Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 145

Holiday Closing — New Year’s Day

Kent District Library will be closed Tuesday, January  1 for the New Year’s holiday. In addition, all branches will close at 5:00 PM on Monday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve). We will resume normal operating hours on Wednesday, January 2. For additional 2013 holiday closing information, please view our holiday closings page.

We appreciate your patronage and wish you a Happy New Year!

 

 

Early Lit Bits: KDLville Early Literacy Play Spaces — Gaines Township Branch

This past spring, the Gaines Township branch opened its KDLville early literacy area. Some popular activities include the kitchen, cars, garage and road rug as well as the magnetic gears. The writing area also gets a lot of traffic. Every day children write letters and draw pictures for Katie L., the library’s mascot.

KDLvilles at all our 18 branches continue to attract our youngest patrons with exciting activities that encourage the five early literacy practices of talking, writing, singing, playing and reading. It’s amazing to watch the way parents engage with their little ones while making an imaginary meal, putting on a puppet show or playing with the many games available. Themes and activities vary by season.

 

This article originally appeared in an Early Lit Bits eNewsletter. Read the most recent issue online or sign up to receive this monthly update highlighting early literacy tips and resources for parents and caregivers.

 

KDL Top Ten – 12/28/2012

Check out all the great titles available on KDL’s eBook site! To see the 10 most downloaded eBooks at KDL this month, click on the link to the Top Ten List!

Gadgets – B.Y.O. eReader & Tablet Users Group

Did Santa bring you a new gadget? Not sure how to use your shiny new device? Bring your own eReader or tablet to the library to learn and share tips about your device — everything from apps to eBooks.

Don’t own one yet? Stop in to see how these devices are being used before you buy.

Join us at one of the branches offering

Gadgets – B.Y.O. eReader & Tablet Users Group:

Wednesday, January 2, 2:00—3:00 PM — Plainfield Township

Tuesday, January 8, 10:00 AM—12:00 PM — Cascade Township

Wednesday, January 9, 2:00—3:00 PM — Plainfield Township

Thursday, January 10, 6:00—7:00 PM — East Grand Rapids

Wednesday, January 23, 6:00—7:30 PM — Wyoming

Wednesday, February 27, 6:00—7:30 PM — Wyoming

 

 

Snowy Adventure Books for Teens

 

Now that West Michigan finally has some snow, you might be interested in spending some of your school break reading about snowy adventures. To truly appreciate having your winter break at home, try Trapped by Michael Northrop, wherein unfortunate kids get stuck at school when a huge snowstorm hits their town, closing down all roads and communication for a week. 

The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean was a Printz winner. This book centers around Sym and her obsession with the Antarctic, something she shares with her uncle Victor. Sym thinks it is a dream come true when her uncle takes her on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Antarctic, but it soon turns into a matter of survival.

Lastly, Peak by Roland Smith takes the reader on an Everest journey. With a name like Peak, given to him by his climbing-obsessed father, it isn’t surprising when he takes to scaling skyscrapers in the city. As punishment, he is sent to live with his father who wants him to be the youngest climber to reach the summit of Everest.

Detox Yoga @ the Library

Did you know that breathing properly can help aid your body’s ability to clear itself of  toxins?

Michele Fife, WOTV 4 Women’s wellness expert, will show how asana, or movement, with gentle stretching can assist your body’s natural detoxification process.

Attendees should wear clothing that allows them to breathe easily and move around comfortably. Which means I won’t be there in leather pants and a tube top, thank goodness.

Schedule:

Thursday, January 10, 6:30 PM – Wyoming branch

Tuesday, January 22, 6:30 PM – Grandville branch

Thursday, January 24, 6:30 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch

Tuesday, January 29, 6:30 PM – East Grand Rapids branch

Monday, February 11, 6:30 PM – Krause Memorial branch

 

Frosty: Coming to a Branch Near You

Join us for Frosty’s Winter Fun Fest! Get happy with everyone’s favorite “winter wonder-man” with snowy crafts and frosty fun.

Schedule:

Wednesday, January 2, 10:00 AM – Caledonia Township branch

Thursday, January 3, 10:00 AM – Walker branch

Monday, January 14, 10:30 AM – Alto branch

Monday, January 14, 10:30 AM – Comstock Park branch

Tuesday, January 15, 10:00 AM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch

Tuesday, January 15, 6:30 PM – Comstock Park branch

Wednesday, January 16, 10:00 AM – Kentwood  (Richard L. Root) branch

Saturday, January 19, 11:00 AM – Tyrone Township branch

Tuesday, January 22, 6:30 PM – Englehardt branch

Saturday, January 26, 2:00 PM – Gaines Township branch

Monday, January 28, 6:30 PM – Byron Township branch

Saturday, February 9, 10:30 AM – Sand Lake / Nelson Township branch

 

Staff Picks for Teens

Looking for a great read this winter season? Check out KDL’s new Staff Picks for Teens booklist! Choked full of drama, fantasy and adventures to the past, here are a couple favorites enjoyed by Kent District Library staff members:

The Graveyard Book

Neil Gaiman

Nobody Owens is a normal boy, except that he has been raised by ghosts and other denizens of the graveyard.

 

 

 

The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Carrie Ryan

Through twists and turns of fate, orphaned Mary seeks knowledge of life, love, and especially what lies beyond her walled village and the surrounding forest, where dwell the unconsecrated, aggressive flesh-eating people who were once dead.

 

 

 

The Scorpio Races

Maggie Stiefvater

Nineteen-year-old returning champion Sean Kendrick competes against Puck Connolly, the first girl ever to ride in the annual Scorpio Races, both trying to keep hold of their dangerous water horses long enough to make it to the finish line.

 

 

Full Booklist

 

 

Love “A Discovery of Witches”?

If you loved Deborah Harkness’ books A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night from her All Souls Trilogy, KDL has several great recommendations for you! If you couldn’t get enough of the research and history in Harkness’ novels, try The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane or The Historian. More interested in the magical and supernatural elements of the book? Check out Angelology or Darkfever. Love the romance? Try The Demon Lover.

 

 

Early Lit Bits — Music Minute

Do you know any children that have trouble transitioning from one activity to another? Music can be a helpful tool in your daily routine by making cleaning up, brushing teeth or getting dressed into a fun, stress-free time.

Try taking a familiar tune like “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” and sing “brush, brush, brush your teeth” or for the “The Farmer in the Dell,” sing “Let’s pick up the toys.” Using your imagination, take songs you know and invent your own verses with your kids. Singing will help relieve stress, distract your child and will also nurture their abilities to concentrate and listen.

 

 

This article originally appeared in our Early Lit Bits eNewsletter. Read the most recent issue online or sign up to receive this monthly update highlighting early literacy tips and resources for parents and caregivers.