While you are out enjoying the fair, visit the Library's booth under the grandstand. Patty and April will be there all week to do brain quest, guessing games, face painting, tattooing and more. Stop by and say Hello and we will give you a mardi gras necklace!
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A DOG'S LIFE: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A STRAY
I have just finished reading this wonderful, touching book about Squirrel. Being an animal lover and owner, I immediately connected with this book, unable to put it down until I finished it. Ann M. Martin, the author, is a Newbery Honor Winner.
A Dog's Life: the autobiography of a stray
"From the comfort of her new home, a dog provides a retrospective narrative of her 10 years as mostly a stray. Squirrel's voice is consistently gentle, even as she describes her surroundings and life-changing events. She describes the circumstances of her birth, and conveys sadness and grief upon the disappearance of her mother, separation from her brother, and fear when fighting mean, starving dogs. Readers who love animal survival stories in the tradition of Anna Sewell's Black Beauty (1877) and Sheila Burnford's The Incredible Journey (1961) will embrace this for its convincing animal perspective, though some sad events may shock the softer hearted". From School Library Journal and Booklist
July 26 - All or Nothing Day
Carpe Diem! Among odd unofficial holidays, today is certainly one - that if you celebrate it - it'll be one to remember. What would you do differently today if you lived life to the fullest?
Some philosophy books that might get you in the contemplative mood are:
Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy through Jokes (102.07 Cat), Philosophy for Dummies (100 Mor) and Masterpieces of World Philosophy in Summary Form (108 Mas)
Other books to get you out there and doing something are:
The Climber's Handbook (796.52 Hat), 1,000 Places to See Before You Die (910.202 Sch), Unforgetable Things to Do Before You Die (910.2 Wat) and The Total Tattoo Book (361.65 Kra)
And for those who go the "Or Nothing" route:
The Art of Doing Nothing: Simple Ways to Make Time for Yourself (155.9 Vie)
Illustrator Highlight: Michael Hague
Michael Hague was born in Los Angeles, California on September 8, 1948. His parents emmigrated from London shortly after World War II. He recieved a BFA with honors from Los Angeles Art Center College of Design.
His art is clearly influenced by Arthur Rackam (1867-1939) and others such as Howard Pyle and N. C. Wyeth. He was inspired early on by Prince Valient comics and by work produced from the Disney Studios. Readers who enjoy his artwork will clearly see the influence of the older styles of artists he's inspired by.
Early on, he worked for Hallmark Cards in Kansas as an illustrator and later worked for Current Company in Colorado as an illustrator of greeting cards and calenders.
Michael Hague has most frequently illustrated for fantasy and often illustrates books written by his wife Kathleen, such as Alphabears, Calanderbears: A Book of Months and Good Night, Fairies.
Author Highlight: Judith Schachner
Skippyjon Jones is the story of a Siamese kitten who during a time-out in his room takes on his alter-ego of Skippito - a superhero Chihuahua. The story is zany and full of laugh-out-loud humor and artwork. The book has also won several awards - one being the 2004 E. B. White Read Aloud Award. Fast-paced and hilarious. This book will most certainly have children begging you to "read it again!"
The Grannyman is also by Judith Schachner. The Grannyman tells another story, one that is heartwarming and tender. The aging family cat, Simon, feels that he has reached the end of his useful life. Just as the reader is prepared that something sad is about to happen to him, Simon's life is renewed when a kitten is brought into the house. The story demonstrates love and tolerance for the aging cat and is sure to bring a tear to the cat lover's eye.
THE MAN WHO FED THE WORLD
Norman Borlaug, an Iowa native who was educated in a one-room schoolhouse, flunked the university entrance exam but eventually entered and graduated from the University of Minnesota, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on July 17 by President Bush. He is one of only 135 people in the nation's history to receive the award, which was first given to George Washington in 1776. Borlaug, whose work is credited with saving up to a billion lives, was awarded the Nobel Peace Price in 1970. In 1986 Borlaug founded the World Food Prize, an annual $250,000 award to people whose work increases the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. "The name Norman Borlaug may not be known in many households on earth, but his life's work has reached almost every kitchen table on earth,'' said Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
"If we want world tranquility for our children and our grandchildren, we aren't going to build it on human misery in these other countries. ... You can't have political stability until you have basic needs like food coming on to the table." NORMAN BORLAUG
An authorized biography by Leon Hesser and foreword by Jimmy Carter, The Man Who Fed The World: Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Norman Borlaug and His Battle to End World Hunger is on the shelves of the Albert Lea Public Library. "It is a loving and respectful portrait of one of America's greatest heroes and one of the hundred most influential persons of the twentieth century"
NY Times Recent Top 5 Fiction
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini: Two women born a generation apart witness the destruction of their home and family incurred over the course of thirty years, testing the limits of their strength and courage.
Lean, Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich: Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum embarks on her thirteenth zany and periolous adventure.
Bungalow 2 by Danielle Steele: Marin County freelance writer and mother has to learns how to reconcile her two dramatically different roles.
Double Take by Catherine Coulter: Violently attacked six months after her husband's brutal killing, Julia Ransom is narrowly rescued by special agent Cheney Stone, who reopens the case of her husband's death when he suspects a connection.
Drop Dead Beautiful by Jackie Collins: Determined to reclaim her position of power in Las Vegas, Lucky Santangelo works to outmaneuver a deadly enemy who would destroy her family.
Patrons can request an item online at the Selco Catalog and doing a search by author, title, subject, keyword or series after logging in. Other top fiction hardcover books also available include Peony in Love by Lisa See, The Navigator by Clive Cussler, Blaze by Richard Bachman, The Double Agents by W. E. B. Griffin and the 6th Target by James Patterson.
Harry Potter Party
Ready to stay up late and party? Join the ALPL and Book World as we celebrate the release of the 7th and final Harry Potter book. There will be games, activities, crafts, trivia, contests and more!! Come to the Northbridge Mall from 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. and be sure to wear your costume.
Illustrator Highlight: Jim Harris
Illustrator Jim Harris is from New Zealand. He has illustrated over 15 children's books and has earned numerous awards for his art, such as the Colorado Children's Book Award and a silver medal from the Society of Illustrators. His illustration-style is vivid and very detailed. Readers will delight in reading books which feature his illustrations. Many of the books that he illustrates tend to be classic children's stories retold with a twist.
The Three Little Javelinas by Susan Lowell and Tortoise and the Jackrabbit, also by Susan Lowell
Slim and Miss Prim by Robert Kinerk
Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood by Mike Artell
HUMOR..RECIPES..MYSTERY
If you like the combination of cookbooks, mysteries and laughter all in one book. try The Hannah Swenson Mystery with Recipes Series. JoAnne Fluke, born and raised in a small town in rural Minnesota, has written a light series of mystery books featuring Hannah Swensen, owner of The Cookie Jar. Hannah's humorous antics and delicious recipes are an extra plus for the reader. Some of the books are Key Lime Pie Murder: a Hannah Swensen Mystery, The Cherry Cheesecake Murder: a Hannah Swensen Mystery with Recipes, Blubeberry Muffin Murder: a Hannah Swensen Mystery and Peach Cobbler Murder: a Hannah Swensen Mystery with Recipes.
