Science - it's fun because it doesn't always work!

Join us after school for lots of different activities on Thursdays at 4:30! We do science experiments, play with puppets, and create arts and crafts.

Bonnie's Favorite (this week)

I have a young granddaughter who is a drama queen, so the book, Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney, strikes an especially responsive cord. This is the story of a young llama whose mother has put him to bed and he starts to fret. He has a melt down, but mother soon comes to reassure him that he is loved and to remind him that sometimes mother is busy and can't respond immediately. This is the perfect book for a child who is a bit fearful at night or needs reassurance that mother is nearby when he/she goes to bed.

National Library Week

This week is National Library Week. National Library Week is an annual celebration of the contributions of libraries and librarians. Tomorrow at the city council meeting Mayor Randall will read a proclamation declaring the week of April 11th - 17th National Library Week. In celebration of National Library Week be sure to stop by and check out a book or attend one of our many programs.  Click here to access the library calendar of events.

If you would like to show additional support for Texas libraries take a few minutes to e-mail or write to local legislators telling them what you like about your library and why libraries are important to you. To find out where to send your e-mail or letter, visit the Texas Library Association website.

My pregnancy: making it through the pre-& post-natal section...

My goal: to make it to D-Day (delivery), with as little pain and with as much knowledge as possible. And knowing that I will probably have to throw out all that learned knowledge to go with works best for us.

On December 21st I While looking through my planner, I realized something rather important was missing from my calendar.
And by December 22nd I was reading

• What to Expect When Your Expecting 
• Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth about Pregnancy and Childbirth.

January 2 2010 I had finished Belly Laughs and was up to my progression week in What to Expect.

We also picked up;

• My Boys Can Swim!: The Official Guy’s Guide to Pregnancy
• The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips and Advice for Dads-To-Be for my husband.  

Kevin and I decided that while we did like the funny yet practical side of Belly Laughs and My Boys, What to Expect, and Expectant Father are a much more in depth, more medical, technical (to us both good and bad traits) these are the books that we can use as are pregnancy "bibles" throughout our pregnancy, and they really are just that to us! With these two books, What to Expect, and Expectant Father, as our go-to book for answers BEFORE we call the Dr. to speak with a nurse, and have them call us back (sometimes a 24-48 hour process).

I'll try and keep up with this blog as we progress to D-Day, and if I find any other helpful books or tips for the other mothers and fathers to-be surfing the pre- & post-natal section of any library or book store, i'll post em'. I'm hoping to have a intense summer reading list to add to the library's list with real thoughts on going through pregnancy from someone going through it now.


Another blog we are following together, hoping to get other book suggestions from this blog, with great advise for soon to be mom's (and dad's):
  "i wish i had known that" for soon to be moms



If you have any questions or comments about this blog please feel free to contact Ceciilia Ralson, (281) 554-1110 or cecilia.martin@leaguecitylibrary.org 

Teen Events

This week there are two teen events happening at the library!

Be sure to stop by the library Wednesday (April 7th) night from7:30 to 8:30 for Teen Advisory Board.  Teens in 6th through 12th grade are encouraged to join and provide valuable feedback about what kinds of programs, books, movies, etc. they want the library to have.  Participation counts as service/volunteer hours for honor societies, school, church, or any other organization that requires hours.

Also, on Friday (April 9th) teens are invited to search the library after hours for lost treasure.  Teens will follow a series of clues on a hunt for bags of treasure that includes a Half Price Books gift card!  Be sure you're here before the library closes at 6:00 pm, the program will start at 6:00 pm in the theater.  Teens can be picked up at 7:30 pm when the program ends.

If you have any questions about this week's programs please feel free to contact Lindsay Faust, Teen Librarian at (281) 554-1102 or lindsay.faust@leaguecitylibrary.org

Southern Vampire Mysteries

I recently started reading the Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlene Harris.  Most of you probably know the series as True Blood.  The popular HBO show True Blood is based on the Southern Vampire Mysteries.  Having faithfully watched True Blood since the first episode and loving every minute of it, I decided it was time to read the series because I often enjoy books more than their on screen adaptations.  While I’m still excited for season three of True Blood, I also can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Both the books and the show have the same basic premise, but the books (at least the first two) tend to concentrate more on the character development of Sookie Stackhouse, the main character of both the books and television show.  In the books characters that play a large part may not exist, or are mentioned a few times, but the reader will never experience anything from their point of view.  Plots also are altered slightly, but this just makes the books more interesting if you’ve already watched the television show. 

I would recommend that any True Blood fan read the Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlene Harris.  Readers will likely enjoy the further character development of Sookie and a few new twists to the televisions plots.  This is the perfect time to start reading the series because we will be having a party to celebrate the release of the 10th book in the series.   Get reading because there will be a chance to test your trivia knowledge as well as a chocolate cake contest and be sure to get your souvenir photo in front of our Merlotte’s background.  The release party is on Sunday, May 23rd from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

Bonnie's Favorites (This Week)

OK, this posting I have more than one favorite of the week, because I couldn't choose. I love, love, love Sandra Boynton's board books! I have to admit this is partially because my grandchildren love them, and of course, I think they have great taste. I am torn between Moo, Baa, La La La! and Barnyard Dance, as my two personal favorites. Like most of Boynton's books, these have rhyme and rhythm with a little bit of silliness.

You can find the board books in Al the alligator or on the puzzle book shelf in Youth Services.