Inky the Clown came to the Pearl Public Library on Thursday night. We had a great time with Inky's jokes and magic tricks, and we even learned another language! We also gave out some great door prizes at the end including t-shirts, books, posters, and water bottles. Check out this schedule of events for the remainder of the program:

June 16 @ 6:00 pm-CMRLS Puppets

June 23 @6:00 pm-Zoo Mobile

June 30 @ 6:00 pm-Craft Night

July 7 @ 6:00 pm-Scottish Storyteller

July 14 @ 6:00 pm-Finale Party with Jackson Irish Dancers

SRP Week 1 @ Forest Public Library

We began our trip around the world this summer in Scotland. What a treat to have bagpiper Zoe Brumfield at our library! We got to hear all about the history of bagpipes as well as the clothing she was wearing. Our weekly winner joined our bagpiper for a picture before she left. We will be drawing for a T-shirt every week from all the children in attendance. Plus all the names will continue to go in the pot for our candy jar that we'll be giving away at the end of the summer. If you want to hear the bagpipes too, reserve one of these bagpipe CDS and have it sent to your local library.

The Pearl Public Library would like to thank the wonderful sponsors of our 2011 Summer Reading Program!

Mac N Bones Golf and Grill

Cinemark Tinseltown USA

Sonic

Friends of the Pearl Public Library

Bancorp South Bank

Trustmark Bank

McAlister's Deli

Little Caesars Pizza

Information and Quality Healthcare

Revell Ace Hardware

Walmart

Bumpers Drive-In

A Special Guest for Story Time

Hexie, our lovable Paw Pals therapy dog, was our special guest for Baby Bookworms and Preschool Story Time on Tuesday. Hexie is an American Staffordshire Terrier and a certified therapy dog. Her owner, Mary Jo Anderson of Pearl, expressed that Hexie is certified to interact with children and adults in hospitals, nursing homes, school, libraries, and other organizations. She is very lovable, calm, and loves attention! Hexie and her playmate, Liesel, can be found every first Saturday of the month at the Pearl Library at 10:30 am for Paw Pals. Liesel is a German Shepard owned by Betty Hutchinson of Pearl; Liesel is also a certified therapy dog. K-6 kids are invited to attend Paw Pals and build their reading skills by reading to Hexie and Liesel who love stories!

Lego Lab @ the Library

Lego Lab @ the Forest Public Library is always popular with boys and girls alike. It's such a treat to see what these K-6ers can come up with in an hour. We are always looking for Lego donations and we got a special treat this week. A local cub scout troop donated Legos as part of their community service. So not only did they get join in the fun for the evening, they also contributed to future fun for other Lego fans. We look forward to seeing everyone again on April 5th for our next Lego Lab.

Seussfest at the Pearl Public Library

It's Dr. Seuss' birthday! Join us at the Pearl Public Library on Wednesday, March 2 at 4:00 pm for Seussfest. We will have food, crafts, games, prizes and of course Dr. Seuss storytelling.

Chinese New Year Party

Due to the weather last Thursday, the Pearl Public Library has rescheduled its Chinese New Year Party to this Wednesday, February 9, at 4:00 pm. Join us for food, games, and crafts in celebration of the Chinese New Year!

Painting With Cocoa at the Pearl Public Library

Try out your cocoa painting skills! Join us on Thursday, January 20th, at

4:00 pm for Cocoa Painting at the Pearl Public Library for kids in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. Learn how to make a cool painting with hot cocoa, and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and refreshments!

Knuffle Bunny Free

Perhaps one of the cutest series by a children's book author, Knuffle Bunny Free has hit the mark again. I fell in love with Trixie and Knuffle Bunny a long while ago with her "aggle flaggle" fits, and the mysterious switching of identical Knuffle Bunnies, and now she's grown into a lovely young girl who realizes the importance of sharing and that she is now a big girl. You may need a tissue because it's a bit of a tear-jerker. Check it out today! Click here for book availability.

Holiday Crafting Party

We are celebrating the holidays at the Pearl Public Library! Join us on Thursday, December 16th, at 4:00 pm for a Holiday Crafting Party. We will be decorating our own wrapping paper and decorating delicious sugar cookies! This program is for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Pearl Peanuts

Join the Pearl Public Library as we celebrate Thanksgiving at Pearl Peanuts on Wednesday, November 17th at 4:00 pm. We will be performing "The Ugly Pumpkin" and creating a turkey craft almost good enough to eat! We will also be reading holiday stories just in time for Thanksgiving!

Pearl Fall Fest

Celebrate fall this Thursday (October 28th) at the Pearl Public Library! Join us for our Fall Fest at 4:30 pm. Wear your costume and enter our costume contest. Bring an appetite and enjoy our delicious treats. Bring your energy and excitement for games such as Spooky Charades, Pumpkin Patch, Mummy Unwrap, and Black Cat Treasure Hunt! Also, join us for pumpkin decorating. The whole family is welcome!

Race to the Last Chapter: Family Reading Challenge

We are halfway to the finish line of our Family Reading Challenge here at the Pearl Public Library! Our participants have been logging many reading hours. Here are the total hours for the last six weeks for each family: 1 2-229 3 4-183.5 5 6-85 7-81.5 8 9-40 10-8 11-145 12 13 14 15 16 17 18-83 19-117 Keep up the good work! Remember we are holding a Finish Line party on Thursday, December 2, at 4:00 pm. We will be announcing the grand prize winners and handing out prizes to all of our participants.

Knitting Without Needles

We had a great turnout for our first K-6 craft club. We learned the art of finger knitting thanks to the expertise of Lea Ann Ellis and her daughter Mallory and it was a hit. We learned how to make cool scarves just in time for the cooler weather. It really was so easy even a child (or a librarian) could do it. We hope you'll join us next month when we meet again on October 26th.

Family Reading Challenge @ Pearl

The Race to the Last Chapter Reading Challenge is underway at the Pearl Public Library! These are the total hours so far for Weeks 1-2. Keep reading! Our first drawing will be this Thursday...you may be the winner of two family movies! Family # Hours 1 2 112 hours 3 4 68.5 hours 5 6 46 hours 7 30 hours 8 9 10 11 9 hours 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 hours

Race to the Last Chapter: Family Reading Challenge

There are 14 families signed up for the Family Reading Challenge at the Pearl Public Library. Registered families, check out your competition! Family #1 #2--51. 5 Hours #3 #4--40 Hours #5 #6--8 Hours #7--30 Hours #8 #9 #10 #11 #12 #13 #14 Keep up the good work. Check back each week for more updates!

Lego Lab @ Forest Public Library

This was only our second Lego Lab, but already we've grown from two to ten! Everyone had fun digging into the Legos and seeing where their imaginations would take them. We hope you'll join us on October 5th for our next night of invention. Also if anyone has Legos they want to get rid of, we are accepting donations.

After School?

What's happening after school in September? Well, if you are in grades K-6 there are several opportunities to enjoy the library and meet new friends!

• After School Story Time at Sandhill Library is "FUN with books!" Sept. 16, 3:00 p.m.
• Kids Computer Class at Pearl Library is NEW! Sept. 16 and 23, 4:00 p.m. Call ahead to make sure there is room for you!
• Pearl Peanuts at Pearl Library is Sep. 22 and 29, 4:00 p.m.
• After School Story Time at Flowood Library is stories, crafts, and FUN! Sept. 21 and 28, 3:00 p.m.
• Backpackers at Brandon Library is Sept. 21 and 28, 3:30 p.m.
• After School Story Time at Richland Library is Sept. 21 at 3:30 p.m.

These are lots of FUN! Stop by your library after school!

Pearl Peanuts @ Pearl

Like to cook? Like to eat? The Pearl Public Library is proud to welcome Carol Ballard from the Mississippi Extension Service. She will be here on Wednesday, September 15, at 4:00 pm for Pearl Peanuts. Come enjoy stories and make a delicious treat!

Computer Classes for Kids

The Pearl Public Library is now offering free computer classes for kids. Classes meet on Thursdays in September at 4:00 pm. Limited space is available so please call the library to

pre-register!

(9/2) MAGNOLIA and Online Catalog

(9/9) Discovering Websites

(9/16) Microsoft Word

(9/23) Microsoft PowerPoint

Race to the Last Chapter: Family Reading Challenge

Is your family competitive? Then your family should enter the Race to the Last Chapter: Family Reading Challenge sponsored by Target at the Pearl Public Library. The challenge starts Tuesday, September 7. Come to the library to pick up your registration form and reading log. We are giving away grand prizes as well as other prizes just for participating! This is an excellent opportunity for you and your family to participate in something together and win prizes for the whole family. Readers--Start Your Page Turning!!

Pearl Peanuts is starting!

It's school time again which means that we are beginning Pearl Peanuts! Pearl Peanuts meets every Wednesday at 4:00 pm at the Pearl Public Library. This program is designed for children in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. This year we are featuring some fun new programs! Our Kids in the Kitchen series will be featured at our first meeting, August 18th. We are also introducing a Kids in the Garden series. Children will also enjoy stories, crafts, and snacks!

Read It Before You See It!

Nine-year-old Beezus Quimby has her hands full with her little sister, Ramona. Sure, other people have little sisters that bother them sometimes, but is there anyone in the world like Ramona? Whether she's taking one bite out of every apple in a box or secretly inviting 15 other 4-year-olds to the house for a party, Ramona is always making trouble--and getting all the attention. Every big sister can relate to the trials and tribulations Beezus must endure. Old enough to be expected to take responsibility for her little sister, yet young enough to be mortified by every embarrassing plight the precocious preschooler gets them into, Beezus is constantly struggling with her mixed-up feelings about the exasperating Ramona. Read this classic story by Beverly Clearly before you see the movie starring Selena Gomez!

Ice Cream! Ice Cream!

Join the Pearl Public Library for a good, old-fashioned "Back to School Ice Cream Social" on Tuesday, August 17th @ 4:00 pm. This program is free and open to families of Pearl. Grab some ice cream and learn about new programs starting this fall at the Pearl Library. Also, members of the community can stop by and get a new library card. This is a great opportunity to socialize with other families of Pearl and to learn what the library can do for you and your family! We will also be giving away door prizes!

Paw Pals @ the Pearl Public Library

Come and enjoy story time with furry friends! Betty Hutchinson will be bringing her two therapy dogs to help out with story time the first Saturday of each month. Our first Paw Pals program will be on Saturday, August 7, at 10:30 am. The program will last approximately 30 minutes. We will read a few selected stories based on a theme, and then the children will have a chance to read to the dogs at the end.

Great New Book to Read!

Saving the Baghdad Zoo: A True Story of Hope and Heroes by Kelly Milner Halls & Major William Sumner

This is an incredible story of hope within tragedy. As a result of the Iraq War in 2003, the Baghdad Zoo was devastated. Animals were missing and many were in need of food and water. U.S. Army Captain William Sumner worked with a team to help these animals and to re-establish the Baghdad Zoo. Now open, the Baghdad Zoo has become an oasis of hope in a city of devastation. These animals have become a symbol of life and survival. This is a great book, and it has such a wonderful message for any reader.

Last Chance for 'The Snakeman' this Summer

If you haven't had a chance to see Terry Vandevender (aka 'The Snakeman') this summer, tomorrow may be your last chance. So join us at Pelahatchie Public Library on Wednesday, July 14, at 10:30 a.m.

Splish, Splash--Is It Over So Fast???

Morton Public Library's summer reading finale includes watermelon and the Morton Fire Department hosing us down. So don't forget to bring a towel and get here early to check out your books before you get wet! Program is at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 16. Check out this photo from our fun game day.

Make A Splash Library Birthday Bash

Join the Pearl Public Library Thursday, July 12, at 6:00 PM for our Make A Splash Library Birthday Bash! We will be celebrating the library's 5th birthday as well as the end of the 2010 Summer Reading Program. We will be announcing the winners of our grand prizes and the winners of our Beneath the Water Art Contest. We will have games for children and the Mississippi Swing Band will be here to entertain everyone! We will also have birthday cake for everyone. As always, we will also be giving away door prizes! Do not miss the party of the summer!

Inky the Clown @ the Pearl Public Library

Inky the Clown will be at the Pearl Public Library Thursday night, July 8, at 6:00. You do not to miss this fabulous event! We will also be giving out door prizes for children and adults!

Fires Safety House & Pluggie visit Florence Library

The Fire Safety House and Pluggie the Fire Hydrant along with Ms Ashley taught the Florence Preschool Summer Readers about fire safety. Pluggie was loads of fun and laughs! The Fire Safety house was terrific and a little tiny bit scary with all that smoke! With good teaching from Ms Ashley we located all the smoke alarms and every one made it out and to the safe meeting spot on time! Thank you Pluggie and Friends!

Summer Reading makes a big SPLAT @ Florence Public Library

Summer worker, Cody, volunteered to get a pie in the face if the children participating in the Florence Summer Reading program read 1000 books. Well, on June 28, he wore that pie proudly since the children had read over 1300 books! Now they are reading in hopes of 'pieing' Ms Tina when they reach 2000 books! Keep reading!

Fish Prints @ Pelahatchie Public Library

The Rankin County Extension Office provided loads of fun for children this morning at Pelahatchie Public Library. The children made 'fish prints' to take home and their own snack to enjoy. If you missed this program, the Fish Print program will be at Sandhill Public Library tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.

Get Crafty at the Pearl Public Library

Join the Pearl Public Library this Thursday night @ 6:00 PM for Family Craft Night! We will be featuring sea animal fans, rain gauges, paper bag whales, and bookmarks for coloring. This program is free and open to children who are in kindergarten through sixth grade. We will also be giving away fabulous door prizes and announcing the winners of our weekly guessing jar contest.

Guessing Game "nets' a lot of Goldfish!

The winner of our first guessing game this summer is Remington M. He was the closest with a guess of 1,000. There were actually 923 goldfish swimming in the jar. Morton Public Library will have a new guessing game every week during summer reading. Come by and guess!

Puppet Show!

THE PUPPETS ARE COMING!! We had so much fun last week with Percy King here at the Pearl Public Library! We got to learn about and touch all kinds of reptiles. The fun will not stop this week!! The CMRLS PUPPETS will be here to entertain us. This program is FREE and will begin at 6:00 pm on Thursday, June 24. Stop by for a great show and fabulous door prizes!

Tween Boys Build

Yes, it's true that they are building a new library in Forest, but we were focused on a different kind of building tonight. We were more interested in building with Legos! We had a special summer reading program just for tween boys at the Forest Public Library. Then we turned them loose with a bunch of Legos and waited to see what they would come up with. The results were awesome and we are going to keep them on display throughout the rest of the summer. If you need a closer look, feel free to come and check them out. The guys even asked if we could make this a regular event. Hmm...

New Reads!!!

What's the Matter Bunny Blue? by Nicola Smee

A rhyming book with so much heart, you'll just fall in love with Bunny Blue as he searches for his grandmother. Does Bunny Blue find her? It's a great book to read aloud to any child!

Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out by Troy Cummings

A spin on the classic rhyme, this fast-paced book will take you higher and higher as Eensy (the spider) finds out that if you fall you must pick yourself up! Awesome read for kids in K-6th grades!

How to Clean Your Room in 10 Easy Steps by Jennifer Huget

Do you have a child with an imagination the size of the world? (and a messy room the size of Jupiter?) Check out this delightful 10-step book on how to inspire your child to clean his/her room!

Sandwhich Swap by HRH Queen Rainia Al Abdullah with Kelly DiPucchio

This might just be one of my favorite summer picture book reads, although you can read it whenever you'd like. It has so many levels of inspiration for tolerance and respect of other people's differences. Two girls + Two Sandwiches= a book 4 anyone to enjoy!

Reptile! Reptiles! Reptiles!

Percy King and his reptiles will be at the Pearl Public Library this Thursday (June 17) @ 6:00 PM. The program is free and open to children in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. Door prizes will be given away to children and adults. Do not miss this chance to see and learn about all of Percy's reptiles!

Come experience magic @ the Library

Robert Day will be firing up the magic at the Brandon Public Library's Family Night this week.Thursday @ 6 pm. See you there!

Wii Play Wednesdays

Need a mid-week break? Come join the Pearl Public Library for Wii Play Wednesdays every Wednesday @ 3:00 until July 14. We will be featuring different water-themed games as well as Wii classic games. Children and teens are welcome to come!

The Snakeman

This is an event you do not want to miss! The Snakeman, Terry Vandeventer, will be at the Pearl Public Library with his snakes. The program is free to the public and open to kids who are in kindergarten through sixth grade. The program starts at 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 10. We will also be giving away door prizes!