Albert Lea Public Library

Looking for a new fantasy series? Try Maria V. Snyder!

Maria V. Snyder has created a timeless setting with the Study series. In Poison Study, Yelena is a young woman who is set for the noose but gets a second chance on one condition - become a taste tester for the Commander to make sure he is not being poisoned. Yelena is challenged by her new position and is tested by the other staff. Can she make a life for herself when each day she faces the threat of death by poison?

The series is quick paced, full of intrique and the character development is will keep the reader turning pages well into the night.

Following Poison Study: Magic Study and lastly, Fire Study.

Also check out Snyder's Glass series. First in the series is Storm Glass. Sea Glass is due to be released in September.

Maria V. Snyder went to college for a B.S. degree in meteorology. She changed careers in 1995 when she began to write Poison Study which was published in 2005.

Frank McCourt, Dies at 78

Frank McCourt, award-winning author of Angela's Ashes, an Irish "epic of woe", died Sunday of meningeal complications and skin cancer.

In Honor of Richard Scarry, Author and Illustrator

Richard McClure Scarry (June 5, 1919 – April 30, 1994) was an enormously popular American children's author and illustrator who published over 300 books with total sales of 300 million worldwide and translated into 30 languages. Scarry's most famous series of books was about Busytown; Cars and Trucks and Things that Go, Busy, Busy Town and The Best Word Book Ever are three of his busiest and most beloved books. Scarry's characters are almost always animals, like cats, rabbits, pigs and mice, with human-like characteristics. In the 1980s and 1990s, many of his "Best Ever" series of books were converted into very popular animated videos.  The Albert Lea Public Library has 34 of his books; come  see which ones could become your favorites. 

Bill Peet, Illustrator

Bill Peet (January 29, 1915 - May 11, 2002) wrote and illustrated over 20 children's books. His childhood history was quite chaotic. He grew up barely knowing his father who was away in the military during WWI. His father later returned, only to drift in and out of the family and one time striking Bill as a child.

Bill often drew during school, frequently getting into trouble because of his distraction but was eventually recognized for his talent. He went to school at the John Herron Art Institute and later was involved with Disney studios. He later left Disney to pursue his career on his own.

Bill's drawing style is easily recognized - cartoonish, vivid and exciting. His stories are also well-told and are a delight to kids and adults who remember reading his books years ago. The illustration at left is from "How Droofus the Dragon Lost His Head." You might also recognize his signature style in Disney films such as Jungle Book or Sword in the Stone.

Interested readers should come check out the Albert Lea Public Library's collection of Bill Peet books. You might also enjoy visiting the Bill Peet website.

Donald E. Westlake, Mystery Writer

Donald E. Westlake, mystery writer, age 75, passed away on New Year's Eve. He wrote over 100 novels and the New York Times called him "one of the most successful and versitile writers . . ."

Artist & Illustrator: Benjamin LaCombe

French artist Benjamin LaCombe has taken a new direction by writing/illustrating the children's book Cherry and Olive. The illustrations are gothic in tone and explore shape in interesting ways. His children's illustrations are a new avenue away from his other work which is decidely more mature. If you like Tim Burton, you might like Benjamin LaCombe.

Try this Children's Author

Sandra Boynton has been a bestselling author for 25 years. Her latest book, Fifteen Animals, is a unique counting book where you count the Bobs, count the pets, count the bunnies, count the fish.  It's all the energy and appeal of Boynton with lively language, distinctive illustrations and incomparable characters.

There are too many to mention, but here are just a few of her other popular board books:
Pajama Time
Dinosaur's Binkit
Barnyard Dance
Moo, Baa, La La La
Horns to Toes and in Between
Fuzzy, Fuzzy, Fuzzy!
Bob
Hey, Wake Up!

Emily Gravett: Illustrator

Emily Gravett is the illustrator of:

• Wolves

• Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears

• Meerkat Mail

• Monkey and Me

• Orange, Pear, Apple, Bear

She mixes media and is adept at watercolor, colored pencil illustration and more. Her work is very cunning, especially in Wolves, for which she won the Macmillian Prize for illustration. Check out Emily Gravett's website to read more about her books. Children will also find games and activities at the website.

Final Farewell to Tony Hillerman and Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton, author of many bestselling novels, including Jurassic Park and The Andromeda Strain, died Tuesday. He was 66.

Tony Hillerman, mystery author of Navajos of the Southwest, died Sunday. He was 83.

Try this author....Jhumpa Lahiri

Jhumpa Lahiri's writing is often described as "stunning," "shimmering" and many other positively radiant descriptions. An Indian author, she often writes of families from India who have moved to the United States who are undergoing personal growth and turmoil. Her writing is also described as "psychologically astute."

You might try:

The Nakesake

Unaccostomed Earth