Blog Post
An Author's Recommendation . . . See the Movie!
by kidlit
Last weekend I had the pleasure of hearing a speech given by author Katherine Paterson. She's the author of The Bridge to Terabithia. This was the 1978 Newbery Award winner. The movie of that story is opening this week. Ms. Paterson said to ignore the movie trailers . . . they make it look like a fantasy. The story is not a fantasy. But she said she has seen the movie three times and likes it a lot. The screenplay was written by her son. She urged her audience to read the book and then go see the movie. Have you read the book yet?
So whether you read it or go see it . . . pack the tissues. It's a beautiful but sad story.
Blog Post
Celebratory chocolate stories and recipes
by emilyas
To celebrate Valentine's Day, check out this delicious story on NPR. In this week's edition of "Kitchen Window" Krishna Brown recounts stories of childhood Valentine's Days and provides two scrumptious recipes as well.
For other fantastic chocolate recipes check out these books at the library:
Chocolate from the cake mix doctor (my favorite for dressing up cake mix)
Pure chocolate
The art of chocolate
Celebrate with chocolate
The Chocolate Bible
...and more!
Blog Post
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be released on July 21st!!
by emilyas
J.K. Rowling announced today that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (the final installment of this fantastic series) will be published this summer on July 21st. Amazon is already allowing pre-orders for the book. Harry Potter fans are certain to be planning those midnight release parties already! Check out the BBC article and J.K. Rowling's website for more details and let the count down begin!!
UPDATE: You can now add your name to the hold list for the copies the library plans to purchase! (Log in to "My Account," click on this link to the title and then select "Request This Title" at the bottom of the page.)
Blog Post
Let's rocket!
by joy k
Osamu Tezuka is often called the father of manga, and we can also thank him for much of what we find in anime today. He was one of the first Japanese artists to use the distinctive “big eyes” style that’s in so much anime and manga, and the original Astro Boy was the first Japanese animation to be shown on American television. Several versions of Astro Boy—the tale of a robot boy who becomes a superhero who fights for justice and peace—have been produced since then. This state of the art update from 2003 ( Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5) uses computer animation while still preserving Tezuka’s original drawing style.
Blog Post
Moomin!
by anned
Join Moomin, the beautiful Snorkmaiden, and their friends as they send bad language (with legs) to Aunt Jane, encounter exploding pancakes, and introduce pirates to gardening. Tove Jansson has created a rare treasure that speaks to all generations and all ages. Moomin sums up Jansson's philosophy best when he tells his friend Sniff:
"I only want to live in peace, plant potatoes, and dream!"
Jansson first introduced the Moomins (Scandinavian troll-creatures that resemble white hippopotami) in books that she wrote and illustrated, beginning in 1945 with the book The Moomins and the Great Flood. More Moomintroll books followed, including Comet in Moominland, Finn Family Moomintroll, and Moominpappa's memoirs. These were so popular that she was approached by the London Evening News to do a daily comic strip featuring the Moomin characters. Drawn and Quarterly has released (for the first time in North America) a collection of these strips. This first volume includes four adventures: Brigands, Family Life, Moomin on the Riviera and Moomin's Desert Island.
Blog Post
Happiness In! Demon Out!
by StoryLaura
We will be tossing beans to keep those demons away and celebrate Setsubun, at our Japanese Family Cultural Celebration this Sunday at 2:00 pm at the Downtown Library. We will begin the festivities with a story and a demon mask craft upstairs, then parade downstairs for music with Miyabi and pocky treats. Families with children of all ages are invited to attend and while you are here, check out Japanese Children’s Favorite Stories and other folktale collections.
Blog Post
February 2: Imbolc (Imbolog), Candlemas, and Groundhog Day
by Van
February 2 is a cross-quarter day, marking the mid-point of Winter, midway between the Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox. We have gotten off easy so far this Winter. Let's hope Punxsutawney Phil does not see his shadow.
Stormfax Weather Almanac has historic data. The odds favor six more weeks of winter. Shadow: 96 years; No Shadow: 14 years.
On Groundhog Day the Pittsfield Branch is hosting Harley, a groundhog from the Howell Conference and Nature Center. We are not sure what weather effect can be expected when the groundhog visits the library on Groundhog Day.
Wikipedia (have you noticed how many recent New York Times articles cite Wikipedia? An article in Monday's New York Times reported on the use of Wikipedia by judges in their opinions) on Imbolc; Candlemas; and Groundhog Day
Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell in Groundhog Day
Library books about Groundhog Day
Library picture books and readers about Groundhog Day
Someone has busily been tagging the library's Groundhog Day materials.
Blog Post
Groundhog Girl Power!
by Sancho Panza
Harley the groundhog will be taking a break in her long winter’s nap this Friday to join us at the Pittsfield Branch for a Groundhog Gathering. Harley is one of a pair of female groundhogs at the Howell Nature Center. While Harley spends the day making diplomatic visits, her best friend Woody has an important job closer to home—she’ll be predicting the weather from her habitat at the center. According to an article in the Detroit Free Press, Woody is almost never wrong—she’s correctly predicted the spring weather six of her eight years. For a further celebration of groundhog girl power, the Downtown Storytime at 11am this Tuesday will feature Punxsutawney Phyllis, the tale of a female groundhog determined to succeed, despite her gender.
Blog Post
"Smoke gets in your eyes," Mr. Kern
by Maxine
Today, January 27, is the birthday of American composer, Jerome Kern. Kern was born in New York City in 1885. In addition to writing scores for stage and screen, Kern wrote many memorable songs like "Ol' Man River" and "The Last Time I saw Paris." His song, "The Way You Look Tonight" won an Oscar for the best song of the year in the film, "Swing Time." Who can forget those sweetest of verses:
"Lovely...Never, ever change.
Keep that breathless charm.
Won't you please arrange it?
'Cause I love you...Just the way you look tonight."
Blog Post
There's Nothing Like the Art from our Youth
by StoryLaura
If the Downtown Library seems like a cozier place to be during this icy month, it may be due to the warm colors and shapes emanating from the paintings by young artists on the lower level and third floor of the building. Now the glass case in the Youth Department is filled with colorful ceramic, woodwork and other hand work created by the 1st through 12th grade students from the Rudolf Steiner School. We look forward to this exhibit each year! For books to inspire youthful creators, try A Rainbow at Night, My Wish for Tomorrow and Children of the World Paint Jerusalem.