Graphic stories

We've just gotten a big pile of graphic stories in the library, thanks to the generosity of the Jamestown PTA. Woo hoo -- everybody likes to read these! These are true stories about real people and events, like "Dolly Madison Saves History" and "The Curse of King Tut's Tomb." But these books look like comic books, with great color illustrations and plenty of action. Of course, we have some "Calvin and Hobbes," "Peanuts" and other traditional comics, but this is our first venture into the fast-growing graphic world for young readers. We have a new series of graphic fiction in the library, too: "Bone," about a soft little creature and his fantastic adventures. "Babymouse," in all her pink glory, will soon be in the library to tempt our younger readers.

Parents: There is plenty of research to support the idea that the graphic story content can successfully compete for the attention of our screen-happy children, especially reluctant readers. Try them as a way to draw your child into a topic or simply into the act of sitting with a book and reading. For kids who are wiggly, the busy-ness of the graphic story page can often engage them enough to experience a whole story ... and you can enjoy a little walk down memory lane (I guarantee they're more fun than "Betty and Veronica" were)!

THE END IS HERE

Greetings unfortunate reader. If you are reading this, you are certainly near to tears, either from relief or because you are devastated. Lemony Snicket has written his last book! It was released on Friday, October 13, it is his 13th book, and we have seen all we will ever see of the Baudelaire orphans. I will tell you no more, except to say that the ending ... well it wouldn't be too much to tell you there's fog, a shipwreck and tasteless humor (and crumpets).

I am in the school of readers who does not love Lemony Snicket books and who scratches her head in wonderment when I read that it provided solace (Count Olaf? disasters at every turn?) to children after 9/11. However, I gladly hand it to all comers -- like Harry Potter, the series has drawn in and captured a whole generation of readers who often would rather stare at a screen than a page. Whew -- keep 'em coming Mr. Handler!

For die-hard fans, Mr. Snicket has also published "Beatrice Letters," and a CD of series-inspired music (imagine listening to that at bedtime!).

(Parents: here is a link is to an interview that the New York Times did recently with Daniel Handler [author of the Lemony Snicket books]. It is mostly targeted to adults, featuring a discussion about why he wrote the books, impact on the publishing world, etc. You may find it interesting: http://podcasts.nytimes.com/podcasts/2006/10/20/21bookupdate.mp3. Who knows, maybe your kid will, too.)

Creepy Halloween read -- "The Presence"

(Parents -- this book includes some very mild teenage behavior [a chaste kiss, having a crush], and several descriptions of accident victims.)
I am just recovering from listening (yes, listening -- I do a lot of my "reading" in the car going to and fro) to Eve Bunting's chapter book "The Presence." Imagine you are a teenager, recovering from the death of your closest friend -- a death you believe you caused. You are visiting your grandmother when you meet a ghost who lives in your grandmother's church. He chooses you as his next companion. Will anyone believe you? Will you escape his invisible -- but very real -- clutches? Read this very creepy book to find out ... but not alone in the dark!
Available at the Arlington Public Libraries.

Aargh, me maties!

Wow! I just finished "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson. What a great adventure story! Pirates, treasure, Skull Island, Long John Silver -- all the famous pirate stuff is here! What would you do if you were on board a ship and overhead some of the sailors planning to mutiny? And what if you were risking your life to tell the captain? This story is told from the perspective of a young boy. If you liked "Pirate's of the Carribbean," then this is the book for you -- it's where all the famous pirate stories came from.

Parents: Here is a wonderful read-aloud for a family with older children. Compared to current fiction for children, the depictions of violence (sword fights and the like) are not very graphic, but the language is more archaic and it just takes longer to get through the story -- wouldn't be easy for those younger than 8 to sit still for. It's worth it! After you've read the book, the 1950 Walt Disney movie (starring Robert Driscoll as Long John Silver) is a great version of the story. It's available at your public library.

@rlington READS!

Autumn is a great time to read together, and Arlington Public Library (APL) is making it easy and fun! This fall, APL has a new program, "@rlington READS!" Three books have been chosen and we are all encouraged to read, or read-aloud, these great works! One is appropriate for upper elementary students (grades 3-5 and older): "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park. There is also a book for teens and one for adults.

"A Single Shard" is about Tree-Ear, an orphan boy living in ancient Korea. He admires the gifted potters in his village (which is reknowned for its pottery) and dreams of becoming a potter. He has many barriers to overcome, one of the most difficult being that in his culture one must be born into this profession. The book follows Tree-Ear's life as he works to realize his dream. This book has drama, adventure and a wonderfully fulfilling (if not surprising) ending.

Ms. Park will be visiting Arlington on October 4, 2006 to talk about this book with Arlington families. Many libraries and bookstores in Arlington are also sponsoring book discussions about the book. Arlington pubic libraries have many extra copies of the book available for check out. If your child participated in "Read All About It" this summer, and completed the program, s/he should have received a copy of the book. If not, check with your local public library for a copy.

You can find more informatiion about "A Single Shard," Ms. Park and the program (including a list of book discussions) at http://www.arlingtonva.us/Portals/Topics/TopicsArlingtonReadsMain.aspx.

An artistic family

Are you interested in how kids in other countries live? Would you like to live in a family of artists where it's perfectly alright to spend a few months making a mural on the kitchen wall? Then you might like "Saffy's Angel," "Caddy Ever After," "Indigo's Star," and "Permanent Rose." Each book is written about the child in the title, although of course the whole family gets into the books, too. In "Indigo's Star," the Casson family has a few challenges: Indigo is being bullied by some of the other boys in his class and is afraid of heights (that's "acrophobia"); and Rose, who is painting the kitchen mural, is trying to find her place in her family -- and trying to understand why their father lives in London, not with them. Although the book is cheerful and the characters work out solutions to their very complicated challenges, everything is not wrapped up neatly at the end. Nevertheless, the Casson family is delightful, loving and funny. This would make a lovely read-aloud for a family with older children (3rd grade and above).

East of the Sun, West of the Moon

I haven't been so engrossed in a book in years. "East," by Edith Pattou, is a retelling of the traditional Norwegian folktale "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" in which a girl is taken by a polar bear who offers -- in exchange -- the health and prosperity of her family. Of course no story is ever this simple. Rose, named after the compass rose found on maps, is the youngest daughter of a farming family. After the farm fails and her sister becomes gravely ill, she is taken by the "ice bear" and finds herself in a beautiful castle with the silent and sorrowful bear. Slowly they come to understand and care for one another, as she senses the humanity in the bear. When he is taken away by the frightening Ice Queen, Rose embarks on a long and dangerous voyage to free the bear from his captor. This is a complicated story that contemplates the meaning of friendship, love and family. This would be a wonderful read-aloud for older children (10 and up). It is innocent and full of adventure and magic.

Pick a Peck of Picture Books ...

I've been reveling in great picture books lately, and want to share some with you ...
"How to be a Good Dog," (Gail Page, 2005) features Bobo, who has great enthusiasm, but not much finesse. Finally banished to the doghouse by Mrs. Birdhead (his owner), his fellow pet, Cat, enrolls him in a course of etiquette. After learning "sit," "roll over," and "stay," (and believe me, you've never seen these tricks performed this way), he makes his debut with Mrs. Birdhead. All's well that ends well in this very silly book.
"Soap! Soap! Don't Forget the Soap!" (retold by Tom Birdseye ; illustrated by Andrew Glass, 1993) is an Appalachian folktale about Plug Honeycut, a kid who can't remember anything he's told. Sent to the general store by his mother to get soap for his bath, he has a series of misfortunes that result in his cutting up a fallen tree, causing an old woman to fall in the creek, and insulting the mayor's wife. Glass' illustrations are frayed and chaotic and complement the story nicely. A great book if you are looking for humor in what can be an exasperating childhood condition.
"Scranimals" (Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Peter Sis, 2002). Another older book, and a gem. Jack Prelutsky, one of America's most popular poets for children, takes readers on a fantasy journey to Scranimal Island, where we encounter Broccolions, Pandaffodils and Potatoads. Each "scranimal" is featured in an elegant and lofty poem, and Sis' illustrations are strange enough to do justice to such odd creatures. I have a friend who's 4-year-old daughter loves this book, even though the language is very sophisticated. A great readaloud and excellent jumping-off point for a rainy day activity.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

by Kate DiCamillo ("Because of Winn-Dixie" among others), 2006. Here is DiCamillo's latest book for older children, another fantasy and a cold and dreary depiction of hope, generosity and the meaning of friendship. The central character, Edward Tulane, is a proud and snobbish, albeit beautiful china rabbit. He is owned by Abilene, a loving little girl -- affection he cannot return. During a tragic sea voyage Edward is lost to the bottom of the sea, then rescued by an old fisherman and his wife. Over time he is lost and found again and again, always traveling with someone who comes to love him. Slowly, he learns to love as well. But even a happy ending cannot overcome his personality. Unlike the Grinch, I don't think "his heart grew three sizes..." In it's favor, the book is absolutely beautiful to look at, with stunning illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline ("The Animal Hedge," "Secrets of the Sphinx," and "Crossing," among many others). The tone of the book design and illustrations beautifully accentuate Edward's elegance. For die-hard fans of DiCamillo, this will be welcome. For newcomers to this author, best to start with "Because of Winn-Dixie" or, for a delightful fantasy, "The Tale of Desperaux."

The Junkyard Dog

by Erika Tamal, 1995. Katie lives in the projects with her mother. She's a pretty happy 6th grade girl, at least until Damika joins their class. And until she finds that the cruel Mr. Farrow has put a guard dog in his junkyard. The dog is thin and afraid of everyone. If things weren't bad enough, her mom marries Jim Brady, a carpenter who seems to take up all the space in their already tiny apartment. And her best friend, Crystal, is flirting and doing makeovers instead of playing basketball on the weekends. Read this moving book to find out how Katie helps "her" dog, how she discovers the true meaning of friendship, and how to trust again. This is a gem of a book.

Princess Academy

Next on the Newbery list was "Princess Academy," by Shannon Hale, who also authored "The Goose Girl." Hale has once again created a character who is strong, passionate and inventive. Miri is a 14-year-old member of a village of quarriers, at the top of Mount Eskel. She longs to join the rest of her family in the quarry, but her father mysteriously refuses, relegating her to shepherding and household tasks. The announcement that the Prince's councillors have determined that the next princess of the kingdom will come from Mount Eskel changes her life. Herded with all other eligible girls into the Princess Academy, Miri struggles against the absolute authority of the school; against the cliques that form; and in favor of defending the honor of her tiny village. Neither bandits nor the temptation of a life of luxury for her and her family ultimately take her away from Mount Eskel, but what she brings back to the village makes it a place she can happily live and to which she can contribute. This will be a huge hit with young girls.

Whittington, a cat tail ...

Just finished "Whittington," by Alan Armstrong, S.D. Schindler (illustrator), 2005 Newbery Honor book. It is a powerful and tender story-within-a-story. Whittington, a stray who wanders into Bernie's farmyard, exchanges room and board for his fierce rat-chasing abilities. In exchange for the friendship of his new companions, he tells his family history (a spirited retelling of folktale "Dick Whittington and His Cat"). Bernie's grandchildren, Ben and his little sister, are members of the farmyard family. Ben struggles with reading. As we learn of Dick Whittington's struggles, we also journey with Ben as he conquers reading and (cat) Whittington as he finally finds a home. This book reminds me of Dick King-Smith with it's gentle, forthright approach and happy resolution. What a treat!

And the winners are ...

The 2005 Caldecott and Newbery awards were presented on January 23. Even the old pros among us were surprised by some of the winners.

Winning the Caldecott Award, Chris Raschka illustrations in “The Hello, Goodbye Window” are warm, vibrant and cheerful. The book, written by Norton Juster (also the author of “The Phantom Tollbooth”), celebrates a child’s very special relationship with her grandmother and grandfather and is a wonderful read-aloud for grades PreK-3.

Caldecott honors include “Rosa,” illustrated by Bryan Collier, written by Nikki Giovanni, a moving tribute to Rosa Parks; “Zen Shorts,” written and illustrated by Jon J. Muth, a fanciful exploration of Japanese folktales and philosophy; “Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride,” written and illustrated by Marjorie Priceman, fun and lighthearted; “Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems,” illustrated by Beckie Prange, written by Joyce Sidman, beautiful, serene poetry.

The 2005 Newbery award winner is “Criss Cross,” by Lynne Rae Perkins. Newbery honors were awarded to “Whittington” by Alan Armstrong, illustrated by S.D. Schindler; “Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow” by Susan Campbell; “Princess Academy” by Shannon Hale, published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books; and “Show Way” by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Hudson Talbott. Because of the themes of several of the books, only “Princess Academy” and “Show Way” will be placed in the Jamestown library collection.

For more information about the winning books, go to www.ala.org/releases/caldecott.html.

Snowflakes everywhere!

Such a beautiful scene greets students, staff, parents and visitors to the library!
Before the holiday break, students crafted snowflakes (no two are alike!) and wrote on them their name and a favorite book, series or author. We have everything from "Star Wars" to Sharon Creech's "Bloomability."
"Snowflake Bentley," a biography by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, tells readers about Wilson Bentley, the first photographer of snowflakes. The book (call number B Ben) not only tells the interesting story of this pioneer, but also features stunning Caldecott Medal woodblock prints of snowflakes by illustrator Mary Azarian.
If you love snowflakes, try making your own "virtual" one at http://snowflakes.lookandfeel.com/.