Children's Event Organizer, 09/03/09

Children’s Event Organizer
Lakeshores Library System and
Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System
Youth Services Update
Issue 332; September 3, 2009
http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/mwflskids.htm
http://www.llsmwflschildrens.blogspot.com/


In this issue:
Ruhama’s Review
Make a Splash – READ!
Movie News
Tea and Conversation with Laura Numeroff
Teen Read Week
Events This Week
Dates to Remember
Website Faves
And Finally……


RUHAMA’S REVIEW

Epic by Conor Kostick
http://tinyurl.com/l7ek7u

Erik's world is a lot like ours except for one major difference: physical violence is outlawed. They solve all their disputes through Epic, a computer game that governs their lives. But lately life hasn't been all peaches and cream: Erik finds out his dad is an outlaw for hitting a man while in college, the governing board over Epic is showing signs of corruption and Erik has a nagging feeling that there's more to Epic than meets the eye. That feeling triggers several events that form the course of events in the story, including Erik creating a new character that is out of the ordinary: a beautiful female pirate. He also manages to talk his friends into helping him defeat a dragon, which draws the attention of the Committee, and they are not happy to learn a bunch of teenagers are advancing within the game.

Kostick has written a fascinating story that explores a society without crime, except virtually. The story is told from two arenas, with Erik and his friends telling one part, interspersed with meetings of the Committee. The intrigue from the Committee portions create suspense and will keep you reading beyond what you originally vowed to complete before bed. Erik is a likable character and experiences several emotions that are realistic. The other characters are well rounded (especially for secondary characters) and I enjoyed getting to know them from Erik's point of view. This book stands alone, though there is a sequel. Pair this with User Unfriendly (Vande Veld), Invitation to the Game (Hughes) or The Hunger Games (Collins).


MAKE A SPLASH – READ!

This is for all of you crafters out there, specifically CROCHETERS. (Sorry, knitters!) Here’s a list of free crochet patterns of small projects you or your teen crafters can make for next summer!

Large Seashell
http://surawhit.googlepages.com/largeseashell

Medium Seashell
http://surawhit.googlepages.com/mediumseashells

Manta Ray
http://littlegreen.typepad.com/romansock/a-manta-ray.html

Angel Fish Amigurumi
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70581AD.html
(the Lion Brand patterns are free but require you to sign up)

Little Lobster and Baby Mermaid
http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/BabyChild/WR1730+Crochet+Little+Lobster+and+Baby+Mermaid.htm

Big Headed Frog
http://craftychristina.blogspot.com/2008/09/big-headed-frog.html

Big Rainbow Fish
http://www.caron.com/projects/ss_paints/ssp_big_fish.html

Octopi
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=114316.0
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70588AD.html?r=1
http://www.knit1mag.com/patterns/2007/winter/k1w07_30.pdf

Chubby Fish
http://mygurumi.blogspot.com/2008/11/chubby-fish-pattern.html

Fabio Frog Prince
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90227AD.html

Fish Potholders
http://wwwlubbockarmadillo.blogspot.com/2007/07/free-fish-potholder-pattern_28.html

Frog
http://arminas-aminals.blogspot.com/2008/03/ami-frog.html

Freddie the Fish
http://apocalypseknits.blogspot.com/2009/02/fredde-fish-pattern.html

Frog Pincushion
http://littlegreen.typepad.com/romansock/2008/04/frog-pincushi-1.html

Amigurumi Snails
http://www.fortheloveofyarn.com/Issues/Spring06/patterns/spring06_snail.shtml
http://amigurumibyknotty.blogspot.com/2009/04/free-snail-pattern.html

Squid Purse
http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2821

Goldfish Cat Toy
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/80204AD.html

Goldfish
http://kendra.youarenotyourjob.com/2008/01/crochet-goldfish-pattern.htm

Tina Turtle
http://www.np-trade.de/anleit/pdf/e-tinaturtle.pdf

Toad
http://littlegreen.typepad.com/romansock/toad.html

Tree Frog
http://littlegreen.typepad.com/romansock/2007/09/a-green-afterno.html

Jellyfish
http://bittersweetblog.wordpress.com/2009/08/03/do-the-jellyfish-jam/


MOVIE NEWS

First, a couple of picture books making the leap:
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
http://www.movies.com/cloudywithachanceofmeatballs/movietimes/102724/

Where the Wild Things Are
http://www.fandango.com/wherethewildthingsare_102914/movieoverview


Next, teen stuff:
Keep up to date on New Moon
http://www.fandango.com/thetwilightsaga:newmoon_121786/movieoverview

Keep in mind the rating, but this goes so well with so many books—Gamer
http://www.fandango.com/gamer_121787/movieoverview

Another one with many book pairing possibilities—9
http://www.fandango.com/9_116810/movieoverview

News bits with exclusives:
Astro Boy
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=58553

Avatar
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=58388

Smurfs
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=58620

Heath Ledger's last movie
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=58533

(thanks Ruhama for compiling this!)


TEA AND CONVERSATION WITH LAURA NUMEROFF

The Center for Children’s Literature at Carthage College in Kenosha is pleased to announce: “Tea and Conversation with Laura Numeroff.” Everyone is welcome to attend this informal event on Sunday, September 20th from 4:30 – 6:00 PM at the Hedberg Library on the Carthage campus.

There is no charge to attend, but as space is limited, please RSVP: (262) 552-5480, or email John Stewig at jstewig@carthage.edu.

Ms. Numeroff will chat informally about her two new books. Copies will be available for purchase and signing at the event.


TEEN READ WEEK 2009

Teen Read Week 2009 will be celebrated Oct. 18-24! This year's theme is “Read Beyond Reality @ your library”, which encourages teens to read something out of this world, just for the fun of it.

Registration is now open at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teenreading/trw/trw2009/registration.cfm. The first 100 registrants will receive a free graphic translation of Fahrenheit 451. You can download the Teens’ Top Ten nominations at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teenreading/teenstopten/teenstopten.cfm. The Teens' Top Ten allows teens to voice their choice for their favorite books each year. The 2009 nominations, chosen by teens in 15 book groups across the country, are available now. Encourage teens to read nominees, then vote for the Teens' Top Ten between August 24 and September 18. Winners will be announced during Teen Read Week in a webcast featuring World Wrestling Entertainment Superstars and Divas.

Teen Read Week is an initiative of YALSA, and started in 1998. Why is it important to celebrate? For a lot of reasons! Teens have so many options for entertainment, so it's important to remind them to spend time reading for pleasure: it's free, fun, and can be done anywhere! Research shows that teens who read for fun have better test scores and are more likely to succeed in the workforce. Also, it’s a great chance to let your school or your public library communities know how important teen services are! Let teens know the possibilities that exist within your doors, and within the covers of books.


EVENTS THIS WEEK

Thursday, September 3
Skyscraper Day
Home Run Pitcher Day
National Wilderness Day

Friday, September 4
Eat an Extra Dessert Day
Newspaper Carrier Day
National Cheese Pizza Day
Quaker Oats Trademark Day

Saturday, September 5
Be Late For Something Day
National Hummingbird Day
Marvel Superheroes Birthday
National Shrink Day

Sunday, September 6
Barbie Doll Day 1959
Great Egg Toss Day
Read a Book Day
National Iguana Awareness Day

Monday, September 7
Raggedy Ann Day
Automobile Parade Day
Grandma Moses birthday, b. 1860

Tuesday, September 8
International Literacy Day
Star Trek debuted, 1966
Fight Procrastination Day/Do It Day
National Date Nut Bread Day

Wednesday, September 9
Teddy Bear Day

Thursday, September 10
Swap Ideas Day
International Make-Up Day
National Day of the Working Parent

Friday, September 11
Make Your Bed Day
Patriot Day
National Emergency Responders Day
Women's Baseball Day


DATES TO REMEMBER

September 7 LLS office closed for Labor Day
September 11 LSTA grants due
September 11-13 ALA 2010 CPCT meeting, Chicago
September 20 Tea with Laura Numeroff, Carthage College, Kenosha
September 26 Wisconsin Storytellers’ Get Together, Ripon
October 2-4 IBBY Regional Conference, St. Charles, IL
October 3 “Listening for Literacy” workshop, Janesville
October 6-9 Rhonda at workshops in Kansas
October 20 SLP Preconference, Appleton
October 21-23 WLA Conference, Appleton
October 22-24 ALSC board meeting, Chicago


WEBSITE FAVES

Draw On
http://www.imaginationcubed.com/

Draw On will keep kids of all ages entertained for hours. By simply clicking on the pen and dragging it around the screen, users can create a drawing online then save it, send it to a friend, invite a friend to collaborate in the drawing, or replay the drawing stroke by stroke. Users can use any of several tools such as the pen, stamps, shapes, lines and text as well as a variety of pen options plus colors to create their masterpieces. The drawing can be created using the grid or without and with or without background color. The site could be used in the classroom as a learning tool and as a means to collaborate with other classes and students for online projects. (Education World Site Reviews, 9/2/09)

The History of Labor Day
http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm

A history of the holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September and "dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers." From the U.S. Department of Labor. (Copyright 2009 Librarians' Internet Index, LII, 9/3/09)


The Nature & Science of Autumn: A Guide to Selected Resources
http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/SciRefGuides/autumn.html

List of selected books, articles, and websites on the science of fall colors, including guides to autumn color in the U.S. and explanations of why leaves change color in the fall. Compiled by Margaret Clifton, Library of Congress Science Reference Services. (Copyright 2009 Librarians' Internet Index, LII, 9/3/09)


The First Photograph
http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/permanent/wfp/

Background about and image of the "First Photograph" taken in 1826 by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce. "Fascinated with the craze for the newly-invented art of lithography which swept over France in 1813, [Niépce] began his initial experiments by 1816," which included the use of light-sensitive varnish. He called the process "Heliography." Also includes images of reproductions of the photo. From the Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin. (Copyright 2009 Librarians' Internet Index, LII, 8/13/09)


AND FINALLY………..
I enjoyed seeing so many of you at the Performer’s Showcase last week!