Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 85

Candied Land: You Become the Game Piece!

Everyone’s invited to play a giant version of a favorite childhood board game. Families will not want to miss out on Life-Sized Candied Land. Follow the colored squares as you walk across the gumdrop bridge and voyage through the candy cane forest… but don’t get stuck on a licorice spot!

Schedule:

Friday, January 3, 1:00 PM – Englehardt branch

Saturday, January 4, 10:30 AM – Sand Lake / Nelson Township branch

Thursday, January 9, 6:30 PM – Spencer Township branch

Saturday, January 18, 10:30 AM – Tyrone Township branch

Saturday, January 25, 10:00 AM – Krause Memorial branch

Saturday, February 1, 2:00 PM – Byron Township branch

Saturday, February 8, 2:00 PM – Caledonia Township branch

Saturday, February 22, 2:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch

To find a location of a branch, click here.

 

Dress Up & Celebrate Fancy Nancy

From December 31 through February 25, several KDL branches will host Fancy Nancy Soirées (that’s “fancy” for party!) Come dressed in your fanciest regalia and baubles (clothes and jewelry) and join your friends at the bibliothèque (library) for a Fancy Nancy Storytime, complete with glamorous crafts and splendiforous surprises. Sponsored by Karl Orthodontics.



Schedule

Tuesday, December 31, 10:30 AM – Sand Lake/Nelson Township branch

Saturday, January 4, 2:00 PM – Comstock Park branch

Saturday, January 11, 11:00 AM – Byron Township branch

Saturday, January 18, 2:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch

Saturday, January 25, 10:00 AM – Caledonia Township branch

Saturday, January 25, 1:30 PM – Gaines Township branch

Saturday, February 8, 10:00 AM – Alpine Township branch

Thursday, February 13, 10:00 AM – Walker branch

Saturday, February 15, 2:00 PM – Alto branch

Sunday, February 16, 2:00 PM – Cascade Township branch

Wednesday, February 19, 6:30 PM – Grandville branch

Tuesday, February 25, 6:30 PM – Englehardt branch

Tuesday, February 25, 6:30 PM – Wyoming

Click here for branch locations.

 

 

 

 

Alto Branch Closed Monday, December 23

The Alto branch is closed today, December 23 due to a power outage. The branch will be closed for the holidays December 24 and 25 and is scheduled to reopen on Thursday, December 26 at 1:00 PM.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Local Indie Spotlight: Robb N. Johnston

The Woodcutter and the Most Beautiful Tree by Robb N. Johnston

In this picture book, The Most Beautiful Tree has discovered ways of outsmarting the singing woodcutter from chopping him down through the seasons, but when winter arrives, what can the tree do to survive? This book was written and illustrated by Robb N. Johnston, who resides in Rockford and was inspired to write this story during his time teaching English in Japan. What is really fantastic about this book are the illustrations. Not only does the woodsman have a textured, wooly sweater, the tree has captivating, graphic foliage all year round. The author and illustrator has used a variety of mediums in his illustrations that bring the book to life, and also in the hearts of the readers. It is no surprise that he was inspired by the culture of Japan; his images are reminiscent of the work of Japanese artists today.

This book is best suited for children older than 5, but can be enjoyed by adults.

Johnston’s book is part of the Local Indie @ KDL collection, housed at the Cascade Township and Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branches. It was created to give independent authors, filmmakers and musicians the opportunity to be added to our shelves and to be featured by staff in order to increase viewers, readers and listeners.

Click here to browse our Local Indie @ KDL collection.

 

Reviewed by Emily at the Cascade Township Branch

 

Holiday Closing — Christmas Eve & Day

The Kent District Library will be closed for the Christmas holidays Tuesday & Wednesday, December 24–25. We will resume normal operating hours on Thursday, December 26. For additional 2014 holiday closing information, please view our holiday closings page.

 

We appreciate your patronage and wish you Happy Holidays!

 

Author Janet Dailey Dies at Age 69

Well-known romance author Janet Dailey passed away Saturday, December 14 at the age of 69.  Janet Dailey wrote over 100 books, over half of those for her first publisher Harlequin.  Her Americana series featured one book set in each state.  Her latest book, Merry Christmas, Cowboy ranked 13th on Publisher’s Weekly‘s adult mass market best-seller list in October.

KDL CLOSED DUE TO ICY CONDITIONS

Due to the icy road conditions, all Kent District Library branches will be closed today, December 22.

Early Lit Bits: Learning with Crafts — Cinnamon Ornaments

Cinnamon Ornaments

Following a recipe and working in the kitchen making cinnamon ornaments is a fun and easy way to practice both early literacy and math skills. Even very small children can help measure and stir ingredients and knead, roll and cut dough. Hang them on your Christmas tree or in your kitchen to keep the room smelling wonderful throughout the winter season. 

Materials:

¾ cup applesauce
1  4oz bottle of cinnamon
drinking straw
colorful ribbon
paint markers (optional)


Preheat oven to 200°F. Mix applesauce and cinnamon in small bowl until a smooth ball of dough is formed. Children can use hands for this. Using about 1/4 of the dough at a time, roll dough to 1/4-inch to 1/3-inch thickness between two sheets of plastic wrap. Peel off top sheet of plastic wrap. Cut dough into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Make a hole at top of ornament with drinking straw or skewer. Place ornaments on baking sheet.
Bake 2 1/2 hours. Cool ornaments on wire rack. (Or, to dry ornaments at room temperature, carefully place them on wire rack. Let stand 1 to 2 days or until thoroughly dry, turning occasionally.)
Insert ribbon through holes and tie to hang. Decorate with opaque paint markers, found in arts and crafts stores, if desired. This recipe makes 12-15 ornaments.

Other Ideas:

Have older children poke whole cloves into the surface of an orange to make an old fashioned pomander ball. Tie a ribbon around the orange to hang it up to dry. Hang in a closet to keep your clothes smelling fresh.

–Anjie G. at KDL’s Walker 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.

 

Short Story Collections for Teens

With plenty of school work and extra-curricular activities, sometimes you can’t find time to read an entire book.   Or, perhaps you’re the type of reader who hates to leave that book untouched for days at a time.  Weeks?  Don’t even think about it!  The solution is short stories.  Popular teen authors frequently get together and write on a theme, bind it all together and provide quick and easy entertainment that is ready to read one chunk at a time.

The holiday season is upon us, and Christmas provides an interesting backdrop to everyday drama.  Let it Snow is a compilation of stories surrounding the holiday and winter months, including a title by John Green, famous for his down-to-earth writing and unforgettable characters.  Joined by Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle, it’s a trio of charming and hilarious quick stories about life and how love truly can be found at Starbucks.

Want to put the snow off for a while?  Heat things up with some paranormal romance in Kiss Me Deadly: 13 Tales of Paranormal Love.  This collection contains plenty of dark creatures, mystical spells and forbidden love.  Features stories are written by such powerhouses as Maggie Stiefvater, author of The Shiver Trilogy, The Raven Cycle, and The Scorpio Races.  She’s accompanied by plenty of other awesome authors, like Sarah Rees Brennan, Daniel Marks and Carrie Ryan.  With so much to offer in one anthology, it’s a collection to come back to time and time again.

Okay, paranormal stuff not up your alley?  This next collection will make up for it.  Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd is sure to please anyone in whole wide geekdom.  Coming from a fellow geek, I say that in the best possible way.  This collection of short stories covers many spectrums in the nerdiverse.  Headed by Holly Black and Cecil Castelluci, Geektastic offers Jedi Knights and Klingons, cosplayers and fanfiction writers, science lovers and theater devotees.  You’ll be graced by the splendid writing of Garth Nix, David Levithan, Sara Zarr, Scott Westerfeld and more.  Plus, it includes illustrations from Bryan Lee O’Malley, writer and illustrator of the Scott Pilgrim series.

These three collections only scratch the surface of what’s available.  Short stories fit the nooks and crannies of the busy-reader’s life perfectly.   Now you will never have to be without a good story.

Upcoming Natural Health Programs

Healing with Green Smoothies

Presenter Linda Carrington demonstrates using natural plant oils with natural green smoothies to help target health challenges such as weight loss, allergies, infections, inflammation, cravings, blood sugar problems and more. Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited. To register, click here.

Thursday, January 9, 6:30 PM – East Grand Rapids branch

Monday, February 3, 6:30 PM – Kentwood branch

Monday, February 24, 6:30 PM – Sand Lake / Nelson Township branch

Medicine Cabinet Makeover

Discover natural solutions that can be safer, cheaper and more effective than over-the-counter medications. Linda Carrington presents tips on using essential oils to alleviate colds and coughs, relieve stress and anxiety, support digestion and much more. Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited. To register, click here.

Thursday, January 16, 6:30 PM – East Grand Rapids branch

Thursday, January 23, 6:30 PM – Gaines Township branch

Thursday, January 30, 6:00 PM – Walker branch

For branch addresses and maps, click here.