artists.  Before you trade your ATCs, each one will be scanned, saved and proudly featured on our Digital Art Gallery

What is an ATC?
Artist Trading Cards, or ATCs, are miniature works of art no bigger than the size of a baseball card.  These original works of art are created with all types of materials such as paint, colored pencils, pens, oil pastels, crayons, markers, collage, stamps, and found objects.  The possibilities are endless becuase you can use any of those supplies, as long as you keep your ATC the correct size: 2.5" x 3.5".  Once you've created an ATC, you can attend an ATC Swap or Trading Session to meet and trade cards with other artists.  ATCS are always traded, never sold.  The whole experience is not to make money, but to collect the art of other artists.  ATC trading started in Switzerland in 1996, and since then has grown into an international trend.  ATC Swaps are springing up all over, including the Smithtown Library!

Future ATC Programs and Swaps:
Our next session is scheduled for November 18th, and it will include a 45 minute studio session followed a 15 minute swapping session.  As always, all artwork will be photographed and uploaded to our gallery.  Join the fun!


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Super Pets!

We are so stoked on the graphic novel Sidekicks by Dan Santat! Captain Amazing, resident superhero of Metro City, needs back up on the job, the long hours fighting super villains, and helping the citizens of the city are resulting in a case of burn out. When Captain Amazing’s pets hear the rumor he is looking for a sidekick, each animal, a dog, cat, hamster and chameleon all feel they are the right animal for the job. Be sure to check out Sidekicks for an action adventure animal graphic novel, a great end of the summer read for children in grades 3-5.



Looking for more zaney fun from Santat? Check out these books!

Always Lots of Heinies at the Zoo


Chicken Dance


The Guild of Geniuses


Manners Mash-Up: A Goofy Guide to Good Behavior

OH NO! (Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World)

Get a behind the scenes look at Sentat and his work at his website.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Fun with Fingerpaints @ The Nesconset Branch!



Today at the Nesconset Branch, we rolled up our sleeves, threw on our smocks, and got down and dirty with finger paint! Children ages 2-3 years old with their parents and caregivers joined us for songs and stories, and visited different painting stations, that featured various brushes, rollers and stamps! The masterpieces youngsters created are now on display in the Children’s Department.





Looking for some artistic inspiration for you and your little one? Try some of these picture books about painting, colors and creativity. Then bust out the finger paints and tablecloths, and let your imagination run wild!

A Color of His Own

Color Zoo

Dog’s Colorful Day: A Messy Story About Colors and Counting

Freight Train

I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More

I’m the Best Artist in the Ocean

Lemons are Not Red

Little Blue and Little Yellow: A Story for Pippo and Ann and Other Children

The Mixed Up Chameleon

Maisy’s Colors

Mouse Paint



Friday, August 19, 2011

How I Spent My Summer Vacation…at the Smithtown Library!


Playing with our food during S'mores on a Stick!
This summer at the Smithtown Library was a stellar one! Things kicked off with the Summer Reading Program, One World, Many Stories, for children ages 3-entering grade 5. Those who participated in the One, World, Many Stories Summer Reading Program read a total of 11,050 books! This year, we also held The First Step to Reading, a reading program for children birth through age 2. 110 little ones signed up!

Kids kept busy this summer with some of our favorite summer staples like LEGO Club, Fun for 4s and 5s, S’mores on a Stick, Spa Night and Book Buddies. Smithtown youngsters were also treated to some special performances by Jester Jim, Miss Dara of Hands on Music, The Green Golly Project and a culinary workshop with The Baking Coach (we made and tasted churros! YUM!)

Don’t forget about our Summer Reading Program finale! It has been re-scheduled for Sunday, August 21, with shows at 11:00am and 1:00pm. Ryu Shu Kan will be at the Smithtown Historical Society Roseneath Cottage (239 Middle Country Road, Smithtown) for a traditional Japanese drum show and storytelling performance.

Couldn’t make it out to the library this summer? We keep the activities rolling all through the school year. Visit http://www.smithlib.org/ for more program updates!