Albert Lea Public Library

The Book of Old Houses by Sarah Graves

The Book of Old Houses by Sarah Graves is the newest in her Home Repair is Homicide mystery series. It combines a sense of the paranormal with murder and is a juicy, fast-paced read that will have readers guessing. As always, the author includes Triptee's Tips - helpful how-to's on home repair at the beginning of each chapter.

Who's the cutest Baby? It's too close to call!

Baby! Baby! by Vicky Ceelen
These charming and adorable photographs put into a board book cleverly capture the similarities between human and animal babies. From a sleeping baby alongside a snoozing kitten to a teetering toddler and a wobbly duckling, the comparisons are striking.  Bright and colorful photos paired make this book perfect for babies everywhere!

ARE YOU A KNITTER, CROCHETER OR QUILTER? TAKE A LOOK AT THE NEW INSTRUCTIONAL DVDS

Now you can learn to knit, crochet and quilt by watching these new DVDs: Basting and Quilting in an Old Fashioned Way, No Rules Knitting at the Teen Knit Cafe, A Simple Quilt, The Art of Quilting, I Can't Believe I'm Crocheting in Motion, The Art of Knitting: stitches, colors and fashion and Learn to Knit.

Great Teen Read

Sisters in Sanity by Gayle Forman

Brit knows she's not crazy, but no one around her—not parents, not teachers, not even the authorities—will listen to her.  The setting is Red Rock, a bogus treatment center that claims to cure rebellious teen girls.  But do these girls really have a problem?  Join Brit, V, Bebe, Martha and Cassie to see what can happen when you work together for a                                      common cause.

TIRED OF THE SAME OLD FOOD....TRY FONDUING. IT'S GREAT FUN AND VERY RELAXING

The Everything Fondue Cookbook by Rhonda Lauret Parkinson has 300 creative ideas for any occasion. The Fondue Bible by Ilana Simon has 200 recipes, plus Fon-dos and donts and fonduing essentials. Fondue by Lenny Rise and Brigid Callinan has 50 recipes "combining the fun of the seventies craze with the complex tastes of European tradition".

Half-Price Living by Ellie Kay

Half-Price Living: Secrets to Living Well on One Income by Ellie Kay is a helpful tool for families hoping (or struggling) to live on a single income. A recent survey of working moms discovered that 86% of these mothers would stay home if they could afford to do so.

This easy-to-read guide gives practical steps and creative suggestions to help you and your family:

·    Cut your food bill in half!

·    Cut your vacation expense in half!

·    Cut your clothing costs in half!

·    Cut your debt in half – and out!

·    Cut your housing expenses in half!

·    AND double your giving!

Brrrr!

It is freezing outside!  Fighting against the below zero wind-chill, you have to think- we still have 3 more months of being cold.  We do live in Minnesota which means we can't escape the cold, but how can we deal with this shivery weather?  How about some warm PJ's, a comfy blanket and a HOT read to take your mind off it.  Try out one of the many Maude Hart Lovelace book award nominees on display in the children's library.

Science Fair Ideas

Still thinking of an idea for a science fair project?  Here are some subjects and websites to help get you started.

Acid Rain http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/education/site_students/index.html
Air and Flight http://www.aeromuseum.org/eduHowtoFly.html
Animals http://www.nationalgeographic.com/wildworld/
Earth http://www.spartechsoftware.com/reeko
General Science http://www.exploratorium.com
Global Warming http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/kids/
Human Body http://www.innerbody.com/htm/body.html
Plants http://www.thinkquest.org/library/site_sum.html?tname=3715
Pollution http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/00994/
Rocks http://www.ology.amnh.org/earth/index.html
Space http://www.ology.amnh.org/astronomy/
Structures http://www.archkidecture.org/
Technology http://web.mit.edu/invent/
Weather http://www.dnr.sc.gov/water/climate/sercc/education/education.html

There is also a lot of information in the many nonfiction books available in the reference library.  If you need more help, be sure to ask a staff member.

Great Teen Read

Are you looking for a great quick read?  Check out the Maude Hart Lovelace Nominee 07-08 Emako Blue by Brenda Woody.

"Emako Blue was supposed to be a star.  But life can change in a flash."  In Los Angeles, 4 friends follow the rules, avoid trouble, and plan to make something of themselves despite the odds.  When Emako's brother is released from jail, she becomes the victim of a drive by shooting meant for him.  The teens' world is torn apart as they mourn their senseless loss.  Told through the voices of her friends, the shifting viewpoints create interesting perspectives on the story and we come to better understand her even though she died too soon.

Highly recommended.  Grades 7 and up.

The Crocodile Blues by Coleman Polhemus

The Crocodile Blues by Coleman Polhemus is an absolute crack-up to read. Although, however, it's not really a "reading" kind of book. The story is told all in pictures with only a few words for emphasis. A man buys an egg on the way home with his parakeet. They go through their nightly routine and get ready for bed only to be woken up . . . by a crocodile who's cracked the egg and eaten it! Yikes! They run away and rent a room elsewhere, only to be invited to The Blue Crocodile (a blues club) where the one and the same extends his apologies.

Make sure you check out this book and look at the pictures to read the story and laugh.

LIBRARY CLOSING

THE ALBERT LEA PUBLIC LIBRARY WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, JANUARY 21 IN OBSERVANCE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY.  WE WILL REOPEN ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 22 AT 10:00 A.M.

CAN'T GET ENOUGH POLITICS ON TELEVISION? YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS BOOKS ON MANY CANDIDATES

The Extreme Makeover of Hilary Clinton by Angela Buchanan

Her Way: the hope and ambitions of Hilary Clinton by Jeff Gerth

From Hope to Higher Ground: 12 steps to restoring America's greatness by Mike Huckabee

A Mormon in the White House? 10 things every american should know about Mitt Romney by Hugh Hewitt

The Audacity of Hope:thought on reclaiming the American dream by Barack Obama

Why Courage Matters: the way to a braver life by John McCain

Leadership by Rudolph Giuliani

2008 Caldecott Medal Winner

                         The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

This years winner is The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

This spellbinding mystery casts a new light on the picture book form. Hugo is a young orphan living in the walls of a train station where he labors to complete a mysterious invention left by his father.  His survival depends on secrets, but when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy.

See you at the Library!

The wait is over and children's programming is back on at your library!
Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. join Patty for Storytime.   Children under the age of 6 will enjoy stories, projects and a snack.
Come have a L.A.F.ing good time on Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. for Library Afternoon Fun.  Each week Michelle has a fun craft, games and snack for kids in grades K-6th.
All activities are free of charge and there is no need to register.

I Love My Pirate Papa by Laura Leuck

I Love My Pirate Papa by Laura Leuck and illustrated by Kyle M. Stone would be a fun read for a father and son. The story is told in rhyme and goes about the day of a pirate and his son, from watching at the crow's nest to going ashore. But even better is the ending:

"I spent my life a-plundering,

My treasure brings me joy.

But there's nothing I prize

more than you,

my dearest pirate boy."