World Smile Day

Today is the 13th annual World Smile Day!

The smiley face that we all know today was created in 1963 by a commercial artist from Worcester, Massachusetts named Harvey Ball.

 As the years passed, that image became one of the most recognizable symbols of good will and good cheer in the world. However, Harvey Ball became concerned about the over-commercialization of it, worried that its original meaning had become lost in its constant repetition.

It was out of that concern that he came up with World Smile Day. He thought that everyone in the world should devote one day each year (World Smile Day) to smiles and kind acts.

"The smiley face knows no politics, no geography and no religion.  Harvey’s idea was that for at least one day each year, neither should we. He declared that the first Friday in October each year would henceforth be World Smile Day®." (http://www.worldsmileday.com/)

The first World Smile Day was held in 1999. Worcester, MA, the smiley face's hometown, was and still is the epicenter for World Smile Day. This year the Worcester event will have a marching band, free stuff, clowns, jugglers, a Ring Master, and (best of all) elephants from the Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus!

While all this is going on in town, there will also be "Smile Ambassadors" out delivering Smile Certificates to people and, additionally, there will be local events and activities going on around the world. Is there anything going on at your local library?

After Harvey died in 2001, the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation was created to honor his name and memory. "Harvey Ball believed that each one of us has the ability to make a positive difference in this world and he lived according to that belief. He knew that any effort to improve the world, no matter how small, was worthwhile. And he understood the power of a smile and a kind act. In furtherance of that philosophy the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation focuses on small, grass-roots charitable efforts that otherwise receive little attention or funding." (http://www.worldsmile.org/) The Foundation continues to be the official sponsor of World Smile Day each year.

Want to celebrate with a few of your own acts of kindness? Here are a few books to inspire you:

Kids' Random Acts of Kindness foreword by Rosalynn Carter, introduction by Dawna Markova

Real Kids, Real Stories, Real Change: Courageous Actions Around the World by Garth Sundem

Kindness: A Treasury of Buddhist Wisdom for Children and Parents collected and adapted by Sarah Conover

Who Cares?: Millions Do-- A Book About Altruism by Milton Meltzer

Peaceful Kingdom: Random Acts of Kindness by Animals by Stephanie Laland

The Doggy Dung Disaster & Other True Stories: Regular Kids Doing Heroic Things Around the World by Garth Sundem.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Every year since 1968, Americans have observed National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. This month-long celebration recognizes the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

Here are some good books that celebrate Hispanic culture:

Hispanic Heritage Month = Mes De La Herencia Hispana by Kerrie Logan Hollihan

Hispanic-American Crafts Kids Can Do! by Fay Robinson

Tales Our Abuelitas Told: A Hispanic Folktale Collection by F. Isabel Campoy and Alma Flor Ada

Lola's Fandango by written by Anna Witte

Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match = Marisol McDonald No Combina by Monica Brown

The Fiesta Dress: A Quinceañera Tale by Caren McNelly McCormack

The Triple Banana Split Boy by Lucha Corpi

And here are a few recommendations for teen readers:

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

Luminous by Dawn Metcalf

Playing For Keeps by Veronica Chambers

Efrain's Secret by Sofia Quintero

Benito Runs by Justine Fontes

Carmen: An Urban Adaptation of the Opera by Walter Dean Myers

Ambitious by Monica McKayhan

Life, After by Sarah Darer Littman

Banned Books Week 2012

Yesterday was the first day of 2012's Banned Books Week, an annual event that celebrates the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Since the start of Banned Books Week in 1982, libraries and bookstores throughout the country have staged local read-outs—a continuous reading of banned/challenged books—as part of their activities. This is the second year that readers from around the world can participate in the Banned Books Virtual Read-Out by creating videos for BBW's YouTube channel.

 

Take a look at some popular banned books below. You might be surprised to find that some of your favorites are listed! Imagine if you never got the chance to read them.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger

Monster by Walter Dean Myers

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

Ttyl by Lauren Myracle

The Witches by Roald Dahl

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Exercise your freedome to read and celebrate Banned Books Week from September 30th through October 6th by reading a banned book!

Happy Birthday Shel Silverstein!

Today is such an exciting day that it gets TWO blog posts! I'd already posted about the awesome release of A Wrinkle In Time: The Graphic Novel, but how could I go without mentioning the birth-anniversay of the talented author of The Giving Tree, Shel Silverstein!?

If Shel Silverstein was alive today, it would be his 72nd birthday!

Shel(don) Allan Silverstein was born on September 25, 1930 in Chicago, IL. He started writing and drawing at the age of 12 and began studying art at the University of Illinois after he graduated high school. He was forced to leave due to bad grades, but moved onto the Art Institute of Chicago after that, and then Roosevelt University after that. He was first published in the Roosevelt Torch, a student newspaper at Roosevelt University.

For much of the 50's and he published military cartoons (he was drafted into the army), magazine articles, and even a cartoon book for adults called "Now Here's My Plan: A Book of Futilities" in 1960. He was also a singer-songwriter, composer, and screenwriter. However, what he is best known for are his children's books, which have been translated into more than 30 languages and have sold over 20 million copies.

Some of his most famous of these children's books include: A Light In the Attic, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook, Uncle Shelby's Story of Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back, Falling Up, and of course The Giving Tree.

Check one out at your library today and celebrate the talent that he had!

A Wrinkle In Time Graphic Novel!

Are you a fan of Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time?

If so, here's some good news! One week from today (October 2nd) the graphic novel version of story is being released! It's been illustrated and adapted by Hope Larson, who is also responsible for the graphic novels Mercury, Chiggers, and Gray Horses, as well as others.

Put yourself on the list to reserve a copy by clicking here!

In the meantime, TOR.COM has an provided a slideshow of the first 12 pages to show you just how beautiful the graphic novel is going to be

Take a look here!

Happy tesserring!

Roald Dahl's Birthday!

If Roald Dahl was still alive, today would mark his 96th birthday! In celebration, check out one of these wonderful Roald Dahl books or biographies.

On his last birthday (95!), Puffin Books released a beautiful pop-up version of Roald Dahl's most famous book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

For more information about this awesome Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, check out Puffin Books.

Also take a look at Roald Dahl's website,  http://www.roalddahl.com for lots of information and games!

It's Come Again... Library Card Sign Up Month.

Once again, September starts official Library Card Sign Up Month, and this year marks its 25th year!

Especially with the school year starting, if you don't already have one, now is the time to go to your library and sign up for a card. You'll be granted access to a whole bunch of free materials, activities, and resources to help you this school year.

Here are some examples:

1. Free computer and internet access every day, plus (in most cases) a few free prints a day too.

2. Hundreds of books, DVDs, CDs, and video games to take home and enjoy.

3. Classes all week long, like crafts, story times, lessons, workshops, family movies, game nights, concerts, and magic shows.

4. Help with your homework through the use of Live-brary, where you can get tutoring through BrainFuse and do research with our library-card-holder-only Online Resources.

5. TONS of free audiobooks and e-books to download onto your devices.

...And us! A lovely set of friendly librarians who are happy to help you with whatever you're looking for!

Stop into your library this month with some ID to get your library card! For more information, call or visit your library online!