Wednesday, May 25, 2011

A Midsummer Knight's Reading Club Starts June 1st!

Do you love to read during the hot months of summer vacation? Why not join our Midsummer's Knight's Read Summer Reading Club? 


You can read any genre from mystery to fantasy and receive great prizes just for the pleasure of enjoying a good book. These clubs were created for preschoolers to teens.


Stop by the Youth Services Reference Desk starting June 1st and sign-up for this ir-read-sistable reading club.


For more information call Youth Services at 630-368-7734 or see our previous blog post for reading club rules: http://oakbrookpubliclibraryblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/summer-reading-clubs-for-midsummer.html 

Monday, May 23, 2011

Elmer and the Rainbow by David McKee


I am currently in the process of revamping this blog. I am placing all my book reviews by date within the "Book Reviews" section of this site.


Please see the May 23, 2011 Elmer and the Rainbow  post under the tab "Book Reviews".

Thank you for visiting the Oak Brook Public Library Blog! 

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Hey Dads, Uncles, and Grandpas! Join us for Daddy and Me Story time on Sunday, May 22nd at 3 pm

Hey Dads, uncles, and grandpas! Why not come on down to the to the library on Sunday, May 22nd at 3 pm to enjoy a wonderful half-hour story time with your kids, grand kids, or nieces and nephews ages two-seven years? We'll read cool stories, sing and dance to awesome tunes, and create a "very fishy"craft. Dad this one's for you!


Here's a sneak peek at our Gone fishing craft and a song just for you!


My Daddy Helps Me (Tune: "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean")


My Daddy helps me when I'm sick.
My Daddy helps me when I'm blue.
My Daddy helps me when I'm sad.
Thanks, Dad, for all that you do!
You help, you help,
You help me feel so much better.
You help, you help,
You help me feel so much better.

Gone Fishing 

What a catch!

*Registration is required. Please call the Youth Services Reference Desk at 630-368-7734 to sign-up for this program.

The Ice Cream King by Steve Metzger

I am currently in the process of revamping this blog. I am placing all my book reviews by date within the "Book Reviews" section of this site.




Please see the May 19, 2011 The Ice Cream King  post under the tab "Book Reviews".

Thank you for visiting the Oak Brook Public Library Blog! 

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Summer Reading Clubs for A Midsummer Knight's Read

Why not join us for a little knight reading? Princes and Princesses are invited to travel into the magical world of reading by joining one of our brilliant reading clubs. 

A Midsummer Knight's Read

June 1-August 6

Summer Reading Club Rules

  • Each reader must have a library card registered in his/her name at Oak Brook Public Library.
  • Each reader must register in person for the Summer Reading Club
  • All books recorded should be borrowed from Oak Brook Public Library.
  • The reader must present his/her book log each time books are counted.
  • Each reading club has different requirements for what constitutes a level.
  • All books must be read between June 1 and August 6, 2011.
  • Participants must select books appropriate to their reading ability to be eligible in the Summer Reading Club.

Summer Reading Clubs

Pixies and Fairies for preschoolers through first graders or those that need a little assistance with their reading. Count all those titles that someone reads to you or that you can read yourself. We hope you enjoy a little knight reading this summer.

Dragons and Unicorns for independent readers or those in grades 2-5. Have a smashing time devouring a myriad of books this summer! Shield yourself with information as you fight or befriend these mythical beasts.

Knights and Damsels for those in grades 6 or up, or for those who choose to read longer books. Get ready to arm yourself with knowledge as you choose the quest that awaits you.

For more information about these programs please call the YS Reference Desk at 630-368-7733.

A Midsummer Knight's Read: Our Summer Reading Programs

Hear Ye, hear ye by a royal proclamation by King Read-alot, all wee lads and lasses are invited to join us for our medieval-themed summer reading program: A Midsummer Knight's Read. A plethora of programs awaits you, so take a look at our royally spectacular program line-up.

Programs run from June-13th-July 22nd

Weekly Story Times

Blackbird Pie for tiny tots ages 1-2  meets Mondays at 10 am

This program is easy as pie! Bring your little princes and princesses to this royally delightful story time filled with bountiful stories, songs, fingerplays and jolly dances. * No program will be held on July 4 due to the holiday.

The Magic Wand for preschoolers meets Wednesdays at 4:30 or 7 pm for 30 minutes.

Listen to stories, join in fingerplays and songs, and have fun making crafts. All children must have celebrated their third birthday by June 1, 2011 to participate.

Princess n' Pirate Party for ages 2-6 Tuesday,July 19 from 2:30-3:30 pm.

A swashbuckling and magical time awaits you during our pirates and princess party. Enjoy a fun hour filled with books, games, songs, and a craft fit for pretty princesses and dashing pirates.

Days of Knights and Castles for kindergartners, first and second graders will group together on Mondays at 7 pm for 30-45 minutes.

Join us for tales about knights, dragons, and damsels in distress. A story-inspired art project will follow. * No program will be held on July 4 due to the holiday.

Dragons and Dungeons for grades K-5 those who wish to learn the technique to drawing dragons, knights and castle.

Artist Alan Ozark will lead this series of programs. This program meets on Thursday evenings at 7pm or June 16 and 23, July 7, 14, and 21. Limit of 20. * No program will be held on June 30.

Royal Gallery for Grades 3 and above offers crafts of a medieval bent. Stained glass, fairy house, banner, calligraphy and map making. This program meet on either Tuesday night at 7 pm or Saturday at 11 am.

Bingo for all ages will meet in the Friends Meeting Room on selected Fridays in June at 1: 30 pm for an hour of fun and games. Play dates are June 3, 10, 17 and 24.

Special Events

Dragon Days and Knight Time by Dave Herzog
Thursday, June 16 at 2 pm
Friends Meeting Room

Dave Herzog's Marionettes proudly presents a brand new production, Dragon Days and Knight Time. come with us to merry olde England as the royal court of King Percy the Persnickety celebrates his majesty's birthday. Ambassadors from around the world have arrived to entertain his highness in royal style. Young and old alike will enjoy performances by Pierrote the French mime on the tight rope, Frederick Von Drops Alot the German juggler, Wong Loo the Chinese acrobat, Ekaterina Flysonova the Russian trapeze artiste, Snork the roller skating baby dragon, Sir Falls Apart the worlds most cowardly knight in shining armor, and George and Martha (Snork's Mom and Dad the two headed dragon). Dave Herzog has been delighting audiences around the country for 37 years with his musical marionette variety shows.

Hidden Harry Potter by Steven Frenzel
Wednesday, July 27 at 7 pm
Friends Meeting Room

Enter the magical world of Harry Potter with this thrilling insider's peek at one of the most treasured film series of all time. We'll hear hilarious inside jokes and uncover behind-the-scenes tidbits and other fascinating facts sure to delight film buffs and Potter fans alike as we enjoy a collection of the most exciting scenes from the first six films. Everyone will enjoy free candy while learning exciting trivia in this fun filled presentation designed to help Harry Potter fans enjoy these wonderful stories even more. Contact us today to reserve your seat on the Hogwart's Express and let the movie magic begin! Ages 8 and up.

A Knight in Shining Armor with Dino Crisanti
Saturday, July 16 at 2pm
Friends Meeting Room

Dino Crisanti, appearing in full armor, will show and discuss medieval armor and weaponry. Dino not only teaches "Stop Motion Animation" at Columbia College but also sculpts, creates and experiments with art projects large and small. He designs sculptures for zoo and museums around the country, specializing in wildlife and interactive creations.

Especially For Teens

Practice Test for ACT and SAT

ACT                      Thursday, June 30 at 10am
Results session:   Tuesday, July 12 at 6:30 pm

SAT                        Thursday, July 28 at 10 am
Result session:      Tuesday, August 9 at 6:30 pm

A practice test is crucial to ward off those Test Day jitters and to reveal how you may score on the "real thing". Don't be surprised! Come and experience first hand what Test Day will be like. Instructors from Kaplan will provide proctored ACT and SAT practice tests and return scores with analyzed results. The results session is also a strategy session that is open to students who did not take the test. Call the YS Desk at 630-368-7733 for a required reservation.

We wish to thank the following sponsors of our summer reading program:

Buona
DuPage Children's Museum
Friends of Oak Brook Public Library
Gameworks
Kuiper'sFamily Farm
Medieval Times

Registration is required for all programs listed in this brochure.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Celebrate Mom by Wearing Carnations on Mother's Day!

Who doesn't love the irresistable prettiness of a carnation? They are simple, delicate and long-lasting, but did you also know that it is also a symbol of our love for our mothers on Mother's Day? Read the following excerpt from the book Holidays, Symbols and Customs Third Edition Edited by Sue Ellen Thompson (found in the Adult Reference Section of the library) to learn about this fascinating tradition.

Carnations

During Victorian times, specific flowers had served as symbols for such complex emotions as sorrow, remembrance, hope, faith, longing, and love. Because they were associated with women and the home, flowers were a natural symbol of femininity and domestic happiness. Commercial florists in the Untied States reinforced these symbolic associations with great effectiveness. By 1919, the advertising slogan of the Society of American Florists was "Say It With Flowers."

Because her own mother had loved white carnations, Anna Jarvis (the founder of Mother's Day) urged people to wear them in honor of their mothers on the first national observance of Mother's Day. The unprecedented demand for white carnations boosted prices and caused shortages in some areas. To avoid similar problems in subsequent years, the floral industry tried to shift the focus from white carnations to flowers in general, encouraging people to decorate their homes, churches, and cemeteries with flowers and offering special Mother's Day bouquets. Year after year, the industry came up with elaborate campaigns urging people to buy roses, potted plants, corsages, spring flowers in baskets and other floral arrangements for their mothers.

Jarvis lobbied hard against the floral industry's "profiteering." She even proposed substituting celluloid buttons for white carnations as the official badge of the holiday and urged people to stop buying flowers or any other gifts for the occassion. Although she was not able to rid the holiday of its commercial aspects, it was the carnation- her mother's favorite-that survived as the main symbol for maternal purity, faithfulness, and love. Chronic shortages in the supply of white carnations led florists to promote the idea of wearing red (or pink) carnations to honor living mothers and white flowers to honor the deceased.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Flower Child: Children's Gardening Program for Pre-K through Two on Saturday, May 14th at 2pm

The library's blooming with possibilities on Saturday, May 14th at 2 pm when the Oak Brook Garden Club is hosting a delightful hour long children's gardening program for preschoolers through second graders. We originally promoted this program for Kindergarten through second graders, but wanted even the littlest gardeners to be able to get in on the fun too!  We'll be reading a book, talking about the interesting and beautiful plants found in a garden, planting  a seed in our Plant A Seed Workshop and having a yummy snack to boot!

Join us during this family friendly program that will be weed-y great fun for everyone!

This program is being featured by TribLocal Oak Brook. To see our ad click on the following link.

http://triblocal.com/oak-brook/calendar/2011/05/14/flower-child-the-oak-brook-garden-club-presents-children%e2%80%99s-gardening-for-grades-k-2/

Registration is required. Please call the Youth Services Reference Desk at 630-368-7734 to sign-up for this program.








Sunday, May 1, 2011

Budding Bookworms Wanted!: Lapsit Story time (1-2 Year Olds) Topic: Mother's Day

"Spring Into Reading" with a bright and interactive song and dance-filled story time. Welcome to Budding Bookworms Lapsit Story time (Mondays at 10 am) where story time and play time are combined. We'll shake our wiggles out, sing, tell flannel board stories, read a book or two and have loads of fun. We use items such as egg shakers, streamers or bubbles to bring our story time to life. Bring your doll or teddy bear along so they can enjoy this story time. 


This week's story time topic is Mother's Day. 


Here's a sneak peek at an adorable song and a Mother's Day card craft to buzz about! 


Mother's Day Song (Tune: "You Are My Sunshine")


I love you mommy 
My dearest mommy 
You make me happy 
When I am sad 
I want to tell you 
I really love you 
When I'm with you I am so glad!