First Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

North Castle residents are invited to the first annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, December 2, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the North Castle Community Center.

Bring the entire family to have your picture taken with Santa, enjoy refreshments, and listen / sing holiday carols while the holiday tree is lit up. 

Chanukah Is Only Ten Days Away

Stop by the library and check out some of our picture books, CDs and DVDs celebrating Chanukah.  Here are a few of the many titles the library has available.

"The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes" by Linda Glaser
"Latkes, Latkes Good To Eat : A Chanukah Story" by Naomi Howland
"The Story Of Hanukkah" by Amy Ehrlich

"Hershel And The Hanukkah Goblins" by Eric Kimmel
"Runaway Driedel!" by Leslea Newman
"Moishe's Miracle" by Laura Krauss Melmed

"It's A Miracle : A Hanukkah Story" by Stephanie Spinner
"One Candle" by Eve Bunting
"Pearl's Eight Days Of Chanukah" by Jane Breskin Zalben

Looking For A Fun Movie?

Are you looking for a fun children's movie to see over the Thanksgiving weekend?  Check out "Rise Of The Guardians" (rated PG)!  This exciting, animated movie is based on the Guardians Of Childhood series by William Joyce.

The movie is about an evil spirit, Pitch, who launches an assault on Earth.  The immortal guardians (Jack Frost, Nicholas St. North, Toothiana, and E. Aster Bunnymund) team up to protect the innocence of children all over the world.  Click here to see the trailer.

Have you already seen the movie?  Then check out the books.  Find out the true story behind each of the characters from the movie.  These stories are even great to read aloud or listen to on audiobook.

1. Nicholas St. North And The Battle Of The Nightmare King
2. E. Aster Bunnymund And The Warrior Eggs At The Earth's Core
3. Toothiana, Queen Of The Tooth Fairy Armies.

Thanksgiving Songs And Finger Plays

Here are some great songs and finger plays to sing on Thanksgiving!  While you're cooking and getting ready to feast, enjoy these festive songs with your child.

~ THE TURKEY ~
The turkey is a funny bird.
(Hook thumbs together and spread fingers to create turkey tail.)
Its head goes wobble, wobble.
(Wobble head back and forth.)
And all it knows is just one word:
(Hold up one finger.)
"Gobble, gobble, gobble."
(Make mouth shape with hand, opening and closing it while sounding like a turkey.)

~  FIVE LITTLE TURKEYS ~ 
Five little turkeys sitting by the barn door, One ran away, and then there were four.
Run, turkey! Run, turkey! Run far away! Soon it will be Thanksgiving Day. 
Four little turkeys sitting under a tree. One ran away, and then there were three. Run, turkey! Run, turkey! Run far away! Soon it will be Thanksgiving Day.   Three little turkeys playing Skip-To-My-Lou. One ran away, and then there were two.
Run, Turkey! Run, turkey! Run far away! Soon it will be Thanksgiving Day. 
Two little turkeys lying in the sun. One ran away, and then there was one.
Run, turkey! Run, turkey! Run far away! Soon it will be Thanksgiving Day. 
One little turkey, having no more fun. He ran away and then there were none.
Run, turkey! Run, turkey! Run far away! Soon it will be Thanksgiving Day.

~ I’M A GREAT BIG TURKEY ~
(Tune: “I’m A Little Teapot”)
I’m a great big turkey
‘Cause I’m well fed.
Watch me spread my feathers.
Watch me bob my head.
When I strut around
I waddle, waddle, waddle.
And when I talk
I “gobble, gobble, gobble”.
I’m a great big turkey
And I’d love to stay.
But Thanksgiving’s coming.

~ FIVE FAT TURKEYS ~
Five fat turkeys were sitting on a fence. (One hand up)
The first one said, "I'm so immense." (Point to thumb)
The second one said, "I can gobble at you." (Pointer finger)
The third one said, "I can gobble, too." (Middle finger)
The fourth one said, "I can spread my tail." (Ring finger)
The fifth one said, "Don't catch it on a nail." (Little finger)
A farmer came along and stopped to say (Pointer of other hand)
"Turkeys look best on Thanksgiving Day."

~ TURKEY DINNER FINGERPLAY ~ 
Up and down, round and round (make circles in the air)
The turkey ran across the ground. (wave hands across the floor)
Over, under, in between (hold hands up, down, and between the legs)
Now the turkey can't be seen.
The farmer looks in front (look in front, holding hand above the eyes)
The farmer looks behind, (look behind, holding hand above the eyes)
Still the turkey can't be found.
There's the turkey (point across the room) Running right (move hands right)
Running left (move hands left)
Over the hill and out of sight (move hands up and down)
No turkey for dinner tonight!

~ MR. TURKEY ~
Mr. Turkey's tail is big and wide (spread fingers)
He swings it when he walks (swing hands)
His neck is long (stretch neck)
His chin is red (stroke chin)
And he gobbles when he talks (open and close hands, and gobbles)

~ FIVE PILGRIMS ~
Five Pilgrims fish in the morn. (pretend to fish)
Five Indians help them plant corn. (pretend to plant)
The Indians bring the corn (hold up right hand)
The Pilgrims bring the meat. (hold up left hand)
Ten new friends sit down to eat. (Fold hands together)

Thanksgiving

Turkey Day is only eight days away! Come check out our feast of Thanksgiving books in the Children's Room. Snuggle up after dinner and pie with some great books!

"Fried Feathers For Thanksgiving" by James Stevenson
"Run, Turkey, Run!" by Laura Rader
"Milly And The Macy's Parade" by Shana Corey

"Over The River And Through The Wood" by Lydia Maria Child
"The Firefighter's Thanksgiving" by Maribeth Boelts
"A Plump And Perky Turkey" by Teresa Bateman

"Turkey Surprise" by Peggy Archer
"Thanksgiving" by David F. Marx (Rookie Reader)
"Balloons Over Broadway" by Melissa Sweet

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is observed on November 12 this year.  This is a day to honor military veterans who have fought during war times.  There are many parades and speeches made across the nation on this day.  On your day off from school, come to the library and read some great books about war, peace, and how we honor and observe our war veterans.  Here are some books about great soldiers showing great strength.

• "Hero Dad" by Melinda Hardin
• "The Angel And The Soldier Boy" by Peter Collington
• "My Daddy Was A Soldier" by Deborah Kogan Ray

• "Veterans Day" by Mir Tamin Ansary
• "Veterans Day" by Amanda Doering Tourville
• "Nurse, Soldier, Spy" by Marissa Moss

• "Proud As A Peacock, Brave As A Soldier" by Jane Barclay
• "Don't Forget, God Bless Our Troops" by Jill Biden
• "The Enemy" by Davide Cali