February 03, 2004
In this issue:
Chris Crutcher reminder.
Dr. Seuss celebration.
Something for your July calendar.
Little Quack.
Jackie Mitchell, gutsy girl.
"Encore, Grace!"
The classics plus.
Children of two cultures.
Growing up girl.
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Greetings:
Does anyone out there have a cure for cabin fever? I need it. Quick. I've
tried reading gardening magazines, but that only makes me whiney. A trip is
out. I'm at a loss. Guess I'll just lose myself in books.
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I'll start reminding you now of our Chris Crutcher event coming up on April 1.
We have plenty of time to get middle school and high school students involved by
reading or recommending Crutcher's books to them and then inviting them to hear
him read. For this event we are hosting a Literary Feast. Our cafe prepares a
special dinner and an opportunity for you to dine and visit with the author.
The dinner is $8.95 and is from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in our community room.
Reservations are required. We will reserve seats at the reading for those who
attend the dinner. The reading will begin at 7:00 with a book signing to
follow. From all accounts, Chris Crutcher is a great guy--someone that both
kids and adults will enjoy. If you would like more information about this
event, would like to make Literary Feast reservations, or would like a list of
Crutcher books, please let me know.
For a look at Crutcher's wonderful web site, click here:
http://www.aboutcrutcher.com/
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I still have a few free passes to the Seuss celebration coming to Exploration
Place on February 17. It promises to be a wild day. I also have plenty of Dr.
Seuss calendars and posters to give away. Let me know if you need any of these
items.
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Our sale is behind us, and we're making room for new books coming in all the
time. If you missed the sale, try to make it to the next one in July (now
that's advance notice!). It's the best.
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Lauren Thompson and Derek Anderson have a new Little Quack book entitled
"Little Quack's Hide and Seek." It's a math concept book in which mama duck
and her five little ducklings play hide and seek. Mama can't find Little
Quack because he's found the best hiding place of all. Featured at the
bottom of each page, is a "quack-u-lator" for helping kids count and
subtract. Too cute. This one was kid-tested in story time this morning and
it passed. (ages 2-6)
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We all know that women don't compete in major league baseball. This is
especially true in 1931 when Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig are playing with the
legendary New York Yankees. In April of that year, Jackie Mitchell is about
to become a legend herself in her hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee, where
the Yankees have stopped to play an exhibition game against the Chattanooga
Lookouts. Jackie Mitchell gets a chance to pitch against Babe Ruth and Lou
Gehrig, but there isn't a chance that she'll strike them out. Is there?
This little-known story is one of grit, determination and hard work. It's a
feel-good story that has the suspense to make it a good choice for reading
aloud. And you don't have to like baseball to enjoy it. (ages 5-8)
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Many of you have read Mary Hoffman's "Amazing Grace" and "Boundless Grace,"
both award winners featuring a lively, lovable heroine named...Grace. Now
comes "Encore, Grace!" in her second illustrated chapter book. This story
finds Grace taking on the challenge of a new student who vies for the
teacher's attention; Grace appearing on stage in a modern fairy tale; and
Grace facing permanent change within her family. (ages 7-10)
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I've just discovered a series that's been out in the U.S. since 1996, but
maybe it's new to some of you too. "The Whole Story" is a series of
classics presented in documentary style which makes them accessible to a
wider audience of readers. Each contains the original, unabridged text
accompanied by captioned color illustrations, side-bar explanations of
history, geography, social customs, the animal kingdom, architecture,
literature, and science. Also included are line drawings, maps,
photographs, diagrams, and paintings, many of them reproduced from the era
in which the story was written. Think of these as the classics meet
National Geographic and the History Channel. We have about ten titles in
the store and they all fascinate me. (ages 10 up)
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What is it like to grow up in different parts of Africa today? And what's
it like to be a child of two cultures--an American living in Africa, or an
African living in America? These questions are addressed in "Memories of
Sun: Stories of Africa and America" an anthology edited by Jane Kurtz. Jane
Kurtz is herself a child of two cultures--Ethiopian and American--and has
chosen these stories and poems wisely. This is a subject that touches all
our lives...if we're paying attention. (ages 10 up)
For more info about this book and Jane Kurtz visit:
http://www.janekurtz.com/memories.html
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Another new anthology, this one edited by Sandy Asher, is "On Her Way:
Stories and Poems about Growing Up Girl." This collection of twenty-one
stories and poems celebrates the highs and lows faced by every young girl
who is finally growing up. There are some wonderful authors represented
here; you're sure to find some of your favorites. (ages 10-14)
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Since I began writing this morning, I have taken my husband to the airport
to fly to Phoenix for 5 days of golf. Hey! I'm the one with cabin fever!
Now I really need that cure. Stay warm and have a good week.
Carolyn
