Stuff for Kids

On Monday, June 24th at 2:00 p.m., the Master Gardeners will present a program "On the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly."  Meet some of the bugs you will find in your yard or garden!  Be sure and check out our TLC kit on garden.  We have some wonderful books too!

Story time is always something to look forward to every Wednesday and Thursday.  Miss Laura has special songs and books to read to the children.  We also have a small art activity as part of the summer reading program for the children after story time.  You are invited to join in the fun!

Mother's Day is this weekend!  While browsing through this craft book at the Bartlesville Public Library, I discovered a great Mother's Day gift idea.  The name of this book is Fun To Make Crafts For Every Day by Boyds Mills Press which is a Highlights Company.  The idea is called Hanging Flowers. 

The following materials are needed for this project:

1. a cardboard tube
2. cardboard
3. ribbon
4. flowers
5. wet tissue
6. aluminum foil

Directions:

1. Select a cardboard tube.  Cut out a cardboard circle that is a little wider than the tube.  Glue it on one end.  Decorate the tube.
2. Near the end opposite the base, punch a hole in each side of the tube.  Tie on ribbon as a hanger.
3. With an adult's permission, pick some flowers.  Wrap their stems in wet tissue and cover with aluminum foil.  Place the stems in the tube.  (If using artificial flowers, place them directly in the tube.)
4. Hang the arrangement on a doorknob, a nail, or anywhere that your mom can enjoy it.

Many other excellent craft ideas can be found in this book!  The call number of this book is: J745.5 FUN 2005 and it can be found in the Juvenile Non-fiction section of the Bartlesville Public Library.  Check it out!

Happy Mother's Day!!

May 12th is Mother's Day and something made by your child would be a real treasure.  A coffee can can make a great planter.  Simply buy some contact paper and cover the can.  A colored permanent marker can carry a special message by your child.  Use the message selected on the can above, or use your own verse.  Be sure to add your child's name and date.  A trip to the green house to select a flowering plant will complete the special gift. Happy Mother's Day!!  

Here is a reminder:  one week from today, April 27,  is the Lego Creations Contest!  You still have time to sign up and create your Lego structure. 

I was thinking of the creative process involved in designing and building your Lego creation and was reminded of all the great books we have in our Juvenile Non-fiction section of the Bartlesville Public Library.  We have several books on architecture and building that are very interesting!  One book that caught my eye this morning is Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids by Kathleen Thorne-Thomsen.  When you are designing and thinking about your project, you are an architect!  Frank Lloyd Wright  was a great American architect who loved shapes, colors, and patterns of nature.  We even have one of his buildings in our city of Bartlesville: the Price Tower!  If you have not had the opportunity to tour this beautiful building, you need to do it sometime soon.

This book presents this American architect's enduring love of shapes and patterns in nature by giving brief descriptions of Wright's buildings.  It is not only a great biography; but an activity book.  The activities include: 

• Finding geometric shapes within everyday objects.
• Comparing the designs of different houses.
• Reading architectural plans.
• Using geometric shapes to construct an origami tulip.
• Building a model of Fallingwater with graham crackers.
• Making a textile block from plaster.
• Designing a city.
• Celebrating seasonal festivals the way Wright did -- with costumes, treats, and poems.
• And many more!

The call number for this book is:  J720.92  FRA 1994.  It can be found in the Juvenile Non-fiction section of the Bartlesville Public Library.  Check it out!!

LEGOmania is returning to the Bartlesville Public Library during the month of April. Sign-up at the library begins April 1st.

Contestants must find a picture online, in a magazine or taken with a camera, and then duplicate that picture in LEGOs. The picture can be whatever you’d like; just make sure you stay within the size requirements.

The contest is free to all and will be divided into three age groups: Kindergarten through 4th grade, 5th grade through 8th grade, and 9th grade through adult. First, second and third place will be awarded in each category with one overall grand prize being awarded.

Contestants will build their LEGO creations at home using their own LEGOs during the month of April. The participants will drop off their LEGO creations to the library’s upstairs meeting room on Saturday, April 27th from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. The meeting room will be closed at 11:00 am to allow judging to take place.

Public viewing will begin that day at 1pm, with an awards ceremony being held at 2pm. Winning entries will be displayed in the lobby of the library from May 1st through May 10th.

We encourage everyone to take part in this wonderful celebration of creativity. To register, please come by the Youth Services Desk at the Bartlesville Public Library or call 918-338-4170 for more information.

Join us at the library this Saturday, April 6 at 2:00 and enjoy games, toys and treats from the 1940's.  We've got Silly Putty, Slinkys, Paper Dolls, Yoyos, Jacks, Marbles, Hopscotch & more!  Feast on Wacky Cake, lemonade, Smith Bros. Licorice, Sugar Daddy Pops, Bubblegum Cigars, Slo Pokes, &Walnettos, among lots of other "retro" candy!  You can even dress up, if you want to.  This event is free for kids and "kids at heart."

The Bartlesville Public Library will be offering some fun and educational children’s programs during the week of Spring Break! All events are free and open to the public.


On Monday, March 18, at 2:00, there will be a Paper Airplane Workshop in the upstairs meeting room. Kids can earn their “BPL Flight School Diploma” by constructing their own airplanes and participating in the big launch from the 2nd-floor bridge in the library! All supplies will be provided and there will be instructions and assistance for varying levels of skill from beginner to advanced. Participants may also demonstrate how to create their own favorite models.

Looking for a great activity to do for Spring Break?  On Monday, March 18th at 2:00 p.m., the children and teens are invited to make paper airplanes.  They will be lauched from the walk way on the 2nd floor. 
There will be several  patterns of paper airplanes to  make and launch.  It is free.  Come and join in the fun!

“We’re especially excited this year to introduce our new wireless buzzer/scorekeeping system, generously funded by our Friends of the Library group,” says Laura Pryce, Youth Services Librarian. Serving as emcee for the event is Beth De Geer, Assistant Director of the Bartlesville Public Library. “Ms. De Geer is actually responsible for this wonderful event, as she planned and coordinated the first Battle of the Books when she served as the Youth Services Librarian,” says Pryce. “We’re honored to have her as our emcee.” All of the books featured in the competition are available for checkout at the library. Call 918-338-4170 for more information

Enjoy the morning breakfast  as a treat for St. Patrick's Day.  Just add food coloring to the pancake mix.  The pancakes can be frozen and then the next morning place in the microwave a couple of minutes. Yummy in the tummy!

We have a number of great valentine books at the Library.  "Rotten Ralph's Rotten Romance" is just so much fun to read.  Rotten Ralph hides under Sarah's pillow, when he finds out that she wants him to make a valentine for Petunia's party and dresses him in a Cupid outfit.  Check it out at the Bartlesville Public Library.

It's raining! I am so excited about the rain today that I wanted to tell all of you of this great science book about rain and for kids. 

In this book, Franklyn M. Branley does a delightful job of describing the water cycle.  Rain is a perfect example of recycling!  It kind of reminds me of the little song, "The Eensy Weensy Spider".  Do you remember how the eensy weensy spider climbs up the water spout and down comes the rain and washed the spider out?  And then out comes the sun and dries up all the rain and the eensy weensy spider climbs up the spout again!  ;0)  Well, the rain that falls to the ground gets turned into water vapor when the sun comes out again, it evaporates.  Soon this moisture in the air will condense to form new clouds.  Later the rain will fall again.

Not only is the text appealing for kids; but there are colorful and lively illustrations by James Graham Hale.  What a perfect way to brighten up any rainy day by reading this fun book and learning a great science lesson!  Check it out at the Bartlesville Public Library in the Juvenile Non-fiction section.

Because we need the rain so badly, today I'm not going to sing, "Rain rain go away.  Come again another day."  I'm going to enjoy the pitter patter of those rain drops!

Want to have some snow fun?  Take some tempra paint (white) and place the paint on a  paper plate. Use two different sizes of empty round cans.  Dip the paint in the white tempra paint.  Make 3 circles with the smallest can for the snowman head.  Use a sheet of black paper for the hat and arms.  Wiggle eyes can be used or a marker to color in the eyes.  I small piece of orange paper can be used for the nose.  Buttons can be added for fun!

Want to do a cool weather activity with the children that will be loads of fun?  Follow the guide below:
You will need:
                 boiling water               
                 epsom salts
                 colored paper
                 paintbrush
                 markers, crayons, pencils
Mix equal parts of boiling water and Epsom salts in a glass.  (1/4 cup of each should be plenty)
Stir until sats and water are dissolved and let cool. 
Draw a winter picture on colored paper.  If you use darker paper, the crystals will show up better.  Use crayons,colored pencils, or permanent markers.  Paint with the frost paint.  It will work better when the paper is a little puddly.  Don't paint all the way to the edge of the paper.  It  will allow the paper from curving as it drys. 
 

Just a reminder that Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Library (Youth Services) Thursday the 13th at 1:00.  Bring your cameras and come on down.  The children will get a candy cane and sticker.  Join in the fun!!

Kids!  Make an orange pomander to add spirit to the holidays and fill your home with sweet and spicy scents!  You can make orange pomanders in batches, and give them as holiday gifts.

Materials Needed:

Masking tape
Orange or Clementine
Small jar whole cloves
Small nail
Decorative ribbon

1.  Wrap the masking tape around the orange where you want your ribbon to be when finished.  Pour the cloves into a small bowl.  Poke the thin end of each clove into the skin of the orange.  If this is hard to do, poke a hole in the orange with a pen or small nail then add the clove.  Keep the cloves off of the taped area and decorate the orange with as many cloves as you want.

2.  Remove the tape and wrap a ribbon around the orange using the empty space from the masking tape as your guide.  Tie the ends of the ribbon in a knot, leave long ends, then form a loop with the ends.  Tie a bow with a small piece of the ribbon above the knot.  Hang on the Christmas tree or on a hook in window.  A spicy orange scent will perfume the air.  Enjoy!

This idea and others can be found in the book Crafting Fun: 101 Things to Make and Do with Kids by Rae Grant.  Check it out at the Bartlesville Public Library.  It's on display by the Young Adult section in Youth Services.

Thanksgiving is almost here.  Do you want to do some special art to remember this  2012 Thanksgiving?  Purchase a cheap, plain paper plate.  Use some tempera washable paint to color in the paper plate.  Let it dry.  Brush on some brown paint on the palm and thumb.  Use several fall colors on the fingers.  Press onto the plate.  A marker can be used to make the eye, beak, and waddle.  Cut small pieces of construction paper and glue around the edges.  A perfect gift for a family member or just a colorful decoration for your home.

Thanksgiving is almost here!  Check out this fun-filled DVD that is hands-on, engaging, and educational! 
Activity TV is interactive adventure for kids of all ages!  Help your child make crafts, conduct experiments, and more with easy-to-follow tutorials led by friendly experts.  For beginning to advanced levels, Activity TV guides you from step one--simply push play, grab your materials, and get started!

TURKEY DAY FUN

Help out with Thanksgiving this year and learn how to make place mats, Pilgrim puppets, and of course, pumpkin pie!  Family and friends will love your tasty dishes and festive decorations that add holiday spirit to the Thanksgiving table.

This DVD can be found near the Youth Services desk where all the Juvenile DVDs are shelved together.  It's call number is J DVD 745 ACT 2008.  Check it out!!

How about some fun jugs to do for Halloween?  The children can decorate the front of the jugs with a silly or spooky face.  Cut a large hole in the back of the jug and add a light or candle.  Way too cool!

Next time you are visiting the Bartlesville Public Library, be sure and check out the October 2012 issue of Ranger Rick which is put out by the National Wildlife Federation.  If you already have a junior membership in the National Wildlife Federation, than you have already received this great magazine as a benefit. 

There is something extraordinary about this issue!  It is a SPECIAL HALLOWEEN ISSUE!  One of my favorite sections is Looking at Eyes starting on page 6.  There is something just a little bit spooky about animal eyes, don't you think?  It's fun to imagine what it would be like to see the world through the eyes of a cat, or rabbit, or frog, or monkey!  Animal eyes come in many different sizes, shapes, and styles; each kind is just right for seeing what's most important for the animal's survival.  Some animals have eyes on the side of their head, some in the front, and some on top!  The animal with the tiniest eyes is the shrew because they spend most of their time underground where there isn't much light. 

Another fun part of this issue of Ranger Rick is tips on throwing a spook-tacular party.  Starting on page 29 you will find decoration ideas that are very creepy!  Learn how to make eerie eyeball cups, spider egg sacs, creepy-crawly spiders, and a bat tree. 

You will find this October 2012 Ranger Rick issue along with several other awesome children's magazines on display near the Youth Services desk at the BPL.  And even though you are not allowed to check out the newest issues of magazines, there are several older issue in the big drawers under the windows that may be checked out.  Check it out!

 

The Halloween Book is packed with fantastic activities for the spookiest night of the year.  Carve flickering jack-o-lanterns, create creepy costumes, dig into terrifyingly tasty treats for the ultimate Halloween party!

One example found in this book is Silhouette Windows.  Swooping bats and petrified pumpkins silhouetted in your windows will startle any passerby!! 

• Draw a picture
• Cut it out
• Tape on tissue paper 

This book can be found in the Juvenile Non-Fiction section of the Bartlesville Public Library.  Check it out!!

The sun rises exactly due east and sets due west everywhere except near the poles.  Daylight lasts about twelve hours and eight minutes.  Why not make apple butter?  Here is a recipe for apple butter.                                                             Apple Butter
8 pounds apples (Granny Sith Jonathan, or other cooking variety)
2 quarts bottled apple juice
3 cups sugar
3 tablespoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wash and peel and core apples.  Cut them into fourths.  Place apples in a large pan.  Add remaining ingredients and mix well.  Bring to a slow boil; reduce heat.  Slowly simmer over low heat until mixture is very thick (about 1-2 hours).  Pour hot apple butter into sterilized canning jars leaving about 1 inch from the top of each jar.  Put lids on the jars, and place them in the freezer after they have cooled.  Make about 6 pints.