KidSpace Blog

Posts Tagged ‘library

September is

Roald Dahl month!

This week I will be posting all about this wonderful author and his works.
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Many of Roald Dahl’s stories contain tidbits of song and poetry. These witty and humorous writings add to the rhythm and visualization of the story. The best part is that they can be enoyed by children and adults!

The following is from James and the Giant Peach. The Centipede starts off their adventure declaring:

“We may see a Creature with forty-nine heads

Who lives in the desolate snow,

And whenever he catches a cold (which he dreads)

He has forty-nine noses to blow.

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“We may see the venomous Pink-Spotted Scrunch

Who can chew up a man with one bite.

It likes to eat five of them roasted for lunch

And eighteen for its supper at night.

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“We may see a Dragon, and nobody knows

That we won’t see a Unicorn there.

We may see a terrible Monster with toes

Growing out of the tufts of his hair.

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“We may see the sweet little Biddy-Bright Hen

So playful, so kind and well-bred;

And such beautiful eggs! You just boil them and then

They explode and they blow off your head.

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“A Gnu and Gnocerous surely you’ll see

And that gnormous and gnorrible Gnat

Whose sting when it stings you goes in at the knee

And comes out through the top of your hat.

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“We may even get lost and be frozen by frost.

We may die in an earthquake or tremor.

Or nastier still, we may even be tossed

On the horns of a furious Dilemma.

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“But who cares! Let us go from this horrible hill!

Let us roll! Let us bowl! Let us plunge!

Let’s go rolling and bowling and spinning until

We’re away from old Spiker and Sponge!”

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To check out James and the Giant Peach or other Roald Dahl Books click here!

Stay tuned for more Roald Dahl this week!

Can You Haiku?

Haiku is one of the simplest, yet most popular forms of poetry in the world. Originating in Japan, one of the most famous haiku poets is Mastsuo Bacho (1644-1694). Here is one of his poems:

old pond-

frog jumps in

sound of the water

As I said, haiku is popular still today! Here is a modern example of the poetry:

Nose out the window,

ears flapping, hair pushed straight back.

Adventures in smell.

From Dogku by Andrew Clements

One of the best things about Haiku is that anybody can create a poem! Here is the pattern:

1st line = 5 syllables

2nd line = 7 syllables

3rd line = 5 syllables

That’s it! So, take a breath, notice a moment, scene, or feeling around you and put it into words.

Make up a haiku poem and post it as a comment to the blog! I will then post all of the submissions next week. Come into the library and make a haik at FunSpace Monday-Thursday 3:30-5:30!

Checkout these books for more haiku poetry.

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Haiku for little ears

On of my favorite picture books tells a story of Wabi Sabi, a cat who lives in Japan and goes on a journey to learn the meaning of her name. Haiku poetry is woven into the tale with beautiful artwork to complement the story.

Check it out today!

Weclome back to school!

 Teachers, parents, students, and the

West Palm Beach librarians are all gearing up for a great 2010-2011! 

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In celebration of back to school, here are a few limericks to get you going!

From the book, 

There Once Was a Very Odd School and other lunch-box limericks by Stephen Krensky

There once was a very odd school

That had only one little rule:

There was recess all day

To learn best how to play,

Which everyone thought was so cool.

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When making a class presentation,

I don’t get a standing ovation.

While I do all my talking,

My knees keep on knocking,

And after, I need a vacation.

See, touch and learn about the wild animals

of McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary.

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Join us in the Auditorium!

Saturday, July 16 at 2pm

 

 

Tomorrow, Thursday, June 17 is national dump the pump day. So, remember to hop on your bike, the trolley, Tri-Rail, or even a friend’s car to get around.

Read to a dog, read to a cow, read to a kitty,

or read to a sow. 

Read to your Barbie, read to your teddy, read to your toys before you go to beddy. 

Read, read, read, let’s read.

This an entertaining rhyme we do with children during story time.  Read to a dog?  Yes, that’s what we do at our library.  And I’m not talking about stuffed animals.  We have reading time with real, live dogs.  There are six dogs that visit our library every week to listen to children read stories to them.  Rex, Hairy, Minnie, Shirl, Taylor and Oliver make up the team.  They are all licensed therapy dogs.  They are here to listen to children read and make new friends.  Dogs are just the world’s best listeners!  They don’t interrupt and they don’t correct.  And best of all, they never criticize their readers.  If you haven’t met our wonderful canine creatures, do come and visit one day.  Their tails will be wagging and waiting to hear your dog tales! Click here to see our calendar.

Judy

Chug, chug, chug, chug, toot, toot!

Do you hear that? It’s the sound of the 6th Annual Polar Express  heading to the West Palm Beach Public Library!  We can’t wait for it to reach our station! The magic begins this Friday, December 4th at 5:30.  Catch a train to the North Pole where you can meet Santa, listen to a good reindeer joke, and play reindeer games!  While you’re there don’t forget to decorate a yummy cookie and warm your insides with a cup hot cocoa!  Join the fun in the West Palm Beach Public Library, City Center Courtyard.  

If you have a little extra to spare this season, help us fill Santa’s sack with your donation of new unwrapped toys for needy children and spread some holiday cheer! Call the Children’s Library at 561-868-7703 for additional information!

We can’t wait to see your merry faces this Friday!

KidSpace Staff

library zooHope you’re visiting the West Palm Beach Public Library’s KidSpace this Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 11am!  Why? 

There will be a FREE pre-school “not-so-spooky” Halloween play brought to you by the Library Zoo!  Come meet Frog, Giraffe, Penguin, Panda, Kangaroo, and Cat and parade with them around the Library.  It’s going to be exciting and fun to sing and “trick-or-treat” with your favorite animal. Be sure to dress up too, the animals enjoy seeing your creative side in costume!  See you at the Library Zoo Preschool Halloween Play & Party.

Don’t forget to learn some great facts about your favorite animal:

Frogs by Time for Kids

Giraffes by Emelie Lepthien

Penguins by Seymour Simon

How Many Baby Pandas? by Sandra Markle

Kangaroos by William John Ripple

Big Cats by Sarah Walker

Until we meet again,

~Remember, Reading is Awesome!

storyIn February, I did a post about boys liking to read and strategies that can be used to help stimulate that side of them.  About a week ago, a coworker sent me a link to a website that talked just about that, Getting Boys To Read.  This website not only shares ideas to help boys read, but it helps you (a caregiver, librarian, parent, sibling, friend, and teacher) assist in that goal. 

 Many people think that boys are difficult when it comes to reading, but one thing my mother always said is, “it is only difficult if you believe it is so, rather it is challenging and a challenge should be an invitation and stimulation to do the best you can to meet it.”  Getting Boys To Read will help you do just that.  Check out the website; let me know what you think.

In the meantime, check out some of my favorites for boys, from your home or at the West Palm Beach Public Library’s KidSpace:

Guys Read by Jon Sczieska

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Curtis

Until we meet again,

~Remember, Reading is Awesome!

CC photo on left from flickr user Mike Johnston

Science Projects 101 miscpicsnew-library-008

 

Why a science program for our kids @ our city library?    

Simple; Kids will benefit!   The more science experiences you can offer kids, the better, no matter what level!

 

The Science Projects 101 program is designed as a basic workshop in which parents and kids become familiar with science terms and concepts, while actually conducting a FUN and simple science experiment using the ‘scientific method’. 

 

Providing a hands-on science program for our urban youth at our city library, will result in science competencies gained, a more positive attitude toward science, and inspired youth!  

 

Science Projects 101 is typically for kids, grades 1 – 5… their parents are encouraged to attend!    

 

The next Science Project 101 will be held in September, 2009 in our new city library!  I can’t wait!  

 

Check our online calendar in the near future for date & registration!

 

See you soon! 

Your librarian, Ms. Jeanne

 

“One test is worth a thousand expert opinions.”  -Bill Nye the Science Guy!  

 

 

In Photo:  1st place science winner, Kaitlynn Adams sporting her ribbon, with her proud mom @ the library!

Congratulations Kaitlynn!!!  Kaitlynn Adams age 7 is in the 1st grade at South Olive Elementary.

They attended the Science Projects 101 program in February!

 


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