Monday, December 31, 2012

Nonfiction Monday: City Critters: Wildlife in the urban jungle by Nicholas Read

This new book is by the co-author of The Salmon Bears and The Sea Wolves, both awesome nonfiction books about the amazing wildlife of the Great Bear Rainforest. As you can tell from the title, this book is a little more urban.

Each chapter looks at a different type of animal and shows which species have evolved to live in an urban setting. We see animals that everyone thinks of like rats, raccoons, pigeons, cockroaches, butterflies, and seagulls and some that might be surprising; cougars, moose, sea lions, alligators, and herons.

The final chapter discusses what people can do to help the wildlife in their urban area. There is also a glossary, resources, and index. Each chapter, in addition to the main text, includes lots of photographs and insets with additional information about the various animals, scientific information, and stories about animals in urban settings.

I found the final chapter to be somewhat disorganized. The author is obviously passionate about wildlife and concerned about humans encroaching on their environment, but the chapter seems to jump around a lot and some things, like feeding hummingbirds in the winter and not the spring, aren't explained.

Verdict: Other than my minor quibbles with the final chapter, this is a really good overview of urban wildlife in North America. It's a fascinating read for both children and adults and with the interesting, brisk pace of the text, lots of photographs, and clear, simple glossary this will be a favorite for animal lovers and kids looking for a subject for reports. I'm really kicking myself that I didn't get around to reading it until it was too late to nominate for Cybils!

ISBN: 9781554693948; Published 2012 by Orca; Borrowed from another library in our consortium; Added to the library's order list

Saturday, December 29, 2012

This week at the library; or, Goodbye 2012, I will not miss you

Random Commentary
  • End of year thoughts - 2012 was busy and I did a lot of good stuff, but ultimately it was a year I could have lived without. Not as horrible as 2011, but it could definitely have been improved. As I read back through the year for my yearly report, I remember how horribly busy the winter/spring was. Things are still busy, but I've scaled back a lot and gotten more realistic about what I have time to do.
  • Thinking over 2013, I have some things I'd like to do - winter reading program, after school science club, convince our director to hire a part-time marketing person (please, please, please), expand outreach (although that may not happen due to time constraints), and while I have a really good line-up for We Explore for the winter/spring, I will need to do a lot of work to keep the momentum going through the summer and fall, since that's when I'll need to start inviting people back for repeat visits. 
  • I have some grants I'd like to apply for, ALA Midwinter and Annual to attend, decisions to make on committee work in the future - do I really have time? and the excitement of seeing if any of my bulbs come up, or if the squirrels really did eat them all. I'll be working more with our cataloger to do some teen programming, maybe even try starting a TAB again (although she definitely needs to be full-time before we try to have her do anything like that) and several minor shifting projects as well as some little changes to make the children's area more early literacy and family-friendly.
  • I'm looking forward to seeing how the system changes, since our youth services coordinator is leaving and they will be hiring a contract person for 200 hours a year in her place. I have some connections with neighboring ys librarians and I'd like to see what collaborations we can come up with, although that's always a stretch for those who have even more limited time than myself (and..uh..challenging directors). I'm making a few minor changes to the summer reading program, mostly adding a super readers club for ages 6-12, and I'm planning to do a summer reading program for the daycares which will take a lot of organizing. I'd like to get our summer reading numbers up. Right now we're at about 500, which is approximately 1/3 of the elementary age population and I'd like to get that up to half at some point in the future. I can totally do it, I just have to find the right combination of incentives and marketing. I'll have a bigger budget next year, so more collection development, some serious weeding in the teen and juvenile nonfiction areas.
  • Blogging of course! and next fall there will be Cybils. I usually have posts written way ahead, but this fall has been so insanely busy that I only have a couple posts prepared for 2013, mostly nonfiction for Mondays. I'll be doing some intense reading to clear off my to be read shelves and fill up the schedule for the blog, plus there will be awesome new books at ALA to be excited about. I've thought a lot of about career choices in the past few weeks and while I would really love to end up in the Puget Sound area some day, for now I am really satisfied with my job here. As you can see, there is so much to do and try and I feel like I have a better handle on what I'm doing than in the past four years. There are still lots of changes to make and always ways to improve, but I am very optimistic about the future.
  • A short week, since we were only open Wed. - Sat. Of course, that means the shelving was crazy, people racing in to grab stuff before we closed for the next holiday, and the usual grumpy old men complaining about us getting holidays. Last year some jerk was ranting about us all getting 80K (which is ridiculous and our salaries are public so it's not like it's a secret) and going on Hawaii to vacation - to the staff member who came in on her own time over the holidays to empty the book drops and had been at work since 7am that morning. People. Sheesh.
  • More publicity and got a start on program planning. This is a pretty short break, so I don't expect to get everything planned until the next break, but I have to at least know what art projects and crafts I'm doing to I can order supplies and set the budget.
  • Sorrow and Despair - I reached the E's in the lexile suggestion list I am making for 1000+ levels and discovered that Scholastic doesn't let you browse more than 1500 titles. So I have to download the rest in an Excel file, then enter each title back into Reading Counts to get the points, into our library catalog to see if we have it, and add it to the list in the format I'm using. Hate and Rage.
Approximate hours this week
  • Wednesday, 8:45-5
  • Thursday, 9:30-5:00
  • Friday, 8:45-1:15
  • Saturday, 9:40-2

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Stripes and Spots by Dahlov Ipcar

I noticed a reprint of this title had been published and liked the cover, so I thought I'd look up the original. It's a really lovely book and one of those vintage titles that will still attract children today, even though it's a bit long for current picture book standards.

"Once there was a tiger, a little striped tiger. He was striped with stripes, beautiful black and gold stripes, from the top of his head to the tip of his tail." Thus begins the story of a tiger and a leopard cub and their adventures as they search for something striped and something spotted to eat. Happily, by the end of the story they both find something to eat - their mothers' warm, white milk. "Some things have stripes, and some things have spots, and some things are plain, but if they're good to eat, I don't care." says the little tiger, curling up for a lullaby.

The pictures are rich greens and browns, with the orange tiger and leopard stalking through the fantastic landscapes. There are thick black lines and touches of more orange in butterflies, flowers, and pools. The story reminded me of the cheerful briskness and satisfying rhythm of a classic Golden Book.

Verdict: Not many books, especially picture books, stand up to the passage of time but I think this one will make a fun storytime readaloud and be enjoyed by parents and children. Definitely purchasing the new edition.

(reprint edition) ISBN: 978-1934031704; Reprinted May 2012 by Islandport Press; Borrowed an original edition via inter-library loan; Purchased reprint edition.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Nonfiction Monday: Create with Maisy by Lucy Cousins

I've looked at a lot of craft books for preschoolers, but they're always directed towards adults. This is the first one - the first really excellent one - that speaks directly to small children and their delight in making things.

A brief note from Lucy Cousins reminds grown-ups to use safe materials and that it's ok to change the crafts a little and then the crafts begin. There are simple instructions to make a beaded butterfly, cardboard house, painted tree, seed collage, vegetable prints, pencil holder, painted rocks, mask, paper lanterns, tissue paper flowers, vegetable people, clay bowl, pasta necklace, crown, wax painting, collage tiger, and finally decorating cookies.

Each craft has a list of supplies and simple instructions in large, clear text. Brightly colored paintings and photography show the creations and Maisy's cheerful enthusiasm in creating them. A final spread has a picture of each craft. There aren't detailed pictures of how to create the projects, but these are so simple it's really not needed. It's easy to see from the picture and instructions how to do the project.

Verdict: This will be a favorite not only with preschoolers but also up to second grade, with children who want to do crafts all on their own. The projects are simple and easily duplicated and changed depending on the materials at hand and the child's imagination. Highly recommended, this will fill a gap in many collections.

ISBN: 9780763661229; Published 2012 by Candlewick; Borrowed from another library in my consortium; Added to my order wishlist

Saturday, December 22, 2012

This week at the library; or, Careening towards a new year

Random Commentary
  • No programs this week. I am working on publicity, collection development, planning storytimes and programs, and my backlist of projects, including a lexile recommendation list, displays, series weeding, magazines, and additional marketing.
  • I am also having an existential crisis about my life and my job. Because life was not stressful enough. Hamster brain! Why are you asking me about tax forms when I am having an existential crisis? Why?
  • According to a dissatisfied patron, I live and work in "hillbilly hell." I find this hilarious.
  • Existential crisis mostly over and I am Zen Librarian again.
  • Pretty hefty snowstorm Thursday. We did not close of course - neither rain, nor snow, nor hail, nor sleet...but I send our cataloger home early and then our director sent me off early. Made it home through the first snowstorm of the year past many a ditched car...and then the library closed at 6:30 because they lost power!
  • Our total attendance for the year is 11,383. This is pretty good, considering that the first year I came it was about 3,000 and almost all of that was Pattie.
Approximate hours this week
  • Monday, 11:45 - 8:00
  • Tuesday, 8:30 - 4:30
  • Wednesday, 9-5
  • Thursday, 9:30-4:45
  • Friday, staff holiday breakfast at 7am, worked until closing at 6
The Year In Review!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Melonhead and the Vegalicious Disaster by Katy Kelly, illustrated by Gillian Johnson

This is the third Melonhead story, following Melonhead and Melonhead and the Big Stink. Melonhead (Adam) is getting ready for the fifth grade and there are a lot changes in the air. Lucy Rose and Jonique, Sam and Melonhead are still best friends, but Melonhead's mom has decided it's time for them all to eat a healthier diet and more vegetables. She's also decided that Lucy Rose is a bad influence on Melonhead and he should spend less time with her. The new friend she's chosen for him is Pip, a new girl at school. Pip has her own problems, especially with the tough new teacher who babies her because she's in a wheelchair. Then things get even worse when Melonhead accidentally hurts Lucy Rose's feelings and his "solution" for his mom's vegetable creations makes a big stink - literally.

I love Melonhead so much, but I can't help but think that this one missed the boat. Now, I may be jaded because it was only a few weeks ago that we had to call the police in to deal with some kids fighting, (the ones trying to strangle each other - literally - were 11 and 12, but half the kids watching (and taking pics on their cellphones) were 5th grade or younger), but Melonhead and the whole plot feels very young for fifth grade. I was also disappointed that a lot of Melonhead's personality and character; his love of inventions, his curiosity and interest in the world, is gone. This story is mostly about Melonhead trying to navigate more complicated friendships and family relationships, which would make for a more mature story, except the humor and main plot point, the vegetables, is so juvenile. On the other hand, kids that age do swing back and forth between behavior that would be infantile for a kindergartener and maturity that would make a 40 year old look naive.

Verdict: Well, in the final verdict I'm not totally happy with the book, but I'm not sorry I bought it. I think a lot of 3rd and 4th graders will still enjoy the story, but I don't see Melonhead moving on to an older audience and I would have preferred more stories specifically for the same younger age group that the previous titles aimed at.

ISBN: 9780385741644; Published 2012 by Delacorte/Random House; Review copy provided by publisher; Purchased for the library

Monday, December 17, 2012

Nonfiction Monday: Small and tall tales of extinct animals by Helene Rajcak and Damien Laverdunt

Twenty-seven extinct (or nearly so) animals are presented in this oversized book. They range from the prehistoric to the modern and across the map from the Americas to Oceania. Each full page spread presents a six-panel cartoon strip telling a legend, story, or conversation between the animals on the right and a large illustration of the animal and further information on the left.

Some of the animals include the Malagasy dwarf hippopotamus, which some scientists think is the basis for the legendary monster kilopilopitsofy, and which is accompanied by a fictional comic of  an encounter between a Malagasy native and the hippo. Then there's the elephant bird, thought to be the inspiration for Sinbad's Roc. The woolly mammoth spread includes a brief exchange between the scientists who disinterred an almost perfect specimen in 1997 and the Chinese river dolphin also includes a science expedition, this one in 2007 when scientists concluded the dolphin was extinct.

Additional information on each of the four land areas - the Americas, Africa, Eurasia and Oceania - is included at the beginning of each section. An in-depth glossary and further illustrations and timeline of the extinct animals is also included. I did think the introduction was a bit grandiose, especially when it says "Few books dare to touch on humanity's role in wildlife extinction." I can't think of a single wildlife title I've purchased for the library in the past few years that doesn't touch on this, but this is a French import, so maybe their children's books are different.

The art is very interesting and it took me a while to realize that it strongly reminded me of the botanical drawings of the 18th and 19th century, but with color. There are touches of humor in the cartoons, although they do all have a sameness about them. I did like the silhouettes of the extinct creature vs. a human, so you can see the relative sizes.

Verdict: This won't be for everyone, but the very different illustrations and the variety of information will interest some kids, especially those who have outgrown dinosaurs but are still interested in prehistoric creatures. I would have liked a little more background information and knowing how they decided how to picture some of the prehistoric creatures and more about the final sighting and how they were determined to be extinct, but it's a good introduction to extinction, biodiversity, and folktales.

ISBN: 9781877579066; Published 2012 by Gecko Press; Borrowed from another library in the consortium

Saturday, December 15, 2012

This week at the library; or, Zen Librarian is breathing her way through the last week of programming

Programs
  • Tiny Tots (Pattie)
  • Toddlers 'n' Books, 2 sessions (Pattie)
  • Preschool Interactive
  • Learning Curve, 3 sessions
  • Tibbets Kindergarten
  • Books 'n' Babies (Pattie)
  • Lego Club
  • We Explore Healthy Snacking (Pattie)
  • Santa's Kitchen
Random Commentary
  • This week's extra activities included a summer showcase at another library on Monday afternoon, Scholastic Warehouse sale, and a Youth Services committee meeting.
  • One staff member is recovering from surgery, I had a stiff neck that made it very painful to do storytime and work at the computer, somehow one of my boxes of books got left at the warehouse sale (an HOUR's drive away and could I get in contact with the warehouse? Noooo), and it's just been that kind of week. The middle schoolers can, of course, sense weakness and have produced their most obnoxious behavior, we had 3 police visits by Wednesday evening and...yeah, one of those weeks.
  • Scholastic sent my missing box! I take back all the things I said (except for the ones about Reading Counts). Encountered the WOMBAT SKEPTICS at the daycare, an entire class who refused to believe that such an animal as a wombat really existed. I was telling it as a funny story to a parent at Lego Cub later that afternoon and smart-aleck T (he's about 7) turned around and said "wombats don't exist!" Clearly, I need to booktalk Nic Bishop's Marsupials more.
  • Santa's Kitchen - this year I am keeping track of what I bought! About 50 wire stars from the local bead store to make ornaments (about $30 I think?), about $20 Christmas candy decorations plus holiday tablecloths, plates, and napkins from Walmart, 250 plain sugar cookies in various shapes, red white and green frosting (8 lbs?) a few more decorations, and waxed paper for $122 at Franks, the local grocery store.
  • Of COURSE nothing ever works the way I hope. I got there at 9:45 and it wasn't really enough time to set up. The tablecloths were too short and I hadn't bought enough, but I had some plain ones in the back. I grabbed a grandma who was waiting and used to be one of our volunteers and she helped dish out frosting. It was the right number of cookies, decorations (3 tubs of sprinkles, 3 tubes of sprinkles, 4 bags of M&Ms, 2 boxes of xmas Nerds). We didn't use the wax paper. I couldn't find my bead pliers and we needed LOTS more than just one pair of needlenose pliers for the craft, but the kids had fun with the pipe cleaners. Nobody really came for the cookie swap, but the high schoolers sang well and enjoyed having cookies afterwards. We also had popsicle sticks for spreading frosting, plastic spoons for scooping decorations, beads, lots and lots of paper plates, pipe cleaners. I think we had about 60 people!
Approximate Hours This Week
  • Monday - Showcase all afternoon, 5-8
  • Tuesday - Warehouse sale all afternoon, 5-8
  • Wednesday, 9-5:20
  • Thursday, 9:30-5:45
  • Friday - 10ish to 3:15
  • Saturday, 9:45-1:30

Friday, December 14, 2012

Tilly's Moonlight Garden by Julia Green, illustrated by Paul Howard

Everything is changing, and Tilly is worried. Mom is having a baby and it's not going well, she sleeps all the time and seems to be getting worse. Dad is worried about Mom and busy with his book. They've just moved to a new house, leaving Tilly's best friends behind. Lonely and unhappy, Tilly discovers that their new garden and the wilderness behind it hold special secrets; foxes and a magical girl named Helen. Slowly, things change and improve and by the time Helen leaves Tilly has found a new friend and all is well in her family again.

This is a slow-paced, magical story. Is Helen a ghost, a dream, or just Tilly's imagination? The story never says, gently hinting that Helen was the friend Tilly needed to help her through her worries. With the arrival of brisk, cheerful Grammy and her new friend Susila she doesn't need Helen any more. The story is full of lyrical descriptions of the garden, winter, Christmas, and the foxes. The black and white art that delicately brings out the magic of the story is perfect, capturing the delicate imagination of Tilly and the beauty of the garden.

It's a very British story, with words like "lorry" and "metre" as well as the gentle unfolding of magic and mystery, reminiscent of Pearce's Tom's Midnight Garden. This won't deter reader who love gently mysterious stories and will appreciate the art and beauty of the story and illustrations.

Verdict: A perfect length, 220 pgs, for intermediate readers. Hand this one to kids who enjoy beautiful language and description and will sympathize with Tilly's shyness at school and her private worries.

ISBN: 9781402277306; Published October 2012 by Sourcebooks; ARC provided by the publisher, purchased for the library (ARC added to summer reading prizes)

Monday, December 10, 2012

Nonfiction Monday: Annie Sullivan and the trials of Helen Keller by Joseph Lambert

I recently reviewed a picture book biography of Helen and Annie and was bemoaning the fact that their relationship, and Helen's water epiphany, are so overdone - do we really need yet another biography?

If it's this title, we do. This graphic biography, produced by the Center for Cartoon Studies, chooses a different approach, focusing on the life of Annie Sullivan. Starting with her meeting with Helen, it intersperses her own tragic and difficult childhood with her work with Helen, letters home, and interactions with the Perkins Institute. Although the story deals with mature issues, from the abuses at the Tewksbury Almhouse to the inequalities suffered by women and the disabled, they're presented in a way that doesn't negate their impact but is still appropriate for middle grade readers.

The art is presented in a stream of small panels. It's easy to follow the jumps between Annie's childhood and Helen's, since both Annie's wear shades of blue and wear their hair in the same style. The text is written in a variety of fonts, from rough capitals for Helen's changing speech to simple cursive for Annie's letters home. One of the most moving aspects of the art, which gives fresh meaning to a familiar story is the depiction of Helen's world. It starts with her alone in the dark, a formless child figure. As Annie breaks through to her, her world slowly grows until the pivotal moment when it explodes with language and images.

This isn't a title to hand to reluctant readers, just because it's a graphic novel. The text and images are small and precise and the story is complex. To fully grasp the story, readers need to know a little of the historical context of the time, although this story might also inspire them to do some extra research. This is a title for middle school readers, especially those interested in stories of struggle and triumph, history and biography, or  relationships.

Verdict: This is different than any of the other Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan biographies glutting the market. Definitely add these for your more thoughtful middle school students and high school readers.

ISBN: 9781423113362; Published 2012 by Hyperion; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library

Saturday, December 8, 2012

This week at the library; or, The weather is messing up my storytimes

Programs
  • Walworth Homeschoolers (outside group)
  • Toddlers 'n' Books, 2 sessions (Miss Pattie)
  • Preschool Interactive
  • Books 'n' Babies (Miss Pattie)
  • Messy Art Club
  • We Explore Snow
Random Commentary
  • Had a very disappointed boy who just couldn't believe there were no more Ricky Ricotta books. He was sure there were "five thousand" because "it says so in the back of the book!" I got him to take Melvin Beederman instead, but I don't think he totally believed I was telling the truth and not just hiding those 4,993 books somewhere.
  • This week begins a round of various committee meetings and webinars. This week I had an ALSC committee meeting, beginnings of final Cybils discussions, and webinar for new titles from Lerner (I like the look of some of their graphic novels and nonfiction).
  • It's really hard to do all these snow-themed storytimes when it's 50 degrees outside! I need to move farther north!
  • This has not been a particularly good week. Zen Librarian is losing her Zen.
Approximate Hours This Week
  • Monday, 11:40-8:10
  • Tuesday, 9:10-5
  • Wednesday, 9-5
  • Thursday, 9:30-5:30
  • Friday, 9-5

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The Great Race by Nathan Kumar Scott and Jagdish Chitara

The familiar folktale of the Tortoise and the Hare is retold here with an all-new set of animals and stunning original illustrations.

Kanchil the mouse deer is the boaster, sure that he's faster than all the other animals in the forest. He decides to challenge all the creatures in the forest to The Great Race to show them all how he is the fastest. All the animals gather, but the only one willing to race Kanchil is Pelan the snail. Pelan the trickster wins the race not once but twice and Kanchil learns a lesson in humility.

The illustrations are created by Jagdish Chitara, a member of the Waghari community. They create a traditional sacred cloth called Mata Ni Pachedi, Cloth of the Mother. The art in this story is in stark red, white and black, with stylized versions of the animals and elaborate designs. The art swirls from page to page, recreating the circular designs of the traditional cloth while creating something new. While the style will be unfamiliar to most children, it's accessible and the different animals are easy to identify.

The end notes explaining the artist and his art were interesting, but I would have liked some additional information on the origins of the folktale. According to the back cover, it's an Indonesian folktale and Kanchil is a traditional trickster character, but that's all the information that is given.

Verdict: This is a new and interesting folktale; familiar enough in subject and art for children and adults unfamiliar with the culture to connect with, but different enough to be intriguing. It would make an excellent storytime choice as well.

ISBN: 9789380340159; Published June 2012 by Tara Books; Borrowed from the library; Added to the library's wishlist

Monday, December 3, 2012

Nonfiction Monday: Paiute Princess: The story of Sarah Winnemucca by Deborah Kogan Ray

I keep saying I'm not going to review any more picture book biographies, because they really don't circulate in my library, but then I come across another really awesome one...

I've read some other books about Sarah Winnemucca, or at least I assume I have since most of her story was familiar to me. However, there was quite a bit of new information in this biography.

The story begins with Sarah's grandfather, Chief Truckee, and moves through her early childhood, her movement back and forth between the world of the white people in California and her own people and her choice to use her language abilities to stand up for her people who were losing their lands, rights, and often their lives.

There's no happy ending to this story of course; although Sarah did manage to get her people returned to their Nevada homeland and also run a successful school for several years before a policy of forced assimilation and boarding schools was enacted.

Ray's illustrations have soft edges and glowing colors, showing the beauty of the land Sarah and her family loved and the suffering and trials of her people. There's extensive research included in the back matter, including explanations of the differences between the names and perceptions white people gave to Sarah's people and their own traditions - the position of "princess" didn't actually exist in her tribal structure for example. Photographs, information on Sarah's work with Senator Dawes, and the tragedy of the Indian schools are also included. A timeline and author's note are also included.

Verdict: Well-researched and a sensitive topic is handled well. There's nothing inappropriate for the age range, but the tragedies aren't glossed over. A very balanced portrait of a complex woman. Sadly, again, my library patrons really don't like picture book biographies. I can see this doing very well in a school library or a much larger library perhaps.

ISBN: 9780374398972; Published 2011 by Frances Foster Books/Farrar Straus Giroux; Borrowed from another library

Saturday, December 1, 2012

This week at the library; or, Going down the home stretch

Programs
  • Tiny Tots with Miss Pattie
  • Toddlers 'n' Books (2 sessions) with Miss Pattie
  • Preschool Interactive
  • Books 'n' Babies with Miss Pattie
  • Lego Club
  • We Explore Shapes
Random Commentary
  • Refilled the bean bags with the help of another staff member. Always a proceeding fraught with interest and coughing. 
  • Acquired a hamster! I was throwing around random ideas for a new pet (since all the fish died) and my aide asked if she could get us a hamster and be in charge of it. I am very cool with this idea. A patron donated an aquarium with top and we have lots of suggested names (not particularly good suggestions, but there are a lot).
  • High points of Monday - kicking out all the middle schoolers who were discussing the finer points of their planned obscene drawing, apparently under the illusion that the study room walls are soundproof. I've told them a gazillion times they aren't, but they're still shocked when I can hear them. And one of the preschool teachers happened to drop by so I could save myself a trip to the school Tuesday morning. One less thing to do!
  • Tuesday was enlivened by the unexpected advent of a huge group of teachers, college students, and children doing some kind of testing? tutoring? I think there were really only about 20, but it felt like more. At one point in the afternoon I had
    • Middle schoolers in the storyroom
    • Homeschoolers in the big study room
    • More middle schoolers and a special study group in the two small study rooms
    • Two different groups of 8th graders in the silent study area
    • A large group of teens in the teen room (previous groups were broken off this one b/c they were too noisy)
    • And the group of teachers etc. in small groups at every study table downstairs, doing their math testing or whatever it was.
    • Plus the usual wave of families dropping by after school, crashing computers, complaints about noise, requests for study rooms (they're full! really!) and someone banging on the piano (you're not supposed to, but it happens)
  • Wednesday - wondered where all my Preschool Interactive families were. Realized it was sunny and warm and they were probably at a play group at the park that's held every month.
  • Thursday - wondered where all my Lego Club groupies were. Started counting mentally and realized that at least half the population of the town is sick, including most of my Lego kids. I did have three or four new families, which was nice.
Approximate hours this week
  • Monday, 12-8
  • Tuesday, 9-5
  • Wednesday, 9-5
  • Thursday, 9:45-5:30
  • Friday, 9-4 (left early to run errands)

Friday, November 30, 2012

Dog loves drawing by Louise Yates

I read Louise Yates' first book about Dog, Dog Loves Drawing, for Cybils in 2010 (oddly enough, for some reason I seem to have thought Dog was female. But apparently she is a he. Oh well, it doesn't really matter). I thought the illustrations were lovely, but I'm prejudiced against "I love books" books.

However, I love sentient drawing books, a la Harold and the Purple Crayon so this one was right up my alley and I bought it right away for the library.

Dog still loves his books and his bookshop, but one day he gets a package with a blank book. It's from his Aunt Dora, who encourages him to write his own adventures. He starts with a door, then some doodles, then he draws some new friends and the adventures begin. Sometimes they get a little scary, but he can always draw himself out of trouble and there's a happy ending for all.

What I really liked about the illustrations in this book was the simple, child-like nature of Dog's drawings. They're markedly different from the expert illustrations that set the scene and Dog himself, and they look as if a child could draw them, but they're still professional and beautiful. It adds to the story to see the original drawings as the "real" world and Dog's stick drawings as the art.

Verdict: A lovely story that children and parents will enjoy, whether or not they are "artistic." I like that the book encourages doodling!

ISBN: 9780375870675; Published 2012 by Alfred A. Knopf/Random House; Review copy provided by publisher (used in fundraiser for colleague. it's a long story); Purchased for the library

Monday, November 26, 2012

Nonfiction Monday: Annie and Helen by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Raul Colon

In free verse, Hopkinson tells the story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan from their first meeting to their first trip together and Helen's first letter home, written by herself. She describes the frustration of Helen and Annie's determination and the wonderful moment when Helen first connected words and the objects they represented.

Information about the different methods Helen used to communicate and Annie's life before Helen are interspersed throughout the text, but the main theme of the story is Helen's joyous journey as she discovers the world around her and the ability to communicate. Quotations from Annie Sullivan's letters are included throughout the book. The story ends with a recreation of Helen Keller's letter.

The endpapers are covered with historic photos of Helen and Annie and the story begins with an author's note giving background information about the lives of the two women. There is a list of further reading and websites contained in the publication information on the final page.

The illustrations are simple watercolors, but they give life and power to the spare prose, showing Helen's vigorous movements and Annie's calm support. Simple scenery and backgrounds focuses the action on the characters and the bland earth tones give a quiet, peaceful feel to the story.

Verdict: This is a lovely book and beautifully written. It has collected quite a few stars and awards. But. Do we really need another biography of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan? There are numerous picture book, middle grade, graphic and even manga biographies of these two extraordinary women already on the scene and while this is a lovely and well-written book, it doesn't bring anything new to the story. A school library that needs multiple books on these historical figures will want this, but it's an additional purchase for a public library, especially if you already have multiple titles on this subject.

ISBN: 9780375857065; Published September 2012 by Schwartz and Wade/Random House; Review copy provided by the publisher


Saturday, November 24, 2012

This week at the library; or, How much work can you get done in 4 days?

Random Commentary
  • For the health and sanity of all (and because people hardly ever show up anyways) we don't do programs Thanksgiving week. The homeschool group did come on Monday morning, accompanied by some snakes which was apparently a huge hit.
  • I spent most of the couple days we were open frantically trying to finish projects that should have been done a long time ago, including the program plans for the next three weeks, and trying to become accustomed to Baker and Taylor.
  • I am not accustomed. Right now I am hating that I have to click and scroll a gazillion times times to do something that in BWI took me about 3 seconds and 2 clicks. I am also hating all the junk that's crammed on the page, none of which I want, and which makes it difficult to see the things I DO want, especially when they're inserted in tiny type, instead of nice bold red like BWI.
  • Oh BWI, I miss you so much.
  • Decided to work on the budget for next year instead. Why does the money always look like so much until I start portioning it out and then suddenly it's all gone and I haven't budgeted for summer reading prizes!?
  • All the fish died. I am not really upset about this as I was ready to let the fish go (other staff were ready some months ago) but it was yet another thing in this crazy day.
  • The entire system, internet and ILS, crashed on Wednesday so I went home early. Plus, I was working Saturday and I had to go the middle school to retrieve some of our books that had mysteriously reappeared after a long absence.
  • Saturday was enlivened by an endless stream of phone calls "are you open?" and accompanying nasty remarks about the library being closed on Friday and a visit from the police but only ONE minor computer problem!
Approximate hours this week
  • Monday 12-8
  • Tuesday 9-5:15
  • Wednesday 9:15-12:30
  • Saturday 9:45-2

Friday, November 23, 2012

Super Chicken Nugget Boy and the Furious Fry by Josh Lewis, illustrated by Douglas Holgate

Life at Bert Lahr Elementary School isn't easy. There's tough bullies, a wimpy principal, and other perils like the mysterious pool of greenish goo. When Fern Goldberg arrives, he seems like just another average kid. Until he gets targeted by the principal's bullying son and through an amazing (and gross) sequence of events become Super Chicken Nugget Boy.

Spoiler - as opposed to the cover, he actually becomes a giant chicken nugget. Really. It's not a costume. The costume comes earlier.

It's wild and wacky and a bit gross, with ninjas and over the top bullies (the principal hands out months of detention on his son's demands because otherwise his wife will yell at him).

The black and white illustrations are just as kooky as the text, with both comic panels and illustrations inset. They show the characters making witty and silly statements and some additional action scenes.

Verdict: This wasn't one I personally got (although the ninja scene was very funny), but I can see it being very popular with younger kids who are fans of Captain Underpants. Parents will probably appreciate that it has the same wacky humor and illustrations but is much lighter on the potty humor.

ISBN: 9781423114918; Published April 2010 by Disney/Hyperion; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library

Monday, November 19, 2012

Nonfiction Monday: Lemonade in Winter, a book about two kids counting money by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by G. Brian Karas


Two cheerful siblings run a lemonade stand in winter, despite adults' warnings that they won't sell anything. Happily, they are wrong and the quarters pour in. Not enough to recoup their initial outlay, but enough to get popsicles!

There's lots of counting money throughout the story, mainly quarters and dollars. Every time they sell some lemonade, the older sister explains how much they made. They have to count their quarters to buy the lemons and limes, and then count again when they're done to see their profit. A final section has an explanation of coins, how to tell them apart and how they add up to dollars.

Karas' illustrations are cute, but I would have preferred something more life-like for kids learning to identify money. However, this is a good read-aloud and a few pictures on a flannel board or some real change will help the kids match and compare.

Verdict: An excellent addition to your concept books. Recommended.

ISBN: 9780375858833; Published September 2012 by Schwartz and Wade/Random House; Review copy provided by publisher (used as prize for 10KBK); Purchased for the library

Saturday, November 17, 2012

This week at the library; or, Things are back to crazy normal

Programs
  • Tiny Tots (cancelled - Miss Pattie is sick!)
  • Toddlers 'n' Books 10 and 11am session (I did them this week, Miss Pattie was gone)
  • Preschool Interactive
  • Learning Curve (off-site)
  • Books 'n' Babies (Miss Pattie)
  • Learning Curve (2 sessions) (off-site)
  • Tibbets Kindergarten (off-site)
  • Messy Art Club
  • We Explore Healthy Snacking/Kids in the Kitchen (Miss Pattie)
Random Commentary
  • As you can see, when Miss Pattie is gone our world falls apart! I came in on Monday to a message that she was sick and the vision/hearing screening she does had been rescheduled to Tuesday morning. Panic!! Fortunately, I had some books I had pulled for her, so I just took them for myself.
  • Monday night, I put out some crafts in the storyroom (can't sub for Tiny Tots, I'm on the desk), turned on some music, and about 25 people showed up. They were (mostly) pretty understanding and had fun making die cut puppets and chatting for a while.
  • Tuesday morning I had the staff at the reference desk hand out the registration stickers and I did a rather abbreviated animal sounds storytime. This is what we did, as best as I can remember, for both sessions. It's a real measure of how much I've grown and relaxed as a librarian and in storytime that these were fun (if tiring) storytimes for everybody. No kids collapsed in tears b/c Miss Pattie wasn't there, I didn't end storytime in shame and mortification after 10 minutes for lack of attention and attendees, and I had good rapport with the parents and kids.
    • Shakes and The Tempo Marches On by Jim Gill
    • Talked about animal sounds
    • Read Find a cow now by Janet Stevens (kids thought the dog was a cat, but otherwise a big hit)
    • Did a five little leaves rhyme (told parents I wasn't ready for snow or Christmas yet and got some clapping in response!)
    • Read The Wide-Mouthed Frog pop-up
    • Read Monkey See, Look at me (all the kids stood up to do the actions)
    • Read Leaf man (some kids had drifted away a bit)
    • Made die-cut puppets.
  • We are going to draw a veil over Thursday. It was mostly fun (except for the one very unpleasant patron interaction) but tiring.
Approximate hours this week
  • Monday 11:45ish to 8
  • Tuesday 9-5
  • Wednesday 9-5
  • Thursday 9:30-5:30
  • Friday vacation!

Friday, November 16, 2012

The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy

There's been quite a bit of buzz for this title and all the kids I've mentioned it to have been interested. They had to wait their turns though, because I wanted to read it first.

I have to admit I was a little disappointed. I knew, as soon as I saw the cover and read the first couple chapters, that it was going to be a little more kooky than I personally prefer, but a little kooky in fantasy is ok with some kids so I persevered. My main problem with this book is there are so many characters, plot points, fairy tale mentions, and more that I kept expecting some of them to fall out of the book.

The premise is fresh and intriguing; The various Prince Charmings are tired of being identified by their fairy tales and not having individual personalities. Cinderella's Prince Frederick is really a nervous, squeamish, immature guy who's scared to ever set foot outside his palace. Rapunzel's Prince Gustav is the youngest of 17 brothers and hates being laughed at for his failure to rescue her - or do anything else right. Prince Duncan rescued Snow White by accident and is...veeeery eccentric, although he's the only one who has worked things out enough to marry his princess. Prince Liam's whole identity is in being a hero, but when he rescues Sleeping Beauty he discovers that not only is she a horrible person, his entire kingdom cares only about her wealth.

Filling out the cast is the adventurous Cinderella, Liam's spunky younger sister, a villainous evil witch, career-confused giant, dragon, hilariously capable and grumpy dwarves, a dangerous and very young Bandit King, and a Host of Others.

At over 400 pages, this is a challenging read. Kids who are young enough to enjoy a little wacky fantasy may be confused and discouraged by the plethora of characters and plots. The writing is fresh, the ideas interesting, and the characters have promise, but I wish the book had been pared down a bit, rather than going for the every-plot-point-and-the-kitchen-sink approach.

Verdict: I'm not sorry I purchased this and I think there will be kids who enjoy it, but the length and confusing plots and characters keep it off my best books of the year list. I will be looking for the sequels to see how this debut author shapes up in future titles.

ISBN: 9780062117434; Published 2012 by Walden Pond/HarperCollins; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Sita, Snake-Queen of Speed by Franzeska G. Ewart, illustrated by Helen Bate

Ever since she heard about the most amazing ride ever, Sita, Snake-Queen of Speed, from her best friend Kylie, Yosser is desperate to go. But there are a couple problems. First, is getting her parents' permission to go to an amusement park. Second, is finding the money. On top of that, her parents are thinking of sending her to Our Lady of the Sorrows, a private school, Kylie's dad's best prize-winning ferret has disappeared, and Yosser isn't sure things will ever work out.

This is a very British book. Slang, school terms, and a variety of cultural references pepper the story. Yosser's ethnicity is never spelled out, but just accepted as a matter of course - she's illustrated with a headscarf and there are small, casual references to her family's culture. To the average American child, Kylie's family will be just as foreign, with her punk rock hair, accent, and her dad's ferret hobby.

The other thing that's very British about this story is the length. I've noticed many British publishers put out these short - less than 100 pages - stories for middle grade audiences. While I'm always looking for shorter books for reluctant readers, it's a fact of life that most kids and parents feel that longer = older, so I could see people thinking this was a beginning chapter book and picking it up for their under 8 readers, especially with the animals featured on the cover.

Verdict: The characters are fresh and interesting and I think many kids would like the length, but it's just a little too different for my small town. The hardcover, an older edition published in 2008, might work better, but that cover is rather cartoony and again, I would have problems with younger children picking this up. The characters use several slang words and mild language that my parents would be upset about, including "hell" so this isn't for us. A larger library with a more diverse population would probably enjoy this title.

ISBN: 9781847803306; Paperback edition published July 2012 by Frances Lincoln; Review copy provided by publisher (added to summer reading prize books)

Monday, November 12, 2012

Nonfiction Monday: New Bearport titles

I am excited to show off some new additions to some of Bearport's fun and informative nonfiction series today. I purchased Wild Baby Animals for our easy reader collection last year and they've been a huge hit and I'm so thrilled they've done a new series to go along. This one is Water Babies! These books are a little smaller than the traditional easy reader size, a nice small square that sits easily in the hands. Affordable, library binding, like all Bearport's titles.

The sample title I received was Manatee Calves. Simple vocabulary, large type, engaging photographs, and additional information will make this series as popular as the previous one and I can't wait to buy it! I'm not crazy about the captions for the photographs, but some people seem to like them.

Next, there's a new addition to the Plant-Ology series, Meat-Eating Plants: Toothless Wonders. The Plant-Ology series has a wide variety of titles featuring everything from poison to pollination, but this particular title will probably have the most popular appeal. I was surprised to learn that Venus Fly Traps are only native to one specific area along the US coast - I had always thought they were from the jungle. There's a lot of different meat-eating plants featured in this book and it's a good introduction. There are also science experiments and vocabulary included.

Lastly, there's a new title in the long-running and popular series Dog Heroes. We own a couple of these and they're quite popular, although I usually have to display them, otherwise only the kids looking for dog breed books see them. Dewey, you are not friends with browsing. Anyhow, I was really interested by Surf Dog Miracles. I had never heard of surfing dogs before, but apparently it's quite a popular sport with competitions, judging, and they raise a lot of money for charity. The book mentions specifically that only dogs who really enjoy it participate and I was a little surprised that there isn't any controversy about having animals participate in this, but apparently the owners are really careful to only use animals that enjoy the sport and it's very safe. I did double-check online, but you can generally trust Bearport to be unbiased, as in their Baghdad Pups where they talk about both sides of the arguments.

Verdict: I'd highly recommend Water Babies for your easy reader or nonfiction collection. I'd also say you should have at least some of the Dog Heroes series, kids love these true animal stories and they're very well-researched and informational. Plant-Ology would depend on whether you need more titles on these specific topics, but they're a good choice if you do. I will definitely be purchasing the Water Babies series and maybe some more Dog Heroes.

Water Babies: Manatee Calves by Ruth Owen, ISBN: 9781617725999
Plant-Ology: Meat-Eating Plants: Toothless Wonders by Ellen Lawrence, ISBN: 9781617725890
Dog Heroes: Surf Dog Miracles by Meish Goldish, ISBN: 9781617725777

Published 2012 by Bearport; Review copies provided by publisher

Saturday, November 10, 2012

This week at the library; or, Back to programs!

Programs
  • Walworth Homeschoolers (outside group)
  • Toddlers 'n' Books 10 & 11am sessions (Miss Pattie)
  • Preschool Interactive
  • Books 'n' Babies (Miss Pattie)
  • Lego Club
  • Family game night (Miss Pattie)
  • Tour for St. Pat's kindergarten
  • We Explore an all natural Thanksgiving with the Welty Environmental Center
Random Commentary
  • I don't usually gush about the stuff that comes with review books, but Enchanted Lion sent me a packet with the most gorgeous postcards of their picture books - enough to share with all my librarian friends! Plus some left over to paper my bulletin board with Fox and Chicken postcards. Lovely.
  • My aide was gone Friday through Monday and the shelving imploded.
  • Realized during the Monday staff meeting that I had completely messed up the little scanning we did manage to complete, so Friday was pretty much a total bust.
  • Arrived on Monday. Panicked when I realized almost nobody had registered for We Explore - only 6 families and the kindergarten from St. Patrick's school (all 13 of them). Started calling schools to get some more kids. No luck, but maybe will hear back later.
  • Another joyous encounter with lexiles. At least this year G has a relatively understanding teacher who said she can read as low as 1100 and only has to complete two tests. Apparently her English grade is based on Reading Counts tests...and she has a lexile of 1300+. Did I mention she's in 6th grade and really likes Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, and other mysteries? Are these 1100+ lexile level? No, they are NOT. Her love of reading is dwindling with painful obviousness. I can usually find something she likes, sort of, but it's painful. 
  • Had better luck with purple sweatshirt girl who had seen a book at the Scholastic bookfair that looked exciting, but the lexile was too low, hence her request for "books about kidnapping in the 800 lexile." Happily for all concerned, most of Willo Davis Roberts' titles are in the 800 range and most involve kidnapping.
  • The idea fairy bopped me with an awesome idea for a middle school program, but do I have enough time? Probably not, but...really want to do it! It was a super SHINY idea!
  • More inventory annoyances. Grrrr.
  • We had a great group for We Explore after all! I did a tour beforehand with the 13 prek and kindergarten kids from the local Catholic school, then we all joined in the big room for the program. We had about 100 people! about 50 kindergarteners from the elementary school, the Catholic school kids, and about 40 families with quite a few homeschoolers. It was a great program with stories, crafts, and things to touch and talk about and the kids did a great job playing and learning together, although they were from very disparate groups. Lesson here, grownups!
Approximate Hours This Week
  • Monday 12-8
  • Tuesday 8:40-4:40
  • Wednesday 9-6
  • Thursday 9:40-5:30
  • Friday 9-4

Friday, November 9, 2012

Here where the sunbeams are green by Helen Phillips

Mad is the quiet one, Roo is the brave one. They're sisters and everything is perfect, living with their mom (a librarian) and their dad (the Bird Guy). Then Dad gets a special job working for La Lava, a "green" resort at the foot of a volcano in Central America. They all agree he should go; it's a wonderful opportunity and with La Lava's help, maybe no more birds like the Lava-Throated Volcano Trogon will go extinct.

But then the Weirdness starts. Dad hardly ever writes or calls and when he does he acts strangely. The representative from the resort, the annoying Ken/Neth, is getting way too friendly with Mom for Mad's liking. Roo is obsessed with deciphering the last code Dad sent, and Mad is lonely and scared and worried.

Mom finally decides to take Mad and Roo down to the resort and figure out what's going on, but the Weirdness just gets more weird. Mad and Roo meet a maybe-friend, definitely crush, Kyle, and they find themselves in the world of the jungle; beautiful, dangerous, and full of surprises. In the end, they have to find hidden strengths to rescue their parents and an exciting discovery.

The best part of this story is the character of Mad, the narrator. She often feels left out because she's not brave like Roo, has trouble learning Spanish, and generally feels in her little sister's shadow. Her worries about her parents are always spot on and her confusing feelings about growing up are genuine and realistic. I could have done without the crush and the first kiss, but that's just my personal bias. The author does a fairly good job of staying away from too many stereotypes. The reader is kept guessing about the villains' real intentions and loyalties until the end and there's plenty of suspense as the kids try to figure out who they can trust.

The fantasy elements come in the magical elements of the jungle, which, although beautifully written, are never really spelled out. Are the prophecies and legends really true? There are plants, flowers, and creatures that seem magical, but the jungle has a lot of amazing flora and fauna - who's to say these don't exist somewhere? References are made to Roo's "special" abilities, but they are never really explained in detail. The story has a fantasy feel, but it's as much the atmosphere and the writing as any actual events.

Although the book is 300 pages long, and the ending is rather abrupt and too-good-to-be-true, there are some loose ends left hanging, like the girls' mom's weird behavior. I would have liked to see more local/native inhabitants involved in what is supposed to be an environmental fantasy. Instead, Kyle's local grandparents' additions to the plot are mysterious drinks, retelling old legends, and complete helplessness. It's all on the (American) kids to save the day. The "evil corporation" trope is rather tired and I thought the "beautiful villainess" was a little too stereotypical. It's also hard to believe that, if the magical cure really works, everyone is just going to abandon it because of a few kids, an aging movie star, and a little volcanic activity.

Verdict: Despite some of the more unbelievable aspects of the plot, there are some really well-drawn characters in this story and the jungle descriptions are magical. I especially liked that, while Mad was able to overcome her fear in the end, she didn't suddenly become as brave and magical as Roo and accepted that. While I wouldn't hand this one to kids looking for fast-paced adventure or realistic stories about the environment, kids who like fantasies with strong characters will enjoy this story.

ISBN: 9780385742368; Published November 2012 by Delacorte; Egalley provided by publisher through Netgalley; Purchased for the library

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Ready for Pumpkins by Kate Duke

It seems like forever since I've seen a new Kate Duke guinea pig book! I am soooo thrilled to see that she is back with her adorable, funny, and educational cavies.

This is a little bit of a departure from her previous concept books, but it's not at all disappointing.

Hercules, or Herky, is the classroom pet of Miss MacGuffey's first grade. He's happy with his life and enjoys learning things. But life gets even more exciting when the kids learn how to grow seeds! Herky is determined to try this magic out for himself, and he soon gets the chance when he spends the summer on Miss MacGuffey's family farm and gets a little helpful instruction from a new friend, Daisy the bunny.

Herky learns to relax and enjoy his garden, as well as a little bit about how seeds grow in this charming story. Kate Duke's simple illustrations are cute and accessible with lots of little storytelling hints; fairy tales, activities, and more are all woven into the story. I loved the part where Herky realizes he wants a garden - it's so perfect!

Verdict: This isn't specifically a Halloween story, but will make a great read-aloud for Halloween, Thanksgiving, gardening, and school-themed storytimes. Kate Duke knows what kids, teachers, and librarians like to see and hear and she delivers it in this sweet gardening story. Recommended.

ISBN: 9780375870682; Published August 2012 by Alfred A. Knopf/Random House; Review copy provided by the publisher (kept for my personal guinea pig book collection); Purchased for the library.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Nonfiction Monday: Lost Trail: Nine days alone in the wilderness by Donn Fendler with Lynn Plourde, illustrated by Ben Bishop

In 1939, Donn Fendler went hiking on Mount Katahdin and is separated from his friends and family. Nine days later, after a massive rescue effort, he staggers out of the wilderness alive.

This graphic novel brilliantly retells the true story, as recounted by Donn Fendler himself, current newspaper accounts, and the 1939 book, Lost on a mountain in Maine.

Donn and Lynn recount his terrifying adventure in simple, clear prose. He survives landslides, wild animals, bugs, raging rivers, starvation, and storms with a determination to survive, faith in God, and a little Boy Scout training. The gritty reality of a kid lost in the wilderness isn't softened, but there's no graphic violence and the story isn't terrifying but rather riveting as the reader follows one boy's determination to make it back to his parents.

Bishop's black and white art is clean and precise. He captures the fear, hallucinations, starvation and overall determination and hope as Donn struggles through his ordeal. The simple panels focus on Donn, with his surroundings lightly penciled in and occasional larger pictures of the wilderness threats he faces. There are additional notes on Donn Fendler's life and an interview with him, discussing his ordeal and how he survived.

Verdict: This is a simple story of survival, but the authors have done an excellent job of retelling the story so it's still factual but updated for a new generation and the art goes well with the text. I know quite a few boys who love factual accounts like this and I'm surprised more libraries don't own it. I will definitely be adding it to my juvenile collection and probably take it to my big booktalk at the middle school this fall. It does have several mentions of prayer and faith, but I consider that perfectly reasonable in a factual, first-person account and it will fit well with my community.

ISBN: 9780892729456; Published 2011 by Down East; Borrowed from the library via inter-library loan; Added to the library's wishlist

Saturday, November 3, 2012

This week at the library; or, No programs doesn't mean no working!

Random Commentary
  • It was a really good thing I didn't have programs this week, because our staff is dropping like flies! We are giving the hospitals good business...I still managed to get some of my program planning done though.
  • Friday was our staff work day - most catastrophic/annoying day ever. First of all, our director just got out of the hospital and is still pretty sick. Another librarian got hit with flu last night, but came in anyways because the newsletter HAD to be done. Yet another was at a funeral for a family member who died a few days ago. And another staff member was at a chemotherapy appt. We were a small group.
  • Ok, so the main thing we were going to do was inventory. We opened the boxes and surprise! Our helpful system staff only sent...2 scanners. to inventory a 70,000 item collection. Many unprintable words were said, especially when I discovered they had also helpfully taken out the transfer cord that would allow me to upload the data. I did find another and we got some inventory done, but it was NOT as productive a day as we all had planned. Grrrrr.
  • Saturday was our annual fundraiser - a craft fair. I sort of did some of the publicity this year, but with all the other emergencies and stuff that happened, I was a bit doubtful that it would go well. I guess I'll find out on Monday.
  • Nothing else really happened this week - just lots and lots of desk time and struggling with planning programs, making phone calls for winter/spring programs, fixing errors in the publicity, cleaning out the storyroom, kicking people off the computers for watching porn, telling the kids to clean up all the candy wrappers, etc.
Approximate hours this week
  • Monday 12-8
  • Tuesday 12-8
  • Wednesday 9-5
  • Thursday 8:30-4:30
  • Friday 9-3

Friday, November 2, 2012

The Mythical 9th Division: Operation Robot Storm by Alex Milway

Albrecht, leader of a top-secret division of yetis, is right in the middle of their yearly competition with the bigfoots of the 6th division when he gets a call. Immediately, he collects his fellow soldiers, the powerful Timonen and the ancient but wise Saar and they're off to Wales to solve the mystery and save the world!

The wacky adventures of Albrecht, Timonen and Saar, involving a supervillain, robots, heroic miners, and yak-tossing, are pretty typical for this genre of nonsense/fantasy/adventure, although using mythical creatures is a nice touch. Each chapter begins with a short comic, usually involving a twist or funny surprise and the chapters are interspersed with additional black and white illustrations and diagrams of the yeti's gadgets, the evil robots, supervillain lair, and more.

Older readers probably won't appreciate the over the top kookiness of this story and it's definitely quite British (the story of the yetis admission to the British Army could definitely have been left out) but younger readers will enjoy the superhero/supervillain flavor, funny black and white comics and illustrations, and the very readable length, only a little over 200 pages.

Verdict: Not required, but definitely an additional purchase if you have fans of this genre. I'll probably get the series next year, when I do my yearly order from Usborne/Kane Miller.

ISBN: 9781610670746; Published 2012 by Kane Miller; Review copy provided by the publisher (added to summer reading prizes); Added to the library's wishlist

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Fox and Crow are NOT Friends by Melissa Wiley, illustrated by Sebastien Braun

Although it's never referenced in the text, Aesop fables and the classic Three Bears story are slyly incorporated into this delightful subversion of the classic Frog and Toad type easy reader.

Fox and Crow, unlike most disparate animals (Frog and Toad, Houndsley and Catina, Cork and Fuzz, Pip and Squeak, etc. etc.) are NOT friends. It all began with the cheese...

The first chapter is a fairly straightforward retelling of the original fable. Crow grabs some cheese from a picnic, Fox flatters her until she drops it. But it doesn't end there. In the second chapter, Crow borrows a few props from the Three Bears to set a trap for Fox and pay him back. Finally, Fox tries to get back at Crow with some more cheese stolen from Mama Bear, but she turns the tables on both him and Crow and they are forced to work together to repair the damage they've done. They're still enemies, but they've learned that revenge doesn't pay!

Wiley's classic, funny, but age-appropriate text is brightened by Sebastien Braun's cartoon illustrations. The sly fox, clever crow, chunks of cheese, and Mama Bear are all simply but skillfully presented, adding just the right amount of color and decoding help to the text.

Verdict: This is a fun new easy reader with a great text and illustrations. I hope these two will collaborate on more stories. I strongly recommend purchasing the library bound edition, as this is one that will be read again and again!

ISBN: 9780375869822; Published 2012 by Random House; Review copy provided by the publisher (added to summer reading prizes); Purchased for the library

Monday, October 29, 2012

Nonfiction Monday: Folktale series

 I'm looking at a selection of folktales from around the world today. This series is produced by Child's World and most of the titles are written by Amanda StJohn.

The Frog King, although it has a lovely cover, immediately strikes a sour note with it's subtitle of "An African Folktale". This is doubly annoying, since it says in the first paragraph that this story is from Kenya. So why does it not say "A Kenyan Folktale"? The other titles don't say "A South American Folktale" or "A Caribbean Islands Folktale".

Deep breath.

The story: A group of frogs croak and play all night, annoying the other animals. The frogs decide they need a king they can respect to keep them in order and go to the god Mmumi. He first gives them a stone, but when that doesn't work and they wake him a second time, he sends Mamba, the first crocodile. The note at the back gives specific information on the origins of the tale, explains some of the Swahili words, and explains...the...moral of the tale? "The Frog King teaches us to speak in a soft voice when playing in a space shared with other people." Um...ok...that's right kids, use your library voice or THE CROCODILE WILL EAT YOU.

Ahem.

Now we move on to Medio Pollito, Half-Chick, a Mexican Folktale (I thought this one came from Spain originally, but I could be wrong...hmm, according to the internet, it did originally come from Spain.) Ok, so Half-Chick wants to see the world and decides to hop off to the nearest town. Along the way he meets a trapped river and a dying fire, both of whom he refuses to help, and a lost wind who he does help. Arriving in the town, he is promptly popped into a pot where the fire and water both refuse to help him. The wind however, blows him out of the pot and up onto the roof where he becomes a weathercock.

According to the back notes, "Folktales don't just entertain. They have a job to do. They teach us to be the best person possible."

Um...ok. Mind you, the version I learned of Medio Pollito had him helping no one, and the wind took pity on him. Either way, he's stuck up on top of a roof.

 The version I've always heard of Frog Went A-Traveling involves a tortoise - the tortoise wants to fly, some birds agree to carry him while he holds a stick in his mouth, he gives way to the urge to brag, and falls to his death. That's pretty much this story, although it's a frog and she has the foresight to get the ducks to fly low, so she lands in the mud.

Apparently this is a Siberian tale - again, why not "A Siberian Folktale" on the front? Also, if you're going to draw a moral this is the one I'd choose - and it's the only one that doesn't have a lesson! Instead, it tells us how folktales are passed down (surprise - lots of people tell them to other people) and gives the reader a natural history lesson on Siberia.

Issun Boshi is a Japanese version of Tom Thumb (or the other way around, if you prefer). An old couple want a child, no matter how small, and they get Issun Boshi, who is only an inch high. He eventually ends up serving a lord and saving his daughter from an evil demon. He then gets the demon's magic hammer and becomes full-size, whereupon the girl falls in love with him and marries him. This, according to the back notes, means that you should never judge based on appearances.

 Finally, the story I think might be the funniest, Bouki Cuts Wood is a Haitian fool tale. Bouki gets into numerous difficulties because of his foolishness and finally ends up thinking he is dead! "Bouki makes silly mistakes so that we can learn from them." Um...ok...should you ever feel the urge to saw a branch off while you're sitting on the end, or think that a bleating goat signifies your death, feel free to reflect upon this story.


Verdict: The text is not too long, readable for an older group, say kindergarten. The art is the best part of these stories; each title has a different artist and the pictures are very attractive. However, the back notes are really laughable and that plus several other minor details I've mentioned above make me suspicious as to how much these stories have been abridged and cleaned up for modern readers. Multicultural folktales (or any folktale really) aren't too popular at our library, so unless you have a big demand for folktales I'd pass. I'd also add that these are available only in library bound editions and cost over $20.

The Frog King retold by Amanda StJohn, illustrated by Karen Perrins
ISBN: 9781609731373

Medio Pollito retold by Amanda StJohn, illustrated by Sue Todd
ISBN: 9781609731410

Frog Went A-Traveling retold by Amanda StJohn, illustrated by David Wenzel
ISBN: 9781609731366

Issun Boshi retold by Nadia Higgens, illustrated by JT Morrow
ISBN: 9781609731397

Bouki cuts wood retold by Amanda StJohn, illustrated by Cindy Revell
ISBN: 9781609731359

Published 2011 by Child's World; Borrowed from the library

Saturday, October 27, 2012

This week at the library; or, Where did everyone goooo?

Programs
  • 24th, 10am, Preschool Interactive
  • 25th, 3:30-5pm, Lego Club
  • 26th, 10am, We Explore Giant Boxes
Random Commentary
  • No matter how we try to schedule, staff always end up absent at the same time. We have such a small pool of staff that any absence sends large ripples. With both our director and adult services librarian out this week I was thinking it would be pretty crazy, but torrential rain kept things mostly calm. Some huge chunks on the desk, which are exhausting, but I keep reminding myself that it's only a few days!
  • Of course the computer broke down
  • And the patrons were annoyed over various mishaps
  • As was I
  • But that's life at the library
  • I spent most of the end part of the week (when not on the desk) getting ready for the holiday session of programs. Printing flyers, finishing publicity, etc. Now I just have to plan the programs...
  • I was pleased to see that, although I have not added all my October numbers yet (still need Books 'n' Babies, Tiny Tots, and Family Game Night) our stats currently total 1,065. It's been a good month.
Approximate hours this week
  • Monday, 11:40-8:00
  • Tuesday, 9-4:15
  • Wednesday, 9-5
  • Thursday 8:40-5:45
  • Friday 9-1ish
  • Saturday 9:50-10

Friday, October 26, 2012

The Fairies of Nutfolk Wood by Barb Bentler Ullman

Willa is relieved when she and her mom move out to Plunkit, a small rural town near her uncle. The divorce was bad enough, with her dad moving across the country to go back to school and live with his brother and her perfect cousins, but living with Grandma Cookie is awful. The constant fighting between her mom and grandmother makes Willa even more stressed and she's always sick and miserable.

Out in the country, she finally feels like she can breathe. She doesn't care when they move into a trashy trailer; they can fix it up (and do). She loves the mysterious forest, even if she is a little worried by some of the strange things she sees. She also loves their elderly and eccentric neighbor, Hazel Wickett, who doesn't have electricity or indoor plumbing. Hazel takes care of Willa while her mom works in her new job in the used book store in town. As Hazel and Willa become friends, and Hazel begins to tell Willa magical stories, Willa's life takes a turn for the better and she realizes that divorce doesn't mean the end of everything. With new hope, new friends, and a reaffirmed belief in her family's love, she's ready to face new challenges and enjoy life in Plunkit.

On the one hand, the descriptions are beautiful, the "is it magic or not?" aspect of the fairies was handled very well and Willa is a strongly realized and emotional character, showing some of the physical consequences of stressful family situations. The story falls just on the acceptable side of the Southern Quirky line for me. On the other hand, many of the characters and situations were too good to be true, so this falls firmly in the fantasy genre for that reason alone. I found it hard to see Willa as a real nine year old. I can't think of any nine year old, urban, modern kid who wouldn't complain a single time about moving out to the country with no tv or spending their days helping an elderly woman with pioneer style chores (outhouse, laundry by hand, pumping water, etc.). Willa occasionally mentions that she's a little tired of the work and it's hard, but she never whines or complains. Willa's mom gets a job in the used book store right away; how many small towns have a used book store? She seems to think it will be fairly easy to make a living from the store in what is described as a very, very small town...that still has a general store and other familiar features of 1950s small town life. Finally, the teenage Vincent in the subplot is also a little too nice to be true and his dad's sudden conversion is hard to believe.

Verdict: A good effort for a first novel, but the characters just aren't very realistic. It feels like the author was really writing a fantasy/historical fiction and then decided to throw in some contemporary references. Kids who love the miniature and don't mind wish-fulfillment stories will still enjoy this though.

ISBN: 9780060736149; Published 2006 by Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins; Borrowed from the library

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

A million miles from Boston by Karen Day

As I'm working with unbounded determination down to the bottom of my to read/to review pile, I pulled up the last of a stack of "growing up experiences at the beach" summer reads I picked up at ALA Midwinter 2011. (Others include Lexie and Junonia, in case you were wondering).

I skimmed this at the time I got it and enjoyed the bits I read, but I only now finally had the time to give it the thorough reading it deserved.

Lucy can't wait to get to Pierson Point, Maine, where her family spends the summer. She's worried about middle school, where she'll be a seventh grader, tired of dealing with annoying Ian, and best of all her dad's new girlfriend Julia won't be around. Lucy still grieves for her mother, who died six years ago, and Julia is starting to feel way too permanent.

As in her previous middle grade fiction title, Tall Tales, Karen Day writes with realism, warmth, and hope, showing a family dealing with difficult issues but working together to grow stronger. The theme throughout this story is change; Lucy has trouble dealing with changes and desperately wants to leave all her worries behind when she goes up to Maine for the summer, but they just follow her there and she can't ignore them. Even though she continually pushes her away, it's Julia who, in the end, helps Lucy deal with all the emotions and worries she's facing and become a stronger, more mature person.

Verdict: Not just a realistic, strongly written coming of age story, this is also just a great story with humor, tears, and a happy, hopeful ending. Kids who like good realistic fiction will enjoy this story all year round, although it will probably be easiest to book talk it as a beach read.

ISBN: 9780385738996; Published April 2011 by Wendy Lamb/Random House; ARC provided by publisher at ALA Midwinter; Purchased for the library (ARC donated to summer book giveaway)

Monday, October 22, 2012

Nonfiction Monday: The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau by Michelle Markel, illustrated Amanda Hall

As I'm sure I've muttered about before, I don't like picture book biographies. I especially don't like picture book biographies about artists. I really especially don't like picture book biographies about artists that don't include any of the original art.

But, completely against my will, I found this picture book biography about an artist which has none of his original art to be AMAZING.

Michelle Markel's text is beautiful. It's imaginative, simple, lyrical, and quotable. She tells the story of Rousseau who, at the age of 40, decides to paint. He studies, practices, and goes on painting despite the negative comments of critics and experts. His art unfolds his imagination, revealing his love of nature, color, and adventure. Slowly he becomes accepted by artists and finally by the critics, although he is never a great financial success in his own lifetime. But he doesn't care and continues to paint the marvelous dreams he sees in his head.

I think what really made this book work for me were Amanda Hall's paintings. While completely original, they are strongly reminiscent of Rousseau's work. They're a more softened and child-like vision, if that makes sense. There are rich colors, odd perspectives, and strong shapes, just like the originals. There is one illustration of a lion attacking a deer that might be a little scary for sensitive children (and parents). However, the overall impression is of humor and warmth. Rousseau himself is painted seriously, but never taken seriously, adding to the light, imaginative tone of the story.

Verdict: I really enjoyed this story and while I wouldn't purchase it for my library (no matter how awesome they are, picture book biographies just do. not. circulate.) I'd strongly recommend it for a larger collection or a library where picture book biographies are popular.

ISBN: 9780802853646; Published 2012 by Eerdmans; Review copy provided by the publisher and used in special library giveaway