January 2015

If our much-needed rain continues, January may be an especially good month for indoor activities: try our DIY Make a Craft Stick Doll for kids 5-and-up which takes place on Saturday, January 24, 10:30-11:30 am, at West Branch; or our Secret Codes and Ciphers @Central Children's Room Fridays in January for kids 7 and up beginning January 9, 4:00-4:30 pm. More wonderful program suggestions are listed in this newsletter and check out our online events calendar.

Kids, parents, teachers! Have you tried our splendid electronic resource, NoveList? Free on our Berkeley Public Library catalog computers inside each Berkeley Public Library location or with your Berkeley Public Library card outside the Library, it can help you find books similar to ones you've read, give you lists of types of books you enjoy, let you know some good choices for homework assignments and Common Core tie-ins and keep you abreast of book award winners.


Speaking of 2014 award winning books and other media, the Youth Media Awards, the American Library Association's version of the Oscars™, are coming up soon, and will be announced on February 2, 2015. To follow the awards in real time, you can watch the live webcast, or follow I Love Libraries on Twitter or Facebook. The official hashtag for the 2015 Youth Media Awards is #ALAyma.

Berkeley Public Librarian Armin Arethna is serving on the committee awarding this year's Newbery Medal for "most distinguished contribution to American literature for children." Unfortunately, she has been sworn to secrecy, so we don't know any more than you do!

Pre-school Picture Book Time @North
Tuesdays, January 6, 13, 20 & 27
11:15-11:45 am
Join us for a special story time for stories, fingerplay and stretches. Ages 3-5 years.




January is Secret Code and Cipher Month! @Central
Fridays
4:00-4:30 pm
January 9: The Pigpen Cipher
January 16: The Cardano Grille
January 23: Make a Cipher Wheel
January 30: The Ogham Alphabet
Learn the code or cipher of the week, then encode and decipher messages. Or visit the library any time to try out the code or cipher of the week on your own. Leave a coded message in the BPL Secret Message Book! Fourth floor.

Make Craft Stick Dolls @West
Saturday, January 24
10:30-11:30 am
Have you ever seen a Craft Stick Doll? Learn how to make this simple doll using a craft stick, markers, and washi tape. They make cute puppets, too. Ages five and up. Younger children are welcome -- might need hands-on help from a parent or caregiver.

Magic Alex @South
Monday, January 26
11:00-11:45 am
Be wowed by a former Ringling Brothers Zingmaster! Award winning magician and Bay Area native, Alex Ramon has toured the world doing magic! Be amazed by his magic show - it's astounding, engaging and just plain fun!

Gary Lapow @North
Wednesday, January 14
3:30-4:15 pm
Join us for a potpourri of Gary's original songs that celebrate childhood, promote positive messages, and are lots of fun! Gary is a nine-time recipient of the American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP) honorarium and the Parent's Choice awards for his work and is celebrated for his powerful positive lyrics and energetic performances. Ages 4-7.

Shadow Puppet Workshop @Claremont
Friday, January 23
4:00 pm
The Shadow Puppet Workshop presents Shadows in the Snow. Discover the magical world of shadow puppetry with Daniel Barash. He will introduce children to the art of shadow puppetry and then, with help from the audience, perform versions of best-loved winter folktales from around the world. See you in the land of snow and shadows!

More events

In This Issue

Bok! Bok! Boom!
by Cyndi Marko

Gordon was an ordinary chicken in second grade, when one day he fell into a vat of toxic sludge. Now he is Kung Pow Chicken, a superhero keeping the streets of Fowladelphia free from crime. This second book in the Kung Pow Chicken series will have young readers cheering for more!

Peggy: A Brave Chicken on a Big Adventure
by Anna Walker

Peggy lives a quiet life in a quiet neighbor- hood until a wind sweeps Peggy into the big city. This gentle picture book will delight readers with its charming illustrations and plucky heroine.


Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World
by Steve Jenkins

Steve Jenkins' beautiful collage illustrations profiles animals with unusual eyes and explains how such animals use their uniquely evolved eyes to connect to the world around them. A book for all ages!