Instead of coming to the library, classes will be previewing the Book Fair this week. Please see the schedule below if you'd like to volunteer during that time or if you'd like to pop in to help your child make a purchase.

If you are comfortable with your child bringing money to school, please send your child to school with some cash to spend during their visit to the Book Fair. If you prefer that your child not bring money to school, s/he will create a wish list so you can shop together later. Please speak to your child's teacher directly to find out what her policy is about bringing money to school (for example, kindergarteners will not be bringing money to school).

KINDERGARTEN:
Asano: Monday, 9:00~9:30
Masciel: Wednesday, 10:30~11:00
Ortega: Wednesday, 10:00~10:30

FIRST GRADE:
Kundrat/Hydock: Monday, 10:45~11:15
Walsh: Wednesday, 11:00~11:30
Yerke: Monday, 8:30~9:00

SECOND GRADE:
Carlin/Ibrahim: Tuesday, 10:45~11:15
Herbert: Friday, 9:45~10:15
Kinnier: Tuesday, 11:15~11:45

THIRD GRADE:
Goldberg: Monday, 11:30~12:00
Tanita: Monday, 9:45~10:15
Whalley: Wednesday, 12:00~12:30

FOURTH GRADE:
Gustafson: Tuesday, 9:00~9:30
Holz: Tuesday, 9:30~10:00
Weiss: Thursday, 8:25~8:55

FIFTH GRADE:
Dreiling: Tuesday, 12:10~12:40
Hamilton: Wednesday, 11:30~12:00
Spragg: Tuesday, 8:30~9:00

Congratulations to 5th grader Julia R. for being this month's library raffle winner! Julia will receive a $10 gift card to spend at {pages} a bookstore. 

Congratulations to Chloe B. and Kate A. for having their bookmark designs chosen from the Manhattan Beach branch of the County of Los Angeles Public Library system! Chloe received 1st Place in the 3rd-5th grade category and Kate received 2nd Place in the K-2nd grade category. They will be honored at a Manhattan Beach City Council Meeting ceremony on December 18th. The celebration continues afterwards at the library with gift bags of treats, Barnes & Noble gift cards, and 50 copies of their bookmark design to share with friends and family.

One of Ms. Yukari's favorite events of the year is fast approaching. The annual Robinson Book Fair will be open during the week of December 3 (parent teacher conference week) from 8am to 2pm. Family Fun Night is Wednesday, December 5, from 5pm to 7pm. We have a new vendor this year, Book Safari. 

The Book Fair theme is DIVE INTO READING! 

Instead of coming to the library, classes will be previewing the Book Fair; the schedule will be posted shortly. If you are interested in volunteering for a shift at the Book Fair, please sign up here. 

Parents, please don't forget to VOTE on Tuesday, November 6. There are several important propositions supporting schools and public education. 

To practice voting, students will be taking part in a book election, voting for their favorite California Young Reader Medal book. 

The Robinson results will be available after Thanksgiving (unfortunately, some 4th grade classes won't be able to vote until next week). State-wide winners aren't determined until May 1, 2013.

I'd like to extend a special THANK YOU to library volunteers Shelley Theodore, Maria Salazar, and Crystal Lepper for helping me process lots of new books. With their help we added 92 new books to the library's collection in October!

Two third grade boys looking for books on Destiny and discovering they're lost ...

Boy 1: [sigh] Some people just don't respect books.
Boy 2: [nodding] Yeah, I know!

Although I lament the fact the books are lost, I couldn't help but smile at their conversation. It warms my heart that there are students who are very protective of books and our library.

First Book, South Bay/LA is asking for your help to provide books to low income children in the Los Angeles area. 

When you purchase items (books, Nooks, toys, etc.) on October 20 at Barnes & Noble stores, 10~15% of your purchase price will go to First Book, South Bay/LA so they can provide free books to children. You must use the ID number 10875524 at the time of purchase to have your purchase credited to First Book. You can also use the same code online from October 20th through the 25th.

Thank you for your support in increasing literacy and helping to spread the love of reading to all children!

It is the 161st anniversary of the publication of Herman Melville's Moby-Dick. It was first published on October 18, 1851 in London as The Whale. A month later, it was published in New York as Moby-Dick.

Herman Melville is considered a great American author. Although he was born into a fairly wealthy New York City family, Melville spent considerable time on whaling ships. His sea-faring experiences in the South Seas lent realism to his future novels. 

Read: Moby-Dick adapted by Shirley Bogart (FIC MEL); Salt Water Taffy: Caldera's Revenge, Parts 1 and 2 by Matthew Loux (741.5 LOU)

Attention art enthusiasts! The County of Los Angeles Public Library (aka the public library) is hosting its annual bookmark design contest again. (It's the 33rd year!) This year's theme is It Came From a Book! If you're interested in participating, create an original design, preferably relating to the theme, and submit it to Ms. Yukari by Friday, October 26. Alternatively, you can submit it directly to the Manhattan Beach library by Saturday, October 27.

Entry forms are available below or at the public library's website. 

Guidelines are as follows:

• Draw a design about books or reading in dark blue or black ink only.
• Designs must be the original work of the artist.
• Bookmarks are judged on creativity, originality and neatness.
• Please, no cartoon characters, color, or pencil drawings.
• Artists must be in Kindergarten through 12th grade, or between the ages of 5 and 18 years old.
• Artists must live in Los Angeles County.
• Limit one entry per person.
• Entries become the property of the County Library.

Four students are chosen in each age category from all of the submissions. Categories are: Kindergarten~Grade 2, Grades 3~5, Grades 6~8, and Grades 9~12. Students whose design is chosen from the Manhattan Beach branch will receive a gift bag and will be invited to the December 18th City Council meeting to be congratulated. Results will be announced by November 6. Good luck, Riptides!