Monday Children’s Book Reviews for December 28, 2015

Whatever Happened to My Sister by Simona Ciraolo

“A young girl sets out to find out exactly what happened to her sister. Who is this new sister? Why does she never want to play anymore?

“For anyone who has ever felt left behind, Simona Ciraol, paints a touchingly sweet portrayal of the transience of childhood and how adolescence and growing up can be a truly mystifying experience.”    [JPB CIRAOLO,S]

Lola Levine is Not Mean by Monica Brown

“Lola loves writing in her diario and playing soccer with her team, the Orange Smoothies. But when a soccer game during recess gets ‘too competitive,’ Lola accidentally hurts her classmate Juan Gomez. Now everyone is calling her Mean Lola Levine!

“Lola feels horrible, but with the help of her family and her super best friend, Josh Blot, she learns how to navigate the second grade in true Lola fashion–with humor and the power of words.

“In this first book in a series, Lola’s big heart and creative spirit will ring true.”                      [ J BROWN,M]

You Can’t See the Elephants by Susan Kreller

“When thirteen-year-old Mascha is sent to her grandparents’ for the summer, she spends her days bored and lonely at a nearby playground. There she meets Julia and Max, two young siblings who are incredibly shy and withdrawn. Mascha soon begins to suspect that they are being physically abused by their father, a prominent member of their small community. She tells her grandparents and the authorities, but they all refuse to believe her.

“Mascha can’t let the abuse go on, so she takes matters into her own hands.”             [J KRELLER,S]

Traditional Folk and Fairy Tales

In the twentieth century, fairy tales (and their close relatives, folk tales and myths) have had their ups and downs. There have been decades in which they were champi
oned and other decades in which they were downgraded or even vilified. This usually happened because of the changing attitudes of educators and parents. Some believed fairy tales were of little value or even harmful to children. Others were convinced that the strong response fairy tales brought out in most children was an indication that the tales had key importance in child development, yet they weren’t sure exactly why.

What does psychology have to say about the fairy tale?….Read the article Traditional folk and fairy tales. By: Pellowski, Anne, Nees, Susan, Ladybug, 10514961, Jul95, Vol. 5, Issue 11 Library Database:Primary Search

Monday Children’s Book Reviews for December 21, 2015

Some classic Christmas stories:

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

This classic poem is available in many different editions and some interesting variations

The Nutcracker

This original tale by E. T. A. Hoffman, written in 1892, has also been adapted by many different writers and illustrators and it’s a good idea to read the story before going to see the ballet!

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

“Awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 1986, The Polar Express has sold more than 7 million copies, become a classic holiday movie, and been translated into stage productions that take place across the United States during the holiday season.

“A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa.”

The Twelve Days of Christmas

This English folk song has been many classic versions as well as wildly imaginative variations – something for everyone!

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens’ classic novella, first published in 1843, follows the story of Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by three Ghosts of Christmas. The Ghosts show Scrooge – and us! – that holiday kindness goes a long way! In many different versions including picture book editions, videos, and books on CD.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

The Mean One, Mr. Grinch, is dressing up as Santy Claus, stealing all the Whos’ Christmas! But lucky for all the Whos in Whoville, he can’t nix the true spirit of the holiday.

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story  by Gloria Houston

In the Appalachian town of Spruce Pine, one family is responsible for providing the town with a Christmas tree each year, and this year it’s Ruthie’s family’s turn. Ruthie and her father choose the tree early in the spring, but by the time winter comes, he’s in Europe, as the Great War has just ended. Through sacrifice, the power of family, and the magic of Christmas, the village gets its perfect tree and Ruthie gets a perfect holiday.

The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

A little boy builds a snowman on a wintry day, only to find later that night that his creation has come alive…and it can fly! Originally published in 1978, this story has been rereleased in combination with a new story

The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola

Lucinda’s mother is asked to weave a new blanket to cover the church’s statue of baby Jesus, but when she falls ill, Lucinda accidentally ruins the work while trying to finish it. Ashamed, the little girl is afraid to go to the church on Christmas Eve because she has no beautiful gift, until an old woman reminds her that the baby Jesus will love anything that she gives with love. Lucinda’s humble gift of weeds and her prayers cause a miracle to take place within the church.

Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus by Francis P. Church

In 1897, an 8-year-old girl named Virginia O’Hanlon asked her father if Santa Claus was real. Caught off guard, Mr. O’Hanlon advised his daughter to send the question to The Sun newspaper, telling her, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” The paper’s beautiful response to the child’s question would eventually become the most reprinted editorial ever to run in any newspaper in the English language.

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

A husband and wife sacrifice treasured possessions in order to buy each other Christmas presents

Little Fir Tree by Margaret Wise Brown

A lonely little fir tree, standing by itself at the edge of the forest, has its life transformed when a father takes it home to serve as a living Christmas tree for his bedridden son

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

The six mean Herdman kids lie, steal, smoke cigars (even the girls) and then become involved in the community Christmas pageant

 

Monday Children’s Book Reviews for December 14, 2015

Want to try your hand at making gifts this year? Find help at the Library!

Cool Sewing for Kids by Alex Kuskowski

“Provides step-by-step, illustrated instructions for sewing projects, including a tote, pillow, and pencil case.”  [J746 KUSKOWSKI]

A Kid’s  Guide to Sewing: Learn to Sew with Sophie and Her Friends: 16 Fun Projects You’ll Love to Make and Use by Sophie Kerr

“In this book by well-known modern quilters Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr along with their 11-year-old daughter Sophie Kerr, kids will learn how to navigate a sewing machine, make smart fabric choices, and use basic sewing tools. Sixteen kid-friendly projects run the gamut from clothes to bags to accessories while clear, step-by-step instructions walk kids through the creation of each. Throughout the book, tips from Sophie offer design and construction advice from a kid’s perspective. The book ‘grows’ with the sewist, offering more complex projects as the reader’s skills develop.”                  [J646.2044 KERR]

Simply Sewing by Judy Ann Sadler

“Features a vast array of unique sewing projects, including tote bags, wraps, and ways to transform ordinary apparel into fashion masterpieces, that are accompanied by step-by-step instructions, hand-sewing stitches, and fabric facts.”         [J646.2 SADLER]

Cool Knitting for Kids: A Fun and Creative Introduction to Fiber Arts by Alex Kuskowski

“Provides step-by-step, illustrated instructions for knitting projects, including mitts, scarf, and bag.”                    [J746.432 KUSKOWSKI]

12 Easy Knitting Projects by Peg Blanchette and Terri Thibault

“This title is suitable for ages 9 to 12 years. Even if you have never picked up knitting needles before, Peg and Terri will have you knitting in no time flat! This title includes 12 all new projects that use the `coolest` of the `hot` new yarns. Each pattern includes: how-to-do-it, step-by-step illustrations, what you need, and the simple stitches to know. Make some outstanding new knitted essentials, including fuzzy scarves, a sparkly metallic-yarn hip bag, great ski hats, a stylish halter top, and some toasty mittens, too.”                 [J746.432 BLANCHETTE]

Teen Knitting Club: Chill Out and Knit by Jennifer Wenger

“All over the country, kids are picking up knitting needles and wildly colorful yarns to make really cool clothes and other fabulous stuff–from cozy chenille scarves to snuggly shawls, funky rag bags to furry tank tops, whimsical brimmed hats to classy cardigans. Whether on their own or together with friends in after-school clubs, recreation centers, or even yarn shops, these kids are discovering that knitting is more than learning basic stitches and following pattern directions.”                 [J746.432 WENGER]

Crochet for Kids: Basic Techniques and Great Projects That Kids Can Make Themselves by Franziska Heidenreich

“With this book, kids (and tweens) can learn to crochet accessories and toys all by themselves.

• Simple, easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and photos show basic crochet techniques and the challenging parts of each project
• The patterns start very simple, with chains used as shoelaces, and build to relatively advanced projects such as afghans and stuffed toys
• Fun, colorful projects will appeal to boys and girls aged 7 to 13
• 29 projects (12 beginner, 11 intermediate, and 6 advanced) include friendship bracelets, berets and caps, embellishments for shirts and scarves, fingerless mitts, messenger bags, and more”     [J746.434 HEIDENREICH]

Handmade Gifts by Margaret Parrish

“Features step-by-step instructions for candle making, crocheting, paper-crafting, and baking over seventy projects that can be given as meaningful, hand-crafted gifts.”        [745.59 HANDMADE]

FamilyFun Homemade Holidays by Deanna F. Cook

“A collection of more than 150 family projects for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Includes easy recipes, gifts that children can make, party plans, and directions for making decorations.”              [ J745.59416 FAMILYFUN]

A Merry Christmas Cookbook by Cristina Garces

“Treat your taste buds to a feast of traditional holiday delights! With simple step-by-step instructions, helpful cooking tips, color photographs, and charming character art, this book is the perfect way for parents and children to make holiday magic in the kitchen! A rating system lets kids know how difficult the recipes are, and cooking tips are sprinkled throughout. Kids will enjoy making Rolly’s Spotted Cranberry Pancakes, Sugar Rush Popcorn Gumdrop Garland and Anna’s Frozen Ice Candy!”                     [J641.5686 GARCES]

STAGEBRIDGE @ the Union City Library

Never Too Late

Thursday, Dec 10 at 1:30 p.m.

Join us for theatrical works that showcase the rich and varied
experiences of older adults to a multigenerational audience.

Musical revue features songs,
outrageous skits, and hilarious
strolls down memory lane.

Write Your Story …Christmas Eve 1940

Christmas Eve 1940”

A fiction in England

By Bruce Haase / Senior Library Member 

Dec. 2015

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

From the prompt: A child is doubting Santa for the first time, on Christmas Eve there’s a thud on the roof…

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It was the first Christmas that I wasn’t sure if there was a Santa Claus. In December of 1940 I was ten years old and we lived on the Royal Hendon Road, not far from the Royal Air Force airfield. The Battle of Britain had just slowed down in October, but we weren’t sure if it was safe then, just weeks later.

 

My only brother, George, was fourteen and he and his friends had fun convincing me that there wasn’t a Santa. They had pretty much succeeded in their efforts. I felt a little sad, but more grown up with my new knowledge. During the war, my Dad was a civilian, but was gone most of the time, traveling the country, fixing electronic gear and training soldiers.

 

On that Christmas Eve and my Mom and Dad and George were down at the local pub for a couple of hours. I was home alone with our ancient cat, Prissy, she would fall asleep too close to the coal heater and would have to be moved away before she caught fire. I had moved Prissy and was dozing in the parlor with the wireless on low.

 

Far overhead there was the sound of a few Merlin engines, those Merlin’s were comforting music to our ears back then. The German engines never had a smooth and pleasant sound to them. We called the Germans, hienies, or Fritz or just plain nazis in those days. We didn’t hate them exactly, but we were very afraid of them, no one ever spoke of that fear though.

 

I heard one of the Merlins get a choppy sound, that got me on my feet. I checked Prissy and climbed the stairs to listen better. My ears were straining and I was barely breathing when the engine quit. While thinking about the young man, high above, alone in the dark and cold, I started counting off seconds and waited for a sound. Mom’s wind up Porcelain wall clock read ten:fifty-three when there was a big thud and swooshing sound on the roof.  There was a rattle outside the window, on opening it I was face to face with a man hanging from parachute cords.

 

He was badly hurt and I said that I would go for help. He said no, please don’t leave him alone. He asked me my name and I told him, “Johnnie”. He said he was a Canadian Flight Officer named Carson and he wasn’t going to make it.

 

He told me of his wife in Ontario and his three children, all younger than me. He asked me to take his wrist watch and to make sure they got it. His grip on my arm was weakening and his voice became too soft and garbled to understand. His eyes closed and he died. It was ten:fifty-eight. I had only known him for five minutes. I took his watch off of his wrist, it was broken and very bloody.

 

That Christmas Day I washed his watch and carefully wrapped it, I wrote a letter to his family. I told them how much we children appreciated the people like Canadian Flight Officer Carson. People that came from another country to help save us from the Nazi’s.

 

The next day my brother and I went to the airfield and we found a Pilot Officer that would make sure that Pilot Carson’s family would get his watch and my letter. A couple of months later I received a letter from his wife and parents. They thanked me for my letter and the watch, they had given him that watch on the day he got his wings at flight training. Now they had it back and it meant a lot to them. They told me that they were happy that I was there in his last moments so he wasn’t alone.

 

During that war George and I and our Mom and Dad and many other children at school wrote many other letters to families of dead soldiers, sailors, and airmen. We received many letters back, all saying how much our letters meant to them. We felt like we were helping those loved ones, heartbroken, so far way. It’s not a lot of effort to write a letter.

 

I’ve written many more over the decades, and through all of the wars, I’ve written to the families of police and firemen too. My wife and children have done the same. Now the grandchildren carry on. It’s December 2015 now, and I know that on Christmas Eve I’ll think about washing Canadian Flight Officer Carson’s broken watch.

 

Flight Officer Carson wasn’t Santa, but he taught me about the meaning of giving… Even if the gift is as small as a letter.  

Write Your Story @ the Union City Library

Join our senior library member Bruce Haase and write your memoir. Bruce is a life long reader, he now writes memoire-based, creative non-fiction. These are informal meetings to support each other and organize your thoughts for writing. Sharing is optional.

   Meetings take place the third Tuesday of the Month

December 15, January 19, and February 16

1 — 3 p.m.

For more information: Bruce Haase  Email:ohnjca@comcast.net

                                                         Location: UNION CITY BRANCH – Get Directions

 

Monday Children’s Book Reviews for December 7, 2015

Beautiful Yetta’s Hanukkah Kitten by Daniel Pinkwater

“Huddling with her parrot friends in a warm nest atop a street light as the winter begins, Yetta the Yiddish chicken discovers a stray kitten and must find it a safe home when her parrot friends are reluctant to adopt it.”     [JPB PINKWATER]

Hanukkah by Lisa M. Herrington

“A book just right for emergent readers introduces the origin, traditions, and festivities of Hanukkah.”                 [JE 296.435 HERRINGTON]

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Erik A. Kimmel

“This 25th anniversary edition of a now-classic tale relates how Hershel outwits the goblins that haunt the old synagogue and prevent the village people from celebrating Hanukkah.”         [J KIMMEL,E]

Hanukkah Bear by Erik A. Kimmel

“Bubba Brayna makes the best latkes in the village, but at ninety-seven, doesn’t hear or see very well—so when a bear arrives at her door, lured by the delicious scent, she invites him in to celebrate Hanukkah with her. Includes a recipe for Latkes.”                 [JPB KIMMEL,E]

Hanukkah Lights: Holiday Poetry selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins

“An illustrated collection of poems for beginning readers captures the diverse celebratory events of the Festival of Lights, including spinning the dreidel and lighting the menorah.”         [J811.54 HANUKKAH]

The Parakeet Named Dreidel by Isaac Bashevis Singer

“A picture book adaptation of a classic Hanukkah story by the Nobel Prize-winning writer follows the experiences of a family that adopts a stray, Yiddish-speaking parakeet during Hanukkah before discovering its original owner years later.”           [JPB SINGER,I]

The Very Best Hanukkah Gift by Joanne Rocklin

“Hanukkah is here at last, and Daniel Bloom couldn’t be more excited. It’s time for candle lighting and storytelling and presents. Time for chocolate gelt and dreidel games and . . . green latkes? Uh-oh. Maybe this year’s Hanukkah won’t be quite what Daniel expects.

“And his mom’s zucchini latke experiment isn’t Daniel’s only holiday challenge. There’s that dog who just moved in down the hall. That huge dog with the fierce bark. Ever since being bitten last summer, Daniel has been afraid of dogs. Whenever he hears barking, he feels younger than his little sister, Amy. She loves dogs. Daniel knows that Amy wishes he weren’t afraid. Maybe then, one of her gifts could be a dog. But that would take a miracle, Daniel figures. A Hanukkah miracle.”      [J ROCKLIN,J]

Cinderella

If someone asked you to name a fairy tale everyone knows, chances are you might say Cinderella. But did you know that the story of Cinderella is found all over the world in many different cultures? In China, she is known as Yeh-Shen. In Appalachia, she is called Ashpet. Some Native Americans know her as Little Burnt Face.

The story of Cinderella has found its way all over the world. Why? Probably because the story expresses fears and hopes that most people can understand. In the story of Cinderella, there is something for everyone: magic, romance, and realism. Cruelty is always punished, and goodness is always rewarded.

to read the full article check  Lusted, Marcia Amidon, Greenfield, Judith C., Appleseeds, 10997725, Feb2009, Vol. 11, Issue 5

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  Persian Cinderella@ the Union City Library

Saturday December 12, 2015

2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

 

Join children’s Librarian Ms. Pat Ryan and Library member Firoza Omar to listen to the story of the Persian Cinderella in English and Farsi!