Have you ever eaten a dog biscuit?

Is it salty or sweet? In Helen Cooper's Dog Biscuit, the little girl Bridget tried her very first dog biscuit. She secretly loved the taste. Her neighbor Mrs. Blair noticed the telltale signs of dog biscuit crumbs that decorate little Bridget's chin. Mrs. Blair jokes with her and says Bridget will soon be bow-wowing. She begs Mrs. Blair to keep her secret (that she ate a dog biscuit) from her mom. Bridget literally believes Mrs. Blair and Bridget wonders why her mom does not notice she is turning into a dog. Bridget likes the life of a dog until she realizes something...

If you enjoy Helen Cooper, this book is worth checking out. Helen Cooper is also the author of Tatty Ratty and Pumpkin Soup. Click here to see if it is available for checkout. Pair this book with Patrick Loehr's Mucumber McGee and the Half-Eaten Hot Dog and you're sure to have a hit.

Little Miss Muffet Sat on Her Tuffet...

eating her curds and whey...Ewwww---that was the general reaction of the Pearl Peanuts group when we made curds and whey for this month's science experience.... For our after school group (Pearl Peanuts), I designated all the activities for January to be science-related. This week we made plastic milk or curds and whey. The activity was courtesy of PBS kids. First we gathered our materials--skim milk, vinegar, strainer, and microwave-safe bowl. Next we measured 1.5 cup of skim milk and poured it into the bowl. Then we added 4 teaspoons of vinegar into the bowl, and we placed the bowl and mixture into the microwave, and we let it cook for 1 minute. When the minute was finished, we took the book out of the microwave, and the kids noted the changes of the milk and vinegar, i.e. the smell was stronger and the vinegar and milk made a chemical change into a blob. We used a strainer to separate the liquid from the solid, and each kid touched the blob or plastic milk. The next experiment we performed was courtesy of Vicki Cobb. It was called the Science in a Bag of Potato Chips. A few months ago, I personally saw Vicki Cobb perform this experiment, and I thought it was very cool. We needed a candle, unopened bag of potato chips, scissors, matches, and a bowl. There was a second part to the experiment, but we did not perform it. First, we talked about the crispness of the chips and how chips can become stale or soggy. Then I explained to them that the potato chip makers needed to find a way to keep the chips fresh and crispy. Potato chip makers decided that foil-lined bags and nitrogen gas would preserve their chips' freshness. Onto the experiment...I lit a candle. As Mrs. Cobb suggested, I blew lightly on the candle's flame to show that my breath was fanning the flame and not extinguishing it. Only if I blew with more force would the flame extinguish. Next, I snipped the corner of the potato chip bag, and I placed it near the candle's flame and squeezed the bag. The nitrogen in the bag of potato chips deprived the candle's flame of oxygen, which is the gas needed for candle's to remain lit. Of course, the kids were all excited about it, but they were even more excited when they got to eat the chips. Also note that throughout the entire program I STRESSED ADULT SUPERVISION. I must have stated it every 5 minutes. What amazes me is the age differences in this group and how wonderful they pay attention (most of the time)! I think the youngest is 3 years old, and the oldest is 11 years old.

Brandon's Reader's Choice Awards

What is your favorite book?

When the new year comes around there is always a "best of'"chosen from the year before.

So we would like to know what was your favorite book.(and it did not have to be written just last year.) You can comment on the blog or come by and drop it in our bucket on the desk.

Here are our upcoming Family Nights:

Thur. at 6p.m.

Jan. 22nd A Very Merry Unbirthday Party

Feb. 19th Family Date Night with Pizza and a Movie

"Freaky Friday"

March 19th March Madness

(play Bingo, face painting, snacks, make a mask)

Is it Christmas time already?

Christmas is approaching us fast but we have lots of fun activities planned at Brandon Public Library. Dec. 6th - Friends of the Library is hosting Snacks with Santa Please come by and get all the details or call us. Dec. 18th - Annual Jammie Jingles Family Night A pajama party to enjoy stories, cookies and cocoa and make an ornament for your tree. Dec. 20th - Gingerbread House Come in and pre-register to make a gingerbread house. Of course we also have our weekly activities. Mon. 10:30 Baby and Me Mon. 3:30 After School story time is moving to this new day. Wed. 10:30 Pre-school story time Thur 10:30 Pre-school story time Dec. 4th and 18th 4:00 Ultimate Afternoon for ages 7 to 11

Mock Election Held at Morton Public Library

During the month of October, Kindergarten through 12th grade students have had an opportunity to vote for their candidate of choice in this year's presidential race. Votes were tallied this morning with Republican John McCain receiving 58% of the vote and Democrat Barack Obama receiving 42% of the vote. Thanks to all the local students who participated in the mock election.

Baby Bookworms Story Time

At the Pearl Public Library, we have a program just for babies (ages birth-24 months). We have the program on Tuesdays at 9:30. I think it's one of the most rewarding programs we do. We sing songs; I read short books; they have an interactive play time.

It's awesome to watch children grow and develop their motor and verbal skills within a few months. The first song I sing is "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star". A few months ago, I learned how to sing the song and to sign it with my hands. Children who have been coming to story time for the last few months are beginning to try the hand signs. Today, I got so tickled with the children because they are really, really trying to sing and sign. Join us on Tuesdays because it's a wonderful way to start your young one's day!!!

What's Cooking with the Pearl Peanuts

So yesterday the Pearl Peanuts group and I tried our first cooking element, which is part of the new and improved Pearl Peanuts Story Time. The library has received quite a few compliments on how the program has a fresh new look. About 16 children and 11 adults attended the program.

While they colored their individual cookbook pages, we sang "Hola Amigo" without the prerecorded music. Era muy fantastico! (It was very fantastic!) I read Gary Soto's Too Many Tamales. They enjoyed this story despite it being a holiday book. They (most of them) realized the message the author was trying to convey~always take responsibility for one's mistakes.

After the story, I started the cooking portion of the program by stressing the importance of hand washing and adult supervision (when in the kitchen). I probably should have heated the oil before I began the story so that the oil would be ready for me to drop the tortillas.

I could not believe that they (most of the group) were sitting in their places. I only cut a sampling of tortilla chips and I chose one of the older children to help cut more tortillas into triangular shapes. Susan and a few moms helped put hot and crispy tortilla chips into brown paper sacks. The children either put sugar and cinnamon or salt into their bags. Then they shook their bags with their seasonings and (of course) ate the chips. After the last chip was eaten, all were happy and delighted. Until next time...Adios! (Bye!)

Hispanic Heritage Month with the Pearl Peanuts

Hispanic Heritage Month is from September 15-October 15. According to the United States Census Bureau, more than 35 million people are of Hispanic Heritage. For the month of September, the Pearl Peanuts of the Pearl Public Library have been celebrating and learning about Hispanic heritage. We have learned various Spanish words including a song "Hola Amigo", played "Bash the Piñata", and created mini-piñatas. This week we will make tortilla chips and either dust them with cinammon and sugar or eat them with salsa. The children will also decorate a tortilla chip recipe page for their cookbooks.

Join us on Wednesdays at 4:00 for the Pearl Peanuts Story Time. The program usually lasts from 45-60 minutes and is designed for elementary age children. Email Mara for more information.

Welcome to CMRLS KiDS!

Summer Reading programs are over.

School has started, and...

FUN @ your library has JUST BEGUN!

Watch the CMRLS Calendar for great programs all through the year. Ask your librarian for GREAT books to read, even check out VIDEO GAMES! Check this BLOG often for programs and pictures, reading lists, and maybe even contests!

Have FUN @ your library!