Summer Reading Celebration 2013!

for Pre-Readers (Children, Ages 0-5)

How to Participate ...

1. Starting June 1, 2013, sign up at your local library and receive an Activity Grid or sign up online and print your own Activity Grid.
    
2. Only activities completed between June 1 - July 31 are eligible. 
    
3. Complete any five squares in a row (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal) on the Activity Grid to win a prize.
    
4. List the specific book titles you've read, or activities you've done in the What I Did section.
    
5. Prizes available starting June 15, 2013.
    
6. Claim all your prizes at the Summer Reading Celebration desk by August 31, 2013. 

Top 5 Reasons to enroll your child into our Summer Reading Celebration!

Summer Reading Prizes for Pre-Readers!!

• Sign Up = Bookmark, "Underground Times", Coloring Sheet
• 1st & 2nd Complete Rows = Your Choice: Kickball, Dinosaur, or Dino-duck
• 3rd Complete Row =Book & Certificate
• Each Additional Row or 5 Books Read = Mystery Prize

Graphic Novel Making Contest!

Part of the Summer Reading Celebration.

Check our events calendar for other FREE activities to enjoy this summer!

Summer Reading Celebration 2013!

for Readers (Children, Ages 5-12)

How to Participate ...

1. Starting June 1, 2013, sign up at your local library and receive an Activity Grid or sign up online and print your own Activity Grid.
    
2. Only activities completed between June 1 - July 31 are eligible. 
    
3. Complete any five squares in a row (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal) on the Activity Grid to win a prize.
    
4. List the specific book titles you've read, or activities you've done in the What I Did section.
    
5. Prizes available starting June 15, 2013.
    
6. Claim all your prizes at the Summer Reading Celebration desk by August 31, 2013.

Top 5 Reasons to enroll your child into our Summer Reading Celebration!

Summer Reading Prizes for Kids!!

• Sign Up = Bookmark, "Underground Times"
• 1st Complete Row = Color Your Own Poster
• 2nd Complete Row = Fingerpuppet
• 3rd Complete Row =Book & Certificate
• Each Additional Row or 5 Books Read = Mystery Prize

Graphic Novel Making Contest!

Part of the Summer Reading Celebration.

Check our events calendar for other FREE activities to enjoy this summer!

I saw the new Baz Luhrmann film adaptation of The Great Gatsby yesterday, and much as that story's narrator Nick Carraway ponders the life and character of his mysterious rich neighbor Jay Gatsby, I found myself pondering some mysteries about F. Scott Fitzgerald. I wonder how he would have received this most recent retelling of his master work, with its rap soundtrack and 3D effects. After The Great Gatbsy was published in 1925, Fitzgerald wrote to his friend Edmund Wilson "that of all the reviews, even the most enthusiastic, not one had the slightest idea what the book was about." It makes me wonder if Fitzgerald would think this new movie has any idea what the book is about, or whether the critics who have reviewed the movie do. In my entirely humble opinion, I think he just might have approved of Luhrmann's visions of decadence, disillusionment and disappointment, but as the author has been dead for 73 years, my opinion must remain mostly wild speculation.

I am reasonably rather more sure that F. Scott Fitzgerald would have enjoyed the resurgence of interest in his novel that the release of the movie has brought about. The book was never a commerical success in Fitzgerald's lifetime, but today it holds the #3 bestseller spot for all of the books available at Amazon.com, and there is a waitlist to borrow it from the San Jose Public Library (but not a horribly long waitlist, so don't hesitate if you want to add yourself to it!).

Post-its, pencils, a white wall, and one question. These are the ingredients for King Library's new interactive program experiment, "Thought Spot". Originally an idea from Oak Park Public Library, Thought Spot allows library customers to be part of the creation and success of a program. The space being used is located right across the Cafe on Fourth at the the 4th Street and E. San Fernando Street entrance.

The question currently being asked is "What is your favorite book?" College students, children, staff, and many other community members have contributed to close to 200 responses so far. Want to participate? Visit King Library and visit often because the theme will change!

It's that time again for the monthly check on what your community's reading! Here's a selection from the top titles for April. Here's the previous lists for February and March. Enjoy!

Many species of penguins live in Antarctica as well as many other locations in the Southern Hemisphere.    World Penguin Day takes place on  April 25th, while Penguin Awareness Day takes place on January 20th.

Here are some fun books children and their loved ones may enjoy:

I am Small, written and illustrated by Emma Dodd

Penguin and the Cupcake, written and illustrated by Ashley Spires

Penguins, written and illustrated by Liz Pichon