Book Chat with Mrs. Matzat

For those of you who are fans of the Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan, have I got a treat for you! Last year when I got to meet Mr. Riordan in person at my library conference, I shared with you that he would be writing a new series based on Egyptian gods. Well, his new book will be released on May 4, 2010! If that wasn’t exciting enough for you, then check this out. He has the first chapter of the new book posted online for you to read! Check out this sneak peek of The Red Pyramid, the first book in the Kane Chronicles.

After you read it, let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Your Library Lady,

Mrs. Matzat

Check out this fun game by Garfield and see if you are a comic strip master! Let me know what you think of it.

Garfield’s Dr. Stripp

Your Library Lady,

Mrs. Matzat

A couple of summers ago, I went on vacation to Yellowstone National Park. While I was there, I picked up a very funny (yet educational) book called Who Pooped in the Park? If you haven’t seen it, I keep it on the display table in the LMC next to the magazines.

Well, today I found a website that goes great with this book and I think you are going to love it. Check out the site “Who Pooped” created by the Minnesota Zoo. Anything that talks about poop has to be funny, right? You will be entertained and you will learn a lot about animals on this zany website. Let me know what you think about it.

Your Library Lady,

Mrs. Matzat

I am getting ready to place my last book order of the year, and I would like your input! Do you have a favorite book or book series that you would like me to purchase for our library? Am I missing a book in a series that you like that you want to make sure I get? Let me know before the end of February if you have a book request. Thanks for helping me pick great books for our library.

Your Library Lady,

Mrs. Matzat

I found a new typing practice game that I thought you might enjoy. It is kind of a typing version of playing Rock Band or Guitar Hero. Let me know what you think of it!

Your Library Lady,

Mrs. Matzat

At the start of a new year, many people make new year resolutions. In other words, they make a commitment to do something. Since commitment is our character trait for January, I thought it would be nice if we all made a personal commitment to reading. Maybe you want to make a commitment to read every night with your family, or maybe you want to have a goal to become a Mark Twain voter. Let’s share our commitments by posting them on my online bulletin board so we can help each other stick with them. I can’t wait to see your reading goals!

Since you’ve just finished lots of tests in your classrooms lately, I thought I would share a fun site with you. Have you ever wanted to be an artist? If so, then Bomomo is the site for you. Use this fun online tool to create wacky, abstract artwork. Have fun exploring, and be sure to let me know what you think of this tool.

Your library lady,

Mrs. Matzat

Tuesday, December 8, 2009
6:00-7:30 pm
Branson Elementary West Gym

All aboard for 2nd Quarter Family Reading Night!

The Branson Elementary East and West Library Media Centers will be hosting a Polar Express Pajama Party! Please join us at a cozy holiday party where we will make fun, holiday crafts, write letters to Santa, do puzzles and games, enjoy hot cocoa while listening to a reading of the classic children’s Christmas story, and of course Santa will be here to find out your Christmas wishes.

Bring the whole family and come in your pajamas as we board the Polar Express and celebrate reading!

The last couple of weeks we have talked about Veterans Day and how important it is to express thanks to the men and women who serve in our armed forces. Next week we celebrate Thanksgiving, another holiday that gives us a chance to think about the things for which we are thankful. I found a website that kind of combines these two holidays!

Let’s Say Thanks is a site that allows you to create a thank you card online that will be sent to our troops. You can use one of their preset messages, or even better, you can write your own personal message. The site is free, and it is a great way to remind us to be thankful for the members of our armed forces.  Create your own card today, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday next week.

Your library lady,

Mrs. Matzat

This week in library we talked about many of the great book series that we have in our library collection. I shared many of my favorites with you (3rd graders - don’t forget to read The Boxcar Children!). After hearing about the books, which book series do you want to read? Do you have a favorite book series that you would like to recommend? I can’t wait to hear from you!

Your Library Lady,

Mrs. Matzat