Audio Appreciation Month: Recommendations for Children

August is Audio Appreciation Month! Celebrate this event by checking out various audio book and music titles at your library! Here are a few recommendations for children.

Books on CD
The library has audio book versions of many popular titles shown below in audio compact disc format:

Children Audio Books
*Series

	Harry Potter* by J.K. Rowling One of the most popular fantasy series about a young wizard named Harry Potter. Harry attends the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and makes new friends, learns new magic spells and goes on a quest to defeat the dark wizard Lord Voldemort.
	The Mysterious Benedict Society* by Trenton Lee Stewart Reynie Muldoon, an orphaned child with special abilities joins an elite team of four talented children and they become the Mysterious Benedict Society. They soon go on an adventurous journey of espionage to defeat a villain who plans to take over the world.
	39 Clues* by Various Authors A series of intriguing adventure stories written by today's popular authors such as Rick Riordan, Gordon Korman, Peter Lerangis and more. These audio books will engage readers by combining card collecting, reading and online gaming.

Playaways
Besides compact disc, you can also check out your child’s favorite title on a preloaded audio player called “Playaway”. Just connect your headphones and install one AAA battery to operate the player. Portable and convenient, you can transition or navigate to other chapters of the book without having to change discs. Here are a few recommended Playaway titles:

Children Playaways
* Series

	Artemis Fowl* by Eoin Colfer A popular fantasy and action series about a young master criminal named Artemis Fowl. Artemis gradually develops his moral character as he works with the fairies to help defeat enemies and save the world.
	The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict by Trenton Lee Stewart Nicholas Benedict, an orphan afflicted with physical ailments and narcolepsy, is sent to a new orphanage where he encounters vicious bullies, selfish adults, strange circumstances, and a mystery that could change his life forever.

Download Audio Books and Music
You can download various audio books and music to your computer, portable music player or smartphone from the Northern California Digital Library. Check this page for more information on how to download.

Music
In addition to audio books, the library also has a substantial collection of music CDs for all ages! Please see a library staff at your library for more details.
posted by pn

Healthy Eating

Nutritionist Alice Hancock from Whole Foods will discuss healthy eating and a food demonstration will be done by Jamie Westby of Whole Foods.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012, 6:00-7:30 pm in the Redwood Room.  Sign up at the reference desk or call 408-615-2900.

posted by PK

What You Need to Know About Succulents

Master Gardener, Laura Balaoro will talk about which succulents grow in winter and are dormant in summer, what grows well in shade, the many ways to use succulents, how and where to plant them in your garden, common pathogens and propagation methods.

Saturday, July 28, 2012, 12:00-2:00 pm in the Redwood Room.  Sign up at the reference desk or call 408-615-2900.  Walk-ins welcome.

posted by PK

TumbleBooks: Popular Children's Books Online!

Not able to visit the library to check out books for your child? No problem. Check out our library's online TumbleBooks collection! These are interactive, online story books that your child can read anywhere using an Internet connected computer or iPad!

Some TumbleBook titles are designed to work with the iPad! To find these titles, go to "Story Books" and click on the green button called "iPad Books". Or your can use the TumbleSearch feature and type in "iPad" and hit "GO".

A Santa Clara City Library card is required to access TumbleBooks. If you don't have a library card, you can fill out the online application today. After filling that out, please visit the library within 30 days with photo identification and proof of address to receive and activate your card.

The following are just a few popular TumbleBook titles that your child can read today! New titles are added frequently.

For more recommendations, please visit the Youth Services desk at your library.

posted by pn.

Woody Guthrie's Birthday

100 years ago today Woodrow Wilson Guthrie was born in Okemah, Oklahoma.  He was an American singer songwriter who published hundreds of political, traditional and children's songs.  His most famous is This Land is Your Land.  Find books about him on a display on the 2nd floor of Central Park Library.  The Library of Congress has archives of his materials at Woody Guthrie and the Archive of American Folksong.

Read or listen to more about him at The Writer's Almanac by Garrison Keillor or at the Wood Guthrie website.

posted by mb

Interviewing that Gets the Job - Free Workshop

"It's not the most qualified candidate who gets the job--it's the candidate who best presents his or her qualifications.  You need to be savvy about how and what to present to employers that leads them to believe you are the right person for the job."  Camille Grabowski, Professional Career Coach.

Camille, who has successfully presented workshops here before, will coach you on how to handle the phone interview, including the salary question; the best way to present yourself in person; and how to answer those "behavior-based" interview questions.  She will lead the discussion on how to deftly handle tough questions, and teach you about the kind of follow-up that makes you memorable to the employer.

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Thursday, July 19, 2012
Central Park Library - Cedar Room

Sign up by calling (408) 615-2900, or stop by the Reference Desk so there are enough handouts and chairs.

posted by mb

Kids: Celebrate Independence Day!

Our Independence Day will be on Wednesday, July 4^th! The library has a great collection of books and resources to help your child learn more about this special holiday and discover fun ways to celebrate it. Here are some recommended titles:

Books

	Independence Day: Birthday of the United States by Elaine Landau This book contains historical facts about Independence Day, information on how it is celebrated and two fun activities that you and your child will enjoy.
	Independence Day by Marc Tyler Nobleman Learn more about the meaning of Independence Day and how it is celebrated. This informative book contains interesting facts about Independence Day.
	Fourth of July Mice! by Bethany Roberts An amusing story about four playful mice enjoying a fun Independence Day by observing a parade and participating in other fun festivities.

Activities

	Star Spangled Crafts by Kathy Ross Have a fun Independence Day by creating something special! This book will teach you and your child how to make a variety of Independence Day themed crafts, such as a firecracker lapel pin, a flag mosaic, an American eagle magnet and much more!
	Holiday & Everyday Projects by Joanna Callihan Learn how to create colorful and intriguing crafts for various holidays, including Independence Day by checking out this book.

More ways to celebrate Independence Day:

• Attend the Fourth of July All City Picnic! Enjoy live entertainment, face painting, carnival games, public swimming and delicious food served at several food booths! This event will be held from 8am to 5pm at Central Park at 969 Kiely Blvd.
• Attend one of several fireworks shows that will be happening throughout the Bay Area!

Please see a Youth Services Librarian at your library for more recommendations.
Posted by pn.