Tween Summer Blockbuster - VOTE NOW!

Voting is open for the Tween Summer Blockbuster that we'll be showing on Friday, July 27th @ 10:30am in the lower level program room.  You select the movie we should see!  Choose between:

• How to Train Your Dragon
• The Adventures of Tintin
• Bedtime Stories
• Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

Vote in a poll on our website or at the Children's Desk.  Voting is open through Thursday, July 26th.

All movies are rated PG and are intended for Tweens (ages 9 - 12) participating in the Tween Summer Reading Program, Be a Star - READ! only.

Summer Reading Featured Book #2: Things That Go Bump in the Night

Book #2: Things That Go Bump in the Night by Patrick Carman

Read, watch and listen - all in 15 minutes!  

3:15 means several things. It's a time when things go bump in the night. A place where spooky stories find a home. A feeling . . . that chill running down your spine. It means 10 terrifying tales that you'll experience in 3 parts: A frightful audio introduction. Several spooky pages of text. And a creepy video conclusion you can watch online. All in 15 minutes or less. Step into the world of 3:15 and you'll meet Cody Miller, whose greed leads to a grave mistake; Emma Franklin, who learns that not all childhood fears are foolish; Dylan Smith, who should know better than to show off his snowboarding skills on a haunted mountain; and more.  Just don't get too attached to any of them.

Tween Summer Reading - 1st Program

The first Tween Friday morning program will take place on Friday, June 29th @ 11:00am in the John Clarke Children's Program Room.  Tweens must be registered for the Children's Summer Reading Program (Dream Big - READ!) to attend.

Our first activity will be a constellation yarn craft.  No registration is required for this free program.

Find out more about the Tween Summer Reading program, Be a Star - READ!  

Note: Tween Friday programs are open to kids between the ages of 9 and 12 only.

Summer Reading Featured Book #1: The BFG

This summer I'll be featuring great books here on the blog that match our summer reading theme, Dream Big - READ!  There are so many wonderful books to read, it can be hard to know where to start!  So to give you a little help, every Monday from June 18th - August 6th I'll be recommending books that I really like that have to do with wishes, dreams and the night.  For more inspiration, check out our graded booklists.

Book #1: The BFG by Roald Dahl

Kidsnatched from her orphange by a BFG (Big Friendly Giant), whospends his life blowing happy dreams to children, Sophie concocts with him a plan to save the world from nine other man-gobbling cannybull giants.

Magician Mat Franco

Summer Reading 2012 kicks off with a performance by magician Mat Franco on Wednesday, June 20th @ 10:30am in the lower level program room.  Mat's show is filled with interactive magic and spontaneous comedy.  He'll demonstrate how reading can help you follow your dreams.  Not to be missed! No registration is required.  Ages 4+.

Puppet Camp 2012

Puppet Camp returns this summer!  For the third year in row, kids ages 8 and up are invited to participate in our two-week long puppet camp, held Monday - Friday, July 30th - August 10th.  This year's production will be "How the Big Bad Wolf Became the Big Good Wolf."  Puppeteer Sue Klau will present the history of puppetry, kids will write a script, make paper mache puppets and shadow puppets, and design the background scenery for an amazing puppet show! 

Registration is required and those who sign up should plan on being present each weekday for the full two weeks and be available for the performance.  Puppet Camp will meet from 2:00pm - 4:00pm each weekday except on Friday, August 10th when rehearsal will be from 1:00pm - 3:00pm.  The performance will take place at 3:00pm.

Puppet Camp will be held in the John Clarke Children's Program Room.  All materials are provided for this free program sponsored by the Friends of the Newport Public Library.  Those interested in puppetry, theater, writing and acting are encouraged to come to spend two weeks with us at Puppet Camp!

Kids Reading Across Rhode Island

Kids Reading Across Rhode Island (KRARI) returns with a kick-off celebration at the Rhode Island State House in Providence on Saturday, June 16th at 1:00pm.  The KRARI book for 2012 is.... Dave at Night by Gail Carson Levine!

Gail Carson Levine will be on hand for a presentation, book sale and book signing.  Get a free copy of Dave at Night!  Visit the Newport Public Library's table for summer reading information and a free craft project.  The event will also feature performing parrots, John Magnan's wood sculptures, snacks from Dave's Marketplace and Johnson & Wales University and the Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art.

Free parking is available in RI state lots.  Hope to see you there!