Something New in the Catalog

Our web catalog is constantly evolving and improving.  One of the newest features connects our web catalog with NoveList, a library product that helps people find good books to read.  Here is how it works.

In the web catalog look up a particular book you are interested in reading or perhaps a favorite book you've already read.  In the example below I searched for the book Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix.  On the right hand side of the display screen you'll see "Similar titles and recommendations."  Just click on that link.

This will open up a NoveList window where you can find all sorts of information and recommendations.  In this example it shows us the rest of the titles in the "Shadow Children" series and the order.

It recommends some similar titles that fans of Among the Hidden might find interesting.

It also shows similar authors whose books might appeal to readers who like Margaret Peterson Haddix.

You can also find ratings and reviews from readers, other recommended lists, and more.  We hope you will explore this new feature of our catalog and discover some great new books to read.  Our web catalog is a wealth of information for avid readers.


Valentine Factory

For kids in the Olathe District Schools, there will be no school this Thursday and Friday.  If you're looking for something fun to do on your days off, we invite you to come make a valentine at the Valentine Factory!  All children in 5th grade and younger can participate.  Kindergartners and younger must be accompanied by an adult.  There is no regisration. Come and go as you please.  All supplies will be provided.  Here is the schedule:

Thursday, February 9
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Indian Creek Branch

Friday, February 10
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
 Main Library

And while you're at the library be sure to check out a good book to read, a good movie to watch, or a fun video game to play...or all of the above!  We've got it all at the library. 


Wonderstruck at the American Museum of Natural History

Wonderstruck is the latest book from Brian Selznick, author and illustrator of the Caldecott award-winning book The Invention of Hugo Cabret (on which the Oscar-nominated film Hugo is based).  If you've read Wonderstruck, you know that much of the story takes place within the walls of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.  In the video below Brian Selznick leads us on a behind-the-scenes tour of this fascinating place.  You'll recognize a number of objects and scenes from his wonderful book.


2012 Award Winners

The winners of the 2012 Newbery and Caldecott awards have been announced.  The Newbery medal was awarded to author Jack Gantos for Dead End in Norvelt.  The Caldecott medal was awarded to illustrator Chris Raschka for A Ball for Daisy.  Congratulations to both of these men who have given us many great children's books. 

Below is the list of award winners and honor books along with some other award winners.  A special note of congratulations goes out to local Kansas City author/illustrator Shane Evans who won the Coretta Scott King illustrator award for his book Underground.

NEWBERY MEDAL WINNER  (Author)

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

NEWBERY HONOR BOOKS

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai
Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin

CALDECOTT MEDAL WINNER  (Illustrator)

A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka

CALDECOTT HONOR BOOKS

Blackout by John Rocco
Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell

GEISEL AWARD  (Easy Reader)

Tales for Very Picky Eaters by Josh Schneider

SIBERT MEDAL  (Nonfiction)

Balloons over Broadway by Melissa Sweet

CORETTA SCOTT KING AUTHOR AWARD  (African American author)

Heart and Soul by Kadir Neslon

CORETTA SCOTT KING ILLUSTRATOR AWARD  (African American illustrator)

Underground by Shane W. Evans

BELPRÉ AUTHOR AWARD  (Latino author)

Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

BELPRÉ ILLUSTRATOR AWARD (Latino illustrator)

Diego Rivera: His World and Ours by Duncan Tonatiuh


LEGO Master Builder

The library's LEGO programs have been wildly popular.  If you don't get registered on the first day of registration, chances are you won't get in the program.  Olathe kids obviously love LEGO bricks!  The January LEGO Club program is full, but registration for the February 28 program will start on February 20.  Mark you calendar now. 

If you are a LEGO fanatic, you probably already know that in May a LEGOLAND Discovery Center will be opening in Kansas City's Crown Center.  This past weekend they held a compeition for the position of LEGO Master Builder.  The lucky winner of that compeition was Jeremiah Boehr.  He will be the official Master Builder of the Discovery Center.  Talk about a cool job!    How would you like to get paid to build with LEGOs?

Jeremiah beat out more than 170 other builders competing for the coveted title.  His creation for the final round of competition was a 3D book with characters flying out of the pages.  You gotta love a guy who combines his love of LEGOs with his love of books.  Congratuations, Jeremiah!


What's New?

Are you someone who always likes to know the latest and greatest new books and movies the library has acquired?  Well, our web catalog makes it as easy as pie.  All it takes is a few clicks.

 

1.  From anywhere on our website move your mouse over EXPLORE on the menu bar and then click NEW TITLES on the drop-down menu.

 

2.  At the bottom of the next screen you can click on Children's Fiction, Children's Non-fiction, Children's Movies, or Children's Music to see the latest added materials in these categories.

 

That's all there is to it.  You can then browse titles, place holds, add to your "For Later" shelf, or whatever you want.  Like I said, it's as easy as pie.


Youth Writing Contest

Attention aspiring young writers!  KTWU public television and Payless Shoesource are sponsoring a Youth Writing Contest with the winner to be recognized at the 2012 Kansas Book Festival on Sat., Sept. 15, 2012.  Essay entries based on the theme, “My Kansas Shoes Were Made for Walking,” will be accepted January 1 through April 15, 2012.  Age divisions include
Third – Fifth grade; Sixth – Eighth grade; and Ninth – Twelfth grade.

For an entry form, go to: www.ktwu.org/educational-resources/.

For more information, go to: http://kansasbookfestival.com/get-involved/writing-contest/.


Happy Holidays

We would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays!  Remember that both Olathe libraries will be closed on Saturday, December 24 and Sunday, December 25.  We will re-open for business on Monday, December 26. 

The Olathe libraries will also be closed the following weekend on Saturday, December 31 and Sunday, January 1.  Materials can always be returned in any of our numerous drop boxes around town anytime.


Christmas Favorites

Ready or not, Christmas is just around the corner.  The holiday season is a great time to snuggle up together and share a good book as a family.  Here are a few of my favorite Christmas books.

Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck

This is the story of a farm boy who gives his father a very special gift from the heart on Christmas morning. The illustrations in this edition of the touching tale capture the feeling of a simpler (but not easier) time.

Night Tree by Eve Bunting

This is a warm story of a family who makes a pilgrimage into the woods each Christmas to decorate a tree for the wild animals.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski

A widow and her young son ask Mr. Toomey, a gruff but gifted woodcarver, to carve them the figures for a Christmas creche.

The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco

During a scarlet fever epidemic one winter in Michigan, a Jewish family helps make Christmas special for their sick neighbors by making their own Hanukkah miracle. Based on a memory from the author's childhood.

The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes by Linda Glaser

Okay, this isn't a Christmas book, but it's a great holiday story celebrating the joy of giving and reaching out to our neighbors.  As Rachel and her mother are busy with preparations for the Hanukkah celebration, Rachel is determined to find a way to convince their lonely elderly neighbor to share the holiday with them.

Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon

Based upon true events of World War I, this book tells the extraordinary story of a Christmas Eve on the battlefields of France when British and German soldiers declared an inpromptu Christmas truce and celebrated the holiday together.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

In this hilarious chapter book the Nativity story will never be the same when the six unruly Herdman children decide to take part in the church's annual Christmas pageant.  Funny and touching.


Hugo

Are you a fan of the Caldecott Award-winning novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick?  Then you won't want to miss the movie based upon this wonderful book.  The movie version is simply entitled Hugo and is directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese.  You can watch the movie trailer below and then go see the film playing at your local theater.  Of course, if you haven't yet read the book, you need to get on the waiting list!  It's a masterpiece.


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