Public schools are taking a break, and so is Kidoinfo. You’ll find there’s more than usual going on in Rhode Island this week! Way more than what’s listed here—consider yourself lucky if you’re staying close to home.

This list is the tip of the iceberg—check our events calendar for more.

Keep in mind: many venues will be more crowded than usual. It’s wise to call ahead to confirm ticket availability or to check for cancellations.

1. In our book, number one will always be RELAXING AT HOME, with no rushing for the bus, no misplaced homework pages, and plenty of time for pancakes and coloring.

2. PROVIDENCE CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL. Long films, short films, animated ones and ones with real people. None made by Disney.

3. ICE SKATE in Providence or Newport or at your neighborhood’s smoothest frozen body of water.

4. NEWPORT WINTER FESTIVAL—going on all week, with special events for children February 14th & 15th.

5. MAKE VALENTINES check the events calendar for cookie decorating and card making options or get crafty at your kitchen table.

6. INVESTIGATE BITE WEEK at Mystic Aquarium. Chomp!

7. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT all week long at Buttonwood Park Zoo—including Toe Jam Puppet Band on Monday—and it’s all FREE with zoo admission.

8. THE AUDUBON SOCIETY has richly varied special events for young naturalists all week.

9. FLIP BOOKS, STUFFED CREATURES, ARCHITECTURE and more! Classes for kids at Warren Art Spot.

10. LIBRARY TIME. Visit your favorite branch or explore a new one. Free. Many libraries have special activities planned for vacation week.

What will you and your family choose? Share your favorite places to go, things to do, and ways to enjoy a week of wintry togetherness. We love your comments and depend on them for great ideas.

The Rhode Island Center for the Book at Providence Public Library announces the 2010 title in this year’s statewide read project.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.

About This Year’s Book

Written with warmth and humor, the novel begins in 1946 beneath the hovering WWII cloud of departed German troops who had occupied the island of Guernsey, one of the UK Channel Islands. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society affirms the power of books and their ability to sustain people in difficult times. It transports us, as is the nature of good books, and carries us away, improbabilities and internal logic notwithstanding.  It also revives the lost art of letter writing, empowered by deeply human characters who literally leap out from the pages as they contrast a dark period in history with wit and wisdom, and in doing so, demonstrate the power of the human spirit.

Author Mary Ann Shaffer, a librarian and editor, nurtured the tale about Guernsey for 20 years before committing pen to paper. Sadly, Ms. Shaffer passed away in February, 2008 before the final edits to the manuscript were complete.  She asked her niece, Annie Barrows, to complete the revisions. Annie Barrows, author of the popular children’s series Ivy & Bean and The Magic Half, nominated for the 2010 Rhode Island Children’s Book Award, has agreed to come to Rhode Island for the project’s finale in May.
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Looking for something to do with your kids during vacation? Here’s my Top Ten List of things to do – many are Free and Cheap. Check the Kidoinfo calendar, Winter Guide and blog for more ideas.

1. Host a crafternoon. Have kids (and parent) bring a shoebox filled with stickers, magazines, ribbons, rubber stamps, glue sticks and scissors. (Crafty ideas: Make books, paper bead necklaces, collage bookmarks, puppets, treasure box…) (Free / Cheap)

2. Go ice skating outdoors at the River Island Ice Skating Rink in Woonsocket. (Free / Cheap)

3. Book a Rhode Trip. Visit a new library with your children. (Free / Cheap)

4. Animal Power. See what the animals are doing this time of year at Roger Williams Park Zoo. (half-price admission)*

5. Read the Biggest, Best Snowman than build the biggest, best snowman ever. Find more winter book ideas here. (Free / Cheap)

6. Set up a playdate swap with a friend. (Free / Cheap)

7. All aboard. Take the commuter train to Boston. Plan a trip to the Museum of Science in Boston to see the Harry Potter exhibit.

6. Check out classic movies from your local library; Red Balloon, Yellow Submarine, Singing in the Rain, Charlie Chaplin. (Free / Cheap)

9. Building Blocks. Build a castle, city or rocketship using all of your Legos. (Free / Cheap)

10. Bundle up and head out on a winter hike. Explore a wildlife refuge. Try it with snowshoes. (Free / Cheap)

* Get passes from the library.

After an extensive national search for a library director, Providence Community Library has hired Rhode Island native Ann A. Robinson to supervise its new nine-library system, formerly part of Providence Public Library.

Having most recently served as the Associate Head Librarian of the Worcester Public Library for eight years, Robinson has experience working in a city similar to Providence in size and diversity of population.

A graduate of Clark University, Robinson earned her library degree at Simmons College and was a social worker for a decade before beginning her library career in 1987 as director of the Bancroft Memorial Library in Hopedale, Massachusetts. Over the next twenty years, she gained considerable experience in many areas of library administration as she moved to progressively larger cities with more complex library systems.

Maureen Romans, co-chair of the PCL Search committee that recommended Robinson to the PCL Board, commented, “Despite receiving applications from across the country, we found Ann Robinson to be the person best suited for Providence. We are delighted that she is from the area and will understand our needs.” Robinson was raised in Pawtucket, and her family moved to Providence in 1971. Robinson reflected, “In the early 1980s I had the pleasure of introducing my two-year-old niece to the Rochambeau Library and was thrilled when she wanted to return over and over again.”

“I look forward to working with Ms. Robinson and the Providence Community Library as we preserve the core mission of the former Providence Public Library” said Mayor David N. Cicilline. This work is tremendously important to the residents of Providence and especially our children.”

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To commemorate the transfer of library operations from Providence Public Library to Providence Community Library (PCL) on July 1, local libraries will be marking this historic event, with celebrations at each of the nine libraries. To start, a day of amnesty has been declared on library fines, meaning that overdue books owned by the nine libraries can be returned without charge. Ribbons will be cut to open each building that day, and books will ceremonially be relayed from neighborhood to neighborhood over the course of the afternoon. The relay kicks off at the Knight Memorial branch at 2:30 pm, traveling counter-clockwise around the city and arriving back on Elmwood Avenue at 7:00 pm. Commemorative T-shirts will also be for sale at every library.

Additionally, each branch planned its own celebration for the day. The activities will include karaoke at Olneyville Library, origami lessons at Rochambeau and a cookout at Smith Hill. “This is an exciting day for the city of Providence,” says Matthew Lawrence, one of the organizers of the celebrations. “It’s also a great opportunity for people to rediscover their neighborhood libraries, and a chance for each neighborhood to show off for an afternoon.”

Please join the library celebrations today!

Fox Point: Live music inside and outside, kids’ crafts, and food, from 5-7pm.  This event will be taking place, weather permitting, in the courtyard in front of the library, and will last beyond the library’s scheduled closing hour.

Knight Memorial: Potluck from 6-7:30.

Mount Pleasant: Refreshments and kids’ events from 4-6.

Olneyville: Karaoke party from 5-7:30.

Rochambeau: Party in front of the library from 3-5:30.  Live music, origami demonstrations, and food.

Smith Hill: A cookout in the back garden and kids’ programs inside, from 4-7pm.  Food donated by Councilman Hassett.

South Providence: Party from 3-6.  Councilman Aponte will be providing hamburgers, the street will be blocked off, and a police horse will relay a book from South Providence to Fox Point at 3:30.

Wanskuck: Planting in front of the library, beginning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1. Refreshments will follow.

Washington Park: A Bigfoot film festival, debate and popcorn, starting at 2.

Providence Public Library Outlines Schedule for Central Library Operation

Beginning July 1, 2009, the Central Library of the Providence Public Library (PPL) and the nine city-wide neighborhood library branches will be operated independently. As of this date, the City of Providence and the newly formed Providence Community Library will take over operation of the city’s neighborhood branches. PPL will continue to operate the downtown Central Library and the Statewide Reference Resource Center at 150 Empire Street. Central Library services and resources will be fully accessible.

Providence Community Library and many of the Friends’ groups at library branches are planning special events to celebrate this reorganization that guarantee all library branches will remain open. We will post events as we hear about them. If you would like to help, volunteer, or donate items needed to help Providence Community Library, please contact them.

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The Summer Reading Program, sponsored by the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS), is a cooperative effort among the public libraries in Rhode Island to promote reading during the summer school vacation. The program encourages reading for pleasure, the development of positive attitudes about the public library, and provides constructive activities during the long break from school. Eligible children include preschoolers whose parents read aloud to them to sixth graders.

The Summer Reading Program varies in specifics from library to library but in general incentives are provided to encourage children to read a book each week such as weekly raffles, free admission passes to 13 places like the Roger Williams Park Zoo and the Providence Children’s Museum for each book read, and prizes and a party at the end. There will be approximately 240 FREE performances this year by storytellers, entertainers and educators, along with crafts, activity sheets, and many special theme-related events to encourage continued participation throughout the summer.

Children are encouraged to sign up at their local library branches beginning the week of June 22. Sign up dates may vary between libraries.

Details:
• Rhode Island:
For the complete statewide summer reading program schedule, visit Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS).

• Providence:
Providence Public Library Summer Reading Program begins June 22 with sign-ups at individual branch libraries and a complete line-up of activities and events through mid-August. For complete program descriptions and schedule of activities and events, click here for 2009 Summer Reading updates.

• Summer Reading Program Performer Schedule
This years performers include: Julie Garnett, The Great Baldini, Katie Latimer-Palmer, Mad Science, Carolyn Martino, Ronald McDonald, Keith Munslow, Napua O’Polynesia
There will be approximately 240 performances. Events are free but some libraries require pre-registration to attend events or hold them at an alternative location. Please check with individual libraries for more complete information.

• Performance Schedule for all of Rhode Island
• Performance Schedule for Providence Branches

• Summer Reading Lists 2009
Providence School Department Lists, K-8 (Click here)

• Artwork for “Be Creative @ Your Library”
David Catrow created the artwork for “Be Creative @ Your Library” this year. “Quirky,” “offbeat,” “wonderfully weird,” “flamboyant caricatures,” “eccentric characters,”— these are just a few ways reviewers describe David Catrow’s picture book illustrations. Catrow, who is also an award-winning editorial cartoonist, has collaborated with a number of award-winning children’s authors, including Kathryn Lasky, Robert D. San Souci, and Karen Beaumont over the past two decades illustrating dozens of picture books that have delighted children and their parents. He lives in Springfield, Ohio.

A sampling of books illustrated by David Catrow: I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More by Karen Beaumont; She’s Wearing a Dead Bird on Her Head by Kathryn Lasky; I Wanna Iguana by Karen Orloff; Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs by Alan Katz; Plantzilla by Jerdine Nolan; The Boy Who Wouldn’t Share by Mike Reiss; and Cinderella Skeleton by Robert D. San Souci.

Mark your calendar! Dress as your favorite Star Wars character and meet Ryder Windham, author of over sixty Star Wars books, on Monday, May 11, 2009, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at the Rochambeau Library Branch.

Our boys became obsessed with Star Wars long before they ever saw a movie. First they discovered the cool action figures, robots, and ships at their friend’s house. Through imaginary play, they came up with stories and numerous adventures for these characters. Then we moved on to finding books at the library to learn about the characters and their affiliations. It was not until recently that they got to see some of the films (the original trilogy). I am not a fan of war and weapons, yet I have embraced Star Wars for its ability to sweep kids up into adventure, the science of space, and technology. I find the stories have striking relevance to real-life issues, teaching my kids that there are consequences for the choices they make and the  actions they take. Good versus Evil is a classic story theme. And Star Wars is all about this and more.

If your kids are Star Wars fans—whether they have seen any or all the movies or read the books—they will enjoy meeting  Ryder Windham and learning more about Star Wars from an authority. They can even come dressed as their favorite Star Wars character.

Return to Tatooine: Secrets of the Star Wars Sand Planet

In May, we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the premiere of Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace. The sand planet Tatooine appeared in all but one of the Star Wars movies (you are a true fan if you can guess which ones), and has been featured in numerous novels, comics, and games. Although ten years have passed since The Phantom Menace revealed that Anakin Skywalker once lived on Tatooine, many areas of this fictional world have remained a mystery. . . until now!

Ryder Windham has written more than sixty Star Wars and Indiana Jones books, including juvenile fiction, comic book scripts, movie novelizations, and information guides. For this event, he will share his secrets of writing Star Wars stories and read an excerpt from a forthcoming novel featuring Luke Skywalker on Tatooine!

If you own books by Ryder Windham, bring them along and the author will be happy to sign them for you. He will also be giving away signed souvenirs. And since kids often love the opportunity to dress up and parents like to get full use out of the costumes they made or bought, we invite your kids to come dressed as their favorite Star Wars character.

For fans with questions about Star Wars stories or characters, e-mail your  questions   to me (anisa at kidoinfo dot com) and I will submit them to Ryder to answer that evening. If you can’t come, send your questions anyway, and we will post the answers on Kidoinfo after the event. I know my boys want to know Ryder’s favorite character, so there’s one question already.

Details:
An evening with Ryder Windam sponsored by Friends of Rochambeau
Monday, May 11, 2009
6:30 PM-7:30 PM
Rochambeau Branch, Providence Public Library – 708 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02906 (Map it)
Cost: Free
Ages: All ages.
Phone: 401-455-8198

With the cold weather lingering, new mamas can begin to feel trapped inside with their babes. Fear not!  There are many (low-cost) indoor baby-friendly venues at your disposal that get you get out of the house…which can be a real sanity-saver in those first months of motherhood.  Check out some of these “hot spots”:

• Coffee shops—Grab a beverage and a comfy chair and take some time to relax.
• Libraries—Most libraries have story times for babies – a great place to meet other new moms!
• Book stores—Check out the children’s section and read any number of colorful baby books to your little one, or get reacquainted with your favorite author’s latest book. (Books on the Square in Wayland Square has a weekly story time specifically for babies.)
• Walk the mall—Get your exercise and maybe even lull your baby to sleep at the same time!
• Join your local YMCA—The Y has many wonderful family-friendly activities, including swim classes. Or, after your baby reaches six weeks of age, let the babysitting staff take care of him or her free of charge while you resume your exercise routine.
• Join a New Moms Group—There is nothing better than connecting with other new moms who are experiencing the same highs and lows of motherhood as you! (Check the Kidoinfo Resource Directoy for local groups.)

Kristen Kardos, MA Ed., and Kathy McGuigan, MSW, the co-founders of RI New Moms Connection, provide affordable, accessible pregnancy and new mom groups throughout Rhode Island. In “Tips for New Moms” they share their knowledge, resources, and helpful ideas for moms just beginning their journey into parenthood or moms who may need a little refresher.

Editor’s Note: Although “Tips for New Moms” is written with the new mom in mind—to support women in their journey through motherhood—it is certainly not the authors’ intention to exclude dads. Every new parent will find their tips, resources, and insights helpful. I invite all moms and dads to share ideas on how they manage their new role as a parent with Kidoinfo in the comments below.

Patricia Raub from the newly formed Providence Community Library group shares a little background about what has been happening with the Providence Public Library in recent months and about this newly formed organization. Providence Community Library has set up a number of public community forums to discuss the issue of saving the PPL branches slated to close by summer. Representatives from both PPL and Providence Community Library will be on hand at these forums to present their respective plans for the coming fiscal year, and elected representatives from the neighborhoods will be participating in these forums as well.

The forum at the Rocahambeau branch last week was well attended. If you missed it or want to learn more, here is a list of upcoming forums:

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