Colorful Covers

Uncovering YA Covers
If you're interested in young adult (YA) books, check out an extraordinary series of infographics developed by young adult author Kate Hart.  Very interesting results; disappointing, too.

Have fun.

Our Canine Friends

When Dogs Are More Than Beloved Pets...
The library's 2011-2012 after-school Fribrary Time series for kids concludes on Friday, June 1 with a program titled Meet the Doggie Detective.

During this program you'll meet and get to know a K-9 officer and his human police officer partner, as well as learn a little something about how K-9 officers help investigate crimes. 

Related Reading
Animals at Work by Liz Palika and Dr. Katherine A. Miller
Prison Puppies by Meish Goldish
Speaking Dog by Tammy Gagne
Bomb-sniffing Dogs by Meish Goldish
Fire Dog Heroes by Linda Bozzo
Pest-sniffing Dogs by Meish Goldish
The Right Dog for the Job : Ira's Path from Service Dog to Guide Dog by Dorothy Patent

Classic Tales for Kids... With a Twist

Clever Takes

Classic tales (fairy, fable, folklore and the like) are always fun to read and have for generations been repeated, re-told, recast and parodied in both books and films. We offer a quick list of recent and classic books with creative, unusual, and amusing takes on familiar stories we all know and share with our kiddos.


The Great Sheep Shenanigans by Peter Bently
Huff & Puff by Claudia Rueda
Wolf Won't Bite by Emily Gravett
Honestly, Red Riding Hood Was Rotten by Tricia Speed Shaskan
Trust Me, Jack's Beanstalk Stinks! by Eric Mark Braun
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf; as told to Jon Scieszka
Believe Me, Goldilocks Rocks! by Nancy Jean Loewen
Seriously, Cinderella Is SO Annoying! by Trisha Speed Shaskan
The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas
Prince Cinders by Babette Cole

The Latest Books to Film

Turn the Pages, See the Film
Not a surprise to see that spring season's big screen films owe much to the books and stories that came before.  Here's a quick list :

The Lucky One (PG13) : based on Nicholas Sparks' tear-jerker novel of the same name.

Think Like a Man (PG13): the film adaptation of Steve Harvey's bestseller Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man : What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy and Commitment.

The Raven (R) :  A serial killer who bases his methods of killing on Edgar Allan Poe’s stories, beginning with The Murders in the Rue Morgue and The Pit and the Pendulum and working his way through other stories.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel : The script is based on a novel by Deborah Moggach, previously published in the UK as These Foolish Things.

What to Expect When You're Expecting (PG13) : Adapted from Arlene Eisenberg's ever popular bestseller, written with her daughters Heidi Eisenberg Murkoff  and Sandee Eisenberg Hathaway.

The Avengers (PG13) : This tribute to the Marvel Comics series by Stan Lee features a team including iconic super heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow.

Mirror, Mirror (PG) : Based on the classic fairy tale, Snow White, by the Brothers Grimm.  Previous book and film version versions abound.

A Rule of Etiquette?

Don't Talk About Politics or Religion

"After all, conversation between two people is very easy.  You find a mutually interesting topic, although it may lead to one about which you don't agree.  Then take care!  Much better to withdraw unless you can argue without bitterness or bigotry." ~ Emily Post's Etiquette, 12th Revised Edition, 1969

The library holds a wide range of books about religion and religious thought, including sacred texts/religious documents and interpretations of them.  Here's a very short list of recent titles that have received broad media, book buyer, and library patron attention.  Pick and choose and of course, we welcome suggestions for purchase.

Bad Religion : How We Became a Nation of Heretics by Ross Gregory Douthat

Revelations : Visions, Prophesy, and Politics in the Book of Revelation by Elaine H. Pagels

Every Day a Friday : How to Be Happier 7 Days a Week by Joel Osteen
The Mormon People : The Making of an American Faith by Matthew Bowman
Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul by John M. Barry

Unorthodox : The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman

The Righteous Mind : Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt

War of the Worldviews : Science vs. Spirituality by Deepak Chopra and Leonard Mlodinow

When God Talks Back : Understanding the American Evangelical Relationship with God by T.M. Luhrmann  

In and Around Your Home

If You're Handy...

DIY titles attract their fair share of attention.  If you use your talents to make and keep your home base a comfortable place to live and enjoy hobbies, here's a quick list of latest additions for the handy person in you.

Quilts and Quilting
60 Pieced Quilt Borders by Judy Laquidara
Modern Minimal : 20 Bold and Graphic Quilts by Alissa Haight Carlton
Simple Expression Quilts by Fran Morgan [June 1 Release]

Home Decorating
Creative Display by Geraldine James

Sabrina Soto Home Design by Sabrina Soto

Soulspace : Transform Your Home, Transform Your Life by Xorin Balbes

Crafts

Happy Cute : 25 Amigurumi Gifts by Annie Obaachan

Knits for Nerds : 30 Projects : Science Fiction, Comic Books, Fantasy by Toni Carr

One + One : Scarves, Shawls & Shrugs by Iris Schreier

Techno Cozies by Sue Culligan

Voodoo Maggie's Adorable Amigurumi by Erin Clark

Simple Beginnings : Beading by Suzann Sladcik Wilson  

Backyard Transformations

Little House in the Suburbs by Deanna Caswell and Daisy Siskin

Self-Sufficiency on a Shoestring by Alan & Gill Bridegwater

Northeast Home Landscaping by Roger Holmes

Designing Gardens With Plant Shapes by Carol J. Smith

The 50 Mile Bouquet : Seasonal, Local & Sustainable Flowers by Debra Prinzing

Garden Pools, Fountains & Waterfalls by Debra Prinzing

Look! Up In the Sky! Join the Star Party...



Photo Credit: MPR Photography

East Hampton Star Party Tonight

Join N.A.S.A. Solar System Ambassador and local resident Dean Kavalkovich this evening, Saturday, May 12, for a star party in Hurd State Park.  Start time is 8 p.m. on the park's ball field.

If for any reason we need to cancel the party, cancellation notice will be posted at 6 p.m. on this blog and on the library's Facebook page.

Bring Your Binoculars or...
For those without telescopes, five scopes will be availbable for star gazers' use.

Directions to Hurd State Park
Try Google Maps.

Star Party Etiquette
Drive slowly, for safety and to avoid kicking up dust. Arrive before dark so your headlights won't interfere with night vision -- or use parking lights if it is safe to do so.

Turn off your car's interior lights. Most cars have a dial or switch (often connected to the panel light dimmer) that shuts off interior lights even with open doors. Pulling up one or two notches on the parking brake of cars with automatic headlights will sometimes extinguish interior lights.

Wear warm clothes. The air cools quickly after dark, even after a warm day. Astronomy is a sedentary activity; there's no movement to generate warmth. Bring layers for weather 15 degrees cooler than the forecast.

If you plan an extended stay you may decide to bring a light snack and a beverage. However, please observe the rule below about not eating or carrying drinks near telescopes.

Leave flashlights at home or place a red filter over the lens (see advice on lights below). Many astronomical objects are very faint, and it takes 30 minutes for eyes to adapt to night vision.

Watch your step in the dark, especially around tripods, chairs, tables and other equipment. Be aware of wires on the ground and other shadowy obstacles. If your scope requires power make the wires as safe as possible. Walk, don't run!

Children are welcome -- an early observing experience can kindle a lifetime love of astronomy. But make sure your child understands the rules about safety, not touching the equipment and noisy or disruptive behavior.

Use parking lights to exit the telescope field and turn on your headlights only once you are some distance away. Driving without any lights is not necessary -- and may be unsafe!

Adieu

Maurice Sendak,
1928-2012
Sendak, author of the gloriously subversive and widely read Where The Wild Things Are, died today at age 83.

Adieu and thank you.

Surfs Up
A few of our favorites on the web:
From the NYT
Author interview by Terry Gross of NPR's Fresh Air
Author Interview from TateShots, the Telegraph U.K.
Grimm Colberty Tales, Part 1 and Part 2
From Today Books : 9 Subversive Children's Books

Happy 'Star Wars' Day

May the Fourth Be With You!