Our new Lit Kit collection of Bob Books, Lacing Activities, Language Cards, and more is designed to develop reading and writing skills with these fun activities that you can check out and take home!  The Lit Kit collection is located in the back of the Youth Department next to the Media Kits between the series and fiction collection.  Ask a librarian for more information!

All three of these nationally known authors will be at the Chelsea District Library on Wednesday evening, March 20, at 6:30pm in the McKune Room!

Dori Hillestad Butler, author of popular The Buddy Files series, Timothy Smith, Michigan author of the Buck Wilder outdoors books, and Kenneth Oppel, author of Silverwing, Printz Honor book Airborn and many others, will read from their works and will be available to sign books in the McKune Room of the Library. Books by each author will be for sale in the lobby, courtesy of Just Imagine books and Buck Wilder Adventures.

Authors in Chelsea is a day-long celebration of authors and illustrators, who are invited to Chelsea by the Chelsea District Library to give workshops in North Creek and South Meadows Elementary Schools, and Beach Middle School, and then meet and greet everyone else at the Library in the evening.

Authors in Chelsea was begun by the Chelsea District Library to encourage students to read and appreciate literature while improving their creative writing and reading abilities. The library purchases books by each author or illustrator for the classrooms that take part.

“Over 600 students participated in last year’s event,” said Karen Persello, Head of Youth and Teen Services. “They had a great time learning how real live authors and illustrators got started writing and drawing when they were kids, just like them.”

Marvel is offering 700 digital first issues of several of its most beloved series including Spiderman, The Avengers, X-Men, and more for the low price of FREE.  The promotion runs from Sunday March 10 till 11pm on Tuesday March 12.  You can download these issues using Marvel Comic Apps and Marvel Digital Comics Shop.  Visit Marvel.com to claim your free digital Marvel comics.

      The Newbery Award winner for 2012 is The One and Only Ivan by Katheine Applegate. This beautiful book is the story of Ivan, a gorilla who has been living in a glass cage at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade for almost as long as he can remember. To pass his days, he has a small black and white TV, yellow crayons to draw bananas, and a few friends including a stray dog and the elephants in the glass cage next door.

This book is based on a true story about the real Ivan the Gorilla who was taken from his home in Zaire to live in a 14×14 glass cage in Tacoma Washington for 27 years and was finally donated to a zoo in Atlanta in 1995. Author Katherine Applegate, gives Ivan a voice by telling the story from his point of view. If you want a chance to see the world through Ivan’s eyes, check out The One and Only Ivan at the Chelsea District  Library.

- Robin

This classic cartoon was always one of my favorites. Volumes one, two, and three are avalible on DVD in the Family Media area of the library.

Happy Amelia Bedelia Day! Today, Ameilia Bedelia marks 50 years of creating better readers though silliness. The series was first written by Peggy Parish in 1963 and taken over by her nephew Herman Parish in 1995.  To celebrate Amila Bedelia’s big day, throw your own birthday party at home.  Visit Harper-Collins Children.com for a free downloadable party kit.  And remember to come to the Chelsea District Library where you can check out all the Amelia Bedelia books you can carry!

Preschoolers learned all about fossils and dinosaurs with fun, hands-on activities at the Sid the Science Kid Preschool party last Saturday. Thanks to our volunteers Leigh and Grace who helped run the event. Also thanks to Katie McGlashen from the Eddy Discovery Center who taught the kids all about fossils and even brought some real fossils for the kids to see and touch!

- Robin

Make your own out-of-this-world snacks with recipes from An Astronaut Cookbook: Simple Recipes for Kids by Sarah L. Schuette. 

Cosmic Crunch

Ingredients:

• 1 cup round cereal pieces
• 1 cup small pretzels
• 1/2 cup small yogurt covered raisins
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup peanuts

Combine the ingredients into a large zip-top bag and shake it gently. 

Open the bag and enjoy your Cosmic Crunch mix.  Yum!!!

An Astronaut Cookbook and several other cookbooks for kids can be found in the non-fiction section of the Youth Department.  Check one out to make something delicious!

Four-year-old Madalynn came to the library to spend time with her grandma and mom. While here, she enjoyed looking at picture books and building a snowman at our Drop-In Craft Table. Thanks for coming in today Madalynn!

-Robin

Twas the week before Christmas and Miss Jackie put on a special holiday storytime. The children heard stories, made a Chirstmas Tree craft, and ate delicious cookies.