Sunday, January 12, 2014

Too Human Appearing Saturday, January 18, 2PM

Saturday Afternoon Concert
A quick look at the duo's talents, always supported by a jazzy upright bass player!
Click to register for this free concert.

Though music will be played on a winter afternoon, think summer...

Saturday, January 04, 2014

Books for Young People: 2013 Roundup

List Making...
At every year's end, just about everyone weighs in with a best, most popular, or favorites list. In this spirit we have compiled a few quick lists of notable books named "best" by a range of reputable sources. All were published in 2013. If you have not yet had the pleasure, have fun catching up!

Horn Book's Best Picture Books
Building Our House by Jonathan Bean -- Journey by Aaron Becker -- Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown -- Have You Seen My New Blue Socks? by Eve Bunting -- Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle -- The Tiny King by Taro Miura -- Nino Wrestles the World by Yuyi Morales -- The Dark by Lemony Snicket -- Mr. Wuffles by David Wiesner -- Gobble You Up! by Gita Wolf.

Publisher's Weekly's Best
Year of the Jungle by Suzanne Collins -- If You Want to see a Whale by Julie Fogliano -- Rosie's Magic Horse by Russell Hoban -- The Tortoise & the Hare by Jerry Pinkney -- Battle Bunny by Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett -- Bluebird by Bob Staake -- Fog Island by Tomi Ungerer -- This Is the Rope: the Story of the Great Migration by Jacqueline Woodson.

PW and Horn Book shared a love for Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, The Dark, and Mr. Wuffles.

The Wall Street Journal's Best
Brush of the Gods by Lenore Look -- Locomotive by Brian Floca -- Picture Me Gone by Meg Rosoff -- Boxers and Saints by Gene Luen Yang -- The Golden Day by Ursula Dubosarsky -- Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner -- Golden Boy by Tara Sullivan.

The WSJ also shared a love for Journey, Mr. Wuffles, and Rosie's Magic Horse, all mentioned above.

New York Times Best Illustrated Books
In addition to Fog Island, The Dark, Journey, and Locomotive, all mentioned above, the following six books also made the NYT's top 10 list of 2013's best illustrated books:
Ballad by Blexbolex -- My Brother's Book by Maurice Sendak -- Jemmy Button written and illustrated by Jennifer Uman & Valerio Vidali -- Holland by Charlotte Dematons -- Jane, the Fox and Me by Fanny Britt; illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault -- Mandela by Kadir Nelson.

School Library Journal's Best Picture Books
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt -- Highway Rat by Julia Donaldson -- Henry's Map by David Elliot -- Papa's Mechanical Fish by Candace Fleming -- Penny and Her Marble by Kevin Henkes -- Little Red Writing by Joan Holub -- The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig -- Sophie's Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller -- The Mighty Lalouche by Matthew Olshan -- Xander's Panda Party by Linda Sue Park -- Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal -- That Is Not a Good Idea! by Mo Willems.

SLJ titles shared with other "best" list-makers include If You Want to See a Whale, Journey, Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, Flora and the Flamingo, The Tortoise & the Hare, The Dark, Mr. Wuffles.

Thursday, January 02, 2014

Winter Fun: January 2014's Special Events

Our Happy New Year Lineup
Scheduling programs in January can be a little tricky. The specter of snow -- from a dusting to mounds and mounds -- is always a concern. The good news is the Winter Solstice has passed; spring seeds are already on sale in our local garden shops, and positive thinking seems to go hand-in-hand with the turn of the calendar page. Here's hoping the weather cooperates so all may enjoy our lineup of January 2014's special events.

The Fashions of Downton Abbey with Kandie Carle
Rescheduled to March 22, 2:00 p.m.
American audiences will be returning to Downton Abbey, Season 4, on Sunday, January 5. A few days after the fever subsides, join us for an evening program featuring Kandie Carle, who will take us on a journey through Downton's Edwardian Era using vintage and reproduction clothing and accessories. Expect a visual delight full of wit, grace, and surprising audience participation. Learn more by enjoying an interview with Ms. Carle courtesy of author Evangeline Holland. Seasons 1-3 on DVD are available for reserve or checkout with Season 4 due for release in late January.

Let Your Light Shine! Winter Craft for Kids
Saturday, January 11, 11:00 a.m.
In January's Saturday morning craft session, you'll be using a variation of 'melt your own crayon shavings' to create a simple but awesome luminary sure to make any day feel special. LED tea light is included. For kids 4-8 (parent participation required) and a great craft to keep in your family's things-to-do quiver when you need to add a little light to an otherwise gloomy day.

Saturday Afternoon Concert with Too Human
Saturday, January 18, 2:00 p.m.
Welcome back Too Human (Ellen Schwartz and Roger Bruno) for music on a winter afternoon. This acoustic music act plays familiar jazz standards as well as originals that will rock your gentle soul. Ellen and Roger hail from New York and became professional songwriters in Los Angeles, on staff with music publishing giant Warner/Chappell Music, where they had their songs covered by many recording artists including Pat Benatar, Cher, Teddy Pendergrass, Martha Davis, Angela Bofill, Anne Murray and Nancy Wilson. Moving back east, they became Too Human...


Book Discussion Group : The Tiger's Wife
Wednesday, January 22, 6:30 p.m.
Join us to discuss The Tiger’s Wife by Téa Obreht, named one of the New Yorker's twenty best American fiction writers under forty and included in the National Book Foundation’s Five Under Thirty Five. The book tells the story of a young doctor arriving to an orphanage by the sea while on a mission of mercy in a Balkan country recovering from years of conflict. Library staff member Phil Carr moderates the always lively discussion.

Take a Break! (And Give Yourself a Break, Too)
Demystifying Technology with Abby Stokes
Abby Stokes, author of Is This Thing On?" A Computer Handbook for Late Bloomers, Technophobes and the Kicking & Screaming, will be on site to present a reassuring, jargon-free, and totally straightforward talk to help late bloomers and technophobes better use and enjoy the wonders of the digital world. Practical how-to advice and a round of encouragement will be served!