Signs of Summer: Praying Mantises, Summer Reading Lists

Students in the Library watch newly hatched praying mantises, a sure sign of the arrival of summer.

Praying Mantises (Finally) Hatch!

As we remember all too clearly, Memorial Day and the days following it were unseasonably cool and rainy.  Still, our praying mantis egg cases hatched by Thursday, thanks to some strong morning sun and rising temperatures.  The little guys have now taken up residence in the North Side courtyard garden.  Here's some video for our students who couldn't be in the library on "hatching day," and for other nature lovers, too. Parents, avert your eyes if you're not particularly fond of little six-legged creatures!

Summer Reading

Speaking of summer, it will be here very soon, and we all know what that means-- time to get out a lounge chair and that pile of wonderful books we've been eyeing all winter! And, there is nothing more important for our students than to keep the reading going until they come back to school in the fall.  With so many terrific books and series out there, the only worry will be what to read first!

The link below leads to a treasure-trove of award-winning and other critically-acclaimed literature listed on the North Side Library Home Page under the section labeled "Book Lists for Summer Reading."  However, just as sure as ice-cream was meant to be savored on a hot summer evening, there are a few "guilty pleasures" in there, as well. Enjoy them all.

North Side Library Home Page

Save a Tree, Save Your Ice Cream Money

Our school library will be closed for the summer, but that's where your local public library comes in to save the day.  Public libraries are once again featuring the New York State Summer Reading Program. Parents, this is a great childhood summer tradition, and a great way to teach your children about community, as well as the importance and joys of reading.  It's environmentally friendly, social, and cost-conscious fun! 

Here's a link to the East Williston Public Library, for starters. If you have a Nassau public library card, you can go there, or to any other library in the Nassau public library system.  Take a look under "Summer Reading 2013." And when you get there, tell them Mrs. Homer sent you!