One of the favorite parts of my job is getting a first look at some of the just published picture books that are making their way onto library shelves.  There has been no shortage of stellar picks in recent months and many of them can be found at your local Providence Community Library.  I am consistently impressed with the way authors and illustrators continue to innovate, breathing new life into old ideas and inventing new ways of connecting to children.  Here are some of my recent favorites: 

Seven Hungry Babies, by Candace Fleming and Eugene Yelchin

Fleming (When Agnes Caws, Muncha Muncha Muncha) delivers again with this simple story of a mama bird fetching food for her seven hungry, crying babies. "Flappa-flap, swoop-swoop, zoom-zoom, yum!" Mama searches for seeds, minnows, and worms to feed her "little egg crackers."  An exhausting job to be sure and Yelchin's illustrations show Mama growing tired as the day wears on to a comic effect for both parents and kids. This story comes just in time for spring and its combination of breezy verse, simple math, nature and cuteness make it a great choice for preschool and early elementary aged kids.   

Slow Down for Manatees, by Jim Arnosky

Jim Arnosky is widely respected for his engaging, realistic nature stories for children. This story, based on an actual event, tells the tale of a pregnant, Florida manatee that is struck and wounded by a speeding motorboat. The accident instantly engages children; the illustration of the animal's gashes usually draws a round of "oooo"s during storytimes.  In simple language, Arnosky tells about the manatee's rehabilitation at a local aquarium and the release of the creature and her newborn baby to the wild.  Animal lovers will be drawn to the book, which is a great starting point for talking to children about how we interact with the natural world.  

Poetrees, by Douglas Florian

Douglas Florian's latest batch of poems for children is all about - you guessed it - trees! The book is meant to be turned 90 degrees and read lengthwise, bringing to life Florian's double-page paintings of trees. A poem about a type of tree or a part of a tree accompanies each painting. My favorite is "Banyan": 

A fig tree. / A big tree. / An acre in its canopy. / A s p r e a d i n g tree.

A treading tree. / An always-outward-heading tree. / One hundred trunks grow side by side. / One thousand pillar roots spread wide. / Branches, / trunks,/ and roots in chorus. / It's not a tree -- / It's a forest!

Supersister by Beth Cadena and Frank W. Dormer

There are many books written about children who are about to become older siblings. In most of them, the children dread the coming of the baby or detest the baby when it arrives (see Julius, Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes or Mail Harry to the Moon by Robie Harris).   But here is a girl, Supersister, with a brand new attitude.  Dressed as a superhero alter-ego, everything is an adventure for Supersister, even the simple act of walking the dog - "She runs! She skips! She scoops!"  Becoming a sister is no different, as Supersister envisions becoming a super-helper.  This character is great fun for kids and sure to win the hearts of expectant parents as well.

Some other titles to look out for...read the full article

Providence Community Library's Spanish Book Club celebrated its 5th anniversary on Thursday, April 8 with a special event at the Rochambeau Library. In attendance were guests, book club members, supporters and founders of the club. As part of the 5th anniversary, the Club published a Spanish poetry book called "Antologia Del Club De Lectura: Una Colleccion de Poesias, Escritos y Reflexiones" with poems written by Club members. Special recognition was awarded to the PCL staff members who were founders of the book club for their hard work, dedication, and effort towards the development of this club for the Hispanic community. This recognition was presented to Carolina Briones, Outreach Aide Specialist, Maria Cotto, Children's Librarian-Knight Memorial Library, and Antonia Garcia, Children's Specialist-Olneyville Library. Ann Robinson, PCL Executive Director was also recognized for her appreciation and support of the Spanish Book Club.

The Spanish Book Club began in April of 2005, in order to serve the book lovers of the Hispanic community. The organizing committee initially consisted of Evelyn Castillo, Maria Cotto, Carolina Briones, and Antonia Garcia. Their vision was to form a group of readers to meet and share their impressions and opinions on different literary works. Spanish literature read over the years included work by some of the most famous Hispanic authors such as Gabriel Garcia-Marquez, Isabel Allende, Esmeralda Santiago and Julia Alvarez to name just a few. The Spanish Book Club has also focused on promoting Hispanic culture in Rhode Island, supporting such local authors as Tomás Peña Rivera, a proud member of the Spanish Book Club.

The Spanish Book Club also has a blog, Club de Lectura en Español blog, that was created by Maria Cotto for members to leave further comments about the selected book for the month. The group currently consists of 25 members and meets at the South Providence Library, 441 Prairie Avenue, the last Thursday of each month from 6:00 - 7:30 pm. As a result of the tremendous success of the Spanish Book Club in South Providence, a second group was formed in March of 2009. This group meets in the Mount Pleasant Library, 315 Academy Avenue, on the second Tuesday of each month from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

The club welcomes anyone who wishes to participate and enjoys a good read. If you are interested in participating you can call Carolina Briones at 401-274-4145 x1705 or Antonia Garcia at 401-421-4084 x1401 or email to cbriones@provcomlib.org or agarcia@provcomlib.org.

PCL's Mount Pleasant Library, originally known as the Sprague House Branch, was the first of the branch libraries to be opened in Providence in 1906. This library was started as a deposit of books sent to the Sprague House Association, a social agency located on Armington Avenue, that gave the daughters of working families a safe place to spend their days. When the Sprague House Association moved to another part of the city, the library became a full-fledged branch. Edward A. Iannuccilli, who last year wrote an article for the Providence Journal reminiscing about the Sprague House Branch Library, fondly described it as "a two-story white bungalow indistinguishable from the others in the neighborhood, one that any one of us might have called home." The library, now known as the Mount Pleasant Library, moved to its current location, 315 Academy Ave, on June 25, 1949 with 1000 people celebrating in attendance.

The Mount Pleasant Library is at the center of its community. It is within walking distance of two elementary schools, Mount Pleasant High School, and La Salle Academy. The library's busiest time is between 3 and 6 pm when children come to do homework and adults stop by after work. As there are no boys and girls clubs or recreation centers in the neighborhood, the library is where young people come to congregate. A combination of young and old, traditional families, single family households, teachers, professionals and non-professionals alike come to the Mount Pleasant Library to use the 20 computers, check out books, magazines, DVD's, CDs, VHS, and audio books.

The friendly staff, with a combined experience of 63 years of customer service in libraries, is available and willing to serve the public. Several staff members are fluent in Spanish, Cambodian and Italian! To compliment the regular staff, we have a work-study student from Johnson and Wales. Several volunteers from the neighborhood are also a big help to our staff.

The building itself is also going through some exciting changes as there is an interior renovation in process. Several months ago Emily Brown, Children's and Young Adult Librarian, asked about moving the children's department from the front to the back. Although it seemed like a daunting task, I immediately asked our new director Ann Robinson if we could try. She was immediately on board with the project. Things worked out well as GTECH was in the process of donating a brand new children's computer lab and wiring had to be done for this process.

We quickly found out that the easy part was behind us. Many books had to be moved as well as whole shelving units. Emily did all the calculations to see what books would fit where. Emily, other staff members, and volunteers went about the tedious and heavy work of putting the books back on the shelf. Like any moving project, there were some bumps in the road and changes in plan. However, things are progressing and we are in the final phases of the big move. Emily, Children's Specialist Betty Nunes, Adult Services Librarian Kathleen Flaherty, and Head of Circulation Duon Siv and her staff deserve awards for getting things back together.

At the present time, the Children's department has moved to the back of the building alongside the sleek new computer lab. Young Adults has made its home near the adult reference in the front of the building. The Adult Non-Fiction collection and computer lab are nicely laid out on the right as you enter the building. The space is further divided by a long book shelf that provides some privacy for the lab users and those who are reading, studying or using their personal laptops. Cool and comfortable furniture for young adults and adults is on the way.

Additional furniture for a reading area for adults is in the works from a donation by one of our esteemed patrons. It is still a bit confusing for both staff and patrons but we are all finding our way. Many patrons have expressed satisfaction with how things are progressing. It is our sincerest hopes that in a month or so, collections and furniture will be in place so when people enter the building, they will feel that they have entered one of the nicest libraries in Providence...more about Mt Pleasant Library, staff photos...