Discovering new hobbies, reading therapy dogs and movies for teens are the focus of upcoming events hosted by the Fargo Public Library.

First, kids in grades kindergarten through 6^th grade will have a chance to improve their reading skills when the library welcomes certified therapy pets from Therapy Dogs of the Red River Valley on Saturday, Jan. 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the community room at the Dr. James Carlson Library. Pre-registration is required, and kids can sign up to read to one of the therapy pets for 20 minutes. Children can bring their own book to read or choose from a selection of library books. To register, visit the Dr. James Carlson Library’s Reference Desk or call 476-5980.

Interested in trying a new hobby? The Fargo Public Library is celebrating National Hobby Month with an event for kids of all ages entitled “Hobby Day @ your library”. The hobby open house is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Dr. James Carlson Library at 2801 32^nd Ave. S. Learning stations featuring card making, guitars, cartooning, cross country skiing and more will be set up throughout the library. For more information, call the children’s librarian at 241-1496.

Starting next week, teens at the Fargo Public Library can enjoy their own “teen movie night” which will be held on the fourth Thursday of every month at the Dr. James Carlson Library. Join us for a showing of “Get Smart” (rated PG-13) on Thursday, Jan. 22 starting at 4:30 p.m. in the community room at the Dr. James Carlson Library (2801 32^nd Ave. S.). Free popcorn will be served. For details, contact the Teen Librarian at 476-5978 or at bschmidt@cityoffargo.com.

    Fargo Public Library events are free and open to the public. Adults must accompany children 10 and under.

    People with disabilities who plan to attend Fargo Public Library events and need special accommodations should contact Beth Postema at 701-241-8198 or TDD at 241-8258. Please contact us at least three business days in advance of the event to give our staff adequate time to make arrangements.

We’ll be dancing away the dog days of summer every Friday in August at the Dr. James Carlson branch of the Fargo Public Library as we feature movies with a beat. All shows begin at 1:30 p.m. There is no charge for these programs and free popcorn will be served.

This summer, we’ve got the real dancing stars:

• August 8 - Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr in The King and I (G)
• August 15 - Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor in Moulin Rouge (PG-13)
• August 22 - Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae in Oklahoma! (G)
• August 29 - Robert Sean Leonard and Christian Bale in Swing Kids (PG-13)

A special swing dance demonstration will be presented by members of the Northern Lights Ballroom Dance Club prior to the August 29 showing.

From The Ant Bully to Zathura, from picture books to novels, children’s literature has long been a rich source of material for Hollywood filmmakers. Over the years, several classics such as Charlotte’s Web, Heidi, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory have been put on film multiple times.  But as the recent controversy surrounding the novel The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman demonstrates, parents differ as to what is appropriate for their own children to read and see. 

During the remainder of December and throughout 2008, nine different children’s books are slated for release as movies. Read the books first and decide for yourself whether they’re movies you’d like your kids to see.

The Water Horse by Dick King-Smith - due out December 25, 2007

The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black - due out February 15, 2008

Horton Hears a Who! by Dr. Seuss - due out March 14, 2008

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke - due out March 19, 2008

Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis - due out May 16, 2008

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak - due out October 3, 2008

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau - due out October 10, 2008

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling - due out November 21, 2008

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo - due out December 19, 2008