The Forty Book Reading Challenge is officially over at Menasha Public Library. If anyone is still reading away, you can turn in your slip until 1pm on Saturday, August 28th. I will not be doing any reading between now and then so I'm clocking in at 26 out of 40. Only two titles shy of finished page two out of three in the 40 Books Challenge booklet. Oh, well! There is always next year.

Congratulations to all the students who did complete the 40 Books Reading Challenge!! It's an amazing job to read forty books or more over the summer. We awarded over 40 students with a certificate, Super Reader poster and a pizza coupon for free pizza! Their prizes were well earned.

What did I read over the summer? Some of the titles can be found on my Twitter page: MissPippiReads. For a quick summary: here is a listing of the book series I read through -- Book of Ember, Fablehaven, Ottoline, The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Once Upon a Time & Lunch Lady. There were many stand alones between each series installment. What books did you enjoy over the summer? Favorites? Newbies? Oldies but goodies? Leave a comment and let me know! You can also let me know via Facebook! I'm always looking for a great book to read. Happy reading!

Image: 'I see the signs'  www.flickr.com/photos/60368684@N00/1335751596

Thanks for joining us for Story Sparklers Family Storytime! We had so much fun at the library. Today we talked about water animals with teeth! Can you name three water animals with teeth? Our favorites today were sharks, crocodiles and alligators. If you missed today's storytime or want to continue the fun at home, check out our Teeth Activity Day handout.

We have one more special storytime to share with you this summer. Come on over and see us next Monday at 10am.

The sea is full of fantastic creatures! It was fun to discover the animals that lived in the ocean. We also got to count starfish, fish and critters found in the coral reef. Do you live by water? It could be a pond, a lake, a puddle, a stream. You name it! Can you count all the animals or insects who visit the water? Take some time and watch the wonderful water! For more water and number activities, download our activity page!

We'll be closed next Monday in celebration of July 4th, but we'll be back on July 12th at 10am for another Story Sparklers. See you soon!

Image: 'Clowns' http://www.flickr.com/photos/7997249@N06/1570029626

Story Spaklers Family Story Time began TODAY! We kicked off our six week session with a storytime about the beautiful color - BLUE.

We met Bonnie who lives in a blue house and talked about animals found in the deep blue sea. If you would like to have more blue adventures at home, download our Blue Activity Day worksheet! We included a list of books, a couple songs and a fingerplay plus blue activities! Let us know what you think!

 Image: 'Emerald tunnel'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68799045@N00/94561453

It's the Forty Book Reading Challenge at Menasha Public Library!

Part of our Summer Reading Program is the challenge to read 40 books over the summer. It's not always easy. Last year, I was close, but didn't make it to forty. My goal is to read forty Young Adult or Juvenile Fiction titles. For all the students, in K to 5th, who complete the program will receive a wonderful food coupon and a poster for their room. It's a fantastic program for all.

My first title on the 40 Books Challenge is The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne DuPrau, Book of Ember 3

If you are interested in reading the Book of Ember series, please start or end with this title. It is the prequel to The City of Ember, Book #1.  Let me know what you're reading this summer! I'll put it in my TBR stack of books.

Happy reading!

Image: 'Railway sign, Barmouth, Wales'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14676591@N00/3087242148