Monday, November, 16, 2009
Monday Children’s Book Reviews for November 16
Naomi’s Tree by Joy Kogawa
“A young couple leaves Japan for the coast of Canada, bringing a cherry seed to plant in their new garden. During the years that follow, the little cherry tree watches over the family as the couple have children, and then grandchildren. Young Naomi makes the cherry tree her special friend, and the tree’s branches shelter her as she plays. But one day, war breaks out between the two countries, and the family is sent to an internment camp away from the coast. And though Naomi often dreams of going home, the dream fades as the years go by. The little tree is left behind to mourn its loss.
For many years the cherry tree sends out a song of love and peace that reaches Naomi only in her dreams. But the insects and small animals hear the song, and on the wind they send back their own messages to the tree, assuring it that Naomi is safe and that one day she will return. And when she does, the tree will be waiting for her.” [JPB KOGAWA]
Tyrannosaurus Math by Michelle Markel
“He’s a number-crunching dinosaur who chews on math problems as easily as he thunders through the trees. When his little sister is in terrible danger, T-Math even saves the day by using his measurable math skills. Is there anything he can’t figure?” [JPB MARKEL]
The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
“Augustus Duchene, a ten-year-old orphan…receives an unbelievable piece of information from the local fortuneteller. Peter learns that his fate is tied to an elephant that has inexplicably fallen from the sky when a magician’s trick goes terribly wrong. Why did it happen? And, how can an elephant possibly change the course of Peter’s life? This darkly atmospheric, yet hopeful tale, demonstrates that when the answers to life’s big questions are opaque or unforthcoming, all is not lost.” [J DICAMILLO]
The New Children’s Encyclopedia
“This easy-to-use, richly photographed encyclopedia puts the wider world in context and allows young readers to explore to their hearts’ content. Great for visual learners and ESL students, and for any child who loves pictures and words, The New Children’s Encyclopedia is sure to become a classic for home and school use.” [J032 NEW]
Saturday, November, 14, 2009
Ballet Afsaneh
Do not miss Sunday Novemeber 15 the Silk Road Dance Program by Ballet Afsaneh….
Friday, November, 13, 2009
Last History Talk to Celebrate Union City’s 50th Is Tomorrow
Come to the Union City Library tomorrow from 2-3 p.m. for the last history talk by local historian Tim Swenson.
Tim will talk about the rich and vibrant diversity in Union City’s history. His talk is all about how ethnic diversity has enriched the history of Union City way back to the Gold Rush era. He will tell how the contributions by the various groups including the Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, Mexicans, and Portuguese have enriched Union City and made it what it is today. This is a free event for UCY’s 50th celebration. Come out and find out more about your City.
Thursday, November, 12, 2009
Free H1N1 Vaccination
The Alameda County Public Health Department is providing no cost H1N1 shots to uninsured residents who are at highest risk of complications from exposure to the H1N1 virus. These include:
- Pregnant women
- Persons who live with or provide care for infants
- Children aged 6 months to 4 years old
- Children and adolescents aged 5 to 18 years old who have chronic medical conditions that put them at higher risk for flu-related complications.
These are the clinics that provide the free vaccinations around us:
Saturday, November 14
- Fremont Senior Center – 40086 Paseo Padre parkway, Fremont
- Hayward City Hall Rotunda – 777 B Street, Hayward
- Newark Silliman Community Center – 6800 Mowry Ave., Newark
Saturday, December 5
- Fremont Teen Center – 39770 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont
- Hayward Matt Jimenez Community Center – 28200 Ruus Road, Hayward
- San Leandro City Hall – 835 E. 14th Street, San Leandro
Saturday, December 12
- Castro Valley High School – 19400 Santa Maria, Castro Valley
- Vallejo Mission Adobe Nursery – 36500 Niles Blvd, Fremont
- Hayward Fire Station #6 – 1401 West Winton Ave., Hayward
Monday, November, 9, 2009
Monday Children’s Book Reviews for November 9
Amelia Bedelia’s First Day of School by Herman Parish
“Amelia Bedelia is sure she will love everything about the first day of school.
New friends
A new teacher
Her own desk
Music, books, gym, art
Recess and lunch
Amelia Bedelia can’t wait.
What could be better? School! School! Hooray for school!
Amelia Bedelia has been making readers laugh since 1963, when the first Amelia Bedelia book was published. Now, for the first time, you can meet the young Amelia Bedelia.” [JPB PARISH]
Pigs Make Me Sneeze, an Elephant & Piggie Book by Mo Willems
“In the latest Elephant & Piggie adventure, Gerald believes he is allergic to his best friend! Will he have to stay away from Piggie forever?” [JE WILLEMS]
Goblins! An UnderEarth Adventure by Royce Buckingham
“Twelve-year-old Sam Hill and seventeen-year-old PJ discover a scary world of goblins under the earth after one of the creatures escapes through a tunnel in the ground, and when Sam follows it back down, PJ must go underground to rescue him.” By the author of DemonKeeper [J BUCKINGHAM]
Alibi Junior High by Greg Logsted
Cody Saron has spent all his twelve years deep undercover with his CIA agent father. He’s travelled the world, speaks five languages, is a proficient martial artist, studies high school and college level subjects. But when his life is in great danger, he is sent to live with his aunt, to discover that nothing has prepared him for a public Middle school. [J LOGSTED]
The Random House Book of Bible Stories retold by Mary Pope Osborne
“A beautifully illustrated collection of more than 50 Bible stories.
In the Random House Book of Bible Stories, more than 50 stories from the Old and New Testaments come to vivid life, ready to captivate readers and listeners of all ages. Each story is crafted for reading aloud, so the whole family can share the experience.” [J220.9505 OSBORNE]
Saturday, November, 7, 2009
Silk Road ….
Before Gutenberg Bible, first book published in cast-metal movable type, lunches a Cultural Revolution; travelers were the main source for ideas to be transferred from one place to another.
The Silk Routes were important paths for cultural, commercial and technological exchange between traders, merchants, pilgrims, missionaries, soldiers, nomads and urban dwellers from China, India, Persia and Mediterranean countries for almost 3,000 years.
Today with the invention of internet, it seems the whole world is like a village. {That I should be sitting in a coffee shop in London drinking Italian espresso served by and Algerian waiter too strains of the Beach Boys singing “I wish they all could be California girls…”} –from he National Geographic Vol. 196, N0.2 August 1999.This issue of the magazine deal with many aspects of global change whether ancient cultures will be free to change on their own terms. It also discusses whether the Indigenous people have become the human equivalent of endangered species, or whether or not our cultural difference survives?
Please come to the Library this November and experience the cultural diversity around us :
Saturday November 7th Teen-Senior Gaming
Saturday November 14 Ethnic Origins of Union City: History Talk by Tim Swenson
Saturday November 15 Silk Road Dance @ the Union City Library
Friday, November, 6, 2009
Teen Senior Gaming Day At the Library
Teens and Seniors, grandparents and teenage grand kids come to Union City Library this Saturday November 7th for Wii gaming day! The fun starts at 1 p.m. and continues until 3:30 p.m. Seniors find out what all the excitement is about. Why do all the young people like the video games so much? Playing video games is fun and easy. The teens will show you how to play. It’s even fun to watch also. We will have sports like tennis and bowling, or fitness like yoga that you can try out. We also have old fashioned carnival games like ring toss that you can try. So come on down to the Library this Saturday, satisfy your curiosity and have some fun!
For more information call the Information Desk at the Library at 5100-745-1464 X 7.
Thursday, November, 5, 2009
Notebook, Netbook, PC or Laptop?
Are you thinking to buy a computer for your home or office, and don’t know where to start? Are the computers on the Christmas shopping list for your family members this year? Are you confused by so many different accessories, mobile phone and internet plans, and the everyday changing consumer electronics? If you answer “YES” to any of these questions, here is a perfect program for you to find the answers. What do you need to compare and how to make the best choices for you budge will also be included in this free program.
It is scheduled on the Sunday, November 8, from 2 to 4 pm in the Union City Library’s meeting room. Please mark your calendar, bring your questions and come join us for an educational and informative meeting.
