Caps for Sale

If you want to hear some great storytelling, go to YouTube for Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina (click on this link). It's narrated by the radio guys from LivefromthePath.org. The narration is accompanied by instrumental music, and the monkey voices are hilarious! It's just six minutes long, and it'll leave you smiling.

March is Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month! You can find many women's biographies for children in the Chester County Library System. Read below for a small sampling of what you can find at CC Library in Exton:

Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart
By Candace Fleming
Age Level: Grades 4-7
Tells the story of Amelia Earhart's life--as a child, woman and pilot--and describes the search for her missing plane.

America's Champion Swimmer: Gertrude Ederle
By David Adler
Age Level: Grades K-4
Describes the life and accomplishments of Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to swim the English Channel and a figure in the early women's rights movement.

Eleanor, Quiet No More
By Doreen Rappaport
Age Level: Grades 3-6
The biographical details of Eleanor Roosevelt's life are combined with moving illustrations and quotations.

Mother Teresa
By Demi
Age Level: Grades 2-5
A biography of Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, known as Mother Teresa, who spent most of her life serving "the poorest of the poor" in Calcutta, India.

Sacagawea: Crossing the Continent with Lewis & Clark
By Emma Carlson Berne
Age Level: Grades 5-8
This book separates truth from legend, and offers some ideas on what eventually happened to Sacagawea, the native American who made it possible for Lewis and Clark to explore America's then-uncharted West.

When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson, the Voice of a Century
By Pam Munoz Ryan
Age Level: Grades K-5
Presents the life of Marian Anderson, extraordinary singer and civil rights activist, who was the first African-American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera, whose life and career encouraged social change.

See Max and Ruby live, on stage!

Attention, all Max and Ruby fans! You can see Max and Ruby live, on stage at the Keswick Theatre on Saturday, April 30th. Here is a brief summary of Max & Ruby: Bunny Party.....

It's a surprise party for someone special, and Max and Ruby have many things to do before the big event. Follow them as they go on a musical bus ride to East Bunnyhop General Store, where they deliberate on what to buy for the special birthday guest. Max and Ruby never quite want the same thing, and their plans always collide--with hilarious results!

Back at home, Louise arrives with her beauty kit, and everyone gets a makeover--even Max! When everything is all set for the party, Ruby discovers some uninvited guests, including a robot, a giant spider and an adorable slug. Who could the mystery guest be? Come to the show to find out!

Showtimes for this 90-minute production are 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm on Saturday, April 30, at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA. Ticket prices range from $25-$45. For more information, go to http://www.maxandrubyontour.com/. You can purchase tickets at http://www.keswicktheatre.com/.

Caldecott Medal Winner: A Sick Day for Amos McGee

If you're looking for a sweet picture book about animals, humans and friendship, you should read A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Phillip Christian Stead. Amos McGee is an elderly zookeeper who always makes time to visit his good friends--the chess-playing elephant, the race-running tortoise, the shy penguin, the runny-nosed rhino and story-loving owl. One day, Amos catches a cold and stays home from work. His animal friends miss him so much that they take a bus to his house and take care of him in the same loving way that he has taken care of them. The soft colors and illustrations give this book an old-fashioned feel, and enhance the overall tone of the story.

I loved this book even before I found out that it had won the Caldecott Medal! This one's worth a look.

Lisa U., CC Library

Book Review - Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes

If you're looking for a good read-aloud, check out Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, written by Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean. You can download the story and song from www.harpercollinschildrens.com/petethecat and then play it as you turn the pages of the book.

Here's the story: Pete is an optimistic cat who loves his white shoes, even when he steps in strawberries, blueberries, mud, and water, which turn his shoes red, then blue, then brown, then white again. In the end, Pete says, "No matter what you step in, keep walking along and singing your song.....because it's all good." A good life lesson -- take it all in stride, because life is too short! The illustrations are colorful and funny, and capture the essence of Pete perfectly. And Pete's song is catchy, and will get your little ones singing and groovin' to the music. Good vibes here!

Lisa U., CC Library

Online Registration for Storytime!

On January 4, 2011, you can register ONLINE for storytimes at Chester County Library! You'll need to go to the CCL home page www.ccls.org, and click on the Find an Event icon. Then choose Chester County Library, Children's programs, and January 2011. Then find your child's storytime day and time, and click on the registration icon. We hope that you find this new process easy to use. Please give us your feedback !

Lisa U., CC Library

Barack Obama's children's book

President Obama has written a book, Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters, which will be released on November 16th. It features 13 inspirational Americans, including George Washington and Jackie Robinson. All profits from the book for the President will be donated to a scholarship fund for children of fallen or disabled soldiers.