Join us for our Puppet Shows!

Now showing at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main (Oakland) it's....

Anansi the Spider! Come see that tricky spider Anansi star in two of his most fabulous tales Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock and Anansi Goes Fishing.

All shows are at 10:30 am unless otherwise indicated. Please call 412-622-3122 to register or email children@carnegielibrary.org

Show dates:
Friday May 16
Saturday May 17
Sunday May 18, 12:30
Tuesday May 20
Wednesday May 21
Thursday May 22
Friday May 23
Tuesday May 27
Wednesday May 28
Thursday May 29

Special showing for the Summer Reading Extravaganza!
June 8 at 1:30pm and 3pm

Sheep!

The International Children's Festival 2008 is being held in Oakland this year. They've got all kinds of activities, crafts and performances.

Best of all, they also have... baby animals! Here's one little lamb really trying to Catch the Reading Bug while chewing on Miss Julie's id badge!

More Sheep!

And for those of you who are towards the end of your hardworking day and who could use a little lift, I give you, our readers, the following. Enjoy!

Children's Librarians & Children's Authors: Laura Cathon

Storypockets looks at the rich tradition of author-librarians at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Our previous installment featured LeClaire Alger, AKA Sorche Nic Leodhas. This week, we focus on Laura Cathon.

Laura Cathon (1908-1991) Wasn’t just a children’s librarian. She was head of the Children’s Department in the Main Library. She taught classes in reference service at Carnegie Library School and was active in the American Library Association.

In addition to writing book reviews and professional articles, Laura Cathon edited folklore collections wrote the animal adventure story Tot Botot and his Little Flute.



Next week, Storypockets features author-librarian Elva Smith.

Children's Librarians & Children's Authors: Leclaire Alger

What do Avi, Beverly Cleary , and Megan McDonald all have in common?

Well, besides being the authors of beloved and award-winning children’s books, they have all three been librarians. Authors Among Us has an impressive list of author-librarians.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh also has an impressive list of author-librarians. Over the years, many of our children's librarians have also been children’s authors.



Today, Storypockets begins a weekly series of profling Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s author-librarians.


Leclaire Alger (1898-1969) had a library career spanning several decades and various library positions, including page and branch librarian. She is best known for her research and retelling of Scottish folktales. She wrote under the name Sorche Nic Leodhas, Gaelic for “Claire, daughter of Louis.” As Sorche Nic Leodhas, she received a Newbery Honor for Thistle and Thyme: Tales and Legends from Scotland.

Next week, Storypockets features author-librarian Laura Cathon.

Nature Detectives: Bugs, Birds, Bats, and Plants Up Close

Come join Nature Detectives as we look at pollination! Miss Debbie has a wonderful special guest botanist to join us. We'll have lots of specimens, a demonstration of how flowers bring bees to the right spot for nectar, and show how pollination works to help plants grow.

She'll lead us all in making our own journals to press specimens which everyone will be able to make and enjoy at home!

Day: Saturday
Date: May 10
Time: 2pm

Today is Free Comic Book Day!

Look at this cool thing that I just found out about!

It's Free Comic Book Day!

What is it?

"Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free* to anyone who comes into their stores. "

* Each retailer will decide the guidelines for receiving comics.

Awesome!

UPDATE: When I went down the street to check things out at Phantom of the Attic, the proprietor made me a great big bag of comics to bring back for the children. They're on the kiosk! You can't check them out, but you can certainly read them while you're here!