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.

Hurricane closing

Perrot will be closed on Monday, 10/29/12 due to the impending storm. Our Nightmares program is also cancelled. Stay safe!

Author Talk with Lucia Greenhouse

In fathermothergod: My Journey Out of Christian Science, Lucia Greenhouse courageously pulls back the curtain on the Christian Science church chronicling its complicated legacy for her family, personal loss, and the boundaries of faith.

"This beautifully written account is a soul-searching, sometimes jaw-dropping read about how religion can splinter a family."

The author will be at Perrot to discuss her book on Wednesday, November 7th at 7:30 pm.

Family Storytelling Concert Honoring Mrs. Mac & Mrs. K

At this year's Family Storytelling Concert to honor the memories of our own beloved storytelling librarians, Kate MacClelland and Kathy Krasniewicz, we are please to present Jay O'Callahan, "a genius among storytellers," according to TIME magazine. 

This free family event will be held in the Binney Auditorium at First Congregational Church in Old Greenwich on Saturday, November 3rd at 3 pm.

In crafting a story, Mr. O'Callahan allows nothing to fall through the cracks. His stories fascinate children and adults alike and we are thrilled to bring him to our town to entertain our families and honor our friends, Mrs. Mac and Mrs. K. This event is recommended for families with children ages 5 and up. Seating will be on a first come, first served basis.

Author Talk with Sheri Koones

In her latest book, Prefabulous + Almost Off the Grid, author Sheri Koones highlights the many ways of using prefabrications to create almost-off-the-grid homes—houses that are not only environmentally friendly but often operate at nearly zero annual energy cost. Ms. Koones will be at Perrot for a discussion and book signing of her latest book on Wednesday, October 17th at 7:30 pm.

She is an award-winning author whose previous books include From Sand Castles to Dream Houses, House About It, Modular Mansions, Prefabulous, and Prefabulous + Sustainable.

Forgot Your Tote Bag?

Perrot now has eco-friendly, re-usable tote bags available for you to borrow! Our circulating tote bags can be checked out for three weeks - the same lending period as most library books. Use a bag to gather materials during your visit, then check the bag out along with your selections.

You can return the bags to any Greenwich library, just like our other items. Look for our new circulating totes on stands near the Adult and Youth Services Circulation Desks!

Nightmares!

Terrifying tales for beastly children in 2nd grade and up ONLY—this is some seriously scary stuff. The Radcliffe Wing will be transformed into an eerie lair where the Old Crone of Old Greenwich and her horrible guests will present an evening of bloodcurdling storytelling.

NO GROWNUPS ALLOWED!

Monday, October 29th, 2012 at 7 pm.

Free tickets now available at the Youth Services Desk...if you dare!

Author Talk with Sheri Koones

In her latest book, Prefabulous + Almost Off the Grid, author Sheri Koones highlights the many ways of using prefabrications to create almost-off-the-grid homes—houses that are not only environmentally friendly but often operate at nearly zero annual energy cost. Ms. Koones will be at Perrot for a discussion and book signing of her latest book on Wednesday, October 17th at 7:30 pm.

She is an award-winning author whose previous books include From Sand Castles to Dream Houses, House About It, Modular Mansions, Prefabulous, and Prefabulous + Sustainable.

Out With the Old, and In With the New!

Please pardon the interruption this morning. Perrot Library is installing new air conditioning equipment for the original part of the library built in 1930. Thank you to the many people involved in the Town of Greenwich Capital Budget process for this major improvement!

Find the Most Awesome Tree in Greenwich!

Perrot Library is a proud co-sponsor of The Greenwich Tree Conservancy's 4th Annual "Awesome Tree Contest!" You can nominate your favorite Greenwich tree in one of the following 2012 categories:

• Most Interesting Tree Branching
• Most Gnarly Tree
• Fattest Tree
• Most Serene Tree
• Storybook Tree

The deadline for submissions is October 22nd, so start your tree-hunting now! Entry forms are available on the Greenwich Tree Conservancy's website, or pick one up at Perrot Library.

For more information call 203-869-1464 or email treeconserve@optonline.net

Calling All High School Seniors!

The time has finally come to start getting those college applications ready, and Perrot can help! From SAT/ACT prep to writing the perfect essay--we've got you covered. Check out some of these titles:

Fifty Successful Ivy League Application Essays

by Gen Tanabe

378.1616 TANAB

Don't Stalk the Admissions Officer: How to Survive the College Admissions Process Without Losing Your Mind

by Risa Lewak

378.1616 LEWAK

The College Hook: Packaging Yourself to Win the College Admissions Game

by Pam Proctor

378.1616 PROCT

Barron's SAT 2400: Aiming for the Perfect Score

by Linda Carnevale & Rose Teukolsky

378.1664 BARRO

  

In-a-Flash Vocabulary for the SAT & ACT

by Joan Carris

378.1662 CARRI

The End of Summer...

...Means the start of Sunday hours at Perrot! Now that Labor Day has passed, Perrot Library is open on Sundays from 1-5 pm.

Why not spend a lazy Sunday afternoon browsing the library's newest books and movies or settling in to read the newspaper? Our Sunday hours will continue through June 16th, 2013.

Lost & Found: Camera

A camera was found in Perrot's Youth Services Department. If you think it might be yours, and you can identify it, please call us at (203) 637-8802.

Spaces Still Available in our Spotlight Program for 2nd & 3rd Graders!

Spotlight, our after-school story and crafts program for 2nd and 3rd graders, still has spaces available for the fall session! The theme for this session is America: From Sea to Shining Sea. The program meets Wednesdays from  4 PM-5 PM on October 3rd, 10th, 17th, & 24th.

Please call the Youth Services Desk (203-637-8802) to sign up your child!

September is Library Card Sign-up Month!

September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and Perrot wants to make sure that all children have the smartest card of all– a library card. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.

Sign up for a library card (or just check out a book) at the Youth Services Desk this month and you will receive a sweet treat!

What's For Lunch?

It's every kid's favorite part of the school day--LUNCH TIME! But what can you pack to keep your child nourished and happy throughout the day? We've got some help at Perrot--check out these titles!

Cool Lunches to Make & Take: Easy Recipes for Kids to Cook  by Lisa Wagner

The Brown Bag Lunch Cookbook by Miriam Jacobs



Yum Yum Bento Box: Fresh Recipes for Adorable Lunches by Crystal Watanabe and Maki Ogawa  

Vegan Lunch Box: 130 Amazing, Animal-Free Lunches Kids and Grown-Ups Will Love! by Jennifer McCann 





Go Back To School With Perrot!

Youth Services has several lists of picture books to help your kids with the back-to-school process! Take a look at the lists below, or stop in to the library-- we have back-to-school books displayed in both our picture book area and our fiction section.

• Our Staff Favorite's: Stories About School
• Books about Riding the School Bus
• Get Ready for School: Books About Starting Preschool, Kindergarten, and Grade School
• Ready, Set, Go! Books About Starting School

Have any of your own favorites you'd like to share? Please comment on this post!

Children's Program Registration for Fall is Going on Now!

Registration for Youth Services' Fall 2011 Program Session is going on now through Friday, August 31st, 2012. [View the fall 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 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 (45¢)
• Drop off your card at the Youth Services Desk by September 2nd
• 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.

Free Blood Pressure Screenings, 2nd Tuesday of the Month at Perrot

Have your blood pressure checked and your health questions answered by an experienced Community Nurse Educator from Greenwich Hospital.

Screenings will take place on the following Tuesdays at Perrot Library, from 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM :

• August 14th, 2012
• September 11th, 2012
• October 9th, 2012
• November 13th, 2012
• December 11th, 2012

For more information about this program, please call Community Health at Greenwich Hospital at 203-863-4444.

First Sunday Science: Free educational programs for children at Greenwich Point

The first Sunday of each month this year The Bruce Museum, in partnership with other area non-profits, will be holding FREE fun and educational programs for children and families at the Seaside Center at Greenwich Point! Check out the list below for the First Sunday Science activities for the next few months. If you would like more information on these programs, please contact Peter Linderoth at 203-413-6742 or by e-mail at plinderoth@brucemuseum.org.


Turtles of Long Island Sound: Sunday, August 5th, 2012, 1:30 PM– 4:00 PM
Be sure to drop-in to the Center as we present the sea turtles and the Diamondback Terrapins that can be found in the Sound. Visitors will be able to observe turtle specimens and artifacts, participate in a sustainable art project, view footage of these magnificent reptiles, and much more!  Presented by Soundwaters and the Bruce Museum.



Lobsters: More Than Just Dinner: Sunday, September 2nd, 2012, 1:30 PM–4:00 PM 
Join local lobstermen and naturalists, who will address questions surrounding the status of lobster fisheries and populations in Long Island Sound. This family-friendly event features live lobsters in our touch tank, a fun craft, and continuous video footage of this complex crustacean!  The program is free, but passes are required for Park entry. See the Town of Greenwich website for entry details.


Weathering the Storm: Sunday, October 7th, 2012, 1:30 PM–4:00 PM 
Greenwich Point is often the staging ground for impressive weather displays!  TV broadcaster and meteorologist Bill Evans will present a lecture at 2 PM and will be on hand throughout the afternoon to discuss how these natural events occur. The program includes a fun, educational craft and is suitable for all ages.  Presented by the Friends of Greenwich Point and the Bruce Museum. The program is free, but passes are required for Park entry. See the Town of Greenwich website for entry details.

Summer Reading Wrap-Up

Thanks to everyone who participated in Youth Services's 2012 summer reading program and weekly contests! This year's theme was "WILD ABOUT READING!"

Please take a look at the four happy winners of our weekly contests! They each won a neat prize pack for finding a little giraffe that was hiding in a different spot in the children's room each week in July.

269 kids signed up for our summer reading program and read over 1,100 books in total! This year, Perrot made a donation based on each book read by our summer readers to Heifer International. We were able to raise enough money to buy a goat for a needy community. So thanks, readers-- each book you read helped support a great cause!

If you were one of our very special signer-uppers, you can still keep track of the books you read, even though our "official" program has ended! You can either take your reading record home with you, or leave it here in the library. We will also continue to give out prizes for books read (while supplies last, so HURRY!).

We'd also like to give a special mention our teen volunteers, who helped record books for our reading program participants. This year we had 76 volunteers, who together worked 474 volunteer hours. Thanks, guys!

And remember, we still have another month of summer left, so please KEEP READING!

New at Perrot-- Circulating Tote Bags

Forgot your tote bag? Perrot now has eco-friendly, re-usable tote bags available for you to borrow! Our circulating tote bags can be checked out for three weeks-- the same lending period as most library materials. You can use the bags to gather materials during your visit, then check the bag out along with your selections. You can return the bags to any Greenwich library, just like our other items.

Look for our new circulating totes on stands near the Adult and Youth Services Circulation Desks!

Youth Services Fall Program Schedule Now Available

The Youth Services Fall 2012 Program Schedule (.PDF) is now available!

Our program registration is by lottery. Pick up a registration postcard for the program(s) of your choice from the Youth Services Circulation Desk, beginning on Monday, August 13th, 2012. Registration ends on Friday, August 31st. 2012, so make sure you have returned your card by that day. [See detailed registration instructions]

If you have any questions on our children's programs or registration process, please comment on this post, or give us a call at 203-637-8802.

DVD Diva: Downton Abbey

Have you caught up on the first two seasons of Downton Abbey?  If not, be sure to borrow them from Perrot prior to January 2013, which is the scheduled U.S. premiere date for Season 3.

Request Downtown Abbey Season 1: DVD | Blu-Ray
Request Downtown Abbey Season 2: DVD | Blu-Ray

The upcoming third season of Downton Abbey will be set in the 1920s. According to The Hollywood Reporter, fans can expect to see slim, low-waisted flapper silhouettes, as corsets are no longer trending. The ladies will additionally style their hair in bobs and flapper spit curls. The characters may enjoy cocktails which at that moment are making their debuts in London's first night clubs. In language, the characters will be using new slang and phrases such as "the bee's knees" (the ultimate compliment), "the cat's meow" (another top compliment), and "giggle water."  In society, women will begin to enter the workplace.

So where does Downton Abbey go now? Trailers for episode one of season three will face the Roaring ‘20s-- with the accompanying freedoms on all sides. But already fans are anxious for answers. When will season 3 pick up? What will be the fates of various characters? Another interesting topic is the future of Mr. Bates and the Lifestyle evolution that is addressed. From all of the press reviews is seems this series is set to be another great success, giving us something to look forward to on Sunday evenings.

-The DVD Diva