The Goblin and the Empty Chair

Mem Fox along with Leo and Diane Dillon bring to life the story of a lonely Goblin who is ashamed and afraid of his own reflection. Living close to a family’s farm, he comes out at night to finish the chores the small family can’t finished on their own. He helps plow the fields and water plants, and cuts wood to help the family build and paint fences. Although he sneaks out quietly at night thinking he will fool the family, each member watches him in silence and is grateful for all his work. One day the Mom decides to invite the Goblin in with food and welcome him to the family to say thank you for all his hard work, but the Goblin is afraid to show his face. Will he come to dinner?

The colorful illustrations and medieval setting will keep kids from 2-8 engaged and the story is perfect for beginning readers to get practice with simple new and old vocabulary...

A Few Suggestions...

If you're looking to find a few good pictures books to get your son or daughter, or perhaps yourself, a better grasp of both the Spanish and English language be sure to try out our range of bilingual children's picture books. The bilingual text and illustrations will help any reader gain a better comprehension of the language and context of the words.

Here's a few to get you started...

• Uncle Nacho’s Hat/ El Sombrero Del Tío Nacho by Harriet Rohmer


• A Movie in my Pillow/ Una Película en mi Almohada by Jorge Argueta


• In my Family/ En Mi Familia by Carmen Lomas Garza


• The Upside Down Boy/ El Niño de cabeza by Juan Felipe Herrera


• Birthday in the Barrio/ Cumpleaños en el Barrio by Mayra L. Dole


• Vincente el Valiente/ Big Brave Brian by M.P. Robertson

For more recommendations visit your librarian or give us call at 831.758.7311

National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month and a perfect time to get your kids interested in writing their own poetry. Check out our display in the John Steinbeck Library for both classic and new titles in children's poetry. Browse our online catalogue for your favorite poetry collection or poet, or visit a librarian to help you hunt down some great writing.

In the mean time check out these titles:

Laughing Tomates by Francisco Alarcon

The Desert is my Mother by Pat Mora

Daydreamers by Tom Feeling

Animal Sense by Diane Ackerman

A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein

I'm Nobody! by Emily Dickinson

Batacazos by Shel Silverstein

Potty Time!

One of the joys of parenting includes potty training. Take a look at these titles at the Salinas Public Library to help in getting kids out of those diapers. Place a hold on any of the titles with the online catalogue here.

Title: Once Upon a Potty for Her
Call Number: JE FRA

Title: I Want My Potty
Call Number: JE ROS

Title: Uh Oh! Gotta Go!
Call Number: JE MCG

Title: You Can Go to the Potty
Call Number: JE SEA

Title: Once Upon a Potty for Him
Call Number: JE FRA

Title: PJ& Puppy
Call Number: JE FAL

Title: Ruby’s Potty
Call Number: JE ROG

Title: No More Diapers for Ducky!
Call Number: JE FOR

Title: It’s Potty Time (En Español)
Call Number: SP 649.62 ITS

Title: Mi Bacinica y Yo Para Ella (En Español)
Call Number: SPJE FRA

Title: Mi Bacinica y Yo Para El (En Español)
Call Number: SPJE FRA

Cartoon with Carissa

Every Thursday at 4:00pm beginning January 15th please join us at the John Steinbeck Library for a fun drawing program, "Cartoon with Carissa."

Learn to draw everything from monsters to animals to the people around you, all that is required is an imagination. A pad of paper and drawing pencil will be supplied to all participants.

For more information please contact Librarian Carissa Purnell at 758.7111 or at carissap@ci.salinas.ca.us.

Welcome the Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Join the Salinas Public Library
and Arial Theatre
December 13th at 12:00pm
at John Steinbeck Library
and enjoy performances from
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”

Here Comes Santa Claus, Here Comes Santa Claus..

Join the Salinas Public Library in welcoming Santa Claus as our special guest. Come meet Santa, read stories, sing your favorite Christmas songs and tell him your special holiday wish.

John Steinbeck Library
December 23rd at 4:00pm

Cesar Chavez Library
December 17th at 4:00pm

El Gabilan Library
December 18th at 4:00pm

For more information contact
Don Gardner at 831.758.7455