Children's News & Events @ Berkeley Public Library
September 2016
In This Issue


We are participating in a multi-library initiative bringing Science,Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) literacy to public libraries. Over the next two years, we will look at ways we can further integrate science-related activities and resources into our library's daily operations. With the assistance of Brandeis University, the Library is surveying our patrons to better understand how you use the library and to gain your perspective on how the Library can support science literacy on a daily basis.

We will use the survey data to plan the project, so we can better meet community needs, and document the impact of our efforts. Then we will be conducting a second, similar survey in 2017 to see what changed over time.

We want to include your voice! The survey should take about 5 minutes to complete. Fill out the Survey here.

Please note that the survey is anonymous. No one at our library or any of the sponsoring institutions will see your individual survey responses. Please be as honest as you can be in your answers to the questions. The survey is voluntary, but we hope that you will take the time to complete it today.

If you have any problems accessing the survey using this link, http://cyc.brandeis.edu/berkeleypatron.html  please let a library staff person know or email the researchers at Brandeis directly at librarystudy@brandeis.edu
Congratulations to all of our summer readers!

Berkeley Public Library's Summer Reading Game ends on September 4, 2016. We hope you enjoyed Reading for the Win!

Kids, remember to bring in your game card and collect your prizes.

Adults, the last day to enter the raffle is September 4th. The raffle will be drawn the week of September 12. Will you be a lucky winner?

Pups & Performances for Kids in September

Paws to Read @North CMR
Tuesdays September 20-October 25
3:30-4:30pm.
Paws to Read begins new session at North Branch! Children in grades Kindergarten - 5th can come read aloud to a friendly dog. Dogs provided by TherapyPets. Read at 3:30 or 4:00. Sign-up starts September 12, or drop by.


Berkeley Old Time Music Festival Children's Show @CentralCMR
Saturday, September 24,
10:15-10:45am
Come listen to Abby Ladin & Sam Bartlett in a free performance.The two will combine rhythmic clogging, hambone, and soulful singing with energetic banjo playing and the eerie sounds of the musical saw and jaw harp in a participatory family show that unfolds like a good story.

Program directors for the Country Dance and Song Society's Family Week at Pinewoods, an intergenerational music and dance camp, Sam and Abby are also members of the Hogwire Stringband. For over twenty years, they have traveled and performed for thousands of school kids, as well as at festivals and on stages around the world.
 

Juan L. Sanchez Bilingual Kids Music @THP South
Saturday, September 24, 2016
10:30-11:00am
Juan L. Sanchez performs music for kids in both English and Spanish on themes of tolerance, peace-building, self-esteem, and multicultural celebration. He is a singer/songwriter, educator, recording artist, and director of the Juan L. Sanchez ensemble.


Sea Lion Shuffle by MaryLee Sunseri

1-2-3 Sing with Me! @West
Saturday, September 24
10:30am-11:00am
A lifetime traveling troubadour specializing in music for the littlest ones since 1985, MaryLee has amassed several national music awards, including four Parent's Choice awards and two American Library Association Notable Children's Recording awards.


Music with Mariela Herrera @North
Friday, September 30
3:30-4:00pm
Mariela Herrera was born in Santiago, Chile, and has loved to sing and dance since her childhood. Join her for an educational, energetic, and interactive bilingual performance for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers and their families.

Coming Soon - Book Clubs for Kids in October!

Be a part of one of our book discussion groups at the Central Library Children's Room! We read exciting books that you choose, have interesting discussions, meet new people and dynamic authors, and munch on delicious snacks.
 
Kids in 6th, 7th and 8th grades can join the Middle School Book group that usually meets the third Tuesday of each month from October to May.

There's also the 4th and 5th Grade Book Club for readers in those grades! This group usually meets the second Tuesday of the month.

You can find our 2016-17 school year dates here.

To join a book group just read the book and come to the meeting! More details in our October newsletter. For more information, call 510-981-6223 or email us.

Reading Suggestions

One Family
by George Shannon illustrated by Blanca Gomez
A splendid counting book and a beautiful tribute to families in all their varieties. Gómez's artwork gives just enough detail for fun and warm read-alouds.
Ages: 4 - 8 years.
 
Memoirs, aren't those for old people? 14 year-old Aaron Philip asks this question at the beginning of his memoir. Then he answers by saying that you probably haven't met anyone like him before.

Aaron's charming, bubbly voice invites us into his world, the "Aaronverse". He introduces readers to his life with cerebral palsy, to his loving family's struggle to make a decent life in Antigua and the US. Meet his remarkable friends and loved ones who have helped him confront the many challenges that have come his way.

By turns funny, sad and surprising, Aaron's honest, positive personality shines through it all. You will discover someone truly defined by his abilities and his achievements.  
Ages: 10-14.
 
 
Forest of Wonders
by Linda Sue Park
Raffa chafes against his stern and rigid father as he prepares to become an apothecary and continue the family's trade. When they are invited to serve the Chancellor, the supreme ruler of Obsidia, Raffa sees an opportunity to explore some of the less traditional elements of his gift for handling herbs.

Newbery Medal-winner, Linda Sue Park has created an outstanding new fantasy series that will interest fans of animal fantasy, magic, and even dystopian fiction -- and there's a talking bat! Ages: 8-12.
 
Once Was a Time
by Leila Sales
In England, 1940, Lottie finds herself in a moment of life or death and knows she is out of time. Out of time or out of her own time? Lottie is thrust 70 years into the future and a continent away. How did it happen and is there any way she can find her way back? Ages 8-12.

elibrary Resources
California Fact Cards

School is back in session and we have great online resources to help your students!

Visit our Kids' eLibrary
Your library card gives you free access to a wide range of homework and research tools such as Britannica Library, Biography in Context, Explora,
California Fact Cards.

More Reading Ideas
Novelist K-8 has a wealth of reading suggestions waiting for you and your reader.

Of course, library staff are here to help you find what you need. Just ask! 510 981-6223 or email us.
Library Closures

All Berkeley Public Library Locations will be closed on
Monday
September 5

All locations will open one hour late at 11:00am
 Friday
September 30
Special Thanks
Most free events at Central Library, South and West Branch Libraries are sponsored by the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library.

Events at North Branch Library are made possible by a generous gift from the Pace Trust, in support of the North Branch of the Berkeley Public Library.