Hey Kids!
Have you ever wondered what happens at the Adult Reference Desk? So have I! Well, today I decided to find out. I had to wear a disguise, because I heard that some grown-ups are afraid of bears. Do you think I fooled them? I logged into the computer...and waited. Do you know what? Grown-ups ask a lot of the same questions as you do. They are looking for a book that they want to read or a movie that they want to watch. Although, usually they've heard about this book or movie from the TV or the radio, where you guys usually hear about it from a friend or at school. Grown-ups need help doing things on the computer too! The big difference between kid questions and grown-up questions, is that sometimes grown-up questions have to do with things like taxes and doctors and college classes. The librarians that work on the Adult Reference Desk are really smart. They can always help the grown-ups find the answers, just like in the Children's Library! I don't think I was much help though. My paws are too clumsy to type very well, and you have to be able to talk to answer questions. Oh well! It's back to the Children's Library I go. Until the next adventure...
Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke

Hey Kids!
Somebody just told me about a super cool holiday to celebrate this weekend. The first Saturday in February is Ice Cream For Breakfast Day. I knew there was a reason I liked February! Apparently, this holiday began in the great state of New York by some creative parents who came up with the BRILLIANT idea of eating ice cream for breakfast to liven up some dreary winter days. So I'm celebrating! Now I just have to pick a flavor. I'm thinking Bear Claw! Yum!
Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke

Hey Kids!
Guess What? My birthday is January 16th — this Saturday!!! Ironically, it happens to fall just before Storytime Teddy Bear week (by the way kids — don't forget to bring your teddy bears to Storytime next week!). I share my birthday month with some very cool people who also work at the library. And I even share a Birthday with Brad the Teen Librarian! If you are a human and you work at the library, you get the day off for your birthday. But since I live here, I get to celebrate my Birthday with all of you! Make sure you come and sing! I even accept gifts. I like cookies. After the library closes on Saturday, me and LB (remember him? My Little Buddy that Santa brought?) are going to eat cake. Honey flavored cake. Yum. I can't wait until Saturday. Happy Birthday to me....

Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke

Hey Kids!
I am a proud Bear today. Why? Because it is National American Teddy Bear day, a day celebrating a population I am proud to represent. When I think of the great bears, like Smokey, and Fozzie and Yogi, who have gone before me, my bear hair just stands straight up. Maybe one day, I'll be listed with them. Be sure to hug YOUR bear today. And give him an extra cookie for me.

Hey Kids!
I just wanted to make you all aware of some very important holidays this week. Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 14th is National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work day. It's kinda like take your Children to Work Day, except for bears. Make sure your parents know! Probably the best way to make sure they celebrate it would be to sneak your teddy bear into their work bag before they leave. Then make sure you ask what your teddy did at work when they get home.

Hey Kids!
Well, you voted, and the results are in! Now you need to come to the Library to check out my cool Halloween costume! "Wizard" won with a whopping 30 votes. "Superhero" came a distant second with 11 votes. And there was even a write in vote for "Princess". Hmmmm, Royalty could be a good costume for next year. I like the sound of King Thorndyke. Thanks for all your votes--in the library and online! And don't forget to wear your Halloween costume to the library too, 'cause I want to see them! Now I just need to practice my magic words. Abracadabra, Abracazoom! Until next time,
Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke.

Hey Kids!
Wow! I've already had lots of friends voice their opinions on my poll for what I should be for Halloween. Have I heard from you yet? Don't forget you have until next Monday, September 28th to cast your vote, either here on the website or in the Children's Library! I can't wait to tell you the results, so here's a teaser based on current results--you guys sure like Harry Potter! Will that hold true through next Monday? You'll have to wait until October to find out! What are you going to be for Halloween? If you need some ideas, there are lots of great books here at CPL to give you some ideas!!! Can't wait to see what you'll be for Halloween too!
Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke

Hey Kids!
I need your help with something. See, my third favorite holiday (after Christmas and the First Day of Summer Reading) is coming up soon. It’s Halloween! But I can’t decide what to be. I have to decide soon, because I get to wear my costume for the whole month of October!! This is where you come in. You’ll see that I’ve posted a poll below on the web site. You can either vote for what you think I should be for Halloween there, or you can come into the Children’s Library and vote! Sorry, there’s no prize. The library pays me in cookies--that’s how I keep my nice round physique! But you’ll definitely see what costume was the favorite, 'cause that’s what I’ll be wearing come October! Of course, in order to make my costume in time, I’ll need all your votes by Monday, September 28th. Gotta have time to make that costume you know! Thanks soooo much for your help!
Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke

Hey Kids!
There's a wonderful reason to celebrate this week. No, not just because it's Labor Day. The first week of September is National Waffle Week! I like to eat mine with honey. A friend of mine eats her's with peanut butter, chocolate chips and whipped cream. Some people like to top theirs with fruit. How do you like your waffles? Try some adventurous eating this week by having breakfast for dinner. Check out one of our Breakfast Cookbooks for ideas. Or read the book Everything on a Waffle as a family. And don't forget about waffle cones and waffle fries! There are plenty of ways to celebrate all week! Mmmmm, I'm hungry!
Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke

Hey Kids! Wowzers! I am SO proud of you! Did you know that an incredible 4,798 kids and teens signed up for Summer Reading 2009?!?! And that 2,384 kids and teens finished summer reading and got books from the Scholastic Book Fair sponsored by the Friends of the Library? Thanks Friends! The Adult Librarians told me that over 1000 grown-ups signed up for summer reading and lots of them earned books too. I think you all deserve a pat on the back. Go you!

Hey Kids!

Hey Kids! I have to tell you how much I've loved seeing all my friends come to the library over the last couple of weeks. Did you know that over 3000 of you have registered for Summer Reading? Wow! 1500 of you registered on the very first day! Double Wow! And then lots of you--I think we counted over 700 of you--came back this week to see Joel Tacey, make a craft, or watch a movie! Thanks for making our summer so busy, 'cause the librarians and I love seeing you have fun! Keep Reading! And don't forget to stop and say hello!
Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke

Bonjour petits enfants! Zis iz Thorndyke zee Arteest Bear! I am Getting Creative @ My Library. Can you tell I am excited for Summer Reading? Signs of summer reading are popping up all over CPL. The Summer Reading bulletin board is up, the reading logs have been printed, the prizes are hidden in a secure location in the library, and I am wearing my summer reading t-shirt. For a bear who lives in the library, the first day of Summer Reading is almost better than Christmas. Will I see YOU here on Monday? I hope so! Until then,
Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke

Hey kids! Guess What? Today it is only 100 days until Summer Reading! Aren’t you excited? This year the theme is Get Creative @ Your Library—but I can’t tell you any more because that would spoil all the surprises we have planned! All I can tell you is that it will be FUN! And guess what? Today also means it’s only 100 days until summer vacation. Good times. So if it gets cold later next week, just repeat this to yourself “Summer Reading’s Coming! Summer Reading’s Coming!” and the day will be a whole lot sunnier.

Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke

Boy!  I can’t wait for March to get here.  Why?  Because March is Reading Month!  And Reading Month means First Grade Round Up!    This is the 18^th year the  Children’s Tween and Teen Services Librarians will host first grade classes from local schools.

In honor of Valentine’s Day (by the way, have you seen my nifty Cupid costume yet?) I thought I’d share this conversation I overheard in the Children’s DVD section.

Boy 1 (picks up Free Willy 3):  Let’s get this one.
Boy 2:  No! Not that one.  They kiss!
Boy 1 (shocked): They kiss the whale?

Hey kids! Thorndyke here. After watching the library happenings for over 15 years, I’m glad they’ve finally given me a voice. ‘Cause nobody knows more about this library than me, except for maybe Miss Kristen and Mrs. Havenstein-Coughlin, but they go home at night. I tell you, I have the best life—sitting by the birthday wall, watching the kids come for storytime and summer reading. And the librarians are some of my best friends! They have a pretty fun job. So next time you’re at the library, stop by and wave hello. I’ll be looking for you!

Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke