Monday, April 26, 2010

New in Teen Fiction

Birthmarked by Caragh O’Brien

Gaia has been raised near Un-Lake Michigan (the now dried up Lake Michigan) in the shadows of the Enclave. The Enclave is a mysterious walled community that those from the outside are not permitted to enter. In exchange for food, water and other supplies those on the outside often serve the Enclave. Gaia is preparing to serve the Enclave as a midwife and attends numerous births with her mother while in training. Those on the outside know that they may have to give their child up at birth to become a member of the Enclave. Midwives are required to “advance” the first three deliveries they assist with each month to the Enclave where the children will lead a privilege life. Gaia has never questioned the system until her mother and father are taken to the Enclave for questioning. Now Gaia is left with questions about what is happening inside the Enclave and why her parents have been taken away. What will Gaia learn? Will she ever see her parents again? What happens to the babies once they are advanced to the Enclave?

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Celebrate Earth Day in Style

Earth Day turns 40 today.  In celebration of the 40th Earth Day stop by the library and check out some of the following great books to help you celebrate Earth Day in style!

Books for Adults
Eco Books: Inventive Projects from the Recycling Bin by Terry Taylor (686.3 T238e 2009)
This book will walk you through making several different types of books by reusing materials in your recycling bin.


Trash to Treasure: The Year's Best Creative Crafts by Leisure Arts, Inc. (745.5 T775 1998)
Leisure Arts compiled a book of the best recycled crafts.  Pick up this book to find a new use for old detergent boxes, wallpaper scraps and more.

Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials: Plus Tips & Resources for Earth-friendly Stitching by Betz White (646.4 W582s 2009)
White explores how to re-purpose old clothing in your closet or clothing from a thrift store to make great new stylish clothing.  



Eco-Craft : Recycle-Recraft-Restyle by Susan Wasinger (745.5 W319e 2009)
Eco Craft is full of trendy crafts that can be made out of recycled and unwanted materials.  Hold on to those baby food jars and six pack can holders because you may find yourself re-purposing them into something beautiful for your home.

Remake Restyle Reuse: Easy Ways to Transform Everyday Basics into Inspired Design by Sonia Lucano (747 L932r 2008)
Lucano provides over forty options for crafters to transform outdated items in their home into something contemporary.  If you like contemporary design and have some outdated items in your home this is the book for you.

The Salvage Sisters’ guide to Finding Style in the Street and Inspiration in the Attic by Kathleen Hackett (745.5 H121s 2005)
Hackett provides examples of how to use items found out at the curb on trash day or items that have been stowed in the attic and are no longer being used.  This book will appeal to any bargain hunter.


Books for Children
Earth-Friendly Crafts: Clever Ways to Reuse Everyday Items by Kathy Ross (J 745.5 ROS)
Kids can have loads of fun with recycled crafts too!  Earth-Friendly Crafts provides step by step instructions for children to make their own crafts from everyday materials such as marker caps and neckties.  It is written for children in third through sixth grade.

Easy Earth-Friendly Crafts in 5 Steps by Anna Llimós Plomer (J 745.5 LLI)
This is another book written for children.  Each craft only has five steps, so the crafts are appropriate for children in kindergarten through third grade.  Some of the projects included are making a penguin, spinning top and clock.

Recycled Crafts Box: Sock Puppets, Cardboard Castles, Bottle Bugs & 37 More Earth-Friendly Projects & Activities You Can Create by Laura C. Martin (J 363.72 MAR)
Children will enjoy following instructions to make their old sneakers into a beautiful blooming flower pot, or making beautiful paper jewelry.  Parents will enjoy not going broke making crafts at home.

Cups & Cans & Paper Plate Fans: Craft Projects from Recycled Materials by Phyllis Fiarotta (J 745.58 FIA)
Use everyday materials like paper bags, boxes and cans to create something magnificent with children.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Teen Earth Day Craft

Stop by the Teen Department this afternoon between 3:30 and 5:30 to make a recycled magazine basket/bowl.  All materials will be provided.  This program is for teens in 6th through 12th grade. 

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Science - it's fun because it doesn't always work!


Join us after school for lots of different activities on Thursdays at 4:30! We do science experiments, play with puppets, and create arts and crafts.

Bonnie's Favorite (this week)


I have a young granddaughter who is a drama queen, so the book, Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney, strikes an especially responsive cord. This is the story of a young llama whose mother has put him to bed and he starts to fret. He has a melt down, but mother soon comes to reassure him that he is loved and to remind him that sometimes mother is busy and can't respond immediately. This is the perfect book for a child who is a bit fearful at night or needs reassurance that mother is nearby when he/she goes to bed.

Monday, April 12, 2010

National Library Week

This week is National Library Week. National Library Week is an annual celebration of the contributions of libraries and librarians. Tomorrow at the city council meeting Mayor Randall will read a proclamation declaring the week of April 11th - 17th National Library Week. In celebration of National Library Week be sure to stop by and check out a book or attend one of our many programs.  Click here to access the library calendar of events.

If you would like to show additional support for Texas libraries take a few minutes to e-mail or write to local legislators telling them what you like about your library and why libraries are important to you. To find out where to send your e-mail or letter, visit the Texas Library Association website.

Monday, April 5, 2010

My pregnancy: making it through the pre-& post-natal section...

My goal: to make it to D-Day (delivery), with as little pain and with as much knowledge as possible. And knowing that I will probably have to throw out all that learned knowledge to go with works best for us.

On December 21st I While looking through my planner, I realized something rather important was missing from my calendar.
And by December 22nd I was reading
  • What to Expect When Your Expecting 
  • Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth about Pregnancy and Childbirth.
January 2 2010 I had finished Belly Laughs and was up to my progression week in What to Expect.

We also picked up;
  • My Boys Can Swim!: The Official Guy’s Guide to Pregnancy
  • The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips and Advice for Dads-To-Be for my husband.  
Kevin and I decided that while we did like the funny yet practical side of Belly Laughs and My Boys, What to Expect, and Expectant Father are a much more in depth, more medical, technical (to us both good and bad traits) these are the books that we can use as are pregnancy "bibles" throughout our pregnancy, and they really are just that to us! With these two books, What to Expect, and Expectant Father, as our go-to book for answers BEFORE we call the Dr. to speak with a nurse, and have them call us back (sometimes a 24-48 hour process).

I'll try and keep up with this blog as we progress to D-Day, and if I find any other helpful books or tips for the other mothers and fathers to-be surfing the pre- & post-natal section of any library or book store, i'll post em'. I'm hoping to have a intense summer reading list to add to the library's list with real thoughts on going through pregnancy from someone going through it now.


Another blog we are following together, hoping to get other book suggestions from this blog, with great advise for soon to be mom's (and dad's):
  "i wish i had known that" for soon to be moms



If you have any questions or comments about this blog please feel free to contact Ceciilia Ralson, (281) 554-1110 or cecilia.martin@leaguecitylibrary.org 

Teen Events

This week there are two teen events happening at the library!

Be sure to stop by the library Wednesday (April 7th) night from7:30 to 8:30 for Teen Advisory Board.  Teens in 6th through 12th grade are encouraged to join and provide valuable feedback about what kinds of programs, books, movies, etc. they want the library to have.  Participation counts as service/volunteer hours for honor societies, school, church, or any other organization that requires hours.


Also, on Friday (April 9th) teens are invited to search the library after hours for lost treasure.  Teens will follow a series of clues on a hunt for bags of treasure that includes a Half Price Books gift card!  Be sure you're here before the library closes at 6:00 pm, the program will start at 6:00 pm in the theater.  Teens can be picked up at 7:30 pm when the program ends.

If you have any questions about this week's programs please feel free to contact Lindsay Faust, Teen Librarian at (281) 554-1102 or lindsay.faust@leaguecitylibrary.org

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Southern Vampire Mysteries

I recently started reading the Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlene Harris.  Most of you probably know the series as True Blood.  The popular HBO show True Blood is based on the Southern Vampire Mysteries.  Having faithfully watched True Blood since the first episode and loving every minute of it, I decided it was time to read the series because I often enjoy books more than their on screen adaptations.  While I’m still excited for season three of True Blood, I also can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Both the books and the show have the same basic premise, but the books (at least the first two) tend to concentrate more on the character development of Sookie Stackhouse, the main character of both the books and television show.  In the books characters that play a large part may not exist, or are mentioned a few times, but the reader will never experience anything from their point of view.  Plots also are altered slightly, but this just makes the books more interesting if you’ve already watched the television show. 

I would recommend that any True Blood fan read the Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlene Harris.  Readers will likely enjoy the further character development of Sookie and a few new twists to the televisions plots.  This is the perfect time to start reading the series because we will be having a party to celebrate the release of the 10th book in the series.   Get reading because there will be a chance to test your trivia knowledge as well as a chocolate cake contest and be sure to get your souvenir photo in front of our Merlotte’s background.  The release party is on Sunday, May 23rd from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

Bonnie's Favorites (This Week)


OK, this posting I have more than one favorite of the week, because I couldn't choose. I love, love, love Sandra Boynton's board books! I have to admit this is partially because my grandchildren love them, and of course, I think they have great taste. I am torn between Moo, Baa, La La La! and Barnyard Dance, as my two personal favorites. Like most of Boynton's books, these have rhyme and rhythm with a little bit of silliness.

You can find the board books in Al the alligator or on the puzzle book shelf in Youth Services.