Embedded Files
December 2020
By Alice N. Johnson, Library Media Specialist | ajohnson@dedham.k12.ma.us
Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 2:30pm | DHS Library Website
From the Librarian
From the Librarian
Seasons Greetings! In this month’s newsletter you can check out our virtual display of winter-themed books, find out about the best books of 2020, learn about the Morris Award, and discover a new nonfiction series recently added to our collection. Since I can't offer an in-person library makerspace activity, I've also included links to patterns and instructions to make paper (or virtual) snowflakes at home, plus some snowflake-related art & science information.
As always, I welcome any suggestions and feedback on how we can make the library better for our school community. I encourage you to email me or use the appropriate feedback form on our library's website.
Let me know if you need to grab a print book (or two or three) for the break! You can also borrow eBooks online at anytime. Happy Holidays!
– Mrs. Johnson
What does a book do in the winter?
What does a book do in the winter?
– Puts on a book jacket!
– Puts on a book jacket!
Snow is Falling, Books Are Calling!
Snow is Falling, Books Are Calling!
Take a look at this interactive virtual book display set up by Mrs. Fares to explore some of our many winter-themed books.
This collection includes a bit of everything: holiday and winter-themed fiction, true survival stories set in cold climates, winter sports books, and books about snowy and icy places.
If you're interested in borrowing any of these titles, please complete the DHS Library Book Request Form.
Best Books of the Year
Best Books of the Year
I don't know about you, but I really enjoy browsing all the best books lists that come out this time of the year. I like to see if any of my favorites made it onto these lists and I also like to discover new books to read. If you're looking for some great book ideas, check out these lists:
If you find something you want to read, you can check to see if we have that book available through the DHS library.
If you find something you want to read, you can check to see if we have that book available through the DHS library.
If you are looking for print books ..... search our catalog and use our book request form for "curbside pickup."
If you want to borrow ebooks or digital audiobooks ..... search Sora. (Log in with school email address to borrow books.)
If you would like to suggest a book for us to add to the DHS Library collection .... complete this suggestion form.
If we don't have what you're looking for, you can also check to see if it is available through the Dedham Public Library.
Snow was falling, so much like stars filling the dark trees, that one could easily imagine its reason for being nothing more than prettiness.
Snow was falling, so much like stars filling the dark trees, that one could easily imagine its reason for being nothing more than prettiness.
—Mary Oliver, American poet who won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize (1935-2019)
All About Snowflakes!
All About Snowflakes!
Wow! There were plenty of snowflakes falling from the sky last week that are now piled up everywhere! Have you ever really examined a snowflake? They're amazingly beautiful and intricate. I thought it would be fun to explore these amazing little ice crystals. Read on to learn more!
Snowflake Photography
Snowflake Photography
Find out about "Snowflake" Bentley, the first person who ever photographed a single snow crystal, and then went on to capture the images of over 5000 snow crystals (never finding two of the same). His work helped benefit the study of meteorology during his time. Also, check out the work of a contemporary Russian photographer, Alexey Kljatov, who rigged together his own camera setup to take beautiful close-up images of snowflakes.
Make Your Own Snowflakes!
Make Your Own Snowflakes!
Decorate your windows, make one for a friend, or send one in the mail to someone as a surprise! Try your hand at creating some snowflake designs by visiting the links below. Some involve supplies that you might have around the house, but I've also included a link to a virtual option as well. For inspiration, check out some of "Snowflake" Bentley's incredible snowflake images, as well as Kljatov's amazing macro photography of ice crystals.
Paper Snowflake Templates | Snowflake Coloring Pages | Virtual Snowflake Maker
Pop Culture Paper Snowflake Patterns: Star Wars | Guardians of the Galaxy | Disney's Frozen | Harry Potter
Want to Learn More?
Want to Learn More?
Learn the science behind how snowflakes are created and why no two ever look alike.
To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.
To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.
—Aristotle, Greek philosopher (384 BC - 322 BC)
New Print Series -
New Print Series -
Celebrating Holidays And Festivals Around The World - 10 volume set
Celebrating Holidays And Festivals Around The World - 10 volume set
Carnival / Christmas & Hanukkah / Easter Passover & Festivals of Hope / Halloween & Remembrances of the Dead / Independence Days / Lent, Yom Kippur & Days of Repentance / Marking the Religious New Year / Ramadan / Ringing in the Western & Chinese New Year / Thanksgiving & Other Festivals of the Harvest
From the Publisher-- Throughout history, nations and peoples have marked their calendars with special days to celebrate, commemorate, and memorialize. We set aside times to reflect on the past and future, to rest and renew physically and spiritually, and to simply have fun. This series explores the meanings and celebrations of holidays across religions and cultures around the world. It groups the holidays into volumes according to theme or by their common human experience due to their closeness on the calendar. Each volume introduces readers to the origins, history, and common practices associated with the holidays before embarking on a worldwide tour that shows the regional variations and distinctive celebrations within specific countries. The reader will learn how these holidays started, what they mean to the people who celebrate them, and how different cultures celebrate them.
Currently available to borrow from the library.
2021 Morris Award Finalists Announced
2021 Morris Award Finalists Announced
The William C. Morris Award, first given in 2009, honors the year’s best books written for young adults by a previously unpublished author. This year's five finalists were just announced in December and the winner will be named in January.
You can learn more about the award and view a list of all the previous winners and finalists here.
Coming in February . . .
Coming in February . . .
our annual Blind Date with a Book program!
our annual Blind Date with a Book program!
Don't judge a book by its cover.
Don't judge a book by its cover.
Connect with the DHS Library during the month of February and go on a Blind Date with a Book.
** Options for online book selection and "curbside pickup" will be available. **
Stay tuned for more details!
Stay tuned for more details!
“Winter was made for warm blankets and large books."
“Winter was made for warm blankets and large books."
—Anonymous
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