Friday Fun @ New Lenox Library

It's Friday, and that means .. Friday Fun! Check back every week for cool activities, fun finds at the library, stuff going on around town, or just interesting things on the Web!

This week's fun find is on the Web - www.factmonster.com.

This site, especially for kids, has answers to all kinds of silly trivia, like wacky state holidays, lists of albums by American Idol contestants, a special section where you can play Hangman and more!

As always, ask your parents about visiting any Web site before checking it out, and remember, Internet safety is just as important as being safe when you cross the street or ride your bike.

Picture Book Party: Meet the Pigeon

Let's party, picture book-style! Looking for a fun, fast read to make you giggle? Want to see some really cool illustrations? These books are great for kids of all ages ... from 1 to 100!

This week's Picture Book Party Guest of Honor is: the Pigeon

He's sassy. He's silly. He's ... a talking pigeon. And boy, does this pigeon like to talk! In Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, our feathered friend tries to trick readers into helping him steal a bus, because he really, really wants to drive it! In The Pigeon Wants a Puppy, Pigeon promises to feed and water his pet puppy once a week. Silly Pigeon!

Parents, author and illustrator Mo Willems creates laugh-out-loud stories to read about the petulant Pigeon, and they are great read-alouds for preschoolers, but the silly pictures and funny stories are perfect for anyone who needs a giggle.

You can find him in: Check out the Pigeon's many adventures, written and illustrated by Mo Willems, in our Easy section, under New Lenox Public Library Call Number E WIL

Wednesday Spotlight: WordPlay

Like writing? Got an itch to pen a great story, poem or comic strip? Come to WordPlay Young Writers' Club. We meet twice a month during the school year and twice during the summer to work on fun writing, share stories and even illustrate our own tales.

WordPlay meets again April 7 & 21, and we'll be writing silly poems and making our own cartoon strips. We meet from 4:30 -5:30 p.m., and any kids from grades 3 and up are welcome. We do require registration, so call the library today at 815.485.2605 to sign up!

Stay tuned for this summer's dates - we'll be writing some spooky tales to go along with our Summer Reading 2010 theme, "Scare Up a Good Book!"

Dewey Tour: Uh "Ohs"

Think all non-fiction books are dry, boring, full of useless information? Think again! We're taking a tour through the non-fiction catalog of New Lenox Public Library, looking for the best non-fiction we have to offer! We'll find cool facts, interesting people, even gross projects and prove that sometimes, the truth really is stranger than fiction.

000s: Generalities

Look here if you want to find: Computers, UFOs and aliens, encyclopedias, the Bermuda Triangle, hoaxes, Guinness Book of World Records, museums and journalism books

Fun Find: For Boys Only: The Biggest, Baddest Book Ever by Marc Aronson and H.P. Newquist

New Lenox Public Library Call Number: J 031.02 ARO

Tests of skill and daring? Check. Super cars? Check. Detective stuff, spies, and a recipe for fake blood? Check, check and check. This book's got tons of cool stuff, and it's not just for boys!

Where else can you find a list of America's scariest roller coaster rides and directions for landing a plane in an emergency? This is a fun read, and may answer questions you didn't even know you had! But beware - it's only for the brave!

Other cool 000's stuff:

Encyclopedia Horrifica: The Terrifying Truth About Vampires, Ghosts, Monsters and More by Joshua Gee, J 001.9 GEE

YouTube by Adam Woog, J 006.7 WOO

Do Not Open by John Farndon, J 031.02 FAR

Novel Ideas: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

It's Monday, and that means ... Novel Ideas! Every Monday, we take a look at a juvenile fiction/chapter book. They won't always be brand-new books - sometimes we'll take a look at old favorites. Looking for a good read? Check out our Novel Ideas posts. Have a suggestion for a great book to review? Let us know!





This week's found novel is:
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney

New Lenox Library Call Number: J KIN

Greg Heffly does NOT keep a diary. He keeps a journal, and a funny one at that, telling all about the ins and outs of middle school, his best friend Rowley, his brothers and his parents. Greg draws pictures to go along with his journal entries, and these are funnier (sometimes) than the stories he tells! When he tells about the "cheese touch," you will be laughing out loud.

Like the book? Check out the new live-action movie, and let us know which one you liked better!

This Week @ NLPL

Here's what's happening this week at New Lenox Public Library!

Monday:

Wiggle Worms @ 10:30 a.m. for babies (pre-walkers)

Movers & Shakers @ 11:15 a.m. for babies (walkers)

Treasure Hunters @ 1 p.m. for ages 3 1/2 to 5 years

Tuesday:

Itsy Bitsy Toddler @ 10:30 a.m. for toddlers between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 years

Pajamapalooza @ 6:30 p.m. for ages 6 & up (registration required)

Wednesday:

Simply Silly Storytime @ 10:30 a.m. for all ages

Happy Books, Happy Cooks @ 7:00 p.m. for ages 3 and up (registration required)

Thursday:

Tales & Tunes @ 10:30 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. for ages 2 to 3 1/2 years

Book Adventures @ 4:30 p.m. for grades 1-8 (registration required)

To register for programs, stop by the library or call 815.485.2605.

Novel Ideas: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series

It's Monday, and that means ... Novel Ideas! Every Monday, we take a look at a juvenile fiction/chapter book. They won't always be brand-new books - sometimes we'll take a look at old favorites. Looking for a good read? Check out our Novel Ideas posts. Have a suggestion for a great book to review? Let us know!This week's found novel is:

Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
New Lenox Library Call Number: J RIO


Lots of kids are getting excited about the Percy Jackson movie that's coming out this month. If you haven't read the series, it's an excellent time to start!

The first book in the series, The Lightning Thief, sets up the story for us. Percy is just a typical kid, but he's got some pretty un-typical problems. Like, his dad is Poseidon. The Poseidon. Which means Percy is a hero, a half-human, half-god hybrid. After a ... situation develops at Percy's school, he is whisked away to Camp Half-blood to learn how to use his power. But being a half-blood isn't all swords and shields and cool tricks. Percy has to deal with angry gods, crazy situations, and the typical teen drama.
This is a great series for anyone who is interested in Greek mythology, likes adventure or loved the Harry Potter series.