Children's Story Hour

Attendance was light at our Saturday Story Hour this week, but that didn't deter us from having a grand time! Miss Ann read Jan Brett's classic The Mitten, as well as Who's Been Here? by Fran Hodgkins and Winter Visitors by Karel Hayes. The discussion then turned to what we do to stay warm in the winter, where the animals live and where the birds go. The young folks think that spring is coming soon "cause they keep hearing the birds singing". Our young artists then made paper birds to hang in their rooms ... Sean says he "will keep his bird forever... even when he is a man and buys his home".

A Sweet time is had by all!

Maine children's author and Caldecott Honor winning illustrator Melissa Sweet came to visit our Children's Story Hour this morning and we had a blast!


Melissa read from her books Day is Done (with author Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary fame), Won't you be My Kissaroo? (with author Joanne Ryder) and the crowd favorite -Melissa's own Carmine: A Little More Red. Next we had a fun time getting creative and made Valentine magnets to take home as a momento of the day. We rounded out the morning snacking on animal crackers while Melissa signed books for her fans. She also signed copies for us to have on hand here at the store for anyone who couldn't make it to Story Hour.




In the afternoon, we hosted our inaugeral in-store Book Club and discussed The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Our next Saturday Fiction Book Club will meet on Saturday, March 6th at 1 pm to discuss The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran.



We also have a Tuesday Fiction Book Club that will meet at 10:30 am on February 23rd to discuss The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Murial Barbery and a Saturday Mystery Book Club at 1 pm on February 27th that will talk about The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. If you are interested in joining a book club but aren't sure you'll be able to attend very often, no commitment is necessary. We will email out the meeting schedule and you can come as often or as little as you like!

Maine Home & Design and Maine magazine

Just a quick post to let everyone know that we are now carrying Maine Home & Design and Maine magazines. Also, we have the March issues now. Other newstands won't receive them for 12 more days!

The Return of Our Children's Story Hour!

A fun time was had by all at the first Saturday Children's Story Hour of the year! Our wonderful children's book specialist, Madeline read 10 Rubber Ducks by Eric Carle and much "quacking" could be heard in the background. Next came Angelina's Ice Skates by Katharine Holabird, after which the children decorated paper ice skates complete with silver glitter blades. We hope to see you next Saturday (Feb. 13th) at 10:30 am when special guest Melissa Sweet will be here to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Children's Story Hour Returns!

Happy New Year!

At 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 9th, Kennebooks will be hosting Children's Story Hour, and we hope you can make it!

Our book of the day is Angelina Ice Skates, by Katharine Holabird and Helen Craig. One of our staff will be reading in the Children's Department on the first floor.

This is our first weekly installment of the Children's Story Hour, so if you can't make it to this one, we'll have another one for you the next week!

A Friendly Reminder to Shop Locally!

Hey everyone!

This is from our NEIBA newsletter, and we thought it was put pretty well, and wanted to share it with you!


Five Reasons to Support Locally-Owned Businesses

Community Well-being - as a percentage of revenue, locally-owned businesses make significantly larger charitable contributions to local causes than do national chain stores and formula restaurants.

Competition - A marketplace of small businesses is the best way to ensure retail innovation and stable low prices in the long run. It is a myth that well-run local businesses cannot be price-competitive with the major chains.

Product Diversity - Local businesses select products and services based on what their customers want and need, not on an arbitrary national sales plan.

Local Decision-Making - Local ownership ensures that important business decisions are made by people who live in the community and who will feel the impact of those decisions along with their neighbors.

Keeping Dollars in the Local Economy - A recent New England Study revealed that $45 of every $100 spent at a locally-owned business stayed in the local economy. Only $14 of that same $100 spent at a chain store stayed in the community.

Please consider Kennebooks when you choose your next book!

Coming Up! Christmas at Kennebooks

The first weekend of Prelude was amazing! The store was packed for two days straight! Our two featured Children's Books, The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen; and The Gingerbread Pirates illustrated by Matt Tavares both sold out! Never fear, more copies are on the way!


We have two authors coming over the next two weekends:

Author David Schmahmann will be joining us on Saturday, December 12th, at 11:00 a.m. to sign his newest novel, Nibble & Kuhn.

Excerpt from Website:

An unraveling law firm. An unwinnable court case. An unworkable love.

Derek Dover has it all.

"David Schmahmann tells a wonderful story and he tells it brilliantly. I expect great success for Nibble & Kuhn, and won't even be jealous if it arrives. Great book!" - Robert B. Parker

For more information on the Author, please visit http://www.davidschmahmann.com/

Author Jane Freeberg will be coming to Kennebooks on Saturday, December 19th, at 10:30 a.m. to sign her Children's book The Scallop Christmas.

From the Book:

"Times were tough in the small New England fishing village where Marcie lived. No one had any money, and work was hard to find. So the villagers rejoiced one glorious fall when an unexpected bounty of scallops filled their little bay. For young Marcie, a week of harvesting scallops also brought an unexpected adventure and a lesson about love that she would never forget. "

Author Jane Freeberg lives on Georgetown Island in Midcoast Maine and has lived in the state for thirty years. The Scallop Christmas is based on a true story told to her by her friend Marcia, who lived most of the story. "It rattled around in my brain for 35 years, and when it came to mind, I'd think, 'That's a great story. I ought to write it down,' " she said. "I'm so glad I did."