Monday, January 28, 2013

Remembering


 
"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together. . . there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart. . . I'll always be with you."
-Winnie the Pooh
 
Mrs. K and Mrs. Mac
Kathy Krasniewicz and Kate McClelland
Remembering you today and always
 

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

February Events in Youth Services


Take Your Child to the Library Day
Saturday, February 2nd, 2013, all day

Stop by the Youth Services Wing all day for free giveaways-- books, toys, and more!

Now in its second year, Take Your Child to the Library Day is the brainchild of Nadine Lipman, retired head of children's services at Waterford Public Library in Waterford, CT. With the help of Caitlin Augusta, from the Stratford Public Library, and the support of many others, Nadine launched this initiative on February 4, 2012. Over 120 libraries participated, with more than 15,000 attendees — a tremendous success for a grass roots initiative in its first year.

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Learning to Look: A Family Program on Pop Art
Saturday, February 2nd, 2013 at 2 PM

Join Alice Scovell Coleman, a lecturer with the Learning to Look program, for a fun hour of studying and making art. The program will feature an interactive lesson about Pop Art, featuring the works of Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Claes Oldenburg. After the lesson, children will be invited to create a Pop Art project of their own. This program is recommended for families with children ages 5 and up.

Learning to Look, an art history and appreciation program for students from kindergarten through high school, was created buy Greenwich residents Diane Darst and Sue Ann Williamson. It has been taught by Learning to Look-trained teachers to over 75,000 students at nearly 100 schools in the tri-state area alone.

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Spring Valley Puppet Theater: The Three Wishes and The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
Wednesday, February 13th, 2013 at 2 PM

What would YOU do if a magical elf gave you three wishes? An interesting thought! Well, that's just what happened to Gretchen and Henry in Michael Graham's SPRING VALLEY PUPPET THEATER production of "The Three Wishes." The program also includes the Aesop fable "The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing." This popular tale is enlivened with a colorful Mexican setting, a humorous communication gap and a surprise ending! The program is recommended for families with children ages 5 and up.

Free tickets will be available at the Youth Services Desk on January 28th.

Michael Graham, Director of the SPRING VALLEY PUPPET THEATER has been performing since 1966 throughout New England primarily for schools and libraries. He designs and makes his puppets, writes scripts, creates the scenery and does a number of the voices. His production of "Jack and the Beanstalk" was awarded the 1994 "Citation of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry" from UNIMA-USA, the American Center for the UnĂ­on International de la Marionette.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Children's Winter/Spring Program Lottery/Program Openings


Registration cards for our Winter/Spring 2013 children's programs were mailed back yesterday! Expect to receive your card in the next day or two. If you don't receive your card in the next few days, please don't hesitate to call (203-637-8802) and we can check the rosters for you.

Also, we still have room in our Spotlight program (for 2nd & 3rd graders). The theme for Spotlight this session is Magic, and it will meet on 1/30, 2/6, 2/27, and 3/6 (Wednesdays) at 4 PM. Please give us a call if you would like to sign up your child for Spotlight!

Wednesday, January 09, 2013

Upcoming Event: Q & A with Diane Fox, Director of Planning and Zoning

Diane Fox
Director of Planning and Zoning for the Town of Greenwich
to discuss
Issues of Interest to Local Residents
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013, at 7:30 PM
Radcliffe Children's Wing, Perrot Memorial Library

Perrot is pleased to host Diane Fox, Director of Planning and Zoning for Greenwich, who will speak on planning issues of interest to Old Greenwich and Riverside Residents. She will give a brief, informal presentation, followed by a question and answer session with the audience. This is the community's opportunity to find out more about the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the planned repair of the railroad bridges on Sound Beach and Tomac Avenues, development of Old Greenwich and Riverside retail areas, and other topics related to land planning and development. 

Friday, January 04, 2013

Upcoming Event: Book Discussion with Eric Kahn Gale

Author Eric Kahn Gale will discuss his book, The Bully Book, which Kirkus Reviews calls "a meticulous anatomy of a bullying victim... a compelling and unusual look at a complex and intractable problem that succeeds admirably as story as well." The book, based loosely on Kahn Gale's own experience as a victim of bullying, is written for middle school age readers, but is also a must-read for parents and educators.

Wednesday, January 16th, 2013, at 7:30 PM in the Library

Thursday, December 20, 2012

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!


Monday, December 17, 2012

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/




Tuesday, December 11, 2012

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.




Monday, December 10, 2012

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.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

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!

Friday, November 16, 2012

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!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

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.