Mentor Public Library has writing clubs for kids & teens

Young writers can hone their craft at our Write On club for teens or Wordplay club for younger kids.

Do your children love to write?

If so, Mentor Public Library has the perfect club for them—two actually.

Our Write On club is for teens. It meets on the third Monday of every month at our Main Branch.

They use different writing prompts and brainteasers to hone their writing skills. Any teen who wants to join their ranks is welcome. It’s a fun, supportive place to practice and improve your writing with other teens who are doing the same thing.

Our next meeting is 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18, at our Main Branch. You can register for it on Mentor Library’s website.

All teen writers are welcome at our Write On Club.

We also have our Wordplay Club for younger writers. It's for kids in third through sixth grade.

The also use different ways to boost their creativity. At their most recent meeting, the kids each got Surprise Bags with a different—you guessed it—surprise inside.

They then had to include the surprise item—be it a wrench or plastic insect—into their story.

Wordplay Creative Writing Club meets at 4:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month at our Main Branch. The next meeting is Jan. 13.

You can register your child for Wordplay by calling (440) 255-8811 ext. 221 or by visiting the Mentor Library’s website.

Eric reacts to pulling a wrench from his Surprise Bag during Wordplay.

A Last-Minute Christmas Survival Guide

The Mentor Public Library will be closed Thursday and Friday for Christmas Eve and Christmas, respectively.

We hope you have all the holidays books, movies and music you need; but, if you’re left in a lurch these next two days, we can still help. After all, our digital services are always available—even when our branches are closed.

We’ve also compiled some seasonally appropriate lists to help you navigate our digital collections.

If you’re looking for Christmas music, you can download it from Freegal or stream it on Hoopla.

If you’re looking for holidays specials that you can stream to any device, check out our Hoopla playlist.

Finally, if you’re looking for something to read, here are 12 of our favorite seasonal short stories and novels, some of which are available as eBooks via Cloud Library and OverDrive or as audiobooks on Hoopla.

And, as always, all of our digital services are free with a Mentor Public Library card.

Thank you for your continued support and we hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!

Studio MPL has a creative Christmas

Giselle practices perspective by drawing a snowman.

Giselle practices perspective by drawing a snowman.

Studio MPL, our art club for kids, took a break from studying old masters, creating imaginary friends, making sun catchers, painting sunsets, weaving, and trying out pointillism to relax.

The young artists made ornaments and practiced perspective by sketching snowmen.

Maria decorates her ornament during the Studio MPL meeting.

Studio MPL meets on the third Monday of each month. If your kid likes art—any kind of art—they can join the fun!

Next month’s session will be Jan. 18 at our Main Branch. You can register for it here.

Dharmesh shows his progress on his snowman.

For more photos from Studio MPL, visit Mentor Public Library’s Facebook page.

Kids ride the Polar Express at Mentor Public Library

Wyatt takes a ride on the Polar Express at Mentor Library.

Kids took a ride on the Polar Express during a special story time on Monday at our Main Branch.

The children dressed in their pajamas to hear the classic Christmas tale, “The Polar Express,” written by Chris Van Allsburg.

Then, they decorated their own graham-cracker trains.

The evening ended with a Christmas singalong where each child received their own silver bell, just like the child in “The Polar Express.”

Caleigh carefully places peanut butter cups onto her graham cracker trains.

Bo's train is ready to roll.

Maggie, Brady and John show the silver bells that they got from Santa.

Aislyn, Roman and Vanessa enjoy their cookies and cocoa.

For more photos from our Polar Express story time, visit Mentor Library's Facebook page.

Taking story time on the road

Ms. Kim reads to the kids at Kindercare.

Reading matters, especially for kids.

By the age of 2, children who are read to regularly display greater language comprehension, larger vocabularies, and higher cognitive skills than their peers.

But in the United States, fewer than half the kids five and younger are read to every day by their parents or other family members.

Furthermore, 37 percent of children arrive at kindergarten without the skills necessary for lifetime learning.

We do everything we can to encourage reading in the community. We hold story times, give away books, and (lest we should forget to mention it) have thousands upon thousands of books that you can borrow for free.

But we realize that not every parent can or will bring their kid to the library, so we try to bring the library to them.

We routinely visit day cares and preschools in the community, so we can help share the joy of reading there, as well.

If you manage a day care or preschool in the Mentor community and you'd like the library to visit, email our children's department manager Kim Sidorick at kim.sidorick(at)mentorpl.org.

But we can only do so much. Read to your child. Encourage them when they read on their own. Literacy is a gift you can give that will benefit them their entire life.

MPL Comics Club practices with the pros

Comic artists Dave Russell and Chris Lambert offer advice to the MPL Comics Club.

The Mentor Public Library Comics Club got some advice from the professionals on Tuesday.

The Comics Club met comics writer Chris Lambert and artist Dave Russell at the Comics and Friends shop in Great Lakes Mall. They offered tips to the kids on how they could move their ideas from their minds onto the page.

Abby draws a one-page story during our Comics Club meeting Tuesday.

Our Comics Club is for any 8- through 12-year-old who likes to read, talk about or draw sequential art. Not just superheroes either—we love everything from Spider-Man to Lumberjanes to American Born Chinese.

At a typical meeting, the kids talk about a special theme. In January, we're showing how artists use real-life models as a way to improve our art. So the kids are going to help one another by pretending to fly and leap through the air while the others draw them.

We close out each meeting with free time for the kids to draw or read. We also share the graphic novels and comics that the kids can find in our library’s collection.

Tristan sketches his comic before adding details with the colored pencils.

The next Comics Club meeting will be 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 5, at our main Branch. The club is free to join. However, we do ask that parents or guardians register their children beforehand.

To register a child for the Comics Club, visit our online event calendar or call the library at (440) 255-8811 ext. 221.

Chris Lambert looks over Molly's drawing and offers some helpful tips.

For more photos from our Comics Club meeting, visit Mentor Public Library's Facebook page.

12 Christmas Specials You Can Watch for Free on Hoopla

In the mood to watch something seasonal but don't feel like leaving home today?

That's not a problem. With Hoopla, you can stream more than 300,000 audiobooks, movies and albums to your phone, tablet or computer anywhere at anytime. And it's free with your Mentor Public Library card.

Here are 12 different Christmas movies and TV episodes that you can start streaming now.

1. Madeline's Christmas

All lists that can include Madeline's Christmas should, including lists about holiday specials, beloved children's literature characters, and pandemics.

There's not a whole lot of plot to Madeline's Christmas (but since when has Madeline been about things happening.) Basically, Madeline must take care of her classmates who have fallen ill around holiday time.

That's right. Any cartoon character can save Christmas! Madeline saves the holiday and cures the common cold. Is there anything this adorable moppet can't do?

2. The Office (UK)—BBC Special

No, not the one with the Yankee swap. This is the original British The Office—the one that inspired the American variant and made Ricky Gervais your favorite comedian's favorite comedian.

This isn't just a Christmas special. It's also the finale. Can David Brent (Gervais as the pre-Michael Scott entertainer/boss) find a date in time for the office Christmas party? And will Dawn and Tim—the British versions of Pam and Jim, but you probably figured that out—make it work?

3. Bah Humduck! A Looney Christmas

There are hundreds of iterations on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, but this is the only one with Daffy Duck.

Ergo, it must also be the best. (Though we also acknowledge the awesomeness of A Muppet Christmas Carol.)

4. A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa

Speaking of the Muppets, Kermit and friends need to make it to the North Pole before Christmas so they can deliver letters to Santa in this adventure.

It's got music, merriment and Pepe the King Prawn flirting haplessly with Uma Thurman.

5. Holiday Inn

Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire sing and dance their way into your heart in the musical comedy classic. Crosby plays a song and dance man who leaves showbiz to run an inn that is open only on holidays. Astaire plays his former partner and romantic rival for the affections of Marjorie Reynolds.

6. One Christmas

Another classic filled with famous performers, including Katherine Hepburn and Henry Winkler. This film, based on Truman Capote's autobiographical story, is about a young man who visits his estranged father for Christmas in 1930 in New Orleans.

7. The Small One

Usually when Disney does Christmas, it involves Mickey Mouse or Scrooge McDuck getting visited by three ghosts.

But there's neither mouse nor Claus in sight during this animated short. Instead, it tells the story of the donkey who carries a pregnant Mary to Bethlehem.

8. Yo Gabba Gabba: Very Awesome Holiday Show

Join DJ Lance Rock, Brobee, Foofa, Muno, Plex and Toodee as they dance, sing and decorate the tree to prepare for the arrival of Santa Claus

9. Super Mario World, The Night Before Cave Christmas

This is, by far, the most ridiculous entry on this list. It's sillier than Sonic and Inspector Gadget saving Christmas combined.

After all, what can be more ridiculous than Mario and Luigi trying to stop King Koopa from stealing a bunch of cavemen's Christmas gifts?

10. Abbott & Costello: The Christmas Show

The original kings of comedy celebrate Christmas as only they can.

11. The Story of Christmas

Christmas isn't just about Daffy Duck and princess-saving plumbers. It's not just about Santa Claus or talking snowmen either.

The Story of Christmas recounts the tale of Jesus's birth simply and sweetly. Watch it with your kids if they start to forget the reason for the season.

12. Krampus: The Christmas Devil

And on the opposite side of the spectrum, we have a horror film about a demon who's come to punish all the kids on the naughty list.

Book, writing and gaming clubs for teens at Mentor Public Library

Kerri decorates cookies during the Teen Holiday Party at Mentor Public Library.

Some teens only come to the library when they have schoolwork to do. They have no idea how much they're missing out on.

Mentor Public Library has clubs for young writers, readers and even gamers. And there's always room for more!

Our Write On Club meets on the third Monday of every month at our Main Branch.

They use different writing prompts and brainteasers to hone their writing skills. Any teen who wants to join their ranks is welcome. It's a fun, supportive place to practice and improve your writing with other teens who are doing the same thing.

Our next meeting is 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 21, at our Main Branch. You can register for it on Mentor Library’s website.

All teen writers are welcome at our Write On Club.

Meanwhile, our Teen Book Club discusses the best of YA fiction from authors like John Green, Rainbow Rowell, Ransom Riggs and more. Its next meeting is Saturday, Jan. 2, at our Lake Branch.

We'll talk about Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick. You can pick up a copy at the Lake Branch, if you want to join us.

Finally, this Wednesday (Dec. 16,) we're hosting our monthly Clashing Controllers tournament at our Lake Branch.

Teens can compete in Super Smash Bros, Mario Kart and other games. We provide the game and the snacks. You just bring the skills.

For more teen programs at Mentor Public Library, check out our online event calendar.

You don't have to sign up for Clashing Controllers. Just show up and get your game on.

Jedi Training at Mentor Public Library

Marschall takes it up a notch by turning his storm trooper mask into a Ty Fighter helmet.

We had a Jedi Training session on Saturday at our Main Branch. Young padawans practiced their lightsaber skills, agility and more.

They also got crafty, making their own storm trooper masks and BB-8 droids.

The 501st Legion tries to arrest another young Jedi during MPL's training session.

The special program celebrated The Force Awakens, the newest Star Wars film.

If your kid loves Star Wars, we have dozens of Star Wars books that can get him or her excited about reading too.

We also have Star Wars books for teens and adults, by the way, as well video games, DVDs of the TV shows and (naturally) the movies that started it all.

Mentor Public Library can be your go-to locale for Star Wars media, whether you're looking for a book to share with your child or the movies for a Star Wars marathon.

The padawans practice their lightsaber techniques on these inflatable storm troopers.

For a lot more photos from our Star Wars program, check out Mentor Public Library's Facebook page.

Get all the Christmas music you need with Hoopla & your MPL card

Do you need some Christmas music to set the mood for your all-day gift-wrapping marathon?

We have you covered.

With Hoopla and your Mentor Library card, you can stream up to 10 different albums for free each month. And they have an enormous catalog of Christmas music from which you can choose.

Here are some of your favorites, but feel free to browse around the Hoopla site and see what they have.

(By the way, if you don’t know how to use Hoopla, you can check out this video tutorial that one of our librarians made.)

1. White Christmas (40 Unforgettable Classics)

There are hundreds of Christmas compilations with different legends singing different standards. This is one of the best. You want Bing Crosby and Billie Holiday? You want Peggy Lee and Elvis? You want "White Christmas" and "Ave Maria?" This album has you covered—40 classics from the artists you want to hear sing them.

2. The Ultimate Motown Christmas

The Jackson 5 singing "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," Stevie Wonder singing "Ave Maria," The Supremes singing "Joy to the World," Four Tops, Johnny Gill, Marvin Gaye, even the Funk Brothers playing "Winter Wonderland"—after all, it's not Christmas without some soul. Speaking of which,Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle also have Christmas albums you can stream via Hoopla.

3. Bing Crosby Sings Christmas Songs

For a generation, Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" is the Christmas song, but Bing has more classics than that in his catalog. Hear him sing everything from "Adeste Fideles" to "The Christmas Song." And if you're in the mood for a Rat Pack Christmas, check out holiday albums from Frank Sinatra,Dean Martin and the whole gang.

4. Muppet Christmas Carol: Special Edition

I'm not saying the Muppets own Christmas, but you could make a pretty awesome holiday playlist just using Muppets soundtracks.

5. A Charlie Brown Christmas

The only downside to listening to Vince Guaraldi's classic soundtrack is you won't be able to get "Linus and Lucy" out of your head for a couple of days. You're probably humming it already. If you're looking for other kid-friendly Christmas albums, try Veggie Tales' A Very Veggie Christmas.

6. Christmastime in Larryland

Meanwhile, this one's definitely not for the kids. But sometimes you just want to hear Larry the Cable Guy fart "Jingle Bells." If you need more blue-collar Christmas, Bill Engvall has you covered.

7. Christmas with the Ray Brown Trio

Ray Brown's one of the greatest jazz bassists of all time, and this album's perfect for jazz fans who will snap if they hear "Run, Run Rudolph" one more time. For more Christmas jazz, check out Ray Brown's old bandmate Oscar Peterson.

8. This Is Christmas (Elvis Presley Performing Timeless Christmas Classics)

If Bing owns "White Christmas," then nobody sang "Blue Christmas" like the King. He also has a beautiful version of "Peace in the Valley."

9. Bach: Advent & Christmas Cantatas

For lovers of classical music or for those who need background music during Christmas dinner. More classical Christmas: The Royal Philharmonic take on seasonal standards.

10. Christmas Grass Too

A sweet compilation of bluegrass Christmas songs that includes Dolly Parton, Charlie Daniels, the Larkins and more. For more Christmas country, try Alan Jackson's Let It Be Christmas.

11. Phineas and Ferb Holiday Favorites

"I Really Don't Hate Christmas" is probably my favorite Christmas song. Thank you, Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

12. An All-4-One Christmas

What? Sometimes, you just want a New Jack Swing Christmas.

Hoopla also streams video. Check out 12 Christmas specials you can watch on Hoopla right now for free if you have a Mentor Library card.

Kids can rock the mic at Mentor Public Library

It's hard not to smile during the Rock the Mic Club at Mentor Public Library.

Sometimes it's singing or stand-up or sketch comedy. You never know what you're going to get with our Rock the Mic Club.

On the second Monday of the month, we open the mic up to the kids at our Main Branch.

They can tell jokes, play an instrument, sing, practice for a school report, or perform a monologue.

Meanwhile, they build self-esteem and confidence while having fun.

Whether your child loves to perform or is uncomfortable in front of crowds, he or she is welcome at our Rock the Mic Club.

The club's next meeting is at 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 14, at Mentor Library's Main Branch. If you wish to register your child for it, you can sign them up on our website or by calling 440-255-8811 ext. 221.

The kids try their hands at improv during the Rock the Mic Club.

Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater to MPL's Teen Holiday Party

Forget a silent night. It's party time!

Teens can win free movie tickets for rocking their ugliest Christmas sweater to our Teen Holiday Party at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12, at our Main Branch.

You can also decorate cookies, craft ornaments from duct tape and enjoy some pizza. (Because what's a party without pizza?)

The party is free and open to everyone in seventh through 12th grade. However, we do ask that you register beforehand.

You can sign up on our website or by calling us at (440) 255-8811 ext. 215.

See you at the party.

American Girl Book Club meeting newest American Girl, Mary Ellen

Our American Girl Book Club will meet two American Girls in January: Kaya and the newest American Girl, Maryellen.

Our American Girl Book Club will have a busy new year. They're meeting two American Girls this January.

Usually our book club meets a new girl each month. First they, talk about their book. Then they make a craft that ties into the book. They've made everything from kites to rag dolls to dreamcatchers.

In January, they'll meet Kaya their regular meeting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, at our Main Branch.

Then, we're having a special program for the newest American Girl, Maryellen, on Saturday, Jan. 23. Maryellen's a 1950s girl who follows her heart instead of the crowd.

You can get to know her better during our Meet Maryellen party. There'll be crafts, games and, of course, a sock hop!

Both the American Girl Book Club and Meet Maryellen party are open to kids from six to 12 years old. You don't need to be a member of the book club to come to the party.

You can register your child for either program on our web site or by calling (440) 255-8811 ext. 221.

Addie makes a poncho for her doll during the American Girl Book Club meeting at Mentor Public Library.

For more photos from Mentor Public Library's American Girl Book Club, visit our Facebook page.

Holiday Story Times & Programs at Mentor Public Library

Sienna and her mom sing along during a Deck the Halls story time at Mentor Library.

It's a very special time of year. It's time for peace on earth, decking the halls and stocking stuffing.

And, at Mentor Public Library, it's also story time!

We are hosting special story times throughout December at all of our branches to celebrate the season.

We have Deck the Halls story times with Christmas stories, songs and crafts at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, and Wednesday, Dec. 16, at our Main Branch.

Nico smiles during a holiday singalong.

That's just the beginning. We have:

• a special story about the tradition of tinsel at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at our Main Branch. Kids will also make a fun, take-home craft and enjoy cocoa and cookies.
• our annual Headlands holiday party at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19. Kids can listen to Christmas stories, sing songs and make crafts at our Headlands Branch.
• Kids from three to seven can take a trip on the Polar Express with us on Monday, Dec. 21, at our Main Branch.
• We'll also have a special Holiday Rhyme Time for families on Tuesday, Dec. 22, at our Lake Branch.



Kids decorate cookies during our Deck the Halls story time.

It's not just young kids who get to have all the fun either. We're hosting a holiday party for teens at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, at our Main Branch. They'll be cookies, pizza and the ugliest Christmas sweater wins a prize!

All of these programs are free, though some of them require registration beforehand. You can sign up on our online event calendar or by calling the library.

Happy Holidays!

When you get caught with frosting face...

For more photos from MPL programs, visit our Facebook page.

Mentor Library offering more ebooks than ever

Get even more ebooks from Mentor Library with 3M Cloud Library, our newest digital service.

Mentor Public Library is now offering more ebooks than ever with its newest digital service, 3M Cloud Library.

You can check out ebooks and audiobooks from 3M by bestselling authors like James Patterson, Adriana Trigiani, Aziz Ansari, Rainbow Rowell and more onto your Nooks, Kindle Fires, tablets, smartphones and even computers.

And, just the other books in the library’s collection, you can borrow them for free.

We'll have a Cloud Library Launch Party from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, at our Main Branch. Patrons who try out 3M will receive door prizes while supplies last.

They will also be entered into a raffle to win a Nook glowlight.

We also offer several other free digital services, including OverDrive, which allows patrons to check out eBooks, audiobooks and even stream video.

Additionally, we have online services for checking out magazines online (Zinio,) downloading music (Freegal,) streaming video and music (Hoopla,) and trying out online courses on everything from art to accounting (Gale Courses.)

Tech-savvy people—or, rather, patrons who would like to become more tech savvy—can also come to our New Technology for the Holidays program, which begins at 6:30 p.m. also on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at our Main Branch.

The Northeast Ohio Regional Library System is bringing out its mobile Tech Lab with new gadgets, including wearable technology and even a drone, that people may consider getting others or themselves this holiday season.

If someone wants to learn how to use 3M Cloud Library or see how a drone works, they are welcome to come to our Main Branch on Tuesday, Dec. 8.

Season's Readings: 12 Christmas Stories

With respect to the 12 days of Christmas, here are a dozen seasonal stories to see you through your yuletide.

1. Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris

If you like Sedaris and his droll sense of humor, you probably already consider this collection of short stories a classic. If you don't like Sedaris, I don't know if there's anything in here that will change your mind. But if you haven't read any Sedaris, then "SantaLand Diaries"—the story of a 33-year-old man working as an elf at SantaLand—is a great point of entry.

2. A Different Kind of Christmas by Alex Haley

Haley's best known as the author of Roots and the ghostwriter of Malcolm X's autobiography. That sort of resume doesn't immediately make one think of Christmas. However, A Different Kind of Christmas is true to both the season and Haley. It tells the story of a young man who's trying to help one of his father's slaves escape on Christmas Eve.

3. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

You know this one: stingy lender, hobbled child, three ghosts, humbug. Even if you've seen a half-dozen movie versions of this story, you should still read the book. It has some of Dickens' finest writing. (And, if you're looking for a movie version, my personal favorite is the Muppets.)

4. A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

Let's be honest. It's easy to make Christmas stories (especially those involving children) saccharine. But this story about a 7-year-old boy and an elderly woman, who is also his best friend, hits the sweet spot. It's a beautiful rumination on odd friendships and growing up.

5. Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber

Even if you don't know Macomber by name, you probably still know her stories. She's responsible for the stories behind several Hallmark films. If you enjoy Hallmark films, you'll love Macomber's books. If you don't, there's always Holidays on Ice.

6. Matchless by Gregory Maguire

Maguire—the writer behind Wicked and Confessions of an Ugly Step-Sister—gives his version of the Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Match Girl." Fair warning: You'll probably cry when you read this (but you already know that if you're familiar with the original.)

7. You Better Not Cry by Augusten Burroughs

Burroughs was on his sixth memoir by the time he wrote You Better Not Cry. That's even more than Winston Churchill. You would think Burroughs would be out of material by now, but his Christmas-tinged recollections range from sweet to sad and never miss their mark.

8. Winter Dream by Richard Paul Evans

You were expecting The Christmas Box, right? That's his stadium hit, Evans' "Layla" or "Stairway to Heaven." But Evans has written a lot of seasonally appropriate tomes. This one incorporates the Old Testament story of Joseph and his prophetic dreams and gives it a modern retelling.

9. Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

If your child likes this holiday classic, then he or she will love our special Polar Express story time on Monday, Dec. 21.

10. Decked With Holly by Marni Bates

This YA book about a girl pretending to be fauxmantically involved with a mega-popular rock star is over the top in all the right ways. Teens who liked Bates' Awkward will get a kick out of Holly too.

11. Santa & Pete by Christopher Moore & Pamela Johnson

Did you know that Santa used to have an African accomplice named Pete? You know about the elves and Rudolph; but, somehow, Santa's most important helper has disappeared in the annals of time. (If you liked Moore's story about Jesus' forgotten friend Biff, then you'll get a kick out of this too.)

12. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Most people think the instance where the Grinch's heart grows three sizes is a nice moment. But cardiomegaly can lead to congestive heart failure. It may have even contributed to Secretariat's death.

That aside, this book is pretty much perfect. Happy readings!