FOSEL RECOMMENDS: A Resource List from All Over the World for Keeping Kids and Young Adults Engaged While Home

The virtual Everywhere Book Fest on May 1 and May 2 will feature kid-lit authors, books and readings

FOSEL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR KEEPING KIDS ENGAGED WHILE HOME 

Compiled by Tracey Bolotnick

We know that many South End families rely on the library not only as a source of reading material for kids, but also as center of educational activity and community connection.  Although libraries across the Commonwealth, including the South End library, are closed for now, there are many great options out there for keeping kids connected to books and learning while staying safe at home.  We all look forward to the day when we can safely convene again in our beautifully renovated library.  Until then, here is a list of some recommended online alternatives for keeping kids engaged:  

 BOOKS AND READING

Thumbs-Up Books recommends picture books for children

Boston Public Library Online Resources.  It is still possible to borrow books and other resources from the Library even while it is closed by visiting:   https://www.bpl.org/stream-and-download/.    You can download or stream eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, movies, and more.  (Contact Anne Smart at asmart@bpl.org, (339) 203-0997 or Matt Krug mkrug@bpl.org for help using the library’s online services.)  

A Korean interface from the International Children’s Digital Library

International Children’s Digital Library.  A free and easily searchable source of online access to books from around the world in multiple languages for kids ages 3 to 13:  http://en.childrenslibrary.org/

Author Hosted Readings and Activities.  Browsing You Tube or the web for live or recorded readings of your favorite children’s book authors will pull up loads of options.  Here are some favorites:    

 Grace Lin, an illustrator and author of middle-grade novels and picture books, is posting readings and drawing tutorials from her books on her You Tube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIQet5ij4zAuR_QGOQ1vAxQ.    

A children’s book in Farsi from the International Children’s Digital Library

 Oliver Jeffers, author of The Day the Crayons Quit and many other much beloved picture books is doing a daily live reading and posting the recordings on his web site:  https://www.oliverjeffers.com/books#/abookaday/

Story Time from Space.  On this site astronauts read children’s books in space (!) from the International Space Station: https://storytimefromspace.com/

Audible Stories.  Audiobooks for kids in six languages, free during the pandemic:  https://stories.audible.com/discovery

BPL Recommended Online Story Times and Do-It-Yourself Story Times: http://guides.bpl.org/c.php?g=1012154&p=7331668 http://guides.bpl.org/remote_resources_for_families/diy_storytimes

Games and Puzzles from the TATE Kids UK website

Everywhere Book Fest.  In response to the dozens of canceled books festivals, three young adult writers decided to start the Everywhere Book Fest, “a virtual gathering of kid-lit authors, books and readers that will bring the book festival experience to everyone” on May 1st and 2nd:  https://everywherebookfest.com  

ABC Mouse.  A digital education site for kids ages 2-8 with stories, games, and puzzles.  This is a paid service but offers a 30-day free trial: https://www.abcmouse.com/abt/homepage?8a08850bc2=T1240128372.1585770828.7485&cjevent=805ea6cb745211ea8328002d0a240613

BPL’s Booklists.  Book recommendations for different ages from the BPL: http://guides.bpl.org/c.php?g=1012154&p=7331685

Thumbs Up Books.  A resource for parents of young children looking for picture book recommendations:  https://thumbsupbooks.weebly.com/

Live footage from all over the world on Explore Live Cams website

 SCIENCE AND ARTS & CRAFTS

Tate Kids.  A dedicated kids’ website from the Tate Galleries in the UK with an assortment of art-themed games and quizzes: https://www.tate.org.uk/kids/games-quizzes.

BPL Crafts and Games List.  Links to a variety of crafts and games for kids from the BPL:  http://guides.bpl.org/c.php?g=1012154&p=7331687

Draw Everyday with JJK.  Jarrett J. Krosoczka, author of the Lunch Lady books, hosts a basic illustration lesson every weekday at 2pm:   https://www.youtube.com/studiojjk

Mo Willems Doodling.  The popular picture book author of the Knuffle Bunny series and other picture books is hosting doodling sessions on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmzjCPQv3y8&feature=emb_title

The ArtisTree Community Art Center.  Videos with ideas for how to stay creative while staying at home: https://www.youtube.com/user/artistreevt

The American Museum of Natural History’s site is chock full of videos and activities about our natural world.

 Ology.  A science website for kids from the American Museum of Natural History with videos, games, activities, etc. on a variety of subjects:  https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology

New England Aquarium:  Visit the aquarium from the comfort of home:  https://www.neaq.org/visit/at-home-events-and-activities/?fbclid=IwAR2Psh0apSlCIn7VbS6X0UfbjYD9z6E8Bry7-gq0-F7Y-2T1R0tO-M3CJTA

The San Diego Zoo.  A site for kids including behind-the-scenes videos and stories, as well as a variety of printable activities and online games:  https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/videos

Explore Live Cams.  Live footage of elephants in Africa, of Earth from the International Space Station, of oceans, birds, stars and much more:  https://explore.org/livecams

Ranger Rick Magazine.  A kids’ nature magazine that normally requires a paid subscription but is free for now with games, activities, information, and back issues:  https://rangerrick.org/stuck-indoors/

Farm Food 360.  Canadian farm and food tours—from raising pigs to making milk and cheese, and virtual egg farm field trips and egg-speriments from the American Egg Board:  virtual egg farm field trips /  https://www.farmfood360.ca/

Did you know that some Canadian family dairy farms allow their cows to decide when they would like to be milked? And why should they not have a say in it? Find out on Farm Food 360’s website.

Skype a Scientist.  A program that allows kids to request to speak to a scientist and then connects them for a Skype conversation:  https://www.skypeascientist.com/for-families.html

The Kid Should See This.  A website of interesting and educational videos on a host of subjects:   https://thekidshouldseethis.com/

Science Kids.  Facts, games, quizzes, experiments, and more on a variety of topics:  http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/

The story of ten influential works of architecture on Kids Kanopy

Architecture for Young Adults, An Exciting Introduction, featuring a Kanopy Film on Architecture.  A 57-minute film telling the stories of ten influential works of architecture:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DA8L9dvyp0

Kiwi Co. Innovation Factory.  A website with loads of art and science project ideas for kids of all ages:  https://www.kiwico.com/kids-at-home.  

The Trustees at Home.  Virtual events and activity ideas from the Trustees of Reservations while their properties are closed:  http://www.thetrustees.org/things-to-do/month/virtual.html

Kids/Kanopy Movies: Now, Kanopy offers children’s programming with Kanopy Kids. Parents can browse educational and engaging videos for children of all ages that promote positive social and emotional development and inspire creativity in young minds. We have partnered with Common Sense Media™ to provide developmentally appropriate age ratings for videos on Kanopy Kids. www.kanopy.com

The Twelfth South End Library Easter Egg Hunt Came at the End of a Long Rainy Spell, Ringing in the First of Many Spring and Summer Events in Library Park

FOSEL volunteers prepared Library Park for the Twelfth Annual Easter Egg Hunt. From left to right: Walter Newman, Easter Bunny Chris Fagg, branch librarian Anne Smart, Marleen Nienhuis, Gail Ide, Michael Cox, Maura Harrington, Jacqueline McRath, Michelle Laboy, Noah Fiedler, Josh Fiedler.

The crowd began to swell at 10:30 AM…

Last fall, it was not clear whether it was a good idea to plant spring bulbs in Library Park as their bloom time would most likely coincide with the Library Easter Egg Hunt. Should we not plant or not have the Easter Egg Hunt?

Easter eggs everywhere…

Neither was a good option, so FOSEL planted AND had the Hunt. The enthusiastic crowd of hunters carefully tipped around tulips and daffodils, knocking down only a few. Their spree to collect more than 1,700 eggs was over in minutes.

Nearly a dozen FOSEL volunteers had filled the eggs with chocolates, poems and knock-knock jokes the weeks before. Chris Fagg, our talented Easter Bunny, did a great job waving and giving hugs to whoever wanted one.

Tip-toeing through the tulips and daffodils..

The sun came out after a long rainy spell. Parents and children were happy. They took pictures. They chatted. They consumed all the refreshments. A little girl noted, “the bunny has a costume on,” but agreed to keep it a secret for the littler children.

A new season in renovated Library Park has begun.

Opening up the Easter eggs and finding poems, knock-knock jokes and..chocolates

The Easter Bunny was at the center of attention of little kids and their parents

Josh Fiedler and son Noah

Nick Altschuller and son Gus waiting with the crowd.

Sewing for Success for Teens and Tweens on Six "Sewing Fridays" from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Call to Register.

So your teens and tweens don’t know how to sew? The South End branch will offer six one-hour “sewing Fridays” in October and November for teens and tweens. Kelli Bos (Sewing for Success) has installed a lovely display about sewing in the library’s park-side window, featuring a sewing machine, many books about sewing, fabrics, samples of finished pieces and various props.

The first session will be on October 12, followed by instruction hours on October 19 and 26 and November 2, 9 and 16. All dates are on Fridays, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. Fabrics and sewing materials will be provided. For further information or registration, contact Anne Smart or Margaret Gardner at the South End branch at 617 536-8241. Or call Kelli Bos at 617 455 4547, extension 800, or #sheiskellibos.

Summer Arrived in Library Park with Musician David Polansky Entertaining a Happy Crowd of Kids Singing Songs about Spiders, Rabbits and Buses Going 'Round and 'Round

The South End has only six percent open space which may be why its parks are so treasured, even when the pavement is cracked and the weeds at times more prominent than plantings. Summer arrived in Library Park today when the first of a series of children's events planned by the South End library staff kicked off with a much-appreciated return by musician David Polansky.

The performance is one of the many sponsored by the Friends of the South End Library. It was attended by some forty children accompanied by parents, nannies and teachers, and elicited enthusiastic sing-along responses and curious investigations by young Southenders of instruments, stuffed animals used to illustrate songs, and other props.

Other programs for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers coming up are: 

*Sing and Dance Along with Little Groove, a Boston-based Music and Art Enrichment group, Mondays, June 20, July 18 and August 15 at 10:30 AM

*English-Spanish Story Time with Pine Village Preschool, a Boston Parents Paper Family Favorite Language Immersion program with songs, stories and crafts, Wednesdays June 15, August 17, September 21 at 10:30 AM.

*Jouvet Shortell and Spanish in Motion for pre-schoolers, Wednesdays, July 13, July 20 and July 27 at 10:30 AM

*A Music Concert for Pre-schoolers with the Community Music Center of Boston in Library Park, Wednesday, August 10 at 10:30 AM

All events are free. For further information, contact the South End library at 617 536-8241 or check their web site, linked here. 

Report from the The Eighth Annual Easter Egg Hunt: 1,400 Eggs Filled with Chocolate, Poems and Knock-Knock Jokes Collected by a Horde of Happy Children in Less than Three Minutes...

the 1,400 eggs awaiting the onslaught

Another Egg Hunt under the belt of the staff and Friends of the  South End library. The sun came out. The park

The hordes at the gate before the 11:00 count-down

looked great, thanks to a thorough sweeping, weeding and mulching by the Parks Department. The balloons waved in the breeze. The Easter Bunny was better than

the Easter Bunny has extra eggs for late-comers

ever. So many happy children. The first outdoor event of Spring 2016. The coffee was hot. The lemonade sweet. Baked good as delicious as ever. A plethora of selfies. Some not-so-selfies, too, as here in this post.

The FOSEL set-up crew

The Easter Bunny Will Host the Eighth Annual South End Library Easter Egg Hunt at Library Park on Sunday, March 27, From 11 AM to 2 PM

The Easter Bunny is ready for you

After a one-year hiatus due to last year's snow deluge, the Eighth Annual South End Library Easter Egg Hunt is back on track for Sunday, March 27 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The Easter Bunny is practicing hugs. The 1,400 eggs have been filled with chocolate, poems and knock-knock jokes. The Parks Department and FOSEL will have scrubbed Library Park clean. Police officers from Area D4 have been asked to be there to assist with street crossing, and if previous years' experience is a guide, they will be there.  FOSEL will have created a separate area for little kids up to age four.

Ready to hunt, loaded for chocolates, poems and knock-knock jokes

Do not be late: The gates to Library Park will open after a count-down of 20 seconds at 11:00 AM SHARP. It will all be over at 11:03 AM, if past experience still holds. There will be Easter baskets for any child who for forgot to bring one. Refreshments will be served.

South End Library Has Scheduled Special Programming With Puppeteer Nicola McEldowney, Storyteller Mark Binder And Jazz Musician Pat Loomis

The South End branch has scheduled several special programs for children, aged pre-school through teen. And for the rest

of us we can look forward to the Annual Holiday Jazz Concert and Potluck with Pat Loomis and Friends. Also listed are regularly scheduled programs. For more info, check the South End branch's web site, or click here....Here are the special-event dates:

PRESCHOOL:

Puppeteer Nicola McEldowney

Wednesday, October 30, a Halloween Puppet Show, with the fabulous puppeteer  Nicola McEldowney; 10;30 AM

Wednesday, November 13, Stories of Giving and Thanks, with the excellent storyteller Mark Binder, author of  Cinderella Spinderella, 10:30 AM

TEENS:

Tuesday, October 15, Clay and Collage Artist Sabrina! Create mixed-media keepsake treasures with sculpey clay, odds and ends from the library's GREAT STASH of decorative items and any small treasures you can bring. We supply the old cigar boxes...  6:30 PM;

THE REST OF US:

Tuesday, December 17,The Annual South End Library Holiday Jazz Concert Pot Luck with the fabulous Pat Loomis and Friends. 6:30 PM. 

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WEEKLY PROGRAMS:

Fridays in November at 10:30: Preschool Films

All Mondays at 10:30: Toddler Story Time, nursery rhymes, song & movement, story, & simple craft.

All Wednesdays at 10:30: Preschool Story Time that will focus on:  new beginnings, fall & animals (September & October); tales of giving thanks & appreciation (November); and tales and crafts for holiday (December)

Tuesday Night, July 9, at the SE Library Means: Jazz with Pat Loomis in Library Park; an Artist Talk by Painter Zen O'Conor Inside; and Henna Tatoos with Nimmi Sehgal, if This Is Still Not Good Enuf

Tuesday July 9 by 6:30 PM the South End branch should be hopping: Pat Loomis and his band will kick of FOSEL's first steps into the summer-concert scene at Library Park, weather permitting. Check this web site for last-minute cancelations should the  thunderstorm system roving over New England  decide to hit on defenseless library patrons..

Zen Conor at his easel

Indoors, also at 6:30 PM, Scottish artist Zen O’Conor will open his show of oil paintings with a talk about his work. O'Conor, who lives in the Piano Craft Guild artist building, was trained in classic French and Flemish oil painting techniques and will show his work at the library during July. In August, he'll return to Scotland to teach at the Gallery of Realist Art.

Nimmi Seghal's Henna Tatoos

Finally, should neither music nor art exhibits catch your fancy, how about a henna tatoo from Nimmi Seghal? Check this link for details. Ms. Seghal has delivered tatoos at the branch previously and, should you miss her on Tuesday July 9,  is scheduled to return to the South End Library on August 27 at 6:30 PM.

Both the jazz concert and the henna tatoo event have been sponsored by FOSEL, that means YOU, and many thanks for that. The art exhibit was organized by members of the Piano Factory, a group that supports local artists, with support of the staff of the South End Library. All events are free. For further questions, call the library staff at 617 536-8241.

LAST MINUTE ADDITION: South End resident and Shakespeare fan Judith Klau will talk about Two Gentlemen of Verona on Tuesday, July 9 at 6:30 PM in the upstairs conference room, which is wheelchair accessible.  This play will be performed at the Boston Common until July 26 in a production by the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company.

The Boston Public Library Has Purchased More Than 2,400 Books on Grieving and Anxiety to Help Adults and Children Cope With the Trauma and Loss After the Marathon Bombings

Books on Grieving for Children

At a budget hearing before the Boston City Council earlier this month, BPL president Amy Ryan told the councilors that the library purchased more than 2,000 books on coping with anxiety, grieving and loss after the Marathon bombings. In addition, even though the main library at Copley Square was forced to close for a week due to its close proximity to the bombing site, all the 25 branches were open the next day. "They were crowded," reported Ryan. "People were busy checking in with one another. Libraries are community spaces." According to Catherine Willis, Chief of Technical and Digital Services at the BPL, a total of 2,410 books were ordered on the subject of loss and anxiety. The cost for the books would have been more than $30,000 but the vendor gave the BPL a 'sizeable' discount to bring the final amount down to around $15,000. The books have begun to arrive at libraries throughout the system, including the South End Library.

South End Library's children's librarian Margaret Gardner collected several links for library patrons, including:

1. Tips for parents and teachers on how to deal with children's fear of war and terrorism from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

2. Talking to children about violence, also by NASP

3. Talking with kids about news, sponsored by PBS Parents

4. Times of Grief and Sadness, a list of 19 books for children from the BPL web site's Boston PL Kids Lists.

Gardner told FOSEL that kids and teens who have been at the South End branch since the bombings have expressed themselves through art, which she plans to continue to do. Two teens created  "the dove of peace" in the front window facing Tremont Street the first week after the bombing, and another teen artist made the two doves of peace by the circulation counter, with hand prints and words from younger children.

Below is the full list of the BPL's books that are, or will soon be arriving at a library near you, and the number of copies available.

ADULT:

Aikman, Becky. Saturday night widows : the adventures of six friends remaking their lives

Albano, Anne Marie. You and your anxious child : free your child from fears and worries and create a joyful family life

Amend, Allison. A nearly perfect copy : a novel

Askew, Rilla. Kind of kin

Backhaus, Jeff. Hikikomori and the rental sister : a novel

Bacon, Armen. Griefland : an intimate portrait of love, loss, and unlikely friendship

Bateman, Tracey Victoria. The widow of Saunders Creek : a novel

Baudrillard, Jean The Spirit of Terrorism : And Other Essays

Beattie, Melody. The grief club : the secret to getting through all kinds of change

Bedford, Lisa. Survival mom : how to prepare your family for everyday disasters and worst-case scenarios

Berger, Susan A. The five ways we grieve : finding your personal path to healing after the loss of a loved one

Bessette, Alicia. A pinch of love

Bien, Thomas. The Buddha's Way of Happiness : healing sorrow, transforming negative emotion & finding well-being in the present moment

Blaustein, Margaret. Treating traumatic stress in children and adolescents : how to foster resilience through attachment, self-regulation, and competency

Brach, Tara. True refuge : finding peace and freedom in your own awakened heart

Brantley, Jeffrey. Calming your anxious mind : how mindfulness & compassion can free you from anxiety, fear, & panic

Brown, Erica, 1966- Happier endings : overcoming the fear of death

Bstan-Êdzin-rgya-mtsho, Dalai Lama XIV, 1935- The wisdom of compassion : stories of remarkable encounters and timeless insights

Burns, Donna M. When kids are grieving : addressing grief and loss in school

Chansky, Tamar Ellsas. Freeing your child from anxiety : powerful, practical strategies to overcome your child's fears, phobias, and worries

Chödrön, Pema. Comfortable with uncertainty : 108 teachings on cultivating fearlessness and compassion

Chödrön, Pema. The places that scare you : a guide to fearlessness in difficult times

Chödrön, Pema. When things fall apart : heart advice for difficult times

Chopra, Deepak. God : a story of Revelation

Cloyed, Deborah. The summer we came to life

Coetzee, J. M., 1940- Slow man

Cohen, Judith A. Treating trauma and traumatic grief in children and adolescents / A Clinician's Guide

Cohen, Leah Hager. The grief of others

Cooper, Gwen, 1971- Love saves the day : a novel

Cope, Pam. Jantsen's gift : a true story of grief, rescue, and grace

Dahlie, Michael. The best of youth : a novel

De Becker, Gavin. The gift of fear : survival signals that protect us from violence

De Feo, Ronald. Solo pass

Deits, Bob, 1933- Life after loss : a practical guide to renewing your life after experiencing major loss

Deraniyagala, Sonali. Wave

Didion, Joan. The year of magical thinking

Dreher, Rod. The little way of Ruthie Leming : a Southern girl, a small town, and the secret of a good life

Dunn, Bill. Through a season of grief : devotions for your journey from mourning to joy

Ellmann, Lucy, 1956- Mimi : a novel

Emerson, David, 1969- Overcoming trauma through yoga : reclaiming your body

Ericsson, Stephanie, 1953- Companion through the darkness : inner dialogues on grief

Evans, Richard Paul. The road to grace

Frankl, Viktor E. (Viktor Emil), 1905-1997. Man's search for meaning

Frazier, Ian. The cursing mommy's book of days

Friedman, Russell. Moving beyond loss : real answers to real questions from real people

Gaiman, Neil. Fragile things : short fictions and wonders

Gewirtz, Matthew D. The gift of grief : finding peace, transformation, and renewed life after great sorrow

Gil, Eliana Working with children to heal interpersonal trauma : the power of play

Gilbert, Kellie Coates. Mother of Pearl

Goldman, Linda, 1946- Great answers to difficult questions about death : what children need to know

Gonzales, Laurence, 1947- Surviving survival : the art and science of resilience

Gordon, Terry A. No storm lasts forever : transforming suffering into insight

Greenspan, Miriam. Healing through the dark emotions : the wisdom of grief, fear, and despair

Greenwood, T. (Tammy) The hungry season

Guthrie, Nancy O love that will not let me go : facing death with courageous confidence in God

Hall, Louisa, 1982- The carriage house : a novel

Hance, Jackie. I'll see you again : a memoir

Henkin, Joshua. The world without you

Hickman, Martha Whitmore, 1925- Healing after loss : daily meditations for working through grief

Higgins, Lisa Verge. The proper care and maintenance of friendship

Hinton, J. Lynne. Welcome back to Pie Town

Hodges, Samuel J Grieving with hope : finding comfort as you journey through loss

Holland, Debra. The essential guide to grief and grieving

Hunter, John, 1954- author. World peace and other 4th-grade achievements

Isaacs, Florence. My deepest sympathies : meaningful sentiments for condolence notes, plus a guide to eulogies

Jacobson, Don When God makes lemonade : true stories that amaze and encourage

James, John W. The grief recovery handbook : the action program for moving beyond death, divorce, and other losses including health career, and faith

James, John W. When children grieve : for adults to help children deal with death, divorce, pet loss, moving, and other losses

Kabat-Zinn, Jon. Wherever you go, there you are : mindfulness meditation in everyday life

Kimball, Michael, 1967- Big Ray : a novel

King, Claire, 1980- The Night Rainbow

Kinkade, Thomas, 1958-2012. A wandering heart

Klein, Daniel M. Nothing serious : a novel

Kolf, June Cerza. When will I stop hurting? : dealing with a recent death

Kornfield, Jack The Art Of Forgiveness, Lovingkindess, And Peace

Krueger, William Kent. Ordinary grace : a novel

Kübler-Ross, Elisabeth. On death and dying : what the dying have to teach doctors, nurses, clergy, and their own families

Kübler-Ross, Elisabeth. On grief and grieving : finding the meaning of grief through the five stages of loss

Kultgen, Chad, 1976- The average American marriage : a novel

Kumar, Sameet M. Grieving mindfully : a compassionate and spiritual guide to coping with loss

Kushner, Harold S. The book of Job : when bad things happened to a good person

Kushner, Harold S. When bad things happen to good people

Lankford, Adam, 1979- The myth of martyrdom : what really drives suicide bombers, rampage shooters, and other self-destructive killers

Latiolais, Michelle. Widow : stories

Lavigne, Michael. The wanting

Lee, Ashton. The Cherry Cola Book Club

Lee, Deborah. The compassionate-mind guide to recovering from trauma and PTSD : using compassion-focused therapy to overcome flashbacks, shame, guilt, and fear

Lee, Linda Francis. Emily and Einstein / A Novel of Second Chances

Levine, Peter A. Trauma-proofing your kids : a parents' guide for instilling confidence, joy and resilience

Levine, Peter A. Waking the tiger : healing trauma : the innate capacity to transform overwhelming experiences

Lewis, C. S. (Clive Staples), 1898-1963. A grief observed

Malchiodi, Cathy A. The art therapy sourcebook

Marasco, Ron. About grief : insights, setbacks, grace notes, taboos

Martin, John D. I can't stop crying : it's so hard when someone you love dies

Martinez, J. Michael (James Michael) Terrorist attacks on American soil : from the Civil War era to the present

Matta, Christy. The stress response : how dialectical behavior therapy can free you from needless anxiety, worry, anger, & other symptoms of stress

Miller, Serena, 1950- Hidden mercies : a novel

Milliken, Maureen. The afterlife survey : a Rabbi, a CEO, a dog walker, and others on the universal question - what comes next?

Nhá̂t H?anh, Thích Anger : wisdom for cooling the flames

Nhá̂t H?anh, Thích. Fear : essential wisdom for getting through the storm

Nugent, Benjamin. Good kids : a novel

Odell, Jonathan, 1951- The healing : a novel

Orange, Cynthia. Shock waves : a practical guide to living with a loved one's PTSD

Paisley, Michelle Yoga for a Broken Heart : A Spiritual Guide to Healing from Break-Up, Loss, Death or Divorce

Peretti, Frank E. Illusion : a novel

Podrug, Junius. The disaster survival bible

Punnett, Ian, 1960- How to pray when you're pissed at God / Or Anyone Else for That Matter

Quick, Matthew, 1973- The silver linings playbook

Rando, Therese A. How to go on living when someone you love dies

Raney, Deborah. After all

Rapp, Emily. The still point of the turning world

Rathkey, Julia Wilcox. What children need when they grieve : the four essentials : routine, love, honesty, and security

Ratner, Austin. In the land of the living : a novel

Ritchie, Cinthia. Dolls behaving badly : a novel

Rogers, Michael Allen, 1949- What happens after I die?

Rothbaum, Barbara Olasov. Reclaiming your life from a traumatic experience : workbook

Rothschild, Babette. Trauma essentials : the go-to guide

Rupp, Joyce. My soul feels lean : poems of loss and restoration

Scheunemann, Frauke. Puppy love

Schonfeld, David J., 1959- The grieving student : a teacher's guide

Schrank, Ben. Love is a canoe

Schuster, Marc, 1973- The grievers

Simons, Paullina, 1963- Children of liberty

Smith, Haywood, 1949- Out of warranty

Smolinski, Jill. Objects of my affection

Sorensen, Julia. Overcoming loss : activities and stories to help transform children's grief and loss

Spencer, Elizabeth DuPont, 1966- The anxiety cure for kids : a guide for parents

Spencer, Katherine, 1955- The Way Home : Thomas Kinkade's Angel Island

Stahl, Bob. Calming the rush of panic : a mindfulness-based stress reduction guide to freeing yourself from panic attacks & living a vital life

Stavlund, Mike. A force of will : the reshaping of faith in a year of grief

Stearns, Ann Kaiser. Living through personal crisis

Stern, Robin. Project rebirth : survival and the strength of the human spirit from 9/11 survivors

Stewart, Carla. Broken wings : a novel

Stothard, Anna. The pink hotel

Sussman, Ellen, 1954- The Paradise Guest House : a novel

Tappouni, Therese Amrhein The Gifts of Grief : Finding Light in the Darkness of Loss

Thoene, Bodie, 1951- When Jesus wept

Tipping, Colin C Radical forgiveness : a revolutionary five-stage process to : heal relationships, let go of anger and blame, find peace in any situation

Tirch, Dennis D., 1968- The compassionate-mind guide to overcoming anxiety : using compassion-focused therapy to calm worry, panic, and fear

Trout, Nick. The patron saint of lost dogs

Welshons, John E. Awakening from grief : finding the way back to joy

West, Spencer, 1981- Standing tall : my journey

Westberg, Granger E Good Grief

Westfall, John. Getting past what you'll never get over : help for dealing with life's hurts

Whitson, Stephanie Grace. The message on the quilt

Wilde, Samantha. I'll take what she has : a novel

Wilder, Thornton, 1897-1975. The bridge of San Luis Rey

Williams, Mark. Mindfulness : an eight-week plan for finding peace in a frantic world

Williams, Mary Beth. The PTSD workbook / Simple, Effective Techniques for Overcoming Traumatic Stress Symptoms

Wiseman, John "Lofty" SAS Urban Survival Handbook : How to Protect Yourself Against Terrorism, Natural Disasters, Fires, Home Invasions, and Everyday Health and Safety Hazards

Wolf, Elaine. Danny's mom : a novel

Wolfelt, Alan D. The Mourner's Book of Faith : 30 Days of Enlightenment

Wolfelt, Alan D., Ph.D. The Mourner's Book of Courage : 30 Days of Encouragemen

Wolfelt, Alan. Healing your grieving heart : 100 practical ideas

Wolfelt, Alan. The wilderness of grief : finding your way

Wong, David, 1975 Jan. 10- This book is full of spiders : seriously, dude, don't touch it

Yancey, Philip Where Is God When It Hurts?

Yancey, Philip. Disappointment with God : three questions no one asks aloud

Yang, Jeffrey Time of grief : mourning poems

Chicken soup for the soul : grieving and recovery : 101 inspirational and comforting stories about surviving the loss of a loved one

Life after trauma : a workbook for healing

Poems of mourning

Alcorn, Randy C. Heaven for kids

CHILD/TEEN

Aliki Feelings

Annunziata, Jane Sometimes I'm scared

Applegate, Katherine. The one and only Ivan

Arnold, Elana K. Sacred

Bergren, Lisa Tawn. God gave us heaven

Blos, Joan W. A gathering of days : a novel

Bodeen, S. A. (Stephanie A.), 1965- The raft

Brody, Jessica. Unremembered

Brown, Laurene Krasny. When dinosaurs die : a guide to understanding deat

Bunting, Eve, 1928- Rudi's pond

Burpo, Todd. Heaven is for real for kids

Buscaglia, Leo F. The fall of Freddie the leaf : a story of life for all ages

Cassidy, Sara. Windfall

Coker, Rachel. Interrupted : a life beyond words

Cook, Julia Grief is Like a Snowflake

Cormier, Robert. After the first death

Crist, James J. What to do when you're scared & worried : a guide for kids

Crowe, Carole. Waiting for dolphins

Emberley, Ed. Glad monster, sad monster : a book about feelings

Eubanks, Sonja Death and dying

Fitzgerald, Helen. The grieving teen : a guide for teenagers and their friends

Fritts, Mary Bahr, 1946- If Nathan were here

Geithner, Carole. If only

Goldman, Linda, 1946- Children also grieve : talking about death and healing

Gootman, Marilyn E., 1944- When a friend dies : a book for teens about grieving & healing

Graff, Lisa (Lisa Colleen), 1981- Umbrella summer

Guanci, Anne Marie. David and the worry beast : helping children cope with anxiety

Hainsworth, Emily. Through to you

Hanson, Warren. The next place

Heegaard, Marge When Someone Very Special Dies : Children Can Learn to Cope With Grief

Heegaard, Marge When Something Terrible Happens : Children Learn to Cope With Grief

Holmes, Margaret M., 1944 A terrible thing happened

Huebner, Dawn. What to do when you worry too much : a kid's guide to overcoming anxiety

Kaplow, Julie B., 1974- Samantha Jane's missing smile : a story about coping with the loss of a parent

Klise, Kate. Little Rabbit and the Night Mare

LaFleur, Suzanne M. Love, Aubrey

Laybourne, Emmy. Monument 14

Lewis, Beverly, 1949- What is God like?

Lewis, Stewart. You have seven messages

Loewen, Nancy, 1964- Saying good-bye to Uncle Joe : what to expect when someone you love dies

Loth, Sebastian. Remembering Crystal

Lowry, Lois. A summer to die

Martin, Ann M., 1955- Welcome to Camden Falls

Mayfield, Sue. Living with bereavement

Meiners, Cheri J., 1957- When I feel afraid

Mellonie, Bryan. Lifetimes : the beautiful way to explain death to children

Mills, Joyce C., 1944- Gentle Willow : a story for children about dying

Myers, Edward, 1950- Teens, loss, and grief : the ultimate teen guide

O'Brien, Anne Sibley. A path of stars

Palmer, Pat, 1928- I wish I could hold your hand-- : a child's guide to grief and loss

Payne, Lauren Murphy, 1956- Just because I am : a child's book of affirmation

Penn, Audrey, 1947- The kissing hand

Penn, Audrey, 1947- Chester Raccoon and the acorn full of memories

Pennypacker, Sara, 1951- Stuart goes to school

Posesorski, Sherie. Shadow boxing

Rock, Lois, 1953- When good-bye is forever

Romain, Trevor. What on earth do you do when someone dies?

Romain, Trevor. Stress can really get on your nerves!

Rosen, Michael, 1946- Michael Rosen's sad book

Seuss, Dr. My many colored days

Shaw, Susan, 1951- One of the survivors

Spelman, Cornelia. When I miss you

Tangvald, Christine Harder, 1941- Someone I love died

Vail, Rachel. Sometimes I'm Bombaloo

Varley, Susan. Badger's parting gifts

Verdick, Elizabeth. How to take the grrrr out of anger

Vigna, Judith. Saying goodbye to Daddy

Violi, Jen. Putting makeup on dead people

Wagenbach, Debbie. The grouchies

Wild, Margaret, 1948- Harry & Hopper

Wilhelm, Hans, 1945- I'll always love you

Winsch, Jane Loretta. After the funeral

Wolfelt, Alan. Healing your grieving heart for teens : 100 practical ideas

Wolff, Ferida, 1946- Is a worry worrying you?

Children's Programming for May, June and July at South End Library in Full Swing

Leave room in your summer schedule for these exciting programs at the South End Library.

Special events to note:

Tween & Teen Dance Workshop, with Jerusha Aman

June 4, 6:30-7:30

Join Jerusha, from Urbanity Dance, in trying the latest contemporary and hip-hop moves!

The View from Anne Frank's Window

June 6, 4:00 -5:00

Explore what Anne Frank could see from her window in the Secret Annex, and combine it all in a special "views and visions" collage.

Mixed-Media Collage for Tween/Teens: Make a Summer Journal

July 2, 6:30-8:00

Learn how to create your own collage journal to preserve summer fun and memories.

Ongoing weekly programming includes:

Toddler Story Time: Mondays at 10:30

Preschool Story Time: Wednesdays at 10:30

Lego Club: every third Wednesday from 4:00 to 5:00

Art Journal Making (for 4th through 10th graders,) with artist and graphic designer Mary Owens: the last Thursday of every month, from 4:00 to 5:00

For more programming see the South End Library calendar on the Boston Public Library web site, link below:

http://www.bpl.org/branches/se_calendar.htm

FOSEL's Sixth Annual Easter Egg Hunt Drew a Large Crowd with Many Volunteers, a City Council Candidate and Kids Young and Old on the First Mild Day after a Long Cold Snap..

Reported by Ann Lloyd

Warm sunshine, a tall bunny, and a hundred or so eager egg hunters made the Sixth Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Sunday, March 31, in Library Park another big success. Many thanks to all the volunteers who made it happen: the steadfast bunny, otherwise known as Jean-Jacques Dubreuil, who had to be sweltering inside that furry suit during the many photo ops requested by the crowd; the FOSEL folks who laboriously stuffed more than 1200 plastic eggs with chocolates and poems;  Nathalie Dubreuil, who collated a new crop of poems; other library supporters like at-large city council candidate Suzanne Lee who hid countless eggs; and the many Friends who showed up at 9:30 AM to set up snack tables and blow up balloons. Thanks most of all to the South End neighbors for turning out and creating such a festive, friendly event.

Marcia Lloyd and Suzanne Lee with an egg huntress

People seemed to linger and chat long after eggs were snatched up and the delicious snacks --including the annual contribution of Liane Crawford's amazing cupcakes-- were eaten. The donation jar was generously filled and parents thanked the volunteers over and over. One dad said, “This is the most well-executed egg hunt we’ve been to.” Several parents expressed gratitude for the roped-off area for small children. The egg hunt is one of the most fun neighborhood things FOSEL does, and it seems to be more appreciated every year. Many thanks, too, to Area D4 for their assistance and to the wonderful staff of the South End Library for, among other things, their beautiful painting of the Easter bunny. Last but not least, big a big thank-you to Mary Owens for designing yet another poster for her beloved library.

Bunny Jean-Jacques Dubreuil greeting his delighted parents

Mike Lloyd took many pictures, some featured on this page. Others are now on display in the library’s window.

The Sixth Annual South End Library Easter Egg Hunt Will Start Sunday, March 31, at 11:00 a.m. (and End at 11:02 a.m. So Be On Time)

The Annual SE Library Easter Egg Hunt

Some 1,200 Easter eggs filled with chocolate eggs, knock-knock jokes and a new crop of children's poems will be laid out by the Easter Bunny early next Sunday, March 31st. The gates to Library Park will be closed until the countdown begins, 30 seconds before 11:00 a.m. Once they open, the guess is a few minutes are all that's needed to clear the field. That is, except for the tiny-tot area, where it may take a little longer. The Parks Department will clean beforehand (that's what a permit entitles us to) and an officer from Area D4 will help parents and children cross the street. There will be balloons, refreshments and South End Library tote bags for sale. Good weather has been ordered. Bring your own baskets or use ours: we have plenty. See you there....

New Art Journaling (for the Young) and Writing Workshops (for the Young at Heart) to Start Thursdays at the South End Branch

art journaling

Two new art and writing workshop will be offered at the South End branch on Thursday afternoons, starting next week for one and a week later for the other. The first, "Art Journaling for Fifth-graders and Up" has been organized by children's librarian Margaret Gardner and will be held under the guidance of graphic designer Mary Owens, a long-time library supporter who also designs the snappy posters for The South End Writes series. The first  art-journaling workshop will be held next Thursday from 4:00 -5:00 PM, followed by additional ones each last Thursday of the month. In case you wondered what this might be about, here's a link to an art-journaling web site for kids, teens and beginners. Participants will create their own keepsake art journals in which to draw, write and make collages. The first session will be devoted to making the journals from materials provided for free at the library.

Ernest Hemmingway

"Writing in the World: a  Creative Writing Workshop for Adults" will beginThursday, February 7 at 3:00 PM and run weekly through April 11.  Led by writer and teacher, Debka Colson, the workshop is aimed at beginning writers age 55 and up to experiment with short fiction and poetry. Students will develop their skills through writing prompts, discussing examples by major writers, peer review and a public reading/reception at the end of the course. Fun exercises will help writing students reflect on life in their communities, and their roles in it, from a fresh perspective.   The class is limited to 10 participants who must commit to attending all sessions. Registration is required: call Anne Smart at 617 536-8241.

The writing workshop was funded by the MetLife Foundation in partnership with the Boston Public Library, Lifetime Arts Inc., and the American Library Association's Public Programming Office. In addition, The Friends of the South End Library are paying for materials and refreshments. 

Puppeteer Nicola McEldowney & Her Puppet Troupe Will Perform "The Story of Ferdinand" at the South End Library, Tuesday, November 26, at 6:30 PM

Puppeteer Nicola McEldowney

If everyone were like Ferdinand the Bull, we could replace the Defense Department with a very large Department of Peaceful Negotiations. If you want to know more about this revolutionary thought, come to the South End Library on Tuesday, November 27 to watch puppeteer Nicola McEldowney perform the heart-warming 1936  children's tale by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson, The Story of Ferdinand, about sweet-natured Ferdinand who'd rather smell the flowers than lock horns with other bulls and fight.

Nicola McEldowney is a graduate of Columbia University who lived in Paris in 2010 where she studied puppet theatre. She wrote, directed, and performed in several original shows, including her musical Aisle Six, which debuted at the Players Club of NYC.  McEldowney also created the original puppet play, The Golden Stoat, in which she performed the roles of both Princess Marcheline and the penurious mouseherd Alban Turtulutu.  In 2011 she was commissioned by Columbia University's Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures to create their first-ever departmental puppet show, for which she was awarded a Gatsby Charitable Foundation Arts Grant. She has performed children's tales at a number of public libraries.

The performance on Tuesday, November 27 starts at 6:30 PM and is sponsored by The Friends of the South End Library, which means... your contributions. Thanks, and please come. After the show, there will be a puppet-making session with Nicola..

Reminder: The Easter Bunny Will Visit Library Park Sunday, April 8, at 11:00 AM

The Easter Bunny will visit the Fifth Annual Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by the Friends of the South End Library, Sunday, April 8, at 11:00 AM, right after the Egg Hunt in Ringgold Park sponsored by their Friends group, which starts at 10:00 AM. There will be refreshments, a separate area for tiny hunters, and police help crossing Tremont Street. Bring your own baskets, or use ours...Hope to see you there, on Tremont Street between Rutland Square and West Newton Street.

Fourth Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Library Park Sunday, April 24, 11 AM - 1 PM

The Easter Bunny's suit has been delivered to Easter Egg Hunt headquarters in the South End. The eggs are being filled with candy, poems, riddles and knock-knock jokes. The Easter baskets have been pulled from the closet. The Parks Department has its brooms ready to clean Library Park. Area D4 Police will assist street crossing, so all is about ready for the Fourth Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Library Park. As always, there will be a separate safe area for the littlest egg-hunters. Be there at 11:00 sharp on Sunday, April 24. See you there.....