Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 69

Giant Warehouse Book Sale April 25–27

Time to mark your calendar for our third annual Book Bash Giant Warehouse Book Sale, featuring more than 20,000 gently-used books and other items that will be available for just 50 cents to $1 each. Sunday is Bag Day — $5 buys as many items as you can fit in a bag. All proceeds support Summer Reading @ KDL and other branch programs. Held at the KDL Service Center, 814 West River Center Dr. NE in Comstock Park.

Friday, April 25, 5:00 – 8:00 PM

(Special time for teachers only from 3:00 – 5:00 PM)

Saturday, April 26, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Sunday, April 27, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

 

Teen Poets: It’s Rhyme Time

The calendar in April once again will attest

KDL’s 11th Annual Teen Poetry Contest.

Up to 10 teens who are chosen as best for their rhyming

Will earn such cool prizes for poetic timing.

Rules and entry forms are available here

Or at the KDL branch you hold most dear.

Poems better than this one accepted April 1 through 30

Your grandma might read them, so hey, nothing dirty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like Children’s Musicals? See One for FREE

From today until they are gone, KDL cardholders may pick up two free vouchers per person at our Plainfield Township and Wyoming branches for the dress rehearsal of Junie B. Jones on Thursday, April 17, 7:30 PM at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre (30 N. Division Ave.) All dress rehearsals are general seating and vouchers must be redeemed for an admission ticket (redeem on dress night only). Vouchers do not guarantee a seat as dress rehearsals also include open admission sales. So arrive early; doors to the theatre open at 5:30 PM.

We have 75 vouchers total. When they’re gone, they’re gone. Go!

To help you get in the mood for the show, for Junie B. Jones materials to check out at KDL.

P.S: If you do get vouchers and find you cannot use them, please return them to any KDL branch, as there is always high demand.

 

 

 

Spring Break Fun!

Staying in town for spring break? We can help keep your kids happy, busy and entertained… and we may even sneak in a little education (but they will never know)! Between Eco-Friendly Garden Projects, Rainbow Loom Creativity, Tom Plunkard: Beyond Magic and much more, there won’t be any time for boredom.

Click here for a complete list of our programs taking place April 4 – 13.

And if you are heading to the sunny south for break, make sure to stop in your local branch and stock up on some great vacation reads.

Wishing everyone a safe and fun spring vacation!

 

Early Lit Bits: App Review — Hideout: Early Reading

Hideout: Early Reading  is an app that helps kids learn to read through emphasizing letter sounds and word repetition. It also has catchy music and engagingly simple games to help keep users interested as they play. When playing, you have the option to choose a word ending and then play with the words in that “family.” Through activities such as popping kernels, breaking rocks or helping pets, words and sounds are reinforced as you blend them together to do the activities and read the sentences. Read and play together with your child while using this free app available from the Apple app store.

– Julie R. at KDL’s Caledonia Township Branch

 

 

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.

 

KDL Top Ten — Gardening Books

This week’s Top Ten tills it like it is:  You’re one mowtivated bunch, KDL!  Here are the most popular books this month in our Garden section:

And if this list makes you happy, check out information on our new Seed Library!

Great Booklists for Teens and Tweens

In case you missed any, KDL has a booklist for the Best Teen Books of 2014.  This includes a variety of stand-alones as well as series books, including The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black and This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith.  There is also a Great Books for Tweens list which includes Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper and Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein.

And not to leave out the artists, KDL has a booklist featuring Drawing Books for Teens which features superhero and manga art!

              

 

Great Reads for Spring Break!

Happy Spring Break!!

For some of the best teen books of 2014, click here!

Great Cottage Reads

The Cottage and Lakefront Living Show is coming to the DeVos Place March 28–30. Since so many of you will be thinking about your upcoming trips to the lake, we wanted to recommend some books to take along. We have created a list of Books for the Cottage, perfect for reading with your feet in the sand!

Enjoy!

 

Sonia Nazario Discussion

Monday night, the members of Kent District Library’s Goodreads Group were privileged to chat online with author Sonia Nazario. Nazario, author of Enrique’s Journey, talked about the human face of immigration policy. Visit the group to read her comments. We all look forward to her visit to the Wyoming branch on Monday, March 31 at 6:30 PM.