Children's & Parents' Services Department eNews
With the Children's and Parents' Services Department
Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for lots of story times, links, resources, and activities to share with your families.

Keep an eye on our library web program calendar for upcoming virtual programs. Click HERE to view.
Upcoming Programs
Kahoot: Name These Famous Influential People
Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5 at 9:00 p.m.
Test your knowledge and see how you rank. Fun for the whole family and will spark a discussion to come.

Try it out HERE
Crafts-To-Go will be offered ongoing as part of the way that you can Summer With Us .

Family Picture themed Crafts-To-Go will be available Monday, July 6 to Friday, July 10.

Crafts-To-Go can be requested by phone (631-399-1511 ext. 262.) WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
Artist Trading Card Kit (grades 3 – 6)
Monday, July 6 to Saturday, July 11.  

Create a small work of art to trade or giveaway with the supplies provided. Register beginning Monday, July 6, HERE or call 631-399-1511 ext. 262 to reserve your kit.  You will be notified when the kit is ready for curbside pickup. WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
Family Game Night
Friday, July 10, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
For Families

Join Ms. Hillary on Zoom in this virtual program. We will be playing Drawasaurus (like Pictionary.) No registration necessary. Join us using Zoom by clicking HERE or use the Meeting ID: 897 7740 4027  
Crafts & Activities
SOMETHING YUMMY
The Everything Kids Gross Cookbook by Colleen Sell and Melinda Sell Frank. Available on the Libby app or Overdrive by clicking HERE

One of my favorite snacks is a good old apple with some cinnamon! Which is something we made a few weeks back! This week we are going to turn those apples and cinnamon into a new treat, MUFFINS! I love muffins. Muffins are great for breakfast or even just a snack to grab on the go.
-Miss Casey 
Chunky Crud Cakes (Apple Cinnamon Muffins) (Makes 12 Muffins)
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
  • 1 ½ Cups flour
  • 1 Teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 ½ cups chunky apple sauce
  • 6 tablespoons butter melted
  • ½ cups chopped nuts of your choice
 
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and add cupcake liners to cupcake pan.
  2. Combine flour cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
  3. In another bowl mix eggs, brown sugar and then applesauce and melted butter
  4. Pour both mixtures together into the big bowl and mix until combined.
  5. Add mixture to your cupcake liners about halfway full, bake for 20 minutes.
  6. Take out of the oven, let cool and ENJOYYYY!!

Are you missing our cooking classes with Chef Rob? Check out our Facebook page for his newest cooking demonstrations and recipes and you can bring him right into your own kitchen.

No registration necessary!
QUARENTUNES
Here is a catchy song about going to the beach! Click  HERE

Sing this tune with your little ones as you try and spot the different critters at the beach!

Don't forget to wear your sunscreen!  
BABY CORNER
Salt Dough Hand and Foot Prints

It’s raining a bit today so I started thinking of something you could do with your baby on rainy days that I haven’t shared yet. This activity is fun for a rainy day and makes a great keepsake. Once it dries, you can even paint it. It is a simple, fun and cheap activity to do. You can even make a little extra dough for your baby’s hands to play with and feel the texture. --Miss Tara R.
Ingredients:
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 bowls
  • spoons

Instructions:
  1. Mix the salt and flour in a large bowl.
  2. Make a well in the salt/flour mixture and add the water.
  3. Knead until smooth and stretchy.
  4. Shape into a ball. If it is still too sticky add a bit more flour, if too dry and crumbly then add a tiny touch more water. A little bit of trial and error is all that is needed, and it really is so easy!
  5. If you want to color your salt dough, simply mix in a few drops of food coloring while you are kneading it.
  6. Once the dough is kneaded divide it into equal parts. You want to find a shallow bowl that is big enough to accommodate the full length of both hands/feet. Then squish one part into the bowl and flatten it around to the edges
  7. Then either put one foot or one hand into the middle of the dough. Try not to wiggle their hand or foot so that the shape of the print doesn’t warp. A firm straight down impression and lift straight up works best. Of course, if it gets messed up, the great thing is that you can reform the dough and try it again.
  8. You can let your salt dough handprints air dry, but they can also be dried in the oven. Bake at 200 F until dry. The amount of time is based on the size and thickness of your masterpiece. Thin flat ornaments may only take 45-60 minutes, but thicker ones like the ones I did can take 2-3 hours or more.
  9. Make sure you store any leftover dough in an airtight container, or it will get all dry and crumbly. 
Miss Kathy fans, make sure to watch our Facebook page Friday mornings for her weekly baby and toddler programs. Babies and Toddlers class starts at 10:00 a.m. and class for 2-3-year olds starts at 10:30 a.m. No registration necessary!
CATCH THE READING BUG
Preschool Picture Books
Biscuit’s Fourth of July – Unfold the flaps to see what surprises are in store for Biscuit as he celebrates America's birthday.
McDuff Saves the Day - When ants destroy his family’s Fourth of July picnic, McDuff heads out to find a good replacement lunch and soon comes upon a kind man who is only too happy to share his picnic lunch with his new friends.
Summer Days and Nights - What does summer mean? Morning light at waking up, the feel of grass underfoot, picnics, splash pools, and fireflies. Great for a bedtime story.
The Night before the Fourth of July - In rhyming text a family, decked in red, white, and blue, heads to the Fourth of July parade, hosts a backyard BBQ with neighbors, dodges an afternoon thundershower, and watches the fireworks show.
Blue Sky, White Stars - A stirring poetic tribute to the beauty and wonder of America's symbols, history and landscape.
Picture Books
Pie is for Sharing - A sumptuously illustrated ode to sharing depicts a memorable Fourth of July picnic where shared time, food, games, and spaces become symbolic for community strength, friendship, and diversity.
Firefly July – Whether listened to in the comfort of a cozy lap or read independently, the 36 very short poems in this collection remind readers young and old that a few perfect words and pictures can make the world glow.
Thunder Cake – Whether the first clap of thunder finds you buried under the bedcovers or happily anticipating the coming storm, Thunder Cake is a story that will bring new meaning and possibility to the excitement of a thunderstorm. Recipe included.
Clams all Year - During a summer vacation at the shore with a large extended family, all the kids enjoy morning clam-digging expeditions with Grandpa.
Should I Share my Ice Cream? - Gerald the elephant has a big decision to make, but will he make it in time?
Down to the Sea with Mr. McGee - While spending the day in their boat on the sea, Mr. Magee and his dog get caught up in wacky adventures.
Books for Older Kids
Everybody’s Revolution – With stories of courage and heroism from the Revolution, this provides a look at the multicultural and multiethnic participants in the Revolutionary War, along with women and teenagers.
Alexander Hamilton: the Outsider - Master biographer Jean Fritz doesn't disappoint in her thoroughly fascinating exploration into this founding father's life and legacy.
America: The Making of a Nation - A fictional letter writer shares the contents of his trunk of "memorabilia" to illustrate the people, values, and events that formed the foundation of America's identity.
Sophia's War: a tale of the Revolution – In 1776, after witnessing the execution of Nathan Hale in New York City, young Sophia Calderwood resolves to do all she can to help the American cause, including becoming a spy.
Redcoats and Petticoats - The true story of George Washington’s Culper spy ring on Long Island during the American Revolution. Did you know there’s a Manor of St. George connection? Picture book.
George Washington’s Spies - An account of General Washington's Revolutionary War leadership of the Long Island Culper Ring spy network describes how his team used secret names, codes, invisible ink and other measures to collect and share important information to help defeat the British. 
Ebooks
Lion of the Sky - Haiku meet riddles in this wonderful collection from Laura Purdie Salas. The poems celebrate the seasons and describe everything from an earthworm to a baseball to an apple to snow angels, alongside full-color illustrations.
Revolutionary War on Wednesday – Using their magic tree house, Jack and Annie travel back to the time of the American Revolution and help General George Washington during his famous crossing of the Delaware River.
Chains - When their owner dies at the start of the Revolution, Isabel and her younger sister are sold to Loyalists in New York, where Isabel is offered the chance to spy for the Patriots.
I Survived the American Revolution - Nate is suddenly propelled toward a thrilling and dangerous journey into the heart of the Revolutionary War. He finds himself in New York City on the brink of what will be the biggest battle yet.
Hazardous Tales: Lafayette – A lively introduction in graphic novel form to the French nobleman who helped save the American Revolution. It traces his rise from an orphan to a major contributor to American history.
You Are Home: An Ode to the National Parks - This love letter to America's national treasures is an important, informative invitation to experience and
explore. Lyrical free verse tells readers that the national parks are preserved for everyone, and when we visit them, we are home.
NATURE CORNER
Backyard Safari

Fun Fact: Did you know that male Cardinals are so territorial that they will spend hours attempting to fight their own reflection in a window?

It’s Cardinal Week in the Nature Corner. Check out our sixth in-depth Backyard Safari Spotter’s Guide on the MMS Community Library Facebook page to learn all about these colorful, popular songbirds. We’ll be giving you everything you want to know, including where to spot them, what to look for, and plenty more fun facts!
Garden Crafts

Recycle a milk carton and feed some birds…with a bird! This DIY Owl-shaped bird feeder from Red Ted Art uses materials you’d find around the house, as well as ones you’d normally throw away. Attract some pretty songbirds like Cardinals to your backyard with your very own bird feeder. If owls aren’t your thing, check out Happy Hooligans for links to a bunch of other bird feeder crafts you can try instead.
At Home Learning

These days kids spend a lot of their time indoors and in front of a screen, whether that be a computer, tv, or tablet. Now that we are forced to spend more time at home, getting quality time in the fresh air, outdoors, couldn’t be more important. But what to do once you reach the backyard or park? The National Wildlife Federation has some ideas on how you can spend your quality time outdoors in fun, educational, and exciting ways. Their offering gardening tips, free educational guides, and more!
407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, NY 11967 |  (631) 399-1511