Another review of a soon-to-be-published title!

Here's a big shout out to Sarah who wrote our second advanced reader book review!

Sarah reviewed White House Kids: The Perks, Pleasures, Problems, & Pratfalls of the Presidents' Children by Joe Rhatigan, officially coming out in July of 2012.  Here's what she thought:

"I liked how it told about the white house the presidents children and the people who work there."

Thanks Sarah!

Our First Book Review!

Remember when we blogged about how you could get a free book to take home in exchange for a review of that book?  Well, we've received our first review!!

Melanne read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of The House that George Built, by Suzanne Slade.

Here's what she thought of it:

"Overall I liked the book.  It gives out good information, fun facts, a good rhyme on almost each page.  I also liked how they drew pictures to go along with it.  I recommend this book to the library!"

So kids, if you've got one of these advanced reader copies at home, come back in and let us know what you thought of it!  And we've still got a few more books left, so stop in and grab one if you're interested!

Summer Reading Song!

It's almost that time again... Summer Reading will be starting soon!  And what better way to get pumped for Summer Reading than a reading song?

Meet Emma, the young singer/songwriter who composed "When I Read," a song all about the joys of reading.  Emma wrote this song as part of a contest in the Watertown Public Schools.  She will be performing it at elementary schools this month, and we've posted the lyrics here in the library!

So be sure to come in and take a look at Emma's musical creation!  And if you see her around town, ask her to sing it for you, and maybe even for an autograph!

Dog B.O.N.E.S. - Read to a Dog!

Remember when, back in March, we wrote about some of the great benefits of our Dog B.O.N.E.S. program?  Well guess what?  It's coming up again, and we still have spots!  Saturday, June 2 (that's right, in 2 days!), you can sign your child up to read to a dog for a twenty-minute session.  We have sessions available from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.  So be sure to stop by or call 617-972-6435 to register!

Our garden has just begun!

Throughout the summer months, the Children's Department and the kids in our community will tend a garden vegetable garden.  And today was the big day to get it started!  Take a look at our tiny baby plants!!

 The plants are small now, but don't worry - they'll grow!

 In one plant bed we have basil, oregano, cucumbers, peas, and peppers!

And over here you'll find tomatoes, spearmint, and more peppers!

Special thanks to A. Russo & Sons Inc. - right here in Watertown - who generously donated plants and topsoil!

Be sure to come by and take a look at the garden, just outside the windows in the Program Room!  And don't forget, every Monday during the Summer Reading Program, kids and parents are welcome to come help us tend the garden.  Later in the summer you'll even get to sample some of our yummy veggies!

Even more books you can keep!

Free Books!
Remember back in February when we posted about how you can review - and then keep! - a free book?  Well you still can!

Read them Early!
These books are Advanced Reader Copies, or ARC's.  That means that, in addition to being able to keep the book, you'll get to read the book before it's even released.

Share your Opinion!
All you need to do is write up a quick review of it, or you could even just stop in and tell us what you think of it.

So stop in today and pick a book at the children's reference desk.  Happy Reading!

Help! My child wants to read about....

Does your preschooler love books about cars, dinosaurs, or princesses? Is your elementary-aged reader really into science fiction? Wish browsing books by topic was easier?

Here’s a tip: We put topical stickers on the spines of lots our books! We have stickers that we use to indicate a wide variety of subjects. If you’re looking for one of these topics or genres, you can simply glance through the shelves and look for these stickers. In the picture book section, some of these books are on shelf-top displays, but there might be even more throughout the shelves!

Some of our most popular stickers are:

And many more!

If there’s any other topic you’re looking for, make sure to ask a librarian!