Children's Event Organizer, 11/18/09

Children’s Event Organizer
Lakeshores Library System and
Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System
Youth Services Update
Issue 335; November 18, 2009
http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/mwflskids.htm
http://www.llsmwflschildrens.blogspot.com

In this issue:
Ruhama’s Review
Make a Splash – READ!
Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library
Mock Caldecott Newbery Discussion at Franklin
Publisher’s Weekly Best Children’s Books of 2009
Events This Week
Dates to Remember
Website Faves
And Finally……


RUHAMA’S REVIEW

First Light by Rebecca Stead
http://tinyurl.com/chr5nh

Peter and Thea are connected, but they don't realize it. Peter lives in New York City and Thea in Gracehope and each are struggling with major changes. Thea's city is getting overcrowded and needs to expand, but there isn't room without doing more exploration, which Thea's grandmother will not allow. She is afraid of what they may find on the other side of the lake. Pete's family is off to Greenland where his father will be doing research and initially he was excited, but the ice is a little more boring (and cold) than he imagined. Plus, his mother seems to be withdrawing and he and his father aren't sure how to help her depression. Both meet under strenuous circumstances and must decide what is best for their families: should they keep what they know a secret or not?

Stead has written a gripping novel told in alternating voices of Peter and Thea (for fans of Flipped or Scrambled Eggs at Midnight) and builds suspense nicely. Both main characters have great development with realistic emotions, growth and interactions. When Thea first meets Peter, for example, she dislikes and mistrusts him and the reader feels the same as she. And then, just as quickly as relationships can change, she decides he's okay and the reader also senses he's not going to betray her. I also appreciated the little clues Stead sprinkles throughout and the details of each life. The wrap up of the whole story left some loose ends for your imagination, but gives you closure. Fans of anything subterranean will enjoy this book: City of Ember, Kiki Strike, etc.


MAKE A SPLASH – READ!

Science of Sound in the Sea
http://www.dosits.org/science/intro.htm

The University of Rhode Island's Office of Marine Programs website offers interested parties a primer on the science of sound in the sea. The main topics covered here are "Sound", "Sound Movement", "Sound Measurement", "Sounds in the Sea", and "Advanced Topics". Visitors who are unfamiliar with the basics of sound should start out with "Sound" to learn about such subtopics as "How do you characterize sounds?" and "How are sounds made?" "Intensity", "Frequency", and "Wavelength" are also explained in "Sound". Visitors should note that within the subtopics, the words or phrases that are highlighted in green can be clicked on to read the definition. A menu on the left side of any page of a subtopic lists all the main topics, and scrolling over a main topic reveals all the subtopics available to peruse. Visitors shouldn't miss the "Sounds in the Sea" topic to learn about such concepts as "People and Animal Use", "Sonar", "Echolocation", and "Underwater Sounds". (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 11/6/09)


WaterSense
http://www.epa.gov/watersense

WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient products, programs, and practices." The site provides information about specifications for products (such as bathroom sink faucets, high-efficiency toilets, landscape irrigation services, showerheads, and urinals), and background about water efficiency. Some material available in Spanish. Includes a link to a website for children. (Copyright 2009 Librarians' Internet Index, LII, 06/03/08)


American Rivers
http://www.americanrivers.org

The site of this national river conservation organization is an excellent source of information about endangered rivers, protection of aquatic and riparian species, and river policy issues in general. Many links are provided for national policy and legislation; state and federal water resources; river, water, and environmental organizations; and opportunities for activism or travel. (Copyright 2009 Librarians’ Internet Index, LII, 10/11/05)


Mississippi River Facts
http://www.nps.gov/miss/riverfacts.htm

Facts and figures about this North American river, including length, width, depth, elevation, sediment load, water supply, commerce, and wildlife in the area. From the National Park Service (NPS), Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. (Copyright 2009 Librarians’ Internet Index, LII, 5/5/08)


WISCONSIN TALKING BOOK AND BRAILLE LIBRARY

The Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped has changed its name. It is now the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library (the Library). It is located in the Milwaukee Public Library's Central Library in downtown Milwaukee, all other contact information remains the same:

Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library
813 W. Wells St.
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414.286.3045 (Milwaukee)
800.242.8822 (Wisconsin toll free number)
414.286.3548 (TDD)
414.286.3102 (FAX)
lbph@milwaukee.gov
regionallibrary.wi.gov


MOCK CALDECOTT NEWBERY DISCUSSION AT FRANKLIN

The Franklin Public Library (9151 W. Loomis Rd., Franklin) is hosting a mock book discussion on Monday, December 7th from 12:30 – 4:00 PM. Public librarians, school librarians, teachers or educators from the area are invited to read the books prior to December 7th and then meet to discuss the books. We will vote and pick our very own winners!

There are six tables with 10 books assigned to each table. Participants will be assigned to a table, and each table will have a captain who will take notes from the table discussion and share those thoughts with the whole group.

You are welcome to bring other books that you feel is a worthy medal contender and these will also be shared.

To register for this event and receive a table assignment, please email Debbie Olguin, Youth Services Librarian, at debbie.olguin@mcfls.org.


PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF 2009

From accounts of civil rights heroes, to harrowing (and hopeful) stories about contemporary teenagers, to picture books that perfectly capture friendship, curiosity, or flights of fancy, 2009 held a treasure trove of wonderful reading for children of all ages and interests. These 30 titles stand out for their remarkable writing, indelible characters, and arresting artwork.

Picture Books

The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors Chris Barton, illus. by Tony Persiani (Charlesbridge)
The unlikely subjects of this fascinating picture book biography exemplify ingenuity and dedication to chasing one's dreams.

The Curious Garden Peter Brown (Little, Brown)
With humor and some showstopping spreads, Brown offers a green fable about the rebirth of a city, without a hint of preachiness.

Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales Lucy Cousins (Candlewick)
Moving beyond the geniality of Maisy, Cousins expertly draws out the primitive emotions at the core of Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, and six other beloved stories.

Dinotrux Chris Gall (Little, Brown)
Few things are more kid-pleasing than trucks and dinosaurs—put them together in a raucous, prehistoric hybrid and you have picture-book gold.

John Brown: His Fight for Freedom John Hendrix (Abrams)
Hendrix's powerful, exaggerated imagery in this picture book biography is ideally suited to the life of this controversial American abolitionist.

Stagecoach Sal Deborah Hopkinson, illus. by Carson Ellis (Disney-Hyperion)
Blithe storytelling and slyly humorous art give this story of an utterly confident, quick-thinking 19th-century heroine plenty of pioneer spirit.

The Lion & the Mouse Jerry Pinkney (Little, Brown)
Not a single word from Aesop's fable of friendship appears in Pinkney's version, set in the Serengeti. This isn't a problem since the lovingly detailed interplay between the protagonists says it all.

Otis Loren Long (Philomel)
Long's story of the friendship between a tractor and a young calf exudes a comforting sense of nostalgia and a gentleness of spirit.

Crow Call Lois Lowry, illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline (Scholastic Press)
Newbery Medalist Lowry's first picture book, drawn from a childhood story about her father's return from war, is poignant and quietly moving, with a timely resonance.

Sweethearts of Rhythm: The Story of the Greatest All-Girl Swing Band in the World Marilyn Nelson, illus. by Jerry Pinkney (Dial)
Gloriously evocative poetry and paintings create a stirring tribute to an all-female swing band that made spirits soar during an era of war and prejudice.

Duck! Rabbit! Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illus. by Tom Lichtenheld (Chronicle)
A simple, fixed design and two combative, off-screen voices make this book and its central optical illusion—is that animal a duck or a rabbit?— a delight.

All the World Liz Garton Scanlon, illus. by Marla Frazee (S&S/Beach Lane)
A subtle undercurrent of interconnectedness and a spare elegance make this picture book more than just a gentle ode to families of all shapes, sizes and kinds (which it assuredly is).


Fiction

Wintergirls Laurie Halse Anderson (Viking)
A powerful exploration of anorexia, dysfunction and death, Anderson's story of a friendship ripped apart is moving and haunting.

Going Bovine Libba Bray (Delacorte)
An angel, a dwarf, cults, wormholes and mad cow disease all factor into the surreal cross-country road trip that teenage Cameron takes, in a satirical story that's as memorable as it is funny.

Fire Kristin Cashore (Dial)
Introducing Fire, a human “monster” with psychic abilities, this companion novel to Graceling expands the scope of Cashore's fantasy world and offers twists, intrigue and romance aplenty.

Catching Fire Suzanne Collins (Scholastic Press)
This much-awaited sequel to Collins's dystopian bestseller, The Hunger Games, doesn't disappoint; it's immersive, voracious reading as the ramifications of Katniss's actions in that book spread.

If I Stay Gayle Forman (Dutton)
Masterful characterizations make the tragedy at the core of this novel all the more devastating, as narrator Mia weighs the decision to live or die.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate Jacqueline Kelly (Holt)
With a detailed, evocative setting and an authentic, relatable protagonist, this turn of the century coming-of-age novel teems with humor, spirit, and energy.

Purple Heart Patricia McCormick (HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray)
This timely and provocative thriller, with a teenage American soldier at its center, is a nuanced exploration of war, heroism, and morality.

The Ask and the Answer Patrick Ness (Candlewick)
Set on a planet colonized by men and now wracked with strife, Ness's sequel to The Knife of Never Letting Go entwines themes of sexism, terrorism, genocide and human nature, while bringing the action to a fever pitch.

A Season of Gifts Richard Peck (Dial)
The singular Mrs. Dowdel from A Year Down Yonder and A Long Way from Chicago brings humor and heart to this holiday story; as ever, Peck's writing has a comforting, evergreen quality.

When You Reach Me Rebecca Stead (Random/Lamb)
Every syllable feels rich with meaning in this atmospheric mystery involving a girl, her former best friend, and her mother, set in 1970s New York City.

Shiver Maggie Stiefvater (Scholastic Press)
Lyrical and thoughtful, this paranormal romance between a girl and a werewolf offers wit, an intriguing mythology, and dual (but equally honest and compelling) narratives.

Marcelo in the Real World Francisco X. Stork (Scholastic/Levine)
Artfully crafted characters form the heart of this riveting novel about a 17-year-old with Asperger's syndrome, who grapples with issues of ethics, love, and other real-life conflicts.

Tales from Outer Suburbia Shaun Tan (Scholastic/Levine)
Tan proves that his prose is every bit as hypnotic as his artwork in this wondrous collection that reveals the banality and strangeness of the suburbs.

Lips Touch: Three Times Laini Taylor, illus. by Jim Di Bartolo (Scholastic/Levine)
In lush prose, Taylor offers three utterly captivating stories, each centered on a kiss; comic book–style prequels from Di Bartolo, her husband, add to the enchantment.

The Uninvited Tim Wynne-Jones (Candlewick)
In this thriller about a college student uncovering twisted family secrets, Wynne-Jones expertly draws his characters and setting while ramping up the tension and the creepiness.


Nonfiction

The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P. T. Barnum Candace Fleming, illus. by Ray Fenwick (Random/Schwartz & Wade)
This illuminating biography reveals Barnum as a complex, infinitely clever figure and delineates his triumphs as well as his failures.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice Phillip Hoose (FSG/Kroupa)
Colvin's memories of fighting for civil rights in the 1950s—including refusing to give up her bus seat as a teenager in Montgomery, Ala. (before Rosa Parks)—make for a searing true-life story of courage.

Marching for Freedom: Walk Together Children and Don't You Grow Weary Elizabeth Partridge (Viking)
Arresting photography and firsthand memories from those who participated, as children, in the 1965 march to Montgomery make for a haunting and inspirational read.
(Publishers Weekly, 11/2/09)


EVENTS THIS WEEK

Wednesday, November 18
William Tell Day
Mickey Mouse debuted in 1928

Thursday, November 19
National Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day
Play Monopoly Day
Gettysburg Address Delivered in 1863
Great American Smoke Out
Have a Bad Day, Day
National Educational Support Personnel Day

Friday, November 20
Name Your PC Day
Universal Children's Day
Future Teachers of America Day
National Peanut Butter Fudge Day

Saturday, November 21
National Family Volunteer Day
World Hello Day
National Stuffing Day

Sunday, November 22
Slumber Party Day
Toy Story debuted in 1995
Stop the Violence Day
Start Your Own Country Day
Go For a Ride Day

Monday, November 23
Eat a Cranberry Day
National Military Families Recognition Day
National Cashew Day

Tuesday, November 24
Softball Birthday
National Espresso Day
Don't Utter a Word Day

Wednesday, November 25
National Family Caregivers Day
National Parfait Day

Thursday, November 26
Thanksgiving Day!


DATES TO REMEMBER

November 21 International Children’s Literature Celebration, Madison
November 26-27 Lakeshores offices closed
December 4 WLA Leadership, Madison
December 7 Mock Caldecott Newbery Discussion, 1-4, Franklin
December 24-25 Lakeshores offices closed
December 31 Lakeshores offices closed
January 1 Lakeshores offices closed
January 11 CSLP Board conference call
January 14-19 ALA Midwinter, Boston
January 29 SLP Retreat, Country Springs Hotel Water Park, Waukesha
(more info to come!)
January 30 Riverport Chorus, DivaQuest, Kenosha
February 16 Library Legislative Day, Madison


WEBSITE FAVES

I Know Poe
http://www.iknowpoe.com/

Do you know Poe? Edgar Allen, that is. The Library of Virginia and The Poe Museum do, and they are inviting visitors to learn more about the man, the myth, the legend here at this collaborative exhibition website. Four icons greet the visitor: a raven, a swinging blade, a hot-air balloon, and a sinister looking cat. Clicking on the raven takes visitors to the "About the Man" area. Illustrated by primary documents from Poe's life (such as drafts of poems and highlights from the Southern Literary Messenger), this section serves as a fine introduction. One rather compelling fact described in this section is that Poe's best-selling book during his lifetime was in fact a guide to conchology, appropriately titled "The Conchologist's First Book". Moving on, visitors who click on the sinister cat section, formally titled "Explore the Myth", will find commentaries on some of the popular myths surrounding Poe. Visitors shouldn't miss the "Learn & Play" area (symbolized by the hot air balloon), as it contains the highly entertaining "I Know Poe Game Show". (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 10/16/09)


Art & Architecture
http://www.artandarchitecture.org.uk/

This website was created by the Courtauld Institute of Art, a British institute created for the study of Western art. The website is "designed to be explored," and with over 40,000 images and a network of over 500,000 links, there's a great deal to explore. Because of the vast amount of content, visitors might find it helpful to first check out the link at the bottom of the page, entitled "About A&A". From there, click on the "How to Use the Art & Architecture Web Site". This extremely useful link has over a dozen categories of instruction, from "Basics" to "Search Tips" to "Profile and Preferences". The "Quizzes, Polls and Discussions" section on the left hand side of the page is a clever section with quizzes, such as those on the value of watercolors and polls. On the right hand side of the page the "Stories" area contains transcripts of fascinating interviews with artists and architects. ". (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 11/6/09)


Thanksgiving Recipes From America's Past
http://www.pilgrimhall.org/thanksrec.htm

Find recipes for mince pie (1832), chestnut stuffing (1891), roast turkey with truffle gravy (1905), and a variety of pies and other holiday dishes. Recipes are accompanied by vintage illustrations. From the Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts. (Copyright 2009 Librarians' Internet Index, LII, 11/5/09)


Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum
http://www.marktwainmuseum.org

This museum in Hannibal, Missouri, includes author Mark Twain's boyhood home, the home of the girl who was the model for the Becky Thatcher character in "Tom Sawyer," and his father's office and courtroom, which was the model for the courtroom in "Tom Sawyer." The site features images of the buildings, a chronology and genealogy, a book publishing history, a large collection of lesson plans, and a section for children. (Copyright 2009 Librarians' Internet Index, LII, 11/5/09)


Vincent Van Gogh: The Letters
http://www.vangoghletters.org/vg/

The letters written by Vincent Van Gogh have appeared many times before, but this is the first time they have appeared as part of a complete digital edition. This fascinating collection was created by the Van Gogh Museum and the Huygens Institute, and the letters were edited by Leo Jansen, Hans Luijten and Nineke Bakker. On the site, visitors can view 902 letters from and to Van Gogh, complete with detailed annotations and illustrations from the master himself. First-time visitors should definitely click on the "Quick Guide" to get an overview of the site’s holdings, and then they should also take a look at the sections "Van Gogh as a letter-writer", "Correspondents", "Biographical & historical context", and "Publication History". The letters include those from many of his contemporaries, including Paul Gauguin, and of course, those lovely pieces of writing from his brother, Theo. Users can also use the search engine here to look around by keyword. Finally, visitors can also look through the "About this Edition" area to learn about the reading texts included here, the translations, and the annotations. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 11/13/09)


Louis Braille: His Legacy and Influence
http://myloc.gov/Exhibitions/braille/Pages/Default.aspx

This compelling digital exhibit pays homage to the life and work of Louis Braille, the inventor of the tactile six-dot reading and writing system which changed the way that blind people were able to understand and contribute to the world. The exhibit was created by the Library of Congress, and it complements an in situ exhibit at the Library’s James Madison Building. Clicking on the "Exhibition Items" will bring up two dozen items from the exhibit. There’s quite a trove here, including a historic image of the Library of Congress’s Reading Room for the Blind from 1902 and a tactile map of the District’s Metrorail system. Many of the documents also have extra interactive features that allow users to zoom in and out around each dot, image, or corner. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 11/13/09)


Langston Hughes Papers
http://beinecke.library.yale.edu/digitallibrary/hughes.html

A portion of the Langston Hughes Papers are available here on Yale University’s Digital Library site. Hughes' complete papers (1862-1980) are comprised of "letters, manuscripts, personal items, photographs, clippings, artworks, and objects" and are available at the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. For the digitized collection, visitors should click on the "See All Images" option on the left hand side of the page to view the nine pages of thumbnail images. Each thumbnail image can be expanded so that visitors can view each image in detail. Each document can also be saved, by clicking "Save" above the thumbnail. The saved images are then moved to a folder that can hold saved images to be ordered, or just viewed again. The folder is called "My Group", and can be found below the pink menu near the top of the page. Visitors shouldn't miss the beautiful poem entitled "For A'lelia" that Hughes wrote for A'Lelia Walker after she died in 1931, and which was subsequently read at her funeral. It can be found in the second row of images, in the first spot, when "See All Images" is selected on the homepage. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 11/13/09)


AND FINALLY……….

Little mister panda cub at the San Diego Zoo has been named Yun Zi, which means “son of cloud.” His mother’s name is Bai Yun, which means “white cloud.” You can feed your own panda cub addiction at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/pandacam/index.html.