The children’s room at the Takoma Park Library is proud to honor Charles Darwin as we celebrate his classic work On the Origin of Species.  The book was first published on November 22, 1859. London publisher John Murray printed an initial run of 1,250 copies, which were priced at 15 shillings per copy. All copies sold out that very same day.  The book immediately ignited a firestorm of public and private discussion. The word "evolution" did not appear until the 1872 edition.

Charles Robert Darwin (1809-82) was an English naturalist who composed a thoughtful and compelling theory to explain that all species of life have evolved over time from common ancestors. Darwin’s discovery is one of the most essential unifying theories in the life sciences, as it helps explain the expansive diversity of life this planet has seen since the dawn of the first organisms. His evidence illustrates a pattern that is made possible by a specific process called natural selection. While many members of the scientific community accepted Darwin’s theory in his lifetime, it was not until the 1930’s-50’s that a broad consensus developed that accepted natural selection as the fundamental mechanism of evolution.

I have taken some time to create a bulletin board and book display featuring Darwin, Origin, evolution and the natural world.  If you have questions about what books we are featuring or would like to learn more about how Takoma Park Library is celebrating this important milestone, please contact Ms. Lindsay in the children’s room at 202-576-7486.

The Silver Screen Book Club, which debuted in September, has been off to a successful start. In the last two months we have read two great books and watched the films based on those books. So far, over 20 neighborhood children (ages 9-14, and some younger readers) have participated in the book club. Our November selection has been made, and we are getting copies into the branch for anyone interested to sign up.

For those that don't know how to sign up or those that may be new to the neighborhood, here is how the book club works:

1.  Sign up at the Children's Desk
2.  Get a copy of the book
3.  Read the book
4.  Show up at our end of month meeting to discuss the book, watch the film based on the book, and eat some delicious popcorn. This month we meet at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 24.

This month's selection is the first book in J.K. Rowling's famous wizard series.  Stop into the Takoma Park Library and speak with Ms. Lindsay to get a copy of the book and sign up today!

Get dressed up in your scariest costume and come to the library to get your Halloween celebration started!  This Saturday, Oct. 31 at 1 p.m., join us in the program room downstairs for spooktacular crafts, games, and treats.  All ages are welcome. Just don't come dressed up as a librarian.  ;-)    

As we approach the last week of October I'm sure those Halloween preparations are in full swing. Putting finishing touches on costumes, buying candy, choosing pumpkins and putting spooky decor around the home are just part of the tradition as we get ready for All Hallows Eve. I would like to personally suggest one activity you should add to the holiday to-do list: Come into the library and find yourself a copy of The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury.

Ever since I discovered this book in junior high I have read it each year around Halloween and each time I am never able to put it down. The magic and the adventure in this book never cease to electrify my imagination.  The book is about eight friends who set out on Halloween night to find some adventure. The ninth friend in the group, Pipkin, promises to meet up with the rest later on at a sinister looking house in the woods.  From here on out the eight boys are led into the darkest depths of history as a mysterious character, named Moundshroud, guides them through the past to find their friend, as they explore the true meaning behind the celebration of Halloween. After spectacular lessons about history, other cultures and celebrations are learned in ancient Egypt, the time of the Druids and Mexico, to name a few, the boys endure the greatest personal journey of the evening as they are asked how far they would truly go to help their friend.

Fans of Bradbury know that his stories, particularly those about children, are typically accompanied by change, growing up and the ache of loss. The Halloween Tree is no exception to this. Despite this being a children's chapter book, Bradbury still eloquently describes the realities of death's cold touch, and he does so as honestly and simply as a child might describe the misty and haunting twilight that comes after an autumn sunset.  The book's lyrical nature and the youthful vibe from the characters make this book not only a moving story to listen to, but also a sheer delight to read for children and adults of all ages.

While we don't currently own a copy of The Halloween Tree at Takoma Park, I have requested some copies be sent here from other locations. Look for them on display above the mantle this week. Feel free to check out our other featured holiday titles for children and teens. You can also place a hold online for this book or any holiday book throughout the system.  Please call the children's room (202-576-7252) and ask for Lindsay if you need assistance finding a copy of this book.  Happy Halloween!