Monday, June 24, 2013

Explore Something New this Summer


Want to learn how to:
knit
crochet
 use a camera
discover science
weave something
whip up a batch of cookies
?

Now you can - just check out an EXPLORE Bag at the library. The knitting EXPLORE bag has knitting needles, a book of instructions and yarn for your first project. The weaving bag contains a loom with enough loops to make something you can use. The cooking bag has a chef's toque you can decorate and keep for when you make picnic lunches... and EXPLORE Science is full of things you can do in your back yard. There's even a photography bag with a digital camera.

The EXPLORE bags were designed for children eight years old and older. But see those colorful backpacks? Those are for the pre-school to first-grade crowd. They are designed to help young children learn literacy skills, but are great for helping kindergarteners and first graders retain some of their reading and math skills over the summer.

BACKPACKS are full of books, puzzles, games and a "use-and-keep activity book". There's also a "parent's field guide" jam-packed with fingerplays and games to help young children learn more about reading and math. Each BACKPACK has its own theme. Kids can learn about:
the ocean
dinosaurs
outer space
big trucks
bugs and birds...
and more!

There are 10 backpacks and each one is different.  Each activity book has mazes, dot-to-dots and a cut-out activity that helps develop small motor skills. There's enough variety to keep your little ones busy and connected with reading all summer long.





Monday, June 17, 2013

New to Our Shelves ~ Children's Nonfiction

 There's a whole slew of cool new nonfiction for kids. From Bats to Cowboys to Really Disgusting Things! Bats: Biggest! Littlest! offers a fun way to learn about these flying mammals. If you're outside watching fireflies this summer, you will probably see some bats, too.

Cowboy Up! is a mix of poetry, narrative, and lots of excellent photos of Navajo rodeo. Children rope and ride, too, though on a tamer, and smaller scale. The photos are so good you can almost taste the dust.

The Mystery of Darwin's Frog tells about an unusual species where the daddy frog holds tadpoles in his vocal sac until they get their legs and are ready to see the world. It's written by a scientist who studied these frogs - and the illustrations are wonderful.

 If you've got a kid whose favorite phrase is "eeeww! That's Disgusting!" then we've got the perfect series for you. "That's Disgusting" is a series of books that feature Disgusting Animals, Disgusting Bugs, Disgusting Plants, Foods, Jobs, and Places. Books feature slimy animals, creepy crawlies that live in your bed, and other details that are simply too disgusting to talk about. BUT they are great to read about - especially for the 8 - 12 year old crowd. If you have a reluctant reader, one of these books might just be the ticket to get him - or her - reading. And maybe even going outside to check out disgusting things in your back yard.

In addition to books, we've got some EXPLORE bags for the 8 and older crowd. One contains a handlens - perfect for searching out disgusting bugs and plants.



Monday, June 10, 2013

New to our Shelves ~ Adult fiction & nonfiction

New* books are put on the shelves every week. Here's just a smattering of books that found a home in Candor Free Library in May.
(*they may not be new, but they are new to our library)

Helen MacInnes, the Queen of Spy writers, penned 21 novels - some of which have been turned into movies. Above Suspicion, originally published in 1941, has recently been reprinted. It's about a couple on their European vacation who "do a favor" for a friend and find themselves running to stay one step ahead of their enemies. There's also a new copy of Assignment in Brittany, about a British spy dropped into Brittany during the German occupation.

There's a whole crockpot full of new books about food - fiction and nonfiction. Here's a taste to whet your appetite:
Fix It and Forget It is a great book for busy people: parents who have to run multiple kids to multiple sports/dance/karate/music etc activities. Or folks who just want to toss stuff in to cook and spend a day out hiking or in the garden and come home to a tasty meal.
Better than Peanut Butter & Jelly is full of vegetarian recipes that kids will eat. You don't have to be vegetarian to use this book - it's great for people who are trying to cut grocery costs by substituting a non-meat meal each week. 
Then there are the books that feature food -  like Joanne Fluke's books. Who can resist carrot cake? Especially when it's served up with murder and recipe cards? If you gobble this book too quickly, don't worry; there are four more Fluke food mysteries on the shelf: Key Lime Pie Murder, Candy Cane Murder, Cherry Cheesecake Murder and Sugar and Spice
Those hungering for historical fiction may find The Last Witchfinder by  James Morrow a treat. Jennet Stearne's father hangs witches for a living - this is in 1600's England, so it's an acceptable occupation. But when she sees her aunt unjustly executed as a witch, Jennet makes it her life's mission to bring down the Parliamentary Witchcraft Act. A tale of adventure (pirates) and romance.