Snow More Picture Books!

Hey boys and girls!  There are a few more days of Winter Recess left.  What are you going to do?

Why not stop into the library and pick up a snowy picture book from our display in the Children's Department? 

Or, check out the new Wintery and Snow Story Picture Books we've selected for display on the Books page.  Place your reserves right from home in our online catalog.

Happy Holidays!

Please be aware of upcoming special library hours and closings:

Monday, December 24th - Closing at 1pm
Tuesday, December 25th - Closed
Monday, December 31st - Closing at 1pm
Tuesday, January 1st - Closed

Helping Children Cope With Tragedy

In light of recent events, the National Association of School Psychologists is offering resources to parents and teachers to help children cope with tragedy and crisis. 

Click here to be directed to their website and a list of NASP Resources.

Cozy Up With a Winter Book!

It's getting to be that time again! Time to snuggle up where it's warm with a great book. 

Stop in soon to check out a book from our newest display of winter and snow themed books.  Or, click here to reserve a winter-themed book from our online catalog. 

New Website of the Month! - Spatulatta.com

Calling all kids and families into the kitchen!  Yummy ideas are waiting for you at Spatulatta.com!  You'll find recipes, projects, games, and links to help you get ready for holiday feasts, or to cook and bake all year long.

Choose from 350 recipes, and then the Spatulatta girls will show you how to cook, eat healthy, and stay safe in the kitchen.  For dishes inspired by your favorite books, download Cook by the Book for recipes based on stories such as Green Eggs and Ham and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

So, gather your ingredients, grab your parents (or grandparents, aunts, and uncles!), and whip up a fun family time in the kitchen!

Attention Parents:  Read our full review on the Parents page.

LOL! Humorous Reads for Boys & Girls

Looking for that next good book to start?  Has it been a while since your last great big belly laugh? 

If you answered, "YES!" to both of these questions, check out the new shelf theme on the Books page. 

Register for December Programs on 11/28

Wednesday, November 28th begins registration for all children's programs taking place in December.  Register for any of the following programs online, by phone or in-person:

• Celebrations of the Season (children of all ages with caregiver)
• Sing a Song Storytime: Silly Songs (birth-17 months)
• Parachute Circle Time (18-35 months)
• Baby, It's Cold Outside! (3yrs-not yet in K)
• Create a Mystery Gift (grades K-2)
• Create a Mystery Gift (grades 3-5)

For more information about the above listed programs, see the Winter Newsletter.

Rise of the Guardians - In Theatres Now!

This book-to-movie animated film is based on the new children's book series The Guardians. The Guardians consist of the likes of Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and a few others you may know.  Each Guardian has taken an oath to protect the children of Earth from the wiles of the Great Nightmare King. 

Click here to reserve book one in the series and learn how daredevil swordsman Nicholas St. North battles against the Great Nightmare King before he becomes known as Santa.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving celebrates the first harvest of our nation's early settlers, the pilgrims.  This day also commemorates the great feast the pilgrims shared with the neighboring Native Americans who had helped them to survive their first year in the 'New World'.

Click here to learn more about the history of Thanksgiving from the National Geographic for Kids website!

New Website of the Month - Ben's Guide to U.S. Gov.

How do we elect the President of the United States?  Why is the Liberty Bell cracked?  How is a law made?  What happens at the Library of Congress? 

Find out by looking for Benjamin Franklin and his colorful kite at Ben’s Guide to U. S. Government for Kids.  Then, pick your grade from K-12 and choose from Ben’s chalkboard menu to learn about the branches of government, patriotic songs, national symbols, our laws, and plenty more.  You can play games, explore government documents, find links to other U. S. Government websites, and print out Ben’s Activity Book. 

Parents and teachers can find helpful pages on this site, which is a service of the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office (GPO).

National Day of Play Program 11/10/12

We are opening up our great big toy box to celebrate the National Day of Play. 


Parents and children of all ages are invited to drop in anytime on Saturday, November 10th between 10am and 4pm to enjoy this day of fun with us!

Happy Election Day! Kids Vote

We want to know who YOU would choose to be the next President of the United States?  Cast your vote here. Use the poll in the menu on the upper right-hand side of this homepage. 

Want to learn more about the election process? View and download a How to Become President of the U.S. Poster and learn lots more about our government at Kids.gov. 

Helping Kids Cope After Hurricane Sandy

Hey Parents!  SesameStreet.org has prepared a Hurricane Kit, complete with tips, videos, activities and printables for you to share with your child. 

Watch Part I of the Hurricane video here now:

Program Updates

Due to Hurricane Sandy, the following programs have been rescheduled or cancelled:

American Girl Doll Tea* (Grades K-2) - Rescheduled from 11/1 to 11/15

American Girl Doll Tea* (Grades 3-5) - Rescheduled from 11/1 to 11/15

It’s Time for Play Hooray - Cancelled

Jammies and Books* - Rescheduled from 10/30 to 11/5

Fun with Toddlers - Rescheduled from 10/29 to 12/3, other scheduled dates remain the same

Clubhouse Kids - Rescheduled from 10/29 to 12/3, other scheduled dates remain the same

Live-brary.com - Cancelled

Art with Joanne: Hidden Tricks or Treats - Cancelled

Page Turners - Cancelled

* These programs are currently closed, however you can still be added to the waitlist.  To add your name to the waitlist, click on the link and have your library card handy.

The Next Great Read! - The One and Only Ivan

Ivan is a great silverback gorilla living alone in his glass, metal and concrete-enclosed domain within the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. Being a silverback gorilla means you are the protector of your family, but what does a silverback do when he has no one to protect? When Ruby the new baby elephant arrives at the zoo, Ivan finally has someone to protect...


Want to read on? Click here to reserve a copy of this book now. 

Watch the official book trailer here:

This book is based on the true story of a gorilla named Ivan who lived at Zoo Atlanta. Want to learn more about the real Ivan? Click here to visit Katherine Applegate's website for The One and Only Ivan.

Share Your Story About Bullying

Have you ever been bullied or watched bullying? Share your story with the National Bullying Prevention Center for National Bullying Prevention Month. Click here to download the form and create a poster with a story, poem, artwork or video about your experience. 

Click here to search our catalog for books, movies and more on the topic of bullying.

Program: Hidden Treats or Tricks!

 Sign-up for a Waitlist for a Possible New Session of the program: 

Art with Joanne Manning: Hidden Treats or Tricks!

Monday, October 29th, 5:45-6:45pm 

In this program, students will create an interesting sculpture with markers, foam core and chipboard. This fun fall craft can be used to hold goodies or suprises for you and your friends! If 18 students in grades 3-5 let us know they can attend, we will be able to run this program.  So click here and add your name to the waitlist today! 

Monsters, Zombies and More - Oh My!

Check out our Shelfari bookshelf for scary stories about monsters and other creepy things. 

Click here to go directly to our Books page.

* WARNING *

Do NOT attempt to read these stories while alone in the dark!

October is National Bullying Prevention Month

In communities across the nation, the month of October is dedicated to raising awareness about bullying. 

Live-brary.com for Kids is helping to raise awareness by displaying books about bullying on their homepage.  Click on the link above to see some of their recommended books and watch a book trailer for Wonder.  Wonder by R.J. Palacio is an amazing book on the topic of bullying, highly recommended for readers of all ages.

October 6th is Star Wars Reads Day!

Star Wars Reads Day is all about READing and Star Wars. 

Why not celebrate both and pick up a Star Wars book @your library.  Click here to browse through over 130 Star Wars books from the CPL catalog.

FYI:  Barnes and Noble in Lake Grove is also celebrating!  Stop by and check out their event on Saturday, October 6th for giveaways, a raffle and maybe even some surprise guests.  Click here for store event details.

It's Banned Books Week!

Celebrate YOUR RIGHT to READ! Win banned books or a SONY eReader from Live-brary.com!

To enter the contest: "Like" a featured Live-brary banned book facebook post; "Repin" a Live-brary banned book pin; or "Retweet" a Live-brary banned book twitter post.

Click here for the contest rules and more information.

FREE Museum Day Tickets - 9/29/12

Looking for something to do this weekend?

How about a FREE trip to the museum this Saturday, September 29th, courtesy of Smithsonian Magazine. Each year they host an event called Museum Day Live! where museums across the country open up their doors for FREE. 

Just make sure to get your ticket in advance from the official Museum Day Live! website before you head out to a participating museum.  Click here for the full details.

Falling for Picture Books

Autumn begins today and we're kicking off the start of the season with great books! Check out our updated Shelfari bookshelf for recommendations of picture books about Fall.

To take a look, click here and go directly to our Books page.

The Wonder of Wonder

Have you read Wonder by R.J. Palacio yet? If not, put this on your must-read list this instant!

This inspiring story about August Pullman, 5th grader at Beecher Prep, is for readers of all ages.  As if starting middle school isn't hard enough, this year is also his very first year in a mainstream school.  All Auggie wants is to be treated as an ordinary kid, but having been born with severe facial deformities makes him anything but ordinary in the eyes of his unsympathetic classmates.  Auggie, our young hero, not only overcomes bullying at Beecher Prep, but also the adversity he has faced his entire life.

After you've read the book, share your story about bullying and sign the pledge to Choose Kind!  Pledge to Choose Kind is an anti-bullying campaign inspired by the novel, Wonder.

New Website of the Month - BookBox.com

Winner of numerous awards, BookBox.com offers digital storybooks in 30 different languages for FREE on their homepage.

Just go to www.bookbox.com and select a language like Italian, Sanscrit or Swahili and see for yourself why BookBox.com was chosen as our latest website of the month!

Fall Drop-Ins

We have tons of Fall fun planned for you in the Children's Department at Comsewogue Public Library. Click here to check out our line-up of Fall Drop-In Programs. 

Win a 4-Pack of Tickets to the Aquarium!

We are celebrating Library Card Sign-up Month throughout the month of September at CPL!

So, come on down and sign up for your library card today!

Show your new card to a librarian and fill out a raffle ticket. You'll be eligible to win a 4-pack of tickets to the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center. Winners will be announced on October 1st.

Already have a CPL card?  Great!  Show us and you too can fill out a raffle ticket and be entered in the drawing!

To obtain a library card, (2) current proofs of residency, each containing your name and street address, are required. Children must be present to get a library card.

J.K. Rowling Announces Pottermore.com!

Attention past, present and future Harry Potter fans!!!

This October, author J.K. Rowling will officially launch her new website Pottermore.com.  The website is entirely free and allows you to experience the world of Harry Potter as never before! Author J.K. Rowling will share new details about the characters and the world in which they live.

Watch J.K. Rowling's You Tube announcement here:

The Fall Newsletter Is On Its Way!

The Fall Newsletter is in the mail. 

Click here to view it online now and find out about upcoming programs and great library events like September is Library Card Sign-up Month and more!

Which Way to Neverland?

There are only a few weeks left of summer.  Wouldn't you like to get away? Maybe a trip to Whoville, Narnia or even Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?

Well, reading a book can be just like taking a trip to a brand new place. Stop by the library and pick up your travel ticket (a book). Upon entering the Children's Department you will be greeted with a directional sign to some of our favorite fictional places that are truly out of this world!!!


Can't wait to get going? Click here to browse our collection and book your trip (reserve a book) to one of these fantastical places today!

Today is National Lazy Day!

Which is your favorite lazy day activity?

1. Read a book
2. Watch T.V.
3. Play video games
4. Play board games
5. Sleep

Share your answer by taking the poll in the upper right-hand corner of our homepage.

The Dogs Days of Summer

Come and see the newest book display in the Children's Department at CPL:  Dog Days of Summer. Here you'll find lots of fun picture books about dogs and of course summer!

Don't have time to stop in? Browse our online catalog and reserve a book today! 

Click here to browse the catalog for fiction books about summer.
Click here to browse the catalog for fiction books about dogs.

New Website of the Month: Crayola.com

This month's featured website is

This website will provide children with hours of fun this summer. The site is loaded with coloring pages and other activities.  Children can find ideas for crafts using crayons, markers, chalk, modeling clay and some regular household items.  Also, be sure to check out the Kids' Playzone area for extra special games and activities.

Dog Days - In Theatres Now!

The newest Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie, Dog Days is now playing in theatres everywhere!  Check out WimpyKid.com for movie news and the latest on Jeff Kinney and his books.

Click here to reserve your copy of Jeff Kinney's Dog Days.

Click here to browse all of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, audiobooks and movies in our online catalog.

August Drop-In Programs

Want to beat the heat this summer?

This August there are several great drop-in programs for kids of all ages at the Comsewogue Public Library.

Click here or on the Programs tab above for more information.

The Next Great Read!

This just in, Fake Mustache: Or, How Jodie O'Rodeo and Her Wonder Horse (or Some Nerdy Guy) Saved the U.S. Presidential Election From a Mad Genius Criminal Mastermind* is the newest jewel by author Thomas Angleberger. 

Read it and find out what happens after seventh-grader Lenny Flem, Jr.'s best friend buys a man-about-town suit and a glorious fake mustache made out of real human hair.

Click here to reserve your copy today!

*By the way, this book does come with a WARNING:

Do NOT under any circumstances pick up this book and start reading it unless you are prepared for outright, no-holds-barred ridiculousness presented as though it were a completely normal story.

Summer Reading Club Grand Finale!

If you haven't already finished your required reading for this year's Summer Reading Club at CPL, it's time to kick it into full gear! 

Stop in by Thursday, June 26th to pick up your prizes and get your invitation to the Summer Reading Club Celebration.  This year's celebration will be with the amazing Toe Jam Puppet Band.

Olympic World Records

Get ready!  The London 2012 Summer Olympics is almost here!  This year's athletes are sure to challenge some previously set world records.  Click here to search the Guinness World Records database for olympic records and more.

Win FREE Books!!

Children in grades 3 through 8 can participate in the Together Book Club! Write a quick book review which will be published on the Together Book Club blog.  You will then be eligible to win a FREE book!
Click here for all the details.

Earn $ for Reading!

Great News! This summer TD Bank is offering to give you $10 just for doing your summer reading! 

So, go grab a parent and click here for the details.

Need some reading suggestions, check out our Shelfari bookshelf by clicking here or on the Books tab above.

Summer Reading With Your Device

Have a long reading list this summer?  Or, maybe there are a ton of books you want to take with you on vacation?  Well, you don't have to lug all those books around with you everywhere you go!  

You can download up to 5 books to a single device like a nook or kindle for free from Live-brary.com.  Click here to check out the available free downloads for kids.  And, click here to watch video tutorials on how to checkout ebooks, download them to your device, and more.

Are You as Tall as a Horse?

Would you like to know if you are as tall as a horse? a pig? a sheep? or even a duck?  If so, then stop by the library and visit our lower level in the Children's Department. A great new display has just gone up. 

Come and find out which farm animal you measure up to!

Fractured Fairy Tales & Other Adaptations

Fairy Tales have been around for centuries, but authors are always coming up with new twists on the classics.  These types of stories are otherwise known as fractured fairy tales.

If you love the stories of Cinderella, Rumplestiltskin, Rapunzel, and Sleeping Beauty, but enjoy a bit of humor, you will surely love fractured fairy tales. 

Click here to browse our Shelfari bookshelf of fantastic fractured fairy tales and other fairy tale adaptations for kids of all ages. Or, just click on the Books tab above.

Get a FREE Smoothie on National Flip Flop Day!

June 15th is National Flip Flop Day! 

In celebration of the day, Tropical Smoothie is giving away FREE 24oz. Jetty Punch Smoothies.  Just stop in between the hours of 2pm and 7pm in your flip flops to get yours! Click here for more information about the event.

During this event, Tropical Smoothie will also be collecting donations for a very worthy cause called Camp Sunshine.  For more information about Camp Sunshine click here.

Drop-in Programs Galore!

Due to public demand, we have added an incredible number of new drop-in programs this summer for children of all ages.  Registration is not required for these programs.  Just bring your Comsewogue Public Library card.  Stop by and pick up a copy of our Drop-in Program flyer or click here to download it now.

Dream Big! Summer Reading Club 2012

Summer is the perfect time to pick up a book and READ.  So, why not get rewarded for it?! 

Join this year's Summer Reading Club @your library. You will earn cool prizes for the books you have read. After you complete your reading requirement, you will receive an invitation to our grand finale Summer Reading Club Celebration in August. 

Stop by the library for more information and to pick up the flyers.  Registration begins tomorrow on Tuesday, June 5th.  See you then!

Youngzine - New Website of the Month

Attention Parents & Children!!  For the month of June we are featuring Youngzine as our Website of the Month.  Youngzine is an online newspaper and blog created just for children.  Not only that, but children are also contributors and can submit book, game and movie reviews, travelogues, short stories, poetry, or articles on any general topic.  Youngzine also provides a safe online community that parents will love!  Click here to go directly to Youngzine or head to our Parents page first for a more detailed description.

NEW Children's Department Computers!

Stop by and see!  We now have computers in the Children's & Youth Services Department. To log on, just present your CPL card to a librarian at the lower level. 

Family Fun in the Sun

Would you like to know about some of Long Island's best family hot spots? Stop by the library and pick up a copy of our "Family Fun Summer 2012" brochure or click here to download it now. 

Long Island is teeming with incredible beaches, parks, museums, and other wonderful places to visit with the family. 

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and have some fun!

Summer Fun @ the Library

A copy of the CPL Summer Newsletter should be arriving in your mailbox shortly!  Click here to read it online now.

There are so many great programs for children to take advantage of at CPL this summer.  It's now even easier to register with our online registration feature, available from the library's homepage.  Click here to start searching or just click on the title of the program from the online Newsletter.

Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day!

1. Read a book about Memorial Day.  Click here to see a list of Memorial Day books in our catalog.
2. Wear red, white and blue clothing.
3. Make triple-strawberry ice pops with a parent.  Click here for the recipe.
4. Hang the U.S. flag outside your home.
5. Have fun putting together some patriotic craft projects.  Click here for some Memorial Day craft ideas.
6. Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day.
7. Go to a Memorial Day parade or other related event.  Click here for a listing of Memorial Day events on Long Island for this weekend.