Read More and Write On – Snow what Fun!

Read More and Write On is a feature on the Smithtown Library’s Book Bites Blog. Children may submit a book review and it will appear on our blog! This allows kids to discover what their peers are reading and try new books recommended by experts on what kids like - other kids! Want to submit a book review? Pick up a form at your local branch’s Children’s Reference Desk!

Snow What Fun

By Cheryl Hawkinson, illustrated by Mike Esberg

Rating 5 out of 5 stars

This book was awesome because: I love winter! My favorite part was the page when all the snowmen were hopping and dancing through the forest!

- Georgia, Mills Pond Elementary, Grade 3

Have you Heard? - Rock the Caspar!

Caspar Babypants is our new favorite children’s music rock star! Grown ups, remember the band Presidents of the United States? Lead singer Chris Ballew’s children’s music alter ego is Caspar Babypants! The catchy songs and melodies with a folksy influence is music to the ears of preschoolers and grown ups alike.

Check out Caspar Babypants' video for Stompy the Bear

Looking for more Caspar fun? Check out CDs from your local branch, or visit the Caspar Babypants website!

Read More and Write On - The Adventures of Captain Underpants: The First Epic Novel

Read More and Write On is a feature on the Smithtown Library’s Book Bites Blog. Children may submit a book review and it will appear on our blog! This allows kids to discover what their peers are reading and try new books recommended by experts on what kids like - other kids! Want to submit a book review? Pick up a form at your local branch’s Children’s Reference Desk!

The Adventures of CaptainUnderpants: The First Epic Novel

By Dav Pilkey

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This book was awesome because: It is funny and filled with lots of action and pranks!

- Jeffrey, Branch Brook Elementary School, Grade 5

Community Helpers: Meet a Veterinarian!

On Friday, October 19th families were able to meet with a local veterinarian. Dr. Regina from Best Friends Veterinary Care came to the Nesconset Branch to share some photos, stories and answer questions about a day in her life. Despite the very rainy weather, everyone got cozy listening to Bark George and Walter the Farting Dog!

Want to know more about this interesting profession, try...

Vet by Amanda Askew

ER Vets: Life in an Animal Emergency Room by Donna Jackson

What Does a Veterinarian Do? by Felicia Lowenstein

Veterinarians by JoAnn Early Macken

Keepin' it Crafty

Tweensters got crafty at the Nesconset Branch on Friday, September 28 during the program Button Up!. Third through fifth graders designed their own button and badges to decorate their backpacks or give to their besties.  Check out their original creations!

Looking for more craftspiration? Check out these books!

Art for Kids: Comic Strips Create your own Comics from Startto Finish

Art Panels, BAM! Speech Bubbles, POW!: Writing your ownGraphic Novel

Beading: Bracelets, Barrettes, and Beyond

Make your own Purses and Bags

Pet Crafts: Everything You Need to Become Your Pet’s CraftStar

Start to Felt

Apple Stamping!

On Tuesday, September 25th we celebrated the start of the fall season with apple stamping! Not only are apples delicious to eat, they are fun to paint with too! We started our morning with the story of The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall and then got right into paitning! It was a great way for families to have fun and leave the mess behind!

If you are hungry for some more apple stories, try these titles:

Odd Dog by Claudia Boldt

Dappled Apples by Jan Carr

A New House for Mouse by Petr Horacek

Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray

Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie by Herman Parish

The Apple Pie that Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson

Apples, Apples, Apples by Nancy Wallace

Good-bye Summer, Hello Fall!

Are you already missing summer? We are too, but the beautiful weather and colors of fall are exciting!

Here are some great books about fall to get you in the mood for spending it outdoors, whether it's apple picking, visiting the pumpkin patch or just hanging out in the backyard in the garden!

The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie by Herman Parish

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlson

The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri

Mouse's First Fall by Lauren Thompson

Sneeze Big Bear, Sneeze! by Maureen Wright

Pumpkins by Ken Robbins

Ain’t No Party Like a Pirate Party! (‘Cause a Pirate Party Don’t Stop)

Ahoy Mateys!

Arrrrr! Pirates in grades K-2 climbed aboard the Nesconset Branch for stories of the seven seas in our Pirate Party! All members of this pirate crew decorated their own pirate hats with treasure and gems.

Looking for some pirate treasure?

Try some of these books!

Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs

How I Became a Pirate

Pirate Pete

Pirate vs. Pirate: the Terrific Tale of a Big, Blustery,Maritime Match

Pirates Drive Buses

Shiver Me Letters: A Pirate ABC

Have you Heard? – Bari Koral

Have you shaken your last silly out? Need some new family friendly music for rides around town with the kids? Our Have you Heard feature spot lights children’s music that will make kids and grown ups want to crank the volume up to eleven.

Bari Koral and the Family Rock Band

Anna and the Cupcakes

Loopytunes

The New York Post has called Bari Koral “Sheryl Crow for kids”. Her lyrics are fun, fresh accompanied by upbeat rock guitars, drums and bass. Her albums include songs that little ones can sing and play along to, while the instrumentals are pop rock enough to allow the early elementary set to jam. Be sure to check out her website, filled with videos of her live performances.

Can't get enough Bari? Check out her other albums Rock and Roll Garden and Bari Koral Family Rock Band.

Hungry Mommies & Daddies

Busy, tired and hungry? We parents know how you feel and for those of you with infants and toddlers, you may feel like you will never eat again even if most of the time you just forget to eat! Don't despair, here are a few cookbooks designed with you in mind. Easy, quick recipes to get you back on track!

Double Delicious: Good, Simple Food for Busy, Complicated Lives

The Naptime Chef: Fitting Great Food into Family Life

Parents Need to Eat Too: Nap-Friendly Cooking, One-Handed Meals, and Time-Saving Tricks for New Parents

Mother Goose...ON THE LOOSE!

What do Humpty Dumpty, the Man in the Moon, and Jack Sprat all have in common? They are the stars of some of our favorite nursery rhymes! Those silly songs and rhymes never go out of style, and are essential to a young child’s understanding of language and literacy.

Need to brush up on your nursery rhymes? Bring your little one to a session of Mother Goose Rhyme Time, a half hour filled with songs, rhymes and finger plays for babies up to 35 months old with their parent or caregiver.

Some of our favorite children’s book authors and illustrators have worked on collections of Mother Goose Rhymes, check out some of these collections of classic rhymes with a modern twist!

Dan Yaccarino’s Mother Goose– Dan Yaccarino

Here Comes Mother Goose –Rosemary Wells

Mary Engelbreit’s Mother Goose: One Hundred Best-Loved Verses – Mary Engelbreit

Mother Goose Remembers –Clare Beaton

Nursery Rhyme Comics: 50 TimelessRhymes from 50 Celebrated Cartoonists

Tomie dePaola’s Mother Goose– Tome dePaola

Truckery Rhymes – Jon Scieszka

Check out www.bussongs.com for more rhymes, songs and lullabies!

Have you Heard? – Sing me to Sleep Indie Lullabies

 Have you shaken your last silly out? Need some new family friendly music for rides around town with the kids? Our Have you Heard feature spot lights children’s music that will make kids and grown ups want to crank the volume up to eleven.

 Sing me to Sleep Indie Lullabies

American Laundromat Records

Sing me to Sleep Indie Lullabies, is a melodic compilation of new and classic songs revisited and reamped for hipster kids and parents alike, by familiar artists. Jenny Owens Young covers the Red House Painters’ Have you Forgotten (with a kid friendly twist), Casey Mecija introduces the younger set to the Beatles while covering Dear Prudence. Songs by Neil Halstead, Stars, and Trespassers William are warm, and mellow, perfect for nap time, long car rides and chillaxing reading sessions at home.

Read More and Write On: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth and Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Circus Clown

Read More and Write On is a feature on the Smithtown Library’s Book Bites Blog. Children may submit a book review and it will appear on our blog! This allows kids to discover what their peers are reading and try new books recommended by experts on what kids like - other kids! Want to submit a book review? Pick up a form at your local branch’s Children’s Reference Desk!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth

By Jeff Kinney

Rating 5 out of 5 stars

This book was awesome because: Greg and Rowley had to decide if they were going to stay friends. My favorite scene in the story is when Rowley acts like a dog!

Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Circus Clown

By David Adler

Rating 5 out of 5 stars

This book was awesome because: Cam used her photographic memory to catch a thief at the circus. Cam and Eric also got to meet the Bailor Brothers!

- Jacob, Smithtown Elementary, Grade 3

Have you Heard? – B is for Bob

Have you shaken your last silly out? Need some new family friendly music for rides around town with the kids? Our Have you Heard feature spot lights children’s music that will make kids and grown ups want to crank the volume up to eleven.

B is for Bob and the Wailers

Bob Marley

Island Def Jam Music Group/Tuff Gong/UMe

You are never too young to listen to Bob Marley! Ziggy Marley, has reimagined his father’s famous songs and melodies for children and families. Our favorite track is Jamming, with its incredible drum circle inspired rhythms.

Are you a big Marley Fan? Check out Cedela Marley’s One Love, a picture book version of the classic song.

Read More and Write On: The Field Day from the Black Lagoon and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Read More and Write On is a feature on the Smithtown Library’s Book Bites Blog. Children may submit a book review and it will appear on our blog! This allows kids to discover what their peers are reading and try new books recommended by experts on what kids like - other kids! Want to submit a book review? Pick up a form at your local branch’s Children’s Reference Desk!

The Field Day from the Black Lagoon

By Mike Thaler

Rating 5 out of 5 stars

This book was awesome because: Field Day was very scary because there were monsters at every station! Everyone was screaming their bodies inside out!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

By J.K. Rowling

Rating 5 out of 5 stars

This book was awesome because: Harry saved the Sorcerer’s Stone from Voldemort.

- Jacob, Smithtown Elementary, Grade 2

Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?

Making a pencil case craft for school!

Is someone in your house getting ready to board the big yellow bus for the first time this year? If so, be sure to check out one of our favorite Kindergarten stories, Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?.  A silly story all about the ins and outs of Kindergarten, through the eyes of a buffalo, who is on his own first-day-of-school adventure!

Getting ready for Kindergarten @ the Smithtown Library

Eager to go back to school? Check out some of these reads.

Amelia Bedelia’s First Day of School

Back to School Tortoise

Chickens Chickens go to School

Chrysanthemum

Countdown to Kindergarten

Dinosaur Starts School

Enrico Starts School

Froggy Goes to School

Molly Rides the School Bus

Mouse’s First Day of School

Splat the Cat

Wow! School!

Don’t forget the most important school supply, your Smithtown Library Card! Apply for a Library Card at the Circulation Desk, be sure to bring proof of residency.

Read More and Write On: Cam Jansen and the Sports Day Mysteries and Ivy + Bean No News is Good News

Read More and Write On is a feature on the Smithtown Library’s Book Bites Blog. Children may submit a book review and it will appear on our blog! This allows kids to discover what their peers are reading and try new books recommended by experts on what kids like - other kids! Want to submit a book review? Pick up a form at your local branch’s Children’s Reference Desk!

Cam Jansen and the Sports Day Mysteries: A Super Special

By David Adler

Rating 5 out of 5 stars

This book was awesome because: Eric took Cam’s advice and won the potato sack race. Cam’s advice was to take a small set into the potato sack and take small steps along the way.

-          Jacob, Smithtown Elementary, Grade 2

Ivy + Bean: No News is Good News

By Annie Barrows

Rating 4 out of 5 stars

This book was awesome because: The girls were always getting into mischief. This book was funny because the girls wrote a newspaper called the “Flipping Pancake” and went around their neighborhood to find things to put in their newspaper.

- Kaitlyn, Dogwood Elementary, Grade 5

Attack of the Zombie Cakes!

Things got a little creepy at the Nesconset Branch today. Children entering grades 3-5 decorated cupcakes fit for the undead, using candy organs, skeleton hands, sticky liquid candy syrup, sprinkles and cookies. 

Don’t worry, the zombie and vampire craze isn’t going anywhere, so check out some of these books…

Dick and Jane and Vampires

The Hampire

Gibbus Moony wants to Bite You

My Rotten Life: Nathan Abercrombie Accidental Zombie

Robot Zombie Frankenstein

Stink and the Midnight Zombie Walk

Zombie Chasers

Zombie in Love

The Zombie who Visited New Orleans

Zombiekins

Fishing in McElligot's Pool!

What would you catch in McElligot's Pool? After reading Dr. Seuss's story, the kids got to using their own imagination and designed some colorful and beautiful fish with oil pastels and construction paper! Some fish had spots, some had spikes or even an elephant trunk...but all were "the catch of the day"!

Read More and Write On ! – Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

Read More and Write On is a feature on the Smithtown Library’s Book Bites Blog. Children may submit a book review and it will appear on our blog! This allows kids to discover what their peers are reading and try new books recommended by experts on what kids like - other kids! Want to submit a book review? Pick up a form at your local branch’s Children’s Reference Desk!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

By Jeff Kinney

Rating: 19 out of 5 stars

This book was awesome because: Rodrick and Greg were arguing a lot, but in the end, Rodrick and Greg got along and they were acting like a family. That is why I think this book is awesome!

- Jacob, Smithtown Elementary, Grade 2

Read More and Write On! - 11 Birthdays

Read More and Write On is a feature on the Smithtown Library’s Book Bites Blog. Children may submit a book review and it will appear on our blog! This allows kids to discover what their peers are reading and try new books recommended by experts on what kids like - other kids! Want to submit a book review? Pick up a form at your local branch’s Children’s Reference Desk!

11 Birthdays

By Wendy Mass

Rating 5 out of 5 stars

This book was awesome because: it was unlike any book I that I have ever read! It is about a girl named Amanda and her best friend Leo. They are the same age, and share the same birthday. One day they get into a legendary fight and they don’t speak for one year. On their 11^th birthday, something strange happens - the day keeps repeating itself! It was an interesting read and is now one of my favorite books; I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

- Nicolette, Nesaquake Middle School, Grade 6

Read More and Write On! - Junie B. Jones First Grader: Boss of Lunch

Read More and Write On is a feature on the Smithtown Library’s Book Bites Blog. Children may submit a book review and it will appear on our blog! This allows kids to discover what their peers are reading and try new books recommended by experts on what kids like - other kids! Want to submit a book review? Pick up a form at your local branch’s Children’s Reference Desk!

Junie B. Jones First Grader: Boss of Lunch

By Barbara Park

Rating 4 out of 5 stars

This book was awesome because: Junie B. Jones got to help the lunch lady in the school cafeteria for one day. Junie learns that helping in the cafeteria doesn’t make you the boss, and you don’t get to eat all the cookies!

Madison, Dogwood Elementary, Grade 2

Dream Something BIG – The Art of the Watts Towers

On Thursday, July 12 children entering grades 3-5 joined us for a reading of Dream Something Big: The Story of the Watts Towers. Using collage, author Diana Hutts Aston and illustrator Susan L. Roth, retell the story of Uncle Sam, a California Artist who collected broken bits of pottery, shells, and glass and turned them into a towering work of art. Using the book and images of the real Watts Towers, children created their own towers using collage and repurposing everyday materials into a piece of modern art. Check out http://www.wattstowers.us/ to learn more about the Watts Towers, and to see photos and videos of this unique landmark.

Looking for more creative inspiration this summer? Try some of these books:

Action Jackson

Art & Max

Children’s Book of Art

Different Like Coco

The Dumpster Diver

Frida

Georgia in Hawaii: When Georgia O’Keefee Painted What she Pleased

I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More

Magic Trash: A Story of Tyree Guyton and his Art

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse

Uncle Andy’s Cats

Read More and Write On! – A Flock of Shoes

Read More and Write On is a feature on the Smithtown Library’s Book Bites Blog. Children may submit a book review and it will appear on our blog! This allows kids to discover what their peers are reading and try new books recommended by experts on what kids like - other kids! Want to submit a book review? Pick up a form at your local branch’s Children’s Reference Desk!

 

A Flock of Shoes

By Sarah Tsiang, art by Qin Leng

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This book was awesome because: it was funny! Abby’s shoes flew away!

- Abigail, Tackan Elementary School, Grade 1



Katie and her puppets visit Nesconset!

On Monday, July 9 Katie Polk and her friend Mr. Mouse came to the library for one of her fantastic performances. The hilarious show had everyone laughing as Mr. Mouse visited his local library, made a movie and went on a search for his favorite food..."cheese balls"! Our audience members even joined in on the fun and dressed-up as cheese! Check out all the pictures on our Flickr page.

Read More and Write On! - Keeper

Read More and Write On is a feature on the Smithtown Library’s Book Bites Blog. Children may submit a book review and it will appear on our blog! This allows kids to discover what their peers are reading and try new books recommended by experts on what kids like - other kids! Want to submit a book review? Pick up a form at your local branch’s Children’s Reference Desk!

Keeper

By Kathi Appelt

Rating 4 out of 5 stars

This book was awesome because: it was about mythology and mermaids. I have put it on my good book list!

- Jackie, St. James Elementary, Grade 5

Read More and Write On! - The Sandwich Swap

Read More and Write On is a feature on the Smithtown Library’s Book Bites Blog. Children may submit a book review and it will appear on our blog! This allows kids to discover what their peers are reading and try new books recommended by experts on what kids like - other kids! Want to submit a book review? Pick up a form at your local branch’s Children’s Reference Desk!

The Sandwich Swap

By Kelly DiPucchio

Rating 5 out of 5 stars

The girls tried new food and liked it.

- Abigail, Indian Hollow Primary School, Grade 1

Read More and Write On! – Charlotte’s Web

Read More and Write On is a feature on the Smithtown Library’s Book Bites Blog. Children may submit a book review and it will appear on our blog! This allows kids to discover what their peers are reading and try new books recommended by experts on what kids like – other kids! Want to submit a book review? Pick up a form at your local branch’s Children’s Reference Desk.

Charlotte’s Web

By E.B. White

Rating 5 out of 5 stars

This book was awesome because: A girl saves a pig named Wilbur. The girl, Fern, raises the pig then her father sells Wilbur, to their neighbor, Mr. Zuckerman. MR. Zuckerman enters Wilbur into a contest, and he wins!

- Michael, Dogwood Elementary, Grade 4

Rockin' Out with Dara!

 On Friday, June 29th Dara Linthwaite paid a visit to the Nesconset Branch of the Smithtown Library to sing songs and share stories! The kids "shook their sillies out" and listened to songs about the beach. It was the perfect way to cool off on a hot day and kick-off the holiday weekend! To see more pictures from this event go to our Flickr page.

Read more and Write On! - Pirates Don’t Take Baths

Read More and Write On is a feature on the Smithtown Library’s Book Bites Blog. Children may submit a book review and it will appear on our blog! This allows kids to discover what their peers are reading and try new books recommended by experts on what kids like - other kids! Want to submit a book review? Pick up a form at your local branch’s Children’s Reference Desk!

Pirates Don’t Take Baths

By John Segal

Rating 4 out of 5 stars

This book was awesome because: Pig didn’t want to have a bath, so he kept pretending to be characters that do not take baths! In the end, he pretended that there was gold in the bath, so he finally got in, and shouted “eureka!”

- Cristianna, Mt. Pleasant Elementary, Grade 2

A Roaring Good Time @ the Smithtown Library

All the Wild Things gathered at the Nesconset Branch of the Smithtown Library for the special storytime, Go Away Big Green Monster! Preschoolers had a “wild rumpus” with songs and stories, including Where the Wild Things Are,  Go Away Big Green Monster, If You’re a Monster and You Know It, and There Was an Old Monster. No rumpus is complete without an art project, so children created their own Monster Away Spray (a spray to keep monsters at bay, the secret ingredient is glitter, as monsters are highly allergic to glitter) and monster masks. Check out our flickr page to see all of our little monsters!

Looking for a wildly good time? Don’t forget to sign up for the Summer Reading Program at your local branch!

Burger Cakes are Sweet

Looks delicious!

Children in grades 3-5 beat the heat at the Nesconset Branch of the Smithtown Library today, Friday, June 22, by making burger cakes! What are burger cakes you ask? They are a delicious summer treat that look like a cheese burger, but are made out of cupcakes, icing and candies! Check out all of our culinary creations on our flickr page.

Don’t forget, more library fun is on the way! The Summer Reading Program begins on Monday, June 25!