Día de los Muertos, a holiday tradition that originated from the Aztecs nearly 3.000 years ago and has continued to be celebrated by various cultures around the world, sounds a lot more morbid than it really is. While death is viewed as something to fear in the American Halloween tradition, Día de los Muertos, celebrated around the same time (midnight on October 31st until November 2nd), views death as a joyous occasion by remembering loved ones when they were alive and what they meant to their families.  Here are some more facts about this beloved holiday: Ofrendas/altares (altars): Ofrendas are a key element of the Día de los Muertos celebrations. Ofrendas are decorated with pictures of loved ones and include a variety of symbols of the four elements such as water, candles, food (often the favorite kinds of the dead when they were alive), and paper banners which each play an important role in guiding the spirit on their journey home. Ofrendas can also be built outside of the hom...

On October 25th we celebrate the creators of the world with International Artist Day. Why October 25th? October 25th, 1881 was the birthday of Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. Come to the library and check out these great books about artists! If Picasso Painted a Snowman written by Amy Newbold and illustrated by Greg Newbold  The Noisy Paint Box : The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art by Barb Rosenstock and illustrated by Mary GrandPré Funny Bones : Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras by Duncan Tonatiuh Henri’s Scissors by Jeanette Winter Also available in Spanish Las Tijeras de Matisse Mary Blair’s Unique Flair : The Girl Who Became One of the Disney Legends written by Amy Novesky and illustrated by Brittney Lee Also available in eBook Yayoi Kusama : Covered Everything in Dots and Wasn’t Sorry by Fausto Gilberti Magic Trash : A Story of Tyree Guyton and His Art written by J.H. Shapiro and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton Radiant Child : The Story of Youn...

Check out these Spoooky DVDs! Z-O-M-B-I-E-S (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment) What would you do if your high school was suddenly overrun with zombies?! Check out this fun-filled Disney musical and find out! Tutenstein (Porchlight Entertainment) A family friendly series about an Egyptian Pharaoh that's come to life! Sabrina : Secrets of a Teenage Witch in A Witch and the Werewolf the Movie (Lionsgate) Ashley Tisdale ( High School Musical ) voices Sabrina the Teenage Witch in this animated movie where Sabrina's friend Harvey turns into a werewolf. Lil' Monsters (Toe Jamaz)  All the littlest monsters are invited to join Lil' Fangs and Lil' Stitches who are going to come up with a dance that is so ghoul-tastic it will knock the judges' socks off! Addams Family (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment) The Addams Family-animated style! Are You Afraid of the Dark (Viacom International Inc.) It's back! (cue spooky theme music). This first came out when I ...

The month of October is the perfect time for curling up in a blanket alone or with your friends and family for a spooky story. Here are some of our favorite picks for this ghostly Halloween season:  Audiobooks: Begone the Raggedy Witches by Celine Kiernan and performed by Kate Rudd When Mup's dad is kidnapped, she has to venture into the twisty, tangled world of the witches in her family who are not all that they may seem. Also available in print A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz and narrated by Johnny Heller Hansel and Gretel, the children in the Brothers Grimm's terrible, classic tale, are already doomed when they discover a hidden cache of forbidden treats in the woods one day. One would think that they already have their hands full trying to escape the clutches of one witch who wants to cook them up in her oven. However, this is not so in A Tale Dark and Grimm  where Adam Gidwitz   conjures up a few extra villains from the Grimm fairy tales for Hansel and...

Come to the Worcester Public Library on Tuesday, October 5th (4-5 p.m.) and see the amazing LEGO Master Builder, Dan Steininger build his own master creations while you build yours! To get inspired before, during, and after the show check out these awesome LEGO books: Life Hacks : 50 Cool Ideas to Make Your LEGO Bricks Work For You by Julia March, Rosie Peet, Barney Main, and Nate Dias Projects you'll find include: Weekly Planner, Phone Stand, Trash Hoop, and Potted Plants. Super Nature by Rona Skene Build and learn about the world around you with LEGOs. Halloween Ideas by Julia March, Selina Wood, Alice Finch, and Jason Briscoe What spooky LEGO builds will you create?! Brick x Brick : How to Build Amazing Things 100ish Bricks or Fewer: Say What?!? By Adam Ward Learn tips, tricks, and ideas from LEGO Master Adam Ward (of YouTube fame).  -Cara