Palisades
Neighborhood Library

Baking and toddlers. I know putting those two words together strikes fear into the hearts of many. But it doesn't have to be that way. With the holidays around the corner, baking cookies and other sweet delicacies can be a rewarding experience to have with your child. Plus, homemade treats make wonderful gifts for the holidays. I can still remember shaking a bucket of spiced peanuts with my sister to give to our teachers.

But how to get around the sticky, gooey mess that could be sliding off your kitchen ceiling if you're not careful? Well, there's a book for that. Many of the cooking books in the children's section have step-by-step pictures, and less complicated recipes to try with your children. To get a start, I've compiled a list below of some useful recipe books.

Please join the conversation on Wednesday, November 17 about climate change and the water crisis. The readings consist of "High Marks for Clean Water", "Get the Salt Out", "The Big Melt" and the "Burden of Thirst" in National Geographic, April 2010. Copies of the articles are at the circulation desk. Refreshments will be served.

If you keep a royals calendar, you may be aware that 2010 marks the 501st anniversary of King Henry VIII's ascension to the throne of England.  Henry's marital adventures, and the accompanying political and religious intrigues, are as fascinating now as they were five centuries ago.

The Folger Shakespeare Library currently has an exhibition of King Henry's documents and artifacts on display.  To get into the quincentennial spirit and learn more about Henry, his wives, his children, his friends, his enemies, and his legacy that changed the course of British history, visit the District of Columbia Public Library, and check out some of the following :
 

For the Kids Euro Festival, we decided to do something a little out of the ordinary. During our Thursday night folktale stories, we tried to change things up a bit by acting out the stories.

For Slovenia, we told the legend of the Predjama castle. The mischievous knight Erazem offends the emperor of Austria. He holes himself up in his famous Predjama castle and then baffles his pursuers by tossing fresh ox meat and cherries over the castle walls.

Little did they know: Erazem was leaving his castle for supplies using a secret entrance in caves behind the castle.