Blog Post
When a teenager writes a publishable book, it's noteworthy, but when the book is this good, it's something special
by Grace22
Very little about 19-year-old Stefan Bachmann says “typical teenager.” Born in Colorado, he moved to Switzerland with his family at a very early age and is a dual U.S.-Swiss citizen. His mother homeschooled him until he enrolled in the Zurich Conservatory in 2004 at the age of 11.
His book The Peculiar had a first printing of 100,000 copies and met with critical acclaim; it was also a #1 bestseller in Switzerland, and rights have been sold in seven languages. Part murder mystery, part gothic fantasy, part steampunk adventure, it is a riveting, inventive, and unforgettable debut novel.
The young author has just turned in his second novel, The Whatnot, to his editor. “I was nervous because it’s the second book,” he says. “It’s the conclusion to The Peculiar, a duology, so it wraps up the story. The first book had a cliffhanger, and that probably annoyed people.” Bachmann’s next book will “switch between contemporary and historical, which is going to be really new for me, but I can’t really say a lot about it yet. And when I’m 25 I’d like to write an adult book—when I’m actually an adult.”
Amid his literary success, Bachmann sees his music as being just as important as his writing, and he continues to study composition in Zurich. He’s managed to merge his two worlds—he wrote musical pieces for The Peculiar’s Web site and trailer—and sees parallels between the two. “I think the most basic one is that they both take practice,” he says. “You can start music at age five and at first you’ll be bad, obviously, and then you practice a while and you’ll get better. I think it’s the same with writing. If you practice writing a lot and read a lot, you’ll get better at it, though you have to have the spark to begin with.”
Blog Post
Happy Birthday, Amelia Bedelia!
by kidlit
It's hard to believe that the maid who takes everything literally is 50 years old.
Peggy Parish, the original author of the Amelia Bedelia books, was a third grade teacher
in Manhattan. She often shared loving anecdotes about her students' vocabulary mix-ups.
Isn't it funny when some idioms and phrases are taken literally? Amelia Bedelia was published in 1963.
Ms. Parish wrote 12 Amelia books before her death in 1988. Her nephew, Herman Parish, has
been writing them since then.
In honor of the anniversary a reprint of the original title will be re-issued on January 29th.
And there will be two Amelia Bedelia chapter books coming out later this month as well. Those are on order at the Library.
Blog Post
LEGO Connection!
by manz
Sunday, January 6 | 1-2:30pm | Malletts Creek | Grades K-5 with parent
Join us for a LEGO adventure! Here’s a chance to get connected with other LEGO-minded people and build great things at the library! During this event, we’ll have a load of LEGO bricks for you to use to make something cool as you make new friends. At the end of our adventure the LEGOs will stay at the library before you head onto your next adventure. This time around we’re focusing on LEGO architecture by building buildings! Not you’re thing? No problem, you can make whatever you want. But if you are into LEGO architecture, check out the LEGO Architecture: Towering Ambition exhibit at The Henry Ford.
If you’re looking for books for some LEGO inspiration, check out AADL’s collection of great LEGO books! We’ve got books including how to build stuff, the history of LEGOs, and even stories featuring minifigs!
Blog Post
Storyteller Adam Mellema
by StoryLaura
Lucky for us, Adam Mellema, has favorite family members in Michigan and leaves sunny CA for the holidays! Families are in for a total treat when this dynamic children's television producer and outrageous storytelling performer will join us on Wednesday, January 2 at 2 pm Downtown for grades Kindergarten and up!
Blog Post
Stories, Songs and New Year Nonsense
by StoryLaura
My friend Rosalie Koenig is joining me for a cozy, silly storytime with music and riddles and family fun on Thursday, December 27 at 2 pm at the Downtown Library. Rosalie was the elementary vocal music teacher at Mitchell School for years and she'll join us with bells on her toes and guitar in hand! Bring your out of town guests and settle in for some good old fashioned singing and storytelling!
Blog Post
200th Anniversary of Grimm's Fairy Tales
by kidlit
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm spent their entire careers collecting folk tales from all over Europe. They published the first volume of the now classic Grimm's Fairy Tales in
1812. The second one followed in 1814. The name Grimm and the phrase "fairy tales" have become synonymous in our culture. It's important to remember that the Grimms
compiled these stories, they did not originate them. Rapunzel, The Frog Prince, The Bremen Town Musicians and many others in the Grimm collections
are stories that have been around much longer than 200 years. They've been passed down from generation to generation.
The stories collected by the Grimms are still popular today. A recent example is Disney's movie Tangled, a retelling of Rapunzel.
To read about the lives of the two brothers, try a biography from our 921 section.
Blog Post
Joe Returns!!
by StoryLaura
It’s always a party when Joe Reilly hits the stage at the AADL! Bring the little ones for dancing, singing and learning about this beautiful, mysterious and spinning planet of ours! Wiggle out the winter lazies on Sunday, December 30th at 2:00 pm Downtown and check out Joe's newest CD.
Blog Post
Wonderful New Picture Book: 'Waking Dragons'
by annevm
When illustrator-author Derek Anderson visited the Malletts Creek Branch of the AADL in October, I watched as Ann Arbor children and adults fell under his spell. Sketching shapes looked like such fun! Anderson even talked a bit about his life and career. Afterwards I was drawn to buy his book, Waking Dragons and to have it signed for my son. I took the book home, read it, and stole it back for myself.
This picture book, written by master storyteller Jane Yolen, is beautiful and magical, and brought to life by Anderson's gold-washed paintings. After the dragons "bumble" and "tumble" out of bed, the determined boy-knight who is in charge of them prepares a delicious breakfast of waffles -- served from a catapult -- in time for the dragons to fly the boy off to Knight School. As you read the rhymes, don't miss the humor, such as the sign on the fire extinguisher, "In Case of Dragon Breath."
Anderson probably is best known for his Little Quack books, but I'm also a fan of Gladys Goes Out to Lunch. For more good reading for adults, go to Derek's web page, and read "In the Studio: A Creative Journal." Fascinating.
Blog Post
Holiday Films For The Little Ones
by manz
This time of year the hold lists grow for certain movies and TV show episodes that many wish to view. The good news is that there are plenty of cheery holiday DVDs on the shelves sure to please the kiddies. Here’s a list of some currently available DVDs, including A Flintstones' Christmas carol, Madeline's Christmas & other wintery tales, Frosty's winter wonderland, Curious George: A very monkey Christmas, Thomas & friends. Merry Christmas Thomas, and Strawberry Shortcake: Berry, merry Christmas. For more titles, here's a larger list of youth and adult holiday DVDs that AADL owns.
Blog Post
Things to do with Children Over the Holidays
by annevm
If you're looking for things to do with your children over the holidays, here are some ideas. The first stems from a grandmother at a library baby play group who asked about activities in Ann Arbor for her grandson. Already she knew about the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum and library events, so with help from a co-worker, I made her the list below:
* Visit the University of Michigan Exhibit Museum.
* Ice skate at Buhr Park or Vets Park:
* Go to one of the fabulous outdoor play structures at Eberwhite school or Fuller Park.
For more ideas, check out ArborWiki.