Spotlight 7. The Universe

In these Library Spotlight posts we’re picking a theme and highlighting some of the amazing content available to you online via Sheffield Libraries, as well as out there in the wider world. 

Today we’re contemplating the Universe.  

When imagining our future, what can Science Fiction teach us? 

In this Guardian Books podcast, authors Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck discuss their bestselling space-opera series, The Expanse, which started in 2012 and is due to end in 2021.  Set in the middle of the 24th century, society is now beyond race and gender, and is instead divided on a planetary level.  The series was recently adapted for television.

Listen to the podcast

Creativity during Corona - The Universe

Each morning during lockdown, we’ve been posting daily creative prompts on Facebook and we’ve been overwhelmed by the response from people creating their own poetry and artwork.  We look forward to showcasing some of this work during an exhibition at the Central Library when life returns to normal.

Claire from Central Library writes;

When thinking about the Universe, my initial thoughts turned to stars. I was going to share Auden’s “The more loving one,” a poem about unrequited love using a star-less sky as a metaphor. Then there’s Sylvia Plath’s ‘Stars Over the Dordogne’, a beautiful but melancholy poem. 

I’ve settled on Nick Drake’s “Back of your head”. I never thought I’d admit to missing my commute on the number 76 bus, but after reading this poem, I do.   Why not read the Guardian’s review of the poem (it has the word juxtaposition in it). I like the idea that the back of someone’s head can lead to thoughts of 170 billion galaxies.

Read Back of your head online

You could simply read the poems then close…or take a look at the prompts on our Facebook page and send us your own thoughts, notes, journal piece, poem, short story,  drawing, paintings, photographs, knitting, sewing, or  songs….  Enjoy.

Explore the eLibrary

The Sheffield eLibrary is packed with content that can take your imagination into space, and whet your appetite to discover more.  We also have content aimed at different ages including these eMagazines.

Explore the eLibrary

Behind the Scenes at NASA

NASA brings you images, videos and features from the unique perspective of America's space agency. Get updates on missions, tour the International Space Station, read blogs, listen to podcasts, and lots more.

Visit the NASA website

The Astro Science Challenge – a learning adventure for children

Check out this interactive and FREE space science adventure for children aged 7-11 to inspire them in STEM subjects. Designed and delivered by the Unlimited Space Agency in collaboration with the UK Space Agency, Science Museum, and others,  children complete a series of Missions through the Astro Science Challenge app to become fully fledged Agents of UNSA.  

Discover more online

Take the Quiz

The Book trust website is full of fun features for children and families, including lots of quizzes about children’s books.  Once you’ve taken the Space Quiz, why not test your knowledge of Harry Potter, Roald Dahl or the Famous Five? 

Take the quiz

Spotlight 6. Magic

In these Library Spotlight posts we’re picking a theme and highlighting some of the amazing content available to you online via Sheffield Libraries, as well as out there in the wider world. 

Today we’re taking the theme of Magic.  

What if Gandalf joined the Sweeney?

Ben Aaronivitch is the best-selling author behind the Rivers of London series.  Now onto the eighth book, this hugely popular urban fantasy series follows the adventures of Peter Grant, a young police officer who finds himself working for The Folly, a secret branch of the police that handles the supernatural.

In this podcast the author talks about the vital role of place in his fiction and what it is like adapting the books with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.

Listen to the podcast

You will also find the Rivers of London included in this list of 21 fantasy books everyone should read.  Take a look at the full list.

Still Using the Force

On the 40th anniversary of the release of The Empire Strikes Back, SFX Magazine celebrates four decades of arguably the best Star Wars film ever made.  

Read SFX and over 100 other bestselling magazines in the eLibrary

Master of the Mystic Arts and other Comics

Enjoyed the Marvel superhero films?  Why not try the comics where it all began.  In our eLibrary you will find Doctor Strange alongside a host of other familiar faces including Spiderman, Thor, and lots more familiar Marvel characters.

Read over 1000 comics in the eLibrary

And for younger readers, you can count on The Beano for pages of magical themed silliness including jokes, quizzes and magic tricks.

Visit the Beano website

Create your own magical place

In the Discovering Children’s Books website you will find images of original drafts, artworks, poems and notebooks by a variety of well-loved children’s authors and illustrators, as well as ideas for sparking your own children’s creativity.  Check out this page to start children off on creating their own imaginary school full of magic and mystery. 

Read the activity notes

Or watch this video from Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell.  Cressida is the author of the wonderful How to Train your dragon series, and The Wizards of Once series.  She is posting videos for junior age children every day and in this one, she challenges children to create a map of their own magical land and then write a story about it.

Watch the video

Pyjamarama Day Activities

To celebrate the bedtime story and reading together, families can take part in this year's Pyjamarama at home on Friday 1st May.

There'll be loads of activities for children to take part in – the only requirement is that they're done in pyjamas! Find out more about Pyjamarama Day

We would love to see how you take part, maybe using some of our suggested activities below, so please tag us and use the hashtag #PyjamaramaSheffield if you'd like us to share your photos on the day! 

Activities for Kids in Pyjamas

Craft Activity…. Lavender Play Dough
Lavender is a soothing aromatherapy and children can find the act of squashing and squishing the play dough quite calming.

Recipe for Lavender Play Dough

1 Cup (150g) of Flour

½ Cup of salt

2 Tablespoon of cream of tartar

Petals of lavender (if available)

1 Tablespoon of oil

½ Teaspoon of lavender oil

¾ cup (180 ml) of warm water

½ Teaspoon Purple food colouring (or blue and red)

Method

Mix the dry ingredients including lavender petals if available

Add the oil and warm water little at a time to the right consistency (you might not need all the water)

Add the food colouring a little at a time

Knead gently.

Craft Activity - Teddy

Star Gazing

Star gazing is free and provides a constantly changing show that stimulates conversation and is a great bonding activity. It triggers a child’s imagination and alleviates stress and anxiety before bedtime and picking out a child’s lucky star is fun!

Star Walk Kids is a fun App


Bedtime comforts

Cuddles are always a comfort, chose a favourite cuddly toy, pillow or piece of fabric to snuggle into bed with.

Children who are cuddled more become happier adults ….it’s true….science says so.

According to Notre Dame psychologist Darcia Narvaez children who have positive experiences with regard to affectionate touch, free play and family togetherness grow up to be less anxious adults. This starts with those first baby snuggles.


Bedtime Story

There’s nothing better than a bedtime story to help your little one settle at bedtime.

Bedtime Stories

· Provide good bonding time

· Improves children’s reading skills

· Sparks imagination

· Creates conversation

· Expands a child’s vocabulary

· Improves emotional intelligence

· Helps a child relax

Recommended Reads
Goodnight Spaceman by Michelle Robinson

Max at Night by Ed Vere

Babies Can Sleep Anywhere by Lisa Wheeler

A Recipe for Bedtime by Peter Bently

A Quiet Chat

A few quiet moments before sleep to discuss your day and the day ahead can help release anxiety and help a child relax and look forward to the day ahead. Also gives a child the chance to discuss their day.

Lullaby

Hearing a soft rhythmic song brings with it a sense of calmness and security to a child. Lillabies are scientifically proven to lull babies to sleep, stimulate language and cognitive development as well as strengthening the bond between parent and child. This bond can be communicated without words if you child is a small baby who doesn’t understand words and language, a lullaby is calming and soothing and reduces stress levels in the parent as well as the child.

Well Known Lullabies:
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Hush Little Baby

Kumbaya

You are my Sunshine

Somewhere over the rainbow

Rock-a-bye baby

Have fun, and don't forget to share #PyjamaramaSheffield

Spotlight 5. Mystery

In these Library Spotlight posts we’re picking a theme and highlighting some of the amazing content available to you online via Sheffield Libraries, as well as out there in the wider world. 

Today we’re taking the theme of Mystery.  

Exploring the Archives: The Mystery of the Marble Bust

Every month, the Sheffield City Archives and Local Studies Library receive hundreds of enquiries, all of them are a mystery of some kind that needs solving.   Looking back in 2017, perhaps the mystery of the marble bust was one of the most intriguing.

Read more

Mystery titles in the eLibrary

The eLibrary is bursting with stories of mystery including familiar favourites and new bestselling crime fiction.  Why not listen to an eAudiobook while doing chores, get lost in an eBook, or even try Cluedo, the comic.

Discover the eLibrary

          

Investigating Sherlock Holmes

If you want to delve a little deeper into the world of the great detective, why not take a look at the Sherlock Holmes Society of London; a literary and social Society for the study of the life and work of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson.  Their website contains journal articles, book reviews and recordings.  

Listen to this Guardian Books podcast with author and psychologist Maria Konnikova who reveals how Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional sleuth can help us maximise our brain power.  

Or check out this American podcast about the life of Conan Doyle and the origins of the Sherlock Holmes character that has become the universal archetype of the independent detective?   

The Famous Five: Manuscript Notes and Typescript Drafts

Our friends at the British Library recently launched the amazing Discovering Children’s Books website.  A collection of original drafts, artworks, poems and notebooks by beloved authors and illustrators including Lewis Carroll, Enid Blyton, and Liz Pichon.

The Famous Five are perhaps the best-loved of all Enid Blyton's characters. A group of children and their dog who meet up every school holiday, and before long fall into a new adventure.

Here you can see pages from Enid Blyton’s original drafts for Five Go to the Mystery Moor and Five Have a Wonderful Time.

Listen to Dragon Detective: The Missing Books – Part One

Gareth P Jones is the award winning author of over 40 books for children of all ages.  Check out the first of four storytelling videos about the Dragon Detective and help solve the mystery of the missing library books. 

Watch the video

Spotlight 4. Insects

In these Library Spotlight posts we’re picking a different theme each day and highlighting some of the amazing content available to you online via Sheffield Libraries, as well as out there in the wider world. 

Today we're buzzing about bees and other insects. 

Blogs on Bugs in Books

Check out this fascinating blog post from our friends at the British Library.  It seems that the pages of medieval manuscripts are full of often overlooked images of insects.

Or how about this one from our very own Sheffield City Archives team and their ongoing battle with pesky pests.

Detail of a miniature of bees collecting nectar and returning to their hive, from a bestiary with theological texts, England, c. 1200 – c. 1210, Royal MS 12 C XIX, f. 45v

Sheffield is Buzzing about the eLibrary

Since the lockdown began, thousands more Sheffielders have begun using the eLibrary.  If you're a library member you can access eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, and eComics for free.  The number of downloads has increased by over 100%!

Discover more about the Sheffield eLibrary.

Listen to the Short Story, The Bees, Part 1

In this Guardian Books podcast, bestseller Jonathan Safran Foer introduces his favourite short story:  The Bees, Part 1 by Aleksandar Hemon.  A story about the writer’s father – a Bosnian beekeeper – and his frustrated attempts to create art.  the story is read by Chris Moran.

Listen to the story online

The Book Of Hopes

Yesterday The Literacy Trust released a free e-book called The Book of Hopes to shine some light on these less cheerful times. This is a collaboration from some of the most popular current children's authors and illustrators, of extracts, illustrations and brand new short stories. If you love insects and bugs, why not skitter straight to that chapter which has 3 bug featuring tales, including a new story by bug fanatic and author M. G. Leonard.

Read the free Book of Hopes

How to Draw a Ladybird with Lydia Monks

Lydia monks is a Sheffield based picture book illustrator and longtime collaborator with Julia Donaldson.  During the recent lockdown, Lydia had been posting a series of videos demonstrating how to illustrate her familiar book characters.

Learn how to draw a Ladybird

Give Nature a Home

Our gardens collectively make up one of the biggest nature reserves in the country.  Why not take some time with the kids to make your garden more wildlife friendly by creating a bug hotel.  The RSPB website has a great page on how to get started

Learn how to build a bug hotel

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Creativity during Corona - Inspired by Moths

Each morning during lockdown, we’ve been posting daily creative prompts on Facebook  and we’ve been overwhelmed by the response from people creating their own poetry and artwork.  We look forward to showcasing some of this work during an exhibition at the Central Library when life returns to normal.

Today, Claire from the Central Library has suggested we share Moths by Jennifer O'Grady. Iin Claire's words'

I love the beautiful imagery and language of this poem, “translucent as a thought”, “pale reminders of ourselves”, but it’s what’s left unsaid that haunts me.


Read Moths online

You could simply read the poems then close…or take a look at the prompts on our Facebook page and send us your own thoughts, notes, journal piece, poem, short story,  drawing, paintings, photographs, knitting, sewing, or  songs….  Enjoy.

Spotlight 3. Sweet Treats

In these Library Spotlight posts we’re picking a theme and highlighting some of the amazing content available to you online via Sheffield Libraries, as well as out there in the wider world. 

Today we're thinking about sweet treats.  After all, we all deserve a treat sometimes...

Jane Austen and Regency Recipes

Love Jane Austen?  Love pudding? 
Jane Austen’s books are full of food, with much of the action often happening at a meal or social gathering of some kind.  Take a bite of the Regency period by trying out these recipes from the Jane Austen Centre in Bath.

And if you want to revisit the books, download them for free from the Sheffield eLibrary where you'll also find lots of other food themed fiction and recipe books, including authors Millie Johnson and Tarek Malouf from the Hummingbird Bakery.

More Recipes

Check out BBC Good Food and BBC Easy Cook magazines.  Just two of the bestselling magazines available to download free from the Sheffield eLibrary.

Search the eLibrary

Cookbooks of 2019 - Podcast

Okay, so we're a few months late but a podcast about books and baking seemed to fit too well to ignore.  In this BBC Radio podcast, Cerys Matthews and friends review some of the best cook books from last year.

Listen to the podcast 

Wonka's Sweet Solutions

A fun Willy Wonka inspired quiz for children here. As well as being wonderfully delicious, some of Willy Wonka's sweets can also come in handy! Which treat would you choose for each of these sticky situations? 

Start the Quiz

And if that whetted your appetite, take a look at the Roald Dahl Museum website where you'll find lots of things for children to do indoors, including a great video from Quentin Blake on how to draw Willy Wonka.

Watch the video

Creativity during Corona

Each morning during lockdown, we’ve been posting daily creative prompts on Facebook  and we’ve been overwhelmed by the response from people creating their own poetry and artwork.  We look forward to showcasing some of this work during an exhibition at the Central Library when life returns to normal.

Today, we’re taking a look at two poems; one for children and one for grown ups.  Claire Walker from the Central Library has chosen Michael Rosen performing his poem, Chocolate Cake because it’s simply delicious, and for anyone home-schooling KS2 kids, she just shaved 3 minutes 40 seconds off your day.

For the adults, Claire wanted to tickle your literature taste buds with this very visual poem by Shukria Rezaei.

You could simply read the poems then close…or take a look at the prompts on our Facebook page and send us your own thoughts, notes, journal piece, poem, short story,  drawing, paintings, photographs, knitting, sewing, or  songs….  Enjoy.