Celebrate Newbery Award Books!

You can take the NEWBERY CHALLENGE starting any time!
· It’s a good thing to do.
· Families and individuals have taken the challenge!
· Get a cool metal bookmark for the 1st 10 books you read.

· Add a special bead on your bookmark for every 10 books you read.
· Get rewarded with valuable Northfield merchants coupons!
· Have fun– and read some good books!
· Come to bi-monthly book discussion groups and talk about the books you have read.
· Take your time reading the books, there is no time limit!
When you compete all the books– you will get your name on a plaque honoring your accomplishment!

Here is a great website that features the award winners including audio descriptions of the books. Click here!

View model train pictures!

Click here to see more photos!

Over 1,250 people came to the library during Winter Walk to see the trains! We owe a BIG THANK YOU to the dedicated volunteers who bring their trains in. THANKS TO ALL!

Literacy Grants Awarded!

The Northfield Early Childhood Initiative Coalition and the Northfield
Rotary announce the recipients of their early literacy mini-grant program. The mini-grants are to encourage projects that relate to the mission of the coalition and will benefit the community.

The funded projects include;

Diana Tallent with Booker, the Northfield Book Bus for the project "Everyone Reads Together" where special story times will include a small musical instrument and a book for every daycare Booker visits.

Stephanie Rezac with Northfield Head Start will purchase books to supplement their "Hey! Read to Me" curriculum.

Rochelle Thorman from St. Dominic's Pre-school will purchase a set of ABC books with flannel board sets, CD's and writing sheets.

Carrie Duba with Northfield Early Childhood Screening/School Readiness will use the grant to create literacy packs for every pre-kindergarten (ages 3-5) child in Northfield.

Mary Madison from Open Door Nursery School will create "Turn off the TV-Open a Book" packet including the book Squiggle for every child attending ODNS.

The advisory board of the Northfield Early Childhood Initiative Coalition was impressed with the variety and creativity of the grant applications. Co-chairs Katie Clark and Scott Parker "were thrilled to be able to make things happen." And they look forward working with the Northfield Rotary and continuing the early literacy mini-grant program.

Some of the NUTS at the Nuts about Newbery books discussion group!

They recently met to talk about the book "The Cat Who Went to Heaven." You can take on the Newberry Challenge at any time! Pick up the info at the library. The next book for the nuts will be "Crispin:the Cross of Lead" by Avi 7 pm January 24, 2008! Come one, come all!

Library Photos are now on Flickr- take a look!

See the fun of Books & Stars!
See the goofy kids at the Summer Reading Programs
See library photos
See photos of the libary's artwork
Keep checking we will be adding pictures all the time!
Click here!

Celebrating Teens at the Library

The Library celebrated Teen Read Week with a free LIMESTONES concert!

Merlin Mondays- for boys only!

Merlin Mondays-
a special book group just for boys who like wizards, magic,
The Renaissance, books & fun!
Monday evenings at 7 pm (except the 3rd Monday of the month)
New members always welcome. Lead by dedicated leader Deb Clark.
For boys 9 and up! Free. In the library’s meeting room.

ADVENTURE GIRLS

The new title is

"The Breadwinner"

by Deborah Ellis
Join the St. Olaf volunteers from Story House as they explore books featuring exciting stories about girls.

About the book- Afghanistan is still under the rule of the harsh Taliban regime. Young Parvana's father can no longer teach; he was wounded when a bomb destroyed the school where he was teaching, and her mother, three sisters and baby brother are confined to a one-room apartment. Every day, 10-year-old Parvana accompanies her father to the market, where he sits in a corner trying to earn enough money to support his family by reading letters for those who cannot read. When Parvana's father is beaten up and jailed, the family is left with no means of survival.
Their only hope is with Parvana - she is young enough to dress as a boy (girls are not allowed to go out in public) and knows how to read and write, which will enable her take her father's place in the market. Each day is filled with new dangers. When Parvana's mother and sisters try to go north to Mazar-e-sharif for Parvana's older sister's wedding, they are rounded up by the Taliban. Alone in Kabul, Parvana will need all her courage to survive.
The Breadwinner has received international attention. The indomitable character and remarkable courage and determination of Parvana were inspired by personalities Deborah Ellis met while working in refugee camps in Pakistan.

Copies of the book will be available at the meetings. Tuesday evenings at 7.

Free! Open to all interested girls age 9 and up!
Adventure Girls will meet in the library's meeting room.

Teen Summer Readers!

Johanna and Naomi won $50 Target Gift Cards in the drawing from all the entries and books read by the teens taking part in the TEEN READ summer reading program.

Reader Svea read the most books- 69!
She was awarded with the book Wandmaker Guidebook.

44 kids ages 11-17 read a total of 786 books!

11 kids read 30 books or more. WOW! Great job!

Volunteers Needed

First Steps Early Literacy Center is a parent or caregiver-directed activity center where toddlers and preschoolers are surrounded by alphabet manipulatives, concept books, board books and puzzles, all designed to be a fun learning experience. Adults are to be accompanied by a child to enter.

We need volunteers to be in the First Steps
room when the center is open.
Volunteers need to be 16 or older,
like to play and or sing with children.
Please call 645-1804 or email Kathy Ness if interested


First Steps is open:
Mondays 10 am-12 pm
Fridays 10 am– 12 pm
Saturdays 10 am –12 pm

Bill Walsh entertained for Books & Stars at the Hospital

It was a small crowd but they all had fun!

Cannon Valley Orchestra Winds Books & Stars finale Wed. Aug. 15th

It was a lovely evening for the finale of the 2007 Books & Stars season.


The Cannon Valley Orchestra and barbershop quartet performed.

Fun with the ALPHABITS! Books & Stars Aug. 8th

click here to see a short movie of the event!
Northfield's Early Childhood Initiative Coalition gave books to the kids present!

BOOKS & STARS Wednesday 8/8

Wed. Aug 8 at Oddfellows Park
Alpha Bits
A fun-filled show for kids who like to sing & dance and laugh & shout. Grown-up kids will love the show, too. Special early childhood event! Northfield's Early Childhood Initative Coalition will be on hand with free books to encourage reading to young children and development of early reading skills.

Booker and the NECIC will be open at 6, the show starts at 7 pm.

READER OF THE WEEK! Meet Kendra!

Meet Reader of the Week Kendra!

My favorite book I have read this summer is
The Pearl Harbor Diary by Amber Billows

My favorite part of the library is the books!

My favorite place to read is in my room.

I like reading because it’s interesting!

Congrats to all the kids who read books and filled out book slips this summer! Come and see the over 2,000 book slip chain at the library! Northfield kids READ!!!

Banjo Bandits entertained everyone at Books & Stars

Hot "oldies but goodies" songs from the roaring 20's!
Click here to see the dancers dancing!

August Schedule of Children's Events

First Steps Early Literacy Center

First Steps has toys, books and manipulatives to help kids learn the basic concepts to help them be ready to read! "Hands-on" learning fun for children age 6 months to 6 years with a parent or caregiver.
10 am to noon on Monday, Friday and Saturdays throughout August.

Resuming in September- Infant Lapsit, Preschool Story Time and Carleton ACT Story Hour.
Watch here for details!

Pictures of the last days of the summer reading program

Playing BINGO

Click here to see the MOVIE!!

READER OF THE WEEK!

Meet reader of the week Tori!


My favorite book I have read this summer is Nancy Drew by Caroline Keene

My favorite part of the library is the children’s area in the lower level!

My favorite place to read is in my bed.

I like reading because it’s fun!

Book & Stars ROCKED THE POOL!

Will Hale and the PAGES rocked
the pool Wednesday night!

Will Hale and his ROCK CONCERT for kids!

Library Pages hard at work!

Library Pages Dave, Nick and Claire
discover the fun of the Young Explorer computer.

KID POWER at Books & Stars July 11th

We had a great time at Way Park with Rachael Kroog's KID POWER!
Boom Wackers!

Bat Rappers and singers!

Click here to see a short video of the KID POWER PARADE on YouTube!

July 3rd's BOOKS & STARS!

Everyone enjoyed the
stories and fun of BOOKS ALIVE! Singing too!



Booker's Miss Diana with Library Pages Rachel, Naomi, Nick and Ana.

Summer Reading Program resumes this week!

Keep investigating and get ready for fun programs resuming July 10th!

Books & Stars is on WEDNESDAY featuring KID POWER with Rachael Kroog!
It will be a fun filled show full of music, puppets, comedy and juggling.
At Way Park @700 block of St. Olaf Ave.
Booker opens at 6 and the show starts at 7!

Keep investigating and get ready for fun programs resuming July 10th!