DVD Diva: Alfred Hitchcock

With the release of the new Hitchcock movie staring Anthony Hopkins as Alfred Hitchcock and Helen Mirren as his wife, why not take out some classic Hitchcock thrillers? Between Perrot and Greenwich we have them all. I especially like Dial M for Murder starring Ray Milland, Grace Kelly and Robert Cummings and North by Northwest starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason. And of course, the ever famous Psycho starring Anthony Perkins and briefly, Janet Leigh.  

-The DVD Diva

New Book Recommendations from the Reference Desk

What We're Reading at Perrot

SOME KIND OF FAIRY TALE, BY GRAHAM JOYCE

[Fiction] Twenty years have passed since 16-year-old Tara Martin disappeared. On Christmas Day, she rings her parent’s doorbell. What happened? If you believe in fairy tales, you will believe her. This is a captivating tale. It is told with great appeal and some delightful humor. Graham Joyce draws you into his story. You are pleased with all the people involved. However, there is that lingering question… what if?

See the rest of our latest list of recommendations!

Newtown Tragedy: How to Talk with your Children + How You Can Help

Our thoughts are with those suffering in the wake of Friday's tragic shooting in Newtown, CT.

Resources:
Here is a listing of some articles that may be useful in discussing this difficult topic with your children.

Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Talking To Your Children About Violence Against Kids
University of Minnesota

Talking to Children About Violence: Information for Parents and Educators
National Association of School Psychologists

Tips for Talking to Children About the Shooting
The New York Times

Talking to Children About the Shooting
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Helping Children Deal with Tragic Events in the News
Family Communications/Fred Rogers

Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting
American Psychological Association

How to Talk to Children about the Tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary
Bright Horizons Family Solutions

How to Help:
The Newtown Post Office has set up a PO Box especially for condolence letters. Those who wish to send expressions of comfort should mail them to:

Messages of Condolence for Newtown
PO Box 3700
Newtown CT 06470

The United Way of Western Connecticut has created the Sandy Hook School Support Fund that will be able to provide support services to the families and community that has been affected. Checks may be mailed to:


Sandy Hook School Support Fund
c/o Newtown Savings Bank
39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470


Or donate online at:  https://newtown.uwwesternct.org/

Winners of the Semi-Annual Y2C2 Jeopardy Challenge!

CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of the Semi-Annual Young Young Critics' Club (Y2C2) Jeopardy Tournament!

The winning team, The Penguins (L-R): Natalie, Jojo, Charlotte, Fiona, Robert, and Matthew

They are the current holders of the coveted Wonderful Golden "Y" Award! The winners have demonstrated their mastery of trivia questions related to the books that the Young Young Critics' Club (our book club for 4th- and 5th-graders) has read during the past year. (Yes, it looks like a lobster, but trust us, it’s also a wonderful golden ‘Y’-- stop by the Youth Services Department and see for yourself!)

Book Discussion of Canada, with Esther Bushell

Esther Bushell, founder of Literary Matters (http://www.literarymatters.net/) and a highly recognized book group facilitator, will lead a discussion on Canada, the critically acclaimed novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Richard Ford., on Wednesday, January 9th, 2013, at 7:30 PM in the Library.

Children's Program Registration Is Going on Now!

Registration for Youth Services' Winter/Spring 2013 Program Session is going on now through Sunday, January 13th, 2013. [View the winter program schedule]

•     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(s) of your choice from the Youth Services 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 (45¢)
•     Drop off your card at the Youth Services Desk by January 13th
•     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.

Youth Services Holiday Gift Guide for 2012

Each year our Youth Services Librarian puts together a list of books that make great holiday gifts! The list features picture books, books for middle graders, and books for ages 12 and up. Please take a look at our Youth Services Holiday Gift Buying Guide for 2012.The list is also available at the Youth Services Desk as a paper brochure.

Youth Services Winter/Spring '13 Program Schedule Now Available

The Youth Services Winter/Spring 2013 Program Schedule is now available!

Our program registration is by lottery. Pick up a registration postcard for the program of your choice from the Youth Services Circulation Desk, beginning on Monday, December 10th, 2012. Don't forget to bring a stamp!

Detailed registration instructions are available on our website, as are descriptions of all our program offerings.

If you have other questions, please comment on this post!

December Events at Perrot

Here's what's going on at Perrot in December... 

• The Grace Notes: Saturday, December 1st, 2012 at 4 PM

  Perrot is pleased to host a musical performance of holiday carols by The Grace Notes in the Children's Wing on Saturday, December 1st at 4 PM. The Grace Notes, a local women's a cappella group, has been dedicated to providing music to our community for more than 40 years. The Old Greenwich First Light Festival, sponsored by the Old Greenwich Merchants' Association, will follow the performance later that evening in downtown Old Greenwich. The festival transforms Old Greenwich into a winter wonderland, decked out in its finest holiday trimmings. Other attractions will include horse-drawn carriage rides, activities and food hosted in the local shops, and, of course, Santa Claus.

• Something Special for the Holidays: Saturday, December 8th, 2012 at 2 PM

  Join us on Saturday, December 8th at 2 PM for flower arranging with Lisa Eisenman Salley from Something Special in Old Greenwich, who will demonstrate easy techniques for creating your own beautiful floral arrangements for the holidays. 

• Downton Abbey Season 2 Finale Screening: Sunday, December 9th, 2012, 2 PM to 4 PM

  Come for a cup of tea and watch the season 2 finale/Christmas special on Sunday, December 9th from 2 PM to 4 PM. Gear up for season 3 which begins on January 6th, 2013!

Tellabration! 2012

Throughout the world, the week before Thanksgiving is set aside as a time to celebrate the time-honored art of storytelling and story listening. Join the thousands of people, young and old, around the world who will spend a unique and magical hour rediscovering the laughter, the tears and the power of the story, at this year's TELLABRATION!

Featured at the United Church of Rowayton on Saturday, November 17th, 2012, at 8 PM, will be Perrot's very own Mrs. J, as well as Eshu Bumpus, Motoko, Carol Birch, Barbara Craigie, Connie Rockman, Lauren Mendoza, Ro Hinman, Ann Shapiro, and Tom Callinan. Tickets are $12 in advance ($10 for groups of 6 or more)/$15 at the door. For more information or to reserve tickets, contact Judy Petersen at 203-359-9239 or JRPetersen@aol.com. 

Reorganized DVD Section

For those patrons who enjoy BBC/PBS productions and TV series, please note that we have done a little reorganization of our DVD collection. The BBC/PBS productions and TV series now have their own section next to the Blu-Rays. We hope this new system will be helpful in making your selections.  

-The DVD Diva

Annual Lions Club Grapefruit Sale

The Old Greenwich Lions Club is selling grapefruits and oranges, as part of its annual fund-raising effort to flight blindness worldwide.

Fruits are available for purchase at Perrot-- please ask at the Adult Circulation Desk.

Grapefruit: $18 per case, $9 per ½ case
Oranges: $20 per case,  $10 per ½ case
One case of ½ grapefruit and ½ oranges: $20

Suggest a Book for Greenwich Reads Together 2013

Greenwich Reads Together is a community-wide reading experience which will engage all of Greenwich in exploring a single book. Members of the community are encouraged to suggest their favorite books.

In order to be selected, the book should be of high literary quality, reflective of universal issues and capable of generating thought-provoking discussions. It should lend itself to engaging public programs and appeal to a diverse population. It must also be currently in print and available in large quantities and in multiple formats, including paperback, e-book, audiobook and large print. The suggestions will be evaluated by a Library staff committee and announced later this fall.

To make a suggestion, comment on this Greenwich Library blog post.

Byram Book Sale, November 16-18

Get ready to curl up with some great books, music, and movies as the weather grows colder! The Friends of Byram Shubert Library will be holding its popular Book & Media Sale at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, next to 55 William Street West, on November 16-18, 2012.

This sale includes a guesstimated 25,000 books, CDs, DVDs, videos, and audiobooks, including large personal libraries of cooking, art, advanced math/science, sailing/yachting, and approximately 5,000 CDs and DVDs! We also have an incredible amount of quality literature, children's and young adult books.

For the best selection, come to a special preview sale on Friday, November 16th from 5:30-8:30 PM. For $15, it’s well worth the entrance fee! On Saturday, November 17th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM the sale is open to all. On Sunday, November 18th from 12:00 to 4:00 PM will be the bargain hunter's delight "bag and box" sale ($3/bag (we provide), $7/box or 2 boxes/$10).

We will be accepting drop-off donations on Saturday, November 10th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Paul's Church parking lot, 55 William Street West in Greenwich.

All proceeds from the sale benefit the branch library's programs and events. For specific questions, please contact the Byram Shubert Library at (203) 531-0426.

Author Event Cancelled 11/7

We hope that you and your families are safe and recovering from the effects of Sandy.

Due to unforseen circumstances, the Lucia Greenhouse author event will NOT be held tonight, Wednesday, November 7th. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Perrot is open for business should you need a book, access to the internet, or just a warm place to recharge your phone or computer.

Please keep an eye out for details of our next event--The Grace Notes--on December 1st at 4 pm.