Youth Services Graphic Novel Picks

Anya's Ghost [click here to place a hold on this item ] *****Staff Pick*****
Of all the things Anya expected to find at the bottom of an old well, a new friend was not one of them. Especially not a new friend who’s been dead for a century. Falling down a well is bad enough, but Anya’s normal life might actually be worse. She’s embarrassed by her family, self-conscious about her body, and she’s pretty much given up on fitting in at school. A new friend— even a dead one— is just what she needs. But Anya’s new B.F.F. isn’t kidding about the “forever” part. . .

Mal and Chad: The Biggest, Bestest Time Ever [place hold] *****Staff Pick*****
Mal is a super kid genius and Chad is a talking dog, but no one knows it. What's it like to be so extraordinary and yet so invisible? Not even Megan, Mal's secret crush, has any idea that Mal is anything more than a dork. Fortunately, Mal and Chad are best friends with a penchant for adventure. . . even if the time-traveling does get them grounded by Mal's mom. Introducing the first in a series of illustrated chapter books by talented newcomer Stephen McCranie.

We've also been getting in some new Pixar graphic novels-- look for books with new adventures with the characters from The Incredibles, Cars, Wall-E, and Finding Nemo. Since books in these series are often written by different authors, we're trying to put these in by title so they're easier to find (for instance, look for The Incredibles under J GN INCRE).

Have a graphic novel or manga series you'd like to see at Perrot? Please comment on this post!

Movies in the Park 2011

Perrot is pleased to present our fifth annual series of Movies in the Park in Binney Park. This year we are featuring Rudy and Millions. Bring your picnic, your chairs, and enjoy!


Rudy (Rated PG-13, 98 minutes)
Saturday, July 23rd, 2011, 8:30 P.M.
[No rain date]

Rudy Ruettiger wants to play football at the University of Notre Dame, but has neither the money for tuition nor the grades to qualify for a scholarship. Rudy redoubles his efforts to get out of the steel mill where his father works when his best friend dies in an accident there. Overcoming his dyslexia thanks to his friend and tutor, D-Bob, Rudy gains admission to Notre Dame and begins to fight his way onto the school's fabled football team. -Synopsis from Fandango


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Millions (Rated PG, 114 minutes)
Saturday, August 20th, 2011, 8:30 P.M.
[Rain date Sunday, August 21st]

When 9-year-old Damian finds a bag of money in his back yard, he and his brother Anthony decide to try to spend it without telling their father. Seeking advice from the imaginary saints with whom he converses, Damian struggles with his own morality, and attempts to spend his money in a more altruistic way. News of the mysterious loot inevitably attracts attention, however, and Damian is faced with an increasingly hairy situation. Based on the book by Frank Cottrell Boyce. -Synopsis from Fandango

Perrot's Summer Reading Club and Contest for Kids

Summer is here! And that means it's time to sign up for Perrot's summer reading club! You can participate (and win prizes for reading!) from June 29th through July 29th.

To sign up for our summer reading club, simply go to our volunteer table by the computers in Youth Services. Our friendly teen volunteers will sign you up, tell you the rules and start a reading record for you. You'll also get to put your name up on the bulletin board! We'll keep your reading record here in the library. When you've read a book, just tell a volunteer next time you're in the library and they'll write it in your reading record. After you read your first, third, and fifth books, you will win a prize! Also, this year, for each book you read, Perrot will make a donation to the Greenwich Alliance for Education.

Parents, you can also take home a reading record for your littlest ones. We have special sheets for books read aloud with your child. Children get a sticker for each book they've read with a grown-up.

We're also having a contest this summer! Our summer reading theme is BE A SUPER STAR- READ! Each week in July, you will have to find a star that will be HIDING somewhere in the children's room. When you know where the star is, come to the desk to fill out a guess slip. (Try not to yell it out so you don't give it away!) We will have a random drawing from all our correct guess slips each week in July. We have 4 great prize bags to give away, which will contain books as well as star-themed prizes!

Be sure to join us at Perrot this summer and BE A SUPER STAR- READ!

Children's Summer Registration Cards/Program Openings

Registration cards for summer children's programs have been mailed back. Expect to receive your card in the next day or two. If you need to know your child's registration status right away, please don't hesitate to call (203-637-8802) and we can check the rosters for you.

Also, we still have room in our Stuff & Nonsense and Spotlight programs. Stuff & Nonsense is for kids entering Grade 1, and will meet Mondays at 4 PM on July 11, 18, 25, and August 1st. Spotlight (on Super Stars) is for kids entering Grades 2, 3, and 4, and will meet Wednesdays at 4 PM on July 6, 13, 20, and 27. Please call if you would like to sign up your child for either of these programs!

New Book Recommendations from the Reference Desk

What We're Reading at Perrot

THE CROSSING PLACES AND THE JANUS STONE (RUTH GALLOWAY MYSTERY SERIES), BY ELLY GRIFFITHS
[Mystery] It is so much fun to come across a new mystery writer! Ms. Griffiths is clever and intelligent. Her main character is a forensic archaeologist named Ruth Galloway. She is slightly overweight and very well-versed in discoveries made in the mounds and fens and bogs of seaside England. Both books capture you with cleverly plotted stories. One book does lead into the next and I can hardly wait for the third. Ruth is the most unlikely of heroines. The men in her life go to all sorts of extremes to protect her from herself and from those who feel she is getting too close to the truth. The history told in these books is great fun. Enjoy!

Read the rest of our list of recommendations!

Reminder- Express DVDs

Hi, DVD lovers, this is your DVD Diva back from a long sabbatical. Have you noticed our Express DVD’s located across from the adult circulation desk? This collection of DVDs comprises the most recent releases, and changes every month. Express DVDs cannot be reserved or renewed and can only be taken out for three days. Some of the current titles are: Company Men, with Ben Affleck; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt 1; Just Go With It, with Jennifer Anniston; and The King's Speech, with Colin Firth, just to name a few. So next time you visit the Perrot, take a look at what’s available on the Express Shelf!

Have You Seen the Latest Recommendations?

Looking for a great book for kids?

Check out the last few months of Youth Services' Staff Picks:

• Books About Princes and Princesses


• Books About Birds


• Mystery and Detective Stories

Our book clubs' yearly favorites lists are also a great resource for recommendations:

• Young Critics' Club Best Books of 2010-2011 (for 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-graders)


• Y2C2's Best Books of 2010-2011 (for 4th- and 5th-graders)

Looking for suggestions on a particular topic? Comment on this post!

School Visit Books

During the month of May, Mrs. Jarombek visited area schools to share new and exciting books.

You can see the full list for some great recommendations here: http://www.perrotlibrary.org/schoolvisitlist11.html

Children's Program Registration Is Going on Now!

Registration for Youth Services' Summer 2011 Program Session is going on now through Saturday, June 18th, 2011. [View the summer program schedule.]

Our morning preschool programs are drop-in during the summer, but you still need to register for Stuff & Nonsense (for kids entering 1st grade) and Spotlight (for kids entering 2nd/3rd/4th grade). We also have a special by-registration cross-stitch program this summer (see schedule above).

• Our program registration is by lottery


• You must have an active library card in good standing to register


• Obtain a registration postcard for the program of your choice from the Youth Services Circulation Desk


• Fill out ALL of the required information. Incomplete applications will not be considered


• Address the reverse of the card to yourself


• Affix a first-class stamp (44¢)


• Drop off your card at the Youth Services Desk by June 18th


• Registration cards will be mailed back to you within a week of the close of registration

Questions? Please give us a call at 203-637-8802, or comment on this post.

Connecticut Trails Day Celebration 2011

Dust off your favorite hiking shoes and grab your water bottle. Connecticut Trails Day 2011 is almost here! This year's celebration will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 4th and 5th, as part of National Trails Day. The theme is "Made With All Natural Ingredients." Our natural ingredients should be easy to find with 193 Trails Day events scheduled in 115 towns on over 500 miles of trails across Connecticut.

There will be outdoor activities for everyone—including hiking, biking, trail maintenance, kayaking, educational walks, bird watching, geocaching, and more. These events are guided by knowledgeable volunteers from local hiking clubs, parks and recreation departments, state agencies, conservation organizations, historic groups, naturalists, educators, and land trusts.

Don't miss out on this fun-filled weekend, which will provide many opportunities to discover new places and experience the outdoors with family, friends, and neighbors.

See an electronic version of the events booklet, or pick up a copy in the library (at our bulletin board).

Perrot Marched in the Memorial Day Parade

Perrot marched in Old Greenwich's 2011 Memorial Day Parade!

Staff were joined by members of our Young Critics and Young Young Critics Book Clubs.

We promoted our summer reading theme, Be a Super Star: Read!