If you have a talent for creating comic/manga style illustrated short stories, you are invited to enter San José Public Library’s Graphic Novel Making Contest for all ages as part of our Summer Reading Celebration, 2013. This contest is sponsored by San José Public Library, Hijinx Comics, San José Museum of Art and TRY Japan Culture Group.

Here’s how to enter …

• Create your own comic book with a maximum length of 8 pages, including the cover page.
• Use letter-size paper (8.5 x 11) with black-and-white drawings and text on one side only.
• Each submission must be the creative and original work of a single individual—the author/illustrator.
• The contest is limited to amateur authors/ illustrators only.
• Computer generated images are acceptable as long as they are your original work (no clip art)
• Consider submitting a photocopy that is an accurate reflection of the original (as submissions are non-returnable).
• San José Public Library reserves the right to reproduce your work. You can reuse all your work after the contest.
• Be sure to print and complete the creative works release form. Include your Name, Age, Contact Information and Signature.
• Entries can be submitted to any San José Public Library location no later than 8p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2013. 
• Entries can also be submitted online to sjplgraphicnovelmakingcontest@gmail.com as a jpeg or pdf attachment.
• There is a limit of one entry per contestant.

Entries will be judged on content and illustrations by a panel of library staff and comic industry professionals. All cash prizes will be awarded as gift cards. 

• Children (up to age 6): first prize $25; second prize $15
• Children (7-12): first prize $40; second prize $20
• Teens (ages 13-17): first prize $100; second prize $70; third prize $50
• Adults (age 18 and above): first prize $100; second prize $70; third prize $50

Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at a reception to be held at the Seven Trees Branch Library on Saturday, August 24th at 2:00 p.m.in the Community Room. 

Check out the award winning entries from 2012, 2011 and 2010.   

San José Public Library staff members are ineligible to participate.

San José Public Library reserves the right to refuse submissions that are not appropriate for a general audience. This contest is open to all California residents.

Give children the joy of reading by reading aloud to youngsters at one of the San Jose Public Libraries. Reading occurs in the library's children's area at designated times throughout the day. Specialized training is provided to all incoming volunteers. Several of our library branches are seeking volunteers to read to children on an ongoing basis (minimum 6 month commitment). Bilingual volunteers (Spanish/English) are especially needed. This position requires fingerprinting.

Training is on Saturday, June 22, 2013 from 12:00pm - 3:00pm at the King Library.  Please complete the application form and register for training here.

The hills are green and the weather is in turns warm or rainy.  Its time to get out into the garden and get some work done!  I've been walking out and doing a little bit of weeding every morning and today I sowed some seeds. 

March is a great month to get started with the following:  Fertilize trees and shrubs, plant potatoes and summer blooming bulbs like caladiums and elephant ears.

Whether you have a small orchard or a few plants in pots on your windowsill, SJPL has a lot of resources to help you plan this year's garden and give you inspiration!

The world-renowned San Jose Heritage Rose Garden at Spring and Taylor is a great inspiration to rose lovers.  A dedicated cadre of volunteers maintain the garden. Check out this aerial view video of the volunteers hard at work!  How's that for inspiration?  I've only got four roses to prune!

The San José Public Library has a fun program for kids to practice their reading skills by reading to some friendly dogs, cats, and other animals. It's called Reading to Furry Friends. Kids are paired with an animal for some one-on-one reading time. This is a great way to encourage kids to improve their reading skills and develop relationships with animals.

If your kids need suggestions for what to read to them, here are some fun books that the listening animals might appreciate:

Oh No George! by Chris Haughton

George wants to be a good dog, but when his owner goes out for the day, he struggles with the temptations that all dogs surely face: digging in the flower garden, chasing the cat, and swiping some cake off the kitchen table.  Will George be good?

Dog’s Colorful Day by Emma Dodd

Dog is white with a black spot on one ear.  But after a day spent romping, he comes back with a whole bunch of different color spots.  Learn colors and number with this colorful canine!

Bark, George by Jules Feiffer

The mother of this George despairs of ever getting her puppy to make the noise that all dogs must: BARK!  A variety of other animal sounds come out of George, so she takes him to the vet to see what the problem is.

Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes  

Kitten is convinced that the moon is a big bowl of milk just out of his reach.  He will try almost anything to get that bowl of milk.  Will Kitten go hungry or will he succeed?

Pete the Cat by James Dean

Pete loves his new white shoes.  But as he walks down the street and steps in colorful mess after colorful mess, his shoes aren’t so white anymore.  But that’s fine with Pete, who keeps singing his song and loving his shoes.

What Will Fat Cat Sit On? By Jan Thomas

What will Fat Cat sit on?  All of the animals in this book just hope it won’t be them.  Can they come up with a solution before it’s too late?

If your child wants to read to one of our furry friends, then check out the locations below for dates and times:

• Edenvale
• Rose Garden
• Santa Teresa
• Seven Trees
• Willow Glen