Children's Books, Videos,
Events, and More!
This Women's History Month, Librarian Erica highlights some local figures and books about them
Maggie Gee was born in Berkeley and lived there until her passing in 2013. She was one of two Chinese American Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) to serve in World War II, and was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2010 along with all other living WASP pilots. She later worked as a physicist and researcher at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and served in local and state politics. Check out the wonderful book:
Sky High by Marissa Moss

Sylvia Mendez is the name of one of our elementary schools, but once upon a time, she was just a young girl who wanted to go to the school in her neighborhood. When she and her brothers were denied because they were Mexican American, her family gathered support and brought the case to court in California (Mendez v. Westminster School District). This later set the precedent for Brown v. Board of Education. Since retiring from nursing, she travels the country to educate people about her family's fight for desegregation, and she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. 
These are some books that talk about Sylvia:
 
Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & her family's fight for desegregation by Duncan Donatiuh 
 
Nuestra América : 30 inspiring latinas/latinos who have shaped the United States by Sabrina Vourvoulias
 
Here's a book that is based on Sylvia's childhood friendship with a young girl who, with her family, was forced to leave their farm to be in an internment camp:
 
Sylvia & Aki by Winifred Conkling

Julia Morgan built some of the most impressive buildings in Berkeley (and throughout California, including Hearst Castle), and blazed a trail, being one of the first women Architects in the United States.

Check out the book:
Julia Morgan built a castle by Celeste Davidson Mannis
 
You can find more books about and by notable women at your local branch!
 
 
BPL Family Place Playshop

Have you checked out the BPL Family Place Playshop page?

You can find it under the Kids menu on our website, where there are short videos, booklists, and information about how we serve as a Family Place Library.

Until we can meet again for our Playshops, stay tuned for other early childhood programming, including short songs, poems, rhymes, and more on the Bits and Pieces playlist on the Berkeley Public Library Kids YouTube channel.
 
Find these resources and more at berkeleypubliclibrary.org/kids
 
Upcoming Events
Virtual Program:
The Magic of Brian Scott

Saturday, March 19th
3:30-4:15pm
 
Magic, comedy, and a whole lot of fun for the whole family in BiblioSpectacular. It's an interactive, virtual magic show!
 

Yoga Story Time
@Grove Street Park
 
Friday, April 8th at 3:00pm
 
Please bring mats and/or blankets to place on the grass or pavement.

Story Time @ Grove Street Park
 
Tuesdays at 10:30am
Near the picnic tables and toddler play area (weather permitting)
Story Time on the Lawn
@ North Branch
 
Wednesdays at 10:30am
On the lawn next to North Branch
 
Musical Story Time
 
@Bateman Park
Thursdays in March at 10:30am
Located at 3027 Colby St.
 
@ George Florence Park
Thursdays in April at 10:30am
Located at 2121 Tenth St.
 
Virtual Children's Story Times
Wednesdays at 10:30am on Facebook
 
AND COMING SOON:
Story Time @ the Saturday Downtown Berkeley Farmers Market
Stay tuned for more details!
 
Stay updated on events on our website!
Check out the online calendar for a complete list of upcoming virtual and outdoor events at the Library.
 
Programming is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library.
And have you seen us out and about?
 
Thanks so much to the Center for Early Intervention on Deafness
and the Downtown Berkeley Asian Cultural Festival
for inviting us to be part of your events!
 
Please continue to say hi and share photos!
Tag us @berkeleypubliclibrary on Facebook and Instagram
 
 
A Special Offer from
virtual musical story time Reading is Instrumental partner: Berkeley Symphony
 
SYMPHONIC II: REIMAGINE
Ravel | Prokofiev | Esmail
 
Friday, March 25, 7:30PM
First Congregational Church of Berkeley
 
SPECIAL TICKET OFFER:
BOGO, Buy One, Get One Free with code FAMILYNIGHTOUT
Expires Friday, March 25, 2022
 
From the Berkeley Symphony:
 
Join the Berkeley Symphony at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley! Let your inner child come out to play with Ravel's Mother Goose Suite and a reimagined, uniquely Berkeley retelling of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, featuring the remarkable illustrator and graphic journalist Wendy MacNaughton as our narrator and amazing illustrations by three local artists.
 
Also featured is Reena Esmail's Meri Sakhi Ki Avaaz (My Sister's Voice) for Hindustani singer, soprano, and orchestra, which takes listeners on a cross-cultural journey that explores family and community across the globe. 
 
Tickets start at $35. Reserve your seats today: berkeleysymphony.org/events/symphonic-ii-reimagine
 
Attendees ages 5 and up must be fully vaccinated to the maximum extent for which they are eligible including booster vaccinations, present a vaccination card with a matching photo ID, and be fully masked. For complete COVID-19 protocols and expectations, visit berkeleysymphony.org/health-safety.
 

Berkeley Public Library
 
2090 Kittredge St.
Berkeley, California 94704
510.981.6100
www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/