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Harry Potter Listening Session

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone audiobook cover
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone audiobook cover

Calling all Harry Potter fans! On Saturday, July 30 — the eve of Harry’s birthday — the Library will have a special listening session, from 1:30-4:30 p.m., of the beginning of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. What exactly is a “listening session”? It means that we will be gathering in the Children’s Room and listening to a recording of the incomparable Jim Dale reading the beginning of the first book in the Harry Potter series. In other words, we’ll be “reading with our ears,” instead of reading with our eyes. You’re invited to bring a blanket and pillow to make yourselves comfortable as you listen; we’ll provide snacks, birthday cake, and lemonade, courtesy of the Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library. We’ll also have some postcard-sized Harry Potter art to color as you listen. No registration required. (NOTE: The “new” Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, will be formally released at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, July 31. We will have several copies available, hopefully during our regular Sunday hours (12-5 p.m.) It’s important to know, however, that it is not a typical fiction book, but is the rehearsal script of the play that has just opened in London. So some readers may find that the script format makes it a bit more challenging to get the rhythm of the story, at least at first).

 

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Takoma Park Author Debuts First Picture Book

Cover of Let Me Finish! authored by Takoma Park resident Minh Le.
Cover of Let Me Finish! authored by Takoma Park resident Minh Le.

Join us on Tuesday, June 7, at 7:00 PM for a program featuring Takoma Park resident Minh Le, whose first picture book – Let Me Finish! – has just been published. Isabel Roxas, who illustrated the book, also will be on hand, and will do some live drawing for the crowd. Le’s book tells the story of a child who just wants to finish his book in peace. Each time he starts on a book, however, one of a series of well-meaning, and obviously well-read, animals inadvertently let slip plot spoilers in their eagerness to launch impromptu book discussions. Politics & Prose will be selling copies of the book at our event but the program is free and no purchase is required.

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Takoma Park resident Minh Le , author of Let Me Finish!
Takoma Park resident Minh Le , author of Let Me Finish!
Isabel Roxas, illustrator of Let Me Finish!
Isabel Roxas, illustrator the of Let Me Finish!
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Meet 2016 Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall

Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall
Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall

Join us Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 PM in the Library’s Children’s Room for a chance to meet “reigning” Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall. She’s coming to talk about her newest project, illustrating a new chapter book series, The Witches of Benevento, written by John Bemelmans Marciano. The series, aimed at ages 7-10, focuses on five cousins and the way they outwit the many witches who live in their hometown of Benevento, Italy. School Library Journal noted of the first book, Mischief Season: “Magical spells and amusing characters with distinctive personalities, coupled with an engaging story with a twist, will captivate readers and leave them clamoring for future stories….”

Blackall won the 2016 Caldecott Medal for her illustrations for Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear. The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association to the artist of the “most distinguished American picture book for children,” and is regarded as one of the most prestigious awards in the world of children’s literature. Marciano, the grandson of Madeline creator Ludwig Bemelmans, has continued the Madeline series and also written several other books, including The Nine Lives of Alexander Baddenfield, also illustrated by Blackall.

At our May 19 event, Politics & Prose will be selling copies of Finding Winnie as well as the first two books of The Witches of Benevento series, but our program is free and no purchase is required to attend. Please join us for a rare opportunity to meet a Caldecott Medalist!

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The Peace Tree From Hiroshima

The Peace Tree From Hiroshima cover illustration
Cover illustration for the book The Peace Tree From Hiroshima

On Thursday, May 12 at 7:30 PM., author Sandra Moore and illustrator Kazumi Wilds will discuss their children’s book, The Peace Tree From Hiroshima in the Library’s Children’s Room. Their presentation is timely, given the announcement that President Obama will visit Hiroshima later this month. In our program, Moore, a local resident, and Wilds, visiting from California, will talk about how the book came together. The Peace Tree From Hiroshima tells the story of a bonsai tree that was cared for by generations of a Japanese family; the little tree somehow survived the bombing of Hiroshima and was donated 40 years ago to the National Arboretum by Japan to celebrate the U.S. bicentennial. Publishers Weekly called the book a “straightforward but affecting tribute to patience, dedication, and a generosity of spirit that surmounted tragedy.” Copies of the book will be on sale at the program, but the event is free and no purchase is required.

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Graphic Novelist Kevin McCloskey

Photo of graphic novelist Kevin McCloskey
Graphic novelist Kevin McCloskey will talk about his new book, “The Real Poop on Pigeons,” on Thursday, April 28 at 7:00 PM.

Graphic novelist Kevin McCloskey will read and discuss his new book for young readers, The Real Poop on Pigeons, on Thursday, April 28 at 7:00 PM. McCloskey also will do some drawing for the audience at the program. In his book, McCloskey mixes fact with humor as he writes about the common pigeon, showing why these birds are both fascinating and helpful. Politics & Prose will be selling copies of McCloskey’s book, but our event is free and no purchase is required. Please join us for what promises to be an entertaining and educational event!

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Bilingual Children’s Book Event

Cover art of the Olinguito de la A a Z/Olinguito From A to Z book by author/illustrator Lule Delacre
We’ll have a special “Dia” at the Takoma Park Maryland Library on Sunday, April 24 at 3:00 PM as local author/illustrator Lulu Delacre talks about her new Spanish/English book, Olinguito de la A a Z/Olinguito From A to Z.

We’ll have a special “Dia” (Dia de los Ninos/ Dia de los Libros, Children’s Day/Book Day) at the Takoma Park Maryland Library on Sunday, April 24 at 3:00 PM as local author/illustrator Lulu Delacre talks about her new Spanish/English book, Olinguito de la A a Z/Olinguito From A to Z. In the book, Delacre cleverly uses the alphabet to introduce young readers to the habitat of the olinguito, a recently discovered mammal that lives in the cloud forest of the Ecuadorean Andes. Kirkus called Delacre’s book, aimed at ages 4-8, “poetic and informative, a breath of fresh air in the too-often-contrived world of bilingual books.” Delacre’s presentation will end with a craft related to her book. Politics & Prose will be selling copies of Delacre’s book, but the event is free and no purchase is required to attend. Please join us for this fun way to enjoy a new bilingual book and participate in the national celebration of “Dia de los Ninos/Dia de los Libros”!

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Photo of Olinguito de la A a Z/Olinguito From A to Z author/illustrator Lulu Delacre
Author/illustrator Lulu Delacre will read and discuss her new bilingual alphabet book, “Olinguito, From A to Z!” on April 24 at 3:00 PM at the Takoma Park Maryland Library!
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Come to the Party on April 7!

Cover art of Where's The Party? by author/illustrator Ruth Chan
Author/Illustrator Ruth Chan will be at the Takoma Park Maryland Library at 7:00 PM on April 7 to launch her debut book “Where’s the Party?”

All are invited to a special party at the Library on Thursday, April 7, at 7:00 PM when author/illustrator Ruth Chan launches her first picture book, “Where’s the Party?” We’ll have party hats and prizes, plus birthday cake, of course.  Chan will read her new book, do some live drawing, and answer audience questions. Politics & Prose will be selling copies of “Where’s the Party?” for those who want them signed by Chan, but our event is free and no purchase is required.

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Photo of Ruth Chan, author/illustrator of picture book "Where's the Party?"
Meet author/Illustrator Ruth Chan on April 7 as she debuts the picture book “Where’s the Party?” at the Takoma Park Maryland Library!
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New Season of Author Visits Kicks Off April 6

Photo of author & humorist Dave Barry
Dave Barry will talk about his new kids’ book “The Worst Night Ever,” a sequel to his best-selling book “The Worst Class Trip Ever” on May 6 at 7:30 PM at the library!

We’ve got a stellar line-up of kids’ authors and illustrators coming to the Library this spring, courtesy of our partnership with Politics & Prose Bookstore. From picture book creators to graphic novelists, we’ve got a program for every kid and kids’ book lover — 13 programs in all from April through June! Origami Yoda author Tom Angleberger launches the season on Wednesday, April 6, at 7:30 PM  when he spotlights the first book in a new Rocket & Groot series, Stranded on Planet Strip Mall. Critically-acclaimed local author Lulu Delacre will offer a bilingual program on her new book, Olinguito From A to Z on Sunday, April 24, at 3 PM. Nationally-known humorist Dave Barry showcases his new humorous novel for kids, The Worst Night Ever, on Friday, May 6 at 7:30 PM. And 2016 Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall and kids’ author John Bemelmans Marciano talk about their new series, The Witches of Benevento on Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 PM. And these are just some highlights! Mark your calendars to meet some of the best authors and illustrators working in children’s literature today. Politics & Prose will be selling books at each program, but the events are free and no purchase is required to attend.

Check out the full line-up!

Upcoming Takoma Park Maryland Library Events

DateTimeDescriptionNotes
Monday, March 77:30 PMAuthor Winifred Conkling discusses her book “Radioactive! How Irene Curie & Lise Meitner Revolutionized Science and Changed the World.” Best for ages 10 up.
Monday, March 147:30 PMAuthor/illustrator Ursula Vernon presents “Of Mice & Magic,” the second volume in her “Hamster Princess” hybrid series.
Wednesday, April 67:30 PM– “Origami Yoda” author/illustrator Tom Angleberger launches a new “Rocket & Groot” series with “Stranded on Planet Strip Mall!”
Thursday, April 77:00 PMAuthor/illustrator Ruth Chan spotlights her new picture book, “Where’s the Party?”
Monday, April 117:00 PMAuthor/illustrator James Sturm presents “Birdsong: A Story in Pictures,” his new graphic novel beginning reader.
Tuesday, April 197:00 PMAuthor/illustrator Henry Cole talks about his new picture book, “Spot the Cat”
Sunday, April 243:00 PMAuthor/illustrator Lulu Delacre reads and discusses her new bilingual alphabet book, “Olinguito, From A to Z!”Bilingual (Spanish & English) event
Thursday, April 287:00 PMAuthor/illustrator Kevin McCloskey discusses his new graphic novel non-fiction beginning reader, “The Poop on Pigeons.”
Monday, May 27:00 PMPicture book star Mac Barnett presents his newest book, “Rules of the House.”
Friday, May 67:30 PMAuthor & humorist Dave Barry talks about his new kids’ novel, “The Worst Night Ever,” a sequel to his best-selling book “The Worst Class Trip Ever.”Community Center Auditorium
Saturday, May 73:00 PMCaldecott Honor illustrator Molly Idle presents the latest in her “Flora” picture book series, “Flora and the Peacocks.”
Thursday, May 197:30 PM2016 Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall and author John Bemelmans Marciano launch their new chapter book series, “The Witches of Benevento.”
Friday, May 207:30 PMGraphic novelist Maris Wicks highlights her new book, “Science Comics: Coral Reefs, Cities of the Ocean”
Tuesday, June 77:00 PMDebut Author Minh Le, a Takoma Park resident, spotlights his new picture book, "Let Me Finish!"
Thursday, June 97:00 PMGraphic novelist Ben Hatke spotlights his new picture book, “Nobody Likes a Goblin.”
All events are in the Children’s Room of the Takoma Park Maryland Library, 101 Philadelphia Ave., Takoma Park, MD. unless otherwise noted. Table maintained by Karen MacPherson, Library Manager - Children & Young Adult Services. (KarenM@takomaparkmd.gov)

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Meet Author/Illustrator Ursula Vernon

Cover of the Hamster Princess of Mice & Magic book.
Cover art for book two in the “Hamster Princess” series by author/illustrator Ursula Vernon

Author/illustrator Ursula Vernon unveils the second book in her Hamster Princess chapter book series on Monday, March 14, at 7:30 PM in the Library’s Children’s Room. Titled Of Mice and Magic, the heavily-illustrated book for ages 7-10 tells what happens when spunky Princess Harriet the Invincible sets off to figure out how to lift the curse from 12 dancing princesses in a neighboring  kingdom. In its review, Booklist noted: “Fans of twisted feminist fairy tales will be delighted, and Harriet’s existing followers won’t be disappointed with this second installment.” At our event, Vernon will talk about the Harriet books, as well as her popular Dragonbreath series. Copies of Vernon’s books will be available from Politics & Prose, but the program is free and no purchase is required to attend.

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Meet “Radioactive!” Author Winifred Conkling

Photo of cover of the book Radioactive! by author Winifred Conkling
Meet Radioactive! author Winifred Conkling at the Takoma Park Maryland Library on March 7 at 7:30 PM!

Author Winifred Conkling kicks off our celebration of Women’s History Month on Monday, March 7, at 7:30 PM with a discussion of her new book, Radioactive!: How Irene Curie and Lise Meitner Revolutionized Science and Changed the World. Conkling’s book, written for middle school and high school students, has won critical acclaim, with Booklist calling it “a thorough and engaging study of two female scientists worth their weight in radium.” Politics & Prose will be selling copies of Conkling’s book, but the event – held in the Library’s Children’s Room – is free and no purchase is required. Please join us for what promises to be a fascinating discussion!

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