May 2012 RETURN TO HOME PAGE FEEDBACK

It’s “Better Sleep Month,” so if you or someone in your family is lying awake at night staring at the ceiling, the San Francisco Library has lots of books that can help you discover the path to a restful sleep, find a soothing bedtime ritual, and create a comfortable bedroom.

 

Books for Adults

• Bedrooms by Janice Easton-Epner shows how to transform your bedroom into a more relaxing space by making small changes to colors and furnishings.

• Sondra Kornblatt teaches you how to relax and quiet your mind, in Restful Insomnia: How to Get the Benefits of Sleep Even When You Can’t.

• The Insomnia Workbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting the Sleep You Need, byclinical psychologist Stephanie A. Silberman, explains how you can use cognitive behavioral therapy to treat sleep disorders.

• 365 Ways to Get a Good Night’s Sleep, by Ronald Kotler, MD, and Maryann Karinch, is a little book that is packed with practical tips for dealing with sleep problems.

• The Bed Bug Book: The Complete Guide to Prevention and Extermination, by entomologist Ralph H. Maestre, is a detailed reference for anyone worried about infestations.

 

For Parents: On Children and Sleep

• Develop a sleep plan for your child with The Sleepeasy Solution: The Exhausted Parent’s Guide to Getting Your Child to Sleep—From Birth to Age Five, by Jennifer Waldburger.

• Neuroscientist and sleep expert Polly Moore presents a new technique for improving sleep in The 90-Minute Baby Sleep Program: Follow Your Child’s Natural Sleep Rhythms for Better Nights and Naps.

 

Books for Children

Picture Stories About Bedtime

• Lull your child to sleep with the rhymes of Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are You Going to Sleep?by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson, illustrated by Laura J. Bryant. Ages 2 to 6.

• Fun little monsters come home from school and eventually go to sleep, in Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters, by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Kelly Murphy. Ages 3 and up.

• A boy’s blanket takes him on a ride to the stars in Light Up the Night by Jean Reidy, illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine. Ages 4 to 8.

• Bear and his friend Mouse get along despite having different sleeping habits in A Bedtime for Bear by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton. Ages 5 to 7.

 

Lullabies and Poems

• Lullaby Moons and a Silver Spoon: A Book of Bedtime Songs and Rhymes, illustrated by Brooke Dyer, is a compilation of traditional and new favorites. Ages 4 to 8.

• Make bedtime fun with Maybe I’ll Sleep in the Bathtub Tonight, and Other Funny Bedtime Poems, by Debbie Levy, illustrated by Stephanie Buscema. Ages 6 to 9.

• My Parents Think I’m Sleeping by Jack Prelutsky, with illustrations by Yossi Abolafia, is a book of humorous bedtime poems that young readers can enjoy on their own. Ages 6 to 9.

 

LIBRARY EVENTS

 

For Adults

Great Books Discussion Group: The Great Books Council of San Francisco hosts monthly discussions of famous short stories, essays, and speeches. Wednesday, May 9, 6:15 p.m.

 

Artists of Color: Untold Stories of Silent History: This art talk from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is inspired by artist Kerry James Marshall’s work, which dwells on the often suppressed aspects of African-American culture and history. Artists Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Glenn Ligon, Mark Bradford, and Kara Walker also will be highlighted. Tuesday, May 15, 7 p.m.

 

The Noe Valley Book Discussion Group reads contemporary fiction and non-fiction and meets on the third Wednesday of each month. Wednesday, May 16, 7 p.m.

 

For Children

An interactive song and movement program with guitar-playing, puppetry, and bubbles will be presented by early childhood educator/musician Mimi Greisman. Tuesday, May 29, 10:30 to 11: 15 a.m. For children 5 and younger.

 

Friday for School-Aged Children: Come watch Pixar’s Despicable Me, in which super-villain Gru meets three little girls who prove to be his greatest challenge. Friday, May 25, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Recommended for ages 7 and up.

 

Join Children’s Librarian Catherine for her Toddler Tales story time on Tuesdays, May 1, 8, and 22. Let’s read, sing, play, and move together! For children 18 to 36 months and their parents or caregivers. 10:15 to 10:45 a.m., and 11 to 11:30 a.m.

 

Based on picture stories by well-known authors, Preschool Films will be shown on Tuesday, May 15, from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m., and again from 11 to 11:30 a.m. For ages 3 to 5 and parents/caregivers.

 

 

All events take place at the Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Library, 451 Jersey St. near Castro Street. For information, call 415-355-5707 or visit www.sfpl.org.

BRANCH HOURS

Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Branch Library

451 Jersey St., 355-5707

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Eureka Valley–Harvey Milk Branch Library

1 José Sarria Ct. (3555 16th St.), 355-5616

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Glen Park Branch Library

2825 Diamond St., 355-2858

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Mission Branch Library

300 Bartlett St., 355-2800

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