Bonnie's Favorite (this week)

It must be time to eat because the books I picked for this week both have to do with fixing dinner. Badger's Fancy Meal by Keiko Kasza is about a badger who is bored with his dinner plans and goes out to find something better with disastrous results. The Wolf's Chicken Stew by Keiko Kasza is about a wolf who decides that stew would be perfect, but it would be better if the chicken were fatter. He starts baking things to fatten her up with very surprising results. Both books can be found in the picture book section of the library with the call number E KAS.

What to do in an airport (or anywhere else).

What do you do in an airport when you know there are going to be delays? You grab a book from your daughter's shelf. That is how I came to spend an afternoon reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. It a mostly delightful book set in 1946 that is a series of letters between an author with residents of Guernsey Island. Through the correspondance, the author, Juliet, learns much about the German occupation of the British Channel Islands. She is so intrigued by the writers of the letters, she decides to write a book and visits the island with very surprising results. Although much of happened during the occupation was horrible, there were individuals whose humanity came through. - Once I got home, I had to finish the book before I could unpack.

Helen Hall Library has both the book (F SHAFFER), and the audio book (BCD F SHAFFER).

Book Sale!

Nothing is more worthy of buzz than a book sale. The Friends of the Helen Hall Library will hold their book sale this Thursday, Friday and Saturday (May 13, 14 & 15). The details are as follows;

Membership Drive
Thursday, May 13: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Present your Friends membership card
or join the Friends group to shop early.

General Sale
Friday, May 14: 10:00am - 5:30pm
Saturday, May 15: 10:00am - 2:00pm

We are still accepting donations of good condition books and DVDs. Questions? Please call Liz Hopkins at 281-554-1106. We hope to see you at the sale!

Bonnie's Favorite (this week)

Another favorite book of mine is Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. This is the perfect story to lull a child to sleep at night. Reading it is a night time ritual with my grandchildren, who now recite it when it is read to them. Although written in 1942, Good Night Moon is a timeless classic that is a must for every child to hear.

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?

Celebrate Earth Day in Style

Earth Day turns 40 today.  In celebration of the 40^th 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.

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.