Sunday, July 8, 5 pm
Rob Mermin and Rob Gurwitt
~ Imagine running away to a place where everything shines with a few extra colors, every day is spiced with adventure and every bit of your self is dedicated to daring, hard work, deep friendship-and making tens of thousands of people happy. And none of it is make-believe. Meet indelible characters-passionate clowns, staunch tightwire walkers, stirring aerialists and, above all, the resolute, creative visionaries who for a quarter century have devoted themselves to creating a place where enchantment and responsibility live side by side. In a world that has made a commercial product out of youthful charm and heart, Smirkus is proof that kids and adults alike-on both sides of the ring-hunger for the real thing. Circus Smirkus: 25 Years of Running Home to the Circus shows you how it did it and why it matters.
Stories on the Hill In partnership with Southern Vermont Art Center, this series of free programs, for kids ages 4 - 9, connects listening to stories, looking at art and creating a hands-on project during a fun and engaging afternoon. Programs are held at Southern Vermont Art Center and are free, but pre-registration is encouraged to reserve a space.
~This Land is Your Land Sunday, July 8, 1:00-2:30 p.m. Celebrate our country, land and its' people and learn about how the images in Folk Art can inspire storytelling while looking at works by Grandma Moses and other similar works of art from the SVAC permanent collection. Afterwards, children will listen to the story This Land is Your Land,by Woody Guthrie, learn about the song that inspired the creation of the book and create a Folk-Art style landscape.
~The Seashore Book Sunday, August 12, 1:00-2:30 p.m. Take an imaginary journey from the mountains to the sea and explore the sights and sounds of the water and sand while listening to the story The Seashore Book by Charlotte Zolotow. Then, after looking at the vibrant ocean-inspired paintings from the special exhibition on the art of Jay Connaway, children will create a travel journal about a real or imaginary journey to the seashore.
Friday, July 20, 3 pm Arthur Bradford
Benny's Brigade Arthur Bradford, an O. Henry Award winning writer and filmmaker, presents the charming Benny's Brigade
~ At recess one day, sisters Elsie and Theo spy a nut wiggling on the ground. Out pops Benny the world's smallest and most gentlemanly walrus. After the girls learn that Benny misses his home in the sea, they send him sailing in a milk-carton boat, along with a trusty band of adventure-seeking slugs. Together, Benny's Brigade (as they call themselves) begin their voyage to a truck-sized island paradise, avoiding the salt water as much as they can. Slugs don't like salt.
Sunday, July 22, 1 pm Tom Angleberger
The Secret of the Fortune Wookie Join the fun, become a SuperFolder! Best selling author Tom Angleberger is coming to town to teach you how to fold your own Fortune cookiee cootie catcher!
~ With his proven knack for humorously exploring the intrigues, fads, and dramas of middle school, Tom Angleberger has crafted a worthy follow-up to his breakout bestsellers The Strange Case of Origami Yoda and Darth Paper Strikes Back: The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee! While Tom is here, have him sign any of his previous books and order your copy of The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee! On the release date of August 7th we will ship your SIGNED copy to you or you can pick it up here at the Northshire!
Monday, July 30, 4 pm Anne Hambleton
Raja: Story of a Racehorse Anne Hambleton, trainer, amateur steeplechase jockey, and show jumper, presents Raja: Story of a Racehorse, winner of the IIPPY Award Bronze Medalist for Juvenile Fiction and a Benjamin Franklin Award Finalist for Young Readers Fiction.
~ Written from the horse's point of view and filled with authentic details, this young adult novel chronicles the life of a well-bred Thoroughbred racehorse destined for greatness. After a promising-and winning-start on the path to the Triple Crown, a series of bad-luck events end Raja's racing career, and he finds himself pulled into the random world of off-the-track Thoroughbreds. His odyssey takes him from the breeding farms of Ocala, Florida, to the stakes races on the Kentucky Derby trail; from competing as a show jumper on the "A" show circuit to becoming a member of the New York City Mounted Police and witnessing the horrors of the livestock auction. Finally, Raja finds himself in a stable belonging to a retired steeplechase jockey and his 16-year-old niece, where he finally has a chance to realize his destiny.
Saturday, August 11, 4 pm A special double bill with authors Jessie Haas and Michael J. Daley
Bramble and Maggie and Pinch and Dash Make Soup Double the fun as authors Jessie Haas and Michael J. Daley join us for some great storytelling and hands-on projects!
~ Bramble and Maggie: Horse Meets Girl by Jessie Haas Come along for a spirited ride as Bramble - a horse with interesting "little ways"- and her devoted girl, Maggie, make their debut in this inviting early reader. Jessie Haas has written more than twenty-five books, most of them about horses. She says, "I wrote Bramble and Maggie while getting to know my new horse, Robin. Like Bramble, she has her little ways, but we are now good friends.
~ Pinch and Dash Make Soup by Michael J. Daley A pinch of this, a dash of that and you have soup in Pinch and Dash Make Soup. Pinch is hungry. His soup pot empty. All he has in his refrigerator is a potato, some spinach and a bit of cheese. Dash is a great cook. But his soup pot is filled with "Skinny Soup": soup with not much in it! Together these friends combine their ingredients, talents and tastes to make soup. This story of friendship, working together and great soup is perfect for story time held before, after or during dinner, lunch or breakfast! Also, a gem for your reader ages 5 to 7.
Michael will bring his secret recipe for Pinch & Dash's Easy Cheesy Green Soup to hand out to the kids, and Jessie will demonstrate how to make a rope halter because you never know when you might find a free horse by the side of the road!
Nature Journaling Day Camp for Children ages 8-12
Wednesday, August 22nd, 9:30 - 3:30 Northshire Bookstore and Merck Forest & Farmland Center are teaming up to offer children ages 8-12 one more special summer day before school starts. Enroll now in our Nature Journaling Day Camp. Participants will discover Merck's woodlands, fields and ponds through hands-on exploration activities, sensory awareness games, and by recording observations.
~ Campers will utilize their own copy of the book, My Nature Journal: A Personal Nature Guide for Young People, by Adrienne Olmstead, to record their experiences throughout the day. Merck Forest Educators will also assist campers in learning all about the animals on the farm, their care, happiness and health.
$65.00 day passes are on sale now at the bookstore and will include a copy of My Nature Journal, to be received at Merck Forest on the day of the camp. This class will be limited to 15 campers, so don't miss out! Please register by purchasing your pass no later than August 20th.
Email Nancy, nscheemaker@northshire.com with questions about or assistance with this exciting day camp collaboration between Northshire Bookstore and Merck Forest and Farmland Center!
Every week! Storytime Every Wednesday morning at 10:30 am the Northshire welcomes kids to Storytime!
Bookseller Alice brings her guitar and leads StorySongs. Sing along to some beloved classics and discover some new books and songs. Each week will have a theme, coming soon: Construction/Function Junction!
~ Head on down, grab yourself a coffee in the cafe, and cozy in for some pre-naptime entertainment!
