Happy Hallo-Weenie!

Our Preschool friends had a great time at story time today! We read stories, sang songs, and had a Halloween party. We even had a very special visit from the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile! All of our friends got to see inside the Weinermobile and left with fun stickers and their very own Weenie Whistle!

To follow the Weinermobile's adventures click here.

Click on the picture to enlarge.

For more information on children's and family events at the Brandon Public Library, call 601-825-2672.

Brandon's Annual Pumpkin Contest!

Every year we have a pumpkin contest where patrons can vote on their favorite pumpkin by donating change. The proceeds benefit the Friends of the Brandon Public Library. This year's contest raised $71.80 for our friends! Thank you to everyone who entered and voted! Take a look at this year's great entries.

Click on image to enlarge.

For more information on how you can help the library,

call 601-825-2672!

Fall Family FUN Fest...



Wear your non-scary costume and come prepared for CANDY!



Come one, come all to the Fall Family FUN Fest! 

We will have a Bean Bag Toss, candy, Bowling, candy,

Little Debbie Walks, candy, the D.A.R.E. Car, candy, and much more!

Oh, and did I mention that you can win CANDY at the games?

You and your adults may wear your non-scary costumes 

or even come as yourself.

We hope to see you here!

Fall Family FUN Fest

Thursday, October 25th, 4:30 to 6:30 PM

Florence Public Library  



After School Activities @ Brandon

One of our 5th graders with
her original art work!

Our friends in Kid Corner and Creative Connection had a great time making their one of a kind "Resist Art" on Tuesday! We hope you can join us on Tuesdays @ 3:30 for Kid Corner (K-2nd) and Tuesdays @ 5:00 for Creative Connection (3rd-6th).

Next Week's Craft: Tuesday October 16th- Bring a pumpkin and we'll supply the paint! You can make whatever kind of pumpkin you want and even enter it in our Annual Pumpkin Contest!

Ask your librarians for more info, 601-825-2672.

Fall Reading Challenge @ Pearl!

It's time for the fourth annual Fall Reading Challenge at Pearl! Kids grades K-5 are invited to join us.  You have eight weeks (starting TODAY) to read 500 pages and win prizes! Everyone that reaches this goal will be rewarded with a celebratory meal (donated by subway!) and will be entered to win our GRAND PRIZE!  Read all about it on the flyer below and come by the Pearl Library to register!! The sooner you register, the sooner you can get reading!

Obert Skye @ Pearl Upper!

The lucky students at Pearl Upper Elementary had another awesome author visit them this week! The Pearl Public Library coordinated with the teachers and librarian at the school and also Lemuria Books in Jackson to bring him in.  The Quest students got the chance to speak with Obert Skye, author of the Leven Thumps series and also a new series, The Creature in my Closet.  The students, teachers and this librarian had a great time!  Thank you for coming Mr. Skye!

Happy Campers!

Thank you, Mrs. Seale from Lake Elementary for helping us reward all our readers from this summer!  Every student that participated in the summer reading programs at the library and received their reading certificate was rewarded by getting to leave school to come to see a movie at the library today.  The movie that was shown was The Lorax.  We are so proud of all the students that earned their ticket to the movie and hope we see a lot more of them throughout the school year. 

Shannon Hale Event @ Pearl Upper Elementary

This past Wednesday, the Pearl Public Library got to be part of a very special event.  Our staff coordinated with Lemuria Bookstore in Jackson and Pearl Upper Elementary to bring Newbery Honor author Shannon Hale to speak to the students at Pearl Upper.

All the kids at the school were very excited about hearing Mrs. Hale speak! Pearl Upper is a fourth and fifth grade school, and the books that Mrs. Hale was coming to promote were perfect for this age level:

Princess Academy and Princess Academy: Palace of Stone.



Mrs. Hale talked about her childhood, and how she had always loved to read and write. She told these kids that just because they didn't like a particular book, that didn't mean they didn't like reading. She said: ""If you read a book and it's boring, it's not your fault, it's the book's fault! It shouldn't have been so boring!" She reminded these kids that if they've ever read a single book that they liked, their librarian or bookseller can help them find another one. Just ask us!





Mrs. Hale was hilarious and the kids had a great time! Here they are answering questions and laughing at her jokes.

 







These kids even got to help Mrs. Hale act out a story! They retold Little Red Riding Hood--but they set it in Antarctica!



She graciously answered all of our questions!

This was such a fun event and all of the students that went had a blast.  Ask your teacher or librarian about maybe having an author come to your school! You can find Shannon Hale's books at the Pearl Public Library. And don't forget to ask at the librarian for a book that you won't think is boring!



Puppet Shows @ Brandon



Baby and Me



We had so much fun celebrating the end of Summer Reading with the CMRLS Puppeteers. Click on the pictures to see a larger image. For information on upcoming events call Brandon Public Library, 601-825-2672!



Preschool Story Time



K-6





Family Night Fun @ Brandon Library!

Jan Neal Patrick, Storyteller



Jackson ZooMobile



We've had so much fun these last few weeks at Brandon! Check out our family night pictures from our storyteller, Jan Neal Patrick, our visit from the Jackson ZooMobile, and our Family Game Night!

We hope you can join us this Thursday, July 12 @ 6:00 as we end Summer Reading with a bang! We will have a carnival complete with games, snacks and a visit from Yogi the Bear himself! For more information call the Brandon Public Library, 601-825-2672!



Family Game Night

(Click on the pictures to enlarge!)

Summer Reading @ Pearl Library!

Come to the Pearl Library THIS THURSDAY at 6:00 for our summer reading finale event! We will have all kinds of fun things for the whole family to do, and we'll also be drawing names for our GRAND PRIZE WINNERS! Remember, you MUST turn in your reading log this week to be eligible for grand prize drawing. See you Thursday!

Summer Reading @ the Pearl Library!

Relax after your July 4th fun with a family campfire night on Thursday! Storyteller Jan Neal Patrick will be present to tell us stories around the campfire. And remember to turn in your reading logs while you're here!

Summer Reading at Florence







Meet Sally Ann and Shadow!



We really like Summer Reading here at the Florence Public Library!  Our friend Sally Ann likes it so much she moved her bedroom into the library!  We have tried to explain to Sally Ann that Summer Reading at the Library doesn't mean you live at the 'library' all 'summer' while you 'read'!  Sally Ann doesn't agree though, she just keeps saying, "Well, it is called Summer Reading at the Library, after all!"  Shadow agrees with Sally Ann!  He has been right beside her ever since she moved in and started reading!  Lots of children have been to visit them too! We invite you to come by and visit as well.  Summer Reading for kindergarten to 6th graders is Mondays at 2 PM and for preschoolers it is on Wednesdays at 10AM.  Sally Ann and Shadow will be right here!  Hope to see you soon (just please leave your bedrooms at home)!

Summer Reading @ the Pearl Library!

Come and join us at the Pearl Public Library this Thursday June 28th at 6:00 to make crafts that the whole family can enjoy! We hope to see you there!

Summer Reading @ Pearl Library!

Come join us THIS THURSDAY at the Pearl Public Library at 6:00 PM! The Zoo Mobile from the Jackson Zoo will be here sharing with us about nocturnal animals--you won't want to miss this! Tell your friends and join us!

Summer Reading @ the Pearl Library!

Join us at the Pearl Library this Thursday for a CMRLS puppet show!! While you're here, be sure to register for the Summer Reading program...we have lots of great prizes to give away including Braves tickets, Mac and Bones passes, and a super cool telescope! See you Thursday!

Summer Reading @ Pearl!

Come enjoy a magic show at the Pearl Library THIS THURSDAY at 6pm! Ages K-6 invited. All summer reading programs are free.

Our New Friends!



Home Sweet Home!

 I had fun hunting for caterpillar eggs this weekend and I brought some to the library! We now have 5 caterpillars and one more egg that will hatch any day now. Stop by the library over the next few weeks to see how they change and grow. We will watch them go from an egg to a chrysalis to a beautiful Monarch butterfly!

This little guy just hatched this morning!

Here are some activities you can do at home with your little ones to teach them about butterflies, brought to you by PBS Kids!

This one had already hatched when I
found him and my how he's grown!



Click here to find books at your CMRLS library about butterflies or whatever suits your fancy!

Paws to Read @ Brandon Public Library

A dog in the library! Can it be? Yes! Clancy is a big, lovable, sweet and cuddly golden retriever who loves to make new friends, be petted and hear stories! He would love to meet you Saturday, April 28th! He'll be here from 10:00-12:00, you can come and go, so please stop by!

Paws to Read is a program that is ideal for new and/or struggling readers. The idea is that having an animal to read to is soothing to a struggling reader and eases the anxiety associated with reading aloud. Your child may read to Clancy(he's a great listener!) or simply pet him while they both enjoy a story read by Clancy's mom, Mrs. Wylyn. Clancy is a therapy dog registered with Delta Society. Click here for more information on the Delta Society and their mission.

For more information, please call Brandon Public Library, 601-665-7648, and ask to speak with the Children's Department!

George to Visit Raleigh Library

Hope to see you there!

Come see CURIOUS GEORGE and the Man in the Yellow Hat! 

When? Tuesday, March 20  
Where? Raleigh Public Library  
Time? 3:30 p.m.

There will be fun with stories and music! Parents, bring your camera to take pictures with George and the Man in the Yellow Hat!

Curious George Visits CMRLS!

Curious George arrives for visit!

Curious George, that cute little monkey has arrived for his visit! George will visit CMRLS Libraries next week to share stories, songs, and his love of reading. He has many adventures that you can have fun reading about in his stories.  George knows a lot of songs, too. He even knows a song about five little MONKEYS that like to jump on the bed. They soon learn their lesson; monkeys should not jump on beds!

George is greeted by Miss Kathy.

Curious George and his best friend, the Man with the Yellow Hat, will visit at these CMRLS libraries:

Monday, March 19

• Florence - 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 20

•  Pearl - 9:30 a.m.
• Raleigh - 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 21

• Richland Library - 10:30 a.m.
• Mendenhall Library - 1:00 p.m.
• Magee Library - 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 22

• Morton Library - 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 24

• Brandon Library - 10:30 a.m. 

Curious George also wants everyone to know about the current exhibit at the Mississippi Museum of Art. It's "Curious George Saves the Day!" You can have fun learning all about George and his creators, H. A. and Margret Rey.

So, come by any of the libraries listed above to say hello to that cute, lovable monkey, Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat who follows George on his adventures!

Curious George is coming to Brandon!

Saturday, March 3rd @ 1:00

We are so excited to announce that we are partnering with Mississippi Museum of Art to celebrate their upcoming exhibit, Curious George Saves the Day. We will kick off the festivities with the Curious George movie on March 3rd @ 1:00. The Friends of the Brandon Library will be selling popcorn for .25. You may bring drinks.

Come see me!
Saturday, March 24th @ 10:30!





March 24th @ 10:30 our mascot, Acorn, is bringing his friends Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat for a special story time! You won't want to miss this! For more information call Brandon Public Library, 601-825-2672. We hope to see you there!

To learn more about our favorite monkey and his creators, check out Mississippi Museum of Art's exhibit,
Curious George Saves the Day: The Art of Margret and H.A. Rey!

LET'S BE FRIENDS!

You know, kids (just like us) have a tendancy to follow human nature. Our manners to others are not what they should be, we want to have everything at our fingertips, and we feel uneasy when we are around other people who are...well...just different from us. Because it was Valentine's month, our theme carried a friendly reminder to encourage our preschoolers to use our manners, to share with others, and to understand that we are all different, but we can still get along with those who are different from us...because we are different from them! From "Please" and "Thank-you" to saying "I like you because you ARE different" taught us that our behavior is very important in front of others, even if they pass us on the sidewalk. Books like The Rainbow Fish taught us to be friendly towards others and to share. The "Please and Thank-you Book" taught us to use our manners...it's just the right thing to do when we are around other people. And "Different Like Me" book helped us to realize that there were different people from us who could do things just like us. Some of them needed our help, some of them looked and dressed differently from us, and some of them even spoke differently from us, but we learned that all of us need each other and need to be friendly to one another.

Chinese New Year at the Pearl Public Library

We recently had our Chinese New Year Party at the Pearl Public Library. The kids enjoyed making Good Luck Goldfish and Handprint Dragons. We also read the book "The Runaway Wok", a humorous book about the Chinese New Year. Our next big event will be the Mad Hatter Tea Party on Thursday, February 16, at 4:00 pm. This event is for children 12 years and under.We will be making and decorating top hats and making a pocketwatch craft. We will also have games including Mixed Up Musical Chairs, Top Hat Toss, and Pin the Grin. Join us for crafts, games, food, and of course hats! So, remember to wear your favorite hat and don't be late for this very imporatant date!

Paw Pals at the Pearl Public Library

Paw Pals is in full gear this year at the Pearl Public Library. Betty Hutchinson and Mary Jo Anderson bring their posse of dogs the first Saturday of each month at 10:30 am to the Pearl Public Library. All of their dogs are certified therapy dogs who love to hear stories. Pictured on top from left to right: Hexie, Ranger, Liesl, Bongo, and Buffy. Stop by and pick up a book to read to one of the dogs. You can improve your reading skills and visit with the dogs. Become one of our regulars like Xander and Sophia pictured above. For more information, contact Beth Hindman, Youth Services Supervisor, at 601-932-2562.

Preschool Story Time @ Raleigh

Come join us in February for Preschool Story Time
at Raleigh Public Library every Tuesday morning at 11:00 a.m.
for children up to school age.
We have loads of FUN!
Stories, songs, and crafts!
For more information call 601-782-4277.
We are open Mon.-Fri. 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
See you on Tuesdays!

Crafting @ Brandon

This week in Kid Corner and Creative Connection we up cycled some old cigar boxes and made them into one of a kind keepsake boxes! We have such talented patrons! Take a look at a few of their creations. We hope you can join us next week, Tuesday, January 17th at 3:30 and 5:00 when we make CD Case Notebooks and Bubble Stationery! For more information call Brandon Public Library, 601-825-2672!

Kid Corner

Creative Connection

Who doesn't love penguins?

It's winter time again, and it is the perfect season to read stories about penguins. Check out these penguin books we read for story time this week at the Pearl Public Library!

Your Personal Penguin by Sandra Boynton

This is a very cute book about a hippo and a penguin. An unlikely combination? Maybe, this penguin just wants to be best pals with hippo. Read to find out all the fun things penguin wants to do with hippo.

I Like It When by Mary Murphy

This is a perfect book for bedtime! Little penguin shares his favorite things with the one he loves the most including bath time and dancing!

If You Were a Penguin by Wendell & Florence Minor

Did you know that you and a penguin are very similar? This delightful book explores all the fun activities of penguins and explores the ways in which they live.

Remember, Pearl Public Library has story time every Tuesday morning. Baby Bookworms is at 9:30 am and Preschool Story Time is at 10:30 am. Enjoy songs, stories, crafts and much more!

Free Programs at Brandon!

The Children's Department at Brandon Public Library is proud to announce that we have revamped our schedule and will now offer FREE weekly programming for K-2nd grade on Tuesdays at 3:30 and 3rd-6th grade on Tuesdays @5:00. Bring your kids in for fun crafts and lessons while you peruse the shelves! Please call ahead so we can save you a spot, 601-825-2672. We can't wait to see you there!



January crafts include:
10th-Keepsake Box

17th- CD Case Notebook with Bubble Stationery

24th- Magnetic Memo Board Set

31st- Glass Painted Trinket Jar

For more information, call Brandon Public Library and ask for the Children's Department!