This week's storytime schedule

We're back to our regularly scheduled storytime schedule, which, in case you forgot, is the following! Drop in anytime.

- Babies: Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. for Lapsit
- Toddlers: Mondays at 10:30 a.m. and Fridays at 4 p.m. for Toddler Time
- Preschoolers through age 6: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays at 4 p.m. and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

See you at the Library!

This Year's Best Books

Booklovers around the country are excited over yesterday's announcement of the 2010 Children's Book Award winners.

The Caldecott Award, for excellence in children's illustration went to Jerry Pinkney's The Lion and the Mouse, a nearly wordless book that will ellicit oohs and aahs when you turn its full color pages.

The Newbery Medal, for excellence in children's literature, went to Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me, a mysterious story involving a girl, a game show, and cryptic messages.

Other awards included the Geisel, for easy reader books, the Sibert, for information books, and the Printz, for teen literature.  See the complete press release at http://www.ala.org/

Toddler Time reminder

Toddler Time meets this Friday, February 12 at 4 p.m.  Due to the holiday and staffing, there will not be Toddler Time Monday January 18 or Friday, January 22.  However, children 5 and under are welcome to attend Magical Musical Me on Saturday, January 23 at 10:30 a.m.  And Toddler Time resumes its regular schedule January 25 (Monday).  Thanks!

Stratford Kids Pick This Year's Best Illustrated Books

During the Children's Caldecott Committee meeting today, kids presented and voted on this year's best picture books.  They reviewed the criteria of the Caldecott Medal for excellence in illustration, and presented their pics for this year's winner. The 'official' Caldecott Medal winner, along with many other children's book and media awards, will be announced nationally Monday, January 17. 
Here in Stratford, the children talked about lines, medium, perspective, and other elements of the artwork trying to narrow down to their favorite books.  After two votes, the kids narrowed down to two books as their 'Caldecott winners.'" Two favorite books, Yummy and Sneaky Weasel weren't eligible because their illustrators live outside the U.S.

Mock Caldecott winner: 14 Cows for America by Carmen Deedy

Mock Caldecott honor: Birds by Kevin Henkes

Miss A's Caldecott pick: All in a Day by Cynthia Rylant

Knitting Club will recommence on Monday, January 11

After a gloriously successful scarf project that benefited the Sterling House's mitten tree, Knitting begins for the winter session on Monday, January 11 at 3:30 p.m. Children ages 7 and up are welcome to attend.  Bring needles (US sizes 8-11); scrap yarn provided.  For returning knitters, get ready to learn some new skills.  We'll be working on purling and starting individual projects.  New knitters are also welcome.  Questions? Call us at 203.385.4165. Knit on!