Winter Whimsy: An Art Challenge

A "chill" project!

On December 28, children in grades K-2 were treated to a seasonal mix of stories,

including Lost and Found and Tacky the Penguin, in our special storytime Winter Whimsy at the Nesconset Branch. Inspired by our stories, children collaged penguins using papers with different patterns and textures, and created penguin shapes without the use of scissors, using only carefully calculated tears – it was more of an art challenge than an art project! Check out the masterpieces our group made on our flickr page!

Good Reads: The Other Felix

Explore the dreams of fourth grader Felix Schwartzwalder in                      

The Other Felix by Keir Graff. Each night Felix falls asleep and enters a dream world, a forest filled with monsters – he can always escape when he wakes up, but the evidence of monster chases follow him to the next morning, such as a torn bathrobe or pajamas, or muddy slippers. Dream land monsters aren’t Felix’s only problems, he has a bully at school and stressed and distracted parents. It is only when Felix learns to fight the monsters in his dreams, can he conquer his challenges outside of  dream land. A unique adventure and sweet story, that also helps to guide tweens through the sticky situations that accompany the onset of adolescence.

Expectant Mamas

It's exciting and nerve-wracking to be an expectant mom. There are just so many decisions to make from doctors to nutrition to babysitters! It may be hard to navigate through all your emotions and everyone's advice. Listed are an assortment of books that could help get you started. Stop in the library and check out our Parenting Collection and good luck on your journey into mommyhood!

The Big Book of Birth
Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: A Doctor's Guide to Natural Childbirth and Gentle Early Parenting Choices
Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives: A Holistic Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth
Pregnancy and Birth: A Guide to Making Decisions That Are Right For You and Your Baby
The Well-Rounded Pregnancy Cookbook: Give Your Baby a Healthy Start with 100 Recioes That to Fit How You Feel
Your Pregnancy Week by Week

Artist Trading Cards, December Session- Collage

We hosted another installment of our Artist Trading Cards Series, this session focusing on the collage technique. 

Check out all of the artwork created this month on our digital gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/54405004@N05/  Some of the artwork has already been traded, but some artists have generously donated their cards to the Library's Collection to be enjoyed by our patrons.

Stop by the Children's Department anytime to see the ATC Catalogue, or perhaps to trade with one of your own creations.  Just make sure your ATC measures 2.5" x 3.5", and includes your name, title, and date on the back. 

The Mock Caldecott Awards

It's that time of year...Time to think about some of your favorite illustrations in Children's picture books! Who will take home the esteemed Caldecott Award for 2011? As Children's Librarians we get very excited about this and hold our own Mock Caldecott Award ceremony where we deliberate and vote for a winner and a runner-up. Our meeting took place at The Suffolk County Library System led by Miss Danielle and Miss Kelly from Hampton Bays Public Library and Miss Julie and Miss Christine from the Smithtown Library who did a fabulous job leading the lively discussions! In the end it was voted that Grandpa Green by Lane Smith should win the Mock Caldecott and Where's Walrus by Stephen Savage and A Ball for Daisy by Christopher Raschka would take the honors. Now, some of these books may not even make the real Caldecott list... but stay tuned for the results in the new year!

Some of the books that we considered include:

A Ball for Daisy
Brother Sun, Sister Moon: St. Francis of Assisi's Canticle of the Creatures
Grandpa Green
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans
The House Baba Built: An Artist's Childhood in China
Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat
The Man in the Moon
Where's Walrus

Mark Your Calendar: Neil Numberman is Visiting the Nesconset Branch!

We are so excited! Author and illustrator Neil Numberman will be visiting the Nesconset Branch of the Smithtown Library on Friday, January 27 from 4:30-5:15pm. Get Graphic: Meet Author Neil Numberman is a drawing workshop for children in grades 2-5 that will focus on creating monstrous characters that pop off the page! In addition, our friends from the Lake Grove Barnes and Noble will be here selling Numberman’s books, and you can have them signed by the author!

Want to learn more about Neil Numberman? Check out his website filled with fun comics!

You can check out Neil’s books at any branch of the Smithtown Library too!

Do Not Build a Frankenstein


Joey Fly Private Eye in Creepy Crawly Crime


Joey Fly Private Eye in Big Hairy Drama

Sleeping With or Without Baby

Recently a public service announcement was introduced to stop parents and caregivers from sharing their beds with infants. The announcements have provoked strong responses from co-sleeping advocates. Check out some of these helpful blogs that discuss co-sleeping safely with your child.

Ask Dr. Sears

Attachment Parenting International

Mothering

Natural Family Online

We also have a selection of books for helping you and your child get a good nights rest, whether he is in your bed or his own room! Stop in the Nesconset Branch and browse our Parenting collection.

Better Sleep for Your Baby and Child: A Parent's Step-by-Step Guide to Healthy Sleep Habits by Shelly Weiss

Good Night, Sleep Tight: The Sleep Lady's Gentle Guide to Helping Your Child Go to Sleep, Stay Asleep and Wake Up Happy by Kim West

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child: A Step by Step Program For a Good Night's Sleep by Marc Weissbluth

How to Get Your Baby to Sleep: America's Foremost Baby and Childcare Experts Answer the Most Frequently Asked Questions by William Sears

The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night by Elizabeth Pantley

Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems by Richard Ferber