Library Publicity June News 
June 5 | Picture books provide a feast By Jan Pease for the eyes as well as the mind, so prepare for a banquet. Since our summer reading theme is “Look What’s Cookin’ @ Your Library,” two new picture books seem particularly appropriate for a visual feast. “Whopper Cake”, by Karma Wilson, tells us how Granddad makes the biggest cake in the world for his sweetheart, Grandma, who deserves a “whopper cake” because her heart is so big. This is a sweetly funny story that everyone will enjoy. “Too Many Cooks,” by Margaret McNamara, will enchant fans of the movie “Ratatouille.” This story begins as a counting book, but it introduces readers to fine French cooking. Really. Just trust me, it works. Dogs are the stars of two picture books with style. “Stanley at Sea,” by Linda Bailey, continues the adventures of Stanley, Nutsy, Gassy Jack, and Alice, four droopy, drooly dogs who experience the end of Outside and contribute to a doggy urban myth. “Otto Runs for President” is a children’s book with some interesting things to say to adults. Writer Rosemary Wells stated, “I thought I’d throw my hat in the ring and create a story about our weird and crazy election fever, including the speeches, vanity, money, promises, balloons, mudslinging, and razzmatazz. But in this case, it’s not the Democrats and Republicans, it’s poodles and bulldogs!” Jean Craighead George, who is very well known for her books about nature, has written “The Wolves Are Back.” The illustrations in this lovely book are paintings by well-know artist Wendell Minor, who has collaborated with Ms. George on other projects. When the wolves were gone, the wilderness became unbalanced. Flycatcher birds, aspen trees, Vespar sparrows, wildflowers, butterflies, and badgers were all affected. Ms. George writes, “Like pieces in a kaleidoscope, the broken parts of the wilderness were tumbling into place. The wolves were back.” Lyrical, beautiful, and poignant, this book reminds me of the care we all should feel about the protection of endangered species. Look for “Q is for Duck”, a very funny picture book that has been reprinted for a new generation of readers. Written by Mary Elting Folsum, who passed away in 2005, and her son, Michael Folsum, who passed away in 1990, this alphabet guessing game begins with the words “A is for Zoo- why?” The game continues through the book, coming to a full circle with the final riddle, “Z is for Animal- why?” I won’t give away the answer. Finally, a visual feast is provided by Barry Moser in “Psalm 23.” Mr. Moser uses the words of Psalm 23 from the New International Version of the Bible and pairs them with gorgeous paintings inspired by scenes in Antigua, West Indies. A young man named Akimba Thomas portrays the shepherd who lovingly cares for his sheep. Mr. Moser writes that he likes to illustrate well known stories or poems in a new and unfamiliar way. He accomplishes that goal in this lovely book. This feast of picture books is waiting for you – see you at the library! |
June 12 | Top | Dean Urdahl discusses Uprising by Pam Dille On Tuesday, May 27, 2008, Dean Urdahl shared with Litchfield Library Friends Book Club members the genesis and writing of Uprising, a fictionalized account of Minnesota’s 1862 Dakota Conflict. First published in 2007, Urhahl began writing this story nearly ten years ago. He credits his mother for giving him the gift of storytelling. Violet Ness Urdahl loved to regale her family with stories, in particular, their family’s involvement in the construction of the Forest City stockade during the 1862 “Uprising.” As a child, Urdahl also remembers visiting the Acton Monument and victims’ gravesites at the Ness Lutheran Church. Dean and his wife, Karen, currently live on Long Lake near the site of one of the 1862 battles. Urdahl shared that when writing he establishes a framework from which the story and characters evolve and develop. The story’s protagonist, “ a Confederate officer in Little Crow’s camp” is fictional. However, it is thought that Abraham Lincoln believed such individuals existed. Uprising was originally planned to be approximately 350 pages in length. With added description and intrigue, including passages about the Soldier’s Lodge, an additional 75 pages were ultimately added. Since the first edition was published, Urdahl came into the possession of a battle map signed by Captain Richard Strout. This discovery revealed more details regarding the running battle of Acton. The book is currently in its third printing, with over 1500 copies published to date. Published by North Star Press, the latest edition has different maps and five additional pages, which include the battle of Acton. Due later this year is the publication of Retribution, the second novel of a planned trilogy. Set in 1862, this book is about the Dakota War captives, trials, and executions. Abraham Lincoln is the principle character, ultimately pardoning all but 38 Dakota soldiers. Although Generals Pope and Sibley wanted to execute all 303 convicted prisoners, Lincoln insisted on thorough scrutiny of each condemned man’s case while declaring “I will not hang men for votes.” The third planned novel is about the 1863-64 flight of Native American soldiers into the Dakotas and expeditions in pursuit led by Generals Sibley and Sully. It is tentatively called Flight. Urdahl shared he has generally received positive feedback from descendents regarding the character treatment of their ancestors. These descendents include a great-great granddaughter of Little Crow and a great-great grandson of Solomon Foote. For Foote’s character, regarded as perhaps the most historically accurate, Urdahl had access to first-person accounts found in a 1905 history book of Kandiyohi County. Taking exception to the portrayal of a character was a great-great grandson of one of the traders, Francois LaBathe. He complained that Urdahl treated his ancestor’s character too harshly. Through revisions, Dean softened this characterization, but also acknowledges, “A good story needs a villain.” On Tuesday, June 10th, Dean will lead a Litchfield Community Education sponsored bus tour of many of the Dakota War battle sites. Uprising by Dean Urdahl is a 2008 Litchfield “Community Read” selection. |
June 19 | Top | Books for Children By Jan Pease We have a winner! Actually, we have two winners! The question was, “How many noodles in the cookie jar?” The answer is 604. Out of 115 guesses, two young people came the closest – Tyson Michels at 600, and Hannah Schacherer at 610. I decided to take one guess under and one over if no one guessed the exact number, so we have two incredibly close guesses. I’m amazed, since I have virtually no estimating skills. Hannah and Tyson can pick up a prize book at the library. The next challenge is “How many Hershey’s Kisses are in the cookie jar?” The next challenge will be on the round table until June 24, so get your estimates in the box. Now, I must tell you about some delicious new titles on the shelves in the children’s department. We have purchased many new children’s cookbooks this spring. Look for titles with the Dewey Decimal number 641. Titles such as The Everything Kids' Gross Cookbook , by Colleen Sell and Cooking rocks! by Rachael Ray have been popping off the shelves. Gorgeous illustrations and tasty recipes are featured in the new series “Fun Food for Cool Cooks.” Titles in the series include Apple Pie Calzones and other Cookie Recipes, by Brekka Hervey Larrew, and Peanut Butter and Jelly Sushi and other Party Recipes, by Kristi Johnson. Oodle Doodles Tuna Noodle and Other Salad Recipes, also by Kristi Johnson, arrived just in time to give cool cooks some great ideas for summer salads. Tips for simple cooking techniques and kitchen safety are included in each of these books. We are trying out a beautiful new series for very young animal lovers, “Animal Show and Tell,” published by Gareth Stevens. The titles we have received include Animals of the Ocean, Animals of the Desert, and Animals of the Jungle. These small books are perfect for little hands, and each animal is featured in a full color picture with a few brief facts on the facing page. I love great big dogs! And my favorite Rottweiler, Carl, is back in Carl’s Summer Vacation, by Alexandra Day. Carl provides his toddler with a life jacket and they sneak away from nap time, having the time of their lives on a beautiful summer day. They somehow manage a canoe, enjoying luscious blackberries before being joined by a mama skunk and her kits. Oblivious adults concentrate on a boat race while Carl, the little girl, another dog, a rabbit and a squirrel quietly join a picnic. As usual in the Carl stories, they race back to their starting point, mystifying the parents who can’t understand why Carl and his little girl are not hungry, and are sleeping through fireworks. If your child hasn’t signed up for the summer reading program, What’s Cookin’ @ Your Library, there is still plenty of time. Thanks, Litchfield Early Childhood Iniative, for your generous support of the summer reading program. See you at the library! |
June 26 | Top | Volunteers By Jeanette Stottrup The Litchfield Library relies on support from a large number of people. Tax payers support the building and services we provide. The Litchfield City Crew keeps our grounds and parking lot pretty and snow free. Staff members all across PLS are busy with the internal workings of providing materials and Internet service to those who walk through our door. There are those who volunteer their time to do tasks such as cutting out craft projects for the next Story Hour craft event or finding lists of books for some internal library project. There are patrons however who provide an invaluable service on behalf of the library who may not even be aware of their contribution. I would like to highlight their efforts here today. All their efforts fall into that category of “those who are willing to share.” Many people come in with a request for a title that someone has told them about. These individual book reviewers spread the word about a title that they have read and found interesting, encouraging or inspirational. They in turn excite others who read to seek out that title. In the end these titles enrich our lives. Thank you to all of you who give impromptu book talks in the grocery store, coffee shop or after Sunday services. Thank you for sharing your joy of a book. Those individuals that carry their love of books to others by starting a book club are part of the library’s many unsung volunteers. Such a book club will be featuring books written by Jane Austen. The next meeting of the Jane Austen Book Club will be July 19 at 10:00 here at the library and the book discussed will be “Pride and Prejudice.” Judy Holmes will lead the discussion. If you have fallen in love with these titles or have meant to read them, check our bulletin board or ask at the desk for dates and titles. If you need some encouragement to join this book club, check out the movie titled “The Jane Austen Book Club.” Another individual who has taken on a project that ultimately supports the library and its services is Renee Capistrant who is involved with the Cadenza Club. This club has provided most of our piano score collection for the benefit of piano students or anyone seeking piano music. The Cadenza club will be turning its efforts in another direction by providing classical CDs for our small music collection. Renee also encourages others, not involved with the Cadenza Club, to donate Classical or Jazz music CDs to the library. I want to thank the members of the Cadenza Club for their efforts in sharing their love of music. Others who share are those who are just looking to dispose of unwanted magazines or books by bring them to the magazine exchange or monthly book sale. Their bounty is appreciated. Also, those who, while on the computer, share some piece of technological knowledge with their neighbor in need, are other unsung volunteers that we wish to acknowledge. Sharing is a most basic value of any library. It is an inspiration to see the high level of support and sharing that the community engages in on behalf of our library. |
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