Do you like to play chess?  Would you like a chance to develop your chess-playing skills?  Then we invite you to our Family Chess Nights at the library.  All playing levels are welcome. Boards and equipment will be provided by the library.  During the school year Family Chess Nights occur on the first Monday of the month at the Main Library and on the fourth Monday of the month at the Indian Creek Branch.  No registration is required.  All ages are welcome, but kindergartners and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Here is a list of upcoming dates and times:

Monday, February 22 - 6:30-8:00 p.m. @ Indian Creek Branch
Monday, March 1 - 6:30-8:00 p.m. @ Main Library
Monday, March 22 - 6:30-8:00 p.m. @ Indian Creek Branch
Monday, April 5 - 6:30-8:00 p.m. @ Main Library
Monday, April 26 - 6:30-8:00 p.m. @ Indian Creek Branch
Monday, May 3 - 6:30-8:00 p.m. @ Main Library
Monday, May 24 - 6:30-8:00 p.m. @ Indian Creek Branch

So mark your calendars, and come play with a worthy opponent.  Checkmate!

The winner of the 2010 Newbery Medal is When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.  In this book twelve-year-old Miranda encounters shifting friendships, a sudden punch, a strange homeless man and mysterious notes that hint at knowledge of the future.  These and other seemingly random events converge in a brilliantly constructed plot.

Four books were chosen as Newbery Honor books:  Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin, and The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick.

The winner of the 2010 Caldecott Medal is
The Lion and the Mouse written and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney.  In glowing colors, Pinkney’s textured watercolor illustrations masterfully portray the relationship between two very unlikely friends in this virtually wordless retelling of Aesop’s classic fable.

Two titles were named Caldecott Honor books:  All the World illustrated by Marla Frazee and written by Liz Garton Scanlon and Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski and written by Joyce Sidman.

Other 2010 award winners include:

Geisel Award:  Benny and Penny in the Big No-No! by Geoffrey Hayes
Coretta Scott King Author Award:  Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award:   My People illustrated by Charles R. Smith Jr. and written by Langston Hughes
Belpre Author Award:  Return to Sender by Julie Alvarez
Belpre Illustrator Award:  Book Fiesta! Celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day illustrated by Rafael Lopez and written by Pat Mora
Sibert Medal:  Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Lee Stone

Are you a fan of the A to Z Mysteries or the Capital Mysteries?  Then you’ll be interested to know that author Ron Roy has a brand new series called Calendar Mysteries.  These books feature the younger siblings of the kids from the A to Z Mysteries.  So far only the first two titles in this series have been released, but there will surely be ten more to come!

Karen Land and her sled dog, Borage, are coming to the Indian Creek Branch Library on Wednesday, January 27 at 7:00 p.m.  Karen has participated in the Iditarod Dog Sled Race across Alaska three times!   Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hear all about her icy adventures as a dog sled racer. 

This program is for elementary-aged children through adult.  Parents must attend with their children.  NOTE:  This is a longer program and will last approximately 2 hours.  Registration is required.  Register at either Olathe library or call (913) 971-6874.

More than 30 kids came to library on December 29 to play Bingo!  It was a rousing time as Miss Carlotta called out the numbers and everyone kept their fingers crossed for that lucky win.

Are you looking for something fun to do while school is out?  Here are some activities happening at the library during the winter break.

Family Chess Night - for all ages
Monday, December 28 - 6:30-8:00 p.m. @ Indian Creek Branch

Play Bingo - for 1st-6th graders
Tuesday, December 29 - 1:00 p.m. @ Main Library

Bedtimes Stories for a Winter’s Night - a family storytime
Tuesday, December 29 - 7:00 p.m. @ Indian Creek Branch

Read to a Dog - for young readers of all ages
Saturday, January 2 - 1:30-2:30 p.m @ Indian Creek Branch

Make a Silly Weather Forecaster - for 1st-6th graders
Monday, January 4 - 2:00 p.m. @ Main Library

Free Family Movie SHORTS - for all ages
Tuesday, January 5 - 2:00 p.m @ Main LIbrary

Make a Silly Weather Forecaster - for 1st-6th graders
Wednesday, January 6 - 2:00 p.m. @ Indian Creek Branch

For more details about these and other programs, visit our Programs web page.  Don’t forget that both libraries will be closed on December 24, December 25, and January 1.  We will also be closing early at 3:00 p.m. on December 31.  Happy holidays!

During this cold and flu season, everyone is trying to stay healthy.  Here are four ways to keep from getting sick and spreading your germs:

    1.  Get vaccinated.
    2.  Cover your cough.
    3.  Stay home when you’re sick.
    4.  Wash your hands!

Children’s musician Bill Harley has written a fun song to remind us all about the importance of washing our hands to stay well and healthy.  Click the graphic below to hear this great little song, “Wash Your Hands (lávate las manos).”  And don’t forget to wash your hands!

Doesn’t it seem like all the grown-ups are complaining about how busy and stressful life is during the holiday season?  Everyone is rushing about to and fro—baking, shopping, decorating, sending cards, attending special events…  Why not take a break from all the madness and read a book together as a family?  Make it a part of your holiday traditions.  Below are a few of my favorite Christmas books, perfect for sharing together.

 The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
The widow McDowell and her seven-year-old son Thomas ask the gruff Jonathan Toomey, the best wood-carver in the valley, to carve the figures for a Christmas creche.

Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck
On Christmas Eve a man recalls the holiday many years ago when he gave his father, a struggling farmer, a most-appreciated gift by rising extra early to do his father’s biggest chore—the milking.

Night Tree by Eve Bunting
A family makes its annual pilgrimage to decorate an evergreen with food for the forest animals at Christmastime.

The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco
During a scarlet fever epidemic one winter near Union City, Michigan, the grandparents in a Jewish family help make Christmas special for their ailing Christian neighbors by making their own Hanukkah miracle.  Based on a memory from the author’s childhood.

Christmas in the Country by Cynthia Rylant
In this nostalgic story, a girl reflects on Christmas at her grandparents’ home in the country, with its fresh-cut tree, handmade ornaments, gifts from Santa, and special church services.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
This book’s young narrator, whose mother is saddled with directing the church’s annual Christmas pageant, becomes newly aware of the season’s true meaning after the horrible Herdmans, a family of truly terrifying brats, bully themselves into the major roles of the pageant.  This chapter book is a perfect holiday read aloud filled with humor and heart.

Model trains are coming to the library!  This Thursday night and all day Saturday, model trains will be on display at the Main Library.  The trains will be running, and experts will be on hand to answer any questions about the trains and the display.  Below are the times you can drop by the Storytime Room and see the model trains in action:

Thursday, December 10 between 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 12 between 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

If you are a fan of toy trains, you won’t want to miss this special display.  And while you’re at the library, why not check out a book or video about trains?  The I Love Toy Trains series is especially popular. All aboard!!

Once again the Children’s staff at the Olathe Public Library and Indian Creek Branch have compiled a list of some of our favorite books from the last year—with maybe a few old favorites thrown in for good measure.  If you are looking for a special book to give that special child on your holiday shopping list, we hope you might consider some of our staff picks.  We’ve tried to select a wide variety of books for all different age levels:  picture books, chapter books, easy readers, nonfiction, poetry, and more.  You’re sure to find just the right book for your holiday giving.

All of the books on our Holiday Staff Picks list will be on display at both Olathe libraries through the end of the year.  The books on display cannot be checked out, but we’re always happy to request any titles for you.  Click here to see the list.  Copies of the list may also be picked up at the Children’s Deparment.