Youth Activities @ PCPL

Puzzle Exchange

2007-09-17T14:19:00.000-04:00

September 20, 2007
7:00-8:00 pm
Puzzle Exchange

Are you tired for the same old jigsaw puzzles? Would you like something different and exciting to do this winter? Bring a gently used jigsaw puzzle with all of its pieces to the Pinckney Community Public Library and exchange it for a different one. Puzzles of all age ranges and piece number are welcome. Registration is required. Please call 734-878-3888 to register for this program. Hope to see you there! ~ Sara

Michigan Reads! Open a book, Open their world!

2007-08-08T12:14:00.000-04:00

The Michigan Reads! program seeks to highlight the importance of reading and sharing books with children, especially during the critical development ages of 0-5, and to recognize the vital role of public libraries which provide access to quality books, programs and services to children and families that lay the foundation for reading and school success. Each year a book is selected to represent Michigan Reads!. This year the book is Big Chickens by Leslie Helakoski.

The Michigan Reads! kick off event is at the Target Book Festival on Saturday August 25 at Kensington Metropark from 10am - 5pm. The day will feature readings, storytelling, demonstrations, appearances by national/local authors and story characters, activity workshops and book-related merchandise, family-focused entertainment including children's book author readings and book signings, appearances by costumed characters and musical performances. Entry to the park and the book festival is free.

Summer Reading Events July 20 - August 3

2007-07-30T11:31:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the 6th week of Summer Reading at the Pinckney Community Public Library. If you looking for something fun and FREE to attend at the Library this week check out these events:

Tuesday July 31 @ 11:00am Drummunity! Rhythmic fun for all ages! Hands on drumming.
Wednesday August 1 @ 1:00pm Family Story Time stories and craft for kids of all ages.
Friday August 3 @ 2:00 story time at Screams Ice-Cream in Hell, stories and free ice-cream for children of all ages.
Friday August 3 @ 3:00-4:00pm Children going into grade 3 or older are invited to join the Hands-On Crime Lab at the Pinckney Library. The Crime Lab is brought to us from the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. Please call the library to register for this program 734-878-3888 as there is limited space.

Keep reading! I am looking forward to seeing you at the Library this week! ~Sara

It's a Mystery to Me

2007-07-23T13:13:00.000-04:00

Professional storyteller Karen Czarnik will share stories that take you by surprise at the Pinckney Public Library on Thursday July 26 from 4:00-5:00pm. Grades K and older are welcome. Please register by calling 734-878-3888 or scastle@tln.lib.mi.us. I hope you can join the fun! ~Sara

Who was your Harry Potter?

2007-07-23T13:08:00.000-04:00

In the 10 years since the first “Harry Potter” book was published, the series has sold 325 million copies worldwide, with 121.5 million in print in the United States.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” the eagerly awaited seventh and final installment, released 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Around the world, children (and adults) could not wait to start reading it.

What were your favorite books when you were a kid?

If you are interested in knowing what other book titles adults remember with fondness check out the New York Times blog. ~Sara

2007-07-09T13:51:00.000-04:00

Tuesday July 10 6:30 -7:30pm students ages 9 and older are invited to the Pinckney Public Library for a how-to-draw workshop with Michigan Chiller illustrator Darrin Brege. Darrin Brege and his wife Karen will lead a drawing workshop, a writing discussion with a reading, participate in a question and answer period, followed by a book signing. Fun. Free to participate. There will be 2 raffle tickets drawn for the Teen Summer Reading program so if you have tickets fill them out and bring them with you! Please register by calling the library at 734-878-3888 or email scastle@tln.lib.mi.us. I hope to see you there. ~Sara

Harry Potter Mania

2007-07-02T13:45:00.000-04:00

July is the month of Harry Potter! Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is released in movie theaters on July 11. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (book 7) is released on July 21. On July 20 Howell, MI will once again become Hogsmeade for every ones enjoyment! At the Pinckney Library we enjoyed participating in the Muggle form of Quidditch on June 28. Thank you to everyone who participated and to the Friends of the Pinckney Library for providing chocolate frogs and water bottles. On August 14 at the Pinckney Library we will host a discussion of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows for everyone who needs to talk about (who dies, who lives, why, what and how)! The Pinckney Library will provide Harry Potter style snacks, and of course, Harry Potter trivia! Please register if you plan on attending by calling 734-878-3888 or email scastle@tln.lib.mi.us. Be forewarned this discussion will include spoilers!!! Enjoy Harry Potter mania! ~Sara

2007 Quidditch Registration

2007-06-19T13:42:00.000-04:00

Register before June 22nd to play Backyard Quidditch at the Pinckney Public Library by calling 737-878-3888. Ages 9 and older please. Don't forget to bring your own pool noodle (aka broom) to ride while you play. Backyard Quidditch will be played on June 28 with games starting at 4:00pm. Photos are from 2006 Backyard Quidditch! Lots of fun for player and spectators!

YNK! (you never know) Events

2007-06-04T14:59:00.001-04:00

Get A Clue Events

2007-06-04T14:57:00.000-04:00

Summer Reading 2007

2007-06-04T14:48:00.000-04:00

Summer Reading Starts Monday June 25, 2007!

Come to the Library on June 25th to collect your paperwork and start reading!!

Ages 0-9

Ages 9-17

June Teen Book Club

2007-05-16T14:49:00.000-04:00

Tuesday June 19, 2007 from 6:30-7:30pm ages 9-17 are invited to the Pinckney Library to discuss the book The Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson. There will be book discussion, book related triva, and snacks. Fun & Free! For your copy of the book please contact 734-878-3888.

May Teen Book Club

2007-04-23T13:49:00.000-04:00

The May PCPL Teen Book Chat is on Tuesdsay May 15, 2007 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. All students ages 9 and older are welcome to join us to discuss the book Double Identity by Haddix. Following the discussion we will play book related trivia and share snacks. Always fun! If you are interested and you need a copy of the book please contact the library at 734-878-3888 or scastle@tln.lib.mi.us.

Following the May Teen Book Chat there will be one more discussion group on Tuesday June 19, 2007. The book title for June will be decided on at the May meeting. There will be no Book Chat during July 2007. However, on August 14, 2007 we will discuss Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (release date July 21), the last of the Harry Potter series. Everyone is welcome. There will be open discussion of the book so there may be spoilers if you have not read the book yet. We will also play fun Harry Potter trivia and share snacks.

Book Club is always free!

A Bloody Jack Adventure

2007-04-16T13:57:00.000-04:00

I just recently finished reading the second in the Bloody Jack adventures, Curse of the Blue Tattoo by L.A. Meyer. It was a great book, filled with with adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber as she tries learning how to become a "lady". We will be discussing it at the Pinckney Library with our teen book club on Tuesday April 17, 2007 at 6:30-7:30 p.m. I am certain that the discussion of the book will be almost as lively as the book itself! The teens will also be playing a fun trivia game to see how much they can remember from the book. And, as always, there will be snacks to share! Hope to see you there. ~Sara

Spring Break Storytelling

2007-03-26T13:52:00.000-04:00

PCPL is hosting it's first ever Storytelling Slam April 11, 2007 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. A local storyteller, Yvonne Healy will start events with a storytelling workshop at 1:00 p.m. Yvonne will focus her workshop in presenting, speaking, and acting skills used when storytelling. Then from 2:00-3:00 p.m. children age 7-10 will share their stories with the audience. From 3:00-4:00 p.m. children 11 and older will have a chance to share their stories. Prizes will be awarded to the top storytellers (audience judged). If you or your child are interested please contact the library for more information. Registration is required so that we know how many storytellers to expect, please call 734-878-3888.

Teachers and Parents: Storytelling is part of the curriculum standards and we are happy to verify a students attendance for extra credits points.

Local Author Denise Brennan-Nelson

2007-03-09T13:26:00.000-05:00

Meet local author Denise Brennan-Nelson on Wednesday March 21, 2007 at 5:30 p.m at the Pinckney Community Public Library. Denise will be spending the day at Farley Hill Elementary talking to the students. So in the evening everyone is invited to join us as she talks about her books and guides us through a related craft. Great family entertainment! Free! Refreshments provided.

Reading Aloud To Teens

2007-02-28T10:08:00.000-05:00

For some reason in our educational system we stop reading out loud to our children when they enter middle school, sometimes even before that. Why? There is so much more to reading aloud to our children then just the function of teaching them to read. Check out this recent magazine article in VOYA (Voice of Youth Avocates) Teens Take Time To Listen When You Make Time To Read Aloud. Reading aloud to teens should be taking place in our schools as this article advocates, however since we do not always have control over that decision we can help by remembering to read aloud to our teens at home, or even sharing audio books while we travel to promote discussion. Happy Reading. ~Sara

Book Bunch!

2007-02-13T13:52:00.000-05:00

Schools out for midwinter break February 16-20, 2007!

Children grades 1-4 (ages 6-10, independent readers) are invited for our FIRST EVER Book Bunch at PCPL on Friday February 16 at 11:00 a.m. We will be discussing Chocolate Fever by Smith. There will be fun book discussion; craft and snack (guess what that will be)! If you need a book or to register your child please call 734-878-3888.

Teen Drug & Alcohol Prevent Discussion

2007-02-05T11:31:00.000-05:00

Parents, teachers, caregivers, and teens are welcome to join a discussion lead by Kelly from Catholic Social Services about the advertisement strategies drug and alcohol companies use to attract teens. Kelly will also introduce a drug and alcohol prevention website called Reality Check. This discussion will take place at the Pinckney Community Public Library on Tuesday February 6, 2007 from 7:00-7:30 p.m. with time for questions to follow. Refreshments provided. This program is free, but please register so we know how many will be attending by calling 734-878-3888. Thank you. ~Sara

March & April 2007 Events!

2007-01-22T16:19:00.000-05:00

I must start this blog with an apology for not blogging sooner. I know it has been a long time. First there were the holidays, then there was the new circulation software at the library, and now I am planning for summer reading events…always busy. However, I am sorry for the slacking.

My news is that we do not have many new events going on currently at PCPL for youth but there are lots of fun events to look forward to!

February 2007:

Tuesday Feb. 6 @ 7:00 p.m. Kelly from Catholic Social Services will be speaking to parents/teachers/caregivers and teens about the strategies drug and alcohol companies use to attract teens. Kelly will also introduce a drug and alcohol prevention web site called Reality Check. Refreshments will be provided and it is FREE! Please call the library to register at 734-878-3888.

Friday Feb. 16 @ 11:00 a.m. That’s right schools out! Children grades 1-4 (ages 6-10, independent readers) are invited for our FIRST EVER Book Bunch at the PCPL. We will be discussing Chocolate Fever by Smith. There will be book discussion; craft and snack (guess what that will be)! If you need a book or to register your child please call 734-878-3888.

Mondays Feb. 26 – April 2 at 10:00 a.m. Baby Time will resume. Bring your baby (0-24) months to the library for 20 minutes of stories, rhymes, songs and finger-plays followed by play time. Age appropriate toys as well as board books will be provided. Older siblings are welcome to join us. No commitment required, just drop in.

March 2007:

Saturday March 3 Steppin’ for the Library a 5K run/walk to benefit PCPL building fund. Registration starts at 8:00 a.m., the run starts at 10:00 a.m. Families are encouraged to run or walk together to get fit. The entry fee is $17 per individual before Feb. 23, and $22 for late registration. There is a $2.00 discount per person for a family of 4 or more! The race starts at Pinckney Elementary School. Stop by the library for the registration form.

Wednesday March 21 @ 5:30 p.m. join local author Denise Brennan- Nelson at the library for family night. Meet the author of Buzzy the Bumblebee (and numerous other books)! Fun for all ages! Please register by calling the library at 734-878-3888 so we know how many to expect.

On-going Events:

Family story time is every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. and Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. Please drop in for stories and craft each week. No registration and no age limits.

Frightening Fridays at Screams Ice-Cream in Hell. Join us the first Friday of every month at 2:00 p.m. for stories, songs and (free) ice-cream for the children! Feb. 2, March, 2, & April 6.

Bed Time Story Time at PCPL @ 7:00 p.m. the second Thursday of each month. Let us help get your children ready for bed! Bring your children in their pajamas with their favorite stuffed animal to the library. We will share stories, songs, and a bed time snack. Free to all ages!

Teen Book Chat is the third Tuesday of each month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Ages 9 and older are welcome. There is book discussion, as well as book related trivia game and snacks! Fun & Free! We are reading Charlie Bone and the invisible boy by Nimmo for our Feb. 20th meeting. Please let us know if you need a copy of the book!

Keep your eyes (and calandars) open for fun events in April during Pinckney schools spring break! And I am enjoying dreaming of warm days and Backyard Quidditch as I plan our 2007 summer reading program “Get A Clue”! I hope to see you at the library! ~Sara

Holiday Craft Night 2006

2006-12-18T14:34:00.000-05:00

Photo's from Holiday Craft Night 2005!

I have done Holiday Craft nights for several years at the Library and they are always lots of fun for everyone! The 2006 Holiday Craft Night at PCPL is rapidly approaching. This year it takes place on Thursday December 21 from 6:30-7:45 p.m. at the Pinckney Public Library. We will be use Hershey Kisses to create Elf and Santa ornaments, beads and pipe cleaners to create candy canes, 3-D paper ball ornaments, Rubber Ducky ornaments created out of fun foam, button wreaths, and tissue Christmas trees. Come ready to craft (lots of gluing this year) and ready for FUN! ~Sara

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-21T10:51:00.000-05:00

PCPL holiday hours will be:

Thursday, November 23, 2006 closed all day
Friday, November 24, 2006 we will be open 10:00-2:00
Saturday, November 25, 2006 we will be open 10:00-2:00

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving with your family and friends. We will look foward to seeing you after the holiday. ~ Sara

Just Don't Have Time To Read?

2006-11-15T16:05:00.000-05:00

Most people read little or nothing during the space of a year, including some of the most educated people in the U.S. The most frequest reason given for their lack of reading is No Time! The good news is that such is seldom the truth. One does not need a lot of time to read a lot. Think about all the time you spend waiting...what if you had a book with you? If an average reader reads for 20 minutes a day, 6 days a week, for 1 year how much would you read in a year? The equivalent of...

4 Dickens novels or...
5 Judith Krantz novels or...
21 John D. MacDonald mysteries..or
624 children's picture books...

How can we expect our children to grow up to be educated readers if the adults around them are not reading? How do you sell a product if you don't use it yourself? If adults do not read, if adults do not love books, then the children near them will not be sold on reading either.

Read! For more 0n the importance of reading aloud and "selling" reading to children check out Jim Trelease's web site! ~ Sara

Children's Book Week November 13 - 19, 2006

2006-11-13T13:05:00.000-05:00

National Children's Book Week is November 13 - 19, 2006. PCPL will be celebrating with something for everyone!

ALL WEEK

Free rental of all children's movies!

Food for Fines! Eliminate any fine on your library card by donating an item of food for the Gleaners food drive. One food item elimites one fine! All of the food is donated to local families.

FUN WITH FOOD, Monday 11/13/06 @ 4:30-5:30 p.m.
We will be crafting with food! All ages are welcome, ages 0-5 will need an adult assistant. Come ready to make a mess. Drop-in welcome. Free!

FAMILY STORY TIME - drop in
11/14/06 @ 11:00 a.m.
11/15/06 @ 1:00 p.m.
There will be stories, craft and fun for everyone! Free.

Newspaper Correction

2006-11-13T13:01:00.000-05:00

The free Community News newspaper on Friday November 10, 2006 incorrectly printed that Fun With Food (a children's craft program using food) would be offered on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Pinckney Library. That information is incorrect. PCPL is only offering the children's craft program Fun with Food on Monday, November 13, 2006 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Sorry for any inconvenience this has caused you. ~ Sara

New Youth Movies

2006-10-31T13:22:00.000-05:00

During National Children’s Book Week, November 13 – 18, 2006 all of the movies in our youth collection will be available at no charge. Normally PCPL charges $1.00 for 3 nights for movie rental. Movies for youth added to our collection in the past three months include:

A Fish Tale

Akeelah And The Bee

Arthur's Missing Pal

Barbie Fairytopia. Mermaidia

Barbie In The 12 Dancing Princesses

Brother Bear 2

Charlie And Lola. Volume One

Curious George

Garfield . A Tail Of Two Kitties

Go Diego Go! Wolf Pup Rescue

Hoot

Karate Dog

Livin' It Up! With The Bratz

Monster House

Nacho Libre

Over The Hedge

Pokemon. Lucario And The Mystery Of Mew

Power Rangers, Mystic Force. Dark Wish

Scooby-Doo! Pirates Ahoy!

The Benchwarmers /

The Lake House

The Wild

Time Warp Trio. Passport To Adventure

Tom And Jerry Shiver Me Whiskers /

Tony Hawk. In Boom Boom Sabotage

Ultimate Avengers 2

Xiaolin showdown : Season 1

Oct. 31 Story Time

2006-10-23T15:45:00.000-04:00

Family story time takes place at the Pinckney Community Public Library every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. and every Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. This year Halloween, October 31, is on a Tuesday so we will have a very fun Halloween celebration during our Family Story Time on Tuesday October 31 at 11:00 a.m. We will read special Halloween (not so spooky) books, do a fun Halloween craft to take home, and share some tasty cupcakes! All of the children (and parents if they want) are invited to wear their costumes to the Library for this special Halloween story time. I hope to see you there. Happy Halloween! ~ Sara

Jack Haynes as Spiderman at the Pinckney Public Library!

Read for the Fun of it! Teen Read Week 2006

2006-10-17T15:20:00.000-04:00

October 16 - 21, 2006 is Teen Read Week at the Pinckney Public Library. In celebration of teen reading we are offering amnesty for everyone - return your overdue materials for free. Amnesty only applies to overdue materials returned October 16-21, it does not include fees on materials you have already returned and not yet paid. Also in celebration we are providing free movie rental (DVD or VHS) to all of our patrons ages 9-17! So take advantage of our teen read week celebration and dig out those overdue materials under the bed and behind the couch and then borrow a movie for free.

Thursday, October 19th from 4:00-5:30 p.m. the Pinckney Library is hosting tee-shirt painting for ages 9 and older! Learn how to use the one-stroke painting technique using fabric paint on a tee-shirt. Please bring your own tee-shirt. There is a $6 materials fee for the class. Please call 734-878-3888 to register if you are attending.

Friday, October 20th from 4:00-6:00 p.m. ages 13 and older are invited to join us to watch the movie American Dreamz (rates PG13). The library will provide popcorn and the movie on our flat screen tv. American Dreamz is a satire of the reality tv show American Idol.

Read for the fun of it!

All Ages Self Defense

2006-10-09T15:43:00.000-04:00

Michael Di Giuseppe, Sensi from Koshinrin Budo Kai, will be teaching us how to keep our children safe on playgrounds as well as in public at the Pinckney Library on Thursday October 12, 2006 at 5:00. Sensi Mike has been teaching both of my children (7 & 4) as well as my husband karate through Pinckney Community Education for almost a year so I can vouch this will be an interesting and educational class that you and your children can enjoy together. Learn techniques you and your child can use to stay away from harm. As they say in the commercials the class is free keeping your children safe is ... priceless. ~Sara

Liam (4) ready to learn!

Teen Readers taking Small Steps

2006-10-06T11:31:00.000-04:00

Teen readers if you are looking for something new to read check out www.teenreads.com/index.asp. It is a great web site with lots of reviews and excepts from new teen fiction!

Teen Book Chat is reading the book Small Steps by Louis Sachar for the October book discussion. Small Steps is the continuation of the story of Armpit that started at Camp Green Lake in the book Holes. I finished reading Small Steps last night before bed. It was a good story, but personally I do not think that it was outstanding the way Holes was. However, you can read Small Steps without having read Holes previously, maybe this is what Sachar was aiming for. If you agree with me or especially if you disagree please join us on Tuesday October 17 at 6:30 for discussion, food, and fun at the Pinckney Library. Teen Book Chat welcomes anyone ages 9 - 18, and as always, is free! If you need a copy of the book I have two of them sitting on my desk, just let me know.

~Sara

Pinckney Historical Calendars

2006-09-26T16:32:00.000-04:00

If you have not heard the Friends of the Pinckney Community Public Library are selling some wonderful historical calendars at the Library. The calendars include months September 2006-December 2007 and feature great historical photographs for each month. This calendar was edited by community member Caroline Richardson and graphic design services were provided by Lindsey Mishler. You will enjoy the views of Pinckney’s past and help the library preserve our shared history for future generations. They cost $10 and the money goes to the Friends who then support the Pinckney Library and its programs. The Friends often support the youth program at the Library including the purchase of audio books, music cd's, and providing food for summer youth events, and providing Backyard Quidditch prizes. By purchasing the calandar you are also supporting library programs for community youth. They make great gifts as well! Thanks! ~Sara

Talk Like A Pirate Day!

2006-09-15T12:04:00.000-04:00

Ahoy! Tuesday September 19, 2006 is the official Talk Like A Pirate Day! Of course we will be celebrating pirates at the library with pirate story times Tuesday Sept. 19 at 11:0 a.m. and Wednesday Sept. 20 at 1:00 p.m. Tom and Joan will read several pirate stories to the children who attend story time on these days and then I will follow up with a fun pirate craft! Even if you can't attend any of our story times just remember to talk like a pirate or read some of the listed pirate books you can find at the library! Arrr!~Sara

Picture Books

Dora's Pirate Adventure by Christine Ricci
Tough Boris by Mem Fox
Pirate girl by Cornelia Funke
Roger, the Jolly Pirate by Brett Helquist
Shiver me letters : a pirate ABC by June Sobel
Pirates ahoy! by Hans Wilhelm

Juvenile Chapter Books

Daring pirate women by Anne W. Sharp (non-fiction)
Pirateology : the Pirate hunter's companion edited by Dugald A. Steer (non-fiction)
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
How to be a pirate by Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III
The not-so-jolly Roger by Jon Scieszka
Pirates Past Noon by Mary Pope Osborne
Pirates! : raiders of the high seas by Christopher Maynard (non-fiction)
The short and bloody history of pirates by John Farman (non-fiction)

Teen Fiction

Piratica : being a daring tale of a singular girl's adventure upon the high seas by Tanith Lee
Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer

Baby Time Sept. 18

2006-09-15T11:49:00.000-04:00

Baby Time starts again on Monday September 18, 2006 at 10:00. Baby time is a special time at the Pinckney library for baby's (ages 0-24 months) and their caregivers. We share books, songs, rhymes, fingerplays, and age appropriate toys. We start the morning with a few songs and books and as the baby's attentions wander we get out the toy box and the babies play while the caregivers socialize. I greatly enjoy Baby Time, getting to see the tiny infant just learning to smile along with the older toddler learning how to walk, talk and make friends. The staff of the library enjoys watching all of the children develop and become readers. Baby Time is the beginning of the reading process where the babies hear rhymes and learn speech patters which will later become the foundation of reading. So come join us for some baby fun (and learning) at the library! ~Sara

Beautiful Ella Turner enjoys Baby Time!

Read for the Record Update

2006-09-08T10:27:00.000-04:00

On August 24th the nation was reading The Little Engine That Could to set the Guinness World Record for the largest number of people reading the same book on the same day. The Pinckney Public Library participated with a special story time which was well attended by 10 children and their adult companions. The record has been set! According to Jumpstart 140,387 people participated at over 800 events in 45 states. So we did it. I am very proud that Pinckney made a contribution to this great event. I hope that next year we are able to help break that record. Thank you to everyone who did attend this fun event. ~Sara

Back to School!

2006-09-05T14:13:00.000-04:00

I am sorry I have not posted to this blog recently at the end of summer reading I was on vacation. School starts tomorrow for the Pinckney Community School District, summer reading is done with so things at the library are quieting down. Our family story time has begun again on Tuesdays at 11:00 and Wednesday at 1:00 so please join us with your children for stories, songs and craft either of those days (it is the same stories each day). Bed Time story time is Thursday September 14 at 7:00, children are invited to come dressed in their pj's to share stories, songs and snacks. Baby Time will start September 18th. Baby Time is stories, song and playtime for children 24 months or younger at the library every Monday September 18 - October 30th at 10:00 a.m. I will begin reading to the Pinckney Head Start / Michigan Readyness classroom September 20th, which I always look forward to as well. I hope your school year is off to a good start! Keep your eyes open for other events at the library. October 16-21 is national Teen Read Week and November 13-18 is national Children's Book Week! Keep on reading together! ~Sara

Where is Elsewhere?

2006-08-24T13:22:00.000-04:00

The Teen Book Chat group has chosen Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin to read for the book discussion on Tuesday September, 19, 2006 from 6:30-7:30. We will discuss the book, play a trivia game related to the book, eat snacks and have fun. Book Chat is free and available to any tween or teen ages 9-17 please drop by and give us your opinion on the book. We hope to see you there! ~Sara

BOOK SUMMER: Liz awakes in an unfamiliar room. Why is she on a ship in the middle of the ocean? Where is the ship heading? And who is the other girl name Thandi who is sharing her room? Liz finally comes to understand that she has been killed by a hit and run driver and is bound for Elsewhere. Life is not easier in Elsewhere than it was on Earth, and Liz has to learn how to deal with loss and change. Elsewhere explorers how we all must cope with life and whaterver is to come after our lives end.

Read for the Record

2006-08-21T13:03:00.000-04:00

Summer reading is finished but we are still reading, having fun and breaking records at the Library! Everyone is welcome on Thursday August 24 at 11:00 when we make our contribution toward the national goal of setting the record for the largest number of children and adults reading the same book in a single day. The book selected is The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper. At the library we will read The Little Engine That Could, along with a couple other train books and then do a simple train related craft on Thursday August 24 at 11:00 a.m. After story time is over I will enter the number of children attending story time online to be counted as reading toward the record. For more information you can go to Jumpstart Read for the Record. If you can not attend the story time at the library but would like to read for the record you can read to your children at home and then record it at their website as well. Lets help set a world record by reading! ~Sara

Teen Final Party

2006-08-03T10:45:00.000-04:00

I am very sorry. There has been a mis-print of the date of the final party for the readers in the Teen Summer Reading Program at the Pinckney Library. In the original flyer and on the library web site the date for the Teen Final Party is listed as August 4 (Friday) at 4:00. That is not true. We will be celebrating summer reading with our teen readers (Creature Feature) on Thursday August 10 at 4:00. This is when we will finish raffling the prizes for the teen summer reading program, eat food, make a craft (macrame key chain), and have fun! So please remember to change your calendars so that you remember to attend the Teen Final Party at the Pinckney Library from August 4 to August 10 at 4:00. Sorry about this mistake.
~Sara

Summer Reading Week 6

2006-07-31T11:25:00.000-04:00

We have had some great attendance to our programs this summer, and we have had lots of children turning in their reading logs. Keep up the good reading. This is the last full week of keeping track of your minutes/titles! Next week is the final parties for both age groups. Ages 0-9 will celebrate their reading on Tuesday August 8 11:00-1:00 with cupcakes, a craft, games, and prizes for all of the readers this summer! Then the teens celebrate all of their reading with the final raffle ticket drawing on Thursday August 10 at 4:00. Prizes for all of the readers!

This weeks summer reading programs at the library include:

Tuesday August 1 at 11:00 we will host Beth Dumas and her therapy dogs at the library. Beth will be teaching us about "Wise Dogs and Dog-Wise Kids". We are looking forward to having Beth and her dogs at the library! All ages are welcome.
Story time with Tom & Joan Wednesday August 2 where we will be making dog puppets out of paper bags and listening to stories about dogs.
Ages 9 and older can learn how to paint using the "one-stroke" technique on Thursday August 3 at 10:00 at the library. We do need you to register before you attend this program so if you are interested please call 734-878-3888. There will be a $5.00 materials charge. You will be bringing home with you a unique hand-crafted wind chime. Currently we only have one person registered for this program, if we do not get more registration by Wednesday August 2nd then we will cancel this program, so if you are interested please call soon!
Friday August 4 at 2:00 please meet us at Screams Ice Cream in Hell, MI for stories followed by free ice-cream for the children who participate.

We hope to see you at the library this week! ~Sara

August Book Discussion

2006-07-19T10:30:00.000-04:00

I am very excited to announce that the Readers of the Round Table book discussion group has decided to read the book Uglies by Scott Westerfeld for our August discussion. Uglies is the first in a trilogy by Westerfeld. Uglies is set in a futuristic society where citizens are lead to believe that they are ugly until age 16 when they'll undergo an operation that will change them into pleasure-seeking "pretties". Of course, not everyone wants to become pretty, and that is when the action starts. This is a well written, innovative, and creative story line and I am very excited to share it with the Readers of the Round Table.

The Readers of the Round Table is a book discussion group for ages 9 and older. We meet at the library on the third Tuesday of each month to discussion the book of the month, play some trivia, eat some snacks, and share some fun! No registration is required and it is free. Please join us to discuss Uglies by Scott Westerfeld on Tuesday August 15 at 6:30 p.m. ~ Sara

Summer Reading Week 4

2006-07-17T14:40:00.000-04:00

I hope all of you summer readers made it to at least one of our events at the library last week. We had a huge attendance at the Howell Nature Center's presentation of Mixed Animals! Thank you to everyone who did attend, and my apologies to those who arrived late and found seating for the program "difficult". We are a small library and we do the best we can to accommodate everyone who attends.

So as we start off week four of summer reading what kind of fun can you expect?

Tuesday, July 18th the Mad Hatters will be sharing stories at the library at 11:00 a.m. They are an excellent local group of story tellers! And following the Mad Hatters the kids will head outside to do some custom cupcake decorating (and eating)!
Tuesday, July 18th in the evening the Readers of the Roundtable (and 9 and older) will be meeting at 6:30 p.m. to discuss Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society by Adeline Yen Mah.
We will have our regular story time with Tom & Joan on Wednesday July 19th at 1:00 where we will share dinosaur stories and a do a dino craft.
Thursday July 20th ages 9-17 will do some basket weaving, everyone attending will take home their own basket. Registration is required due to limited supplies so please call the library at 734-878-3888 or scastle@tln.lib.mi.us

All of these events are free of cost! Hope to see you at the library! ~Sara

Summer Reading Week 3

2006-07-10T13:17:00.000-04:00

Thank you to all of you who have already turned in your time logs, incentive games, and teen trivia. I have enjoyed all of your stories and pictures! Good job reading!

This week on Tuesday July 11 at 11:00 a.m. the Howell Nature Center will visit the library and they will bring with them birds and mammals native to Michigan. This presentation focuses on what a person should do if they find an injured or ill wild animal. All ages are welcome, however children under the age of 5 should be accompained by an adult.

On Thursday July 13 at 4:00 p.m. teens ages 9-17 are invited to the library to learn how to create furry flip-flops! Please call the library to register 734-878-3888 or scastle@tln.lib.mi.us. All you need to bring is your own flip-flops, the library will provide yarn and crochet hooks (you can bring them if you want). We will do our first raffle ticket drawing for teens at this event!

Also on Thursday July 13 at 7:00 is our monthly event, Bed Time Story Time. All ages are welcome. Wear your pj's and bring a stuffed animal to cuddle.

Please contact the library for more information on any of these or other events at 734-878-3888. ~Sara

Holiday Closing

2006-06-30T16:03:00.000-04:00

The Pinckney Community Public Library will be closed in celebration of Independence Day July 3rd & 4th so that the staff can enjoy the holiday with their families and friends. There will be story time at the library on Wednesday July 5th at 1:00 and story time at Screams Ice Cream in Hell on Friday July 7th at 2:00. Our next children's summer reading event is Tuesday July 11 at 11:00 with Howell Nature Center bringing and discussing animals native to Michigan.

We hope you have a very safe and happy holiday. See you on the 5th.

Summer Reading Kicks Off

2006-06-30T15:41:00.000-04:00

Paws Claws Scales & Tales summer reading for ages 0-9 kicked off on Tuesday June 27 with a Pet Craft Program that was fun for all ages. We had approximately 30-35 children join us at the library to design food bows for their pets, boxes for their bugs, fish to decorate the house with, and cat masks to wear. Some of the older (and very talented) participants learned how to make their own dog out of a balloon. Everyone took home a new pet or two. Thank you to everyone who attended and made this program a success.
Creature Feature summer reading for ages 10-18 kicked off with a competitive game of backyard Harry Potter Quidditch. We had 21 children participate in 6 Quidditch matches. It was great fun for all of us! All of the children enjoyed water bottles, chocolate frogs, and Berti Bott's Every Flavored Beans donated by the Friends of the PCPL, as well as some friendly competition. I saw some very creative brooms (decorated pool noodles) brought to play on as well as a few competitors who came dressed in their capes. Thank you to everyone who played, and especially to one young man who I overheard ask his Mom as they were leaving "can I go check out a book" who made my day! If you have come by the library to pick up your paperwork to participate in this years summer reading program that is wonderful we are looking forward to seeing you again. If you have not don't fear you still can - we are just getting started so stop by and join the fun! ~ Sara

American Girl Party

2006-06-19T16:21:00.000-04:00

If you have not heard on Saturday June 17 at 10:00 the Pinckney Library had an American Girl Doll book discussion and "tea" party. We had a great attendance of 13 girls, plus their dolls and some of their Moms. We started with an introduction of ourselves and our dolls, we had a large variety of dolls including, Samatha, Felicity, Kaya, Josefina, Elizabeth, Kit, and more. Following the introduction we had a brief discussion of our favorite American Girl book. We ended with a craft which each girl took home with her. Thank you to everyone who attended and made this program a success. It was a lot of fun to meet the girls and their dolls! ~Sara

What are your children doing this summer?

2006-06-16T12:40:00.000-04:00

School is (finally) out and summer is upon us. Looking for something fun and educational to do with your children this summer? Pet lovers of all kinds are invited to join “Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales” or “Creature Feature” at the Pinckney Community Public Library. The 2006 Summer Reading Program is open to children of all abilities.

This year the themes for summer reading are Paws, Claws, Scales & Tales for children ages 0-9 years, and Creature Feature for ages 10-17 years. If you are older then 17 check our Adult Summer Reading Program. So be on the look out for fur, scales, feathers, tails, beaks, and fins for all kinds of animal fun at the library!

How does summer reading work? New this year is no registration for any ages! Come by and pick up a reading log or reading raffle tickets to track your reading starting Monday June 26 at 10:00 a.m. Just read and complete the forms to get your prizes! It’s that simple. Of course if you want to do something more there is always more to do at the library including attending performances and craft programs on Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. throughout the month of July for all ages. A listing of all events will be available at the library and at our web site. Our first program of the summer is a Pet Craft Event on Tuesday June 27 from 11:00-1:00. We will be deocrating bowls for our pets, making fish from recycled cds, decorating cat masks, decorating paper cats and dogs, creating pet pouch necklaces, and if you are really lucky Sara will demonstrate her newest acquired skill, making dogs out of balloons! We will be outside (weather permitting) for the craft event so please come dressed appropriatly (we have very little shade). So it will be hot, it will be messy, it will be free, it will be summer crafts at the Pinckney Library!

If you don’t have time to get all of the reading done that you would like (so that you can get all the prizes you would like) then we can be bribed. Buy a bag or can of cat or dog food and donate it to the library to count toward your reading goal. All of the food donations will be donated to the Humane Society of Livingston County so our dog and cat friends can benefit.

So wash the dog, clean out the litter box and put your hamster in the exercise ball so you can get into the library for some fun summer adventure.

For more information call the library at 734-878-3888, or visit our web site at www.pinckneylibrary.org, or stop by and pick up a flyer listing all of our summer events.

Harry Potter Backyard Quidditch Match!

2006-06-06T11:55:00.000-04:00

The Pinckney Community Public Library is looking for muggle children age 9 and up to compete in a Harry Potter Backyard Quidditch Match at the Pinckney Public Library! With pool noodles as broomsticks, nerf balls, and hula hoops we are going to play Quidditch at the library! The Quidditch Match will take place at the Pinckney Community Public Library on June 29, 2006 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. All competetors must bring their own pool noodle to ride as a flying broom. Pool noodles may be decorated in house colors. All competetors MUST register BEFORE June 23, 2006. To register call the library at 734-878-3888 or email scastle@tln.lib.mi.us and give us your name, age, and phone number. Registrants will be called with their team assignments by June 28, 2006. We will be playing outdoors so come dressed appropriately - in the case of rain it will be cancelled. Spectators are always welcome, it is great for your viewing pleasure! Please contact Pinckney Community Public Library for more information. Prizes and bottled water will be provided by the Friends of the Pinckney Community Public Library! ~Sara

Photos from Quidditch 2005

Prize Donations

2006-06-02T13:04:00.000-04:00

Every summer I start the requests for donations to local businesses for summer reading prizes in very early spring, Feburary or March. There are some businesses who year after year donate prizes to the library and others who come and go. I always appriciate the donations I recieve from businesses each year. The prizes are great incentive to the kids who read over the summer and kids who read over the summer are better prepaired to return to (or start) school in the fall. So far this year I have recieved prize donations from the following businesses (in no particular order):

Hamburg Dairy Queen (free 5oz cones)
McDonals of Pinckney (free american meal bookmarks)
Howell Bowl-E-Drome (passes for a free game of bowling)
Bestmaze (discounted tickets for children admission)
Friends of the Pinckney Community Public Library (Quidditch prizes & water)
RollerRama II (free skate passes)
Potter Park Zoo (free passes)
Pinckney Wendy's
Castaway Cafe (free passes to play)
Howell Mejier (gift cards)

If you own a business and you are interested in donating a prize (or money for a prize) to the youth department for kids who read this summer please contact me at the Pinckney Library. As the saying goes "it takes a village to raise a reader". Or something like that. ~ Sara

Cap Kid's Fair

2006-05-26T15:36:00.000-04:00

Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Council of Livingston County will be hosting it's annual Cap Kid's Fair on Saturday, June 3, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m on the grounds of the Village Education Center on Putnam St. in Pinckney. There will be free entertainment with Kids' Karaoke from 12:00-3:00 plus a Magic Show and other fun entertainment! There will be great safety information available for parents and caregivers as well as a petting farm, pony rides and a moonwalk for the kids! Free Ice-Cream! Don't forget to stop by and say hello to your local children's librarian. This event takes place during the annual Pinckney Art In The Park event.
Hope to see you there! ~ Sara

Friends of the PCPL Book Sale

2006-05-26T15:03:00.000-04:00

Our long awaited annual book sale is almost here so mark your calanders! The Friends of the PCPL Book Sale is :

Friday, June 2, 2006 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 3, 2006 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, June 4, 2006 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Non-Profit Organizations are welcome Sunday, June 4, 2006

3:00-5:00 p.m.

The Friends charge $5.00 a bag - they will provide the bags! This year the sale will be at the Putnam Township Annex on Howell St. in the heart of downtown Pinckney. If you want more information please call 734-878-3888.

"So Many Books, So Little Time"

Book Sale Teen Volunteers

2006-05-16T10:59:00.000-04:00

If you have (or you are) a teenage who would like to spend some time volunteering, but not LOTS of time volunteering, I would like to suggest the annual Friends of the Pinckney Community Public Library Book Sale. We are happy to have some young strong muscle to help move boxes and boxes of books from the storage sheds at the library into cars and then unloaded at the Putnam Township Annex, and then for those books that do not sell in the book sale back to storage at the end of the sale. If moving boxes is not really your style then consider helping us sort the books into categories for the sale or actually helping out during the sale. The dates of these events are as follows:

Tuesday, May 30 @ 6:00 p.m. we will move the books out of storage to the Annex.
Wednesday and Thursday, May 31 and June 1 we will be sorting the books in the Annex for the sale starting at 10:00 a.m. and running throughout the day, please call for times.
Friday, June 2 the sale is 10:00-7:00.
Saturday, June 3 the sale is 10:00-7:00.
Sunday, June 4 the sale is 10:00-3:00 and we will start boxing books that have not sold.
Monday, June 5 we will be moving the not sold books from the Annex back to storage at the Library at 6:00 p.m.

Please call the Library at 734-878-3888 to sign up for time slots! We appreciate all the help we can get. And if you need the volunteer time to count as community service for school please let us know and we have a form we can provide you so that you get the credit. ~Sara

May Bed Time Story Time

2006-05-11T11:55:00.000-04:00

Children are invited to the Pinckney Public Library tonight, Thursday, May 11 at 7:00 pm to get ready for bed. Everyone, children and caregivers, are invited to wear their pj's and bring a favorite stuffed animal to cuddle. We will share stories, snacks, music and fun!

New Youth Books

2006-05-11T10:29:00.000-04:00

Looking for something new to read? Here is the listing of new books for 0-18 arrived at the Library in May 2006.

Half-Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer (a new series by the author of Artemis Fowl)
An Innocent Soldier by Josef Holub (Teen Historical Fiction)
Houndsley and Catina by James Howe (Picture Book about friendship)
Miss Bindergarten celebrates the last day of kindergarten by Joseph Slate (Picture Book)
Where did Daddy's hair go? by Joe O'Connor (Picture Book)
On the way to kindergarten by Virginia Kroll (Picture Book)
Hit the ball duck by Jez Alborough (Baseball Picture Book)
Listen! by Stephanie S. Tolan (Juvenile Fiction)
''Fire! fire!'' Said Mrs. McGuire by Bill Martin Jr (Picture Book)
Mommy hugs by Karen Katz (Picture Book just in time for Mother's Day)
Chew on this : everything you don't want to know about fast food by Eric Schlosser and Charles Wilson (Juvenile Non-Fiction)
Play, Mozart, play! by Peter Sís (Picture Book Biography of Mozart)
Specials by Scott Westerfeld (The final volume in the highly acclaimed Uglies trilogy for Teens)
Just listen : a novel by Sarah Dessen (Teen Fiction)
Where's Waldo? : The Great Picture Hunt! by Martin Handford (Picture Book)
Singing hands by Delia Ray (Juvenile Historica Fiction)
On top of spaghetti by Paul Brett Johnson (Picture Book)
Swim, Little Wombat, swim! by Charles Fuge (Board Book)
Only in your dreams : a Gossip Girl novel by Cecily von Ziegesar (Teen Fiction)
Strange happenings : five tales of transformation by Avi (Juvenile Story Collection)
Two hot dogs with everything by Paul Haven (Juvenile Baseball Fiction)
Stay with me by Garret Freymann-Weyr (Teen Fiction)
How to speak Dragonese by Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III (Juvenile Fiction)
The love curse of the Rumbaughs by Jack Gantos (Juvenile Fiction)

I hope there is something new there for everyone! ~Sara

The Secrets Out!

2006-05-02T10:18:00.000-04:00

In case you have not heard yet this year's summer reading program for ages 0-9 at the PCPL is Paw, Claws, Scales & Tales, yep, lots and lots of animal programs! I am very excited about this years program as there is no better combination then animals, kids and reading to make for a fun summer at the Library. The summer reading theme for ages 10 and older is Creature Feature, more and more animals!

Summer reading will kick off for all ages Monday June 26, 2006! New this year is no registration cards. Just fill out the information on any of our reading time logs, raffle tickes, or other games that you turn in to get prizes and we will track your information using that paperwork. One less thing for everyone to worry about. You can start tracking your reading any time after June 26th and before our final parties at the beginning of August.

Keep watching for more information on all of our upcomming exciting animal (and other) programs this summer! Flyers will soon be going home with students from schools and they will soon be available at the library and on our web page.

~Sara

Craft Extravaganza Success

2006-04-19T10:26:00.000-04:00

Thank you to everyone who attended the Craft Extravaganza on Tuesday, April 18th. It was a great success. We had over 70 children attend this event and they got to try out 5 different crafts ranging from decorating a butterfly stick puppet to decorating their own treasure chests with shells. Thank you to everyone who was patient with the crowded space and eventually the lack of supplies as things started running out. I was very happy to see such a great turnout for this event!

The book title chosen at the recent meeting of the Readers of the Roundtable for the month of May is Heaven by Angela Johnson. We will be meeting to discuss Heaven on May 16 at 6:30 at the library. Anyone ages 9 and older are invited to join us for discussion, snacks, trivia, and lots of fun.

We also had good attendance at our movie showing of Chronicles of Narnia (2005) on Good Friday at the Library. We had 12 people attend of various ages. We all got to enjoy fresh popcorn, a good movie, and good company. Thanks for attending. On Thursday May 18th we will be showing Nanny McPhee new on DVD at 3:00 at the Library. This is a half day for Pinckney Public Schools so we are hoping some of you can come watch with us!

Thanks everyone for making the youth programs at the Pinckney Public Library successful. If you have any questions about these programs or other youth programs please contact me at the Library 734-878-3888 or scastle@tln.lib.mi.us.

~Sara

New Teen Books!

2006-04-06T12:53:00.000-04:00

Looking for something new to read? Listed here are new books for Teens – added to the collection since January. Check them out!

Killers of the dawn by Darren Shan
Resurrection by Stephen Cole
Pretties by Scott Westerfeld
Jonny Magic and the Card Shark Kids : how a gang of geeks beat the odds and stormed Las Vegas by David Kushner
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Avalon High by Meg Cabot
All rivers flow to the sea by Alison McGhee
Ball don't lie by Matt de la Pena
Black and white by Paul Volponi
What a song can do : 12 riffs on the power of music
Demon deathchase by Hideyu Kikuchi
Copper sun by Sharon Draper
Criss cross by Lynne Rae Perkins.
Day of tears: a novel in dialogue by Julius Lester
Monkey town by Ronald Kidd
Dark sons by Nikki Grimes
Resurrection blues by Mike Tanner
I am the messenger by Markus Zusak
New boy by Julian Houston
John Lennon: all I want is the truth: a photographic biography by Elizabeth Partridge
Black juice by Margo Lanagan
Eva underground by Dandi Daley Mackall
Dungeons & dragons for dummies by Bill Slavicsek and Richard Baker
The road of the dead by Kevin Brooks
Freaks : alive, on the inside! by Annette Curtis Klause
Hard hit by Ann Turner
Thou shalt not dump the skater dude : and other commandments I have broken by Rosemary Graham
The book thief by Markus Zusak
The warrior heir by Cinda Williams Chima
Encyclopedia idiotica: history's worst decisions and the people who made them by Stephen Weir
No right turn by Terry Trueman
Theories of relativity by Barbara Haworth-Attard

The Thief Lord

2006-03-22T12:47:00.000-05:00

The Readers of the Roundtable, book discussion group for ages 9 and older, have chosen The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke to read and discuss at our April 18th meeting. Welcome to the magical underworld of Venice, Italy, where hidden canals and deserted old theaters shelter runaway children and orphans with incredible secrets...Prosper & Bo, orphans on the run from their cruel aunt and uncle, join the Thief Lord who leads a ring of street children in petty crimes. When the detective who is looking for the two boys spills the beans about Scipio's real father, the group begins to fall apart. At the same time they take on a big theft for a huge sum and find themselves in the middle of a mystery that has never been solved, the disappearance of the magical Merry-Go-Round. Soon the boys are thrust into circumstances that will lead them to a fantastic, spellbound conclusion. Read the book to find out how it all happens and then attend the book discussion group at the Library on April 18 at 6:30 where we will have snacks and games as well as the discussion.

If you need a copy of the book you can go to MelCat to interlibrary loan it, all you need is your Pinckney Library card number and you name. It will be shipped from the lending library to the Pinckney Library for you to borrow. All free of charge. Or call the library and we will help you get a copy 734-878-3888.

At the book discussion in April the tweens will decide on what book to read for May. All of these titles are on the accelerated readers list for the Pinckney schools. They will choose from the following list:

Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff
Heaven by Angela Johnson
Parsifal's Page by Gerald Morris
United Tates of America by Paula Danziger

If you want copies of any of those books please contact the library or request it from MelCat.

See you at the library! ~Sara

Spring Break Adventures

2006-03-13T13:23:00.000-05:00

Pinckney schools celebreate Spring Break starting on Good Friday, April 14 - April 23, 2006. If you are lucky enough to be planning a trip to another location, enjoy your trip we will see you when you get home. However, if you are staying home then plan a trip to the Pinckney Library for any of our youth events during Spring Break.

We will be kicking off our Spring Break adventure by watching the 2005 release of The Chronicles of Narnia on Friday April 14 at 11:00 a.m. The DVD edition hits the streets April 4th. Please bring a sack lunch to enjoy while you watch. The Library will pop up lots of warm buttery popcorn for everyone to enjoy. Also bring blankets and pillows to make yourselves comfortable on the floor while we watch. Anyone 8 or younger also need to bring an adult friend.

Our next Spring Break Adventure will take place on Tuesday April 18th at 11:00 a.m. the Pinckney Library will host Spring Break Craft Extravaganzia for ages 2-17. There will be lots of crafts for everyone of all crafting abilities. However, we will not have our regular family story time due to this craft adventure. Also on April 18th there will be our normally scheduled meeting of the Readers of the Roundtable book discussion group at 6:30 p.m. book title to be announced.

Our final stop on our Spring Break Adventure will be Wednesday April 19. At 1:00 p.m. we will host our normally schduled Family Story Time for all ages including stories and a craft. At 3:00 p.m. ages 9 and older are invited to learn about "What's Inside My PC (personal computer)?". The Library's information technology consultant will open up a couple of our old pc's to discuss and answer questions about what is inside your computer.

Please join us at the library for a Spring Break Adventure by attending some or all of these adventures with your family. Hope to see you at the Library for Spring Break.

Parenting Awareness Michigan

2006-03-07T13:39:00.000-05:00

Michigan celebrates the month of March as parenting awareness month. For more information you can go to Parenting Awareness Michigan (PAM). At the PAM web site you can find information on the following topics:

Brain Development in Children
40 Developmental Assets (used in Pinckney Public Schools)
100 Ways to Know More Do More Parent Involvement
10 Steps to Positive Parenting
13 Tips for Talking With Teens about Anything
Infant Development
And many many more topics.

New Youth Audio Books in 2006

2006-03-07T13:24:00.000-05:00

This is a list of audio books that have been purchased since January 1, 2006, so they are all new to the PCPL. Included in this list is audio books for juvenile and teen fiction. The PCPL also has a collection of audio books for younger kids that are a set of books and cd or cassette tape, but I have not added anything new to that collection in 2006 (not yet, anyway).

The witches by Dahl
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by MacDonald
Girl underground by Gleitzman (Teen)
Small steps by Sachar (this is the follow up book to award winning Holes)
Blind beauty by Peyton (Teen)
Ptolemy's gate by Stroud (the conclusion of The Bartimaeus Trilogy )
The Bunnicula collection by Howe (includes : Bunnicula; Howliday Inn; The celery stalks at midnight)
Geronimo Stilton Books 1-3 by Herrmann
Rotten School Books 1-2 by Stine
Elizabeth I, red rose of the House of Tudor by Lasky
Diary of a fairy godmother by Codell
The cat ate my gymsuit by Danziger

I hope you can find an audio book to please you or members of your family. I know in my family a good audio book can provide peace in the car during road trips! ~Sara

Readers of the Roundtable Choice for April

2006-02-22T15:46:00.000-05:00

Last night the Readers of the Roundtable chose Redwall by Brian Jacques as our book to discuss at our meeting on Tuesday March 21, 2006 at 6:30 at the Pinckney Library. If you need a copy of this book so that you can join the discussion please contact the library at 734-878-3888 or go to MelCat to request a copy, all you need is a Pinckney Library card.

The Readers of the Roundtable is a book discussion group for ages 9 and up. We meet at the Pinckney Library on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Each month the group decides what book they are going to read for the following month based on a list of four choices. When we meet in March we will choose the book for April from the following list of titles:

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff

These titles are chosen by the Librarian based on the recommendations from the group who attends the discussion. If you have a title you would like to discuss please feel free to attend our monthly meetings. Registration is not required.

Guys Read Web Site

2006-02-16T19:25:00.000-05:00

Boys need to read for pleasure! We all know this. Guys Read is a great web site with lots of suggested reading for boys of all ages. Check it out and get reading! ~Sara

Readers of the Roundtable Book Choices for March

2006-02-10T16:26:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday February 21st the Readers of the Roundtable will be meeting to discuss the book Hoot by Carl Hiaasen. I have not finished reading Hoot yet, but it has me very involved! I can't wait to continue reading it and find out more about Mullet Fingers and Roy. Want to know who Mullet Fingers is? Read Hoot and join our discussion group!

At the book discussion on Feb. 21st the kids who attend will decide what we will be reading for the month of March. They will be choosing one of the titles from the following four:

From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
Redwall by Brian Jacques
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Join our group and help us decide what we will be reading next! And, of course, there is always snacks and a fun book related trivia game at each discussion! ~Sara

Family Reading Night

2006-02-02T13:00:00.000-05:00

Do you have a weekly or monthly family game night? How about family movie night? How about family reading night?

We all know about the importance of reading to our babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. In elementary school children and parents are encouraged to read to each other at least 30 minutes every day. Reading together forms a bond. Nothing is more comfortating then curling up together to share a story. Do you know it is equally important to read to readers? As our children grow up we enjoy hearing them learn how to read on their own. As they start to read by themselves we slowly and naturally cease to read to them. They want their independence and we want to provide it to them. However, we need to keep reading to them even as they become middle schoolers and high schoolers. Family reading time - out loud - is important to everyone. Family reading continues a bond that you worked to form early on. It provides great discussion topics with your teenager on lots of various topics. Research shows that reading to teens boosts their reading comprehension, increases their vocabularies, and helps them become better writers. In fact, students who are read to are more motivated to read themselves—increasing the likelihood that they will one day become independent, lifelong readers.

Choose books you enjoy currently or when you were a teen. Kids know when you are faking it you need to choose something you sincerly enjoy reading! Start small, just try a short story from a story collection, or a poem and move on from there. Start by just reading 15-20 minutes and if everyone is enjoying the story then keep going or stop for the night so everyone can go back to doing their own activities and pick it up again at a later time. Try reading books that have movies associated with them so that you can read the book out loud as a family and then watch the movie together.

Everyone loves to be read to - try listening to a good audio book next time you have a long trip, you may be surprised how much fun it is (even as an adult). Just remember it is always important to read to your children, no matter how old they are!

2006 Literary Award Winners

2006-01-25T12:44:00.000-05:00

The American Library Association has announced the 2006 Newberry and Caldecott award winners! The awards and the winners:

The Newbery Medal winner is Criss Cross, written by Lynne Rae Perkins.
The Hello, Goodbye Window, illustrated by Chris Raschka, is the Caldecott Medal winner.
Looking for Alaska, written by John Green, is the Printz Award winner.
Day of Tears: A Novel in Dialogue, written by Julius Lester, is the King Author Book winner.
Rosa, illustrated by Bryan Collier, is the King Illustrator Book winner.
Jimi & Me, written by Jaime Adoff, is the Steptoe winner.
Dona Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart, illustrated by Raul Colon, is the Belpre Illustrator Award winner.
The Tequila Worm, written by Viola Canales, is the Belpre Author Award winner.
Jacqueline Woodson is the Edwards Award winner. Margaret A. Edwards Award is for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults
Secrets of a Civil War Submarine: Solving the Mysteries of the H.L. Hunley, written by Sally M. Walker, is the Sibert Award winner.

If you are interested in learning more about these awards or interested in learning what other titles were honored you can go read the press release from the American Library Association.

Some of these award winning books are already available at the Pinckney Library, some of them we will be buying in the next several weeks. Let us know if there is a title you are interested in!

T'ween Loom Knitting!

2006-01-18T13:05:00.000-05:00

Are you crafty? Are you interested in knitting? Are you chilly and wishing you had a beautiful, warm, handmade scarf? Do you know someone who needs a beautiful, warm, handmade scarf? Are you between the age of 9 and 17 years? If you answered yes to any of those questions come to the Pinckney Library on January 26 at 6:30 when I will be teaching loom knitting (also known as how to use a knitting board). There is a $5 materials fee for the loom which you get to keep - if you already have a loom bring it and you dont have to pay the fee. You need to bring one skein of yarn (my advice is to start with simple acrylic yarn) and if you can find one bring a crochet hook but it is not necessary. Everyone will leave this program with a scarf started which you can finish at home or bring back to the library if you need help with finishing it later. It is a fun hands-on program! If you want to learn more about loom knitting check out these web sites: Authentic Knitting Board The Knitting Loom Store If you are interested please contact the library (or me) and register for any one of the classes we are offering. I hope I get to share my passion for knitting with you at the library!
~Sara

Jammie Jamboree

2006-01-11T13:17:00.000-05:00

Bed time story time is tomorrow, Thursday January 12, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. Children of all ages are welcome to attend in their pajamas and bring a stuff friend to keep them company while we share stories, poems and snack at the library. This month we will be sharing sleepy time going to bed stories (different then the books read this week at family story time) such as : Grandpa's Teeth, There Were Ten in the Bed, What! Cried Granny, I am NOT Going to Get Up Today!, and the 2006 Michigan Reads award recipient Bed Hogs. Please join us! - Sara

Photo from September 2005 Bed Time Story Time

Photo's From 2006 Holiday Craft Night

2006-01-03T15:10:00.000-05:00

Thank you to everyone who attend our 2006 children's holiday craft night. I was unable to attend, but the staff who were on hand told me it was fun! I enjoyed looking at the pictures, I hope you do too. - Sara

Puppet fun!

Making a sled together.

Crafts for everyone.

Hava & Max make puppets!

Happy New Year

2005-12-30T10:37:00.000-05:00

Thank you for all of your community support and participation I have had some very successful programs at the Pinckney Library in 2005 (won an award for it in fact). Our summer reading program keeps getting a greater participation each year which I love seeing. We have another fun summer reading program to look forward to in 2006. For the first time since we started offering it Baby Time really took off this fall with 6 continuous participants and others who would stop in from time to time which is very exciting. I hope we will see a continued interest in Baby Time when we offer it again in April 2006 for six weeks, it is such a fun relaxed program just to spend time with your baby. We have begun offering programs and events for our older children, ages 9 and up. Our book discussion group, Readers of the Roundtable, has a faithful following that I hope will continue and increase in numbers in 2006. This winter we will be offering some loom knitting programs for ages 9 and up as well as a blogging workshop! And I am hopeful to spend some time in the schools this spring. I greatly appreciate all of the community support and interest in what we offer at the library. Please continue to visit us and give us your input. 2005 has been a great year thanks to our community. We are all looking forward to what 2006 brings to the library.

Happy New Year.

Sara

Readers of the Roundtable!

2005-12-21T11:35:00.000-05:00

The Readers of the Roundtable are a group of students ages 9 years and up who enjoy discussing books together at the library. Each month the members who attend the meeting get to vote on the book to be read for the following month. There is fun discussion, trivia games based on the books we read and, of course, snacks. This is all totally free! This is a great group of friends who make books fun.

Yesterday (12/20/05) we met to discuss the book Peter and the starcatchers, a prequel to the traditional Peter Pan. From the discussion I gathered that those who finished reading it greatly enjoyed it and are looking forward to Peter and the Shadow Thieves due out July 2oo6. We had a fun trivia game and enjoy some mini cupcakes, chocolates, and Sprite as our holiday snack.

January 20, 2006 at 6:3 we will be meeting to discuss our newest selection The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau. No registration is required everyone ages 9 and up are invited! We want to hear your opinions.

Sara

From Goodnight Moon to Art Dog

2005-12-15T10:42:00.000-05:00

From Goodnight Moon to Art Dog: The World of Clement, Edith and Thacher Hurd is the newest exhibit at the Kalamazoo Institute of Art starting January 21 - March 19, 2006. This is a collection of more than 70 original illustrations from two generations of the Hurd family, who profoundly influenced children's literature for more than 60 years. It includes interactive activities, a reading area and a scale diorama of the Great Green Room from Goodnight Moon. For more information on this exhibit visit the Kalamazoo Institute of Art at http://www.kiarts.org/home.shtml. Looks like a fun road trip for everyone in the family that has ever heard or read the classic children's book Goodnight Moon.

Sara

Photo's from 2004 Holiday Craft Night

2005-12-14T11:47:00.000-05:00

2004 Holiday Craft Night

Youth Holiday Events

2005-12-14T11:17:00.000-05:00

Thursday, December 22, 2005 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. PCPL is hosting the Children's Holiday Craft Night for kids of all ages. T'weens and teens can create their own pop-up Christmas tree card based on the pop-up books created by Pinckney native Robert Sabuda. Other crafts for kids to create include designing a hand puppet, a fabric ornament, fluffy snowmen made out of cotton balls, paper Christmas tree, and a sled made out of craft sticks. Come prepared to get messy as there is some painting involved. Everyone takes home their creations to give as gifts or just share with their families.

Friday, December 23, 2005 from 3:00-5:00 take a break from that last minute holiday shopping/cooking/decorating and bring the kids to the library to celebrate the holiday Muppet style by watching the The Muppet Christmas Carol. We will provide the popcorn you need to bring your own pillows and blankets as we will be on the floor. Anyone younger then 8 needs to have an adult companion while they watch the movie. For a brief summary of The Muppet Christmas Carol go to http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104940/

Sara

2006 Michigan Reads! Preschool Book

2005-12-13T10:05:00.000-05:00

Michigan Reads! is a statewide program highlighting the importance of early childhood literacy by focusing on a picture book by a Michigan author for children ages 0 to 5. The title chosen for 2006 is Bed Hogs by Kelly DiPucchio. The Pinckney Library currently does not have this title in its collection. It is on backorder with the book vendor. Hopefully it will arrive soon, I am looking forward to sharing it with all of my story time groups!

New Youth Movies @ PCPL

2005-12-12T11:47:00.000-05:00

Looking for something indoors to do with the kids now that winter is here? Check out the new youth movies we have at the Library! They are $1.00 for 3 days - best deal in Pinckney. Make the best use of your money and check them out on a Thursday and you get to keep them until the following Monday because we are closed on Sunday. This list includes some popular new youth (PG/G ratings) titles the Library owns or you can search our catalog for other titles available for check out.

Kronk’s New Groove (released 12/13/05)
Valiant (released 12/13/05)
Rebound (released 12/20/05)
March of the Penguins
Sky High
The Polar Express
Madagascar
Charlie and the chocolate factory (2005)
Christmas with the Kranks
Disney princess A Christmas of enchantment
Where the garbage goes
Elmo visits the doctor

Holiday Bedtime Story Time

2005-12-08T10:16:00.000-05:00

Tonight I have a great selection of Christmas picture books picked out to share with the children who attend bedtime story time at the library. One of my favorites is a new book titled I Want A hippopotamus for Christmas based on a Christmas song I have fond memories of from my own childhood. It also has great illustrations of the hippo and is a fun book to share, hopefully everyone can tolerate my singing. In the spirit of the holidays our snack will be gingersnaps. I hope to see lots of children and parents in their pj's tonight at the library. My jammies are ready and waiting!

Sara