Puppet Show!

Spring break is right around the corner and we hope that you'll spend some time at the library! There are no story times that week but we do want to invite you to a puppet show which will be at 11:30 am Monday, April 11, 2011. Join us in the children's department for this fun event.

A Royal Tea Party!

We're celebrating a royal wedding at the Decatur Public Library! Join us April 29 for tea and games throughout the day.

Reminder of the Book Drive!!

http://rivercityreadersforkids.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-drive.html

Our book drive for gently used children's and teen books begins March 1. Please donate if you can! These books will be used as prizes during our Summer Reading Program.

Create Musical Memories

It's no secret that one of my favorite children's books of all times is the one titled I Got Two Dogs by John Lithgow. I love that little story! What makes it so great is the music cd that accompanies it with John Lithgow singing the words to the book--a really fun song about his two dogs.

If you are like me and you like songs that have been made into fabulous picture books, then you will like two of our newest arrivals to the children's department:

Over the Rainbow is a beautifully illustrated picture book of the words to the song made famous in The Wizard of Oz. This is illustrated by Eric Puybaret and has a music cd along with it which is performed by Judy Collins.








Waking Up Is Hard to Do by Neil Sedaka is a catchy tune. The pages are colorful and the music is upbeat and fun.



Check these titles out and make some musical memories with your little one today!

March/April Calendars

The March/April calendars are out so pick one up today!!
Please notice we will have an Easter Egg Hunt April 18, 19, and 20th. The children will need to bring a basket to storytimes that week.

Fun Reads!!

Looking for chapter book titles to tickle your funny bone? Why not check these out today?!









Bad Kitty books by Nick Bruel









Weird School Daze series by Dan Gutman











Franny K. Stein series by Jim Benton












Dear Dumb Diary series by Jim Benton











Zig Zag Kids by Patricia Giff












After Happily Ever After Series by Tony Bradman

Story Times Next Week!

Just a reminder that we will celebrate Valentine's Day all next week in our story times. Snacks are provided but children are asked to bring valentine cards to exchange with our story time friends. As part of our craft, we will decorate bags to collect our valentines. See you there for a fun time!

Book Drive!

Spring is around the corner...yes, it's really true! And if that means your thoughts turn to Spring cleaning, then won't you consider helping us out in the children's department? We are in need of gently used children's books to give away this summer as summer reading prizes. Therefore, we will have a book drive the week of February 28th. This is for children's books ranging from board books on up to teen titles. Bring your gently used book donations to the children's department and place them in the donation bin. Thanks so much!!

Coming Soon!

Join us March 1, 2011 as we kick off Read Across America day! This will be a fun night of games, stories and snacks. You might even win a cake in our Dr. Seuss cake walk! Invite your friends and family for this fun event.

New at the Library

Tell the Truth, B. B. Wolf by Judy Sierra
When he is invited to share his story at the local library, the Big Bad Wolf comes face to face with the way he treated the three little pigs. Realizing he had once been a big bully towards them, he offers to make amends.








Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
This 2011 Caldecott Honor book tells the hilarious story of Papa Chicken reading a bedtime story to his little red chicken. He has only just begun to tell the tale when little chick interrupts to tell the story in her own words.

Free Friday Flick!

Join us this Friday for a movie and refreshments! We are showing a Christmas favorite at 10 am in the community room. School is out so why not come to the library and watch a movie!

January/February Schedules

January/February schedules are now available in the children's department. Pick one up today!

Vote for your favorite!!

Stop by the children's department during the next week to vote for your favorite Christmas movie. The winning movie will be shown in the library's community room on December 17th at 10 am. Refreshments provided. This is the first day school is out for the holidays so please come spend it with us and watch a great movie!

Your movie choices are: Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Polar Express, and The Santa Clause. Vote for your favorite today!!

Polar Express Storytime

Join us December 14th at 7 pm for a special evening storytime. We will read The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg and enjoy cookies and cocoa. This program is for families with children ages 3 and up. Reservations are required. Please call 256-353-2993 ext 122 or email children@decatur.lib.al.us to reserve a spot. The first 50 children to arrive will receive a conductor's cap.

November/December Storytime Calendars

The November/December storytime calendars are now available in the children's department. Come by and get yours today!

Pint-Sized Post

The latest edition of The Pint-Sized Post is available for pick-up in the children's department. This is a newsletter both you and your preschooler will enjoy. It has suggested readings, snack & game ideas, and a list of coming attractions.

Trick-or-Treat

Today is the last day for trick-or-treating at the library with our storytime children. We love this time and look forward to it every year. It is so much fun to see the little ones in costume!

Things to do with the family in Decatur Alabama

We get asked alot for a list of things for families to do in Decatur. Here are just some suggestions. Some are seasonal and of course it is always good to call in advance!


For Free:

Wheeler Wildlife Refuge: Coming from Decatur: It's really close! Just take Highway 67 (Point Mallard Parkway) to the east. It's about 2 miles from the intersection of Hwy 31 and Hwy 67. Turn right--museum, walking trails, observatory

Cooks Natural Science Museum: 412 13th St SE Decatur AL, Mon-Sat 9 am-12 pm & 1 pm-5pm, Sun 2 pm-5 pm--collection of butterflies, shells, coral, stone, animals--very nice exhibit

Carnegie Visual Arts Center: 207 Church St NE 256-341-0562 Wed-Fri 11am-6 pm (open until 8 pm every third Thurs) Sat 11am-4pm

Petco, PetSmart

Morgan County Farmer’s Market: 211 1st Ave SE

Rhodes Ferry Park: Harborview & Market St, waterfront playground, picnic area, walking trails, train passes by

Delano Park: 6th ave & Gordon Dr playground, picnic area, walking trail, splash pad

Wilson Morgan Park: Beltline & Sandlin Rd, wooden playground, picnic areas, tennis court, softball, walking trail

Gin House Branch Farm: 1579 Bethel Rd S Decatur, AL 35603 http://www.ghbf.com/ for info

Reeves Peach Farm: 447 Hwy 36E Hartselle, AL 256-773-9479 strawberries, pumpkins, tomatoes

McDonald’s Play Place: Priceville, Hwy 67

Dairy Queen Play Place: Hartselle, Hwy 31
Chick-Fil-A: Beltline Rd

And of course don't forget storytimes at our library. Check out our website for a calendar of events--www.decatur.lib.al.us

Admission Charged:

AMF River City Bowl 3117 Highway 31 S Decatur, AL 35603 256-353-3162

Carmike 8 607 14 Street SE Decatur, AL 35601 256-350-0935

Regal Cinema 8 1801 Beltline Road SW Decatur, AL 35601256-355-6622

Funland Golf Course 401 14th Street SE Decatur, AL 35601 256-355-9849

Golf Shores Mini Golf 2015 Westmead Street SW Decatur, AL 35601 256-350-8711

Skate Castle: 256-355-0561 Play-n-Stay on Wednesday mornings, $3 admission--roller racers, bounce house, music & games

Point Mallard: Ice Rink open year round 256-341–4915 $6 General Admission $2 skate rental
Aquatics: GENERAL ADMISSION:Children (Ages 5 - 11) $11.00Adults ( 12 and 61)
$16.00Seniors (62+) $11.00Children 4 and under FREE

This is just a small list. Be sure to check out the visitor bureau website for more information: http://www.decaturcvb.org/ and also look at: http://www.decaturmorgancounty.com/

If you know of any places to add to this list or if any information listed here needs to be changed, please let us know!!

Bad News for Outlaws by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

Bad News for Outlaws: the Remarkable Life of Bass Reaves, Deputy U.S. Marshal by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson--winner of the Coretta Scott King Award. This book tells the story of the legendary marshal who was born a slave and later commited his life to bringing outlaws to justice. He was feared and revered by those who knew of him and even took on the task of bringing his own son to justice. He helped tame the indian territory and ended his career on the police force of Muskogee, Oklahoma. This book reads very much like a tall tale but the events are true and tells an amazing story of a little known hero of the old west.

New @ Your Library

The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood--Have you ever thought about the fact that there are different kinds of quiet? Quiet in the comfort of the presence of a friend, quiet when little sister is sleeping, snowfall quiet, and so on....The drawings are as gentle as the phrases of this book and just make you want to settle in and spend some quiet time pondering the pages of this book.

The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson--Follow the farmer as he feeds the farm animals and find out why the cow loves cookies. Nice rhyming text and repetition. Have a glass of milk and some cookies nearby as you read this one!!