We’re supposed to believe that summer starts with Memorial Day weekend, but for me it has to do more with weather and other signs. So here are my lists, for kids and parents:

You know it’s summer when . . .

KIDS:
It’s still bright out when you go to bed.
The ice cream truck comes down your street.
You catch your first lightning bug.
You get so dirty and hot from playing outside you actually want to take a bath.
Flip-flops!

PARENTS:
Instead of piling on coats, scarves, hats and mittens, you’re slathering on sunscreen.
The kids start complaining that they’re bored.
You have to clean sand out of weird places.
It’s time to sign-up for Summer Reading at the Library.
Flip-flops!

How do you know when it’s summer? Share with us!

With the weather here on LI getting more rain than Seattle, it's hard to believe that we will ever get to the beach again but believe me, we will. With that said, I found this great article in the Washington Post asking authors which book character they would like to accompany them for a day on the beach. Find out who favorites such as Garrison Keillor, Philippa Gregory, Wally Lamb, etc. would like to hang out on the beach with this year.

If they asked me, I would love to be beach buddies with David Sedaris (he's a character in his own books, isn't he?). Can you imagine the comments he would make watching all the people walk by??

The fourth book is coming soon to our catalog. Lila the cyborg super agent is on a mission to bring Zal (rockstar/elf) back from the dead. I can't wait until it hits the shelf.

If you are interested in YA books, then definitely check out these cool sites:

Pulse It is a site that lets teens read books online for free, review books, and get sneak peeks at upcoming books. You must be between 14-18 to join. Click here for more information and to set up an account http://www.simonandschuster.com/specials/pulseit/

Then, to watch interviews with authors (Laurie Halse Anderson, John Green, Lauren Myracle) check out Penguin's new YA Central Screening Roomsite. It seems like they'll be adding more content at the start of each season. http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/publishersoffice/screeningroom/0609/yacentral/episode1.html#vmix_media_id=4357509

Now that the weather is finally warm enough, I thought I'd link to some fun and mostly free games that kids can play outside. It's time to step away from Club Penguin, pick up some chalk or a Spaldeen and get some grass stains on your clothes! So, parents, in case you've forgotten the rules to hopscotch or stoop ball, here's a few websites that can help:

Streetplay.com - this site covers "the biggies:" stickball, handball and skully, as well as hopscotch, stoopball and jacks. It even includes a section on tools of the trade.
Games Kids Play - includes an index of over 250 games, including "quick favorites" like Red Light/Green Light and Seven Up. Plus it has 60 different rhymes for jumping rope and clapping games.
Spaldeen - Don't know what a Spaldeen is? Check out this official site, which will tell you the story of the pink, rubber ball and give you some games to play with it. I had one as a kid, but usually used a blue handball to play similar games.

And remember, the fun part of these games is that you can come up with your own rules as you go along.

Ernest Hemingway's Key West Home

If you’ve ever dreamed of taking a vacation to the home of one of your favorite authors (in the U.S. and England), check out this website for some great ideas.

They're back for revenge. The transformers second movie is coming soon...Maybe this will be the it movie of the summer. The coming attractions look great but that doesn't mean that it will be good.

On Thursday, June 18 @ 7:30 pm, join us as we kickoff our Summer Reading Program for 2009 with Chris Agostino and his show: Transformations. Enjoy the show and sign up for the summer reading program! Check out some of his amazing face paintings below, and on his website.

Watch the Summer Reading Program PSA too:

As, in my opinion, you can never have too many book suggestions, here is a great source of summer reading titles from the NPR program On Point.

A literary critic, a book review editor and a bookstore manager each give you a heads-up on their top picks for this summer. Hope you find something that intrigues you.

The new animated movie is pretty good. It is an introduction to the super heroine Wonder Woman for those who don't know anything about her. The best scene unfortunately is the last scene of the movie and she clobbers the cheetah. Will there be a live action movie?

I just found out about this cool band from Brooklyn that sings kids music, The Deedle Deedle Dees. They call themselves an "educational rock band" and some of their hits include "Vegetarian T-Rex" and "Nellie Bly." Several of the members are teachers and each has his own "Dee" alias. There's Booker Dee, Innocent Dee, Otto von Dee and Ulysses S. Dee. The library is looking to buy their CD, but in the meantime check out their website. Special thanks to the mom that told us about them!

The new terminator movie is out......news is that the movie is terrible. The advice that i am getting is not to go waste my time and see it...well that's unfortunate. what a bummer!

Once we flip the calendar to the month of June, my thoughts turn to thinking about what I'd like to read over the summer. The WSJ had a list of great suggestions both fiction and non-fiction. that I thought I'd share.

Forget stressing about the economy and come into the library to pick up a copy during your 'staycation'. Nothing like getting lost in a good book, sipping a cold drink while feeling a cool breeze gently caress your face. Ahh, summer!

The fourth book in the 39 Clues series comes out tomorrow, June 2. The new book, Beyond the Grave is by Jude Watson, and from the last book it seems as though Amy and Dan might be headed for Egypt and the fate of Uncle Alistair is still unknown. See if you can pick up any clues from the cover below: