Robot Reading

Interested in space, science and cool robot technology?  Check out these books:

Robots

The authors of the acclaimed and bestselling Fantastic Feats and Failures and Science Detectives present a detailed look at robots yesterday, today and in the future.

Nova’s Ark by David Kirk

Nova, a robot boy from the planet Roton, accidentally rockets himself into space during a class field trip and eventually stumbles across the energy source his planet needs for survival.

Ricky Ricotta’s Giant Robot vs. The Mutant Mosquitos from Mercury by Dav Pilkey

A mouse named Ricky Ricotta and his giant flying robot attempt to save the world from an invasion of massive mutant mosquitoes from Mercury.

Star Wars: Ready, Set, Podrace! by Simon Beecroft

Nine-year-old Anakin flies the podracer he built all by himself.

Digging Dinosaurs!

On Thursday, July 8, Scott Williams of the Burpee Museum presented to a crowd of 45 (age ranging from infant to 99!).  Scott talked about the Jurassic and Crustaceous periods; what the earth looked like as one continent and as it began to separate; how he is able to find, transport and protect dinosaur bones; and more.  Further, Scott shared some of the excitement of digging dinosaurs, telling stories about specific discoveries.  He even shared the story of a Hollywood connection! (While on a dig in Utah, a Hollywood film was being shot nearby.  Some of the actors and actresses visited the dig site and were so excited about what they saw there that Scott was invited to visit the movie set to talk more about dinosaurs with the movie's cast and crew.)  Scott also allowed for plenty of Q&A time.  Of course, everyone was curious to inspect the Apatsaurus skull (shown in the photo) and other cool artifacts lent to the library by the Burpee Musuem.

Fun With Dinosaurs!

This week we learned all about dinosaurs, read stories about dinosaur digs, sang tongue-twisting songs and created dinosaur fossils.


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Digging Dinosaurs With Burpee Museum

Scott Williams, 1992 Stillman Valley High School graduate and Burpee Museum Director of Exhibits & Science, will discuss his lifelong interest of geology and paleontology, as well as his experience on the field crew that discovered Burpee’s famous Tyrannosaurus Rex, Jane.  Scott supervised the preparation of Jane’s skeleton.  During his visual and oral presentation, Scott will also discuss the 2005 expedition he planned and led in which a sub-adult Triceratops was discovered and the 2008 paleontological dig which resulted in the discovery of a large dinosaur bone bed.  A cast of an Apatosaurus skull will be on view during the week of the event. 

 Appropriate for all ages.  Drop-ins welcome!

Dino-Books

Since we're traveling to the Age of the Dinosaurs this week, we thought we'd give some suggestions for further reading. Here are some favorites:

Dinosaur Parents, Dinosaur Young by Kathleen Widner Zoehfeld
Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld draws from the very latest findings to describe how scientists are continually making new discoveries and drawing new conclusions about what life was like for dinosaurs and their young. The result is an exciting and accessible book, packed with beautiful, informative illustrations and photographs, that brings us closer than ever before to the truth about dinosaur families.

The Kingfisher Treasury of Dinosaur Stories by Jeremy Strong
Big and small, fierce and friendly, dinosaurs of all kinds roam through this monster story collection. A hungry pterosaur in a supermarket parking lot, a pet brontosaurus that rescues its family from a flood, and a terrifying tyrannosaurus that almost eats a small boy for lunch are just some of the dinosaurs to meet.





 

 I Can Read About Dinosaurs by John Howard
Beginning readers can learn fascinating facts & information about dinosaurs.

Danny and the Dinosaur Go to Camp by Syd Hoff
Danny and his friend the dinosaur go to summer camp together.

How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? By Jan Yolen
Describes what a young dinosaur should do in order to quickly get over being sick.

Readers Travel To the Middle Ages

Check out photos from our recent travels to the Middle Ages:

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Learn More About the Middle Ages

Cheryl shared some fun (and gross!) facts about the Middle Ages this week. To read more about princesses, dragons and knights, check out these books at your library:

What If You Met a Knight? by Jan Adkins
Real knights didn’t look or act anything like the knights in movies about King Arthur. Learn about the world of real knights who were professional warriors, eager for glory.

Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
The thirteen-year-old daughter of an English country knight keeps a journal in which she records the events of her life, particularly her longing for adventures beyond the usual role of women and her efforts to avoid being married off.

The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy
Miss Lotta Scales is a dragon who believes her job is to protect the school's library books from the children, but when she finally realizes that books are meant to be read, the dragon turns into Miss Lotty, librarian and storyteller.

Weapons of the Middle Ages by Matt Doeden
The knight in shining armor has become a symbol of medieval times. Discover the tools of combat involved in some of the battles of the middle ages.

Penny by Jane E. Gerver
Princess Isabella must go on a quest and chooses her Shetland pony Penny to help her.

Princess Hyacinth: The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated by Florence Parry Heide
Princess Hyacinth is bored and unhappy sitting in her palace every day because, unless she is weighed down by specially-made clothes, she will float away, but her days are made brighter when kite-flying Boy stops to say hello.

Mouse Guard Fall 1152 by David Petersen
A group of mice struggle to live safely against all of the world’s harsh conditions and predators. Follows the adventures of three mice, Saxon, Kenzie and Lieam, as they patrol borders and strive to make safe ways to keep the mouse territories free from predators.

Take Care, Good Knight by Shelley Moore Thomas
The three little dragons have agreed to take care of the old wizard's cats while he is away, but their inability to read his instructions causes problems until their friend, the Good Knight, saves the day.

Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
Bored with traditional palace life, a princess goes off to live with a group of dragons and soon becomes involved with fighting against some disreputable wizards who want to steal away the dragons' kingdom.