Blog Entries

Baking Cookies Storytime!

We’re looking forward to some seasonal baking and our favorite is baking cookies! We have some great suggestions for some cookie baking books, whether you like to bake, decorate, or just eat cookies! 

When you search the tag: #cookiesforeveryone you’ll see some great story options such as:

The Doorbell Rang by Pat Huchins:  Ma makes a batch of a dozen chocolate chip cookies for her children Victoria and Sam. Each child has six cookies. But when the doorbell rings and friends drop by, the cookies must be shared. The doorbell rings again, and again, ...

Middle Grade Book Spotlight--New Books (pt. 2)!!!

Our Middle Grade book spotlight this week is on new books that have come in over the past couple of weeks, because let’s be honest--there is just something awesome about being the first one to read a new book!  We have so many coming in that I could not wait to talk about and share some of the titles you will find on the shelf.  The books featured in this week’s book talk are kind of all over the place as some are the first in a series while others are a standalone plus we have everything from realistic to adventure and humor.  These books and more can be found by searching...

Turkey Trouble Storytime

Are you Ready to Read this week? We’re having some Thanksgiving fun with some books highlighting some turkey trouble.

As you connect with family this Thanksgiving week, consider taking a moment to join our Family Traditions Reading Challenge. Head over to our Family Traditions page where you’ll find information on how to sign up through Beanstack. Then over the holidays, you can read, log, and win!

We have so many wonderful books on turkeys and their place in the Thanksgiving holiday. You can see a few of our favorites when you go to our #turkeytrouble tag. Yo...

Middle Grade Book Spotlight--Family!!!

Our middle grade book spotlight this week is on books that are all about families!!  Let’s face it, love ‘em or hate ‘em, where would we be without our families?  One of the amazing things about books is that there are so many different kinds and types within the collection and when it comes to books that feature families and family life, it is no exception plus sometimes it is very interesting reading about someone else’s family and then comparing yours (and realizing how lucky you may just be!).   These books and more can be found by searching the catalog using the search t...

Teddy Bears Storytime

The days are getting shorter, and the cold winds are beginning to blow, making it the perfect time to cuddle up tight and read along with a child and their favorite teddy bear. So what is the perfect book to read with a teddy bear? We have some great suggestions for you with our tag: #myteddybear.

Here are some favorite titles:

One Ted Falls Out of Bed by Julia Donaldson. After dark, the only place a teddy bear wants to be is tucked in bed with his child. But this poor ted has fallen out of bed. He’s not very good at climbing, and his child won’t wake u...

Middle Grade Book Spotlight--Music!!!

Our middle grade book spotlight this week is on books that feature music!!  If you are anything like me then you love music; there always has to be some sort of song or rhythm going on in the background (because when it is quiet it is so weird) so why not have that carry over to what we read?  All of these titles have music woven throughout, some even with their own playlist, and we have an amazing offering of realistic, humor, fantasy and even a graphic novel so there is something for everyone.   These books and more can be found by searching the catalog using the search t...

Falling Leaves Storytime

The weather is cooling and the leaves are turning beautiful colors and falling from the trees. Type into the search bar above the tag: #jumpinleaves for some great books!

Speaking of great fall reads, while you’re on our website, learn about our fall reading challenge where you’ll find some wonderful opportunities to explore the season together as a family. Learn more at handleyregional.org/youthfallreading and sign up today! 

You can read, log, and win with the help of books such as:

Fall Is Here! I Love It! by Elaine W. Good - "The gard...

Middle Grade Book Spotlight--Games, Puzzles, and Mazes!!!

Our middle grade book spotlight this week is on books that feature games (video, virtual, board, and so on), mazes, and puzzles because it is International Gaming Week!!!  I love games and puzzles because there are so many choices, you can complete them either with others or by yourself, and there is always a bit of challenge that makes the victory that much sweeter.  The titles we have this week will inspire you to take on some sort of gaming this week or you can just feel free to read about others and their gaming adventures.  These books and more can be found by searchin...

Birds Fly South Storytime

It’s fall and our feathered friends are heading south. After all, it’s their Family Tradition! Speaking of family traditions, have you joined our reading challenge? We have lots of great opportunities to explore the season together as a family. Head over to http://handleyregional.org/fallreadingchallenge to learn more and sign up today!

Now, about those birds… In the search bar above, type in the tag: #snugglewithabird and you’ll see some of our favorite bird books, such as The Blue Songbird by Vern Kousky, Fly! by Mark Teague, Numenia and the Hurricane by Fi...

Let's Celebrate...Day of the Dead!

November 1st-November 2nd is when the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is celebrated in Mexico! During this colorful celebration, friends and families gather to remember the souls of those who have died.  More information can be learned by watching the amazing video (made by students who are members of Millbrook High School’s Club de Español) in which they explain all about this holiday!

Day of the Dead is one of the many celebrations and holidays we are featuring in our Fall family reading challenge called Family Traditions.  We encourage every family to sig...

Middle Grade Book Spotlight--Animal Fiction!!

Our middle grade book spotlight this week is on books that showcase some amazing animal main characters!! Animals can be the best friend that you did not know you were missing and all of these books feature animal stories with happy endings (they will not scar you for life I promise!!).  We have stories this week that are filled with humor, adventure, mystery, and even some fantasy.  These books and more can be found by searching the catalog using the search tag #youthanimalstories as well as on Libby and Hoopla.  Check back next week for a new middle grade book spotlight a...

Monster Mash Storytime

We’re doing the Monster Mash this week here at Handley Regional Library! You can join us with some great books about some (not so scary) monsters. Type in the tag: #monstermash in the search bar above to search for your monstrous pile of books for this week’s theme. 

Find some great books, such as Monster Mash by David Catrow, Hush Little Monster by Denis Markell, Monster Boogie by Laurie Berkner, Go Away, Big Green Monster! Ed Emberley, Monster Needs a Party by Paul Czajak, Ten Creepy Monsters by Carey Armstrong-Ellis, Brave Horace by Holly Keller, and The Very Worst Monst...

Middle Grade Book Spotlight--Spooky & Scary Titles!!!

Our middle grade book spotlight this week is on books that are filled with spooks and scares!! Just in time to get you ready for Halloween, these books are filled with ghosts, spirits, creepy dolls that have come to life, unexplained happenings, and other spooky creatures that may have you reading with the lights turned on (I dare you to read with the lights turned off and just a flashlight). These books and more can be found by searching the catalog using the search tag #youthscary as well as on Libby and Hoopla.  Check back next week for a new middle grade book spotlight and if you h...

Just for Kids! A Day in the Life of a Children's Librarian

There is something magical about arriving on the children’s floor at Handley Library. As you enter the room, you will most likely see a smiling face (under the mask!) at the information desk. The librarians that work here love to see the wonder in children’s eyes and hear their laughter as they explore all the books and media that we have to offer. There are 3 Youth Services Assistants and 1 Children's Librarian, called a Youth Services Supervisor, here to help you find the right book, answer your questions, and present virtual programs. But have you ever wondered what these lovers of ...

Dig Those Dinosaurs Storytime

We’re digging dinosaurs this week for our storytime theme and we have some dinoriffic books to share! You’ll find them when you type in the tag: #dinosaurfun into the search bar above. Look for books such as Stomp, Stomp! A Dino Romp by Bob Kolar, Dinosaur vs. the Library by Bob Shea, Dinosaur Colors by Paul Stickland, Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug by Johnathan Stutzman, How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read? By Jane Yolen, Dino-Football by Lisa Wheeler, We Are the Dinosaurs by Laurie Berkner, Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs Byron Barton, The Really, Really, Really Big Dinosaur by Richard Byrne. ...