And the Winners Are…

On January 23rd,  the American Library Association announced this year’s award winners:

2012 Caldecott Award for best American children's picture book.
A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka. This picture book without words focuses on an irrepressible dog whose most prized possession is accidentally lost. (This is Raschka’s second win. He also received the Caldecott Medal in 2006 for his illustrations in The Hello, Goodbye Window.)
Three Caldecott Honor Books also were named: Blackout illustrated and written by John Rocco, Grandpa Green illustrated and written by Lane Smith and Me … Jane, illustrated and written by Patrick McDonnell.

2012 John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature.
Dead End in Norvelt written by Jack Gantos. In the historic town of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Jack Gantos spends the summer of 1962 grounded for various offenses until he is assigned to help an elderly neighbor with a most unusual chore involving the newly dead, molten wax, twisted promises, Girl Scout cookies, underage driving, lessons from history, typewriting, and countless bloody noses!
Two Newbery Honor Books also were named: Inside Out & Back Again, written by Thanhha Lai and Breaking Stalin’s Nose, written and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin.
For information about the other awards, click here.

Check out a Winner! – look for Caldecott and Newbery Award winning books on our display near the reshelving area.


Here were the winners in the Bridgewater Library Mock Caldecott held on January 9th (Thanks to all who participated!)
Bridgewater Library Mock Caldecott Winner
& Mock Caldecott Honor Books


Programs at the Bridgewater Library, other libraries in the Somerset County Library System and around the community…

@ Bridgewater Library: Programs

Join us each week for stories, songs, finger plays, and a short film. Family Story Time (ages 2-6) Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Toddler Time (18 mo.-3) Wednesdays at 10 & 11 a.m. and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Clapping and singing, rhymes and books….introduce your toddler to the beginnings of story time! Infant Lap Sit (birth to 18 months) Thursdays at 9:30 Clap your hands and stamp your feet and let you baby feel the beat of stories, songs and rhymes. No registration required. Winter session programs run through February 16th.

Chinese New Year: Year of the Dragon (Ages 3+) RESCHEDULED for 4:30-5:30 on Monday January 30th!!  Registration required Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy New Year! Join us as we welcome in the Year of the Dragon with stories and crafts - a big dragon that everyone will help to decorate and a paper lantern for children to take home. Registration required.


Winter Craftacular! (Ages 3-8) Saturday, January 28th 10:00am Registration required Put on your winter jacket, your warmest hat, scarf, and gloves, and join us at the library for a story and craft to celebrate the Winter season! Registration required.


After-School Program: 'The Play's the Thing!' (Grades K-6) Wednesday February 1, 2012 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM Registration required
Do you like to perform? Join us for some silly Reader's Theater to chase away the winter blues. Both actors and audience members are welcome.


Pre-School of Rock (Ages 1+) Saturday, February 4th 10:30-11:30am Registration required. Had enough of the winter? Made your share of snowmen? Then come by the library and rock out with 'Preschool of Rock!' – a great music class where children will discover, improvise, perform, and have fun!



Carol's Creative Chocolatez Saturday February 4, 2012 2:00 to 4:00 PM Registration Required. Come and learn about chocolate, get to taste lots of delicious samples, take a look at some of Carol's award winning edible chocolate paintings! Carol will be making some delicious chocolate nut bark and other delectable delights, and everyone is welcome to attend. Bring family and friends for a fabulous time.

Stuffed Animal Sleepover (Ages 3-8) Monday, February 6th 7:00-7:30pm. Registration required. Wear your pajamas and bring your stuffed animal or doll (but not the one you need to sleep with!) to the library for a bedtime story during Monday night's PAJAMA STORYTIME!
Leave your stuffed animals overnight for a fun-filled slumber party. Pick your stuffed animals up Tuesday after 12:00pm and receive a special souvenir from their library sleepover! Remember: this is a sleepover for your stuffed animals only!

Won't You Be My Valentine? (Ages 4-11)  Thursday, February 9th 4:30-5:30pm  Registration required.   Join us as we share fun Valentine stories and rhymes then create some original Valentines to send to our family and friends!


Mo Willems' Birthday Celebration  (Ages 3-8)  Saturday, February 11th 10:30-11:30am Registration begins January 27.Happy Birthday Mo Willems!  Join us as we celebrate the author of some of our favorite books, such as Knuffle Bunny, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, the Elephant and Piggie books, and many more.  We'll have stories, games and crafts inspired by our favorite characters!


Rocket Readers (Grades 1-3) Tuesday February 21, 2012 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM  'Frog and Toad are Friends' by Arnold Lobel  Registration begins February 7.
When Frog is unhappy, who is there to cheer him up?  Toad!  When Toad is sick, who brings him tea?  Frog, of course!  Frog and Toad share five short stories of friendship to which everyone can relate.





Chapter Book Club: 'Stuart Little' (Grades 3-4) Wednesday February 22, 2012  4:30 to 5:30 PM Registration begins February 8th. Stuart Little is a shy little mouse with a big heart and a taste for adventure.  Barely two inches tall, Stuart sets forth into the world with some mighty big plans: to ride a Fifth Avenue bus, to win a sailboat race in Central Park, and to teach school for a day.  But Stuart's greatest adventure is to find his best friend, Margalo, a pretty little bird who once lived in a fern pot in the Little's house in New York City.  Stuart Little is a timeless tale that speaks to all of us.


Lego Club (Grades K-6) Thursday, February 23rd 4:30-5:30pm Registration begins February 9. Hey LEGO fans, here's a club just for you! Get together with other LEGO-maniacs, share ideas and tips on building, and have a great time! Library LEGOs will be available for building, so you do not need to bring your own. Lego Lovers, be sure to check out the Morris Museum exhibit below!


Mad Science presents 'Wacky Science'  (Ages 5-12)  Saturday, February 25th  10:30am-Noon Registration begins February 10.  Who knew that while we were all busy checking out the coolest books there were secret, 'mad scientists' lurking throughout the library?  Well, today, they won't be a secret any longer.  In fact, they want you to join them in their latest 'wacky science' experiments!  Be prepared to have great fun and maybe even learn a thing or two.

There are LOTS OF PROGRAMS at other system libraries for your children & teens…check out their online calendars under the “events/programs” tab on our home page for more information.

@ the Library – for Teens: 

Talk It Up (Grades 5-8) Wednesday, February 15th 7:00-8:00pm Registration begins Feb. 1st. If you love to read and talk about books, you are cordially invited to an hour of book talk and friendly company. The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson
Daniel X works alone. Having watched from the shadows as the brutal events of the murder of his own parents unfolded before him, he has been forced to make his own way in a dark and unforgiving world with a heavy task handed to him.  Every day has been transformed into a terrifying hunt, watching each step he takes for danger awaits around every corner and lurks within the shadows.

Make a Difference @ the Library! (Grades 5-6) Wednesday Feb. 8th 7:00-8:00pm Registration required. STUDENTS IN GRADES 5 AND 6: Here is your chance to make a difference by volunteering at the library!

Teen Advisory Board (For Students in Grades 6-8) Tuesday February 21 5:30-6:30pm
Teen Advisory Board (For Students in Grades 9-12) Tuesday February 21 6:30-7:30pm   Registration required
Do you want to make a difference at your library? Do you have suggestions for programs, new books, movies, or video games? Then come to one of our upcoming T.A.B. meeting! Community service hours will be awarded for attendance and snacks will be served!

Teens, looking for more volunteer hours this winter? – check out the teen volunteer opportunities at the Children’s Museum & the Environmental Education Center – details in the Around the Community Section of this newsletter (below).

@ the Library: Displays:

New Year,  New You –  health & fitness books atop the magazine section.

Winter Crafts & Games -- behind the Youth Services Reference Desk.

Presidents' Days -- above the Holiday Books.

Around the Community:

Here are just a few events from listings in various calendars & online newsletters including njartsmaven.com, Hillsborough, Branchburg, Somerville Macaroni Kid, and Warren Macaroni Kid. If your family is looking for things to do, take a look at these sites, as well as many other area event listings in the “useful websites” section on the right side of this blog (if you are getting this via email, just click on the headline to see them listed.)

JOIN THE FUN WITH ASC IN UNREHEARSED READING OF BARDIC COMEDY

NO HOLDS BARD: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
WHEN: Thursday, January 26, 2012, at 7:30 PM NJCU’s West Side Theater, 285 West Side Avenue in Jersey City www.ascnj.org. ADMISSION: Free
No Holds Bard: Much Ado About Nothing, an unrehearsed, staged reading of William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy that will be open to the public. Audience members will be encouraged to join ASC artists onstage and play along for an evening of fun and surprise. "Join the Resident Artists of ASC for a fun-filled evening of out-loud, on-your-feet, seat-of-your-pants Shakespeare." All ASC at NJCU shows begin with Bard Banter, a group discussion of the work about to be performed that is held in the lobby of the West Side Theater 30 minutes before curtain.

RVCC presents Shake it Up! by The Improvised Shakespeare Company  Friday, Jan. 27 at 12 Noon & 8PM Tickets: Noon $10; 8PM $30The Improvised Shakespeare Co. creates a fully improvised play in Elizabethan style. Each of the players has brushed up on his “thee’s” and “thou’s” to bring you a show filled with off-the-cuff comedy using the language and themes of William Shakespeare. Any performance could be filled with power struggles, star-crossed lovers, sprites, kings, queens, princesses, sword-play, rhyming couplets, asides, insults, persons in disguise and all that we’ve come to expect from the pen of the Great Bard.

RVCC PLANETARIUM SHOWS FOR KIDS
All shows run approximately 40 minutes. Admission: $6 for one show, $11 for two shows on the same day Call 908-231-8805 for reservations!
Magic Tree House: Space Mission
Saturdays, January 28 3:00 p.m.What would you do if you found a note with lots of question on it? "How many stars in the starry night sky? If we flew to the Sun, how long would we fly? Will we travel to planets and will it be soon? Will we ever be able to live on the Moon? How does it feel to journey through space? Why is our Earth so special a place?" (recommended for ages 5 and older)

Laser Light Saturdays, January 28 4:00 p.m. Listen to songs by a variety of artists while lasers draw pictures on the dome overhead. (ages 6 - adult)
Winter Skies Saturdays, January 28 7:00 p.m.The brightest stars of the year are clustered in the winter night sky. Learn how to use Orion as a guide to finding other stars and constellations this season.

Saturday, January 28 - Build & Grow at Lowe's – Registration required – register online.
Build-a-saurus  Your child can build this cool dinosaur and then choose the stickers to make it a cartoon or a realistic dinosaur!



Home Depot. Saturday, February 4, 2012 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Build. Learn. Create. Have fun with Kids Workshops!

Keepsake Box Kids can build this great Keepsake Box

• Make a personalized box to hold private treasures
• Give it as a gift for Valentine’s Day

• FREE hands-on workshop at all Home Depot stores. designed for children ages 5 – 12. All kids get to keep their craft and receive a FREE Kids Workshop Apron, commemorative pin and certificate of achievement.

The Children’s Museum– interactive activities most typically suitable for children ages 3 to 9   Sunday February 5 from 10-2:30 Science Magic Day (with the annual fruit rolling competition!
Families can arrive and leave at any time. Parents and/or caregivers are expected to stay with children during the museum visit. Please use discretion in bringing very young children, as the museum is NOT baby-proof (some craft items are small and could present a choking hazard).
Location: The PeopleCare Center, 120 Finderne Avenue, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 (parking and entrance are in the rear of the building).
Cost: A $3/ per child donation is suggested for those who can afford it. For more information: somersetcminfo@gmail.com or call 908-595-0001.

TEENS, LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER HOURS?? – Check here for volunteer opportunities at The Children’s Museum this winter. For more info. contact: Tom Davidson, volunteer coordinator 908-725-4677 tadavidson@gmail.com

The Environmental Education Center 190 Lord Sterling Rd. Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
has lots of activities for kids this winter including dinosaurs, whales, and maple sugaring. Events require registration. Here’s some events from their February Calendar.

At the Morris Museum 6 Normandy Heights Road | Morristown, NJ 07960   Lego Lovers, Check out The Art of the Brick® On View through February 20, 2012

Nathan Sawaya’s The Art of the Brick features over 25 awe-inspiring and thought-provoking large-scale sculptures created out of LEGO^® bricks. This popular exhibition will be on view through February 20, 2012. While the exhibition is on view, a special area has been set up where visitors, inspired by Sawaya's work, can build their own fantastic LEGO creations. For more information about The Art of the Brick and Nathan Sawaya’s artwork, visit www.brickartist.com. (Above: Nathan Sawaya in his studio with sculptures and LEGO containers in background.)

Morris Museum also has a fascinating ongoing exhibit of Mechanical Musical Instruments and Automata (think of the mechanical man Hugo is trying to fix in the move “Hugo” (based on the book “The Invention of Hugo Cabret.”)

LOCAL ARCHITECT LEADS FAMILY LEGO® BUILDING WORKSHOPS @ MORRIS MUSEUM

Building Blocks Workshops
LEGO® Architectural Workshops for Families
WHEN: January 28
WHERE: Morris Museum   In each of these two-hour workshops, 50 families will create 50 buildings, using over 50,000 LEGO building blocks.   Led by architect Stephen W. Schwartz, workshop participants can Windmills and Wind Power on January 28 from 2-4 PM.  FEE: for each workshop is $40 per family (up to four members).
Space is limited to 50 families per workshop.Families can register for these workshops by visiting Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 211 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960, M-F 9 AM – 6 PM, Sat-Sun 9 AM – 5 PM. (Payment by check payable to Morris Museum). For more information, call 973.971.3718 or –email programs@morrismuseum.org.

ART CLASSES FOR KIDS, TEENS, YOUNG ADULTS @ THE ZIMMERLI

SPRING 2012 DRAWING CLASSES
Registration is now open!


ZAM SESSION: FOR TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS
WHEN: Saturdays beginning February 25, 3 to 4:30 PM
WHERE: Zimmerli Art Museum, Hamilton & George Streets, New Brunswick
ZAM Session, a dynamic art program for teens and young adults, offers aspiring and accomplished artists the opportunity to develop their skills in a museum setting under the encouraging eye of a professional art educator. During these sessions, students draw from works in the Zimmerli's collection or, weather permitting, work outside on the grounds of the Rutgers campus. This is an inspiring environment for college-bound students.
For schedule, fee, and a registration form, visit their website.

DRAWING CLUB FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
WHEN: Wednesdays beginning January 25 / 4:15 to 5:45 PM (ages 6-8); Wednesdays beginning March 7 / 4:15 to 5:45 PM (ages 9-14)
Children discover the secrets of drawing when they participate in the Zimmerli's Drawing Club. Aspiring artists learn drawing techniques, including pencil and charcoal, and such genres as still life and portraiture. Freda Rhodes, head art teacher in the New Brunswick school district, and other professional educators address the needs of both beginners and advanced students.
For details and registration, use this link.

DEPRESSION TALE TO OPEN @ THE GROWING STAGE

MOTHER HICKS January 19 to February 5 with performances Thursday and Friday evenings at 7:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 4:00 PM.The Growing Stage, The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey, located in the Historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong
TICKETS: $18 for adults, $14 for children and seniors. www.growingstage.com. 
Set in southern Illinois, during the great Depression, this play is about three outsiders—a foundling girl known only as Girl; a deaf boy, eloquent in the language of his silence; and an eccentric recluse, Mother Hicks, who is suspected of being a witch. The tale, told with poetry and sign language, chronicles the journeys of these three to find themselves, and each other, in a troubled time.

PAPER MILL SEEKS ASPIRING PERFORMERS FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS

For aspiring performers ages 10 to 18, AUDITION NOTICE: 2012 Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Professional Training Programs
By appointment only on Saturdays, January 28 and February 4 Kean University in Union, New Jersey.
E-mail summer@papermill.org for more information and to be placed on our Education mailing list to receive a brochure. Click here to learn more.

Also at Papermill Playhouse: 

Charlotte's Web  Saturday, February 18, 2012.  10 a.m.    Ages 5 & up TheatreworksUSA

Based on E.B. White's loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte, this endearing tale explores the true meaning of friendship. Orchestra & Box $20 or $15, Mezzanine $12.

4-WEEK-LONG WINTER FESTIVAL IN NEW BRUNSWICK

State Theatre presents the 6^th Annual
HUB CITY CARNIVALE:A Winter Festival for Families and Kids
WHEN: January 27 - February 24, 2012
WHERE (unless otherwise noted): STATE THEATRE, 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick  Ticket Office: 732-246-SHOW (7469)  www.StateTheatreNJ.org
Here’s a sampler from the 6th annual Hub City Carnivale, a four-week winter festival  For a complete list of events and prices, visit www.StateTheatreNJ.org/HubCity.


BLAST!  WHEN: Fri, January 27 at 8 PM – Carnivale Kickoff
TICKETS: $25-57 / Take5 price: $20-55
With 35 brass, percussion and other performers, BLAST! features electrifying showmanship punctuated with the pageantry of music and theater. At 7:30 PM, come early for the Jazz Big Band of the New Brunswick School District Sing-A-Long Sound of Music  WHEN: Sun, January 29 at 3 PM
TICKETS: $18-22  Fancy dress – Patrons are encouraged to dress up. Free goodie bag with ticket purchase. On the theater’s 46’ HD screen.
One Man Lord of the Rings™  Starring Charles Ross
WHEN: Sat, February 4 at  3 PM and 8 PM; come early for some Lord of the Rings trivia.  TICKETS: $15-35 / Take5 price: $10-35
An energetic one-man recreation of the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy, performed by Charles Ross, the mastermind behind the world-wide smash hit show One-Man Star Wars.
Glen Burtnik & Friends  The British Invasion Concert
WHEN: Sat, February 11 at 8 PM; At 7 PM, come early for the Thomas Sweet Chocolate Tasting and a lobby concert by singer/guitarist Lisa Bouchelle.
TICKETS: $20-45 / Take5 price: $20-45 A tribute to classic rock bands of the explosive 60s—including The Kinks and The Rolling Stones
Fiddler on the Roof  WHEN: Fri, February 17 at 8PM; Pre-Performance Insights at 7 PM at the United Methodist Church; Sat, February 18 at 2 PM and 8 PM, Pre-Performance Insights at 1 PM at the United Methodist Church
TICKETS: $32-67 / Take5 price: $25-67

“FAMILY DAY on PRESIDENTS’ DAY”
WHEN: Mon, February 20  On the State Theatre stage…

• Dan Zanes & Friends  WHEN: 10:30 AM
  TICKETS: $10-20 / Take5 price: $5-20
• The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus  WHEN: 1 PM and 3:30 PMClowns, wire walking, a sword swallower, acrobatics, and live music. Hosted by Ringmistress Philomena.
  TICKETS: $10-15 / Take5 price: $5-15

On the Crossroads Theatre stage…

• New Jersey Tap Dance Ensemble  WHEN: 10 AM & 2 pm
  TICKETS: FREE  Come and meet the dancing feet of these talented hoofers, in a high-energy, interactive program.
• Princeton Symphony Orchestra “Meet the Percussion”
  WHEN: 11  AM   & 1 pm TICKETS: FREE
  The Princeton Symphony Orchestra introduces the wide range of percussion instruments in their lively interactive program.
• Diane Macklin, storyteller  WHEN: 12 & 3 PM
  TICKETS: FREE  Celebrating the African American storytelling tradition, Diane's folktales are interactive fun for the entire family.

For information and a listing of Family Day workshops visit:www.StateTheatreNJ.org/FamilyDay
Coppélia in HD, Bolshoi Ballet  Captured Live at the Bolshoi Theatre
WHEN: Wed, February 22 at 7 PM; Pre-Performance Insights at 6:30 pm in the theater.  TICKETS: $22 / Take5 price: $15-20  Presented in HD on the State Theatre’s 46’ screen.
The Pink Floyd Experience  WHEN: Fri, February 24 at 8 PM
TICKETS: $22-52 / Take5: $20-50



Let Your Fingers Do More Walking….Contests & More!

Create a Story tube!  What is a StoryTube?  It is a 2-minute or less "my favorite book" video project.  Kids and teens (grades K-12) can make a short video to promote their favorite book… …and they can learn about other great titles by watching other entries.  Prizes will be awarded to the winners.  Here are the details & rules. For more information: http://www.storytubes.info/drupal/ Deadline: February 20, 2012

Doodle 4 Google 2012: If I could travel in time, I'd visit...

Between now and March 23, 2012, students in grades K-12 can enter the
Google Doodle contest to have their art featured on Google's homepage.
Parents, teachers, or after school programs may submit doodles on behalf
of their child or student as long as they are accompanied by a completed
and signed entry form --- limit one doodle per child.  Maybe someone would like to make a library themed Doodle!  One lucky student artist will see their artwork appear on the Google homepage and take home some cool prizes--and the winning artwork will also appear on a limited edition of Crayola's iconic 64 box! Details are here:   http://www.google.com/doodle4google/


Check out Imagination Soup’s  Soup Scoop – Best Links of the Week -- links include  Recreational Play Can Be Far More Important than Academics (from The Atlantic), Autistic Girl Expresses Unimaginable Intelligence, Weekly Roundup of Cool Libraries,  Send a Mom to Mom Congress 2012! and Salt Dough Brains!