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.

Today is Armed Forces Day!

Each year, on the third Saturday of May, we honor our American men and women serving in all divisions of the armed forces. 

Have you ever wished there was something you could do personally to show your appreciation? Why not become a pen pal to a soldier or sign up to send a care package to one.  To find out more, visit these two websites with a parent and discuss what you'd like to do to honor Americans serving in the military.

• Click here to go directly to AnySoldier.com and find out more about sending letters and packages to soldiers.
• Click here for information on how to "Adopt a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine" through Soldiers' Angels.

New Parenting Books

We have recently added some fabulous new books to our Parenting Collection.  See a few of them listed below and click on the title to reserve your copy today!

The Baby Care Book: A Complete Guide from Birth to 12 Months Old

Written by doctors from a major children's hospital this book is a clear, thoughtful and objective guide to help parents raise a newborn.  It covers a broad range of topics like feeding, sleep habits, discipline, health care, and play, thoroughly and in easily understood language.

The Kid's Summer Fun Book: Great Games, Activities, and Adventures for the Entire Family

This book is your guide to having fun throughout the summer months, with amazing adventure ideas for children to enjoy, refreshing treats for everyone to savor, and great games for the whole family to play.

Special Diets for Special Kids: Over 200 Revised and New Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Recipes!

Dietary intervention is described from a scientific and personal approach in this new book. It includes gluten and casein-free recipes, including shepherd's pie, chili, and mock macaroni and cheese. Best of all, this book comes with a CD of printable recipes, so you can easily print out recipes as you use them and keep the book away from counter spills and drips!

 When Your Child is Being Bullied: Real Solutions for Parents, Educators & Other Professionals

This step-by-step guide is written by two parents who have lived through the process. This book uses a blend of relevant stories, lessons learned, research, and clearly laid out steps to help identify, understand, solve the problem, and get families back on track.

Crafty Gifts for Mom

If you missed out on the "Stained Glass" Vase for Mom program that ran earlier this week, don't fret!  We have oodles of craft books to peruse for similar project ideas and more.  Click here to browse our online catalog and reserve one today.  Or, stop by and pick one out in person.  Also make sure to swing by the special Mother's Day book display on the main floor of the Children's Department for a book to share with mom this weekend.

Click here for some Mother's Day craft ideas from FamilyFun.com.

Happy Children's Book Week!

This week, libraries and communities across the country are celebrating books for young people and the joy of reading.  Check out the Children's Choice Book Award winners here, or print out some book trivia crosswords and word search puzzles here.  And whatever you do, don't forget to pick up a book sometime this week and READ!

Why All the Fuss Over Cinco de Mayo?

On May 5, 1862 a small Mexican army defeated the mighty French army at the Battle of Puebla.  Although, Mexico hadn't yet won their independence, this historic day is remembered by many.  The Mexican army was not only outnumbered 3 to 1 by the French army, but the French were far better equipped for battle.  After their victory, Mexicans celebrated with a great long party.  And now, so do we! 

Want to throw your own Cinco de Mayo celebration?  Try whipping up some great Mexican food and create your own pinata.  Click here for a list of Mexican-style cookbooks.  Click here for instructions on making your own pinata.

Nonfiction Fun for Beginning Readers

We have recently expanded our Early Readers Collection to include some high-interest nonfiction books, great for boys and girls.  Stop by CPL and check it out!  Here are a few titles from the All Aboard Science Readers series to consider...

Fake Out! Animals That Play Tricks
Did you know that the mimic octopus can change its shape, skin color, and texture to match its surroundings, or that there is a type of goat that faints whenever it feels threatened? Find out about these animals and others with bizarre behaviors.

Far Out! Animals That Do Amazing Things

Did you know that the European eel can migrate far distances simply from memory? Did you know that chimpanzees can learn sign language? This book is packed with interesting facts about animals that can do amazing and human- things.

Gross Out! Animals That Do Disgusting Things
Did you know that the horned lizard squirts blood out of its eyes to scare off predators? Learn more about this creature as well as the leech, the naked mole rat, the hagfish, and many more creepy critters in this sickening and super science book.

Maxed Out!  Gigantic Creatures From the Past 

Dinosaurs aren't the only animals that roamed the earth during the prehistoric era. There was the Archelon, the largest turtle ever, measuring over 13 feet, and the Argentavis, the largest bird ever recorded, weighing in at over 140 pounds!