Monday Children’s Book Reviews for May 20, 2013

The Chickens Built a Wall by Jean-Francois Dumont

“The chickens at the farm are building a wall, and no one is quite sure why. But they know one thing: the hedgehog that wandered in must be trouble. So all winter they build and build, until they have a wall that towers over the barn. When spring comes, though, they find that everything hasn’t gone quite according to plan . .”         [JPB DUMONT]

Roger Rat is on the Loose! by Brooke Smith

“Meet Mimi and Maty! Mimi is an animal-loving girl and Maty is her three-legged dog. Together, this fantastic duo sets out to rescue any animal that needs help. When their friend George calls and needs to find a missing rat named Roger, Mimi and Maty jump into action! Keeping track of all the clues in their trusty rescue notebook, Mimi and Maty embark on an adventure that involves their nasty friend Icky Vicky and her brother Dicky, the Pom Pom Pie Place, and one smart dumbo rat! Will Mimi and Maty be successful in their first-ever rescue operation?” The first book in the new series Mimi and Maty to the Rescue!              [J SMITH]

Freaks by Kieran Larwood

“Weirdest. Crime Fighters. Ever.

“Sheba, the fur-faced Wolfgirl, can sniff out a threat from miles away. Monkeyboy clambers up buildings in the blink of an eye — then drops deadly stink bombs of his own making (yes, THAT kind)! Sister Moon sees in the dark, and moves at the speed of light. Born with weird abnormalities that make them misfits, these FREAKS spend their nights on public display, trapped in a traveling Victorian sideshow. But during the day, they put their strange talents to use: They solve the most sinister crimes. And in a dank, desperate world of crooks and child-snatchers, they’re determined to defend London’s most innocent victims: the street urchins disappearing from the city’s streets.”                           [J LARWOOD]

Chabot Space and Science Center Is Listening

We Want to Hear What You Think ~ About a Fantastic Upcoming Exhibition at Chabot Space and Science Center

SpaceTime will be a 25,000 sq foot, multi-level playground located in the outdoor courtyard at Chabot Space & Science Center. The space will be a one-of-a-kind experience, appearing in multiple iterations, accompanied by a narrative that unfolds over time via various local and international media. It will engage kids age 6-12 in active, imaginative play; spark excitement and interest in space exploration; and evoke the spirit of wonder at discovering worlds unknown.

Chabot is seeking families to volunteer an hour of their time to help us determine what you, our communities, would like to see in this new exhibition. We invite you to join us for an hour-long session on Saturday June 1, 2013, at either 2pm or 4pm. There will be an engaging conversation for adults, while our experienced educators entertain the kids with fun, related activities (plus, there will be thank you gifts!). We will be video-taping the sessions.

To sign up (registration ends May 29), contact Camie Bontaites, Creative Content Producer, Chabot Space & Science Center: 510-336-7312 or cbontaites@chabotspace.org. We look forward to seeing you!

 

 

Monday Children’s Book Reviews for May 13, 2013

Pirates Vs. Cowboys by Aaron Reynolds

“It is a sad and sorry day when Burnt Beard the Pirate and his scurvy crew swagger into Old Cheyenne looking to bury their treasure. Black Bob McKraw—terror of the Wild West—and his posse don’t take too kindly to pirates invading their town. And to add insult to injury, the pirates and cowboys can’t understand a lick of what the others are saying. None of them cowboys speak Pirate, and none of them pirates speak Cowboy. Who will save the day before these sorry—and stinky!—bilge rats and yellow-bellied varmints draw their cutlasses and six-shooters?”        [JPB REYNOLDS]

Lulu and the Dog From the Sea by Hilary McKay and Priscilla Lamont

“7-year-old Lulu and her cousin think their vacation house is the most perfect place ever until they find a trouble-prone, stray dog living on the beach. Everyone thinks the dog is a nuisance, but Lulu is sure he just needs a friend.” From the authors of Lulu and the Duck in the Park      [J MCKAY]

Gone Fishing: A Novel in Verse by Tamera Wissinger

“Nine-year-old Sam loves fishing with his dad. So when his pesky little sister, Lucy, horns in on their fishing trip, he’s none too pleased:

“Where’s my stringer? / Something’s wrong! / The princess doll does not belong!”

All ends well in this winsome book of poems—each labeled with its proper poetic form, from quatrain to tercet. Together the poems build a dawn-to-dusk story of a father-son bond, of sibling harmony lost and found—and most of all, of delicious anticipation.”                 [J WISSINGER]

Boys Who Rocked the World: Heroes From King Tut to Bruce Lee by Michelle Roehm McCann

“A collection of influential stories provides forty-six illustrated examples of strong, independent male role models, all of whom first impacted the world as teenagers or younger. This updated and expanded edition of Boys Who Rocked the World encompases a variety of achievements, interests, and backgrounds, from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Steve Jobs to Crazy Horse and Stephen King—each with his own incredible story of how he created life-changing opportunities for himself and the world.”                              [J920.71 MCCANN]

Monday Children’s Book Reviews for May 6, 2013

It’s getting warmer, the school year is drawing to an end, and lots of things are happening in May, including

MOTHER’S DAY!!

“Mother’s Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed in different forms throughout the world. The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. While dates and celebrations vary, Mother’s Day most commonly falls on the second Sunday in May.” In 2013 it will fall on May 12.

Mother’s Day and Other Family Days by Reagan Miller

“Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Grandparents Day are special days in which we show our appreciation for the wonderful people in our families. This book shows how these and other days are celebrated here in North America and around the world.”           [J306.85 MILLER]

T. Rex and the Mother’s Day Hug by Lois G. Grambling

“It’s Mother’s Day, and T. Rex wants to plan something really special for his mama. He wants to DO something, not just give something. This year, T. Rex has the perfect gift idea that he knows Mama Rex is going to love sooo much. At least, he thinks she will. . . .

“In this sweet, funny story, Lois G. Grambling and Jack E. Davis demonstrate that sometimes less is more.”            [JPB GRAMBLING]

Assemblymember Bill Quirk’s Community Assistance Program

A representative from Assemblyman Bill Quirk’s office will be available at the Union City Library every second Monday of the month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to help you resolve California state-related issues. Assemblyman Quirk represents District 20 which includes Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Fairview, Fremont, Hayward, San Lorenzo, Sunol, and Union City.

The Assemblyman’s representative will work with you to help if you have a problem with a state agency, need legislative information or information about proposed legislation, or just want to express your comments and concerns.

Please call Assemblyman Quirk’s office at (510) 583-8818 for an appointment. Drop-ins are also welcome. Se Habla Español.

The Union City Library is located across the street from Logan High School, next door to Union City City Hall. 34007 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City, California. 510-745-1464 ext. 7

International Jazz Day 2013

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 is the second annual International Jazz Day.

“Spurred by the success of the first celebration, UNESCO, in partnership with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz (TMIJ) will be organizing the second International Jazz Day on April 30th, 2013. This day is destined to raise awareness in the international community regarding jazz’s virtues as an educational tool, as a vehicle for peace, unity, dialogue, and for enhanced cooperation between peoples.”

“This year’s commemoration will feature a daylong series of jazz events and a major evening performance in Istanbul, Turkey, this year’s host city. Activities will feature jazz greats including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, George Duke, Abdullah Ibrahim, Keiko Matsui, Al Jarreau, Milton Nascimento, Dianne Reeves, Marcus Miller, and Jimmy Heath.

“International Jazz Day, a U.S. initiative, was established in 2011 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which noted the art form’s American origins, and described jazz as a “universal music of freedom and creativity.” Jazz has long been an important component of U.S. cultural outreach and interaction with foreign audiences. Department of State jazz programs over the last sixty years have featured such legends as Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Dizzy Gillespie, and many others. Jazz remains an international language, and promotes dialogue among cultures, freedom of expression, diversity, and the crucial role of youth in fostering social change.

“Plans are in place for this concert to be streamed live to millions around the world on April 30 at 9:00 p.m. Istanbul time (7:00 p.m. UTC/ 2:00 p.m. EDT). Viewers can learn more about the program and join the live webcast.”

“Celebrate UNESCO International Jazz Day 2013 with a free jazz performances by Hot Club of San Francisco, Left Bank Trio and The Jazzschool of Berkeley on April 30, 2013.

“Free, but an RSVP is required.

“Special guests Pablo Castro, President of United Nations Association San Francisco and Susan Muscarella, Founder and CEO of Jazz School Berkeley will speak briefly about the influence of Jazz Music on Education and Culture.” http://sf.funcheap.com/unesco-international-jazz-day/

Many other events are also planned around the San Francisco Bay Area.

Monday Children’s Book Reviews for April 29, 2013

Night Catch by Brenda Ehrmantraut

“When a soldier’s work takes him halfway around the world, he enlists the help of the North Star for a nightly game of catch with his son.”     [JPB EHRMANTRAUT]

My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer by Jennifer Gennari

“Twelve-year-old June Farrell is sure of one thing—she’s great at making pies—and she plans to prove it by winning a blue ribbon in the Champlain Valley Fair pie competition. But a backlash against Vermont’s civil union law threatens her family’s security and their business. Even when faced with bullying, June won’t give up on winning the blue ribbon; more importantly, she won’t give up on her family.”    [J GENNARI]

My Brother is a Big Fat Liar by James Patterson and Lisa Papademetriou

“Georgia Khatchadorian plans to excel at Hills Village Middle School in all the places her troublemaking brother failed.

“Resolving to excel in all the areas her troublemaking brother failed, Georgia is dismayed when nobody at middle school will give her a chance to prove herself, and her life becomes complicated by a group of snooty popular girls, a blossoming crush and her band’s involuntary performance at a school dance.”   Middle School series, volume 3              [J PATTERSON]